LEGO® DUPLO® INVITES PARENTS AND CHILDREN TO BUILD THEIR WAY TO EARLY LITERACY DEVELOPMENT
NEW YORK, American International Toy Fair (February 7, 2013) - LEGO Systems, Inc., the world's leading construction toy manufacturer, recently announced two new additions to its LEGO® DUPLO® Read and Build series: Peek-A-Boo Jungle and A Fairy Tale. Making story time even more playful for children under five, the Read and Build collection blends early reading with construction play encouraging youngsters to build along as their parents read simple, age-appropriate board books to them.
Play Sparks Both a Child's Imagination and Mind
"Play is essential to how children learn and is one of the primary ways that they discover the world," said Michael McNally, brand relations director for LEGO Systems. "Whether a child is learning to read or discovering how to share with a friend, play shapes a child's life in unexpected ways. The play experience truly becomes magical when a child can both grow their life skills and have fun-this is exactly why we create products like LEGO DUPLO Read & Build."
LEGO Systems Builds Eighth Consecutive Year of U.S. Sales Growth
-Brand relevance and play pattern at an all-time high as company's 2012 sales increase by 26%-
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR, NEW YORK (February 8, 2013) -- LEGO Systems, Inc., the North American division of the world's leading construction toy brand, achieved its eighth consecutive year of double-digit U.S. consumer sales growth in 2012, increasing category and overall toy industry shares over record performance in 2011.
2012 U.S. Year-End Highlights (Source: The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service)
Rising From The Sewer In All-New Ways, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Are Ready For Ninja Action
Playmates Toys to Reveal Expanded Toy Line Inspired by Nickelodeon's Hit CG-Animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at American International Toy Fair
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Feb. 8, 2013 -- Playmates Toys is set to unveil the action-packed next generation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy line, inspired by Nickelodeon's hit new CG-animated show. New elements, including the mysterious Ooze substance and Turtle-loving pizza, have been added to the product line and will be displayed at the American International Toy Fair in New York City, February 10-13, 2013, Booth #1525.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premiered on Nickelodeon on Sept. 29, 2012 and was an instant hit, drawing almost 12 million viewers during its premiere weekend. Coinciding with the series, Playmates Toys, the mastermind responsible for the successful toy line over the last three decades, introduced a new line which became one of the top action figure brands by the end of 2012.
Diamond Select Toys to Unveil New Products, New Licenses at Toy Fair International
February 2013 - This weekend, Toy Fair International begins at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. Not open to the public, the event allows toy manufacturers to present their new offerings to buyers from retail stores around the world, and it always offers fans the first look at the hottest toys of the year. Well, this year Diamond Select Toys will once again be in attendance, and once again they will have plenty on display to dazzle fans!
On display at booth 4905 will be new items from DST's broad array of licenses: Marvel Comics, Marvel Studios, The Walking Dead, Star Wars, Star Trek, Universal Monsters, The Munsters, Knight Rider, Ghostbusters, Pathfinder, Tomb Raider and Invincible. Products will include highly detailed 7-inch action figures, 2-inch Minimates mini-figures, Femme Fatales PVC statues, Granix art plaques, vehicles, light-up statues, banks, prop replicas, bottle openers, kitchenware, neon signs and more.
DST will also announce two new licenses at the show:
Hasbro Showcases Portfolio of Brands and Innovative New Play Experiences at the 110th American International Toy Fair
Premier Global Branded Play Company Highlights New Introductions from TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, PLAY-DOH, FURBY and More
NEW YORK -- February 7, 2013 -- Hasbro, Inc., home to many of the world's favorite entertainment and playtime brands, will celebrate new initiatives and product launches at the largest toy industry expo in the western hemisphere.
"Hasbro continues to deliver the best in branded play to consumers around the world with our unparalleled portfolio of multi-platform properties including TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY and MONOPOLY," said John Frascotti, chief marketing officer, Hasbro. "In 2013 Hasbro will offer a wide variety of new ways to experience our brands across multiple formats, making them available anytime and anywhere consumers want."
