JAKKS Pacific(R) Pumps-Up Boys Action Portfolio With Master Toy License for American Gladiators
Mar 31, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- JAKKS Pacific, Inc. NASDAQ:JAKK) today announced that it signed an exclusive worldwide Master Toy License with MGM Consumer Products for American Gladiators(R), the hit competition-based television program that airs on NBC. JAKKS(R) expects to launch a line of American Gladiators toys and related products in Spring 2009, based on the characters and challenges seen on the show.
American Gladiators is produced by MGM Television and Reveille in association with Flor-Jon Films, Inc.
The comprehensive American Gladiators Master Toy license agreement, brokered through licensing agent JTMG LLC, on behalf of MGM Consumer Products includes action figures, accessories, as well as outdoor sports and seasonal products, and role play toys, all based on the new American Gladiators live action series and the classic television series.
American Gladiators is a televised tournament-style competition that pits amateur athletes against each other and the show's own "Gladiators" in contests of strength, agility and will, in events such as the "Power Ball," "Hang Tough" and "The Gauntlet." American Gladiators premiered on Sunday, January 6, 2008 to an average of 12 million viewers.
Hosted by world renowned wrestler, Hulk Hogan and women's boxing champion, Laila Ali, American Gladiators has been picked up for a second season by NBC and will be part of the network's "All-American Summer" special promotion celebrating the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. The network will air all new episodes of American Gladiators beginning on May 12 with a special two hour premiere (8-10 p.m.
ET). The show will then settle into its regular day and time on Monday, May 19 (8-9:30 p.m. American Gladiators has all the qualities to make an exciting action figure and sports activity product line," said Jennifer Richmond, Senior Vice-President of Licensing and Media, JAKKS Pacific(R).
JAKKS plans on capitalizing on the brands high energy, extreme action and electrifying line-up of talent to create a toy line to encapsulate the exciting American Gladiators experience for kids and adults at home."
As one of the very first reality television shows, American Gladiators spanned a decade of exhilarating entertainment, and with the successful return of the new series, our multimedia campaign and the new consumer products launch, the Gladiators franchise is definitely thriving," said Travis J. Rutherford, Executive Vice President, Consumer Products & Location Based Entertainment, MGM.
We are excited to introduce a new generation to the action-packed thrills and intense competition of American Gladiators and JAKKS Pacific is the perfect partner to bring all the glory of the Gladiators to the toy aisle."
We are excited for the return of American Gladiators for a second season and this new line of great toys and other Gladiators products will only enhance our audience's enjoyment of this fantastic property," said Lee Rierson, Managing Director, Reveille. JAKKS Pacific is the perfect consumer products partner to bring all the glory of the Gladiators to the toy aisle."
We're delighted to bring together American Gladiators and JAKKS Pacific - two powerful forces - as they combine for one of today's most exciting entertainment franchises," said Joy Tashjian, principal of Joy Tashjian Marketing Group.
About American Gladiators Everyday amateur athletes -- weekend warriors who take pride in their physical fitness while also making a difference in their communities, go up against the show's gladiators -- charismatic and eclectic combatants comprised of action stars and stunt professionals -- in the ultimate David & Goliath battle of physical strength, agility and endurance.
In the updated version, Reveille and MGM Television incorporate special effects, water skills and new technology to make the games even more compelling. American Gladiators first originated from Erie, PA. The series aired as a weekly syndicated show in the U.S., 1989 through 1996. The show also spurred equally successful international versions in the United Kingdom, Latin America, Australia, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, South Africa, and Japan.
About Reveille Reveille is a leading independent production and distribution company focused on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights in scripted and unscripted television and digital entertainment, and the world leader in creating integrated marketing opportunities for advertisers.
Reveille's innovative scripted entertainment programming includes "The Office" (NBC), "Ugly Betty" (ABC) and "The Tudors" (Showtime). In addition, the company's roster of highly successful reality programming includes "The Biggest Loser" (NBC), "American Gladiators" (NBC), "Nashville Star" (NBC), "30 Days" (FX), "Parental Control" (MTV) and "Date My Mom" (MTV).
