HIT Ent. has appointed Fisher-Price, Inc. as the global master toy licensee for THOMAS & FRIENDS, the world's top preschool property for boys, in a multi-territory, multi-year deal.
Under the terms of the agreement, Fisher-Price, a division of toy company, Mattel, Inc., will be bringing together some of THOMAS & FRIENDS' core category rights and will begin using its world-wide distribution capability to enhance and grow the long term business for this iconic brand. The first line of products will be available in 2010 and will expand as existing licensees' rights expire across key toy categories.
Fisher-Price has been granted the global rights for THOMAS & FRIENDS, excluding Japan, on:
-- Vehicles, figures and play-sets, including die cast vehicles and play sets, and the TrackMaster train system-- Preschool toys, including electronic learning and developmental toys-- Plush, games, puzzles, role play and water toys-- Battery-powered ride-ons-- Plastic pedal tricycles (North and South America and Asia only)
THOMAS & FRIENDS is in 185 territories and is broadcast in 45 languages around the world. HIT will celebrate 65 years of THOMAS in 2010.
The Wooden track system rights remain with RC2.
