Cute Toy Range Unveiled By Carte Blanche

Tatty Teddy and My Blue Nose Friends are hot property for 2012

Millions of children all over the world have already fallen in love with Tatty Teddy and My Blue Nose Friends, the cute blue-nose brands created by Carte Blanche.

The characters have become international best-sellers in the plush, gifting and apparel categories. They’re a huge hit online too, thanks to the new internet social game Me to You My Place.

With such a phenomenal following, Carte Blanche is responding to consumer demand by expanding Tatty Teddy and My Blue Nose Friends into the toy category. In collaboration with best-in-class licensees, an exciting new girls’ toy range will hit the shelves in Autumn 2012. The innovative, high-quality products range from interactive plush, collectable figures and play sets to outdoor play, role play, prams and pushchairs, craft kits, games and activity books.

Licensing partners for the toy range include Worlds Apart, Flair, HTI, Ravensburger, Raleigh, Alligator Books and Inspiration Works.

The toy launch will be backed by sponsorship and advertising on key children’s TV channels, as well as PR activity across digital and traditional media platforms. Carte Blanche believes this heavyweight integrated marketing strategy, combined with superb, stand-out products, will help Tatty Teddy and My Blue Nose Friends become the must-have toys for Christmas 2012.

Caroline Weaver, Carte Blanche Brand Manager, said: “Expansion into the toy category is the next logical step for Tatty Teddy and My Blue Nose Friends, but it’s a move we’ve considered very carefully. It has taken many months of research and planning to tailor our brands correctly for this market. We think the results are absolutely spectacular, combining the very latest toy technology with our loveable, fun and super-cute characters.”

The new range will include:

• Sleep Tight Tatty Teddy – an interactive bear which plays a soothing lullaby.  With a blue nose that glows in the dark.  Also interacts with Join In and Play My Blue Nose Friends
• Join In and Play My Blue Nose Friends – with ‘smart chat’ technology to enable conversations between Join In and Play My Blue Nose Friends.  Also interacts with Interactive Storytime Tatty Teddy, Sleep Tight Tatty Teddy, and the child
• Interactive Storytime Tatty Teddy with storybook and interactive technology. Also interacts with Join In and Play My Blue Nose Friends
• Dress Up Tatty Teddy – Fun experience with Tatty Teddy, creating cute looks from an all-occasion wardrobe.
• Tatty Teddy Music Player – a plush Tatty Teddy which can play music and stories (with generic plug to ensure compatibility with MP3 players)
• Tatty Teddy’s Heart House & Little Blue Motor Car are two exciting play sets to house the collectable figures from Worlds Apart

In the longer term, the brands are set to expand still further with a children’s book publishing programme and animated TV series, due to launch in 2013/14.

“Tatty Teddy and My Blue Nose Friends are already number one selling brands across gifting, apparel and celebration cakes,” added Caroline. “They are known, loved and trusted by children and parents. In the toy category, the possibilities are endless. It’s hugely exciting to be working with one of the hottest properties in the market today.”

Original article can be found here http://carteblanchegreetings.com/news/article/107967

Posted in Teddy Bear News

London 2012 Paralympic Games Teddy Bear by Merrythought

Following the great success of the London 2012 Olympic Games Commemorative Teddy Bear, released in July 2011, Merrythought have  announced the launch of the Official London 2012 Paralympic Games Commemorative Teddy Bear, which will go on sale Monday 5 December 2011 and can be ordered through their website or from Merrythought Stockists. They are also releasing a NEW ?Union Jack? colour-way in the core Olympic Games teddy bear design, which is predicted to become their fastest-selling version so far.

This delightful mohair teddy bear has been specially designed to commemorate the London 2012 Paralympic Games. He is based on a design from 1948, the year of the revolutionary Stoke Mandeville Games which inspired the Paralympic movement and, ultimately, our modern Paralympic Games.

Traditionally handmade in England by Merrythought, Britain?s oldest-remaining soft toy manufacturer, this special bear is made from the softest grey mohair and cream-coloured wool felt. His fully-moveable paws and hand-embroidered nose and smile really bring his personality to life, whilst a silky satin ribbon completes his look.

Sure to enchant anyone who takes him home, this adorable little bear represents a unique piece of London 2012 memorabilia. He is individually numbered and one of a Limited Edition of just 2012 pieces.

Dimensions (boxed): 205mm height x 140mm depth x 140mm width

Height of bear (standing): approx. 25cm

Core outer material: 100% mohair

Packaging: High quality, bespoke London 2012 presentation box

Limited Edition: 2012 pcs only

Place of Manufacture: England

The London 2012 Olympic Games Commemorative Teddy Bear (Union Jack)

Dimensions (boxed): 205mm height x 140mm depth x 140mm width

Height of bear (standing): approx. 25cm

Core outer material: 100% mohair

Packaging: High quality, bespoke London 2012 presentation box

Limited Edition: 2012 pcs only

Place of Manufacture: England

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Carte Blanche Launch Me To You My Place Website

Carte Blanche have released it’s own official website for the very popular Me To You My Place Facebook Game. It is FREE to play the game on their website and you don’t have to setup a Facebook account so great for kids and parents when safety on the internet is concerned. You can buy membership for either 1 month, 6 months or 12 months to unlock exclusive locations, get more coins etc. I don’t feel Carte Blanche should charge people to unlock extra features – they should give something back to their loyal fan, customers and collectors who have purchased their products over the years. Maybe do a loyalty scheme or get Unlock codes when you buy MBNF or other Tatty Teddy products.

Below are a couple of screenshots of the new Official website plus what the game actually looks like if you haven’t actually played it yet!

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Merrythought release Olympics Teddy Bears

Established in 1930, Merrythought is the UK’s oldest-remaining manufacturer of soft toys and has been hand-making the quintessential English teddy bear in Ironbridge, Shropshire for over 80 years. The company is a 4th generation family business and continues to produce every bear to the highest standard using techniques, which have barely altered since the 1930s. The Merrythought teddy bear is still widely regarded as the most classic of childhood toys, treasured by children and adult collectors across the globe. Nothing compares to a Merrythought,  each bear has a unique character and superior quality that can last a lifetime.

We are delighted to inform you that Merrythought are exclusively producing The Official London 2012 Olympic Games Commemorative Teddy Bear, which is to be launched by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Ltd (LOCOG) on 4th July 2011.

This limited edition teddy bear has been handmade in England by Merrythought, Britain’s oldest-remaining teddy bear factory. Based on a classic design from 1948, the year London last hosted the Olympic Games, this delightful bear is made from the finest gold mohair pile (the natural wool from Angora goat) using traditional methods that date back to the 1930s. His expressive eyes, hand-embroidered nose and fully-moveable joints give him a unique character, complimented by a luscious satin ribbon and bespoke black presentation box.

Dimensions (boxed): 205mm height x 140mm depth x 140mm width

Height of bear (standing): approx. 25cm

Core outer material: 100% mohair

Packaging: Bespoke London 2012 presentation box

Limited Edition Size: 2012pcs only of each colourway

Place of Manufacture: England

RRP: £79.95

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