Big Idea Entertainment is entering into an all-new, multi-production deal with animation studio Entrenched, Inc. The two companies will collaborate on new VeggieTales content, including DVDs, with animation completed by Entrenched’s sister-company, Hawaii Animation Studios (HAS). HAS played a significant part in the production of Big Idea Entertainment and Universal’s 2008 theatrical release VeggieTales: The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything, and the direct-to-video animated series 3-2-1 Penguins.
WHAM-O, Inc. has merged with Sprig Toys, Inc., and the two have created a new line of battery-free, kid-powered preschool products under the new WHAM-O Jr. brand. WHAM-O will now have access to Sprig’s reclaimed wood and recycled plastic material, Sprigwood. In addition to Sprig’s products, such as the Eco-Trucks Dump Truck and the Dino Adventure Rig, the WHAM-O Jr. line will include WHAM-O’s inflatables and outdoor play products.
American Greetings Properties, the intellectual property and outbound licensing division of American Greetings Corporation, and CPLG, Cookie Jar Entertainment’s licensing division and licensing agent, is launching 14 new Strawberry Shortcake websites worldwide. The new websites will connect fans around the globe to Strawberry’s own home, Berry Bitty city, that mirrors the official U.S. website, www.strawberryshortcake.com. The websites will offer fans a variety of games, activities, downloads, health-conscious recipes, videos, and more.
W!LDBRAIN is partnering with digital agency Fuel Industries to develop television, motion picture, direct-to-consumer platforms, and consumer products based on Fuel’s four entertainment properties.
Fuel’s properties include: AllGirlArcade.com, a tween girl gaming portal and virtual world based on its Clik Stars property; Fairies and Dragons, a property for kids ages 6-10 that features four fairies and their dragon friends; Sideway, for teenage boys, which follows the rebellious New Yorker Noz and underground graffiti culture; and Tetsurai, a sci-fi property for teen boys, which combines television, an MMO video game, arcade fighter, and a role-playing game.
Universal Pictures has announced that Twilight star Taylor Lautner will play the title character in the studio’s upcoming movie based on Hasbro’s popular toy Stretch Armstrong. The Stretch Armstrong movie, which will be in 3-D, is set to be released in 2012.
A Squared Entertainment (A2) is partnering with Build-A-Bear Workshop to produce original multimedia entertainment for distribution online, on-air, and on other digital devices. The companies will also develop a new line of licensed merchandise––including DVDs, accessories, apparel, books, and additional branded merchandise––that will be sold outside Build-A-Bear stores in select retail outlets. A2 will manage the entertainment and external licensing program for Build-A-Bear Workshop.
Publications International, Ltd., an Illinois-based publishing company, has signed a new licensing agreement with Encyclopaedia Britannica to develop and market SD-X enabled interactive science books under the Britannica brand. The deal was negotiated by licensing agency JRL Group.
SD-X technology allows printed words and images to be connected to unlimited audio content. The first series of books will be the Britannica Illustrated Science Library that will include a SD-X pen. The technology will allow kids to place the pen on a word or image and hear it come to life with sound effects, information, and fun facts.
Marvel Entertainment continues to expand its presence in the toy category through a new deal with Maisto International for die-cast toy vehicles featuring Marvel’s Super Heroes.
ToyQuest is releasing a unique yo-yo and Frisbee hybrid: the Banzai Yo-Be. The toy is a flying disk that players can sling like a Frisbee, which comes back to the player like a yo-yo. The sling disk, which features a tethered elastic cord, can be used for a combination of play and physical activity. The Yo-Be will be available nationwide in spring 2010, retailing for around $12.99.
Gemmy Industries is introducing a toy replica of “Frankie the Fish,” the mechanical singing fish that starred in McDonald’s now-famous filet-o-fish sandwich TV commercial. The commercial, created by Arnold Worldwide in Boston, appeared last February for four weeks and featured the “quirky” song “Gimme Back That Filet-O-Fish.” Gemmy’s Frankie The Fish version will include motion-activated movements, the original version of the song, as well as a new club remix. The product is available at Kmart, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Bed Bath & Beyond, BJ’s Warehouse Clubs, Menards, and many online retailers.