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Playmates
Toylines
Toylines (alphabetical order)
Addams Family (1992)
ANTZ (1998)
Atomic Betty (2005)
Barnyard Commandos (1989)
Chicken Run (2000)
Coneheads (1993)
Cricket & Corky (1987)
Darkwing Duck (1991)
Dick Tracy (1990)
Disney Fairies (2006)
Disney Princess (2001)
Dolls of All Nations (1974)
Dr Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (2000)
Earthworm Jim (1995)
Exosquad (1993)
Exosquad Robotech Series (1995)
Fairies Of Cottingley, The (1997)
Family Guy (2011)
Flash Gordon (1996)
Gormiti (2008)
Hero 108 (2010)
Hilary Duff (2003)
iCarly (2009)
Jackie Chan Adventures (2001)
Kong (2005)
Li'l Penny (1997)
Li'l Playmates (1985)
Looney Tunes (1997)
Monster Force (1994)
Monster Rancher (1999)
My Pixies (2010)
Ooglies (1999)
Primal Rage (1996)
Ronin Warriors (1995)
Savage Dragon, The (1995)
Seaquest DSV (1994)
Shirley (1975)
Simpsons, The (1999)
Skeleton Warriors (1994)
Space Jam (1996)
Strawberry Shortcake (2006)
Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad (1994)
Swan's Crossing (1991)
Talespin (1991)
Terminator: Salvation (2009)
Tiara Dolls (1981)
Tomb Raider (1999)
Tomb Raider - The Movie (2001)
Totally Troll (2001)
Toxic Crusaders (1991)
Turok (1998)
WildC.A.T.S. (1995)
Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's (2008)
Zorro (1997)
Toylines (chronological order)
1974 Dolls of All Nations
1975 Shirley
1981 Tiara Dolls
1985 Li'l Playmates
1987 Cricket & Corky
1989 Barnyard Commandos
1990 Dick Tracy
1991 Darkwing Duck
1991 Swan's Crossing
1991 Talespin
1991 Toxic Crusaders
1992 Addams Family
1993 Coneheads
1993 Exosquad
1994 Monster Force
1994 Seaquest DSV
1994 Skeleton Warriors
1994 Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad
1995 Earthworm Jim
1995 Exosquad Robotech Series
1995 Ronin Warriors
1995 Savage Dragon, The
1995 WildC.A.T.S.
1996 Flash Gordon
1996 Primal Rage
1996 Space Jam
1997 Fairies Of Cottingley, The
1997 Li'l Penny
1997 Looney Tunes
1997 Zorro
1998 ANTZ
1998 Turok
1999 Monster Rancher
1999 Ooglies
1999 Simpsons, The
1999 Tomb Raider
2000 Chicken Run
2000 Dr Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas!
2001 Disney Princess
2001 Jackie Chan Adventures
2001 Tomb Raider - The Movie
2001 Totally Troll
2003 Hilary Duff
2005 Atomic Betty
2005 Kong
2006 Disney Fairies
2006 Strawberry Shortcake
2008 Gormiti
2008 Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's
2009 iCarly
2009 Terminator: Salvation
2010 Hero 108
2010 My Pixies
2011 Family Guy
Company history
□ About Playmates.    
A reputed quality house with decades of experience and dedication to making family entertainment products, Playmates Interactive Entertainment Ltd. thrives on a by combining innovative ideas, cutting-edge technology and inspired play value.

From its offices and facilities in North America and Asia, Playmates distributes its extensive brands of feature dolls, action figures and interactive electronic toys throughout the world.

Shares of Playmates Interactive Entertainment Ltd. are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
□ Playmates Toys Timeline    
Historical Timeline

1966
Sam Chan founds Playmates as O.E.M. doll company.

1969
Playmates launches first proprietary doll brand; "Precious Playmates"

1970's
Playmates grows into one of the largest O.E.M. doll companies in the toy industry.

