Teen pop singer Cody Simpson and The Wish Factory, Inc. unveiled two Cody Simpson dolls at Toys “R” Us Times Square today. I headed over to Toys “R” Us this afternoon to learn more about the dolls and meet Cody Simpson.
The collection consists of two dolls, both 11.5 inches, featuring the Australian singer’s side-swept surfer-styled hair and clothes Simpson wears. One doll is dressed in a Gold Coast T-shirt and khakis, and the other doll wears a denim jacket and black pants. Both dolls include a pair of shoes, sunglasses, a microphone, a guitar pick, and lanyard. The guitar pick included varies from box to box, some with angel wings and the word “Angel,” and others with an emoticon smiley face and the numbers “143” to mean “I love you.”
Scott Bachrach, president of The Wish Factory, which designed the dolls, said the guitar picks’ designs came from the fans, who call themselves Cody’s angels, and can become collectible items used as key chains and more. Simpson told us that he was involved throughout the doll-making process to give feedback on the look of the doll and its clothes.
The dolls, completed from start to finish in 106 days, are available exclusively at Toys “R” Us stores nationwide and online for $16.99 each.
Merchandise for the 3-D animated Twentieth Century Fox comedy RIO hits Toys “R” Us shelves across the country next month. The exclusive merchandising program will feature movie-inspired products, including an exclusive toy line, video games and books. Transforming into the ultimate retail destination for RIO, Toys“R”Us customers can find a selection of exclusive RIO extras and sneak peeks of the movie before it lands in theaters April 15.
The RIO merchandising assortment will include a toy line from ToyQuest, including poseable 3.75-inch mini figures in two packs, 8-inch basic plush pals, 10-inch animated talking plush, 9-inch feature plush and beanies. THQ Inc. is releasing a RIO game for Xbox and Wii April 12. A game will also be available for PlayStation 3.
At Toys“R”Us and Toysrus.com/RIO, families will find storybooks from HarperCollins, color and activity books from Modern Publishing, and a Look-and-Find book from Publications International.
In celebration of the anticipated theatrical release of Toy Story 3, Toys “R” Us is debuting dedicated Toy Story 3 boutiques, in all of its nearly 1,300 toy stores in 34 countries around the world.
The boutiques, which are open across the U.S., are filled with an assortment of Toy Story-inspired toys, including action figures, construction sets, role play accessories, musical instruments, and electronic devices. Similar sections will open in Toys “R” Us stores around the world, coinciding with the movie’s release in each respective country.
Pook-A-Looz is the new line of plush, apparel, and accessories from Disney Consumer Products (DCP). Inspired by the urban vinyl toy culture, Pook-A-Looz were designed to capture the personalities of iconic Disney characters in an edgy, offbeat way. The new line of plush features more than 30 characters, from Buzz Lightyear and Cheshire Cat to Muppets and Jack Skellington. Pook-A-Looz are available now at Toys “R” Us, Disney Store, DisneyStore.com, Disneyland Resort, and Walt Disney World stores.
The new line is the brainchild of DCP’s in-house creative design team.
“We focused on capturing one key element, gesture, or trait of each character during the design process. We wanted the look to be very unique, quirky, and cool,” said Jose Zamora, lead designer. “When you think of the Queen of Hearts, you think of her mouth, so we brought that out in the design. With the Cheshire Cat, you think of the teeth. So we focused on that famous grin.”
Fans will be welcomed into the world of Pook-A-Looz through a series of “Pook-a-Sode” videos on the Disney Living YouTube channel, beginning this week. The Disney Living Facebook fan page and Twitter feed will also offer additional content and forums for fans to win prizes, share content, and connect.
Pook-a-Looz are manufactured and distributed by select licensees.
Beanstalk has appointed Allison Ames as president, North America. In her new role, Ames will oversee Beanstalk’s operations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and South America. She will continue to report directly to Michael Stone, CEO. Effective immediately, Ames will assume full responsibility for all clients operating in the North [...]
Entertainment licensing veteran Ashley Maidy has joined Activision to head the newly formed licensing division. Maidy has more than 16 years of experience, building licensing and merchandising programs for Sony Pictures and Saban Entertainment. In her new role, Maidy will extend Activision’s properties into complementary product categories, as well as [...]
U.S. retail sales of toys generated $21.18 billion in 2011, a decline of 2 percent compared to 2010 numbers, which totaled $21.68 billion, according to market research company The NPD Group. While the average retail price for a licensed toy was 57 percent higher than that for non-licensed toys, licensed [...]
Howard Roffman is passing the baton to Paul Southern as head of Lucas Licensing. Roffman will remain with the company as a senior advisor. Both Roffman and Southern will report to Micheline Chau, Lucasfilm president and COO.
Lionsgate has completed a transaction to acquire Summit Entertainment for a combination of cash and stock valued at $412.5 million. The transaction unites two studios with powerful brands and complementary assets. By acquiring Summit, Lionsgate enhances its feature film and home entertainment offerings, and further broadens its 13,000-title filmed entertainment [...]
Schylling and Pretty Ugly released a new Uglydoll Rocket Ride Wind Up Toy that has a lever mechanism instead of a key, stands eight inches tall, and is suitable for ages 3 and up. They also released new youth umbrellas in three styles, Ice-bat, Ox, and Uglydoll Rainy Day, suitable [...]
WME Licensing’s client Patti Stanger, an American matchmaker and television producer with her own Bravo TV show, The Millionaire Matchmaker, and the founder and CEO of Millionaire’s Club International, Inc., has signed a license with Hyper Interactive to create a full line of PS I Love You Cosmetics. The initial [...]
Jazwares is slicing into the mobile app category after being awarded the master toy license for Halfbrick’s popular app, Fruit Ninja. Inspired by Fruit Ninja’s fruit-slicing, action-packed adventures, Jazwares’ new range will include fruit figures and plush, featuring “splat” sound effects, slicing features, ninja blades, and branded bandanas, as well [...]
Art Impressions has licensed Commonwealth Toys to produce a line of So So Happy plush toys, beanies, plush backpacks, and related products featuring the brand’s quirky cast of friendly monsters, robots, and other oddball characters. The companies’ first collaborative series will roll out nationwide in May at specialty chains, boutiques, [...]
Robin Zingone has named Holly Rawlinson, president and owner of The Name Game, LLC, as the exclusive licensing agent to launch and coordinate a global licensing program for robin zingone brands. The agreement includes the robinzingone signature brand for women, along with tween character brand Cocomimilulu, the kawaii brand loveMe [...]
