Transformers Prime Earns Emmy Awards, Hub Garners Nominations

May 2, 2013 By

TransformersHasbro Studios, the Los Angeles-based entertainment division of Hasbro Inc., received a trio of Daytime Emmy Awards in Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation for Transformers Prime from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). The wins were also hailed as achievements by The Hub Network, on which the animated series airs.

Transformers Prime received early victories for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation for Character Animation (Arato Kato), Background Design (Jason Park), and Storyboards (Kirk van Wormer).

In addition to its success with Transformer Prime, The Hub Network received 17 Daytime Emmy Award honors, the most ever in its two-and-half year history, with 14 nominations, as announced by NATAS. The Hub Network received the second most nominations of any kids network, behind only Nickelodeon.

For the first time, The Hub Network received three top programming nominations, including two for Outstanding Children’s Series for The Aquabats! Super Show! (FremantleMedia Enterprises and The Magic Store) and R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series (Front Street Pictures in association with The Hatchery, LLC.), as well as one for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program for Dan Vs. (Film Roman Inc., a Starz Media Company, in association with The Hatchery, LLC.).

The Hub Network also received nominations for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program (Dan Vs.), Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program (Curtis Armstrong as Dan in Dan Vs.), Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction/Set Direction/Scenic Design (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series), Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design and Styling (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series), Outstanding Directing in an Animated Program (Dan Vs.), Outstanding Directing in a Children’s Series (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series), Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series), Outstanding Achievement in Makeup (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series), Outstanding Original Song—Children and Animation (“If You’re a Guy,” Littlest Pet Shop), Outstanding Achievement in Single Camera Editing (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series), Outstanding Achievement in Single Camera Photography (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series), and Outstanding Writing in a Children’s Series (R.L. Stein’s The Haunting Hour: The Series).

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Alexander Doll Co. Celebrates 90 Years with New Offices, a Limited Edition Anniversary Collection, New Licensed Products, and a New Product Category

May 1, 2013 By

The Alexander Doll Co. unveiled its new mid-town location, new doll lines, and new licensed products yesterday in celebration of the company’s 90th anniversary. Since 1923, the company has grown to include collectibles, play dolls, and baby dolls for girls of all ages. For this 90th anniversary, the company has developed an assortment of six dolls to commemorate the company’s history. Re-introductions of classic sculpts and characters included in this collection are a 21-inch Cissy in a beaded dress, inspired by a photograph of Madame Alexander from 1923; an 8-inch Wendy with a Tony Sarg inspired marionette theater; a classic McGuffey Ana; and an 8-inch Wendy and a 10-inch Cissy both dressed to commemorate the anniversary. Each doll comes with a commemorative hang tag and Certificate of Authenticity.

DorothyInThePoppyField

Also on the anniversary front, Madame Alexander has marked the 75th anniversary of two iconic movies, The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind, which were among the company’s first and longest continuous licenses. Each and every year since 1938, new designs have been added to these special collections, and this year is no exception. The three doll sets for Wizard of Oz collectors include a 10-inch Wicked Witch of the West with three 5-inch Winged Monkeys, a 10-inch Glinda the Good Witch withthree 5-inch girls of the Lullaby League, and a 10-inch Dorothy with three 5-inch Poppy dolls. For Gone With the Wind anniversary, the company has created a 21-inch Scarlett O’Hara resplendent in her white ruffled Prayer Dress.

SwanLakeOn the plush side, Alexander Doll Co. has responded to the concerns of modern parents relating to toy hygiene by developing a new washable dolls category. Machine washable and dryable, this collection includes the Wizard of Oz gang, Fancy Nancy, Pinkalicious, and Angelina Ballerina. Alexander Doll’s 18-inch soft cloth play dolls include several new additions, such as Bedtime Angelina, Fancy Nancy, Marabelle, and Swan Lake Angelina.

Alexander Doll will introduce a new facial sculpt on their Favorite Friends line of 18-inch vinyl play dolls this year. Favorite Friends feature rooted hair, sleep eyes, a soft cloth body, five-way jointing, and stylish outfits. Separate outfits are sold and fit most 18-inch play dolls in the market. In addition, the Dollie & Me brand of 18-inch dolls complements an apparel collection of little girl dresses sold with matching doll dresses.

