CNE Names New Partners for Ben 10 Alien Force
By amoody
Created 02/16/2009 - 01:00
As one of the top-selling brands in the boys' action space, BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE will welcome three new partners in the hardlines space. Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE), the licensing and merchandising arm of the kids cable network, has signed Basic Fun, The Canadian Group and Dynatch to the brand and each will create a range of products for the hit Cartoon Network original series.
Debuting at retail this spring, Basic Fun will launch highly detailed figural keychains based on the boy hero, Ben Tennyson as well as some of his 10 alien alter-egos, while The Canadian Group will release ColorUps, Magnetic Creations and temporary tattoos. Available this fall will be a complete range of 2-D and 3-D projectors, flashlights and snow sleds courtesy of newly announced partner, Dynatech. These items all add to a tremendously successful toy line from master toy partner Bandai America Inc., which will also feature new items this fall.
After great success with a line based on the BEN 10 original series, the BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE toy line from Bandai America debuted in fall 2008 and performed phenomenally becoming one of the top 10 action figure brands, according to market information company The NPD Group (based on dollar volume in the Action Figures & Accessories Supercategory). This year, Bandai America will once again build on this success for its top-selling, global toy line with the debut of new alien action figures and a lineup of role-play, vehicle and play-set toys launching in the fall that enables kids to play out the series' adventures on their own. Key new items in the Bandai toy line include:
-- Omnitrix Hero Collection: The latest secret weapon in the battle against aliens, the Omnitrix Hero Collection delivers an Omnitrix more powerful than ever. Featuring an exclusive Ultimate Omnitrix with a vac-metalized bezel, this collection includes 10 translucent mini figures kids need to unlock the Omnitrix's special light and sound effects. The figure-packed collection also includes an exclusive Alien X mini figure that is not available anywhere else.
-- Alien Creation Time Attack: Kids can test their alien design skills with the Alien Creation Time Attack playset. Kids race against a timer as they piece together alien torsos and limbs to recreate figures based on alien combo cards. If time runs out, the tray pops up along with all the alien pieces. Keep the challenge going by adding additional figures to the playset and creating additional alien combo cards online. The playset includes three alien figures and 10 alien combo cards, as well as a special key to unlock figures.
-- Upgrade Gunship: The Upgrade Gunship allows Ben and his crew to embark on all-new out of this world adventures. Equipped with rockets and missiles, this spaceship is prepared to take on any attack and can transform into three smaller spaceships. The Upgrade Gunship includes an exclusive figure of Ship, a popular sidekick character from the Planet Galvin B.
-- As one of the top-rated Cartoon Network original series for boys since debuting in April 2008, BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE is the latest chapter in the continuing Ben 10 saga and picks up the story five years later when 15-year-old Ben Tennyson chooses to once again put on the OMNITRIX and discovers that he can now transform him into 10 brand new aliens. Joined by his super-powered cousin Gwen Tennyson and his equally powerful former enemy Kevin Levin, Ben is on a mission to find his missing Grandpa Max. In order to save his Grandpa, Ben must defeat the evil DNALIENS, a powerful alien race intent on destroying the galaxy, starting with planet Earth. New episodes of BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE debut on Cartoon Network on Friday nights at 9:30 p.m. (ET/PT) with replays throughout the week.
