New Bratz dolls will be back in the shops soon, now that a court ruling ordering MGA Entertainment to give the brand to Barbie makers Mattel has been overturned.
In 2008 Mattel was awarded ownership of the dolls and $100 million, after a jury decided that Bratz creator, Carter Bryant, conceived the idea whilst working for Mattel. Today’s ruling may spark another court case.
The range of new Bratz dolls could be in US stores, such as, Toys R Us and Walmart, as soon as the end of August.
Bratz first made their way in to toy shops 10 years ago and soon became a threat to Barbie as the dominant fashion doll range. Characterised by their overly large, pouty-lips and distinctive fashions Bratz popularity peaked in 2005, with the brand worth as much as $1 billion.
The new look Bratz are said to have less makeup and more ample clothing. During the time Bratz were out of production, its makers launched a range call Moxie Girlz and Barbie has regained some market share. However, the return of Bratz is highly anticipated and may, once again, become a most wanted toy among girls.
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The swamp may be a muddy and smelly place but it’s home sweet home to 16 monstrous creatures that are known as the SwampsterZ. This brand new collectible action figure range is coming soon to Early Learning Centre.
The range, which was revealed at a recent press preview event, includes a series of 16 detailed monster figurines, sold for £4 each. The pack also contains a trumps style trading card.
SwampsterZ look great and will appeal to the many children that love collecting toys such as Gormiti, Go Go Crazy Bones and the monsters from Ben 10.
This range is quite a departure from ELC’s own brand formula of tried and tested toy concepts. However, the company have seemed to got it right, with these impressively sculpted, high quality action figures; only time will tell us if children agree.
Despite the gratuitous use of a capital letter “Z” to indicate the plural, there is some educational merit to these toys: the trading cards can help develop and practice numeracy skills in an exciting way.
All branches of the Early Learning Centre chain of shops and selected Mothercare stores will have the first SwampsterZ in-stock within the next few weeks, with more arriving during October. Other exciting toys will feature in the SwampsterZ range.
SwampsterZ: The Collection
The Stomperz
Thunder-Jaw
Stickle-Back
Gigantor
Sporn
Muncherz
Snap-Trap
Slythe
Crunch
Grub
Crawlerz
Scorp
Wheeler
Flicker
Scuttle
Pincherz
Razor-Bak
Tweezor
Grappple-Arm
Snipper
The SwampsterZ also have their own website filled with lots of things to see and do. To see it visit: www.SwampsterZ.com
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David Beckham and his family have been invited by the Lego company to its headquarters in Billund, Denmark for a tour and a consultation with the makers of the plastic toy bricks.
The invitation comes after Beckham told fans (in a live web-chat on Yahoo) that if he wasn’t a footballer, he would like to be a professional Lego builder.
Beckham went on to say: “This is going to make me sound weird but when I was in Milan I had such a big amount of spare time, I found a Lego model of the Taj Mahal online, so I bought it and started building it.”
In the days that followed sales of the unofficially endorsed Taj Mahal Lego set increased by 663 per cent. This could help land the former England captain a creative role within the Danish toy manufacturer. An excellent step-up the ladder of his second choice career.
A spokesperson for Lego said: “David and the boys are big fans and we are always open to new ideas from people passionate about Lego. We hope they take us up on our invitation.”
The Taj Mahal Lego set consists of 5922 pieces and costs £199.99. Standing at 16 inches tall, the model features the instantly recognisable minarets, domes, finials, arches and the stairs in the front of the man-made wonder. It can be viewed online at the Lego website
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MGA Entertainment, the company behind the Bratz range of dolls, have today announced the launch of Bitty Buttons. A collection of eight different 13 inch rag dolls designed to encourage a child’s imagination and creativity.
The makers intend Bitty Buttons to teach “…important life lessons such as diversity, individuality and the idea that everything deserves a second life. The Bitty Buttons live in a fantastical world full of silly surprises and with love and a bit of imagination, the Bitty Buttons magic can go on forever.”
Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment, commented “Bitty Buttons [were] designed to teach kids that everybody is unique in their own special way. The new brand promotes the idea that old things can become new again, everything can be repurposed and nothing should ever go to waste.”
All about the Bitty Buttons
Crumbs Sugar Cookie - Sewn on date: December 4th, National Cookie Day. Crumbs was made from pieces of a baking apron. She is super-sweet, has perfect manners, and loves inviting friends over for tea and treats. Crumbs Sugar Cookie has a pet mouse.
Jewel Sparkles – Sewn on date: March 13th, National Jewel Day. Jewel was made from remnants of a real princess’ dress. Jewel is very graceful, a little bit bossy, and loves to dance and wear sparkly clothes. Jewel has a Persian cat.
Peanut Big Top – Sewn on date: April 1st, April Fools’ Day. Peanut was made from bits of a brightly-colored clown costume. She is a silly prankster who’s a little bit clumsy and loves to make her friends laugh. Peanut Big Top has a pet elephant.
Bea Spells-a-Lot – Sewn on date: October 16th, Dictionary Day. Bea was made from a school girl’s uniform. She is a real smartypants, who always follows the rules and loves to talk — a lot. Bea Spells-a-Lothas a pet owl.
Mittens Fluff ‘n’ Stuff - Sewn on date: December 21st, the first day of winter. Mittens was made from pieces of an Eskimo’s scarf. She loves hot cocoa, snow fights, and snuggling by the fire. Mittens Fluff ‘n’ Stuff has her own pet polar bear.
