LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tokyo-based Bandai Co., Ltd. and Los Angeles-based Sync Beatz Entertainment today named multi-talented actress Jennette McCurdy to serve as the official Brand Ambassador for Tamagotchi L.i.f.e., the lifestyle line of products inspired by the iconic handheld toy.
The popular performer, best known for her role as Sam Puckett on the hit Nickelodeon shows iCarly and Sam & Cat, will become the face of Tamagotchi L.i.f.e., representing the property and participating in a marketing campaign that will reach fans of her work as well as the millions of young adults who grew up loving the Tamagotchi brand. McCurdy will play an active role in promoting Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. through her impressive social media fan base as well as through conventional media, and host the winner of the Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. Tap and Hatch “Win a Spa Day With Jennette McCurdy in Hollywood!” Sweepstakes, which kicks off with today’s announcement.
McCurdy began her television career guest starring on several hit shows including MADtv, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Malcolm in the Middle, and Will & Grace before landing the role of Sam Puckett alongside Miranda Cosgrove in Nickelodeon’s iCarly.
Most recently, 4.8 million fans welcomed McCurdy and Sam & Cat into their homes weekly, tuning in to new episodes of the series which centers on the girls becoming roommates and starting their own babysitting business. A strong believer in giving back to the community, Jennette also uses her star power to draw attention to philanthropic campaigns such as Invisible Children Inc. and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
"I am so excited to be working with Tamagotchi L.i.f.e., a brand that brings to mind such great memories from my childhood," said McCurdy.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Jennette to the Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. family,” said Naruo Uchida, CEO, Sync Beatz Entertainment. “She encompasses everything our brand is about, making her the perfect representative. She’s stylish, fun and has a real commitment to pro-social/charitable activity – just like our fans.”
This alliance comes on the same day that the iOS release of the new freemium app, Tamagotchi L.i.f.e.: Tap and Hatch launches. Already available for Android devices, Tap and Hatch, developed by Tokyo-based Namco Bandai Games, assembles over 110 adorable Tamagotchi characters – introduced throughout the popular toy’s rich 17-year history – to create a unique puzzle adventure. The premise is simple: connect three blocks to make them disappear and help your Tamagotchi grow. The more blocks cleared, the more your Tamagotchi advances, which also unlocks additional collectible characters. The app contains more than 100 levels and incorporates a social media tool which enables users to engage friends in cooperative play.
Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. Tap and Hatch follows the successful 2013 launch of the Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. app (generating more than 3 million downloads) and, most recently, the Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. Angel app, an authentic recreation of the second most popular series of all time with a contemporary spin. Tap and Hatch is the latest entry in the Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. brand, a line of lifestyle products that embodies the spirit and attributes of that original experience and targets its original Tamagotchi user base, who, today, are active young adults.
Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. Tap and Hatch is now available for download in the iTunes Store http://bit.ly/1jCToQs as well as in the Google Play Store http://bit.ly/1nXP9oC
About Bandai Co., Ltd.
Dedicated to “Fostering Dreams and Delivering Inspiration,” Tokyo-based Bandai Co., Ltd., one of the world’s largest toy companies, manufactures engaging toys that captivate the imagination and provide endless fun and entertainment through some of the most popular brands in children’s toys and interactive entertainment today. Bandai Co., Ltd. is part of NAMCO BANDAI Holdings, Inc., whose global interests encompass three strategic business units: Toys and Hobby, Content and Amusement Facility. The Toys and Hobby unit’s product lineup includes toys, candy toys, cards, vending machine capsule products (Gashapon), plastic models, apparel, lifestyle goods and other products. The company’s mid-term strategy focuses on “Globalization” through the nucleus of its business – the Character Merchandising business model.
About Sync Beatz Entertainment
Representing such respected consumer product organizations as Bandai Co., Ltd. (Tamagotchi) and Banpresto Co., Ltd. (Kapi•Bara•San), Sync Beatz Entertainment is a full service marketing organization that creates strategic growth for IP owners by employing traditional and digital media along with consumer product expertise to introduce branded products to the United States marketplace.
About Tamagotchi L.i.f.e.
The Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. brand is a lifestyle brand that puts a contemporary take on the original, beloved Tamagotchi brand that was established in 1997. Originally launched in early November 2012, with the establishment of a Website and fan pages, the brand expanded with the establishment of the philanthropic, “Hometown Heroes” program in January 2013, followed by the launch of the Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. app in early 2013. In the Fall of 2013, Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. announced apparel licensing agreements with Evy of California, Inc. and Mighty Fine, Inc. to produce brand inspired apparel for Juniors, with initial product already at retail.
Bandai logo: ® and © 2014 Bandai. Tamagotchi:©BANDAI, WiZ.
Tamagotchi
L.i.f.e. Tap and Hatch app: ©2014 NBGI.
The toy concept and
products of Tamagotchi are developed by Bandai Co., Ltd. and WiZ Co.,
Ltd. jointly.
