BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Building on its mission to bring the best Pokémon experiences to fans around the world, The Pokémon Company International announced the appointment of Wicked Cool Toys as master toy licensee for the globally popular Pokémon brand, starting in July 2018. Wicked Cool Toys will have the rights to manufacture and market action figures, play sets, plush, roleplay items, and other toys based on the hit Pokémon animated series in worldwide markets, excluding regions in Asia where the brand is managed by The Pokémon Company International’s parent organization, The Pokémon Company.
“Pokémon is one of the most beloved entertainment properties in the world, and Wicked Cool Toys is thrilled to become part of that legacy,” said Michael Rinzler, co-president of Wicked Cool Toys.
“We can’t wait to deliver innovative and fun toys that embody the joy of Pokémon to kids and the brand’s millions of passionate fans around the world,” said Jeremy Padawer, co-president of Wicked Cool Toys.
The Pokémon Company International also announced it has become a strategic investor in Wicked Cool Toys and will have a seat on the toy company’s board of directors. This new partnership will allow for enhanced collaboration in the development of Pokémon toys with the growing toy company. The investment in Wicked Cool Toys is in line with the strategic partnership approach The Pokémon Company International engaged in with Niantic Inc., the developers and publishers of Pokémon GO.
“Toys are a major part of Pokémon’s mission to bring the fun and joy of the brand to kids and fans around the world, and we’re excited to welcome Wicked Cool Toys to the Pokémon family as its master toy licensee,” said Colin Palmer, vice president of Marketing & Licensing at The Pokémon Company International. “Wicked Cool Toys is a growing company, and we’re thrilled to build a strategic partnership with them through both collaboration and financial investment.”
TOMY will continue to be a key licensing partner for the Pokémon brand and will produce select items as well as products inspired by Pokémon video games, such as the popular Pokémon Z-Ring, which interacts with the mega hits Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, currently available for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
The development of Pokémon toys from Wicked Cool Toys will begin immediately, with the first products expected to arrive at retail locations in fall 2018.
About Pokémon
The Pokémon Company International, a subsidiary of The Pokémon Company in Japan, manages the property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.
About Wicked Cool Toys
Founded in 2012, Wicked Cool Toys (Wicked Cool Toys LLC/WCT) is a leader in play that creates, designs, manufactures, and markets an innovative and fun portfolio of toys for all ages. With offices in Bristol, PA; Santa Monica, CA; Hong Kong, and China, their portfolio includes both licensed and proprietary brands, including Pokémon, Cabbage Patch Kids®, Teddy Ruxpin, GSUSA® (Girl Scouts), MasterChef Junior, WWE®, Wild Kratts, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®, Blaze, Shimmer and Shine, Xtreme Cycle, Cat Paw, and My Girl’s Dollhouse. Visit www.wickedcooltoys.com and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. www.facebook.com/wickedcooltoys @wickedcooltoys
