Ty Inc Taps Animax

Ty Inc, the makers of the world famous Beanie Babies, has tapped Animax Entertainment to lead development efforts of the Ty Girlz kids brand. In particular Animax is building a free-to-play model into the Ty Girlz girl focused virtual world, developing new content and building in new revenue opportunities through advertising and microtransactions through the sale of virtual goods. The news item got picked up by a few outlets in the social game, virtual world, toy and kid press:

• Virtual Worlds News
• Playthings
• Kidscreen
• The Toy Book
• Cynopsis Kids
  
• Ypulse
  

Read the full press release here.

And if you're a little girl, play for free on Ty Girlz right now!

Little Pim iPhone App Launches

One of Animax Entertainment's first iPhone apps launched: Little Pim's Word Bag. Aimed at toddlers, this pacifier app aka pass-back app will get kids tapping on your iPhone or iTouch to a different language. Kids tap through different cartoon flash card images presented by Little Pim the panda in both Spanish and French.

The app was developed by Animax for Little Pim and is based on their award winning DVD series that was recently profiled by Wired's Geek Dad blog.

Psychedelic Girls

The Rainbow Brite dolls are coming and with them a bunch of games and a new animated video that Animax produced for Hallmark and Playmates Toys. The fun stuff features Rainbow Brite and all her friends trying to retrieve all the colors of the rainbow.

So Small Pets Launches

The Only Hearts Club's newest toy line for 2009, So Small Pets, just launched their new website. The site is complete with video and product information about the the fully poseable So Small Pets and shots of them in their cute outfits.

Bakugan Battle Brawlers

Spin Master's hit toy line Bakugan is back and better than ever. New toys. New season of animation on Cartoon Network. And a shiny new website that Animax Entertainment created for them.

NY Toy Fair Mixer

If you're going to NY Toy Fair then it's your lucky day. You're invited to a mixer for everyone interested in Online Toys & Gaming. Come mingle with folks interested in virtual worlds, online games, interactive toys and games, video games, elearning, computer software, USB and web connected toys, etc.

When: Monday, February 16th (President's Day)
Time: 6:30 - ?
Where: Coopers Tavern @ New Yorker Hotel
481 8th Avenue & 34th Street | New York, NY 10001 | 212.244.0719
What: Cash bar with 10% off food and drinks if you say the secret word

RSVP to mbellavia[@ ] animaxent.com. See you then.