PBS Kids will be airing four new episodes of the CG-animated preschool series Dinosaur Train from The Jim Henson Company. Airing May 24-27, the special summer vacation-themed episodes find the family packing up and boarding the train to discover the wonderful variety of dinosaurs inhabiting the globe as they journey to Asia, Europe, and Africa. Also joining this trip is a new character, Gilbert, the conductor’s young nephew.
In addition, two new games will be featured at PBSKIDS.org/dinosaurtrain. The All Aboard game (launching in May) will give kids control of the Dinosaur Train as a junior conductor, helping to seat different types of dinosaurs as the train moves from station to station. In Dinosaur Tracks (available now) Buddy and his friends are making tracks in the mud, and kids can help them figure out which footprint comes next. 
Month: April 2010
Haywire Games to Attempt Guinness Record for Chicken Flinging
PETA, no worries. Haywire Games, manufacturer of the game Flickin’ Chicken, will attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the “Largest Rubber Chicken Toss” at the Finish Line Festival for the Charles River Watershed Association’s (CWRA) 28th annual Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race.
Haywire will host the rubber chicken chuck on April 25 at the Artisani Park in Brighton, MA. Admission to the festival is free, but the company will sell official rubber chickens for $1, starting at 9 a.m. The proceeds from the rubber chicken sale will benefit the CWRA and its efforts to protect the health, beauty, and accessibility of the Charles River. Prizes will be awarded to those who don’t fowl up and can fling their rubber chicken onto the target’s bullseye.
TIA Calls for Companies to Oppose CT Bill
The Toy Industry Association and other organizations such as the American Chemistry Council, the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the Apparel and Footwear Association, and the Personal Care Products Association are calling for companies across the country to alert Connecticut state legislators that a proposed bill could be very costly for stakeholders involved.
More Attendees Visit Toy Russia 2010
Although Toy Russia 2010, held in Moscow, was one day shorter than the previous year, the number of visitors rose to 6,273, an increase of 25 percent. The share of trade visitors also increased to 84 percent, compared to 77 percent in 2009. The expo featured 11 exhibitors from China, Germany, France, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain, and Cyprus. Four percent of attendees traveled internationally.
Toy Russia 2010, held March 10-12, marked the debut of World of Toys, an international fair program by Spielwarenmesse eG that provides toy manufacturers support and advice for trade fair marketing presentations. The Nuernberg company, which organizes the Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair Nuernberg, organized Toy Russia with the Russian National Toy Association (RTNA).
Toy Russia 2011 will be held March 15-18, 2011.
TIF Prepares for 2nd Annual Go Good Stuff-a-Thon
The Toy Industry Foundation, in partnership with The My Stuff Bags Foundation, is gearing up for its second annual industry-wide Do Good Stuff-a-Thon. Members of the toy industry will team up with local media and California state officials to assemble 5,000 My Stuff duffel bags for children in crisis. The bags will be distributed to kids in foster care across America.
TIF is looking for volunteers to stuff bags with essential items such as blankets, toiletries, and toys. Teams of 10+ will be recognized as Good Stuff Supporters. To register (the deadline is April 23), made a donation, or to learn more, click here.
LIMA Announces Keynote Panelists
Executives from Disney, LF USA, Hasbro, and more have been picked for the keynote panel at Licensing International Expo 2010, sponsored by LIMA. The panel discussion, “The Future of Entertainment Licensing,” will kick off the Expo, held June 8-10 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Marty Brochstein, LIMA’s SVP of industry relations and information, will moderate the panel. Panelists will include Rick Darling, president of LF USA and executive director of Li & Fung Limited; Karen Dodge, SVP and chief merchandising officer of Toys “R” Us, Inc.; John Frascotti, global chief marketing officer at Hasbro, Inc.; Neil Friedman, president of Mattel Brands; and Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products.
New Product: “Galaxy Quest” Models
Paramount Licensing has licensed rights to Pegasus Hobbies for models based on the 1999 sci-fi spoof film, Galaxy Quest. The line of products include both buildable and pre-built models of the NSEA Protector ship and the ION Nebulizer & VOX Communicator featured in the film.
POOF-Slinky Acquires Cadaco
POOF-Slinky has acquired the assets of Cadaco, a division of Rapid Displays in Chicago. Cadaco manufactures the Ryan Oakes Magic line, the eco-friendly activity and construction line EnviroBLOX, and a line of board games such as Tripoley, among other products.
“We are pleased to be able to add the Cadaco product lines to our Ideal and POOF Brands,” said Ray Dallavecchia, Jr., president & CEO of POOF, in a press release.
Gund Recalls Baby Board Books
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Gund is conducting a voluntary recall of its paperboard books marketed under the Gund Baby brand. The company received three reports from consumers that the Styrofoam material used to affix the baby rattle/plastic handle to the binding of the book can become dislodged if chewed or picked at. This could present a choking hazard to infants and young children, although no injuries have been reported.
Meet the 14 New Characters in Toy Story 3
Disney-Pixar has revealed the last two characters of the upcoming movie, Toy Story 3. Bookworm and Big Baby will round out the 14 new characters that will star in the movie along with Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, and more.