Closed at $6.75CDN. Volume 12K. 2/14/00 News
IRWIN TOY LTD ("IWT-TM") - Launches Action Figures from One of North America's - Hottest New Cartoon Series - DRAGONBALL Z
Irwin Toy, Canada's largest toy manufacturer and distributor, continued its aggressive thrust into the U.S. and global markets with the DRAGONBALL Z action figures at the American International Toy Fair, New York City.
DRAGONBALL Z, the Japanese, anime-style cartoon series from FUNimation Productions, on which the action figures and accessories are based, broke records at The Cartoon Network last September, for the largest household audience, and again on October 1, 1999, attracting the network's biggest kid's audience in its history (6-11 yrs).
Irwin Toy acquired the rights as the Master Toy Licensee in North America, Australia and New Zealand for DRAGONBALL Z, amidst strong competition from industry leaders in the toy trade. This positions the company for their newly initiated, strategic, global marketing program.
Said Irwin Toy President and CEO, George Irwin, "The success of Dragonball Z action figures and accessories will come from our close partnership with The Cartoon Network and the knowledge we have gained from our earlier, successful experience with Sailor Moon. The key, we discovered, was program scheduling. These Japanese-originating cartoons are designed in series format. In order to gain and grow a faithful audience, a five-day, regular time slot is absolutely necessary. It's proved to be a great success in the popularity of our Sailor Moon figures and accessories, and certainly the Dragonball Z series currently running on The Cartoon Network is building a very strong, faithful and growing audience across the country."
The DRAGONBALL Z cartoon series that has developed an almost fanatical following is carried on the YTV Network in Canada.
Fashioned from these celluloid heroes, Irwin has extended the line with this year's launch of a colorful, high-quality series of DRAGONBALL Z characters in a 5" action figure size that features superior detailing, removable accessories and improved articulation.
Along with the 5" collection, the company also introduced a Deluxe version of 5 inchers that features one of the series' most powerful weapons-Powerballs! Available with select characters, the Powerballs can be launched from the hands of the special 5" figures and sent safely flying towards their target. (A tiny switch hidden on the back of the figures activates a spring-loaded mechanism which propels the balls towards would-be enemies of Earth.)
Irwin Toy also unveiled a battery-powered, Flying Nimbus Cloud, which includes exclusive Goku and Gohan action figures. A unique version of magic-carpet-like travel, the Flying Nimbus Cloud actually hovers without ever touching the ground.
"This toy really has the all-important 'magic' element," said Irwin Toy marketing manager, Bret Dilabbio. "When kids see this, they're going to get very excited! It really does float along on nothing but air."
Irwin Toy is also launching an exciting die-cast line of vehicles with collector capsules. These die-cast vehicles come with their own exclusive DRAGONBALL Z mini-figure inside.
To tie in closely with the company's new corporate and brand equity management plans, Irwin Toy begins an aggressive marketing campaign in markets across the U.S. Australia, New Zealand and Canada to coincide with the launch.
The American International Toy Fair runs February 13-17th, 2000.
The Irwin Toy Showroom is located at 1115 Broadway at 25th, on the 3rd floor.
*Please see www.irwintoynews.com for visuals of high resolution action figures for use by the media as well as other news updates and information from the Irwin Toy Showroom in New York.
For further information to the media and interviews with George Irwin please contact: TEL: (416) 483-4939 Laura Goldstein, Publicist E-mail: laura@lauragoldstein-pr.com
DBZ diecast vehicles. I can feel my wallet getting lighter already.
Jack |
