NEWS Floppets plots licensed push
Wireless kids craze is keen to strike partnerships and is in talks with Mind Candy and Nabi 2 kids’ tablet by Dominic Sacco
A COMPANY that reckons it has the next kids’ craze – Floppets – wants to produce licensed ranges for well-known brands like Moshi Monsters. “If the brand fits our
brand, we are always open,” Floppets UK and Europe operations director Damien Cahill told ToyNews. “We have the Star
Treklicence, are already partnering with children’s apparel brands, and have made some exciting [progress] with global media partners, which is growing as we speak. “Brand owners have some amazing opportunities with Floppets, but I would say, ‘be quick’. We are receiving enquiries from Europe on a daily basis for licensing, re- sell opportunities and some really surprising avenues in sports, concerts and other product areas. “We’d love to partner with the right brands and Moshi Monsters is certainly a prospect. We love what [Mind Candy CEO] Michael Acton Smith did with Moshi and we’d always be keen to assist in driving user engagement with such a great brand.” Children can attach the standard £1.99 Floppets animal figures to their fingers, wrists, necklaces,
IN BRIEF
CHARACTER WORLD EXPANDS INTO LUGGAGE Licensed textiles specialist Character World is extending its portfolio into children’s luggage. The firm has teamed with Disney to produce new hard shell luggage featuring Mickey and Mouse, Disney Carsand Disney Princess. Further lines are due in 2013. Character World: 0845 004 9217
62 December/January
DC THOMSON TRIUMPHS AT LIGHT FUND QUIZ The Beanobrand owner DC Thomson beat over 40 teams to win the 2012 Southern Light Fund Quiz, which was held in November at Stamford Bridge to raise funds for the charity. Teams from ITV, Warner Bros, CPLG, Zodiak and Mind Candy, among many others, were in attendance.
www.lightfund.org
KISS ACTION FIGURES TO ROCK THE UK New toy distributor DNA Toys will be supplying KISS action figures to the UK and Europe. The products – by Figures Toy Company – are available in eight and 12- inch sizes. DNA is a distributor started by independent toy retailers David Middleton and Alan Caswell. DNA Toys: 01283 347734
E-MAX EXTENDS ANGRY BIRDS LINE E-max has strengthened its partnership with Rovio, revealing a number of new products to its Angry Birds line. The firm is now adding power caps and trading cards after its success with stickers and albums. The range is distributed in the UK by Click Distribution. Click Distribution: 01604 877888
MATTEL SEES WWE TOY SALES SURGE WWE wrestling toys are outperforming the total action figures category, says Mattel. Sales have grown eight per cent year to date across the portfolio, according to NPD data (September 2012), while Mattel’s line is the number five action figure brand in the UK. Mattel: 01628 500000
www.toynews-online.biz
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Beyblade game to
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pencils, shoe laces, backpacks and more. Floppets can also use near field communication (NFC) technology to interact with each other wirelessly. “Our technology works with any device, be it laptops, smartphones, tablets or card readers,” added Cahill. “Watch this
to around 200,000 units. The products are now sold in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South America and South Africa. 300,000 units have gone out through the Smiths
Be quick - we are receiving enquiries from Europe on a daily basis. We’d
love to partner with the right brands and Moshi Monsters is a prospect. Damien Cahill, Floppets UK
space – we’d love to see something happening with Fuhu and the Nabi 2 tablet.” Floppets launched in
New York in January and monthly sales quickly grew
News Network in the UK, including WHSmith, Toymaster and Toy Barnhaus stores, as well as local newsagents. Floppets: 01444 870 111
A NINTENDO 3DS video game will come bundled with a limited edition Beyblade toy when it hits shelves in early 2013. Publisher Rising Star Games is working with Nelvana Enterprises and Hasbro to make the official Beyblade Metal Extremegame, which will ‘harmonise with the new TV show and Hasbro toys’. The game – targeting
toy retailers – will include a special limited edition six-part metal Wing Pegasus battle top that is not yet available outside Japan. This is based on the Pegasus character from the Beyblade: Metal FuryTV show. “The Wing Pegasus
ensures immediate collectability and value,” read a statement sent to ToyNews.
“Every exclusive bonus battle top will embrace the styling to
complement the series and create explosive battles to topple opponents.” The third series of the animated Beyblade: Metal Fury TVshow will debut next year, as will new products from Hasbro. Rising Star Games MD
Martin Defries said: “We are delighted to be working with Hasbro and Nelvana on this incredibly exciting title in 2013. “It is great to be able to
offer fans worldwide another opportunity to interact with this wonderful world of characters. “Moreover, with the exclusive battle top, we offer something unavailable elsewhere.” Rising Star Games: 01462 860 009
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