Disney Launches Where's My Water? Merchandise Line 

Disney Mobile and Disney Consumer Products (DCP) have announced the first line of merchandise based on Disney's hit mobile game, Where's My Water? Partners include Hasbro, JAKKS Pacific/CDI; and Toys “R” Us.
The first wave of Where's My Water? products will be available at mass retailers nationwide in June, with select items available now at Disney Store locations and DisneyStore.com. The line features plush and novelty toys, consumer electronics accessories, and apparel and accessories. The second wave of products, coming this fall, will include a face-to-face game, consumer electronics, stationery, home accessories, and Halloween costumes.
Available this month, JAKKS and CDI will release plush versions of Swampy, Allie, and Cranky as 3-inch clip-ons and 7-inch, 10-inch, and 20-inch dolls. The companies will also launch a line of 2-inch figurines.
Later this year, Swampy will make his debut online in a 12-episode web series called Where's My Water?: the Adventures of Swampy.

HIT Entertainment and Sakar Expand Thomas & Friends Line

HIT Entertainment and Sakar International have entered into a license agreement that will bring the Thomas & Friends franchise into the consumer electronics space in North America. The license authorizes Sakar to develop, manufacture, and market an extensive collection of branded merchandise ranging from clock radios, walkie talkies, text messengers, and boom boxes to digital cameras, flashlights, and video game and computer accessories. The agreement covers the U.S. and Canada. The first products in the collection will be released early next year.

Rubie’s to Create Costumes for Snow White and the Huntsman

Rubie’s Costume Company Inc. has partnered with Universal Partnerships & Licensing to produce licensed costumes and accessories for Snow White and the Huntsman, in theaters June 1.
In this exclusive costume collection, each character comes to life with a distinctive ensemble reminiscent of the role portrayed on the big screen. From the Queen’s dress with molded skull trim, to Snow White’s armor and gauntlets, each costume incorporates unique elements that are specific to the film. The costume collection also includes the Huntsman, with coordinating accessories such as swords, shields, hatchets, and daggers. The Snow White and the Huntsman costume collection will be available Halloween of this year.

TCG Partners with Spin Master to Bring Roxx to Europe

TCG has entered into an arrangement with Spin Master to launch Roxx into European countries, including France, Italy, Belgium, Germany/Austria, Switzerland, Holland, and the UK. Roxx, the newest collectible, tradable, playable, head-to-head competitive game of skill, features edgy game pieces that appeal to school-aged and tween boys, who play to win through two levels of play. Spin Master will accompany the launch with an integrated marketing and public relations campaign throughout Europe during 2013. Roxx and related accessories, for children ages 7 years and up, are expected to hit retail shelves in the first quarter of 2013.

Kids Currently Use an Average of 12 Downloaded Apps on Mobile Devices

According to The NPD Group’s latest report, Kids and Apps: A New Era of Play, there are an average of 12 apps on mobile devices to which kids have access (88 percent of which are free). The report says children spend approximately five days each week using mobile devices, such as a smartphone, tablet or iPod Touch, with an average session generally lasting slightly less than one hour. Gender also plays a role in app usage, as boys are more likely to be game players than girls (87 percent vs. 80 percent), while girls are more diversified in the apps they use on a device.
Gaming is by far the most popular type of app used by children and the most frequently paid for (35 percent). When it comes to allowing their children to use a device, parents who don’t own, but are planning to purchase, a device are more likely to be influenced to do so by factors such as free games, unlimited data from their carrier, and the availability of more educational apps. Those who already own a device, but who don’t let their children use it, would allow their children to do so if more educational apps were available or if the devices were durable enough to withstand the child’s use.

AwkwardFamilyPhotos.Com Partners with All Things Equal

Game company All Things Equal will debut a puzzle collection and picture frame kit based on the website, AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com, at the upcoming National Stationery Show in New York City. The Awkward Family Photos puzzles feature an awkward 999-piece count and form a collage of the website’s most popular images. The puzzles are made from 100-percent, recycled paperboard and include a bonus mini-game pack. All four titles, including Pets, Siblings, Vacation, and Christmas, are available at Amazon.com and specialty stores.

Brentwood Licensing to Represent BuckleyBoo

Brentwood Licensing, LLC has been hired by the BuckleyBoo Company to represent the company’s award-winning developmental toys and buckle concept for licensing and custom designs. BuckleyBoo offers children 18 months to 4 years old a developmental toy using different buckles as an engaging learning tool. The concept of the buckles can be expanded to other toys, books, backpacks, and more. BuckleyBoo will be available for licensing for the first time at the Las Vegas Licensing Expo.     

Toys & Kids Russia Hosts Successful Event

Toys & Kids Russia hosted 9,039 visitors at its sixth annual Toys & Kids Russia exhibit, a 29 percent increase from last year. During the exhibit, held March 14 to March 16, 312 national and international toy manufacturers presented their latest products and developed their business contacts in the growing Russian toy market.
The next International Trade Fair for Children’s World takes place March 13–15, 2013, in the Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre in Moscow, where Spielwarenmesse eG is organizing its World of Toys international pavilion for toy manufacturers from around the world. The application deadline for exhibitors is November 30.

Beau James, Director at Corolle, Steps Down

Specialty doll manufacturer Corolle announces the departure of Beau James, director of Corolle North America, effective June 4, 2012. James joined Corolle in 1996.  Mathilde Dezalys will replace James as the Managing Director. James will continue his position as president of The Beau James Group and To Market, To Market.
“Serving as Director of Corolle North America for the past 16 years has been an honor and a privilege,” says James. “It is time for me to step aside and for Corolle’s new Managing Director, Mathilde Dezalys, to assemble her own team of professionals that will take the company to a new level, inspired by her remarkable passion and vision. I look forward to watching with pride as the company I have truly considered as family continues to grow and prosper.”

Entertainment One Names Joan Grasso as VP Licensing North America

Entertainment One Family (eOne Family) has announced Joan Grasso as its new vice president, licensing for North America. Grasso will spearhead the U.S. merchandise launch of Peppa Pig this August and implement an integrated marketing program to support the brand’s debut at retail.
Based in eOne’s New York office, Grasso will work closely with the Peppa Pig licensing partners already in place, in addition to seeking new partners to drive the brand’s North American licensing program. She will also be tasked with managing budgets and exploring commercial opportunities for both Peppa Pig and other eOne properties across film and TV. Grasso will report to eOne’s Head of Global Licensing, Andrew Carley.
Grasso joins eOne from Chorion Silver Lining where she was vice president of toys and games licensing.  

VTech Announces FY 2012 Results

VTech Holdings Ltd. has announced its results for the year ended March 31, 2012, reporting record revenue for the second consecutive year. Group revenue for the year ended March 31, 2012 increased by 4.2 percent over the previous financial year to $1.8 million. This was mainly due to higher revenue in North America and Europe, as both electronic learning products and contract manufacturing services recorded growth in these two regions.
Profit attributable to shareholders of the company declined by 5 percent to 191.9 million. The decrease in profit was mainly attributable to higher input costs as well as lower revenue from Telecommunication products. Basic earnings per share consequently decreased by 5.5 percent to 77 cents, compared to 81.5 cents in the financial year 2011.