LEGO Systems Unveils 250 New Building Sets at American International Toy Fair
- Builders of all ages will be inspired by endless LEGO possibilities, from new preschool play options to classic themes and new licenses to the introduction of the most advanced LEGO® robotics product ever -
NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2013 -- American International Toy Fair -- LEGO Systems, Inc., makers of the world's leading construction toys, will unveil its largest collection of build and play toys ever – 250 new products – at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. With new products launching throughout the year, children of all ages and interests will find a LEGO® building set or theme to spark their building creativity, inspire storytelling and role play or keep them engaged in imaginative play for hours. New items are on display in Booth #1351 in Hall 3B of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from February 10-13.
Saban Brands Celebrates 20 Years of Power Rangers at American International Toy Fair 2013
NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2013 -- Saban Brands and its licensing partners will showcase a playful assortment of Power Rangers inspired toys next week during the American International Toy Fair, Feb. 10-13 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York. There will be a variety of action figures, plush, board games, consumer electronics and more to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the iconic franchise. New Power Rangers Megaforce products will be on display for the all-new season now airing on Nickelodeon, as well as some items inspired by the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series to commemorate the 20th anniversary year. All products are expected to hit shelves throughout the year.
The LEGO Group Announces Building Sets Inspired by Disney's The Lone Ranger
NEW YORK, American International Toy Fair (February 7, 2013) – The LEGO Group today announced an upcoming collection of LEGO® construction toys inspired by the Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer Films' feature film The Lone Ranger, which debuts in theaters July 3, 2013. Scheduled to launch this April, six new building sets will bring the action and stories of the film to life in LEGO form, and will include iconic characters such as John Reid (aka The Lone Ranger), Tonto and the horse, Silver.
"We are thrilled to once again collaborate with Disney Consumer Products to create construction toys based on a live action film," said Jill Wilfert, vice president licensing & entertainment at The LEGO Group. "We have not offered a LEGO western theme in over 10 years, and The Lone Ranger provided the quintessential inspiration with familiar characters, stories and scenes, allowing us to develop authentic and exciting models for children and adult collectors alike."
BANDAI AMERICA AND SABAN BRANDS CELEBRATE THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF POWER RANGERS WITH AN ALL NEW TOY LINE INSPIRED BY POWER RANGERS MEGAFORCE TV SERIES
Cypress, California – February 6, 2013. -- Saban Brands and Bandai America Incorporated are pulling out all the stops for the epic 20th season of Power Rangers. The all-new Power Rangers Megaforce TV series will captivate kids as well as long-time fans and drive an inspired toy line that delivers on the series' action and excitement. Additionally, the toy line integrates key elements from the TV series with mobile innovation that allows for a deeper play experience, all while celebrating 20 years of Power Rangers.
NECA/WIZKIDS UNVEILS NEW Dota 2 AND TEAM FORTRESS 2 COLLECTIBLES, GAMES, WITH VALVE
Announce Dota 2 HeroClix and Team Fortress 2 'NextChess' Preview at New York Toy Fair, 2013
Hillside, NJ - February 6, 2013 - From game world to real world, game creator and leading entertainment conglomerate, NECA/WizKids, under a merchandise licensee agreement with game developer and publisher Valve, today unveiled plans to launch an upcoming Dota 2 HeroClix collection and new game platform entitled 'NextChess', featuring Team Fortress 2 (TF2), both based on the best-selling game franchises. Both titles are set to launch this summer.
The announcement follows NECA/WizKids' publication of the much-anticipated Half Life 2 Zero-Point Energy Field Manipulator (a.k.a. "Gravity Gun") replica and release of the Limited Edition Portal 2 Gun Replica, which launched with overwhelming response last fall.
"We're pleased to once again team up with Valve to bring popular characters and elements from the Dota 2 and Team Fortress 2 franchises to life in physical form, " said Justin Ziran, president at NECA/WizKids.