Big Idea Entertainment, the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters and brands, today announced that it will expand the licensing program for its popular VeggieTales brand by introducing a fresh new crop of merchandise.
Press Release from Big Idea Entertainment
FRANKLIN, TN - Big Idea Entertainment, the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters and brands, today announced that it will expand the licensing program for its popular VeggieTales brand by introducing a fresh new crop of merchandise. The Company has recently inked deals with several new licensing partners across key categories, including kids meal promotions with Chick-fil-A, shaped Mylar and latex balloons from CTI Industries, wooden puzzles and trains from the American Puzzle Company, plush pillow and blanket combinations from Zoobies in addition to deals with Victory Designs (children’s guitars) and Tabbies (index tabs, stickers, temporary tattoos and wall clings). The brand-new VeggieTales products hit retail as early as January 2011!
These new licensees join the current roster of premium VeggieTales partners including, Dynamic Displays (parade and event inflatables), Talicor (puzzles and games), Kids Stuff Marketing (regional and catalog QSR products offerings), Cranston (cotton fabrics) and Northwest Company (bedding, blankets and throws).
“Over the past year, we have experienced phenomenal growth in the VeggieTales licensing program and are honored to continue relationships with top quality partners and introduce new ones as well,“ said Brian Mitchell, Director of Marketing and Licensing for Big Idea Entertainment. “All of these family-oriented consumer products are in line with the lasting values and meaningful lessons found in each VeggieTales adventure and we couldn’t be more thrilled to be bringing them to fans of VeggieTales nationwide!”
Eat and Play with Your VeggiesBig Idea is once again partnering with Strottman International, Kid’s Meal agency for Chick-fil-A (http://www.chick-fil-a.com/), on a VeggieTales Kids Meal promotion set for August 2011 that will reach up to 5 million consumers. The promotion includes five different audio adventures on CD available as premiums with each Kids Meal, plus VeggieTales themed “Family Night Events” held in select markets. Chick-fil-A is one of the largest privately held restaurant chains—with more than 1,500 locations in 38 states—and the second largest quick service chicken restaurant chain in the nation based on annual sales.
Up, Up and Away with VeggieTales!CTI Industries (http://www.ctiindustries.com/) will launch a line of VeggieTales shaped Mylar balloons and latex balloons in grocery and mass market retail in Spring 2011. CTI, which has been manufacturing metalized balloons since 1977 and was the first company to introduce and mass produce the product, is now offering products in the United States and in over 30 other countries.
Wood You Like to Solve the Puzzle?The American Puzzle Company (http://www.americanpuzzlecompany.com/) will release a variety of unique multi-level layered wooden puzzles and wooden toy trains with VeggieTales characters and themes in spring 2011. Combining a heritage of fine wood working with state-of-the-art technology to craft the finest wooden puzzles in the world, American Puzzle Company is a family owned and operated manufacturing company located in New London, Missouri.
Snuggle Up with Bob and Larry!Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber are ready to travel to sleepovers and family trips this spring in a lovable plush pillow and blanket combination from Zoobies (http://www.zoobies.com/). Zoobie Pets were created by two young brothers who shared a similar desire to invent something for kids that was fun, innovative and functional. Zoobies is a manufacturer of plush animals that are safe for children and transform into pillows and blankets. They are a proud member of the Toy Industry Association (TIA).
About Big Idea EntertainmentBig Idea Entertainment is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters and brands. Since 1993, Big Idea’s best-selling animated series VeggieTales has sold 54+ million videos, 13 million books and more than 7 million CDs. VeggieTales and Big Idea’s property, 3-2-1 Penguins!, enjoyed four seasons as top-rated series on NBC Saturday mornings, Telemundo and ION TV via the qubo children’s programming block. The studio's two theatrical releases, Jonah-A VeggieTales Movie (2002), and Universal Pictures' and Big Idea's The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything-A VeggieTales Movie (2008), are distinguished among the top ten most successful faith-based films of all time. Big Idea also maintains an extensive presence in publishing, licensing and live entertainment arenas. For more information on Big Idea, visit: www.bigidea.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
