Pokémon Names Wicked Cool New Master Toy Partner
The Pokémon Company International has appointed Wicked Cool Toys as its new master toy licensee for the Pokémon brand, starting in July 2018. Wicked Cool Toys will have the rights to manufacture and market action figures, playsets, plush, roleplay items, and other toys based on the hit Pokémon animated series in worldwide markets, excluding regions in Asia where the brand is managed by The Pokémon Company International’s parent organization, The Pokémon Company.
“Pokémon is one of the most beloved entertainment properties in the world, and Wicked Cool Toys is thrilled to become part of that legacy,” says Michael Rinzler, co-president of Wicked Cool Toys.
“We can’t wait to deliver innovative and fun toys that embody the joy of Pokémon to kids and the brand’s millions of passionate fans around the world,” says Jeremy Padawer, co-president of Wicked Cool Toys.
The Pokémon Company International also announced it has become a strategic investor in Wicked Cool Toys and will have a seat on the toy company’s board of directors. This new partnership will allow for enhanced collaboration in the development of Pokémon toys with the growing toy company. The investment in Wicked Cool Toys is in line with the strategic partnership approach The Pokémon Company International engaged in with Niantic Inc., the developers and publishers of Pokémon GO.
“Toys are a major part of Pokémon’s mission to bring the fun and joy of the brand to kids and fans around the world, and we’re excited to welcome Wicked Cool Toys to the Pokémon family as its master toy licensee,” says Colin Palmer, vice-president of marketing and licensing at The Pokémon Company International. “Wicked Cool Toys is a growing company, and we’re thrilled to build a strategic partnership with them through both collaboration and financial investment.”
TOMY will continue to be a key licensing partner for the Pokémon brand and will produce select items as well as products inspired by Pokémon video games, such as the popular Pokémon Z-Ring, which interacts with the mega hits Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, currently available for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
The development of Pokémon toys from Wicked Cool Toys will begin immediately, with the first products expected to arrive at retail locations in fall 2018.