INDUSTRY UPDATE
POKÉMON REVEALS DETECTIVE PIKACHU CONSUMER PRODUCTS The Pokémon Co. International unveiled an extensive consumer products line inspired by the upcoming film Pokémon Detective Pikachu. The new movie from Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Entertainment, and The Pokémon Co. arrives in theaters on May 10. The initial merchandise line for the film includes new Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) collections, Pokémon Center exclusives, products from master toy licensee Wicked Cool Toys, and construction sets from Mattel’s Mega Construx. Wicked Cool Toys will offer a series of action figures, plush, and role-play items that will be available beginning in April. » Detective Pikachu, from Mega Construx
SPIN MASTER INTRODUCES MONSTER JAM TOY LINE
First announced in 2017, this year marks the official start of a 10-year licensing partnership between Spin Master and Feld Entertainment Inc. for Monster Jam. This season, driver Camden Murphy takes control of the powerful Bakugan Dragonoid Monster Truck, which debuted in the Monster Jam Stadium Championship Series last month. Murphy, the 2017 Monster Jam Rookie of the Year, pilots the first Monster Jam vehicle inspired by an existing Spin Master franchise. Bakugan relaunched in December as part of a 10th anniversary revamp. Spin Master’s new Monster Jam toy line is available now and includes World of Monster Jam Trucks, Rev ‘n Roar Monster Trucks, Monster Jam Monster Dirt, and a 1:64-Scale Vehicle Playset Assortment. »
Monster Jam 1:64-Scale Megalodon, from Spin Master
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THE TOY BOOK | FEBRUARY 2019 | toybook.com
SIMBA DICKIE GROUP ACQUIRES JADA TOYS
German toymaker Simba Dickie Group (SDG) acquired Los Angeles-based Jada Toys. The acquisition marks a significant U.S. expansion for SDG. Jada Toys is best known for its die-cast and R/C vehicles, geared toward kids and collectors of all ages and interests. Jada also boasts a large portfolio of automotive and pop culture licenses, including Marvel Studios, DC Comics, Sunny Day (Nickelodeon), Hello Kitty (Sanrio), Transformers (Hasbro), Ghostbusters (Sony), and The Fast and the Furious (Universal). »
TOYS “R” US FINDS POTENTIAL REVIVAL IN TRU KIDS INC.
A potential Toys “R” Us (TRU) revival is taking shape in the U.S. A group of former Toys “R” Us executives officially launched Tru Kids Inc. last month. The new company was first named in court documents filed on Dec. 11 as the successor to Geoffrey LLC. A number of Tru Kids URLs were purchased on Nov. 30, including variations on TruKidsBrand.com, TruKidsToys.com, and TruKidsBaby.com. A new trademark application was submitted on Nov. 29. The new company will service TRU international locations, and will seek additional partnership opportunities and
potential pop-up Toys “R” Us stores. For more on Tru Kids, see page 64. »
GURU STUDIO NAMES PLAYMATES TOYS AS MASTER TOY PARTNER FOR PIKWIK
Guru Studio appointed Playmates Toys as global master toy partner for its newest original preschool series Pikwik. The news follows Guru Studio’s U.S. broadcast deal with Disney Junior and Hulu, and the recent expansion of True and the Rainbow Kingdom on Netflix. In collaboration with Guru, Playmates will bring to market a complete line of figures, play sets, vehicles, plush, and role-play items inspired by the new series, set to air on Disney Junior in 2020. Playmates Toys has worldwide toy rights, excluding China. »
MATTEL PARTNERS WITH WARNER BROS. FOR HOT WHEELS MOVIE, NAT GEO FOR BARBIE LINE
Mattel Inc. and Warner Bros. Pictures Group teamed up to bring Hot Wheels to theaters in the first-ever live-action feature film based on the iconic franchise. This is the second major announcement from the newly founded Mattel Films, following the Barbie feature film starring and coproduced by Academy Award-nominated actress Margot Robbie.
