Jakks Debuts Monsuno Toy Line

Jakks Pacific introduces a toy line based on the animated franchise, Monsuno. The line features kid-controlled action figures, accessories, combat sets, collectibles, electronics, and integrated role-play.

The line includes the Monsuno Metal Die-Cast Core collectibles, Core and Transforming Action Figures, Core Combat 2-Packs, Core Combat 4-Packs, Wild Core collector game cards, Stock Clip Action Figures & Cards, Strike Launcher and Auto Strike Multi-Launcher, The Launch Zone and Strike Sector.

Jakks Pacific’s Monsuno product line will be available at major retailers nationwide in March. The Monsuno animated series premieres Feb. 23 on Nicktoons and will also air on Nickelodeon channels around the world, beginning Summer 2012.

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Celebrity-Inspired Cabbage Patch Kids Dolls to Benefit Children’s Charity

Timed to National Adoption Month (November), celebrities Steven Tyler, Al Roker, Katherine Heigl, Kristin Chenoweth, and Raven-Symoné have been recreated as Cabbage Patch Kids for an eBay auction to benefit the Children’s Action Network (CAN). CAN is a national adoption awareness organization dedicated to finding homes for children in the U.S. who are in foster care. Jakks Pacific, master toy licensee for the Cabbage Patch Kids, created the exclusive Celebrity Cabbage Patch Kids.

Through November 17, fans can bid on the dolls at cpkauctionforcharity.com. The dolls highlight the stars’ distinctive features, including Steven Tyler’s rocker-inspired outfit and mic stand; Al Roker’s signature glasses and tailored suit; Katherine Heigl’s favorite red carpet couture; Kristin Chenoweth’s royal blue ball gown; and Raven-Symoné’s trendy romper and blinged out platform heels. Each Celebrity ’Kid will also come with its own autographed birth certificate.

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Jakks Completes Acquisition of Moose Mountain Toymakers

Jakks Pacific, Inc. has completed the acquisition of Hong Kong-based Moose Mountain Toymakers Limited. Jakks Pacific acquired all of the shares of stock of Moose Mountain and its Parsippany, NJ-based affiliate, Moose Mountain Marketing, Inc. The business includes licenses for well-known characters and brands, including Disney, Fisher-Price, Sesame Street, Thomas & Friends, Kawasaki, Nickelodeon, and Hasbro.

New Generation of Cabbage Patch Kids

Cabbage Patch Kids Fashionality

A new set of Cabbage Patch Kids are joining the deeply rooted multi-generation brand. Jakks Pacific, Inc. and Cabbage Patch Kids property owner Original Appalachian Artworks Inc. announced the Connecting Generations campaign for the new Cabbage Patch Kids Fashionality line. The line is just like the original Cabbage Patch Kids but with contemporary fashions and personalities that appeal to today’s kids.

Parents and grandparents can now share the joy of adopting a Cabbage Patch Kid and help younger kids create their own Cabbage Patch family tree. Jakks’ new crop of one-of-a-kind Cabbage Patch Fashionality kids are 14 inches tall with silky hair. Each Kid has a different Fashionality style that both little girls and boys can relate to. The 12 unique personalities range from “prepsters” and “skateboarders” to “girly girls” and “artsy” girls.

Just like the older generation of Cabbage Patch Kids, each Kid comes with a one-of-a-kind name, a birth certificate, and an adoption paper. As a bonus, kids will receive a unique code to download the  Cabbage Patch Kids Video “The New Kid.” The new Cabbage Patch Kids are available at retailers nationwide for $34.99 and is for ages 3 and up.

Jakks Pacific to Acquire Moose Mountain Toymakers

Jakks Pacific, Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire Hong Kong-based Moose Mountain Toymakers Limited, manufacturer of sports arcade products, foot-to-floor ride-ons, tents, soft play environments, arcade pinball games, and wagons.

