K'NEX Brands Announces New Licensing Partnership with World's Top Monster Truck Property � Monster Jam®
Officially-Licensed Building Toys by K'NEX Will Allow Kids to Build Exciting Monster Jam Monster Trucks
Dallas, TX -- October 7, 2009 -- Young Monster Jam® fans can now build their very own Monster Jam event with new licensed building toys by K'NEX®. Monster Jam, the largest and most popular monster truck brand in the world, and K'NEX, an international leader in construction toys, are pleased to announce this new partnership at the 2009 Fall Toy Preview in Dallas, TX.
The relationship, which names K'NEX Brands as the licensee for building/construction sets in the U.S. and Canada, combines the award-winning K'NEX building system with the extreme action of Monster Jam. Feld Motor Sports, Inc., which owns and produces Monster Jam, is represented by 4Kids Entertainment, the property's master licensing agent.
"We consider Monster Jam to be a natural fit for our building system and are thrilled about this new partnership," said Michael Araten, president of K'NEX Brands. "This is a great addition to our portfolio of licensed vehicles because now fans of Monster Jam can imagine, build and play with their favorite monster trucks."
The new K'NEX Monster Jam line will be available July 2010 and will include some of the most popular trucks in the Monster Jam franchise, including Grave Digger®, Maximum Destruction®, Monster Mutt® and more. The building sets will be designed to capture the high-energy racing and freestyle action that make Monster Jam performances so entertaining.
"4Kids is thrilled to add K'NEX to Monster Jam's stable of blue chip licensees that already include Mattel and Activision," said Roz Nowicki, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Licensing, 4Kids Entertainment. "The K'NEX team has such enthusiasm for the brand and the line is so innovative, we anticipate a great reception at retail."
Designed for children ages 5 to 12, a core audience for both K'NEX and Monster Jam, these new sets will provide a rewarding, age-appropriate K'NEX building experience.
About K'NEX Brands
Founded in 1992, K'NEX Brands was established to make and sell what has become one of the world's leading integrated construction systems for children. Winner of over 200 international awards and recognitions, K'NEX seeks to build young minds with its exciting product line and critically acclaimed K'NEX Education program. For more information, please visit www.knex.com.
About Feld Motor Sports, Inc.
Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is the world leader in specialized arena and stadium-based motor sports entertainment. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. productions include Monster Jam®, Monster Energy® Supercross, AMA Arenacross Series, Freestyle Motocross, and IHRA® Nitro Jam®. Feld Motor Sports, Inc. is a division of Feld Entertainment, the world's largest producer of live family entertainment. For more information on Feld Entertainment, visit www.feldentertainment.com.
About 4Kids Entertainment, Inc.
Master licensing agent for Monster Jam, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE), is a global organization devoted to the creation, development, production, broadcasting, distribution, licensing and manufacturing of children's entertainment products, with U.S. headquarters in New York City, regional offices for its trading card business in San Diego, California and international offices in London and Hong Kong.
Additional information is available on the www.4kidsentertainment.com corporate Website and at the www.4kids.tv game station site.