1978
Playmates launches first branded pre-school product line; "L'il Playmates".

1981
Pre-school product line extended with introduction of first licensed Disney® items.

1982
U.S. subsidiary, Playmates Toys, Inc., Incorporated in California

1984
Playmates became first publicly listed toy company in Hong Kong (Ticker:0075)

1986
"Cricket" doll, company's first promotional product, ships in U.S.

1988
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles® launch in the U.S.

1990
Group sales exceed $500 million, operating profits exceeds 38% of turnover as Turtle business explodes.

1991
Waterbabies® brand introduced in U.S.

1992
Playmates acquires master toy rights in Star Trek® franchise and launches collector line in U.S.

1993
Toy company spun off as separate listing on SEHK (Ticker:0635).

1997
Playmates's Nano® brand captures large share of worldwide virtual pet market.

Thomas Chan appointed Chairman as Sam Chan retires after 30 years.

1998
"AMAZING AMY" ships in U.S. - first of 6 best selling dolls in Amazing brand.

2000
Playmates revolutionizes collector business with Intelli-Tronic Simpsons® figures.

2001
Playmates Disney Princess® brand launches with "My Interactive Princess" Cinderella.

Lou Novak appointed President of toy group.

2002
Playmates becomes Disney's No. 1 large doll licensee.

2003
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles return with all NEW entertainment, products and marketing support.
□ History    
The heritage of Playmates was founded in 1966. In its formative years, Playmates principally engaged in the manufacture of dolls and was recognized as a major supplier of high quality dolls for toy companies around the world.

A direct sales force was set up in the United States of America in 1978 to sell and distribute proprietary lines of dolls and preschool toys marketed under the "Playmates" brand name.

On 12th November 1984, a predecessor of Playmates Holdings became the first company in the toy industry listed on the then Hong Kong stock exchanges. Following the public listing, Playmates transformed into a marketing-based promotional toy company and directly competed with the largest toy companies on a global level.

In 1988, Playmates Toys launched the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" line of toys which went on to become one of the most successful brands in the history of the toy industry. The sustained success of the Turtles brand established and affirmed the position of Playmates Toys as a major player in the promotional toys arena. Since then, Playmates Toys has continued to create and bring to market worldwide numerous innovative, award-winning and popular toys.

Playmates first engaged in property development and investment in the 1970's when it developed and managed an industrial property for its own use then with a gross floor area of over 300,000 sq. ft. During the 1990's, Playmates engaged in further property developments and investments and diversified into other associated business activities, applying the same philosophy of quality, innovation and brand-building to create value in new areas of opportunities.

1966 Chan Tai Ho founds Playmates as O.E.M. doll company.

1969 Launches first proprietary doll brand; "Precious Playmates".

1970 Grows into one of the largest O.E.M. doll supplies in the toy industry.

Develops Playmates Factory Building which remains an investment property.

1978 Launches first branded pre-school product line; "Li'l Playmates".

Establishes sales office in Randolph, near Boston in the USA.


1981 Extends pre-school product line with introduction of first licensed Disney® items.

1982 Playmates Toys Inc., incorporated in California.

1984 Playmates becomes first publicly listed toy company in Hong Kong.

1986 Ships first promotional product: "Cricket" animatronic doll.

1988 Launches Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles® brand.

1990 Named by Forbes® as the most profitable toy company in the world on the phenomenal success of the Turtles.

1991 Introduces Waterbabies® brand.

Diversifies into property development and investment.

1992 Acquires master toy rights in the Star Trek® franchise.

1993 Playmates Holdings Limited acquires SEHK listing in current form (Ticker:0635).

1997 Playmates' Nano® brand captures large share of worldwide virtual pet market.

Thomas Chan appointed Chairman as Chan Tai Ho retires after 30 years.

1998 Launches “Amazing Amy”, first of 6 best selling dolls in Amazing brand.

2000 Revolutionizes collector toy business with Intelli-Tronic Simpsons® figures.

2001 Launches Disney Princess® brand with "My Interactive Princess" Cinderella.

Lou Novak appointed President of toy business group.

