Monday, 20 April 2009 Kids Give TWF toys the Thumbs Up! Thumb Wrestling Federation toys from Sambro sell in huge numbers
Bulldog Licensing, the licensing agent for Thumb Wrestling Federation: TWF, has announced details of huge sales for Sambro’s new range of TWF toys. TWF is the kids’ TV sensation that is sweeping the nation – the action-packed shorts feature bouts of thumb wrestling between 58 original characters fighting for two teams – the ‘Mighty Dexteras’ and the ‘Sinistras’ – in a classic good versus evil showdown. Created by Animation Collective, a leading independent creator of children’s entertainment in the US, the show is incredibly popular and is heavily featured across the BBC, which has shown all three series, with series four due to broadcast soon. The show has sparked a thumb wrestling craze and playgrounds across the UK are now full of kids locked in thumb to thumb combat! Sambro produces a range of TWF thumb masks and rings that are available right across UK retail including The Entertainer, Asda, Toys”R”Us, Borders, WH Smith and independent shops. The toys have completely exceeded expectations by selling more than an astonishing 250,000 units in the first quarter of 2009 alone! Sambro is not alone in the TWF ring as a host of other top licensees are involved: these include Panini for sticker books, Danilo for greetings cards and Aykroyds TDP for apparel, whilst publishing giant Random House have launched the official TWF ‘thumb book’. The brand is being backed up by a heavyweight promotional campaign, with forthcoming promotions confirmed in a wide range of high-circulation magazines aimed at a young audience. “The Sambro figures are incredible,” comments Bulldog Licensing MD Rob Corney, “and proof of the huge impact that TWF is having. The brand is absolutely red hot at present – it’s incredibly simple yet incredibly effective and kids just can’t get enough of it.”
For further information contact Jane Garner or Camilla Leask, Kilogrammedia
About Thumb Wrestling Federation: TWF TWF features hilarious, action-packed bouts of thumb wrestling between truly zany contestants. The short-format segments include one-minute wrestler bios, 45-second gags, and three-and-a-half-minute thumb wrestling matches. The competition revolves around 58 original characters who fight for two teams – the “Mighty Dexteras” and the “Sinistras” – in a match-up of good versus evil. For more about TWF, visit http://www.thumbwrestlingfederation.com.
About Bulldog Licensing Bulldog Licensing is recognised for bringing some of the best international properties to the U.K. for domestic licensing as well as for working with creative talent throughout the U.K. to develop properties for the international and domestic licensing markets. The company also works with the owners of existing British brands to develop international licensing programmes. Bulldog works with a number of companies across a diverse portfolio, including design-led brands such as “Little Ewe” and major kids’ television properties such as “Orsum Island,” currently in development at Shepperton Film Studios. Before founding Bulldog, the company’s managing director, Rob Corney worked at major licensing companies, developing programmes for worldwide brands including Thunderbirds, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Microsoft and Pokemon. He uses this experience to deliver strong commercial opportunities and adopts a hands-on approach, working with licensors, licensees and retailers to maximise the potential of each property.
About Animation Collective Animation Collective is a leading independent creator of children’s entertainment in the U.S., with original content in more than 38 countries and in 18 languages on platforms including television, broadband, wireless, books and consumer products. Larry Schwarz, the company’s founder and CEO, is the creator and executive producer of all of Animation Collective’s original series. Proprietary productions include: Kappa Mikey, MTVN and Nickelodeon's first global acquisition for Nicktoons Network and Nickelodeon; Three Delivery for Nicktoons Network, YTV and the BBC; Thumb Wrestling Federation: TWF for the Kids’ WB!, YTV and the BBC; and Ellen’s Acres for Cartoon Network, and ABC Australia. Work-for-hire productions include Speed Racer: The Next Generation for Nicktoons Network, and The Incredible Crash Dummies for 4KidsTV. Animation Collective is the largest provider of original content for KOL, America Online’s kids channel, and Red, its teen channel. |