Reveille also produces a wide variety of programming for MSN and for cable outlets such as ESPN, VH1, The Sundance Channel, The N, The History Channel and TLC. Reveille's programs have garnered eight Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Writers Guild Awards, two Television Critics Awards as well as such distinguished honors as the Peabody Award, the NAACP Image Award and the GLAAD Media Award.
Important keywords of article: , with, the, second, broad, jakks, of, visit, for, wide
Punjab to introduce health insurance scheme- Insurance news-Insurance-Personal Finance-The Economic Times
This was disclosed by Ramesh Inder Singh Chief Secretary Punjab, while addressing the concluding function of three day North Zone Inter Medical and Dental Colleges Tournament at Dyanand Medical College and Hospital last night.
Further elaborating, the Chief Secretary said that apart from BPL families, the insurance would also be extended to the small farmers and farm laborers through village level Agri Cooperative Societies. He said that the fast advancement in science and technology and medical sector had completely changed the working system in all the fields and the new technologies has become essential ingredient in the hands of professionals.
He said that in the present times, the traditional medical research was on the process of shifting from Universalities to the Pharmaceutical companies and diagnostic centers and many new inventions in medical field were coming up daily. ET Debates Is the sixth pay panel award justified? All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service This site is best viewed with Internet Explorer.
0 or higher; Firefox.
Important keywords of article: the, in the, to the, the new, the pharmaceutical, the sixth, the fields, the process, the chief, the working
Free Preview - WSJ.com
Absolut vodka brand. Pernod Ricard will pay the Swedish government, which owns V&S, $6.05 billion plus Euro 1.45 billion ($2.29 billion), for a total of $8.34 billion, the French company said Monday. Besides Fortune, Pernod Ricard beat out two other bidders -- Bacardi Ltd. Swedish investment firms EQT Partners AB and Investor AB -- for a business the Swedish. Why IT Hates the iPhone 2.
New Backing for Obama as Party Seeks Unity 3. Why Today's Cars Are Hard to Repair 4. Sweeping Changes in Paulson Plan 5.
Important keywords of article: , for, total, billion, business, owns, plan, why, cars
Sinovac Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2007 Financial Results
Amex: SVA), a leading provider of vaccines in China, today announced unaudited financial results for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2007.
Highlights -- Record full year 2007 sales of $33.5 million, up 118% year-over-year -- Record full year 2007 net income of $7.7 million, or $0.19 per share -- Fourth quarter 2007 sales increased 49% year-over-year to $9.2 million -- Fourth quarter 2007 operating income rose 460% year-over-year to $3.3 million -- Fourth quarter 2007 net income increased to $2.0 million, or $0.05 per share -- Reported positive preliminary Phase II results for pandemic influenza (H5N1) whole viron vaccine -- Sold 5.12 million doses of Healive(R) in 2007, up from 2.6 million in 2006 -- Sold 1.59 million doses of Anflu(R) in 2007, up from 77,000 doses in in 2006 Mr.
Weidong Yin, Chairman, President and CEO, stated, ''2007 was a record year for Sinovac from a commercialization and a clinical development standpoint.
Exceeding our internal projections for year-over-year sales growth, our 2007 sales increased 118%, due to higher than anticipated sales of our lead products, Healive(R), our inactivated hepatitis A vaccine, and Anflu(R), our seasonal influenza vaccine, based on the proactive efforts of our sales organization across China.
In addition, we entered a promotion agreement with GSK China for our seasonal influenza vaccine, Anflu(R), and successfully launched a marketing campaign that yielded sales in the second half of the year. We advanced the clinical development of our pandemic influenza vaccine formulations.
We successfully completed the Phase II trial of our whole viron vaccine in 2007 that led to the submission with the SFDA during the first quarter of 2008. Most recently during the first quarter of 2008, the Phase I trial for the split inactivated vaccine was completed.' Mr. Weidong Yin, Chairman, President and CEO, continued, ''The fourth quarter results marked our third sequential profitable quarter.
Our quarterly sales reflected the continued demand for our lead product, Healive(R), our inactivated hepatitis A vaccine. Healive(R) was recently selected by the Beijing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the hepatitis A vaccination program.' Full Year 2007 For twelve months ended December 2007, sales increased 118% to $33.5 million, compared to $15.4 million for 2006.
