Kids NewsMonitor

Selling to Kids, June 10, 1998

Toy: Nintendo Picks Hasbro to Launch Pokemon

Readying for a new Japan-based hit in the U.S., Nintendo of America Inc. has chosen Hasbro [HAS] to be the master toy licensee for its "Pokemon" property. Hasbro will make and market plush toys, games, action figures, collectibles and electronic products for boys and girls based on Pokemon themes.

The products are slated to hit retail in the 4th quarter of this year. Pokemon originated in Japan as a Nintendo Game Boy video game that is based on finding, collecting and training virtual pet monsters. In Japan, the property has been extended into TV, toys, comics, trading cards, video games and snacks, all of which have reportedly generated $4 billion in sales in 18 months. (Alison Holt, Nintendo, 626/286-2067; Wayne Charness, Hasbro, 401/727-5983)

Alliances/Licenses: American Greetings to Enter Multimedia

Cleveland-based American Greetings [AM], a greeting card company, has entered into a long-term deal with The Learning Company [TLC]. The two companies will merge their expertise in greeting card art and the print creativity categories respectively and launch a line of new CD-ROM titles this fall. The titles will be published by Mindscape, a Learning Company subsidiary. (Jill Froula, American Greetings, 216/252-7300, ext. 6020)

In other Learning Co. news, Los Angeles-based DIC Entertainment will represent the worldwide licensing in television, home video and merchandise for The Learning Company's "Reader Rabbit" CD-ROM series. DIC has begun to develop the property for the U.S. and overseas television programmers and for the direct-to-video market. The "Reader Rabbit" software series targets kids ages 18 months to 8. DIC is owned by the Walt Disney Company [DIS]. The Learning Company also publishes and markets "The Oregon Trail," "Cyber Patrol" and "The American Girls Premiere" titles. (Steve Syatt, DIC Entertainment, 818/501-0700)

Multimedia:Beanie Babies on CD-ROM

Palladium Interactive has joined in the Beanie Baby frenzy and will launch "Ultimate Collector for Beanie Babies: The Complete Unauthorized Guide." (SRP, $19.95) The new software program is designed to help kids and adults keep track of the "value and status" of their Beanie Baby collections. Kids can download free photos of new Beanie Babies as they are released, or update the status and newest value of individual Beanie Babies through BEANDEX, a scrolling daily update of the secondary Beanie Baby market. (Robert Naify, Palladium, 415/446-1700, ext. 417)

TV:The Home Depot Launches Kid Show

"Homer's Workshop," a live-action syndicated kids series created and co-produced by The Home Depot, will premiere in September. The show has been cleared for a two-year run in 73% of the country, including 76 of the top 100 markets. On most stations, "Homer's Workshop" will be shown between 7 a.m. and noon on Saturday morning. The show, aimed at kids ages 6 to 12, will feature a do-it-yourself project to build, such as a birdhouse. (Les Luchter, Bender, Goldman & Helper, 212/371-0798)

Promotional: New Promotions Drive "Magic School Bus"

For back-to-school, Scholastic [SCHL] is launching a new targeted licensing/promotional initiative for its "The Magic School Bus" property this fall. Howard Johnson Hotels is running a "Kids Go HoJo" program and ties in a college scholarship. Colgate-Palmolive will launch a consumer initiative for back-to-school featuring coupons on Magic School Bus merchandise in conjunction with Colgate Palmolive brands. Educational product marketer Educational Insights will market branded in-school classroom teaching aids.

Also, two new touring shows will premiere in fall in malls, theme parks, zoos and performing arts centers nationally. (Jeffrey Klein, Bender, Goldman & Helper, 212/371-0798)

People: Laybourne Quits Disney

Walt Disney Company's [DIS] Geraldine Laybourne, has resigned her post as the president of Disney/ABC Cable Network. Laybourne held the position since 1996, and had three years remaining on her contract. She reportedly resigned in late May to form her own company that will provide programming for a variety of media, with a special emphasis on the children's and women's market. Prior to Disney, Laybourne headed Viacom's Nickelodeon's network. (Disney Company, 818/265-4930)

Acquisitions: Handleman Co. Acquires Stake in Itsy-Bitsy

Handleman Company [HDL], a Troy, Mich.-based supplier and merchandiser of music, video, books and software, has purchased a 75% stake of The Itsy Bitsy Entertainment Company through its subsidiary, North Coast Entertainment. Itsy Bitsy holds the exclusive rights to Teletubbies, Tots TV, Noddy and Miss Spider.

The new deal specifies that Itsy Bitsy will establish a children's unit within the company and will acquire, develop and market kids entertainment properties for North Coast. Kenn Viselman, Itsy Bitsy's founders and CEO, will retain management and operational control of the company, and will become chairman of its board. (Tom Oviatt, Handleman Co., 248/362-4400, ext. 891)