2002 Playmates becomes Disney's No. 1 large doll licensee.

2003 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles® return with all NEW entertainment, products and
marketing support.

2004 Acquires master toy rights in Peter Jackson's new King Kong® movie franchise.
Links
official website
□     Playmates.  Playmates.
official website for Playmates
www.playmatestoys.com
From the News Archive
□ Playmates July 2009 Stock Buyback program to fight dramatic share price decline

PLAYMATES HOLDINGS LIMITED (HKEx: 635) AND PLAYMATES TOYS (HKEx: 869)

Originally recommended on June 4/07 (IWB #2721) at US$1.35 (adjusted for consolidation). Closed Friday at HK$1.83.

In light of dramatic share price declines, Playmates Holding Limited (PHL) and Playmates Toys Limited (PTL) have instituted share buyback programs. PHL is authorized to repurchase 21,880,069 shares and PTL is allowed to repurchase 49,500,000 shares, which represents 10% of the issued share capital of each company. With PHL trading at HK$1.83 relative to its book value of HK$7.93 and PTL trading at HK15c relative to its book value of HK19c, both issuer bids are accretive.

Unfortunately both PHL and PTL were heavily impacted by the financial crisis and ensuing economic downturn in fiscal 2008. PHL revalued its real estate investments to fair value of HK$1.55 billion, down approximately HK$118 million in 2007. The company also incurred a net loss on portfolio investments of HK$306 million (including realized losses of about HK$226 million and unrealized losses of about HK$80 million). Despite the disappointing charges, management expects rental income to remain 'stable in 2009 on the strength of the quality and composition of the tenants'.

PTL also faced a difficult year in 2008, with sales down 22.6% to HK$704 million from HK$909 million in 2007. The toy division reported an operating loss of HK$139 million, with specific weakness in the United States and European Union. The operating margin was particularly hit by an increase in close-out sales of discontinued toys as the enforcement date of more stringent safety standards approached. Although management expects that the current fiscal year will be difficult for the toy industry, they were encouraged about two major brands that are supported by theatrical releases in 2009; Terminator Salvation and Star Trek.

Thankfully, both PHL and PTL have reasonably clean balance sheets. PHL has a current ratio of 1.7 times and total bank borrowings to total tangible assets of only 8.7%. PTL has slightly higher debt levels, with a current ratio of 1.0 times and total bank borrowings to total tangible assets of 13.2%. In order to enhance the company's working capital levels, the directors of the corporation issued one bonus warrant for every five shares held by shareholders but excluding overseas investors. At HK90c, full exercise of the bonus warrants would result in the issue of 43.76 million shares and would raise almost HK$40 million.

The shares have since recovered from the lows and the global economy seems to be showing signs that the worst has past. However, we will monitor both of these stocks closely for any adverse developments, particularly related to the health of the balance sheets.

Posted 7/26/2009
□ Playmates June 2009 Hero:108 deal (Indian TV)

The MoonScoop Group has entered into a worldwide licensing agreement with Playmates Toys for new animated comedy/action series Hero:108. The deal allows Playmates to develop and market Hero:108 related toys including action figures, vehicles, role play toys and accessories, playsets and electronic and handheld games on a worldwide basis.
MoonScoop president consumer products and marketing (worldwide) Cynthia Money said, 'The designs, a lot of characters and locations to play with, and wealth of interesting stories will lead to a strong interest on the collectibles side as well.'
Added Playmates VP (marketing and product development) Paul Fish, 'The visuals in this series are good and the producers have created some of the most fun characters. Our creative team jumped at the opportunity to create toys and collectibles that reflect the innovative nature of the series and we look forward to sharing these fantastic concepts with our retail partners worldwide.'
Additionally, an online content at Hero108.tv and a series of 108 casual flash-based web games will also be introduced.
Hero:108 follows the adventures of a group of young defenders determined to end a conflict between animals and humans in 'The Hidden Kingdom'. It's expected to launch on Cartoon Network platforms around the world in early 2010.
 		Posted 6/20/2009
□ Playmates June 2009 Terminator Figures...