The growth was attributable to strong sales of the Company's inactivated hepatitis A vaccine, Healive(R), and ongoing marketing initiatives in support of the Company's seasonal influenza vaccine, Anflu(R). Gross profit for 2007 was $27.0 million, with a gross margin of 80.6%, compared to $11.1 million and 72.4%, respectively, for 2006. The higher gross margin resulted from the increased economies of scale and lower average unit costs associated with Healive(R) production and reflected normalized Anflu(R) production expenses.
Total operating expenses for the full year 2007 increased to $13.6 million, compared to $10.7 million in the same period of 2006. The year-over-year increase in SG&A expenses reflected increased selling expense that is in line with the increase in sales, offset by decreased bad debt provision due to improvement in accounts receivable collection, decreased lower stock-based compensation and reduced consulting fees.
Aggregated research and development expenses for the full year 2007 were $1.8 million, compared to $1.2 million for 2006. The Company's net R&D expenses were $965,000 for 2007, compared to $325,000 for 2006. The R&D expenses recognized as a reduction to government grants were $844,000 for 2007, compared to $845,000 for 2006.
Operating income was $13.5 million for the full year 2007, compared to $440,000 for 2006. The year-over-year increase in operating income reflected the significant increase in vaccine sales. Net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007 was $7.7 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $696,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, for 2006. Net income for 2007 included $478,000 of interest and financing expenses, $2.0 million of income taxes, and $3.6 million of minority interest.
Net income for 2006 included $319,000 of interest and financing expenses, $101,000 of income taxes, and $1.0 million of minority interest. As of December 31, 2007, Sinovac's cash and cash equivalents totaled $17.1 million, compared to $9.2 million as of December 31, 2006.
Fourth Quarter 2007 For the fourth quarter 2007, sales increased 49% to $9.2 million, compared to $6.2 million in the fourth quarter 2006. Gross profit for fourth quarter of 2007 was $6.3 million, with a gross margin of 68.3%, compared to $4.9 million and 78.9%, respectively, for the same period of 2006. The lower gross margin resulted primarily from lower margin sales of Anflu(R). Total operating expenses for the fourth quarter of 2007 decreased to $3.0million, compared to $4.3 million in the same period of 2006.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for fourth quarter of 2007 were $2.5 million, compared to $4.0 million in the same period of 2006. The year-over-year decrease in SG&A expenses was attributable primarily to the partial reversal of bad debt provision in the fourth quarter of 2007 based on the improvement of account receivables and lower consulting fees.
Important keywords of article: the, for the, of the, the fourth, in the, the same, on the, during the, to the, the sfda
MarketingProfs Knowledge Exchange : Summer Fragrance --In-Store Event
Lead nurturing, lead scoring and measurement that's easy to adopt. Sampling, big pop posters, and other branding items will be provided, thats not my issue. I am having trouble coming up with an interactive activity (or "in-store event") whereby I can get the sales reps to engage potential customers to playing some sort of fun summer activity IN STORE (perhaps even a game where they win a sample, or other small inexpensive prize).
This would give the rep an opportunity to talk to potential customers about the new summer fragrance, while at the same times engaging in some sort of fun activity with him her. Once again this has to be faily inexpensive event as it will run in at least 45 stores. Any Ideas? Would you like to post a response? Welcome to Know-How Exchange!
This is a collaborative community. We welcome everyone's participation. All you need to do is login. Enter your account info in the box above (top right). Not a member? Not a problem. Register here (it's FREE and EASY).
Important keywords of article: , not, free, problem, collaborative, exchange, member, response, game, sample
London Free Press - Entertainment - Entertainment Buzz
They need to step off," she told the Yo on E! For real. Let's go save her." Madonna, 49, said her daughter, Lourdes, 11, feels the same way. She knows Britney, (but) she doesn't really watch TV or read gossip stuff," the pop star said in the interview. I think she sort of gets the drift of what's going on, and I think she feels very protective of Britney." As for speculation that her marriage is on the rocks, Madonna said: "It is ridiculous.. I don't pay much attention to it."