Dot Starlight – Sewn on date: July 20th, the day of the first moon landing. Dot was made from a real astronaut’s space suit. She’s a dreamer who loves science, and she’s always got her head in the clouds. Dot Starlight has a pet bird.
Pillow Featherbed – Sewn on date: January 3rd, Festival of Sleep Day. Pillow was made from pieces of a baby’s blankie. She loves good stories, long naps, and her favorite snack is milk and cookies. Pillow Featherbed has her own pet sheep.
Spot Splatter Splash – Sewn on date: October 25th, Picasso’s birthday. Spot was made from a painter’s overalls. She’s super creative and loves bright colors, big messes, and eating spaghetti. Spot Splatter Splash has a pet zebra.
The Bitty Buttons have there own website featuring an animated video with more to be added soon: www.bittybuttonsworld.com
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Up-market maternity wear and baby retail brand Blooming Marvellous has been sold to a larger rival, Mothercare, for an undisclosed sum.
Blooming Marvellous was founded by Judy Lever and Vivienne Pringle during the 1980s; inspired by their dissatisfaction of the unfashionable maternity clothes available on the high street during their own pregnancies.
The so-called “yummy mummy” brand also sells nursery furniture, clothes for children and toys for the upper end of the baby and toddler market.
Today, BloomingMarvellous.co.uk has begun a clearance sale and will soon stop taking orders. It is believed that the Mothercare Group will relaunch the brand next year. As yet, there has been no statement forthcoming about the future status of the existing Blooming Marvellous shops. There are currently seven stores, situated in: Bath, Bluewater, Guildford, Leamington Spa, Marlow, Norwich and Wandsworth.
Mothercare’s chief executive Ben Gordon described the acquisition of Blooming Marvellous as an “excellent strategic fit” which “strengthens further our position as the leading specialist retailer for parents and parents-to-be”.
This news was part of an announcement to the city of a drop in Mothercare’s UK sales. Its like-for-like sales for the 15 week up to 10th July (Q1) fell by 4.1%. Pressure from low-price rivals, such as, Tesco and Asda has been cited as some explanation by industry analysts.
Shares in the public limited company (LSE: MTC, MTC.L) fell by as much as 6.9% on the day, finishing 3.99% down at 530 pence.
]]>Ronnie Yaffe, the managing director of the firm, confirmed the news to Toy News (a toy industry trade journal). This news comes after nearly a week of strong rumours suggesting receivership or liquidation.
Martin Yaffe have been suppliers of many famous licensed products, such as Bob the Builder, Little Princess, Zigby and LazyTown toys. The company also supplied ranges of outdoor toys, furniture, scooters and other wheeled goods for children.
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Lego’s famous plastic bricks can now adorn the fingers of those who want to make a kitsch style statement, thanks to a new range of jewellery being launched exclusively at Selfridges department stores.
Created for PNKY by designer Lisa Taylor, these sterling silver rings form part of Selfridges “Play” Christmas shop theme. Each ring, sold for £50, includes two interchangeable Lego bricks, from a choice of 15 colours. There is also a range of 23 Lego charms, featuring Christmas inspired designs, priced from around £15 to £20.
Lego spokesperson, Paal Smith-Meyer (Creative Director, Concept & Design at LEGO) said: “We are excited to test launch this jewellery line with Selfridges. It is a line that celebrates individual expression in a playful way, using the Lego bricks that we all grew up with in a new way.”
Another famous toy branded product to feature in Selfridges Christmas shop this year will be Play-Doh perfume. Some may remember a special edition of Play-Doh perfume released as a limited edition to celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Selfridges’ will open the Christmas shop in its flagship Oxford Street store in London on 2nd August 2010.
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If, like me, you’re still thinking how to spend your summer holidays; you may be surprised to hear that Woolworths have announced its predictions for the top ten bestselling toys this Christmas.
Woolworths are tipping Toy Story 3 Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear by Mattel as this year’s bestseller.
Matthew Hardcastle, Woolworths’ brand director said “With the return of Toy Story this summer, the Jetpack Buzz Lightyear is this year’s hottest prediction. Buzz is the superhero of the moment and is expected to stick around for infinity and beyond. We are advising parents to shop early especially if their child is expecting the Jetpack Buzz Lightyear. Although we aim to meet the high demand, the popularity of this particular toy may mean that we see it fly off the shelves with the same excitement as the Go Go Hamsters last Christmas.”
Woolworths Top Ten for Christmas 2010
Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear
My Stroll and Play walker with doll
Ladybird 7 in 1 doll set - Malibu
Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters (formerly known as Go Go Pets)
Sylvanian Families Regency Hotel
Ben 10 Action Cruiser
Lego City Fire Station
V Tech Kidizoom Video Camera (available in Blue or Pink)
Scalextric Micro Maximum Mayhem
Baby Annabell
Phil Lord and Chris Miller are in talks with Warner Bros to write and direct a film built on the Lego brand of plastic toy bricks.
The co-directors of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs are keeping the plot of the movie secret, although there have been reports of rumours that it is to include a combination of animation and live action sequences.
Lord and Miller plan to work on the Lego movie after their current work on a film based on the TV show 21 Jump Street, has finished.
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Zingzilla toys now are available from Early Learning Centre (the UK toy shop chain), you can also find a range in selected Mothercare stores.
There are posable figures, small plush toys and talking soft toys based on the BBC CBeebies show’s popular characters: Zak, Panzee, Tang and Drum.
The range also includes puzzles, the Banana Phone and even a sing along microphone. With more toys, such as, instruments and dancing soft toys in stores soon.
Zingzillas: available now in Early Learning Centre and Mothercare
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