Nickelodeon
welcomes to Toy Fair four new additions to its toy
partner line-up with the introduction of new licensees
CDI/Jakks, MegaBloks, RC2 and Imperial Toy. From construction
toys to role play and novelty toys, these companies
will introduce a wide range of toys entering more
channels of distribution than ever before with brands
like Go, Diego, Go!, SpongeBob SquarePants,
Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Backyardigans
leading the way.
These
industry leaders join Nickelodeon's growing network
of licensees committed to supporting the imagination
and creativity of children worldwide.
Nickelodeon
and Viacom Consumer Products president Leigh Anne
Brodsky says, "Nickelodeon, with top-selling
mega brands like Dora the Explorer, is the
dominant force in pre-school licensed toys. With the
highest ranked preschool shows on commercial television,
we're expanding our properties in new directions and
bringing kids more of the characters they love. Last
year's launches of Go, Diego Go!, The Backyardigans
and Avatar had great success and this year's Toy Fair
will continue their momentum.
"The
popularity for everyone's favorite, SpongeBob, is
at an all-time high and we're excited about the launch
of Hasbro's Operation SpongeBob SquarePants. It's
a marriage of two classics that go together like peanut
butter and jelly."
Dora
the Explorer is in her fifth year of licensed
product with more than $5.3 billion in retail sales
under her belt. Dora has made the transition from
top seller to global mega brand. Dora product will
be making a big splash at this year's Toy Fair. The
property led 2006 sales with Fisher-Price's Dora Talking
Cash Register and Fairy Wishes Dora seen as two of
the most popular toys of the season. This year's line-up
is anticipated to be Dora's
biggest ever.
In
2007, the franchise is looking to hit new heights
with added products and play patterns including make-believe
dress-up, role play and building sets. New products
include Dora Let's Get Ready Vanity. It features fiesta
adventure
cards, bilingual interactive phrases and object recognition.
Then there is Sparkle And Twirl Mermaid Dora. This
toy looks to puts a new 'spin' on the character. When
kids put Dora into her special shell base, she magically
starts to twirl around, her arms raise, her tail magically
grows, and sound effects will play as she transforms
into a magical mermaid.
The Talking Friendship Adventures Dora is a life-sized
34 inch tall doll who can speak 70 bilingual interactive
phrases. Dora Friendship Adventure Game is a Dora
focussed adventure and environment for Fisher-Price's
new Smart Cycle, which encourages an active, healthy
lifestyle for kids. Smart Cycle is an innovative plug-and-play
toy that combines physical play with learning for
preschoolers. The Dora Friendship Adventure Game lets
kids pedal and steer their "on-screen vehicle"
through both active and learning- focussed Dora play
modes.
Meanwhile
Nick says that Go, Diego, Go! toys launched
in 2006 with success. Nickelodeon will expand the
merchandising program greatly this year to include
new die-cast vehicles, wood toys, building sets and
water toys. In 2006 Diego's Talking Rescue Center
became one of the most sought after holiday toys and
earned 'Best Toy' accolades from Parents Magazine,
Family Fun Magazine and the New
York Daily News. The Go, Diego, Go! Live tour, which
will visit 50 markets across the US.
SpongeBob
SquarePants has made more than $6.3 billion in
retail sales to date. SpongeBob SquarePants
Nick says is the most-watched kids show in history.
Nick says that the show's and merchandise success
is largely due to appeal that cuts across gender and
age groups. No competitive brand has the appeal and
scope of the one and only SpongeBob SquarePants.
One
product that will be launched is the Operation SpongeBob
SquarePants. This is an updated version of the classic
board game with a distinct Bikini Bottom twist --
and the original games signature lights and buzzers.
Bringing the two hits together is a perfect fit.