Cradle Rock is Here

When we first spoke with Steve from Brash Music, we knew something good was brewing with what would become our newest client. This week marks the launch of our campaign to introduce “Cradle Rock” to the music industry; national, regional and local media, as well as “mom” bloggers from all over the country. Check it out:

What is Cradle Rock (http://www.cradlerockstore.com)? It’s a new series of children’s lullaby albums based on famous, iconic artists and albums in the country, rock and pop genres. The first three albums being released October 26th include Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” (creatively known as Thrillaby); also the greatest hits from Johnny Cash and chart topping singles from Kenny Chesney. So if your little rascal(s) are having trouble falling into dreamland, then pop on the albums featuring all sorts of “put your kids to sleep” sounds from soothing instruments such as the vibraphone, glockenspiel and mellotron.

Don’t know what a glockenspiel is? That’s ok…a kids version looks something like this:

Brash and partners at Tree Top Records are already developing new albums to add to the series including U2’s “The Joshua Sleep Tree,” Black Eyed Peas’ “Sleep-pea Hits” as well as lullaby albums inspired by Nickelback, Carrie Underwood and The Eagles to name a few.

The “Cradle Rock” albums are being distributed by The Warner Music Group, and you can pre-order at http://www.cradlerockstore.com. The albums will be available just in time for the Holidays through all digital distribution services like iTunes for $9.99, and at music retail outlets across the United States for $11.98.

CDs fit great in Christmas stockings BTW…hint hint…

-Dan TWW

Toy Book and Zmags

Toy Book Digitial Issue Easy on Eyes

Have you seen the newest digital issue of Toy Book? It’s a trade magazine we follow closely with our work in the toy and gift industry (i.e.: Aurora). They started using Zmags, the company behind the publishing software and I just felt the need to praise them and all the publications working with them — the magazines load quickly; it’s easy to read and search through and you can clip images and share them or articles (or the entire magazine) easily with friends and colleagues.

Like music transitioning to the digital world, all trades and consumer magazines need to get with it and offer digital versions of the print magazine through formats like Zmags.

-Fin

Dan/Tellem

Retailers GaGa For Aurora’s New Plush Lines

Did you know Aurora World Inc., most known for its YooHoo & Friends plush toys, releases six catalogs every year — spanning more than 3,000 products that cover just about every conceivable market segment? Most of the company’s award winning products come from its lines geared towards the babies, infants and toddlers in our lives.

We’ve just announced two brand new lines that took the Winter gift shows by storm (just like the East Coast snow-icanes!). Retailers are ordering entire lines from Aurora; most likely because the toy and gift manufacturer entices retail customers (that buy entire “collections”) with strong incentive programs.

Take a gander at these great product lines:

Jungle Babies -- Rattle Assortment ($4.99 each)

Jungle Babies come in a variety of styles including soft sculpture plush (10”, MSRP: $11.99), hanging picture frames (13”, MSRP: $9.99), adorable rattles (5”, MSRP: $4.99), blankees (14.5”x14.5”, MSRP: $9.99) and boy or girl room banners (42”, MSRP: $11.99). The plush, rattles and blankees are available in four styles including two elephants (for boy or girl), a monkey and giraffe.

Aurora’s Fleecy Friends fabric is ultra soft and the animals feature beans in their feet so they stand up without falling. From the company:

Made from supple plush and feature wonderful detailing like gingham insets, plush noses and embroidered accents. The body styles were designed to have a ‘carry-me-around’ appeal.

Fleecy Friends: mega-cute plush for your cutie

Fleecy Friends include pink and blue bears in two sizes (10” and 14”, MSRP: $11.99 and $15.99 respectively) as well as pink and blue puppies or bunnies (10”, MSRP: $11.99). “PJ Bears” in blue or pink (15”, $20.99) have a zipper in the back so mom or dad can keep baby’s pajamas/clothing inside while on the go. Rounding out the line is an assortment of bear, bunny and puppy rattles; each is available in pink or blue (6.5”, MSRP: $6.99).

