Archive for the ‘New Products’ Category
« Older Entries |This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Photos: Worms Keyring Plush Collection Premieres
Thursday, January 19th, 2012
AT New Media and Team 17 have launched the Worms Keyring Plush collection from IGS, based on the turn-based strategy video game franchise.
The new range, licensed by AT New Media and Worms creator Team 17, features a detailed series of plush in an initial line of four different characters (Original Worm, Army Worm, Pirate Worm, and the Super Sheep). Products are also available in multiple traditional collectible plush sizes. The new range adds to the Worms lineup of apparel, squeezies, mugs, figurines, collectibles, and more. New partners are currently being sought for multiple product categories.
Tags: AT New Media, IGS, keyring, plush, Team 17, Worms
Posted in New Products, News, Photo | No Comments »
This post was written by Guest Blogger
What Should Be in Your Toy Fair Media Tool Kit?
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
Second in a series of posts on preparing for the annual trade event
by Julie Livingston, director, business development and accounts, Child’s Play Communications, New York City
As the adage goes, “information is power,” and that is exactly why the nuggets of facts, photos, video and other details contained in your Toy Fair media kit can directly impact the depth and breadth of coverage you get during the show. Start planning out your content by thinking through the writer’s “5 W’s”—the Who, What, Where, When, and Why—as it relates to your product. Ask for input from colleagues in the product development, sales, and marketing areas, as their perspective can provide tremendous insight, and descriptive language to tell the story. In my experience, this process can be time consuming; be prepared for multiple rounds of edits so that the end product is one that will draw attention and interest.
From seeing literally hundreds of press materials in my years in the children’s entertainment business and PR, the following elements when executed well contribute to a successful press kit:
Tags: Child's Play PR, Julie Livingston, Media Kit, Reyne Rice, TIA, Toy Fair
Posted in Articles, Guest blog, New Products | 1 Comment »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Sesame Workshop Partners with Qualcomm for Augmented Reality Prototype
Friday, January 13th, 2012
Qualcomm Incorporated and Sesame Workshop have joined forces to explore augmented reality experiences for children by creating a prototype play set that brings physical toys to life. An application is being demonstrated at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), running January 10-13.
The collaborative project explores the use of a tablet with a traditional play set, aiming to make children’s’ playtime more fun and educational. The prototype play set includes traditional elements such as common household objects and figurines of classic Sesame Street characters Cookie Monster, Bert, and Ernie. Additionally, the demo includes a tablet and an application that uses Qualcomm’s newly branded Vuforia augmented reality platform. When the tablet is pointed at the play set, the pieces and the play environment come alive through the tablet’s camera, transforming the play set into an interactive experience.
Qualcomm is exhibiting at Booth No. 30313 in South Hall 3 at CES.
Tags: CES, International Consumer Electronics Show, Qualcomm Incorporated, Sesame Street, Sesame Workshop, Vuforia
Posted in New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Hit Partners for Bob the Builder App
Thursday, January 12th, 2012
Hit Entertainment has partnered with BigPlay Studios, a developer of game, education, and book apps, for the launch of Bob the Builder: Muck’s Train to Trouble for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, available in Apple’s App store this week. This marks the first app release for the Bob the Builder brand.
Bob the Builder: Muck’s Train to Trouble is an interactive reading experience, which also features painting activities, video clips, and games. Every page includes narration, character voices, custom animations, and easy-to-read words with highlighted text.
With this first Bob the Builder app, Hit Entertainment adds to its iOS apps portfolio, which includes apps featuring Thomas & Friends, Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam, and Barney.
Tags: app, Bob the Builder, HIt Entertainment, iOS
Posted in Licenses, New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Sun-Mate Announces Slew of New Licenses for Entertainment Brands
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
Sun-Mate Corporation has obtained a number of licensing rights to a broad spectrum of entertainment brands, including Star Wars, Spider-Man, Power Rangers, WWE, the recently announced Hello Kitty and KISS joint branding, and the fashion art brand Public Zoo.
For Star Wars, Sun-Mate will develop ATM machines, arcade-style games, tabletop games, and guitars based on the brand.
Spider-Man and other Marvel Heroes, including Wolverine, Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor, will be featured among keyboards, drums, ATM machines, and other activities being developed by the company for U.S. consumers. Sun-Mate will also develop various Power Rangers-branded pinball game machines, which will incorporate Power Rangers’ themes of fitness, responsibility, teamwork, and helping others.
