Leading independent kids producer HIT Ent. has announced the appointment of Funtastic Limited as the THOMAS & FRIENDS Trackmaster Distribution Partner for Australia. Funtastic will oversee the transition from the THOMAS & FRIENDS Motor Road and Rail track system to the new Trackmaster play system, which is due for launch in 2009. Funtastic will also continue to distribute the Tomy THOMAS & FRIENDS Pre-School Range.
Funtastic has been instrumental in making THOMAS AND FRIENDS the second largest Infant & Preschool property in Australia and the fourth-largest property in the entire Australian toy market (based on GFK Australia figures week ending Dec. 30, 2007). THOMAS & FRIENDS' phenomenal year in Australia culminated with more than 100,000 people seeing the recent THOMAS & FRIENDS Live Stage Show.
A HIT licensee for over 10 years, Funtastic has been an important partner in the pre-school toys, homewares, apparel, accessories and footwear categories.
HIT has also recently announced changes to the THOMAS AND FRIENDS production and programming schedule, including the signing of Pierce Brosnan as the new narrator. Also, for the first time, THOMAS & FRIENDS will be shot in high-definition format.
