Archive for November, 2011
« Older Entries |This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Little Airplane Productions Announces Factory Tour for Families
Wednesday, November 30th, 2011
Image Credit: LittleAirplane.com
Little Airplane Productions is launching The Small Potatoes Animation Factory Tour, a family-friendly guided tour of its animation studio, which is located in New York City’s South Street Seaport. The tour will allow fans to have face-to-face time with the main characters of the company’s latest animated television series, Small Potatoes. The series launched in the U.S. in September on Disney Junior.
During the tour, every aspect of production—from writing to animation to voice-over recording—will be explain by the creative team at Little Airplane. At each stop on the tour, families can participate in hands-on activities, ranging from helping animate a character to having their own voices recorded in a professional audio booth. Serving as the highlight of the tour is a “hologram” inside a wooden red barn, and families can peek inside to see the Small Potatoes sing and dance.
Tags: Disney Junior, Little Airplane, Small Potatoes, The Small Potatoes Factory Tour
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This post was written by Ericka Johnson
Kingstate Launches Free Members-Only Website
Monday, November 28th, 2011
Kingstate, wholesaler of vinyl dolls, has launched the members-only website LotsOfLearningFun.com, featuring a directory that links to more than 18,000 resources for creative ideas and ways to entertain children ages 0 to 5. Kingstate is offering its doll purchasers a free membership to the website.
The website’s editorial staff locates, reviews, rates, and indexes the best “free stuff” for parents. LotsOfLearningFun.com also includes articles for parents and caregivers, as well as free “edu-taining” activities for kids, including 2,000 e-books online, 3,000 unique activities and crafts, 5,000 downloadable songs, 6,000 coloring pages, and more. Kingstate will also feature retailer-branded ads onsite by identifying consumer-retailer pairs.
For more information, visit LotsofLearningFun.com.
Tags: Kingstate, LotsOfLearningFun.com
Posted in 0-2, 3-5, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Ericka Johnson
I Double Dog Dare You!—for A Christmas Story Enthusiasts
Monday, November 28th, 2011
Fans of the classic holiday comedy A Christmas Story can show their devotion with the “A Christmas Story: I Double Dog Dare You! Video Contest.” The contest, presented by Warner Bros. Consumer Products, allows fans to re-create their favorite scenes and post the videos to YouTube for a chance to win a trip to the real A Christmas Story house in Cleveland, Ohio.
The grand-prize winner receives round-trip airfare for four, a two-night stay at the Christmas Story house, dinner at Bac Asian Bistro, and more. Five second-place winners will also win an exclusive gift pack of A Christmas Story merchandise. Click here for more contest information.
Tags: A Christmas Story, I Double Dog Dare You! Video Contest, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, YouTube
Posted in 9 and up, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
TIA Reveals New Hall of Fame Inductees
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced that Arnie Rubin, founder and CEO of Funrise Toy Corporation, and the late Frederick August Otto Schwarz, founder of FAO Schwarz, have been selected as the next inductees into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame comprises a roster of 57 individuals who have been recognized for their significant contributions to the growth and success of the toy industry. The newest inductees were nominated by toy industry members and selected via vote from TIA members and previous Hall of Fame honorees.
Tags: Arnie Rubin, FAO Schwarz, Frederick August Otto Schwarz, Funrise Toy Corporation, TIA, Toy Industry Association, Toy Industry Hall of Fame
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This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
WBCP Announces Roster of Licensees for Happy Feet Two
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
The animated family comedy adventure Happy Feet Two premiered last Friday, and Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) has announced its global collection of licensees for the movie.
Thinkway Toys is the global master toy partner for the property, and has debuted toys that feature dance moves, interactive play features, music, a talk-back mode, and more. Additional offerings from the wide roster of licensees include Rubie’s Costume Co. with an assortment of costumes; Pressman Toy with all-new interactive games; Build-A-Bear Workshop, offering collectible soft plush; MeadWestvaco with themed calendars; Hallmark, offering decorative ornaments and party supplies; Anagram International with party décor; Penguin Children’s Books with books inspired by the film; and more.
Tags: Happy Feet Two, Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Posted in Licenses, New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
New Licensees for Wildbrain’s Yo Gabba Gabba!
