Commonwealth debuts Petz plush
Nov. 4, 2008—Commonwealth Toy this week begins releasing a line of web-enabled plush based on Ubisoft’s new Petz video game franchise.
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RC2 stays profitable as sales slip; ups credit
Nov. 3, 2008—RC2 Corp. said that third quarter net sales fell nearly 8 percent while income grew incrementally compared to the corresponding period of 2008. The toy and infant products maker also said it signed a new $145 million credit facility.
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LeapFrog rebounds in Q3
Nov. 3, 2008—LeapFrog Enterprises reported a 35 percent jump in net sales and a $24 million profit in the third quarter ended on September 30.
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Build-A-Bear boots prez
Nov. 3, 2008—Build-A-Bear Workshop said in an S.E.C. filing today that it fired Scott Seay, its president and chief operating bear, on October 31.
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Corgi’s UK units bankrupt
Oct. 31, 2008—Corgi International’s wholly owned U.K. subsidiaries Popco Entertainment (UK) and Popco Distribution have been placed into administration, the British equivalent of Chapter 11 reorganization.
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Earth Friendly recalls wooden toys
Oct. 30, 2008—Earth Friendly is recalling a combined 1,000 units of three Maya Organic wooden toys because of a potential choking hazard.
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Buyer attendance slips at Fall Toy Preview
Oct. 28, 2008—The Toy Industry Association said a total of 750 buyers attended its 2008 Fall Toy Preview earlier this month in Dallas, a slight decline from the show's 2007 edition.
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Jakks auctions CPK candidate dolls
Oct. 28, 2008—Jakks Pacific this week teams with eBay to auction for charity four one-of-a-kind Cabbage Patch Kids in the likenesses of this year’s U.S. presidential and vice presidential candidates.
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Ty's Toy Box adds customizable apparel
Oct. 28, 2008—Ty’s Toy Box owner Brand Performance has signed agreements with four character brands to offer personalized and customizable apparel featuring those brands' characters.
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Toys 'R' Us upgrades site
Oct. 27, 2008—Toys “R” Us has unveiled an enhanced version of its U.S. e-commerce site, www.Toysrus.com, with new features and functionality.
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IKEA donates holiday toy proceeds
Oct. 27, 2008—Furniture retailer IKEA said this week it would donate a Euro to two children’s charities in return for every soft toy it sells at its stores worldwide in the run-up to Christmas.
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Maclaren names new prez, COO
Oct. 27, 2008—Baby stroller maker Maclaren USA has appointed Dan Pennachio president and Paul Cuthbertson chief operation officer.
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Action Products gains in Q3
Oct. 10, 2008—Action Products International said today that sales from its children’s business grew approximately 3 percent in the third quarter versus the comparable period of 2007.
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Kids technology summit returns to CES
Oct. 9, 2008—The Sandbox Summit, a conference and exhibition focused on children and technology that debut at the 2008 International CES, will return to the consumer electronics tradeshow this January under a new name, Kids@Play.
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Fundex preps 'El Chavo' toys
Oct. 9, 2008—Spanish-language media company Grupo Televisa S.A. and licensing agent United Media have tapped Fundex Games for a toy line based on the animated version of GT’s popular sitcom El Chavo .
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Hasbro recalls 330K Nerf dart guns
Oct. 9, 2008—Hasbro is recalling 330,000 units of its Nerf N-Strike Recon Blaster foam dart gun because the toy poses a potential injury hazard.
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MGA names licensing VP
Oct. 8, 2008—MGA Entertainment has appointed licensing industry veteran Caroline Wong-Spencer vice president of licensing.
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Playmates tapped for Rainbow Brite relaunch
Oct. 6, 2008—Playmates Toys has been granted the master toy license for Rainbow Brite, Hallmark’s ’80s-era girls brand that licensing agent United Media is working to revive.
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Toy vets join DreamWorks
Oct. 3, 2008—DreamWorks Animation’s consumer products division has tapped Brad Woods and Chris Hewish—two toy business veterans—for licensing posts.
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Family Dollar's profits rise
Oct. 3, 2008—Family Dollar Stores reported good news for its fiscal fourth quarter: double-digit gains in profits powered by stronger sales.
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