HIT Awards Aardman Toy License to JAKKS

NEW YORK: HIT Entertainment has struck a deal for JAKKS Pacific to manufacture and market a full line of products for Aardman Animation’s Timmy Time and Shaun the Sheep for the U.S. and Canada.

Properties will include plush, electronic learning toys, figures and playsets. JAKKS may also produce stationery activity sets, craft activity sets and musical instruments.

Timmy Time follows a little lamb as he leaves the pasture for preschool. The new Timmy Time products, targeted to kids 2 to 5, are slated to launch in fall 2010 following Timmy Time‘s anticipated broadcast debut on Playhouse Disney. The teen/tween property Shaun the Sheep watches a little sheep with a big personality as he leads his flock into all types of mischief. Shaun the Sheep has aired on The Disney Channel since July 2007. Shaun the Sheep items, including feature collectible figures and novelty plush for teens and tweens, are expected to launch in 2010.

"We are thrilled to partner with JAKKS Pacific to introduce Timmy Time and Shaun the Sheep toys and games for the first time to the U.S. and Canada," said Gary Krakower, the senior VP of U.S. licensing and live events for HIT Entertainment. "JAKKS Pacific, like Aardman Animations, has built a reputation on innovation and originality. We’re sure preschoolers will embrace Timmy, as older kids around the world will embrace Shaun, and we are excited to work with JAKKS on product development for these two unique properties. JAKKS’ strength in toys, Aardman’s strength in development and HIT’s licensing expertise make this a winning combination!"

"JAKKS is very pleased to align with Aardman and HIT to launch the Timmy Time and Shaun the Sheep products," commented Jennifer Richmond, the senior VP of licensing and media for JAKKS Pacific. "We will work to develop fun items based on these two dynamic properties for their key audiences that really embody the unique characters and properties for consumers at retail."