Kids
‘Dora The Explorer’ is the number one toy license in the US
MUMBAI: US kids brand Nickelodeon has announced that its lead licensed property and preschool character Dora the Explorer continues to make toy and licensing history.
According to industry experts, The NPD Group, holiday 2006 sales propelled Dora intothe number one slot as the year’s top toy license. At Toy Fair in the US a number of key licensees including master toy partner Fisher-Price will showcase an expanded range of Dora the Explorer products that encompasses new play patterns and broader price points.
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.
Kids
Mukta Arts and Green Gold ink MOU to animate iconic film IPs
Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan to spawn animated shows plus features.
MUMBAI: When classic hindi movie meets animation, the result is a fresh reel of nostalgia with a cartoon twist. Mukta Arts Ltd. and Green Gold Animation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on animated shows and feature films drawn from Mukta Arts’ four-decade treasure trove of iconic IPs. The partnership taps Mukta’s SGM Animation Studio launched in 2025 as its dedicated animation and games arm and Green Gold’s proven track record in building scalable, homegrown franchises. Creative teams from both sides have already kicked off discussions, with the first project currently in development.
The slate will draw inspiration from landmark Mukta films including Kalicharan, Karz, Hero, Karma, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Saudagar and Iqbal, plus character-led spin-offs from those universes. The aim is to reimagine these stories for today’s young, global audiences while preserving their emotional core.
Green Gold Animation (home of Chhota Bheem) founder and CEO Rajiv Chilaka said, “This partnership with SGM Studios allows us to apply our experience in building long-lasting animation IPs to a truly iconic film catalogue. Together, we aim to create animated worlds that are rooted in these legendary stories, yet designed to connect with today’s young, global audiences.”
Mukta Arts Ltd. filmmaker and founder Subhash Ghai added, “Mukta Arts has always believed in creating stories with lasting emotional value. Through animation, we are extending our IP into a new medium for the next generation.”
In an industry where timeless tales never go out of fashion, this collaboration promises to bring beloved characters back to life with a modern, animated glow proving that some stories are too good to stay in live-action. Stay tuned for the first animated frame to drop.
