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New partners, new products, new content and new events for the world's number 1 pre-school brand
Consumer Products Starting in January 2010 Fisher-Price, the new global master toy partner for Thomas & Friends, will unveil and begin to roll-out its Take-n-Play line of portable playsets in the US, UK, EMEA and Latin America along with an array of preschool items, including puzzles, games, bath toys, plush, push 'n go and pullback vehicles and talking preschool vehicles. Fisher-Price will also launch new TrackMaster sets in the US and South America, while in the UK and EMEA Tomy will continue with new TrackMaster products and pre-school items until Fisher-Price takes over the TrackMaster brand in the Fall. In Asia, Fisher-Price will launch Take-n-Play across all territories and will take over the TrackMaster rights from Funtastic (Australia/NZ) as of the Fall. In Japan, Thomas & Friends consumer products will mark the anniversary with the debut of the first local character - Japanese engine Hiro. New toys for this market will come from TakaraTomy, Pilot, TakaraTomy Arts and apparel from World Inc. Long term partner, Learning Curve, will continue to manufacture and market the Thomas Wooden Railway, and will launch a new "Early Engineers" line, designed specifically for children as young as 18-months old. The Early Engineers Line features larger engines that are perfect for small hands, tracktiles that provide secure layouts and simple to use destinations. This line is compatible with the rest of the Thomas Wooden Railway. Additional new partners for 2010 include global licensor MEGA Brands who will launch an all-new line of Thomas & Friends construction toys; Flair and Sambro will introduce new ranges of Thomas Arts and Crafts products for Spring 2010 in the UK; American Greetings (North America) will introduce a full array of Thomas & Friends party supplies and decorations, greeting cards, invitations, stickers, gift packaging and seasonal items, such as Valentine's Day cards and Christmas ornaments; Global Designs (US) will bring Thomas & Friends backpacks and accessories to the mass and mid-tier market; Jay Franco (US) will unveil new Thomas & Friends bedding designs and Upper Deck (US) will introduce new Thomas & Friends trading cards. Publishing 'Thomas to the Rescue' story book was selected for World Book Day in the UK and Ireland this year and on Thursday, 4 March, a film of Sir Topham Hatt (The Fat Controller) reading the book will be screened to children in schools around the country. In North America, long time publishing partners Random House will also publish special Thomas & Friends titles, including a re-release of the classic 'Happy Birthday Thomas.' Apparel Broadcast Home Entertainment 'Misty Island Rescue', a brand new 60-minute CG animated special is currently planned for release around the world, in counties including the UK, US, Australia, Germany, Benelux and Spain this Fall. It will be launched with cinematic premieres in all major markets. In Asia Pacific, 'Hero of the Rails', which enjoyed much success in other markets during 2009, will be at the forefront of the Thomas DVD offering. It will launch in Q2 in Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan and later in the year in other Asia Pacific markets. Film Live Events In the US, Six Flags America, based outside of Washington DC, will open the 5th and largest Thomas Town on Memorial Day weekend 2010. Featuring 10 rides, the new Thomas Town is more than double the size of any existing Thomas Town. Kids and parents will celebrate Thomas' anniversary with special parties at all Six Flags locations on 6/5 (5th June). And in the UK, Drayton Manor Park, home of Europe's Thomas Land, will round off the year with the ultimate 65th anniversary extravaganza event on Saturday, 4 December. Similar celebrations are planned in Thomas Land Japan at Fujikyu Highland near Tokyo. 2010 also sees the launch of the 2nd Thomas theatrical tour entitled "A Circus Comes to Town". It will open on Friday, 10 September and tour across the UK and Ireland until Sunday, 8 May 2011. Premier Stage Productions will be producing and promoting "A Circus Comes to Town" in conjunction with AEG Themestar. Digital Additionally, HIT launched the first Thomas & Friends iPhone app and official Facebook Fan page. The app, selling for $1.99, contains Thomas & Friends matching games, puzzles and mazes designed especially for children aged 2-5 years old. The official Facebook fan page includes the latest news, videos and photos from Thomas & Friends. Marketing Support In Asia Pacific, individual countries will launch the anniversary year in their own unique ways. For example, in Taiwan Thomas the Tank Engine will appear for the first time ever as a festive giant lantern in Taipei city as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations (February 20 - March 7). Additional marketing activity in the region will be pegged to the theme of parent-child quality time. Competitions will run offering families the opportunity to visit one of the Thomas Lands around the globe. "This global celebration is unprecedented in the brand's 65 year history and befitting a character so loved around the world," said Rick Glankler, SVP, Global Brand Management, HIT Entertainment. "Everyone's favourite number 1 engine is paired with a wide array of top-tier partners, all united in their support and excitement for this powerhouse brand. 2010 is going to be an exciting year for Thomas on his journey to another 65 years of great destinations!" Peter Byrne, EVP Consumer Products International, HIT Entertainment added, "Thomas' 65th Anniversary really represents a unique sales opportunity for all of our partners around the world. There is incredible momentum building across product, marketing and promotions, which is guaranteed to drive the Thomas brand to whole new level. Activity throughout 2010 really cements Thomas & Friends' status as the undisputed number 1 global pre-school brand." |