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Toys “R” Us Drafts Shaq for Toys for Tots Campaign

toys-for-tots

Toys “R” Us has teamed up with NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal for the annual Toys for Tots Campaign. The fundraising campaign for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation begins October 22 in Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores nationwide, as well as at Toysrus.com/ToysforTots.

Earning the name “Shaq-A-Claus,” the basketball player will make surprise visits to Toys “R” Us stores in the coming months to shop for needy children and encourage customers to give back. For nine weeks, through December 6, new, unwrapped toys will be collected at the company’s stores. The collected toys will be distributed to children in the community where they were donated. Monetary donations will also be accepted.
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Domo Stars in Five Nintendo Video Games

WhiteWaterDomo

Domo hits the video game screen in a series of five Nintendo DSi games starring the internet and pop culture superstar. Through a worldwide agreement (excluding Asia) between Big Tent Entertainment and Nintendo, the video game company is publishing and releasing Crash-Course Domo, Hard-Hat Domo, Pro-Putt Domo, Rock-n-Roll Domo, and White-Water Domo, which are available for download in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America via the Nintendo DSi Shop. Users can purchase Nintendo DSi Points in the Nintendo DSi Shop and use the points to redeem games. For more information on Domo and the new games, visit www.nintendodsi.com/domo.
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Toys “R” Us Debuts Holiday Layaway Program

Toys “R” Us, Inc. is introducing a new in-store layaway program, “Big Gift” Layaway. Through the program, customers at Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us stores may reserve toys, such as bikes and play kitchens, early in the season and make a series of small payments over an extended time.

Kids products that are a part of the Big Gift Layaway program include bikes, ride-on vehicles, dollhouses, play kitchens, outdoor play equipment and playsets, pools and water slides, basketball systems, karaoke machines, musical instruments, televisions, and indoor table games. Baby products included in the program are infant and toddler furniture, car seats, high chairs, play yards, strollers and travel systems, and bassinets.

Warner Home Video to Exclusively Distribute Sesame Street

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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.

Upper Deck to Produce Hello Kitty Trading Card Game

hello-kitty

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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Mattel Lead Paint Lawsuit Settlement to Exceed $50M

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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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Fourth Quarter Predictions from Sean McGowan

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.

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Charisma Acquires Adora Doll

Adora Doll

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.

The Toy Book Toy Report-10/12/09

To view this week’s Toy Report, please click here.

Hosung to offer Eco-Friendly Dr. Seuss Plush

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.