files/pictures/picture-35.jpgPress Release from Bandai America Incorporated
CYPRESS, Calif. – September 13, 2011 – Bandai America Incorporated is introducing a new twist – literally – on classic track play for preschoolers with the debut of the Pocoyo SwiggleTraks Feature Set, now available at retail locations nationwide and online. The Pocoyo SwiggleTraks Feature Set encourages creative play for preschoolers ages one through three with a unique, flexible track that can bend, twist and extend to suit any child’s imagination. Inspired by the imaginative Pocoyo and his friends, the stars of the CGI animated series produced by Zinkia Entertainment, the Pocoyo SwiggleTraks Feature Set complements Bandai’s existing line of adorable Pocoyo plush, vehicles and bath toys.
Pocoyo is fast becoming the world’s most popular preschooler with a hit television series that entertains audiences on over 150 networks around the world, including Nick Jr., PBS and Univision in the U.S. The show follows the adventures of the fun-loving preschooler and his friends, Elly (the elephant), Pato (the duck) and Loula (the dog), and engages audiences with music, dance and humor, encouraging children to learn through laughter. Pocoyo has charmed parents and pop culture mavens as well: Pocoyo has amassed more than 50 million hits per month on its YouTube Channel, and more than 500 million hits in the last two years alone; he has 525,000 friends on Facebook; and 11 million unique visitors have experienced Pocoyo’s online virtual environment,
www.pocoyoworld.com .
Designed to inspire learning through laughter, the Pocoyo SwiggleTraks Feature Set empowers young children to create a track play set that is uniquely their own. The SwiggleTraks system features colorful, flexible track pieces that are simple to connect and easy to add onto, and comes with a motorized, musical Pocoyo vehicle, as well as a moving bridge that puts the exciting “swiggle” movement in SwiggleTraks.
“The Pocoyo SwiggleTraks Feature Set gives the enduring appeal of classic track and vehicle play a state-of-the-art twist with innovative, flexible pieces that add an entirely new dimension for kids,” said Tor Sirset, vice president of marketing for Bandai America Incorporated. “This is the toy of the season that’s going to charm everyone from the curious preschooler, to the savvy parent, to the nostalgic grandparent.”
“The Pocoyo SwiggleTraks system is a meaningful brand extension for Zinkia, complementing the current toys available by offering kids endless creative opportunities to engage with the characters and the stories they tell,” said Maria Doolan, managing director, brand and business development for Zinkia Entertainment. “Through the show, DVDs from NCircle Entertainment and licensed products like Bandai’s toy line, we’ve seen the Pocoyo phenomenon grow significantly to reach millions of preschoolers and parents worldwide.”
In addition to offering delightful, dynamic action, the SwiggleTraks system offers meaningful playtime for preschoolers and parents. Said Kendy Gioia, early childhood development expert and director of the Bandai Preschool Lab, “The SwiggleTraks system not only offers toddlers the chance to engage in independent, self-directed play, but also encourages fine motor skill and cognitive development, like the use of hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity to connect the flexible pieces and control the moving track. These activities are beneficial in preparing preschoolers for the more refined skills needed in school.”
Other fun and beneficial toys in the Pocoyo line include:
· 10-Inch Basic Plush: Preschoolers can take a cuddly 10” Pocoyo plush wherever they go!
· 6-Inch Mini-Plush Assortment: Smaller-sized versions of plush Pocoyo, Elly, Pato and Loula are the perfect size for the purse or diaper bag.
· Squeeze n’ Play (musical plush): Plush Pocoyo, Elly and Pato play popular musical sounds from the show when preschoolers squeeze their tummies or drum.
· Bath Fun 3-Pack: 2.5-inch bath fun figures of Pocoyo, Elly and Pato make bath time a blast! Pocoyo and Elly squirt water and Pato floats.
· Water Taxi: Scuba Pocoyo and friends can float in the tub or be pushed along the floor for bath time fun.
· Bump N’ Go vehicle: Pocoyo zooms around in his racing car while music plays! If the car hits an obstacle, it stops, moves back and makes a U-turn to keep on going.
The Pocoyo toy line from Bandai America Incorporated is now available at retail locations nationwide, including Toys “R” Us, select Walmart stores and Amazon.com. For more information about the Pocoyo toy line, please visit
www.bandai.com/pocoyo , or visit
www.SwiggleTraks.com for retailer information for the Pocoyo SwiggleTraks Feature Set.
About Bandai America Incorporated
A leader in developing engaging, quality toys that capture children’s imaginative spirit and provide endless “Fun For The Future,” Bandai America Incorporated is the manufacturer and master toy licensee of some of the most popular brands in children’s toys and interactive entertainment today. The Bandai America brand family includes Power Rangers®, ThunderCats™, Ben 10™ and Pocoyo™, among other boys, girls, preschool and hobby product lines. Bandai America Incorporated is a subsidiary of NAMCO BANDAI Holdings (USA) Inc., an entity that resulted from the integration of Namco Ltd. and Bandai Co. Ltd. of Japan. Global interests encompassthree strategic business units: Toys and Hobby, Amusement Facility and Contents. The company is headquartered in Cypress, California. Find out more about our expertise in connecting with kids in fun and fresh ways at
www.Bandai.com .
About Zinkia Entertainment
Specializing in the creation and management of distinct entertainment properties for today’s global marketplace, Zinkia Entertainment, founded in 2001, is celebrating its tenth anniversary as a leader in the production and development of content for all media platforms to engage, entertain and educate children of all cultures. Zinkia is the exclusive worldwide licensor of the global brand sensation, POCOYO. The Company is currently developing new properties including MOLA NOGURU and THE FISHTALE SAGA. In April 2011, Zinkia acquired a 51% stake in London-based family entertainment company Cake Entertainment. Headquartered in Madrid, the company also operates offices in Peking, China.