Hearts&RosesBaby dolls have been an integral part of the Alexander Doll Company since the 1930s. Doll ranges include My First Baby with painted eyes and hair, and Newborn Nursery, which are lifelike baby dolls with rooted hair, sleep eyes, and a selection of accessories and outfits.

The history of the Alexander Doll Co. is a tale of growth from a small doll company to one of today’s exclusive brands in the girls’ sector. Kahn Lucas Lancaster Inc., a global designer and wholesaler of branded girls’ dresses and fashion collections, now owns the company.

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Thrash Lab and Giant Robot Profile Uglydoll Creator

April 26, 2013 By

Ashton Kutcher’s Thrash Lab, in collaboration with Giant Robot Profiles, profiles Uglydoll creator David Horvath. The profile tells the story of how Uglydoll was born around 10 years ago from a simple character drawing in a letter margin to a hand-sewn doll by Horvath’s now wife Sun-Min Kim.

Check out the profile on Uglydoll’s YouTube channel below:

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Fort Bliss Military Families Receive Thousands of New Toys from Toy Industry Foundation

April 23, 2013 By

FortBliss1Nearly 3,000 children living with their families on military base Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas were treated to a special toy giveaway on April 17 hosted by the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) and national partner Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) Military Services.

Families stationed at Fort Bliss, as well as resident members of the Air Force, Marines, National Reserves, and others, enjoyed a “Day of Play” that included bouncy houses and games, music and entertainment, and a pizza party.  Children of all ages received brand new toys, games, and stuffed animals donated by generous toy manufacturers. Gifts distributed at this event were generously donated by Alex, DuneCraft, Ganz, Gibout Toys, Hasbro, Lee Magic Pen, Lego, Look Out World, Mattel, MindWare, RBI Toys, Reeves International, Safari Ltd., and TMI Toy Marketing International.

The event was held as part of the joint TIF /BGCA Play Comforts program – the first-ever national toy distribution initiative to serve every branch of the U.S. military.  Through Play Comforts, toys and games donated by caring toy companies are delivered on an annual basis to families on dozens of U.S. military installations at home and abroad. Now in its fourth year of operation, the program has provided more than $3.5 million in toys for children of military families.


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Dunecraft’s Grant Cleveland Opens New Art Show

April 23, 2013 By

Grant Cleveland, CEO of DuneCraft, who had his first art opening at the Dick Kleinman Fine Art Gallery, is having another opening at Fairmount Center for the Arts. The opening will be on April 27, 2013 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with an Artist’s Dialogue at 7:00 p.m.

Dick Kleinman, a massive proponent of Cleveland’s paintings, coined him the father of abstract symbolism, in which a story is told through symbols in the abstract form, colors take on meanings, patterns signify something, and it is possible to learn the language to some degree. Cleveland has just released an e-book, which features his paintings and the stories behind each one. The published version is now for sale and will be at the opening at Fairmount Center for the Arts.

Cleveland’s style is recognizable from the color, broad strokes, compelling subjects, and unique style and energy. Cleveland is an artist and serial entrepreneur. His current business enterprise is DuneCraft, which was started 11 years ago. DuneCraft creates themed terrariums, sprouting kits, and science novelties.

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ABC and JPMA Will Not Merge, Collaborations Continue

April 22, 2013 By

All Baby and Child Corporation (ABC), creators of the ABC Kids Expo, and the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), the industry trade association dedicated to the safe selection and use of juvenile products, will remain independent and will not merge. However, the two non-profit trade organizations will continue their collaborative relationship, which has strengthened over the past two years. As part of this evolving relationship, the two organizations will continue to evaluate the ever-changing needs of the juvenile industry and how to best support all industry stakeholders.

ABC remains committed to ongoing funding of key industry strategic initiatives at least through March 2015, including the enhancement of more frequent communications to all industry stakeholders to increase consumer confidence in the juvenile products industry. Since discussions began early last year, the formation of a vibrant specialty retail trade group, Brixy, was launched and continues to be funded by ABC.

Additionally, JPMA achieved an important industry goal by establishing an office in Washington, D.C. to increase the effectiveness of advocacy efforts at federal and state levels in the best interests of manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. Ongoing initiatives included in the funding agreement include increasing the scope and effectiveness of safety standards, the JPMA Certification Program, and the value of membership with JPMA.

JPMA and ABC have had a collaborative relationship for many years and will continue to work hand-in-hand on a number of different industry matters. While the merger discussions will not continue, the ongoing evolution of the working relationship will remain in order to best support the manufacturer and retail communities.

