Jakks Signed for Warcraft Film
Jakks Pacific has been signed as the master toy license for the live-action feature release of Warcraft, which is expected to hit theaters March 11, 2016. This comprehensive agreement grants Jakks the rights to action figures in all scales, basic and feature plush, playsets, roleplay items, and Halloween costumes and accessories. Based on Blizzard Entertainment’s Warcraft universe, which includes the multi-player online roleplaying game World of Warcraft, the film is directed by Duncan Jones (Moon, Source Code) and stars Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, Dominic Cooper, and Toby Kebbell.
American Girl, Fashion Angels in Deal
American Girl, a division of Mattel, announced a licensing agreement with Fashion Angels to create a variety of arts and crafts products. The new line will be available this fall at retailers nationwide and will include activity kits, fashion sketchbooks, and Do-It-Yourself craft kits for girls to create fun accessories for themselves and their favorite American Girl dolls.
Saban Signs Bendon for Power Rangers
Saban Brands announced a partnership with Bendon, Inc., for a Power Rangers Dino Charge product line of coloring and activity books, stickers, puzzles, and more. Bendon is launching the new products this month across multiple channels of retail.
Saban’s Power Rangers Dino Charge, the newest season of the Power Rangers franchise, premiered on February 7 on Nickelodeon in the U.S. and will roll out globally later this year.
Nickelodeon, Fisher-Price Partner for Blaze and the Monster Machines
Nickelodeon and Fisher-Price, a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc., announce an all-new toy line based on the network’s preschool series Blaze and the Monster Machines. The lineup includes a die-cast collection, vehicles, playsets, and plush. Products will be available at select retailers starting in May with full nationwide rollout in August.
Launched in October 2014, Blaze and the Monster Machines cover all areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) in every episode. Blaze and the Monster Machines follows Blaze and his eight-year-old driver, AJ. Together, Blaze and AJ have adventures that explore the physics of how things move; tackle problems through scientific inquiry and mathematics; and discover the parts needed to make everyday technologies work.
Hasbro in Deal for Disney’s Descendants
Hasbro announced its newest collaboration with Disney Consumer Products based on Disney Channel’s new live-action original movie, Descendants. Hasbro will be producing an array of dolls and accessories based on the upcoming movie premiering on Disney Channel this summer. Disney’s Descendants is a contemporary live-action adventure comedy that introduces the teenage progeny of Disney’s legacy characters—most notably its evil villains. The product line features dolls and accessories from the offspring of infamous Disney villains—Maleficent, the Evil Queen Jafar, and Cruella de Vil—as well as the teenage children of Disney’s heroes Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, Fairy Godmother, Mulan, and more.
Disney, TOMY Launch Miles from Tomorrowland Product
Disney Consumer Products announced that it has signed TOMY to create a product line inspired by Disney Junior’s Miles from Tomorrowland, which launched on February 6.
Miles from Tomorrowland introduces young adventurer Miles Callisto and his family as they help connect the galaxy on behalf of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. The TOMY toy line launches at retail this summer and includes vehicles, figures, and playsets, as well as science facts for kids age 2–7 from NASA and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the Space Tourism Society, and Google experts.
Disneystore.com began rolling out the Miles from Tomorrowland product collection on February 6 while Disney Store locations nationwide began selling the products on February 13. In addition to TOMY’s toy line, there are books, roleplay, apparel, home décor, accessories, and more. An app from Disney Publishing Worldwide also launched on the series’ premiere day.
Lalaloopsy Dolls Head to Build-A-Bear
MGA Entertainment announced that it has partnered with Build-A-Bear Workshop to offer Lalaloopsy dolls in honor of the brand’s Super Silly 5th Anniversary Party. Starting in August, Lalaloopsy fans will be able to interact with the brand like never before by building four of the eight original Lalaloopsy characters (Crumbs Sugar Cookie, Jewel Sparkles, Peanut Big Top, and Mittens Fluff ‘N’ Stuff) and personalize their creation in Build-A-Bear Workshop stores.
The Super Silly Anniversary Party will include various live entertainment and social media events, kicking off with the availability of products in all Build-A-Bear Workshop stores.
Queen’s Treasures, Laurent Doll Merge
Two 18-inch doll accessory designers and manufacturers, The Queen’s Treasures and Laurent Doll, announced they are merging. The Queen’s Treasures is exhibiting in booth No. 1255 and Laurent Doll is exhibiting in booth No. 1259.
Both companies create accessories designed specifically for 18-inch dolls with different design/product styles appealing to different audiences.
“We are excited to join forces with the team at The Queen’s Treasures,” said Scott Cahill of Laurent Doll. “Both our product lines and skill sets complement one another and I am confident that the combined entity will be a major player in the 18-inch doll furniture, clothing, and accessories space. Look for us to bring an exciting array of new products to market with unmatched quality and design.”
Joann Cartiglia of The Queen’s Treasures agreed. “By combining our diverse strengths and skill sets, we’ve created a company with cutting-edge technology while expanding our unique product lines with the quality and service our customers expect.”
WIT Award Winners Announced
Women in Toys, Licensing and Entertainment (WIT) hosted its 11th Annual Awards Dinner last night in New York City. The organization awarded winners from more than 40 nominees. WIT also presented Special Honoree Awards to executives from Sesame Workshop, Amazon.com, and Disney Consumer Products. Here is a list of the winners:
Special Honorees:
• Ann Kearns, vice-president, global toys, Sesame Workshop, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for 42 years of service at Sesame Workshop.
• Eva Lorenz, general manager for toys & games, Amazon.com received the Retailer of the Year Award.
• Elaine Carovilla, director, Disney Consumer Products, received the People’s Choice Award.
• Lyla Black of Lyla Tov Monsters, received the inaugural Wonder Girl Award, which recognizes young toy entrepreneurs. At the age of eight, she is WIT’s youngest member, and the creative force behind Lyla Tov (“Good Night” in Hebrew) Monsters.
Wonder Woman Award Winners:
• Manufacturer of the Year—Irene Li, The Bridge Direct
• Public Relations and Social Media—Julie Duffy, Hasbro
• Social Responsibility—Deborah Dicochea, Mattel Children’s Foundation and Corporate Philanthropy
• Licensing and Entertainment—Samantha Freeman and Angela Santomero, Out of the Blue Enterprises
• Designer/Inventor—Ditte Bruun Pedersen, Future Lab, The LEGO Group
• Marketing and Advertising—Tamara Stewart, Moose Toys
• Rising Star—Bettina Cheng and Alice Brooks, Roominate
Toy Fair Forecast: Arctic Blast Is Over
Yesterday’s arctic blast is almost over. Today will be a balmy 23 degrees and there is a bit of snow expected on Tuesday morning. Looks like the industry made it through this Toy Fair blizzard-free. See the forecast for the remainder of Toy Fair here from weather.com.
Images from Toy Fair
Here are a few photos from the show floor.