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Global master toy licensee, Spin Master’s range of OLIVIA pre-school girls’ toys will be supported by a major TV advertising campaign and promotional in-store marketing programs. Other categories reinforcing the OLIVIA launch include apparel and accessories, DVD’s, publishing, games, puzzles and novelty items. Plans are in place for dedicated presentations of the OLIVIA collection at leading retailers such as Toys ‘R’ Us, Target, Barnes & Noble and Borders. Nickelodeon Home Video in the U.S. is set to launch a holiday DVD Merry Christmas OLIVIA on October 5 2010, following the successful release of two previous DVD titles - OLIVIA in August 2009 and OLIVIA Takes Ballet in March 2010. The iPhone® app OLIVIA Paints reached #1 across all kid’s apps in the iPhone® Store when it launched in the U.S. last month and has remained in the top 50 of all apps available. To date, more than seven million OLIVIA books have been sold around the world. Original publisher Simon & Schuster launched TV tie-in books in the U.S., UK and Australia in November 2009, which alone have sold over one million copies. OLIVIA Acts Out, a TV tie-in holiday title, sold enough books at launch in the U.S. to rank #2 on The New York Times® best sellers list. OLIVIA Claus, a TV tie-in holiday title, also launches October 5, a “one-two hit punch” with same day holiday book and DVD releases. In other publishing news, Chorion has inked a deal with Hachette Jeunesse for OLIVIA TV tie-in books to be published in France in fall 2010 with more titles to follow next year. OLIVIA and the Babies, OLIVIA and OLIVIA, Dinner with OLIVIA and OLIVIA Opens a Lemonade Stand will launch in France in September, with OLIVIA Claus to follow in October for the Christmas market. The growth of OLIVIA in Europe has also been reflected with the appointment of Bavaria Sonor to represent the licensing and merchandising rights to the property in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Led by the publishing success in these territories, Bavaria Sonor will be responsible for developing products in all licensing categories. Tamra Knepfer, EVP Brand Management and Marketing, says: “OLIVIA empowers young girls to think big and act boldly! We’re excited to bring OLIVIA product to retail and look forward to seeing little girls engage with their favorite character in new ways.” Animated by the Academy Award® nominated company Brown Bag Films, OLIVIA launched on Nick Jr. in January 2009 and is now a top-rated show for the popular kids’ channel, airing three times a day, seven days per week and ranking #1 among girls aged 6-11 in January 2010. The 52x11 minute series now broadcasts in over 130 territories worldwide, regularly hitting the top ratings slots on Five’s Milkshake in the UK and ABC in Australia. ‘OLIVIA’S Ice Spectacular’ is currently shortlisted for an award at the 2010 International Animation Film Festival of Annecy. Olivia is today’s girl. She is a 6 ¾ old dynamo who believes she can do anything and sees every day as an opportunity to try new things. Her vivid imagination takes her on grand adventures, both real and fantasy, and like all children, her antics occasionally result in endearing misadventures. Olivia’s confidence and positive nature inspires kids everywhere to think boldly and follow their dreams. Chorion is at booth 3264 at the International Licensing Expo. |