TERMINATOR: SALVATION
 
AFi: Let’s get the big question out of the way.  John Connor.  Can you comment on why his face is hidden?  Can we look forward to any John Connor figures with Christian Bale’s  likeness?
PM: We did have difficulty getting Christian Bale to approve his sculpt, but am happy to report we now do have his approval and new John Connor figures without masks and goggles will be included in the 3.75” and 6” scale hitting retail shelves in Fall.
 
AFi: What’s planned for upcoming waves of Terminator product?   When can we look for Wave 2 in stores?  
PM: Wave 2 figures will start hitting shelves in August.  Included in the Fall will be a 6” and 14” Harvester figures as well as a number of new 3.75” and more 6” figures.


AFi: I’ve read that Playmates is considering 3-3/4' figures based upon the previous three Terminator movies for 2010.  If this is so, can you elaborate on your plans for such a legacy line? 
PM: We have obtained the rights to do figures based on Terminator 1 and 2 and are planning a complete rollout of these figures in Spring 2010.
 
AFi: Terminator Salvation is said to be the first film in a planned trilogy. Does Playmates license cover any potential sequels? 
PM: No, our contract was just to produce toys for Terminator Salvation.
 
AFi: Can we expect any figures based upon Arnold’s digital cameo? 
PM: It is our understanding Arnold didn’t give his approval to appear in the movie until very late in the process, so if we do any figures based on Arnold’s look in Terminator Salvation they will not be released until 2010. 
AFi wishes to thank Pat Linden and Paul Fish of Playmates Toys for their cooperation in making this article possible.  Stay tuned to AFi for more news and images of upoming Star Trek and Terminator product very soon 		Posted 6/20/2009
□ Playmates June 2008 On Board for Huntik: Secrets & Seekers
LAS VEGAS, June 13: Upper Deck Entertainment (UDE) has named Playmates Toys as the master toy licensee for the action-adventure animated series Huntik: Secrets & Seekers. Playmates Toys will debut its Huntik: Secrets & Seekers toy line in fall 2009. The line will include 3-, 6- and 9-inch figures, showcasing the adventure’s heroes and villains, known as Seekers, and mystical creatures called Titans, along with vehicles and roleplay toys. The 6-inch figures will feature a patented technology offering online interactive capabilities. UDE recently announced that 4Kids Entertainment has signed on to broadcast Huntik: Secrets & Seekers in TheCW4Kids Saturday-morning block on The CW in early 2009. In addition to serving as the co-creator/producers for the property, UDE will manage all the marketing, promotional and licensing initiatives in the Americas, the U.K., Japan, China, Korea and Oceania. Targeted at kids aged 6 to 12, Huntik: Secrets & Seekers was produced by Italian animation studio Rainbow S.p.A. The series follows young Lok Lambert and Dante Vale as they travel the globe with their group of Seekers, exploring exotic locations from the pyramids of Egypt to the jungles of the Amazon, with the goal of unlocking the ancient secrets of each locale. Lok and his friends search for powerful spirit-warriors called Titans to use in battle against the evil Organization. “Huntik: Secrets & Seekers features an intriguing story line, engaging characters and mystical creatures, and Upper Deck wanted a partner that would help grow this great brand through new ideas and cutting-edge technologies,” said John Sepenuk, the VP of global business development for UDE. “Playmates is clearly the right toy partner for Huntik: Secrets & Seekers and will bring their demonstrated creativity and philosophy of incorporating technology to their Huntik: Secrets & Seekers toys.” 		Posted 6/23/2008
□ Playmates Toys Jan 2008 Parent comnpany spins it off

Playmates’ parent spins off toyco

By Staff -- Playthings, 1/2/2008 2:24:00 PM


COSTA MESA, Calif.—The Hong Kong Stock Exchange has conditionally approved a spin-off by Playmates Holdings of its toy manufacturing unit, Playmates Toys Ltd., in a move the company said would “enhance the profile of Playmates Toys’ business and provide new opportunities.”

