MALIBU, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAKK) announced today that it has secured a licensing agreement with LAFIG and Sony Pictures Consumer Products to produce toys and related products based on the Smurfs franchise including the classic Smurfs brand and the upcoming Smurfs feature film premiering in August 2016. The worldwide, master toy agreement includes rights to produce figures, playsets, plush and more.
“We are pleased with the opportunity to partner once again with LAFIG and Sony Pictures Consumer Products to produce toys based on this enduring franchise,” said John Blaney, Executive Vice President, Marketing, JAKKS Pacific. “Smurfs is a powerhouse property, loved by generations, with a robust global fan base. LAFIG and Sony have done a tremendous job with the evolution of the franchise, keeping it fresh and relevant to today’s consumer, and we look forward to bringing innovative ideations of this treasured property to fans around the world.”
“With the release of the film next summer and the continuing brand awareness of the Smurfs as a global brand, we are confident JAKKS is the right partner to continue to distribute and develop new and innovative toy products that excite today’s consumer,” said Greg Economos, Senior Vice President, Sony Pictures Consumer Products.
“JAKKS Pacific has been our Smurfy partner on the brand for over seven years and has honored the tradition of over 50 years of Smurfs history. We are happy to have them be on board to keep that legacy ongoing,” said Véronique Culliford, President, LAFIG.
The new Smurfs toys from JAKKS Pacific will be available at retailers nationwide in Fall 2015.
About Peyo, LAFIG Belgium/IMPS
IMPS, together with LAFIG Belgium, are the official licensors of the little blue-skinned characters ‘The Smurfs.’ Over the years, IMPS has worked in close collaboration with its agents worldwide to develop successful licensed merchandising, retail and co-branded promotions, publishing activities and broadcasting deals that have secured the everlasting success of the Smurfs. IMPS is run by Véronique Culliford, the daughter of Pierre Culliford, the creator of the Smurfs, who is better known under his pseudonym Peyo. Véronique has run IMPS since 1984 and controls with LAFIG Belgium the rights to the Smurfs characters and the Smurfs licensing worldwide.
About Sony Pictures Consumer Products
Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP) is the licensing and merchandising division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) is a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products with a wide range of products that feature popular brands and children's toy licenses. JAKKS’ diverse portfolio includes Action Figures, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, Halloween Costumes, Kids Furniture, Vehicles, Plush, Art Activity Kits, Seasonal Products, Infant/Pre-School, Construction Toys, Ride-On Vehicles, Wagons, Inflatable Environments and Tents, Impulse Toys and Pet Products sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS Pacific®, Road Champs®, Funnoodle®, JAKKS Pets™, Plug It In & Play TV Games™, Kids Only!®, Tollytots®, Disguise®, Moose Mountain® and Maui®. JAKKS is also the creator of the underlying Monsuno® property and toy line. JAKKS is an award-winning licensee of several hundred nationally and internationally known trademarks including Nickelodeon®, Warner Bros.®, DC Comics and Saban’s Power Rangers®. DreamPlay Toys, LLC is a joint venture between JAKKS Pacific, Inc. and NantWorks LLC to develop, market and sell toys and related consumer products incorporating NantWorks’ proprietary iD recognition technology. www.jakks.com
This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
© 2015 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All rights reserved.
