Archive for the ‘News’ Category
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Report: 56.8 Million Americans Have Played a Social Networking Game
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
According to a new report by The NPD Group, Social Network Gaming, approximately 20 percent of Americans ages 6 and older, or 56.8 million U.S. consumers, have played a game on a social network within the last three months. In terms of kids’ activities, according to the report, 23 percent of children ages 6 to 12 reported that they have played a game on a social network within the past three months.
The report also states that 35 percent of social network gamers are new to gaming and have never played any other type of gaming before playing on social networks. According to the report, gamers are nearly evenly divided between genders: 47 percent are male and 53 percent are female.
Social Network Gaming also reports that 10 percent of social network gamers have spent real money playing social networking games, although the games are free to play, and 11 percent of those surveyed are likely to make a future purchase. Gamers surveyed also report spending 20 percent less on gaming overall since they started playing social networking games.
Tags: games, Social Network Gaming, social networking, The NPD Group
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This post was written by Elizabeth Reid
Mamas & Papas Debuts in the U.S. at Babies “R” Us
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
Babies “R” Us has premiered a special assortment of Mamas & Papas products at select stores nationwide. The assortment marks the line’s debut in the U.S. An expanded selection of Mamas & Papas products will also be available at Toys “R” Us Times Square, Babies “R” Us Union Square, and FAO Schwarz Fifth Avenue in New York City, as well as at Babiesrus.com/MamasandPapas.
Mamas & Papas was founded by working mother Luisa Scacchetti in 1981, and the exclusive Babies “R” Us collection includes strollers, lightweight strollers, highchairs, bouncers, and travel toys.
Tags: bouncers, highchair, Mamas and Papas. Babies R Us, strollers, travel toys
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This post was written by Elizabeth Reid
Bradford Licensing Signs On For Katz Fun
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
Bright Ideas Design Co., Ltd., a creative production team, has picked Bradford Licensing, LLC, as its licensing partner to bring Katz Fun merchandise to the U.S. Katz Fun is an animated children’s series about friendship, teamwork, and confidence. In the series, the group of six characters, Katz Fun, unite together to protect the tiger Katz from the evil Dark Messenger whose goal is to “undermine the good intentions of Katz and disturb the tranquility of the Bent Boo Village.”
Potential licensing categories for the series include digital games, home entertainment and DVDs, toys, apparel, accessories, and publishing. Katz Fun’s target audience is children ages 6 to 9, and the show aims to give children a multicultural experience, as well as encourage creativity and education.
Tags: Bradford Licensing, Bright Idea Design Co, Katz Fun
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This post was written by Elizabeth Reid
Babies “R” Us Premieres New Home Safety Microsite
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
Babies “R” Us has launched a new microsite dedicated to informing parents on home safety as a part of the company’s expanded partnership with the Home Safety Council, a national nonprofit organization that raises awareness about accidental infant and child injury and is dedicated to preventing home-related injuries.
The new microsite, Babiesrus.com/HomeSafety, offers tips on how to keep kids safe, and includes a new parent home safety quiz, an interactive nursery safety game, room-by-room baby-proofing tips, and an outline of seven safety product categories (such as baby gates, corner guards, and outlet covers) that parents should consider when they prepare for a baby’s arrival. After browsing the sections, parents can add safety items to their Babiesrus.com shopping cart or print out safety product information as a checklist when shopping in-store.
Tags: Babies R Us, Home Safety Council
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This post was written by Elizabeth Reid
Bandai America Sponsors Second Power Rangers Convention
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
From August 27-29, the Pasadena Convention Center will morph into Ranger Central for the second annual Power Rangers convention, “Power Morphicon.” More than 1,000 visitors and 20 specialty vendors are expected to attend the convention. The event will also feature panels, guest appearances, autograph signings, a silent auction, a costume contest, and the Power Quest Trivia Game.
