Archive for May, 2011
« Older Entries | Newer Entries »This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Patch Products Places QR Codes on Packaging
Monday, May 23rd, 2011
Patch Products has debuted Quick Response barcodes (QR codes) on its packaging to help consumers make informed purchase decisions while shopping. When the unique QR code is scanned from a Patch Products package, the app will immediately direct the user to Patch’s website or to a specific video page so shoppers can learn vital information about the game before they buy it. Patch’s new QR codes can be found on its 3-D Sneaky Floor Puzzles, What’s Your Like?, 5 Second Rule, Love It! Hate It!, 100 Wacky Things, and Farkle Frenzy games and puzzles.
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This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
PADI Dives into Licensing With Marathon Projects
Monday, May 23rd, 2011
PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors), a global scuba diving training organization, has named Marathon Projects as the licensing agent for the PADI brand. Marathon Projects will develop and manage the program, which will focus on licensing the PADI brand for a variety of categories, including dolls, action figures, Halloween costumes, video games, educational toys, and more.
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This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
MGA Sues Banks for Allegedly Concealing Accounting Fraud
Monday, May 23rd, 2011
MGA Entertainment has filed a lawsuit (MGA Entertainment, Inc. v. Deutsche Bank AG, BC458341) against several large European banks, alleging that the banks concealed accounting fraud by French toymaker Smoby prior to MGA’s purchase of the company. The suit alleges that in or around 2002, Jean-Christophe Breuil—of the Breuil family, which held the controlling stake of Smoby—was appointed CEO of Smoby Group at which time he started “embezzling hundreds of million of Euros from the company,” says A. Barry Cappello, attorney for MGA.
Cappello alleges “the banks’ conduct during the sale’s due diligence period led MGA to believe that Smoby was a valuable, legitimate enterprise.” After MGA owner Isaac Larian was approached about buying the company, the banks allegedly manipulated Smoby’s internal finances and now the company stands to lose as much as $300 million because of the acquisition.
The banks named in the lawsuit are: Deutsche Bank, Barclays Bank, Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Caisse Regionale de Credit, Agricole de Franche Compte, Commerzbank 1814968586 Aktiengesellschaft, Deutsche Bank Luxenbourg, and Societe Generale.
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This post was written by Jill Feigelman
Large DuneCraft Donation for Kids Wish Network
Thursday, May 19th, 2011
DuneCraft has donated licensed “instant plant” kits and terrariums for children in crisis through the gift program Kids Wish Network.
DuneCraft has been a part of Kids Wish Network since 2004. This latest donation included “Spongebob” Water Wonders Instant Plant kits and “Dora the Explorer” Mermaid Adventure Garden terrariums.
The kits are small and are designed for both indoor and outdoor use, making it a perfect fit for children confined in hospital rooms. The company says that growing and caring for plants is a great stress reliever for the kids.
The donation was made just in time for Kids Wish Networks’ official launch of its launches Holiday of Hope Gift Bank and the “Kids Wish Network on Tour” program. The Holiday of Hope Gift Bank brings gifts to sick children in hospital care facilities. The Kids Wish Network on Tour features trucks filled with gifts, traveling across the country to children in need.
Photo Credit:Barnes&Noble.com
Tags: DuneCraft, Kids Wish Network
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This post was written by Jill Feigelman
TIF Holds Fundraising Drive for National Foster Care Month
Thursday, May 19th, 2011
This month, the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) is holding its Virtual Do Good Stuff-a-thon for National Foster Care Month.
Donations will aid the Foundation’s partnership with My Stuff Bags Foundation, which provides duffel bags filled with toys, toiletries, and other necessities needed to foster care agencies across the country.
TIF will set up a website where corporate teams or individuals can virtually “stuff” bags with items. The organization says a donation as small as $10 dollars can comfort a child.