The separate listing of Playmates Toys Ltd.’s shares on Hong Kong’s stock exchange will begin on Feb. 1, 2008, on the exchange’s main board. Playmates Holdings will continue to retain approximately 55 percent of the entire issued shared capital of Playmates Toys. 		Posted 1/6/2008
□ Playmates Jan 2008 Eon Kid
Los Angeles, CA - November 6, 2007 ,The animated series ‘Eon Kid’(also known as Iron Kid’is now the most viewed show among children between the ages of 2 to 11 in open-broadcast on Saturday mornings. The series, originally created by Designstorm Animation Studio in Korea, debuted on September 22 on the Kids’WB! Saturday morning block and reportedly earned a 1.9/8 rating on October 13, becoming the No. 1 rated show out of forty shows that have the same target audience.

According to Jungsook Sohn, CEO of Designstorm, 'We are very excited about such a good start. Since ‘Eon Kid’is a newcomer, as the story progresses the show will become more lively and speedy, and kids will find it more exciting and interesting.?

As the show pulls rating, the toy and licensing business of ‘Eon Kid’are positioned to spur on. Playmates Toys, Inc. has made exciting lines of Eon Kid toys including action figures, vehicles, transforming figures and role plays, and has sold their entire line of toy selections to nearly 2,000 Wal-Mart stores and all Toys’R’s stores for January placement.

Co-produced by Designstorm, BRB Internacional, Manga Entertainment and Daewon Media, ‘Eon Kid’(Iron Kid) is a made for TV action adventure 3D animation about a boy named Marty, who used to live a simple life in the vast desert with his stepfather, Charlie and pet robot dog named Buttons. ‘Eon Kid’combines eastern martial arts action and the traditional, popular genre of robot fantasy. It features over 100 robots, each with their own special abilities derived from Chinese kung fu, Japanese sword fighting, American boxing and Korean tae kwon do.

The show has been enjoying international success with airings on Canal Clan, TVE-2 and Jetix in Spain, Jetix Latin America and KBS in Korea. Spanish public broadcaster TVE will soon begin airing the series on weekends on its first channel, TVE-1, and it will also debut in open-broadcast format in Italy, Portugal, Russia, Bulgaria, Middle East, Ecuador and Turkey.
 		Posted 11/9/2007
□ Playmates 2006 Named Master Toy Licensee for Strawberry Shortcake

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The hit evergreen girls’ brand, Strawberry Shortcake, has reached a new milestone with more than $2 billion achieved in worldwide retail sales (cumulative 2003-2007) and continues to evolve as a multi-dimensional entertainment franchise. The announcement was made today by Josef Mandelbaum, President and CEO, American Greetings Properties, creator and owner of the brand, and Andy Heyward, Chairman & CEO, DIC Entertainment, the exclusive worldwide licensing agent for Strawberry Shortcake.
With more than 300 licensees worldwide and available at every major U.S. retailer, the Strawberry Shortcake brand celebrates another banner year in 2007 with fresh themes and the introduction of new product lines, multiple DVD releases, a theatrical feature, books and music, as well as an upcoming broadcast network debut, major 4th quarter QSR promotion and continued online growth. DIC and American Greetings Properties will continue to work with partners to build the Strawberry Shortcake franchise with new brand themes (dance, western, music, fairytale and Hollywood glamour), content, categories and distribution channels in development through 2010.
“We are thrilled with the phenomenal success of Strawberry Shortcake over the past four years which has exceeded our expectations and secured its position as one of the top girls’ brands of all time,” says Heyward. “American Greetings has created a timeless brand and we salute them and our network of partners and agents who have contributed to this tremendous achievement.” He adds, “We look forward to the continued growth and success of the brand as we all work to deliver fresh and innovative ideas that will keep our retailer partners excited and fans coming back for more.”
'DIC and all of our licensees, such as Playmates Toys, Penguin Putnam, and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, have done a tremendous job in keeping Strawberry Shortcake fresh, relevant and top of mind with today's girls,” says Josef Mandelbaum, President and CEO, American Greetings Properties. “The $2 billion benchmark is a testament to the hard work our organizations have put into building this brand to the evergreen status it is today, ensuring that Strawberry Shortcake is truly 'growing better all the time.''
In 2006, Playmates was named the new Master Toy Licensee for Strawberry Shortcake and re-launched an all-new line of Strawberry Shortcake toys. In 2007 and 2008, Playmates will continue to rollout new merchandise that ties in with the tentpole themes, as well as support the brand with national advertising campaigns. Penguin Putnam has 11 new books in release this year, and to date has sold more than 11 million books from the Strawberry Shortcake publishing program, which has published 70 titles (since 2003). 		Posted 9/10/2007
□ Playmates Spring 2008 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Basic Figures

