Inside Out

Master Replicas, Walnut Creek, Calif., has worked with Walt Disney Studios to develop a new format in movie collectibles: Scene Replicas, three-dimensional models of scenes from Disney films. The Scene Replicas will have more dimensionality and can be viewed from multiple angles. The first model, The Little Mermaid, will be released this fall. The models will include concept drawings, character model sheets and background art to tell the story of the animation process…Wild Brain, a San Francisco-based animation studio, has made a majority acquisition of New York-based limited edition art/pop culture toy creators Kidrobot. Wild Brain and Kidrobot plan to develop an animated television series, feature film, direct-to-video and other entertainment properties utilizing Kidrobot characters and the “Kidrobot Style”…According to a study by The NPD Group, France's toy and game market saw sales soar in 2005 with a value growth of 6.2 percent, or 1.78 billion euros for the 12 month period as volume growth rose 10.5 percent. The surge in toy and game sales may have been due to the year's new products, particularly in the electronics category. Electronic educational games, robots and interactive companions and plug & play games were the most active segments. Infant toys, construction sets and figurines were also popular…Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Burbank, Calif., has partnered with Snowblind Studios, Bothell, Wash., for a Justice League Heroes video game based on the legendary DC superhero team. The game, which will be released this fall, will be compatible with PlayStation2, Xbox and PSP and will include the original story by comic writer Dwayne McDuffie…Bandai Collectible Games, Cypress, Calif., has acquired the collectible card game (CCG) license for Ben 10, the animated Cartoon Network series. The Ben 10 CCG will be released in the spring of 2007. Bandai America also has the action figure license for Ben 10 and will release a line of figures, battle vehicles and watch accessories this spring with an expanded release of role-play sets and accessories in the fall.

Jakks Pacific, Malibu, Calif., will bring White Bites dogs treats to market through its JPI pet division. In addition to the White Bites, which help maintain clean doggy teeth, Jakks will also launch children's character-licensed small pet habitats. The habitats include housing for hermit crabs and hamsters and have Superman, Batman and Disney Princesses designs and include a decal sheet for added personalization. The habitats allow for interactivity between kids and their pets. The JPI products division, and 4Kids Entertainment, will also launch a new line of American Kennel Club (AKC) and The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) branded pet products this spring. The product line will feature life-like plush toys, high-end treats, apparel and accessories. Jakks recently picked up the Bratz license for use in their pet products line…And speaking of pets, United Media Licensing, New York, showcased new titles for old favorites like Snoopy & Friends and Precious Moments at this year's Bologna Children's Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, March 27-30. In other United Media news, a Japanese jeweler, I.K. has created a 5.5.M yen (or $46,000) platinum Snoopy collectible in honor of the 55th anniversary of Peanuts—it's currently the most expensive Peanuts product at retail. Sperling Enterprises launched a range of Peanuts pet accessories in Australian Kmart stores, including pet beds featuring the popular Charles Schulz characters, which have sold out, and dog bowls. New products will be added to the line later this year. Peanuts grows in Latin America with more than 20 licenses alone in Brazil. Due to the success of the Snoopy Halloween promotion at Wal-Mart Mexico, where customers were encouraged to bring in their pets and take a photo with Snoopy, the company has renewed it for the third consecutive year .