April 2010

Sandbox Summit Panel and Speaker Announced

Preparation for the 2010 Sandbox Summit, “iPlay, YouPlay, WiiPlay: How Play is Changing Media and Media is Changing Play,” is gearing up with the announcement of two panels, and the keynote speaker.

Henry Jenkins, provost professor of communication, journalism, and cinematic arts at the University of Southern California, kicks off the summit with his keynote speech, “Toying with Transmedia: The Future of Entertainment is Child’s Play.” The speech will take a close look at Hollywood’s recognition of the larger implications of playing stories, images, and sounds across multiple media channels.

The Toy Book Toy Report 4/13/2010

Read The Toy Book’s Toy Report for this week! (4/13/10)

Lullabies Go Contemporary with Baby Blanket Music

A new collection of lullaby albums, Baby Blanket Music, has debuted. The collection features unique, soothing arrangements of classic songs such as Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer,” and John Mayer’s “Daughters.”

Created by Josh Rutt (a New York-based teacher, composer, and performer), the distinctive music appeals to babies, parents, and grandparents. Baby Blanket’s tunes use familiar infant music like vibraphones and music boxes paired with a full medley of richer, classic instruments such as strings, woodwings, pianos, harps, and soft percussion. When melded together, the arrangements create gentle textures that are calming and enjoyable.

The current line includes Baby Billy Joel, Baby Elton John, Baby John Mayer, and Baby Simon & Garfunkel. Two new releases are slated for this summer.

BBC Worldwide Sells 3rd & Bird! to Disney Channel

Disney Channel has secured broadcasting rights for the UK animated preschool series, 3^rd & Bird!, which will debut in the U.S. during the Playhouse Disney programming block in early 2011. The deal includes all 50 x 10 minute episodes of the series with one double episode, a 20-minute holiday special. Kate Livo, director, TV sales & co-productions for BBC Worldwide, brokered the deal.

Aimed at 3-5 year old children, the series features bold and colorful photo-puppetry, a style of animation created by production company Little Airplane. 3^rd & Bird! follows the birds Muffin, Lovebird, and Samuel, and their friend Rudy, as they teach children diversity, tolerance, and perseverance.

3rd & Bird! has been sold to 17 territories, including Canada and Spain. Fisher-Price is currently the master toy licensee for the series and will develop electronic and non-electronic plastic figurines, toys, vehicles, playsets, and plush.

TCKL Names Senario as Global Master Toy Licensee

Senario has been named the global master toy licensee for TCKL, Inc.’s line of Drip Drops plush and toy sets. Brokered by Firefly Brand Management, the agreement gives Senario exclusive rights to manufacture, market, and sell the full line of Drip Drops toys and learning materials, which will be available this fall.

Set in Tint Town, the Drip Drops know everything about color and strive to bring color to the world. They come to the rescue when there is “color trouble,” explaining how our vivid and vibrant world works. The Drip Drops will be featured in several books, cartoon entertainment, a broad range of toys, and online.

Think-a-lot Toys to Keep Production in U.S., Hires DDRC Employees

Think-a-lot Toys has announced that it will keep the assembly of its Think-ets games here in the U.S., and also hire members of the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center (DDRC), a private nonprofit corporation that employs people with developmental disabilities in Lakewood, Colo., to help assemble its Think-ets games.

Think-ets uses miniature objects from around the world for storytelling, memory games, and more. DDRC says its workers take great pride in putting each miniature object into mesh pouches. “They earn a paycheck now,” said Leslie Smith, supervisor at DDRC, in a press release. “Rather than just sitting and watching TV, they now interact with the community. It increases their self-esteem to get out of the house, earn money, and learn new skills.”

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Buys Minority Stake in Munchkin

The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (“Teachers'”) has acquired a significant minority stake of common stock in Munchkin, Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

This latest transaction follows Munchkin’s January acquisition of Lindam, a UK manufacturer of safety gates and safety accessories, adding to Munchkin’s existing portfolio of infant products and pet products through its Bamboo division.

Munchkin was established in 1991 and still privately held.

Kids Wish Network in Need of Dolls and Toy Cars

Kids Wish Network, a 501 (c) 3 organization that serves children with life-threatening illnesses, is in desperate need of donations of dolls and toy cars. Despite the demand for high-tech gadgets, dolls and toy cars remain on the top of the list of the most desirable toys. Playing with a toy is a calming and relaxing activity for kids who are suffering from illnesses, distressed while dealing with harsh circumstances like homelessness, or trying to cope with other traumatic situations such as abuse.

Through its gift giving Holiday of Hope Gift Bank program, Kids Wish Network distributes thousands of dollars worth of toys and games directly to children within approximately 150 hospitals and child care facilities per year across the country; there are no middle men involved.

K’NEX To Donate 10 Percent of Sales to CCFA

K’NEX has partnered with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) for the second year to raise funds for research and patient programs. CCFA is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

During the month of April, K’NEX will donate 10 percent of online sales to CCFA. Additional donations will be accepted with or without making a purchase. A team of K’NEX Brands employees will also participate in the Take Steps for Crohn’s & Colitis events in Philadelphia. For more information about the program, visit the Take Steps information page and www.ccfa.org.

Video: Barbie Meets Ken in “Toy Story 3”

Disney has released the first official clip from Toy Story 3. Check out how Barbie met Ken!