Limited Spring Retail Launch of JAKKS Pacific(R) and Enterplay(R) Products
Followed by a Full Launch Slated for Fall 2008
Neopets Key Quest(TM) Collectors' Case Kicks Off New Multiplayer Gaming &
Collecting Experience Linking Products to Neopia(R) - Products Include
Virtual Prize Codes to Unlock Added Play Experiences on Neopets.com
NEW YORK, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer
Products announced today that the first wave of a new line of products
based on Neopets(R), the largest global youth-focused virtual world, is now
available at Target(R) stores and target.com and it is expected to expand
to full retail distribution for Fall 2008. The new products will be
showcased next week at Toy Fair 2008. The line includes Series 1 of
collector plush from JAKKS Pacific, as well as Fun Paks and Trading Cards
created by Enterplay(R). The products feature an online component that ties
to Neopets.com with exclusive virtual prize codes. While Neopets.com
membership and wealth of content is free and open to all, the exclusive
virtual prize codes provide premium play experiences for members who
purchase Neopets toys. Neopets.com has more than 44 million global
registered users, and it is the 'stickiest' kids entertainment site on the
internet with an average of 2 hours and 45 minutes spent on the site, per
visitor per month, according to Comscore(R).
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080214/NYTH110 )
"We're bringing the successful digital-first world of Neopets to the
real world with an amazing range of collectible products," said Leigh Ann
Brodsky, President, Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products. "JAKKS has
created an irresistible line of collectible plush that kids will love, and
Fun Paks from Enterplay are filled with trading cards, mini-games and
prizes -- both at an amazingly enticing prices. Best of all, each and every
Neopets product comes with exclusive virtual prize codes."
"We're excited to launch Neopets Key Quest(TM) in conjunction with the
new collectible products hitting retail this month for the first time,"
said Kyra Reppen, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Neopets.
"It's a natural step for us to take the digital-first brand into the
consumer products arena, and the multiplayer game and Collectors' Case will
offer both new and old fans a unique, convergent play experience within the
world of Neopets."
The JAKKS collectible plush line focuses on the extensive variety of
Neopets species and characters featured throughout the world of Neopia(R).
The product plans include multiple plush series with both limited and
retired editions, which will make the plush line both collectible and
coveted. Series 1 plush are now available at Target stores and target.com
and include: Pink Bruce(R), Yellow Kacheek(TM), Red Scorchio(R), Brown
Uni(TM), Speckled Acara(R), Striped Cybunny(R), Starry Grundo(TM), Cloud
Kougra(R), Plushie Jub Jub(TM), Plushie Mynci(R) and Plushie Wocky(TM).
Limited Editions include: Gold Aisha(R), Gold Gelert(R) and Gold Shoyru(R).
All the products will converge and tie into a new multiplayer gaming
and collecting experience, called "Neopets Key Quest." The product
packaging contains codes that allow kids to unlock virtual game pieces
representing both plush and trading card characters as part of their
Neopets Key Quest play experience. Kids can collect and show-off their Key
Quest virtual game pieces in the Key Quest Collectors' Case on
http://www.neopets.com/keyquest. Members are also rewarded with special virtual
game pieces for collecting an entire series of plush toys. NeoCash(TM)
cards, which launched in 2007 are another form of cash payment for Neopets'
virtual items and tie into Key Quest by unlocking special Collector Case
decorative themes.
Fun Paks from Enterplay offer a high level of entertainment and an
exceptional value. For a suggested retail price of $1.99, consumers get a
mix of trading cards, tattoos, stickers, pop-up cards, mini-games and
trivia-cards. In addition to the basic pak, multi-paks will also be
available. Enterplay is a leader in trading cards and packs with licenses
that include Nickelodeon(R), Nintendo(R) of America, Major League
Baseball(R), National Hockey League(R) and others.
On Neopets.com, players create a Neopet to be their companion who they
can dress and take care of while exploring the fantasy world of Neopia,
which rich with 54 species of Neopets, 16 lands, and hundreds of
characters, stories and plotlines. With more than 44 million global
memberships, 200 games, an active virtual economy based on Neopoints(R),
daily and weekly creativity contests, Neovision(TM) video player,
discussion boards, quests, and thousands of virtual items to collect,
Neopets.com offers its audience an almost endless array of engaging
activities. The site's recently launched its NC Mall(TM), where users can
buy premium items for their pets. Neopets.com is a global community,
available in 11 languages.
Neopets is part of the Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group community
of digital sites, which also includes Nick.com, NickJr.com, The-N.com,
Shockwave,com, AddictingGames.com, ParentsConnect.com, Nicktropolis.com,
NickatNite.com, Noggin.com, NickArcade.com, and myNOGGIN.com, among others.
About Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products
Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products manages the world's third
largest licensing business, representing leading properties such as
SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, and managing merchandising for
Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTVN International, and Spike TV.
Nickelodeon, in its 28th year, is the number-one entertainment brand
for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in
everything it does. The company includes television programming and
production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer
products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films.
Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 96 million
households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for more
than 13 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters
and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAKK) is a multi-brand company that
designs and markets a broad range of toys and consumer products. The
product categories include: Action Figures, Art Activity Kits, Stationery,
Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys,
Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys, Electronics, Dolls,
Dress-Up, Role Play, and Pet Toys and Accessories. The products are sold
under various brand names including JAKKS Pacific(R), Play Along(R), Flying
Colors(R), Creative Designs International(TM), Road Champs(R), Child
Guidance(R), Pentech(R), Trendmasters(R), Toymax(R), Funnoodle(R), Go Fly a
Kite(R), Color Workshop(R), JAKKS Pets(TM) and Plug It In & Play TV
Games(TM). JAKKS and THQ Inc. participate in a joint venture that has
worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment video
games. For further information, visit http://www.jakks.com.
About Enterplay LLC.
Founded in 2006, Enterplay is the innovator of the new Fun Pak and Fan
Pak product lines, promising "Fun in Every Pak." Enterplay holds
merchandise licenses with Nintendo of America, Nickelodeon, Major League
Baseball, Major League Baseball Players Association, National Hockey
League, and National Hockey League Players Association. Enterplay LLC is
located in Guilford, CT and distributes products through major retailers
and distribution partners worldwide.
SOURCE Nickelodeon
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Related links:
http://www.nick.com
http://www.jakks.com http://www.Neopets.com
http://www.neopets.com/keyquest
Photo Notes:
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080214/NYTH110
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org AP PhotoExpress
Network: PRN12 PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Jonathan Finn, Nickelodeon, +1-212-846-4082,
jonathan.finn@nick.com; or Joanna Roses, Neopets,
+1-212-846-7326, joanna.roses@nick.com; or Genna Rosenberg, JAKKS
Pacific, +1-310-455-6235, gennar@jakks.net; or Enterplay,
+1-203-458-1128, media@enter-play.com; or Marisa Gross, Bender
Helper Impact, +1-646-435-1646, marisa_gross@bhimpact.com
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