The new board of directors for the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) has been elected. For the 2010 term, Michael (Mike) McCooey, president and CEO of Plaid Enterprises, was re-elected as board chairman; Larry Olliges, president of Dees’ Crafts, was re-elected as vice chair; and Mark Peters of iLoveToCreate, a Duncan Enterprises Company, was elected as secretary. David Murray, vice president of ACTIVA Products, Inc., will fill the board vacancy created by the resignation of Sara Naumann.
Target Entertainment Group has signed Prosperity Industrial as its first licensee for Brit Chicks. The Hong Kong-based manufacturer will produce beaded craft items, including beaded jewelry kits, spray pens, spray tattoo pens, spyro art and stencil sets, paper styling kits, and scrapbooks. The licensing deal gives Prosperity Industrial worldwide rights, excluding the UK.
I-Star Entertainment, LLC has appointed Snuggie Toys’ founders and executives, Alex and Stuart Kessler, as executive vice president and vice president of sales, respectively. As part of the appointment, I-Star now controls some of Snuggie Toys’ products including its NFL and NFL Rush Zone licensed products, Colorforms, Max & Ruby products, Franklin Record and Play lunchbags and plush, Wittle Bittles plush characters, Pet Rocks items, Lunch N Fun products, Pro-Tabletop Sports (PTS) products, and Casper products.
FAO Schwarz is a hosting a special online auction of four exclusive packages, called experiences, for fans of Muppet Whatnot, Barbie, LEGO, and the FAO Schwarz brand. All of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Online visitors to www.FAO.com can bid to win one of the four packages through December 10. The highest bidder of each package will receive a keepsake in addition to the prize.
Mega Brands has settled a legal battle with the Rosens, the former owners of Rose Art Industries. Under the terms of the settlement, Mega Brands will receive approximately $17.2 million, and the Rosens will give up additional claims that totaled approximately $54.8 million.
Toys “R” Us, Inc. has announced that its fiscal sales for the third quarter at comparable stores fell 9 percent. The company attributes the decline to weak video game-related sales and a shift in the timing of its “Big Book” holiday promotional advertisement guide.
Online retailers Jade’s ToyBox and ZABA are opening a holiday pop-up store in New York City. A portion of the sales from the products––which include eco-friendly toys, clothes, and family activities––will be donated to children’s charities, such as DKMS Americas, a charity who recruits bone marrow donors for leukemia patients.
Dollar General has announced that almost 200 of its toys will be on sale for $5 or less and 75 toys will be priced at $1 or less. The retailer’s toy selection includes Matchbox and Hot Wheel Die Cast cars for $1 or less, Littlest Pet shop figures for $5 or less, and Toy Story Activity Tables for $25 for less.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that J.J. Abrams, the Star Trek director, is in discussions to produce a movie based on the Micronauts, The Japanese toys were recently acquired by Hasbro. The newspaper also reports that the upcoming Hasbro-Discovery joint channel will premiere a TV show based on the Big Wheel.
Other products from Hasbro that are being developed as movies include Stretch Armstrong, Candyland, Monopoly, Battleship, Ouija, and Risk.
Read the WSJ‘s full article on toys and movies here.
