Blog - Page 1483 of 1553

New WowWee Line Teams with Disney XD and More

Recently launched from WowWee, Paper Jamz has teamed with Disney XD this month to sponsor the network’s Next X series. The month-long sponsorship includes co-branded commercials, billboards, and, later this month, the two will partner for a new episode of XD’s I’m In The Band.

Additionally, Paper Jamz is sponsoring the American Idol Live Tour this year, in partnership with Clear Channel and the Creative Arts Agency (CAA), and will embark on a Simon mall tour, visiting 20 city malls across the country.

Paper Jamz allows kids to become an instant rockstar with the line of toy guitars, drums, and amplifiers. The instruments are made with “Active Graphics Technology,” which allows the paper strumming surface to be embedded with circuits, and there is no need to plug them into a computer or television. Each product includes three licensed songs and four modes of play. Series 2 of Paper Jamz and additional instruments will launch in 2011.

THQ Unveils Graphic Tablet for Nintendo Wii

THQ has revealed its latest peripheral, a graphic tablet for the Nintendo Wii. Dubbed uDraw, the tablet borrows heavily from the Wacom products often used by professional graphic artists. The tablet includes a painting game that offers various brushes and color palettes, as well as locals for inspiration, such as a study or mountaintop. These creations can then be saved to an SD memory card and shared on a computer.

During its 2010 holiday preview, THQ brought me behind closed doors to witness the tablet for the first time. They demonstrated the two announced games, Pictionary and Dood’s Big Adventure, and demonstrated a few levels of each. Pictionary is a re-imagining of the classic board game. In the game, one player draw images using the tablet while the others try to guess a keyword. Enhancements to the board game include the ability to select different brush and fill types, as well as use color. The countdown timer may also be adjusted. Read More…

K.I.D.S. Hopes to Raise $100 million Through SMS

Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.), Inc., unveiled its plan to project a 15-second PSA on a jumbotron in Times Square. Beginning August 15 and continuing until October 15, mobile phone users who text “HAPPYKIDS 25” to 27138 will trigger a $25 donation to its cause. According to K.I.D.S., each $25 donation will help distribute $250 worth of donated products to children and parents. The PSA will run in Times Square on the CBS Spectacular jumbotron facing the north side of 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues.

As part of the organization’s 25th anniversary, K.I.D.S. also hopes to raise $100 million worth of products for distressed and underprivileged children, including basic necessities, toys, clothing, and other comforts.

For more information, visit K.I.D.S.’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Spin Master’s Liv Looks for Partners at Magic Marketplace

Spin Master, Ltd.’s Liv brand is exhibiting at Magic Marketplace this week as Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE), the licensing and merchandising agent for the brand, helps the doll line make its first push into secondary categories. CNE will be meeting with partners and is actively seeking new licensees in the apparel and accessories categories for Liv. CNE is also seeing partners in other product categories, including footwear, sleepwear, publishing, and interactive. Liv was launched at retail last fall.

November 13th Named Neighborhood Toy Store Day

The American Specialty Retailers Association (ASTRA) has announced plans to make the second Saturday in November an annual and nationwide celebration of local toy stores. During this year’s Neighborhood Toy Store Day (NTSD), ASTRA will announce the winners of its 2010 Best Toys for Kids awards. ASTRA is also providing its member retailers with ready-to-go press releases and a step-by-step retailer guidebook filled with tips on how to use the event to attract new customers. For more information on NTSD, visit ASTRA’s website.

Fiesta Secures Skelaminals License for New Plush Toys

Fiesta Toy is partnering with Skelanimals, LLC to produce and distribute plush toys featuring the Skelanimals characters. The plush toys will be distributed to the U.S. amusement and games market. Fiesta’s 2011 Skelaminals plush selection features Marcy the monkey, Jack the rabbit, Dax the Dog, and Kit the cat.

Saban Acquires Paul Frank Industries

Saban Capital Group, Inc. has acquired Paul Frank Industries (PFI) including all company assets, intellectual property, and its portfolio of more than 150 characters. The acquisition marks the second for Saban Capital Group; the company acquired the Power Rangers franchise in May.

Saban Brands, an affiliate of Saban Capital Group, Inc., will manage PFI’s business strategy, while creative operations will remain based in PFI’s current headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif. Saban Brands plans to support the Paul Frank brand with new content and media strategies. The property will be showcased at Brand Licensing Europe, to be held September 28-30 in London.

She-Ra Celebrates 25th Anniversary With New Products

In honor of She-Ra‘s 25th anniversary, Classic Media has announced new DVDs and collectible products. Mattel will release commemorative collectibles on MattyCollector.com, including a She-Ra action figure. Additionally, the first season of She-Ra: Princess of Power (20 episodes) will be released on DVD, iTunes, and Hulu. A collector’s edition box set, She-Ra: The Complete Series 25^th Anniversary Edition, featuring all 93 episodes will also be released and will include collectible stickers, episode guides, and an iron-on decal. She-Ra: Princess of Power was an animated series that began airing in September 1985.

Spin Master Acquires Games from Imagination

Spin Master is expanding into the board games category with the acquisition of eight board games from Imagination Games. The acquired games are Quelf, Fact or Crap, Battle of the Sexes, Would You Rather, Beat the Parents, Urban Myth, Scabs ’N Guts, and Left Center Right.

Earlier this year, Spin Master was appointed partner for production, sales, and marketing for Stratego in North America by owner Royal Jumbo. That partnership is effective beginning in January 2011. Also earlier this year, Spin Master acquired rights to distribute the board game Hedbanz.

Wilson & Ditch Gets Second Season

The J im Henson Company announced yesterday that PBS Kids Go series Wilson & Ditch: Digging America will get a second season. The web show follows two gopher brothers as they travel across America learning about geography in their eco-friendly van.

In the new season, the brothers will explore locations such as Seattle, Wash.; Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.; and Chicago, Ill. The PBS Kids Go website will also feature five new songs from the brothers as well as two new games to play. Additionally, Wilson’s blog and highlights from past locations will be featured.

According to The Jim Henson Company, PBS’ children’s websites, including PBSKIDSGO.org, receive nine million unique visitors per month and its videos are streamed approximately 50 million times. The brother’s next stop is the Grand Canyon (September 9).