Breaking News from Playthings en-us http://www.playthings.com Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information. Subject to its Terms of Use (http://www.playthings.com/index.asp?layout=static&page=terms) Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:43:34 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6706694.html?rssid=78 Nov. 11, 2009—Mattel has donated $1.85 million to Los Angeles’ Otis College of Art and Design, one of the few U.S. colleges that offers a degree program in toy design. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:41:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6706446.html?rssid=78 Nov. 10, 2009—Cartoon Network Enterprises has rolled out dedicated boutiques in Toys R Us stores nationwide that will highlight three of its boys’ properties during the month of November. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:51:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6706318.html?rssid=78 Nov. 10, 2009—I-Star Entertainment has named Snuggie Toys founders Alec and Stuart Kessler as Executive Vice President and Vice President of Sales, respectively, and Robert Leff as Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:47:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6706264.html?rssid=78 Nov. 9, 2009—Former Rose Art principal Lawrence Rosen this afternoon struck back at reports that Mega Brands was the victor in the settlement of lawsuits between Rose Art’s former owners and its purchaser. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:50:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6706239.html?rssid=78 Nov. 9, 2009—Barnes & Noble today unveiled a redesign of its B&N Kids Store at BarnesandNoble.com and announced the toys it expects to be hot sellers there this holiday season. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:19:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6706158.html?rssid=78 Nov. 9, 2009—4Kids Entertainment saw its revenue plummet 59 percent in 2009’s third quarter on its way to a $5 million loss for the period. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:39:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6706066.html?rssid=78 Nov. 9, 2009—Toys R Us Inc. announced today that one of its indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, Giraffe Properties, intends to offer privately $650 million in senior secured notes due in 2017. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:37:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6706054.html?rssid=78 [UPDATED 11:35 AM EST] Nov. 9, 2009—Mega Brands announced today a settlement of all outstanding litigation with Rose Art's former owners that will buoy the construction toy maker's bottom line by $72 million. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:56:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6706049.html?rssid=78 Nov. 9, 2009—Maclaren USA today announced a voluntary recall of all of its umbrella strollers sold in the U.S. since 1999. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:54:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6705885.html?rssid=78 Nov. 6, 2009—Target, Toys R Us and Kmart will pay a combined $454,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by California and Los Angeles government attorneys stemming from the 2007 lead-related toy recalls, the Los Angeles Times reported today. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:58:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6705851.html?rssid=78 Nov. 6, 2009—MacPherson's, Emeryville, Calif., is recalling 10,000 units of its Young Artist Easel because the product's chalkboard surface contains higher than allowable levels of lead. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:28:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6705725.html?rssid=78 Nov. 5, 2009—The National Toy Hall of Fame at Strong National Museum of Play today added three additional products to its list of historically significant playthings. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:02:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6705722.html?rssid=78 Nov. 5, 2009—Tween and teen accessories maker F.A.B./Starpoint has inked new licensing deals for products based on Sanrio’s Keroppi, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland and Art Impressions’ Skelanimals. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:47:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6705544.html?rssid=78 Nov. 5, 2009—Jakks Pacific has priced $85.0 million worth of convertible senior notes due in 2014. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:59:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6705505.html?rssid=78 Nov. 4, 2009—Sony Pictures Entertainment's Columbia Pictures has been signed for a feature film based on Hasbro's board game Risk. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:05:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6705420.html?rssid=78 Nov. 4, 2009—LeapFrog Enterprises saw its profit shrink 70 percent in the third quarter following a 42 percent decline in sales. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:13:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6705247.html?rssid=78 Nov. 4, 2009—Classic children’s book series The Berenstain Bears is coming to the big screen in a deal between rights watchdog Corus Entertainment and producers Walden Media and 21 Laps. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:32:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6705202.html?rssid=78 PLAYTHINGS.COM EXCLUSIVE — In a year when all toy retailers need to deploy all the traffic-generating, revenue-enhancing strategies they have available, American Specialty Toy Retailing Association president Kathleen McHugh advises adding the appropriate “best toys” lists to your store’s “best tools” list for the upcoming holiday season. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:07:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6705171.html?rssid=78 Nov. 3, 2009—Cookie Jar Entertainment today launched Jaroo.com, a Hulu-style website offering on-demand children’s television programming. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:49:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6704844.html?rssid=78 Nov. 2, 2009—Walmart today announced price cuts on 100 additional toys as it continues efforts to attract cash-strapped holiday shoppers earlier in the Christmas selling season. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:58:00 PDT