Here is a look at some of Playmates upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures coming out in the Spring of 2008. The theme for this line is called 'Alien Hunter'. Shown for the following figures:

- Alien Hunter Leo
- Alien Hunter Ralph
- Alien Hunter Don
- Alien Hunter Mike
- Alien Hunter Thrashmo
- Alien Hunter Multifle
- Alien Hunter Buzzrok
- Alien Hunter Para-cyt







Posted 9/2/2007
□ Playmates Aug 2007 Spin-off approved
Playmates Holdings (0635.HK: Quote, Profile , Research) soared 8.5 percent to HK$1.15 after saying the stock exchange had granted approval for the company to spin off its toy business under Playmates Toys Ltd., which has applied for a listing on the mainboard. 		Posted 8/11/2007
□ Playmates Toys Aug 2007 Spin-off

Playmates Holdings (0635.HK: Quote, Profile , Research) soared 8.5 percent to HK$1.15 after saying the stock exchange had granted approval for the company to spin off its toy business under Playmates Toys Ltd., which has applied for a listing on the mainboard.
laymates Holdings Limited is an investment holding company with its principal subsidiaries engaged in the design, development, marketing and distribution of toys and family entertainment activity products, as well as property investment and management business. The Company wholly owned subsidiaries include Bagnols Limited, Belmont Limited, PIL Finance Limited, Playmates Asia Services Limited, Playmates Toys Inc., Playmates Toys International Limited and Prestige Property Management Limited. Its associated companies include Unimax Holdings Limited (Unimax) and Nippon Toys Limited (NTL). Unimax is an investment holding company whose subsidiaries are principally engaged in the design and marketing of pre-school toys and dolls. NTL is engaged in the business of engineering, development, sourcing and quality assurance of toy products, novelties and outdoor accessories
http://www.playmates.net/eng/global/home.htm
  		Posted 8/5/2007
□ Mattel March 2007 Playmates third party deal
src=http://www.toynewsmag.com/files/news/26166/<bPlayMatesWeb160pxl.gif width=160>

Playmates third party deal for Mattel

14:30, Mar 19th 2007 by Ronnie Dungan

A year after it announced it would be looking to work with third parties on UK and European distribution opportunities, Mattel UK has signed a deal to distribute Amazing Lexie on behalf of Playmates.
Jean-Christophe Pean, UK managing director, commented: “We are delighted to be working with Playmates, we are enjoying great success with our own brands so it makes perfect sense for us now to use our skills to maximise opportunities with third party relationships. 
 
'We are really excited about helping to build the Amazing brand with Playmates. Amazing Lexie, is a fantastic 'wow' product, using the latest animatronics and voice recognition technology it has real life like expressions and can respond to over 60 words and phrases. For under £100 it is a guaranteed winner for Christmas.  Lexie really compliments our current portfolio and we see this as a great first step in our distribution partnerships”.
 