HOLLYWOOD STARS' DONATIONS HELP DARFUR Money from Europe and a charity co-founded by Hollywood actors George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Don Cheadle will help maintain humanitarian flights in Darfur through April, the United Nations said yesterday. The $6 million donated by Ireland, the European Union and the Clooney-backed Not On Our Watch will allow the U.N.'
World Food Programme to hire helicopters and aircraft to ferry aid workers to Sudan's war-torn region for 30 days. COOPER PLANS OCTOBER LONDON CONCERT Legendary U.S. Alice Cooper returns to London in time for Halloween 2008. Cooper plays Centennial Hall on Oct. 10 at 8 p.m.
It's being billed as Cooper's 40th anniversary in Canada, dating back to 1968 when promoter Don Jones first brought him to the old Wonderland Gardens. Tickets are $61.50 plus charges. They go on sale Friday. THROAT INFECTION CAUSES DION CANCELLATION Canadian singer Celine Dion has postponed a series of Australian concerts as part of her world tour due to a throat infection, her publicists said yesterday. Dion is in Australia as part of her first world tour in 10 years, with concerts set for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
MCKELLEN HOPING TO REPRISE GANDALF ROLE Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf the Wizard in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, is hoping to reprise the role in another tale from Middle Earth. A fan asked McKellen on the actor's official website if he would play the role of Gandalf in The Hobbit, which is being produced by Peter Jackson, director of the Rings trilogy.
KAIN QUITTING AS CHAIR OF CANADA COUNCIL Karen Kain is leaving the chair of the Canada Council to devote herself to her full-time job as artistic director of the National Ballet of Canada. The 57-year-old dancer said she felt she could no longer handle both positions. Kain danced with the National Ballet for 28 years.
Important keywords of article: the, of the, in the, the rings, the role, on the, the national, the chair, the canada, the wizard
Parrots 'take off' in woman's handbag - National - theage.com.au
Welcome to The Age. Skip directly to: Search Box, Section Navigation, Content. Text Version. POLICE are searching for a well-dressed bird thief who stole two rare parrots from a Springvale pet store in a brazen lunchtime heist.
A woman entered the Australian Pet Superstore on Springvale Road, opened a cage, placed the two South American Sun Conure parrots in a large handbag and walked out with them between 1.15pm and 1.45pm on March 11. The nine-to-10-week-old birds, which are essentially miniature macaws, are worth up to $1500 each. Store owner Andrew Young said the birds had been hand-raised since birth and could die without proper care.
The pair had been fed a special daily diet of parrot feed, sprouts and a high-protein formula before they were stolen, he said. She (the thief) was a normal customer who just helped herself to the birds. One of the staff had been talking to her and walked out of the room to help somebody else and she's put the parrots into her bag and left. I'm not happy, especially if the birds are not looked after.
They'll die pretty quickly without proper care." Mr Young is offering a reward for the birds' return. Police yesterday released a picture of a woman they believe can assist with their inquiries. She is described as Caucasian, about 168 centimetres tall, of medium build with light-coloured hair. Information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au.
The Age Company Ltd. Paris shows off her moves Paris Hilton prepares to judge the Miss Turkey contest and declares herself as a role model for young women. Rooney's wife role model The wife of Manchester United's Wayne Rooney named Britain's number one fashion role model. A miss for the Magpies Slideshow The Brisbane Lions edge out Collingwood in gripping encounter.
Stop me if you've heard it. Last Laugh Is it possible to enjoy a comedian's set if you've heard it all before? Six string greats Noise pollution Four favourite often-forgotten fallen fret masters.
Important keywords of article: , and, woman, heard, in, if, set, miss, wayne, fallen
The Hindu : Business : Bannari Amman group, Brandot Intl. form venture
Bannari Amman Apparel (BAA). The Rs. 80-crore unit on a 30-acre site at Ozahiyur, near Chennai, is a 50:50 joint venture. It will provide & 8216;design to deliver' solution for men and women intimate apparel for speciality brands and retailers of the U.S. European Union.
The products will be pre-dominantly for exports and the raw materials are sourced from the domestic market, according to V. S. Ganesh, Chief Executive Officer of BAA. At present producing about 15,000 pieces a day, the company plans to scale up production to three million pieces a month in a year and a half. The plant was inaugurated on Thursday. According to a release from BAA, employing nearly 900 people now, the company will increase the number of employed to 4,500 by 2012. It has projected cumulative sales of $100 million over the next three years.
