Canadian Duo Enter Toy Partnership
Nelvana and Spin Master Ltd. are collaborating on a line of specialty toys and
games for animated series Di-Gata Defenders and Bakugan. Spin Master signed on
as master toy licensee for Di-Gata Defenders in this first-of-its-kind deal in
Canada, with plans to create a game that includes action figures, dice, and
trading cards replicating the battles from the Teletoon TV series. The dice
game will hit store shelves in Canada in March with apparel, interactive, and
accessories to follow in coming months. The second property, Bakugan, is a
co-production between Nelvana, Spin Master, Sega Toys, TMS, and Japan Vistec,
and will air in 2007. Spin Master takes the lead on this 2-D anime-style series
with a game that features marble-like balls and metallic playing cards used to
transform the balls into multiple collectible characters. The toys already have
been released successfully in Japan from another licensee.
Go, Diego, Go! to Star in Live-Action Tour
Nickelodeon and Live Nation partnered on a national tour for Go, Diego, Go
Live! The Great Jaguar Rescue. The live-action show, presented by State Farm
Insurance, will travel to approximately 50 markets in 2007, starting with
Louisville, KY, February 1. The pair also worked together on Dora the Explorer
Live!, the highest-grossing project to date for the Nickelodeon/Live Nation
partnership.
ER Finds a New Partner in "Where's Waldo?"
Entertainment Rights Plc acquired the worldwide rights for "Where's
Waldo?"—also known in international circles as "Where's Wally?". Through
the deal with series creator Martin Handford, ER gained audiovisual, licensing
and merchandising, publishing, live events, and digital rights. Handford will
continue to create and publish the "Where's Waldo?" books in their original
format. ER will create new animated and live-action content with multiplatform
applications expected to launch worldwide in 2008/2009.
Yummi-Land Sweetens Its Licensee Portfolio
MGA Entertainment sweetened its licensee list for Yummi-Land, adding five new
partners. Kids Headquarters will create fashion apparel and swimwear; Franco
will manufacture bedding, all bath towels/d
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