HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (September 24, 2015) – Continuing to expand the brand reach of its two-time Emmy®-nominated and Parents’ Choice Silver Honor animated series DINOSAUR TRAINTM, now in its fourth season of production, The Jim Henson Company today selected Jazwares, a global leader in the licensed products industry, as the new master toy partner for the brand. Federico San Martin, Vice President, Global Consumer Products at The Jim Henson Company and Laura Zebersky, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer for Jazwares announced the new licensing partnership.
From figures to playsets, the DINOSAUR TRAIN toy line from Jazwares will offer a fresh array of products for fans - whether they want to engage in their own adventure or simply collect their favorite characters -- and will round out with plush and role play, allowing fans to display their love of DINOSAUR TRAIN in a wide variety of ways. The new DINOSAUR TRAIN toy line will debut at retail in fall 2016 in the U.S. and in selected international markets followed by a full international roll out thereafter.
“Children around the world are relating to the characters and storylines featured in DINOSAUR TRAIN, and they are experiencing the brand on television, online and through an array of innovative products true to the brand’s essence, which have also earned the trust and support of parents,” commented San Martin. “Focusing on fresh, creative, innovative concepts for both toys and role play, Jazwares will translate the fun, whimsical and the educational aspects of the DINOSAUR TRAIN brand into products kids desire
"Our new partnership with The Jim Henson Company to develop a creative, fun and engaging DINOSAUR TRAIN toy line is a tremendous opportunity for us to play an integral role in further building the brand into an evergreen,” added Laura Zebersky, EVP – Chief Commercial Officer for Jazwares. "The new line we create will connect us with fans of the series and bring them a wonderfully unique play experience where they can create their own DINOSAUR TRAIN adventures."
Nominated for a Daytime Emmy® in 2014 in the “Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated Program” category and in the “Outstanding Preschool Animated Program” category in 2013, DINOSAUR TRAIN is as popular with international audiences as it is in the U.S. The Jim Henson Company has licensed Dinosaur Train in over 200 territories across the globe.
DINOSAUR TRAIN, created by Craig Bartlett (Hey Arnold!), embraces and celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains while encouraging basic scientific thinking and skills. In the series, viewers join Buddy and his adoptive family of Pteranodons on whimsical adventures through prehistoric jungles, swamps, volcanoes and oceans as they explore basic concepts in natural science, natural history and paleontology. The Dinosaur Train is a colorful locomotive, customized to accommodate all kinds of dinosaurs and has the ability to visit the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous worlds. The train’s conductor, a knowledgeable Troodon, provides passengers with fascinating facts along the way.
DINOSAUR TRAIN is produced by The Jim Henson Company and co-produced with Singapore animation company Sparky Animation with original support from the Singapore Media Development Authority. The series is executive produced by Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford for The Jim Henson Company. Craig Bartlett also serves as executive producer. The Jim Henson Company oversees all ancillary exploitation of the property, including distribution, licensing and merchandising in all markets other than Asia, which is administered by Sparky Animation. PBS handles DVD distribution to North American consumer and education markets.
About Jazwares, Inc.
With its focus on creativity, innovation and function, Jazwares has established itself as a well-respected leader in the licensed products industry. Delivering diverse lines of toys and consumer electronics, their products feature some of the best entertainment properties in the world. Today, through the expertise of their product development team, Jazwares continues to offer a wide array of merchandise at major retailers globally. Their portfolio includes: Minecraft™, Peppa Pig™, Terraria™, Adventure Time™, Plants vs. Zombies™, Flick-to-Stick Bungees™, Star Wars™ and Teen Titans Go!™, among others. Jazwares' goal is to invent toys and related products that are new to the marketplace, featuring the brands kids want, at an affordable price. For more information about Jazwares, Inc., please visit www.jazwares.com.
About The Jim Henson Company
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include the Emmy®-nominated Sid the Science Kid, Dinosaur Train, and Pajanimals, as well as the CG-animated preschool series Doozers and the upcoming Netflix series for young preschoolers Word Party. Features include Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, as well as The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and MirrorMask. Television productions include Fraggle Rock, the sci-fi cult series Farscape, the reality competition Jim Henson’s Creature Shop Challenge, Henson Alternative’s No, You Shut Up! currently airing on Fusion, and the upcoming Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow, premiering November 21, 2016, on Lifetime.
With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. The Company is home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television, theme park and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand is currently touring Puppet-Up! – Uncensored, a live puppet improvisational show.