TOMY to Make Pokemon Toys
TOMY International and The Pokémon Company International Sign Multi-Year Global Licensing Agreement
- TOMY becomes unified global toy partner for leading kids entertainment franchise
OAK BROOK, Illinois, Sept. 27, 2012 -- TOMY International and The Pokémon Company International announce the signing of a multi-year global master toy agreement, giving TOMY International the exclusive toy license outside of Asia. Beginning in 2013, TOMY International will be the exclusive licensee and distributor for categories including figures, figure accessories, plush, and more. TOMY International's parent company, TOMY Company, Ltd., has been a toy licensing partner of Pokémon in Asia, beginning with the Japanese market in 1997. This agreement makes TOMY Group the unified global toy partner for the sought-after Pokémon brand, one of the world's leading kids entertainment franchises.
"We are proud to make this major new global business announcement and we are thrilled to extend the relationship between TOMY and the Pokémon brand," said Greg Kilrea, President of TOMY International. "As an integrated organization, TOMY can provide our partners with unparalleled access to markets worldwide."
"We are excited to work with TOMY International to bring fun, engaging Pokémon toys to market and our fans," said Colin Palmer, Vice President of Marketing and Licensing for The Pokémon Company International.
TOMY International will be the first to market with themed toys based on the highly-anticipated video game sequels, Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2.
About The Pokémon Company International
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children's entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit http://www.pokemon.com.
About TOMY International
TOMY International (http://www.tomy.com) is a leading global designer, producer and marketer of a broad range of innovative, high-quality toys sold to preschoolers, youths and adults under the TOMY®, Ertl®, Johnny Lightning® and Tomica® brands as well as products for mothers, infants and toddlers marketed under its The First Years®, Lamaze, JJ Cole® Collections and Boon® brands. TOMY International also markets its products under popular and classic licensed properties such as Chuggington, Dinosaur Train, John Deere, Disney's Winnie the Pooh, Princesses, Cars, Fairies and Toy Story, and other well-known properties. TOMY International's mission is to inspire and fulfill the dreams of children and parents worldwide. TOMY International reaches its target consumers through multiple channels of distribution supporting more than 25,000 retail outlets throughout North and South America, Europe and Australia. TOMY International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan-based TOMY Company, Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Code No. 7867). © TOMY