Cookie Jar’s licensing division, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG), has been appointed as the exclusive international licensing agent for tween girl fashion brand Bobby Jack. CPLG will create and oversee a licensing program for the brand that will expand art programs and exclusive designs for partners and retailers, as well as introduce new categories such as HBA, fashion accessories, toys, games, and publishing.
The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) has debut its new certification product seal and logo. The redesign is the organization’s first logo revamp since the program’s start in 1976. JPMA is a trade organization of more than 250 companies in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Member companies manufacture or import infant products such as cribs, strollers, and car seats.
Three toys by Melissa & Doug, the Slice and Bake Cookie set, Shape Sorting Cube, and Pound a Peg, have been recalled in Canada only. Health Canada, the country’s public health department, says the surface paint on the toys contains excessive barium that is past the legal limit in Canada. For more information, click here.
According to the National Retail Federation, this year’s Cyber Monday traffic shifted from mid-day hours to early morning and evening hours. The NRF reports that CyberMonday.com, a website by Shop.org that features holiday promotions and sales, had 15.8 million visits on Monday, increasing 8 percent from Cyber Monday 2008.
According to Venture Beat, web-based toy maker Smith & Tinker has laid off 30 percent of its staff, which totals approximately 15 of its 50 or so employees. The company confirmed it had layoffs, but did not state how many employees were cut.
Image credit: www.FoxNews.com
Jerry Storch, CEO of Toys “R” Us, sat down with Brian Sullivan of Fox News to discuss price wars with Wal-Mart, Black Friday crowd control, and other holiday season topics. Click here to read the transcript.
Online retailers such as Buy.com and Ebates.com have reported an increase in Black Friday sales compared to the shopping event in 2008. Buy.com reported that this year’s Black Friday was its best ever, surpassing its Black Friday record set in 2008. The online retailer’s third-party marketplace section saw a 120 percent increase in orders compared to last year.
The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) is partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) to provide toys and gifts to children of United States active duty and reserve personnel. TIF, through The Toy Bank, will provide the products to members of BGCA who are located on American military bases that have high deployment rates. The initiative will be the foundation’s first national toy distribution program to every branch of the military.
ESPN and Hallmark have launched a new line of personalized partyware featuring X Games themes. Buyers are able to personalize the paper plates with their own images and text at Hallmark.com. The plates are available for purchase on Hallmark’s website, and retail at $10 for ten plates.