PLAYMATES TOYS NAMED MASTER TOY LICENSEE FOR MEXICAN WRESTLING PHENOMENON LUCHA LIBRE AAA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Burbank, CA (Oct. 5, 2009) - Cookie Jar Group's global licensing division, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group (CPLG), the North American licensing agent for Lucha Libre USA and the Lucha Libre AAA league, has signed Playmates Toys, Inc. as the master toy licensee for the popular wrestling brand. Playmates Toys will create a line of toys and collectibles that reflects the energy and excitement of this longtime Mexican wrestling sensation.
For the first time ever in North America, Playmates Toys, will launch the officially-sanctioned, Lucha Libre AAA exclusive toy and collectibles line in Fall 2010. It will include highly-detailed and fully-articulated Luchador action figures, authentic role-play masks and feature rich play sets, so that kids and collectors alike can experience the colorful and exciting action of Lucha Libre AAA.
Lucha Libre has been an unstoppable phenomenon in Mexico for over 75 years. Loved by fans of all ages, only Lucha Libre AAA delivers the high-flying action and outlandish antics of Mexico's beloved Luchadores. With almost 50 million Hispanic-Americans in the U.S. and an already established professional wrestling fan base, Lucha Libre AAA is a rapidly-growing success on this side of the border. In addition to the upcoming line of toys and collectibles, Cookie Jar Entertainment will distribute the first English-language Lucha Libre AAA television series in the U.S.
"I believe that Playmates' experience in the action figure business is perfectly suited to meet the expectations of the Lucha Libre AAA fan base. We look forward to seeing our legendary wrestlers such as La Parka, Octagon and Cibernetico on the shelves at retail," said Louis Silverstein Managing Partner, Lucha Libre USA.
"Lucha Libre AAA holds a unique position in the exploding entertainment fighting arena with its iconic and idolized masked heroes and villains and the high-energy acrobatic fighting. Playmates Toys looks forward to capturing the gripping excitement of Lucha Libre AAA where fans can relive their fascination with the dynamic sport with its many underdogs turned champions," said André Lake Mayer, Vice President, Strategic Alliances for Playmates Toys.
"Cookie Jar Group is excited to have Playmates Toys on board as the master toy licensee for Lucha Libre AAA," said Kirk Bloomgarden, EVP Worldwide Consumer Products, Cookie Jar Group. "They have created toy and collectible lines for some of the world's top brands and we believe that they are the ideal partner to help make Lucha Libre AAA a great success at retail throughout North America."
About Lucha Libre USA
For over 18 years Lucha Libre AAA has been the premier wrestling league in Mexico with the most famous wrestlers, and enjoys a near 80% share of ticket sales domestically. Lucha Libre as an art form is much beloved by the Latino culture, and is one of the most popular live events in Mexico after soccer, selling millions of tickets to a mass audience composed of families from across the socioeconomic strata.
Lucha Libre USA's mission is to introduce Americans to the phenomenon that is Mexican wrestling Lucha Libre. Currently Lucha Libre AAA is broadcast every weekend on Galavision/Univision. In June 2009 a one-hour syndicated series "Luchamania" was launched on regional Hispanic U.S. broadcasters. Lucha Libre USA regularly produces live events in major US arena's featuring Lucha Libre AAA.
About Playmates Toys Inc.
For over 40 years, Playmates Toys, Inc., has been among the most well respected and innovative marketing and distribution companies in the global toy industry with a proven history in the creation of innovative and imaginative products as well as the development and management of profitable, long-term brand franchises. Key brands include Paramount Studios/CBS "Star Trek", Warner Bros. "TERMINATOR: SALVATION" and 4Kids Entertainment/Mirage Licensing's "TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES" and 4Kids Entertainment/"YU-GI-OH & DINOSAUR KING, Nickelodeon's iCARLY and H2O, DISNEY FAIRIES and Hallmarks' RAINBOW BRITE." From its offices in Hong Kong, China and the United States, Playmates designs, develops, markets and distributes its products in over 60 countries worldwide.
About Cookie Jar Group
Cookie Jar Group is a Canadian-based global children's entertainment, consumer products and education company dedicated to excellence. Through Cookie Jar Entertainment, the company is a leader in the creation, production, marketing and licensing of evergreen character brands that appeal to kids and families worldwide. Cookie Jar Entertainment's library of nearly 6,000 half-hour episodes features some of the world's most recognizable brands, including "Strawberry Shortcake", "Caillou", "Inspector Gadget", "The Doodlebops", "Arthur" and "Johnny Test". The company owns non-character based brands for licensing such as Mommy & Me. Through its full-service global licensing division, Copyright Promotions Licensing Group, Cookie Jar Group represents numerous third-party iconic brands. Cookie Jar Group also has a one-third interest in international children’s television channel Kidsco. Cookie Jar Education, based in Greensboro, North Carolina, is one of North America's largest providers of supplemental education materials, reaching nearly 2,000 teachers across the United States, through the Carson-Dellosa and HighReach Learning brands.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brook Hefner/Cookie Jar Entertainment
(818) 955-5454; bhefner@cjar.com