To donate, click here
Photo Credit: The Toy Industry Foundation
Tags: Do Good Stuff-a-Thon, My Stuff Bag Foundation, National Foster Care Month, Toy Industry Foundation
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This post was written by Jill Feigelman
“Avatar: The Exhibition” to Open June 4
Thursday, May 19th, 2011
Fans of the highest-grossing film of all time, Avatar, can step into the world of Pandora through a new exhibit opening at Experience Music Project|Science Fiction Museum (EMP|SFM) in Seattle.
The exhibit, opening June 4, is developed in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products and James Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment and will feature actual props from the movie, interactive displays, concept models, and sketches.
In addition to getting an up-close look at the costumes and props of the film, visitors will be able to sit in director James Cameron’s seat via interactive displays. Visitors can take a look at how motion capture is used, as well as how virtual and 3-D technologies were used to create the film.
The exhibit will run in Seattle until September 3, 2012 and then will hit the road for stops at other cultural institutions around the globe.
Photo Credit: Empmuseum.org
Tags: Avatar, Experiance Music Project Science Fiction Museum, James Cameron
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This post was written by Jill Feigelman
Recall: UJ Trading Knight Hawk Toy Helicopters
Thursday, May 19th, 2011
UJ Trading in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has recalled approximately 18,500 Danbar Knight Hawk Toy Helicopters due to a fire hazard. RadioShack previously recalled the helicopters in January, due to one fire report.
The battery housing under the canopy of the remote-control helicopters can overheat while charging, leading to a potential fire. UJ Trading has reported no injuries.
The recalled units can be identified by the model number 006047 marked on the back of the controller and the Knight Hawk logo located on the front of the controller. The body of the helicopter also contains the markings: AH-64 and helicopter.
Consumers should immediately take the helicopter away from children and contact UJ Trading to obtain a full refund. UJ Trading will provide a paid postage label to return the recalled product.
Consumers with incident or injuries reports are asked to contact the CPSC by visiting www.saferproducts.gov.
Photo Credit: Consumer Reports.org
Tags: danbar Knight Hawk Toy Helicopters, recall, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, UJ Trading
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This post was written by Jill Feigelman
New DVD: Band of Bracelets
Thursday, May 19th, 2011
The popularity of Silly Bandz, Crazy Bands, and Stretchy Shapes make stretchy rubber band bracelets the “it” accessory around wrists. Now the accessory craze is bouncing from wrists to DVD players, with the May 31 release of the animated film Bands on the Run, produced by National Entertainment Media.
The film follows a group of bands as they journey to a toy store. Edison (light bulb shape), Roxie (rock star), Daisy (flower), Ray (TV), and Amelia (airplane) accidentally fall off a delivery truck on its way to the store. At first it seems like the bands will never make it to their original destination, but then Edison gets the “bright” idea to follow the toy truck and the group happily finds its way to the store—and onto the wrists of children.
Ten limited-edition bands of the characters are included in the 50-minute DVD as well as other bonus features. The DVD retails for $14.98.
Photo Credit: ReleasedOn.com
Tags: Bands on the Run, Crazy Bands, DVD, Silly Bandz, Stretchy Sgapes
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This post was written by Jill Feigelman
New ‘My Pet Firefly’ from Gemmy
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011
Following in the footsteps of its products Big Mouth Billy Bass, Frankie the Fish, and Butterfly in a Jar, Gemmy Industries Corporation is releasing My Pet Firefly. This new toy uses patented technology that allows the lightning bug fly around in the jar and realistically light up whenever the jar is tapped. The pet is available in either pink, blue, or green and will retail for $14.99.
Tags: Gemmy Industries, My Pet Firefly
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This post was written by Jill Feigelman
Mega Brands Deal to Bring Power Rangers Samurai to Construction Aisle
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011
Mega Brands, Inc. has entered into a multi-year global licensing agreement, excluding Asia, with Saban Brands to develop construction toys based on the new Power Rangers Samurai, the newest installment in the Power Rangers franchise. The Mega Bloks Power Rangers Samurai construction toy sets will match the style of the new series airing on Nickelodeon. Launching next spring, the Mega Bloks Power Rangers Samurai construction toy line will include popular characters, vehicles, and play sets.
Tags: Mega Brands Inc, Power Rangers, Saban Brands
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