Herb Mitschele, vice president of licensing and international business development from Playmates commented: “Mattel offers us a fantastic partnership as they really are the masters at building long term brands and we hope Amazing Lexie will be just the start of a long a fruitful relationship.”
 		Posted 3/22/2007
□ Playmates March 2007 Fighting to reverse downward trend
Playmates Holdings (0635), a Hong Kong-listed toy maker which owns the distribution rights for the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise, posted a 33 percent rise in yearly net profit to HK$260 million, due to a surplus from property revaluation.
Turnover declined 11 percent to HK$1.17 billion, compared to HK$1.3 billion the previous year. Gross profit also slumped 13 percent to HK$268 million.
Company chairman Sidney To Shu- sing said the toy industry suffered a downturn in 2006, and that the industry had been shrinking by 2 percent to 3percent annually in the United States for the past five years.
The company's gross margin decreased by 2 percent to 48 percent, To said, mainly due to a drop in sales of the high-end products.
Operating profit surged 56 percent to HK$268 million, which was mainly attributed to rental and property management income from the company's investment properties. Property surplus was HK$261 million, an increase of 176 percent from a year earlier.
However, To said the company has no plans to invest further in the property market this year, adding that he expects the toy industry to pick up. 'We are optimistic especially as the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie will debut worldwide later this month.'
He expects gross margins to rebound to at least 50 percent this year.
The company will increase the price of its toys by 2 to 3 percent, he said, adding that 'last year we were not able to pass rising costs on to our customers, [but] this year customers will not be able to avoid a price increase.'
Playmates proposed a final dividend of 3 HK cents per share and one special dividend of 2 HK cents per share. The normal payout ratio is between 30 and 50 percent, To said.
The company closed at HK$1.09, up 1.87 percent.
Posted 3/17/2007 by  The Standard 
□ Playmates Toys - Amazing Amanda

She giggles at the sound of her mommy's voice and pouts when told that, no, she can't have a cookie. She contorts her soft, plastic features for a game of 'funny face' and emits a string of comical, if realistic, sound effects after requesting a seat on the potty.
She's Amazing Amanda, the pigtailed, robotic wonder that proved an amazing holiday hit in 2005. Parents who scrambled last year to find the fast-selling $99 doll -- an interactive toy programmed to engage in two-way conversation, respond to her mommy's voice and recognize the time of year -- might find themselves scouring the aisles again this year. Enter big sister Amazing Allysen, a smoothie-sipping, cell phone-toting 'tween with a 100-word vocabulary that's already generating holiday wish-list buzz.
The high-tech sophistication and wild success of these dolls by Playmates Toys Inc. are emblematic of the breed of baubles and playthings that companies are churning out in an attempt to capture the attention of a generation raised to hold a sippy cup in one hand and a computer mouse in the other, say industry watchers.
The Amazing line took off so well, they say, because it was visually appealing, emotionally realistic and pushed technological boundaries of interactivity.
'Amazing Amanda tied all of those components together into one great package that really clicked with the kids and with retailers,' says Reyne Rice, toy trend specialist for the Toy Industry Association.
The $22 billion U.S. toy industry has posted sales declines since 2003, according to NPD Group, a market research company. But while annual sales through August were again down -- this time by 2.9 percent -- the youth electronics category showed a 23 percent jump, the group reported this month 		Posted 11/5/2006
□ Playmates Toys With The Land Before Time - Animation World Network
Playmates Toys With The Land Before Time

September 15, 2006

Universal Studios Consumer Products Group and Playmates Toys announced a domestic licensing agreement, whereby Playmates will serve as the master toy licensee for the upcoming animated television series, THE LAND BEFORE TIME. The 22-minute animated series will air on Cartoon Network beginning spring 2007. The toy line will launch in fall 2007 with the introduction of a full line of figures, vehicles, playsets and plush.

THE LAND BEFORE TIME television series is in development by Universal Studios Family Prods. Stripping five days a week, 26 episodes will bring the prehistoric world to more than 88 million homes in the U.S. The series is being shopped to international distributors.

THE LAND BEFORE TIME Playmates toy lineup will include figural toys and vehicles, interactive toys and plush targeting kids 3-7.

