Licensing can make for strange bedfellows

Remember that Jeff Goldblum movie "The Fly" where he inadvertently mixed his own DNA with that of a bug? The result was less than perfect. In toy licensing, combining two unconnected properties sometimes works and other times… Well, I'll let you be the judge. Put it this way, I know a woman who loves peanut butter and horseradish sandwiches. To each his or her own, right?

WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU CROSS…

Everyone’s favorite spud and the evilest man in the Empire? >>> Darth Tater

A "teenage fashion model" and an assassin? >>> Elektra Barbie

A murder mystery and Disney?>>> Clue Haunted Mansion Game

A fortune telling device and a pack of thoughtful bruins? >>> Care Bears Magic 8 Ball

Monopoly and… Nah, too easy.

The caffeine shakes and a cup of the shakes? >>> Coca-Cola Yahtzee

The King and “King me?” >>> Elvis checkers

A super swingin’ secret agent and The Game of Quick Draw? >>> Austin Powers Pictionary

The Blue Bomber and Buzz Light Year? >>> Toy Story Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robot Game

And everyone's favorite, Teddy Bears and that sure hit favorite, Death? >>> Teddy Scares

What's your peanut butter and horseradish sandwich?

Toy Fair Continued...

Here’s what I saw at Toy Fair. Our last Playmakers Poll revealed that Lego is king when it comes to construction toys, but plenty of companies are trying to attract kids with “Magnetic building sets.” These toys must be selling because there are lawsuits, and patents pending, and “confusion in the marketplace.” We have Magnetix, and Supermag and Geomag, just to name a few.

PlayAlong, deciding to strike while the iron is still hot, are reintroducing the Care Bears on the heels of their successful relaunch of the Cabbage Patch Kids. Long live the ‘80s!

Sababa continues to expand on classic toy brands with edgy editions of the Uno card game featuring South Park and Family Guy characters, as well as Etch-A Sketch drawing toys based on Batman and The Simpsons. Homer, Bart and the gang are the Energizer Bunnies of the licensing world. Even Milton Bradley has gone to Springfield (TV land not Massachusetts) by introducing an Operation game with Homer filling in for Cavity Sam.

Speaking of licensing, no Toy Fair would be complete without the hot movie tie-ins and the buzz this year was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Robots and The Fantastic Four.

Anniversaries were being celebrated this year. In 2005, Rubik’s Cube turns 25, Sea Monkeys turn 45 and Slinky turns 60! To celebrate, Poof-Slinky is playing the Slinky Jingle on radio stations all across the country. Do you remember the longest running jingle in TV history?

Marvin Glass is dancing somewhere because Fundex is relaunching the classic Glass-designed Gnip-Gnop. Originally produced in 1971 by Parker Brothers, this classic piece of plastic is loud and fun. BTW, the name Gnip-Gnop is Ping Pong, spelled backwards.

More on what Mattel is doing with TriBond and Blurt later this year...