An actual Viva Piata ... piata?
It's natural really. American Greetings has signed a deal with 4Kids Entertainment to create, ahem, "social expression products" based on Microsoft's would be Pokémon killer, Viva Piñata. These products are to include stickers, gift wrap, gift bags, greeting cards, Christmas ornaments, and (drum roll please) party goods! Oh please, let them make honest-to-God piñatas. I actually saw a Viva Piñata branded piñata while picking up my copy of GOW, but I think it was purely promotional. Besides, it was tiny. It would hold, like, hardly any candy at all. So, if you love (or hate) Viva Piñata and would dearly like to smash your own, your dream is one step closer to reality. Don't get your hopes up just yet, though: the product line isn't scheduled to launch until Fall of 2007.
Full press release after the break.
New York, NY (November 8, 2006) – 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE), a global provider of children's entertainment and merchandise licensing, has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with the American Greetings Corporation to develop a line of social expression products for the hot new kids property Viva Piñata that includes party goods, greeting cards, gift wrap and gift bags, stickers and Christmas ornaments with initial products launching in Fall 2007. Through the deal, American Greetings joins master toy licensee Playmates to launch 4Kids' comprehensive licensing program for the Viva Piñata property.
A hit with kids since its September series premiere on 4Kids TV™ (Fox affiliates nationwide), Viva Piñata chronicles the zany (mis)adventures of 60 different piñata species or "animbassadors" – most of who dream of leaving Piñata Island to entertain blindfolded party goers worldwide. Thanks to the series' colorful characters, witty banter and vibrant animation, the animated series – Produced by 4Kids Entertainment and Bardel Entertainment
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Due out this November from Microsoft Game Studios and Rare, Ltd, creators of the Viva Piñata franchise, is a videogame for the Xbox 360 entertainment system. \nViva Piñata for the Xbox 360 invites gamers to create their own environment, where they can attract and host more than 60 species of wild piñatas and customize piñata-filled adventures in their unique, ever-growing world. "Viva Piñata" game play will continue to evolve with new content\navailable via the Xbox Live® network and the ability to play, trade and interact with more than 3 million gamers via the online gaming and entertainment network.
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"We're thrilled that American Greetings has joined the Viva Pinata 'party' with products that tap right into the fun-loving spirit of the property," said Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment. "Viva Piñata party goods are essential\nto conveying the essence of the brand," he said.
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"American Greetings is very excited to be partnering with 4Kids Entertainment in marketing social expression products supporting Viva Piñata. The storyline, characters, environment and interactive play of\nViva Pinata really captures the essence of what social expression products deliver for that very special birthday event in a child's life," said Michael Brown, Vice President of Licensing for American Greetings. "Viva Pinata party goods, greeting cards, gift wrap and gift bags will help make\nbirthdays and celebrations an even more memorable experience. We view Viva Pinata as a long term brand with huge appeal that kids will love and parents support," he said.
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Due out this November from Microsoft Game Studios and Rare, Ltd, creators of the Viva Piñata franchise, is a videogame for the Xbox 360 entertainment system. Viva Piñata for the Xbox 360 invites gamers to create their own environment, where they can attract and host more than 60 species of wild piñatas and customize piñata-filled adventures in their unique, ever-growing world. "Viva Piñata" game play will continue to evolve with new content available via the Xbox Live® network and the ability to play, trade and interact with more than 3 million gamers via the online gaming and entertainment network.
"We're thrilled that American Greetings has joined the Viva Pinata 'party' with products that tap right into the fun-loving spirit of the property," said Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment. "Viva Piñata party goods are essential to conveying the essence of the brand," he said.
"American Greetings is very excited to be partnering with 4Kids Entertainment in marketing social expression products supporting Viva Piñata. The storyline, characters, environment and interactive play of Viva Pinata really captures the essence of what social expression products deliver for that very special birthday event in a child's life," said Michael Brown, Vice President of Licensing for American Greetings. "Viva Pinata party goods, greeting cards, gift wrap and gift bags will help make birthdays and celebrations an even more memorable experience. We view Viva Pinata as a long term brand with huge appeal that kids will love and parents support," he said.