Tags: Hello Kitty, KISS, Marvel Heroes, Power Rangers, Public Zoo, Spider-Man, Star Wars, Sun-Mate, Sun-Mate Corporation, WWE
Posted in Licenses, New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Guest Blogger
Countdown to Toy Fair: Identifying Your Communications Objectives
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
First in a series of posts on preparing for the annual trade event
By Julie Livingston, director, business development and accounts, Child’s Play Communications, New York City
Toy Fair is a month away, and for many toy and youth entertainment companies, the annual event is an important media platform that can help drive brand awareness and buzz for hot items throughout the year. With approximately one thousand media representatives from around the world in attendance, how will your company or brand garner the attention it deserves? Following are tips and information collected during the six years I served overseeing public relations for the Toy Industry Association and Toy Fair, as well as serving toy and youth entertainment industry clients as a PR professional.
1. Prioritize your communications goals and objectives. For example, is it a new product line review you want the media to see? Or, do you have a hot item you want to hype to help drive holiday orders? Do you have an announcement about a licensing agreement or strategic partnership? Identifying your primary goals and objectives will provide a framework for all related activities, including any responsibilities that you want other communications personnel or a public relations agency to handle.
Tags: Julie Livingston, Reyne Rice, Toy Fair
Posted in Articles, Exclusive, Guest blog, New Products | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Innovation First International Launches Moshi Monsters Bobble Bots
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
Innovation First International is launching Bobble Bots, a new brand and product line. As part of the launch, the company has joined forces with Mind Candy, the brains behind the Moshi Monsters brand, for the debut of Bubble Bots Moshi Monsters. The line will hit store shelves across Europe and North America this spring.
The line of bobblehead mini robotic pets and customizable play sets will feature the patented Hexbug Nano vibration technology. Moshi Monsters will be brought to life in their own customizable environment. The initial assortment of Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters will include 24 battery-operated collectible Moshlings and a variety of configurable, 3-D “dollhouse” replicas of the streets, yards, buildings, and houses found online in Monstro City. Every product will include secret codes to unlock digital assets in the online world. The products will be showcased (by appointment only) at London Toy Fair, Nuremberg Toy Fair, and New York Toy Fair.
Tags: Bobble Bots, Innovation First International, London Toy Fair, Moshi Monsters, New York Toy Fair, Nuremberg Toy Fair
Posted in Licenses, New Products, News | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Skylanders Announces Beta Launch of its Virtual World
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
Image Credit: universe.skylanders.com
Activision Publishing, Inc. has launched Skylanders Spyro’s Universe, in beta, which will add another dimension to Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure. The virtual world allows kids to engage with Skylanders characters and fellow players.
Found online at www.universe.skylanders.com, the Universe is a fantasy realm of floating islands designed to encourage world-building, exploration, and friendly competition. Players who own the game or figures can input each figure’s code, or use the Portal of Power, to bring them to life inside the universe.
Those who don’t own a figure can join the virtual world by creating a free online account. Eon, the helpful Skylanders guide, will then provide newbies with a digital starter kit. For more information, visit www.universe.skylanders.com.
Tags: Activision, beta, Skylanders, Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure, Skylanders Spyro’s Universe, virtual world
Posted in New Products, News, holiday season | No Comments »
This post was written by Ericka Johnson
BabyZoo Introduces Line of Sleep Aid Products
Friday, December 16th, 2011
Bedtime and morning rituals for young children have just become easier. BabyZoo, a manufacturer of sleep aids for kids, recently launched the BabyZoo Sleep Trainer, a timer-based night-light, and more.
The BabyZoo Sleep Trainer features a monkey named Momo who signals the child when it’s time to get up and when it’s time to sleep by opening and closing its eyes. The Sleep Trainer also displays a digital and analog clock to teach children how to read time. Parents can also choose between different alarm sounds with volume control. The alarm is available in two color combos: green-and-yellow and pink-and-blue.
Tags: BabyZoo, BabyZoo Sleep Trainer, Coco, Gus, Night Light, Woolly
Posted in 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9 and up, New Products | No Comments »
This post was written by Elizabeth A. Reid
Nick Toy Machines Featured in 100 Simon Malls
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
Nickelodeon debuted its first virtual Nick Toy Machines last weekend at 100 Simon malls across the country. Inspired by the classic vending machine, each virtual Nick Toy Machine is a colorful, double-sided standee (seven-foot tall and 3.5-feet wide) that shoppers can walk up to, scan, and buy Nickelodeon toys from via smartphones.
The Nick Toy Machine features images of Dora the Explorer and Victorious toys, along with a corresponding QR code that allows shoppers to quickly “scan and buy” gifts using their smartphones. The Nick Toy Machines are placed in high-traffic areas.
Tags: dora the explorer, Nick Toy Machine, Nickelodeon, QR code, Simon malls, Victorious
Posted in New Products, News | No Comments »