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Experience the Lego Travel Adventure of the National Museum of Play

April 22, 2013 By

SailorwebFly, drive, or float anywhere your imagination can take you at Lego Travel Adventure at the National Museum of Play at The Strong through Sunday, May 12. The exhibit invites guests to pose for pictures among colorful backdrops, invent extraordinary vehicles at kid-friendly Lego brick stations, and be inspired by eye-popping Lego brick sculptures built by Lego Master Builders.

Among the many hands-on activities:

  • Kids and families can invent their own vehicles at building stations brimming with Lego bricks and Lego Duplo bricks, car bodies, tracks, and other accessories.
  • Preschoolers can race their creations along two downhill tracks with lanes sized especially for Lego Duplo cars.
  • Kids can pretend to fly above the clouds in the cockpit of a giant Travel Adventure Vehicle or hit the road in a child-sized race car made entirely out of Lego Duplo bricks.
  • Families can photograph their vehicles against destination backdrops and email the photos to themselves or to family and friends. Guests can also build their own virtual Lego vehicle on a customized computer program.
  • Museum guests can see models and dioramas built by Lego Master Builders. Display cases capture key moments in travel history—the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, Henry Ford’s automobile factory and Model T, the first giant steamship, and the first continental railroad.
  • Additional displays feature Lego brick vehicles set against travel destination landmarks including the San Francisco Bay Bridge, Paris Arc de Triomphe, Hawaiian Island, and Cape Canaveral. The Travel Adventure Vehicle (T.A.V.), an imaginary, multi-use vehicle, carries minifigure families on journeys through the clouds, under rivers, and up mountain roads.
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Air Hogs Takes to the Skies in For Lauderdale Air Show

April 19, 2013 By

jasonNewburgAir Hogs, announced the exclusive toy sponsorship of the Fort Lauderdale Air Show, April 20-21. The legendary Jason Newburg, who will be performing in the show, will pilot a full-sized version of the Air Hogs Sky Stunt R/C plane. After watching Jason and his tumultuous performance, guests will be able to meet the pilot himself at the Air Hogs Flight School Tent, where he’ll be stopping by for interviews, autographs, and photo opportunities on Saturday, April 20 from 3 to 4 p.m.

Visitors will be able to test out their own piloting skills in the Air Hogs Flight School where they can earn their own official Air Hogs Helicopter pilot wings with never-before-seen helicopters before they hit store shelves. Additionally, fans will be able to enter a draw to take home the entire Air Hogs product line to bring the fun and excitement of Air Hogs to their own backyard.

The 2013 Lauderdale Air Show will feature a diverse line up of military aircraft demonstrations, low altitude flyovers, parachute team jumps, civilian aerobatic performances that will soar over the oceanfront in Fort Lauderdale Beach. The Air Hogs tent is located at Sunrise Blvd and A1A and is open Saturday and Sunday, April 20 and 21, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Jason will be performing in the Lauderdale Air Show, piloting the Air Hogs Sky Stunt plane, throughout the weekend.

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Hasbro Studios Inks Home Entertainment Deal With U.K.’S Clear Vision

April 19, 2013 By

Hasbro Studios, the Los Angeles-based entertainment division of Hasbro Inc. has announced an extensive multi-territory deal with leading independent home entertainment label Clear Vision. The U.K.-based company has acquired HV distribution rights to the first and second seasons of the kids’ hit My Little Pony Friendship is Magic in the U.K., France, Spain, Italy, the Nordic countries, and the Middle East.

mlpProduced and distributed globally by Hasbro Studios, My Little Pony Friendship is Magic follows a core cast of six pony friends through funny, offbeat experiences, lessons in friendship and exciting, enchanted adventures.

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Harold Chizick Launches ChizComm

April 19, 2013 By

Toy industry veteran Harold Chizick has launched ChizComm Ltd., a full-service marketing and communication agency dedicated to launching, marketing, and promoting products and entertainment for children. Chizick is the former vice president of marketing services for Spin Master, where he served for 14 years. The agency will provide strategic planning, product launches, communication strategy, and digital strategy, among other services. Based in Toronto, ChizComm has already signed with Tech 4 Kids to work on the launch of its Tech Recon brand. For more information, email Harold: harold@chizcomm.com.

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