June 2010

Costume Changes Continue for Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) and Rubie’s Costume Co. (RCC) have announced that they have renewed their global licensing contract. The agreement gives RCC the right to continue producing costumes based on Warner Bros. products, which it’s held since 1999.

RCC’s contract with WBCP includes the North American, Oceanic, Middle Eastern, Asian, and various other markets, with products ranging from franchises such as DC Comics super heroes and Harry Potter, to The Lord of the Rings and The Wizard of Oz.

In the Night Garden to Be Aired in the U.S. on The Hub

In the Night Garden, a BBC Worldwide and Ragdoll Worldwide, Ltd. joint venture, will be premiering in the U.S. this fall on the new children’s network, The Hub. Starting this October, kids can join Igglepiggle and Upsy Daisy on their adventures with Makka Pakka and friends. The Hub has secured broadcasting rights for all 100 x 30 episodes of In the Night Garden.

Produced by Ragdoll Productions for Ragdoll Worldwide, In the Night Garden takes kids on an imaginative journey to meet toy characters living together within a caring woodland community. Shot in high-definition, words, rhymes, and music make the series both entertaining and relaxing.

In the Night Garden won Best Preschool Program at the 2010 Broadcast Awards and BAFTA’s Best Preschool Live Action in 2007 and 2008. The show has been sold to 35 countries including Canada, Australia, Spain, and China.

Hasbro Unleashes a Bevy of New Video Games

Habsro, Inc., plans to release more than a dozen video games based on its brands throughout the world during the second half of the year. Electronic Arts (EA) and Activision are producing the video games, which will appear on multiple devices including game consoles and mobile devices.

EA is producing versions of Monopoly as well as a five-pack Nintendo DS game called Hasbro Family Game Night 3. RISK: Factions is set for release on Xbox Live! with iPhone and iPad versions of RISK in development. Activision is spearheading development of TRANSFORMERS: War for Cybertron, which is expected to be released this summer.

Information about both game companies can be found at this year’s Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, held June 15-17.

CBS Adds Highly Rated TV Series to Video Game Roster

CBS Consumer Products (CBSCP) announced production of two new video games based off CBS’s NCIS and the CW’s America’s Next Top Model television series. Global production for the video games is headed by Ubisoft and dtp young entertainment, respectively.

In America’s Next Top Model video game, players assume “control of one of 10 aspiring models” as she makes her way through challenges, photo shoots, catwalks, and more. The video game follows the format of the television series, with participants being voted off, and is available now on the Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii consoles. A Canadian and Australian version have been announced, as well.

NCIS, developed by Ubisoft for worldwide release on all major consoles and internet distribution, hits shelves next year.

Techno Source Granted Exclusive Rights for Tetris Tabletop Games

Techno Source has been awarded exclusive licensing rights worldwide to develop Tetris tabletop games, both electronic and non-electronic. Techno Source’s tabletop games, based on the iconic Tetris video game, will be introduced at retail beginning in 2011.

Blue Planet Software, Inc., the company that manages exclusive licensing rights to the Tetris brand, has also announced that the brand will be expanding into merchandise licensing. The company hopes to ‘broaden its demographic reach and further solidify brand awareness.”

Mattel Introduces Monster High Property, Signs Licensees for Franchise

Mattel has added a new property to its portfolio of brands, Monster High. The property follows hip teenagers, who are also the descendants of the world’s most famous monsters, as they brave the ups and downs of high school.

The characters include Frankie Stein, the daughter of Frankenstein; Draculaura, the daughter of Count Dracula; Clawdeen Wolf, the daughter of The Werewolf; Lagoona Blue, the daughter of The Sea Monster; Cleo de Nile, the daughter of The Mummy; and Deuce Gorgon, the son of Medusa.

Websiodes have already premiered at www.monsterhigh.com, the property’s website. Mattel has signed an array of licensees to support the brand, including those in the categories of party/costumes, apparel, accessories, footwear, publishing, and toys.

HIT Entertainment and Dizzy Feet Partner for Youth Dance Program

HIT Entertainment is collaborating with the Dizzy Feet Foundation (DFF) to expand its youth dance program nationally. The Angelina Ballerina Stars of Tomorrow campaign successfully ended its pilot program in the Bronx earlier this year, and the organizations plan to expand into at least three other cities’ Boys & Girls Clubs outside of New York this fall.

The partnership with DFF includes a dance scholarship–four to be awarded locally and one nationally–as well as access to DFF choreographers and special appearances by celebrity members of the Foundation.

Board members for DFF include Nigel Lythgoe, producer of So You Think You Can Dance and American Idol, and Katie Holmes, who will help guide the program as it develops. These members, as well as others on the DFF steering committee, will make public service announcements promoting the program, to be aired during the Angelina Ballerina The Next Steps television show on PBS KIDS.

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Patch Set to Reintroduce Three Retro Products

Patch Products is bringing back retro toy and board game products from its collection under its new Treasured Toys line. Yakity-yak Talking Teeth ($4.99) and Shark Attack ($19.99) were first introduced in 1949 and 1988, respectively, and are among the first products making a comeback. Patch is also releasing Bed Bugs ($14.99), which first debuted 1985.

Patch suggests the toys will not only entice children with their low-tech appeal, but also encourage parents to play along with the company’s nostalgic products.

For more information on Patch Products’ Treasured Toys line, visit www.patchproducts.com.

Toy Industry Foundation plans to “Set Sail for Summer”

The Toy Industry Association‘s (TIA) philanthropic offshoot, the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF), invites vendors to “Set Sail for Summer” during a partnered event with the Ronald McDonald House in Manhattan.

TIF plans to treat kids to “nautical crafts, tropical refreshments, and a toy distribution” during the event June 21 at 6 P.M. Nationally, TIF distributes toys to other Houses under its Play Heals program.

To RSVP for the event, contact TIF’s manager, Amanda McDorman, at amcdorman@toyindustryfoundation.org or (646) 520-4878.

Transom Capital Group Acquires Uncle Milton

Los Angeles-based private equity firm Transom Capital Group has acquired Uncle Milton Industries, Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“Toys have been a large part of my life, so it was important to me, personally, that the company find a partner who demonstrated a real commitment to the Uncle Milton legacy,” said Steve Levine, one of the owners of the company, in a press release. “Transom Capital was simply the right fit. They exhibited the same passion for the industry and quickly understood the key issues and dynamics that underlie the company’s success.”

Ken Firtel, managing director of Transom Capital, believes Uncle Milton is “a cornerstone acquisition” for its portfolio. “The founders, the Levine family, have safeguarded the company’s sterling reputation for over half a century by introducing fun and educational toys consistent with the brand’s focus. We believe that Transom Capital can add a level of operational sophistication that will improve its performance both from a top and bottom line perspective,” Firtel said.

Sherwood Partners served as an advisor to Uncle Milton during the transaction.