Giochi Preziosi Picks Up Nickelodeon's New-Look Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

From Toy News:

Giochi Preziosi picks up new-look Turtles

Playmates Toys has named its marketing and distribution partners for its Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line.

The Giochi Preziosi Group will handle European countries including the UK, Belgium, France, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Turkey. Playmates has appointed Headstart (Australia), Spin Master (Canada), Stadlbauer (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), Toy Triangle (Middle East and North Africa), Planet Fun (New Zealand), Concentra (Portugal), Gulliver (Russia) and Prima Toys (South Africa).

The TMNT toy line is due to launch in autumn 2012 in the US and Canada, coinciding with the premiere of the new CG-animated series from Nickelodeon. It will hit most international markets in 2013.

“We are privileged to be working with Nickelodeon to create the all new toy line for a whole new generation of kids and reaffirm the brand as an evergreen franchise,” said Thomas Chan, chairman of Playmates Toys.

“Together with the appointed distribution partners, industry leaders in their respective markets, we will deliver exciting Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys to kids everywhere in the world.”

Michael Connolly, head of consumer products, Viacom International Media Networks, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Playmates on the impressive toy line based on the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. Our appointment of Playmates as a trusted global partner reflects the potential we see in this property and in turn, their appointment of key distribution partners around the world gives us an unbeatable cross-market team with which to launch the new property.”