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
Wildbrain Entertainment has signed seven new licensing deals for its hit series Yo Gabba Gabba!. Funko, manufacturer of entertainment bobblehead products, vinyl action figures, and plush toys, will develop a line of Yo Gabba Gabba! collectible toys, available at specialty, department stores, and mass retailers nationwide starting in April. Nyko, manufacturer of accessories for Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and 3DS, will develop game accessories and an all-new DS docking station/alarm clock for the property, which will be available across all retail channels late next year. Press Pass, Inc., the trading card and licensed collectibles company, will develop a line of Yo Gabba Gabba! trading cards that will be sold across all distribution channels starting in February.
Tags: Wildbrain Entertainment, Yo Gabba Gabba!
Posted in Licenses, New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
TIA Announces 2012 TOTY Finalists
Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011
The Toy Industry Association (TIA) has announced the 77 finalists for the 2012 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. Through January 15, toy lovers of all ages can vote for their favorite toys by visiting www.ToyAwards.org.
The finalists, representing 67 unique products or properties from 51 companies, were selected from nearly 600 nominees. TIA invites consumers, mass retailers, specialty retailers, media, and members of the toy industry to vote. Each of the five types of ballots will be weighted and used to determine the winners and the overall “Toy of the Year” award. Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony on Saturday, February 11 as the kick-off to the 109th American International Toy Fair.
Tags: TIA, TOTY, Toy Fair, Toy Industry Association, Toy of the Year Awards
Posted in New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Ericka Johnson
The Wiggles Celebrate the Holidays Internationally
Monday, November 21st, 2011
The Wiggles is taking viewers around the globe with their first DVD in seven years, It’s Always Christmas With You, from NCircle Entertainment. The DVD includes 14 original songs and seasonal favorites, including celebrity appearances. Traveling across three continents, The Wiggles discover the ways different cultures celebrate the holidays.
Beginning in New York City, The Wiggles team up with ‘N Sync’s Joey Fatone to perform a rendition of “O Holy Night.” Viewers are also given a peek at what Christmas is like in the Fatone household.
Traveling to Ireland, The Wiggles show viewers the country’s beautiful past and present as they join up with the Irish artists Anúna to perform “The Cherry Tree Carol,” a song dating back to the 15th century. The breathtaking Wicklow Mountains serve as a backdrop.
Ending in their home country, Australia, The Wiggles perform their original new song “It’s a Long Way from the North Pole,” reminding viewers that in “the outback,” families don’t see snow for Christmas.
It’s Always Christmas With You, priced at $9.99, is available now at select stores and online, and will be available at major retail locations November 29.
Tags: Anuna, Joey Fatone, NCircle Entertainment, The Wiggles
Posted in 3-5, 6-8, 9 and up, New Products, holiday season | No Comments »
This post was written by Ericka Johnson
New Product: Plush Doll Inspired by The Big Bang Theory
Monday, November 21st, 2011
New from Stylin’ Online comes a soft plush kitty, which was also featured on The Big Bang Theory‘s episode “Pancake Batter Anomaly.” In the episode, Sheldon is ill and explains to Penny that his mother used to sing him a song whenever he became sick. Stylin’ Online’s plush kitty sings that song when her paw is pressed. The 10-inch plush and a T-shirt are available here.
Tags: Soft Kitty, Stylin' Online, The Big Bang Theory
Posted in 3-5, 6-8, New Products | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Social Gaming Surges, According to New Report
Friday, November 18th, 2011
According to a new 2011 gaming report, reported by Gamasutra.com, 118.5 million people now play social games at least once a week, up 71 percent compared to results from last year.
The 2011 PopCap Social Gaming Research survey, conducted by Information Solutions Group and commissioned by PopCap, also found that 81 million people play social games at least once a day. Additionally, spending on social games has risen dramatically. The report found that 31 million players have spent money on in-game purchases, up 86 percent compared to last year.
In terms of age, 30 percent of social gamers are under age 30 (19 percent last year), and 20 percent of U.S. social gamers are over age 60. In the UK, that number drops to just 7 percent.
Tags: Gamasutra.com, Information Solutions Group, PopCap, PopCap Social Gaming Research survey
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