Michael Rinzler, vp of marketing at Playmates, commented, 'This is an amazingly rich and endearing property that lends itself perfectly to a broad line of figures, plush and other toys. It's an exciting opportunity because this is the first time children will be able to see THE LAND BEFORE TIME on television on a daily basis.'

In addition to the television series, two new direct-to-DVD titles are slated to release over the next 24 months, and Cartoon Network episodes will be available on DVD starting in 2007.

Licensing opportunities are now available from Universal Studios Consumer Products Group across all categories including apparel, accessories, interactive games, collectibles, fine art, home furnishings, health and beauty aids, food and beverages, gifts, stationery products and wireless communication devices and accessories.

Set in prehistoric times, the series follows the journeys of young dinosaurs who experience wondrous adventures, encounter challenging obstacles and learn memorable life lessons about love, trust, friendship, learning, caring and sharing. The cast of dinosaur characters includes Littlefoot, the lovable long neck Apatosaurus; Cera, the feisty three-horn Triceratops; Ducky, the naive duckbill swimmer Parasaurolophus; Petrie, the comic flyer Pterodactyl; Chomper, the newly hatched friendly fearless Tyrannosauraus; and Spike the ravenous spiketail Stegosaurus.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2006, Playmates Toys Inc. is among the most well respected and innovative marketing and distribution companies in the global toy industry with a proven history in both the creation of innovative and imaginative products as well as the development and management of profitable, long-term brand franchises.
 		Posted 10/18/2006
□ Playmates Toys Awarded Master Toy License by Microsoft and 4Kids ... - Business Wire
American International Toy Fair 2006

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Playmates Toys, Inc., one of the toy industry’s most respected and innovative companies, announced today that it has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with Microsoft and 4Kids Entertainment. The toy company will serve as master toy licensee for Viva Piñata™, a new animated series that airs on 4Kids TV, 4Kids Entertainment’s Saturday morning children’s programming block on FOX, as well as an upcoming video game by Microsoft Game Studios and Rare, Ltd., exclusively for Xbox 360™. The deal was announced today at the American International Toy Fair in New York City.
Playmates will have the exclusive master toy rights for a full range of products including interactive and electronic character-based figures, electronic hand held games, playsets, and role-play items. The initial launch of Viva Piñata toys is anticipated to be available at retail in the United States and Canada by Fall 2007.
“We are extremely pleased to be working with Microsoft and 4Kids on this exciting new brand,” said Lou Gioia, Playmates Toys SVP of Marketing. “We look forward to translating the energy and excitement of the ‘Viva Piñata’ world into an innovative line of interactive toys that for the first time are able to connect the physical world to the digital world.”
“The high-energy, multi-platform Viva Piñata marks Microsoft’s first venture to broaden Xbox 360 beyond its core gaming audience and into the world of children’s entertainment,” said Jeff Bell, Corporate Vice President of Global Marketing for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. “Our investment and commitment behind Viva Piñata will demonstrate to customers, retailers and third-parties that we are intent on building a broad-reaching brand with exciting growth potential.”
Posted 10/18/2006
□ Playmates toys with The Land Before Time - Playthings

Playmates toys with The Land Before Time
Playthings, NY -

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—Playmates will be the master toy licensee for the upcoming animated television series The Land Before Time, which will air on the Cartoon Network starting spring 2007.

Playmates, under license from Universal Studios Consumer Products, will introduce a new toy line for the animated series in fall 2007. It will include a full line of figures, vehicles, play sets and plush for ages 3 to 7.

The 22-minute series is based on the 1988 original feature of the same name about a prehistoric world of young dinosaur characters like Littlefoot the Apatosaurus, Cera the Triceratops; Ducky the Parasaurolophus; Petrie the Pterodactyl; Chomper the Tyrannosauraus and Spike the Stegosaurus. The series has had 11 installments since the 1988 release. 

 		Posted 9/14/2006
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The Action Figure Archive - Tuesday, July 25, 2017