Warner Home Video (WHV) has been appointed the exclusive distributor of multiple Sesame Street titles as part of a multi-year, home entertainment distribution deal with Sesame Workshop. The agreement will begin on January 1 and includes the television show’s library, new content, EST, and Transactional VOD for distribution in the United States and Canada. Sesame Street will celebrate its 40th anniversary this November.
The Upper Deck Company has signed a multi-year deal with Sanrio Global Consumer Products to produce the Hello Kitty collectible miniatures & stickers trading card game (TCG). The first release will hit store shelves in March, with more following later in the year. Targeted to young girls and tweens, the TCG will include collectible figures, stickers, and trading cards for Hello Kitty fans.
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A landmark action settlement involving the largest recalls of children’s toys in history has been reached. Through the settlement, Mattel and Fisher-Price have agreed to provide refunds and other monetary relief to millions of families who purchased children’s toys made in China. The toys were recalled or withdrawn from the market in 2006 and 2007, after they were found to exceed legal limits of lead in the paint or plastic of the toy or small magnets that could become loose and harm children if ingested. The affected toys included certain Sesame Street toys, Dora the Explorer and Diego toys made by Fisher-Price, and certain Mattel toys, such as Batman, Polly Pocket, Barbie accessories, and Sarge cars.
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Sean McGowan, Consumer Leisure and Lifestyle Analyst of Needham & Company, LLC shares his observations of third quarter ’09 results in the toy industry and his projections for the fourth quarter.
Charisma Brands, LLC, has acquired Adora Doll, a global manufacturer and marketer of heirloom-quality dolls founded by David Lin and Frank Ren. Adora is a well recognized brand and is known for its baby dolls. Adora’s dolls are distributed worldwide including the United States, Europe, South America, and Russia and can be found in more than 1,500 retail outlets including toy, gift, department, and collectible stores.
Charisma is already shipping 2009 Adora product to customers and will introduce 2010 Adora designs at Idex and Toy Fair trade shows beginning in January. Adora’s customer service and sales administrator, Sandy Fawzi, will join the Charisma team and will continue in her role.
Adora joins other collectible Charisma brands Marie Osmond, Paradise Galleries, Kewpie, and Penny Brite.
To view this week’s Toy Report, please click here.
Dr. Seuss Enterprise has selected natural toy maker Hosung NY Inc., the makers of miYim organic toys and accessories, as a North American eco-friendly plush toy licensee for the Dr. Seuss brand. The new My Natural Dr. Seuss product line is expected to launch in spring 2010.
Under the agreement, products based on Dr. Seuss properties are slated to include eco-friendly plush characters and certified non-toxic infant accessories with Hosung’s My Natural brand, and the Lorax Project, Dr. Seuss’ new eco-initiative.
The My Natural Dr. Suess Collection will include plush toys and infant accessories such as rattles and teething blankies made from certified non-toxic natural cotton, and colored with Hosung’s chemical-free PureWaterWash process.
JAKKS Pacific is giving away a UFC prize pack, which includes a pair of tickets to UFC 107 in Memphis, Tennessee on December 12 and a full set of JAKKS UFC action figures and toys to one lucky Facebook Fan!
Become a fan of the JAKKS UFC Action Figures Facebook page by December 1, 2009 to automatically be entered to win the JAKKS UFC prize pack, which includes 2 tickets to UFC 107 (the main event title fight will be BJ Penn vs. Diego Sanchez), air transportation to Memphis for 2 people, hotel accommodations for 1 night in Memphis (double occupancy), a full set of JAKKS UFC Wave 0 Action Figures, the Official Scale Octagon Playset, and a replica UFC Championship Belt.
You must be 18 years of age or older to participate. This special Facebook giveaway will run until noon, PST on December 1, 2009. The winner will be announced thereafter on JAKKS’ Facebook page. Visit www.facebook.com and search “UFC Action Figures – JAKKS Pacific” to become a fan.
So American Girl’s latest doll, Gwen, was once homeless. This seems to be a point of controversy to some parents. What do you think?
Wii, DS, Oreo, and McDonald’s Top Kids’ Most Loved Brands List
Kids participate in more than $500 billion in consumer spending every year. Parents consider their preferences in categories ranging from school supplies to desserts to family entertainment. Market research and consulting firm Smarty Pants reveals the 100 Most Loved Brands of America’s kids and tweens. Nintendo’s Wii and DS top the 2009 list. Read on for the list!