Jakks Pacific will acquire all shares of Moose Mountain’s stock and its affiliate, Moose Mountain Marketing, Inc. The business includes licenses for characters and brands. The transaction is scheduled to close in the third quarter of 2011, subject to third party approvals and other customary closing conditions.

FAO Celebrates The Smurfs with Activities and “Blue-Tique”

The Smurfs opened in theaters nationwide today, and viewers will see the legendary FAO Schwarz Fifth Avenue store prominently featured in a chase scene in which the Smurfs encounter the evil wizard Gargamel. To celebrate the store’s role in the movie, FAO Schwarz hosted daily themed activities during a special Smurf Week (July 25 to July 29), highlighted by an appearance by Hank Azaria, who plays Gargamel in the film.

In store, customers can bring The Smurfs home with FAO’s assortment of toys, games, and more items in the store’s “blue-tique.”  The main attraction of the “blue-tique” is the Smurfalator, a machine used by Gargamel to extract the Smurfs’ magical essence. Also featured are images from the movie, toys from Jakks Pacific, a classic assortment of Smurfs from Schleich, collector dolls from Madame Alexander, and apparel from Junk Food Clothing.

FAO.com is also receiving a “Smurfy” makeover and Facebook.com/FAO will join in the celebration.

Jakks Named Master Toy Partner For Men In Black 3

Jakks Pacific, Inc. has announced a master toy licensing agreement with Sony Pictures Consumer Products to manufacture, distribute, and market a line of toys and products based on the upcoming Men In Black 3. The licensing program, due to launch next spring, will include action figures, accessories, play sets, role play, youth electronics, novelties, games and puzzles, Halloween costumes, and more. The agreement covers the entire Men in Black franchise.

The 3-D action comedy, slated to open on May 25, is directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and stars Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, and Josh Brolin. The screenplay was written by Etan Cohen, based on the Malibu Comic by Lowell Cunningham, and the movie is produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald and executive produced by Steven Spielberg and G. Mac Brown.

Image Credit: Collider.com

Jakks Pacific’s Tollytots Division Signs Licensing Deal for Safety 1st

Jakks Pacific’s Tollytots division has signed a worldwide master toy licensing agreement with juvenile products manufacturer Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc., a division of Dorel Industries, for Dorel’s baby products and accessories brand, Safety 1st.

Under this agreement, Tollytots will develop, market, and distribute a comprehensive line of preschool and early learning toys for infants and toddlers. The products will reflect Safety 1st’s standards of safety, innovation, design, and value. The new Safety 1st toy line from Tollytots, expected to launch in fall 2012, will include products in a broad range of categories, including learning and developmental toys.

Synergy Licensing, the exclusive licensing agency for Dorel Juvenile Group, brokered the deal.

Jakks Pacific Named Master Toy Licensee for Winx Club

Jakks Pacific, Inc. and Nickelodeon have struck a deal giving Jakks Pacific a multi-territory master toy license to manufacture, distribute, and market a line of toys and other products based on the animated action and fantasy series, Winx Club. The Winx Club product line by Jakks is scheduled to launch in fall 2012 to coincide with the premiere of the new CGI episodes of Winx Club. The product lineup will span multiple categories, including dolls, play sets, role play, dress-up, and Halloween costumes. The agreement is for the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.

Winx Club, a co-production by Rainbow S.p.A. and Nickelodeon, will begin airing on Nickelodeon later this month.

New Light-Up Construction Sets

Have you seen these new light-up construction sets that are set to hit the market?

The Laser Pegs 3D Lite Board (above), featuring 40 holes that conduct low voltage power, acts as a building platform for the pegs. Kids can create an abstract model and set the board to flash faster, as a strobe, or it can be set to off. The board can support up to 200 Laser Pegs and its base also serves as a storage compartment for all the pieces. The board can also be used to play five different board games.

Laser Pegs products combine building with LED-supplied light. Each Laser Peg shape can transfer a low voltage current to any other shape it is connected to. The platform can be run on batteries or with an AC supply. [Read more...]