Bandai America Incorporated, Power Rangers’ master toy licensee, is serving as the premier sponsor and will host a booth in the Dealers Room, allowing fans to meet and take photos with two of the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers characters on Saturday. Bandai’s booth will also display a collection of Power Rangers toys and will offer limited giveaways. Other vendors will include CS Toys International, RedStarRobot, and AnimeBooks.com, among others.
Tags: AnimeBooks.com, Bandai America Incorporated, CS Toys International, Mighty Morphin, Pasadena Convention Center, Power Morphicon, Power Rangers, RedStarRobot
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This post was written by Elizabeth Reid
Iron Man Duo to Write Script for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Art Marcum and Matt Holloway (Iron Man, Punisher: War Zone) have signed on to write the script for the new feature film for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The film is being produced by Platinum Dunes for Paramount. The studio hopes to pick a director and be in production next year, writes THR.
Tags: Art Marcum, Iron Man, Matt Holloway, Paramount, Platinum Dunes, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
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This post was written by Elizabeth Reid
The Band Craze Gets App, Published
Friday, August 20th, 2010
Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing has announced the release of The Band Book, a book dedicated to the rubber band craze that is popular with kids today. The Band Book features funny pictures, trivia, and an “Ultimate Collector’s Checklist” that includes a complete listing of all bands.
Additionally, Simon & Schuster is releasing The Band App for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. The App allows users to blend bands together to create their own unique designs and then share their creations with friends. The Band App can be bought on the Apple App Store for 99 cents, and both The Band App and The Band Book can be purchased at http://pages.simonandschuster.com/thebandapp.
Tags: app, bands, Simon & Schuster, The Band App, The Band Book
Posted in New Products, News | 1 Comment »
This post was written by Elizabeth Reid
PHOTOS: Jakks Hosts Pinkalicious Party, Premieres Toys
Friday, August 20th, 2010
Last weekend, a select group of young girls attended an exclusive Pinkalicious party, hosted by Jakks Pacific, at Le Merigot Beach Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif. The party was held in conjunction with the release of Jakks’ new Pinkalicious toy line, and guests included girls from Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, LA-based celebrities (such as Samantha Harris from Entertainment Tonight/Dancing with the Stars, Constance Marie from George Lopez, Sam Rubin from KTLA, and Rizwan Manji from NBC’s new fall series Outsourced) and their daughters, and other “VIP” Pinkalicious fans. The event benefited Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, a free sleep away camp for kids with cancer and their families.
Photos after the jump.
Tags: Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, JAKKS Pacific, Pinkalicious
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This post was written by Elizabeth Reid
BYU Breaks Record for Largest Water Balloon Fight
Thursday, August 19th, 2010
On July 23, students from Brigham Young University (3,927 to be exact) hurled 120,021 Imperial Toy Water Splashers water balloons at one another to take the official title of largest water balloon fight from 2009 record holder University of Kentucky. The battle lasted six minutes. Student started filling the Water Splashers at 8 a.m. on Wednesday and worked until the event ended Friday.
Photo Credit: Brigham Young University
Tags: Brigham Young University, Imperial Toy, water balloons
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This post was written by Elizabeth Reid
TRU Releases 2010 Guide for Differently-Abled Kids
Thursday, August 19th, 2010
Toys “R” Us, Inc. has released the 2010 edition of the Toys “R” Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids, featuring actress Holly Robinson Peete, mother of a son with autism, and 6-year-old Tommy Austing on the cover. Released annually, the guide helps parents of children with special needs select toys that will help their child develop skills. This year’s guide is the largest edition ever in the publication’s nearly 20-year history, spanning 60 pages.
The toys featured in the guide are assessed by the National Lekotek Center. The association assesses the value of hundreds of toys and at least two skill-building traits are assigned to each toy that appears in the guide. The skills include auditory, creativity, fine motor, gross motor, language, self-esteem, social skills, tactile, thinking, and visual. Additionally, the guide includes “Top Ten Tips for Buying Toys” from the National Lekotek Center and “Safe Play Tips for Children with Special Needs.”
The guide, in English and Spanish, is available in Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com/DifferentlyAbled.
Tags: Holly Robinson Peete, National Lekotek Center, Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids, Toys R Us
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