It has implemented lean manufacturing and introduced concepts such as standup modular manufacturing systems with a single piece flow.
Important keywords of article: , to, pieces, day, month, single, joint, european, acre, ganesh
Sports
The former Madison La Follette standout scored 29 points and had five steals Wednesday to lead the third-ranked Warriors to a 67-54 victory over top-ranked Grand Valley State (Mich.) NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament in Springfield, Mass. Next up for Winona (36-1), which has won 30 straight games, is Bentley (Mass.) No.
1 ranking. The Warriors beat an undefeated Bentley team in the Elite Eight last year. Grand Valley State (36-1) scored the final 18 points of the first half, thanks in part to 10 Winona turnovers during that span, to carry a 29-24 lead into the break. But Flowers, who according to the school Web site sat out the last 10 minutes of the half due to injury, gave the Warriors the lead for good on a putback with 16 minutes, 25 seconds left.
We had a very good discussion as players at halftime and knew that last 10 minutes of the first half we just killed ourselves," Flowers told the Winona Daily News. We just kept talking and at one point we said, 'You know what? Don't worry about the past, don't worry about the future. Just live in the moment, and live it fearlessly."
Important keywords of article: the, of the, the warriors, the first, about the, in the, the half, the moment, the school, the elite
TheStar.com Business Canadians refuse to fret over debt
A new study released yesterday suggests that a majority of Canadian homeowners classify themselves as "smart spenders" even though more than three-quarters of those surveyed carry some type of non-mortgage debt that, on average, tops $29,000.
The Harris Decima report, commissioned by the Bank of Montreal, also shows that Torontonians are the most likely to mimic the American archetype of using their home as a piggy bank. About 55 per cent of homeowners in this city have a home equity line of credit secured against their house. A home equity line of credit is designed for people who have at least 20 per cent home equity, allowing them to borrow up to 80 per cent of the house's assessed value.
Lynne Kilpatrick, a senior executive vice-president at BMO, said a majority of homeowners reported feeling confident about carrying the cost of that debt because most use it for "prudent" expenditures such as home renovations. When you look at the survey results, the most disciplined, smart spenders are in Ontario," Kilpatrick said in an interview.
Nevertheless, the report suggests that while home equity lines of credit are frequently used, homeowners are also tapping other types of credit. People who have a HELC (home equity line of credit) are more likely to have higher debt loads of $90,000 or more," the study found. Three-quarters (72 per cent) of those who have debt between $90,000 and $150,000 have a HELC, as do 67 per cent of those who carry debt in excess of $150,000."
And while most Canadians "do their research" before making a major purchase, Calgary and Toronto homeowners appear to have a greater propensity "to purchase without looking for advice." The online poll was conducted between Feb. 15 and 26. Results are based on a sample of 1,875 homeowners, aged 35 to 65, who have at least 20 per cent home equity.
The findings come at a time when Canadian consumers continue to feel relatively insulated from America's economic troubles. A separate BMO report yesterday suggests while Americans piled up high debt and then cut spending as the housing market sagged, Canadian consumer confidence has remained relatively stable despite the deepening credit crunch. Deputy chief economist Douglas Porter said the optimism is being fuelled by low unemployment, rising wages, recent tax cuts and falling interest rates.
Consumer spending trends in Canada are showing some very real separation from the U.S., Porter said. While U.S. Canadian households still seem to see the economic damage as something unfolding in a far-off land." The credit crunch has also done little to stifle total household credit growth in this country, Porter said. And while he doesn't believe that consumers are overdoing it, he acknowledged the potential for risks. There are signs some consumers are more optimistic than others.
The Conference Board of Canada's February survey highlighted a decline in consumer confidence in Ontario because of the province's manufacturing-based woes. Those findings were echoed by a TNS Canadian Facts survey yesterday. It noted that "Ontario's vulnerability to a slowdown in the U.S.
Important keywords of article: , have, the, helc, majority, home, that, tns, woes, slowdown
