The Jim Henson Company Names Pajanimals Master Toy Licensee

LOS ANGELES: The Jim Henson Company has appointed TOMY International (formerly RC2/Learning Curve Brands) as the master toy licensee in the U.S. for its Pajanimals brand and characters.

Following the multi-year agreement, TOMY International will develop Pajanimals toys and products for the U.S. market featuring plush, nighttime projectors, monitors, nightlights, nap mats and playmats due out in the spring of 2013. The series airs exclusively in the U.S. on Sprout. The Jim Henson Company is handling all ancillary use of the property, including licensing, video and merchandising.

The series follows the adventures of four musical animal characters that were designed and built by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop from original concepts by Los Angeles-based toy and clothing designer, artist Jeff Muncy. It is produced in Northern Ireland as a co-production between The Jim Henson Company, the Sprout channel and Northern Ireland’s Sixteen South Television.

"We were very impressed with TOMY International’s strategy for Pajanimals and their understanding of the marketplace and believe that the company shares our vision and commitment for bringing these characters to young children and their parents as both entertainment and developmental tools," said Melissa Segal, the senior VP of global consumer products for The Jim Henson Company.

"We look forward to our continued partnership with The Jim Henson Company on Pajanimals and plan to provide appropriate parenting and play solutions that address everyday learning experiences for parents and their children," added Peter Henseler, the president of TOMY International.