Our personal favorites? These PJ Bears in pink or baby blue (a handy pouch for baby’s pajamas):

Aurora Files Lawsuit Targeting Beanie Baby Maker Ty, Inc.

We can see the headlines now… “Boo Humbug!!”

Aurora World, Inc., one of the world’s leading plush toy and gift manufacturers, today announced that it has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Ty, Inc. for copyright infringement and four other violations in regards to Aurora’s best selling plush line, YooHoo & Friends™. In the lawsuit, Aurora alleges that Ty’s Beanie Boos™ plush line infringes on YooHoo & Friends™.  The lawsuit also alleges claims against Ty based on violations of the Lanham Act and California Business and Professions Code, as well as common law misappropriation and unfair competition.

Aurora’s law firm, Greenberg Traurig, LLP, has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to be heard on December 14th in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.  A jury trial has been demanded.

Aurora’s YooHoo & Friends™ were created and based from endangered animals to help educate children and collectors about endangered species and their natural habitats. Aurora officially introduced the fluffy, big-eyed and whimsical plush animals in the United States around July of 2006. Since then, the line has expanded to include various sizes and themes, with more than 50 SKUs available at retail heading into 2010.

Aurora’s papers in support of its motion for a preliminary injunction include images comparing certain YooHoo & Friends™ characters with Beanie Boos™ characters and argue that the Beanie Boos™ are strikingly similar imitations of the YooHoo & Friends™ characters (see image).

Based on these similarities, Aurora contends that “Ty’s unlawful imitations of the YooHoo & Friends products and blatant infringement are damaging Aurora, not only by causing actual confusion and likelihood of confusion in the marketplace…but also by diminishing the value of the YooHoo & Friends products by diluting their distinct and unique nature and erroneously associating them with Ty rather than Aurora.”

Aurora created what is now one of the nation’s best selling plush lines – YooHoo & Friends™ – and its corresponding free, interactive web site (www.yoohoofriends.com), appealing to young children and tweens alike.

Check back for updates on what could be one of the biggest lawsuits in toy industry history.

YooHoo & Friends – Perfect Stocking Stuffer Gifts Under $20

With the holidays fast approaching, who isn’t looking for stocking stuffers that won’t break the bank? We’ve found some ideal gifts for kids of all ages and collectors too, and if you’ve been nice, we hope Santa will return the favor and get you one of these this year. It’s no surprise that Aurora’s plush toy line called YooHoo & Friends has skyrocketed to become the leading toy and gift manufacturer’s number one product category. We think the line has been extremely successful because of the:

• stand out design (based on endangered species but with a special and funky twist)
• affordable prices at retail (depending on size the MSRP’s range from $6.99 to $13.99)
• fun sounds, entertainment and educational value
• corresponding free, interactive web site http://yoohoofriends.com (and does not require activation codes).

The web site makes learning fun and is a safe destination for kids ages 5-12. It encourages kids to explore and investigate while learning about endangered species in their natural habitats. There are also many games using the characters as the focus. Based in Yootopia, kids can join YooHoo & Friends on magical journeys as they travel around the world. The web site also encourages parents and their children to value friendship, harmony, honesty and courage…the company says it is working to optimize the web site for all browsers by 2010.

With a line of more than 30 styles and growing fast, collectors love YooHoo & Friends. Not just for kids, people of all ages love YooHoo & Friends too. If you have never seen them in the stores around the country, the YooHoo & Friends line “pops” off of shelves thanks to the funky design. The dynamic color schemes, big eyes and long fluffy tails have been keys to the line’s success. Aurora also produces YooHoo & Friends themed for graduation or holidays like Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Easter.

There are variations on the line including YooHoo & Friends WannaBes (YooHoos dressed as other popular animals i.e.: pig, frog etc.).

Each of the YooHoo & Friends makes a fun and entertaining sound. While children play with the toy, mom and dad will appreciate the sounds making kids laugh and giggle, without the noises being overbearing for the parent.

You can purchase YooHoo & Friends online and check out other great Aurora products here. Available in five and eight inches, they’ll fit in those Christmas stockings.