Breaking News from Playthings en-us http://www.playthings.com Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information. Subject to its Terms of Use (http://www.playthings.com/index.asp?layout=static&page=terms) Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:28:40 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6604294.html?rssid=78 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. Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:46:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6603975.html?rssid=78 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. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:08:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6603707.html?rssid=78 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. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:05:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6603699.html?rssid=78 Oct. 9, 2008—Tomy announced at this week’s Tokyo Game Show that it would expand its consumer software business and move into video game publishing in North America and Europe. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:52:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6603683.html?rssid=78 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. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 07:59:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6603735.html?rssid=78 Oct. 8, 2008—MGA Entertainment has appointed licensing industry veteran Caroline Wong-Spencer vice president of licensing. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:36:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6602128.html?rssid=78 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. Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:03:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6601823.html?rssid=78 Oct. 3, 2008—DreamWorks Animation’s consumer products division has tapped Brad Woods and Chris Hewish—two toy business veterans—for licensing posts. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:12:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6601704.html?rssid=78 Oct. 3, 2008—Family Dollar Stores reported good news for its fiscal fourth quarter: double-digit gains in profits powered by stronger sales. Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:17:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6601446.html?rssid=78 Oct. 2, 2008—Video game retailer GameStop is acquiring Micromania, France’s leading video game retailer, from private equity fund L Capital for approximately $700 million in cash. Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:04:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6601404.html?rssid=78 Oct. 2, 2008—KB Toys today unveiled temporary price reductions on more than 200 toys to $10 or less in its latest effort to allow consumers to “stretch their dollar in these challenging economic times.” Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:14:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6601153.html?rssid=78 Oct. 1, 2008—Former Radica Games Ltd. CEO Patrick Feely has joined the board of directors of eco-friendly toymaker Sprig Toys Inc. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:59:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6601070.html?rssid=78 Oct. 1, 2008—Wal-Mart this week reduced prices on 10 toys as it begins efforts to attract early Christmas shoppers. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:32:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6601142.html?rssid=78 [Corrected] Oct. 1, 2008—Mattel on Monday filed a motion with the court overseeing its ongoing case over ownership of MGA Entertainment’s Bratz dolls and related intellectual property. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:44:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6601171.html?rssid=78 Oct. 1, 2008—Marvel Entertainment has promoted licensing veteran Simon Philips to president, worldwide consumer products. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:08:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6601881.html?rssid=78 Move over, Nancy Drew! Today’s young super sleuths are about to be drawn into an even more intriguing mystery series, one that combines chapter books, online gaming and card collecting into an expansive two-year treasure hunt with real-life rewards. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6600742.html?rssid=78 Sept. 30, 2008—Buzz’s Boatyard, New Smyrna, Fla., is recalling approximately 200 toy boats because surface paints contain excess levels of lead. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:09:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6600598.html?rssid=78 Sept. 30, 2008—Action Products will re-launch two lines of business in 2009 currently owned by the company, Logo America and iMadeThat, the company said today. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:20:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6600549.html?rssid=78 Sept. 30, 2008—RC2 today announced that due to “adverse capital markets” it will not complete its intended purchase of the Children’s Publishing Division of privately held Publications International. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:06:00 PDT http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6600610.html?rssid=78 Sept. 30, 2008—The Middleton Doll Co. intends to deregister its common stock, the doll and home décor manufacturer said today, in a cost-cutting move. Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:02:00 PDT