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Jakks Pacific

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Jakks Pacific, Inc.
Company typePublic
Nasdaq: JAKK
Russell Microcap Index component
IndustryConsumer products
FoundedJanuary 12, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-01-12)
Founder
HeadquartersSanta Monica, California, U.S.
Key people
Stephen Berman (president and CEO)
Joel Bennett (CFO and EVP)
Websitejakks.com

Jakks Pacific, Inc. is an American toy manufacturer founded in January 1996. The company is best known for producing licensed action figures, playsets, dolls, plush toys and dress-up sets.

The company's founder is Jack Friedman, who had previously founded toy and video game companies LJN and THQ, and presided over the company until retiring as CEO and chairman after March 31, 2010, a month before his death on May 3, 2010.[1]

History[edit]

Jakks Pacific's logo, 1995–2015

Jakks Pacific, Inc. was founded in 1995. Jakks acquired several companies, including Remco, Child Guidance, and Road Champions in 1997; Berk and Flying Colors in 1999; Pentech in 2000; Toymax, Go Fly A Kite, and Funnoodle in 2002; Color Workshop and Trendmasters in 2003; Play Along Toys in 2004;[2] Pet Pal Corp. in 2005; Creative Designs International in 2006; and Kids Only Toys, Tollytots, and Disguise in 2008.

In 1998, the company acquired the license to produce World Wrestling Federation (WWF) video games, after obtaining the license to produce toys a few years prior. The video game agreement would later involve lawsuits between WWE (renamed from WWF), Jakks Pacific, THQ and Yuke's.[3]

In February 2005, Jakks Pacific was instructed to restate the financial statements for fiscal year 2003 to account for the acquisition of Toymax, Trendmasters, and P&M Products.[4]

In February 2006, Jakks Pacific announced it had signed a partnership with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) to make toys and playsets based on the Rocky franchise.[5]

In February 2008, it was announced that Jakks Pacific would sign a five-year deal with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), to commence in 2010. The existing WWE deal would expire in December 2009.[6]

In March 2008, the company announced it had signed a deal with Taylor Swift and the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to produce a licensed series of dolls.[7]

In June 2008, Jakks Pacific announced it had signed a four-year deal with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to produce action figures and licensed toys.[8]

In 2010, the company formed Pacific Animation Partners LLC, a joint venture between that company and Dentsu Entertainment USA, Fremantle, and Topps, to launch the Monsuno property in 2012.[9][10]

In 2012, Jakks Pacific announced the successful negotiation of licences for The Dark Knight Rises and The Amazing Spider-Man, promoting new toy ranges at the New York and other International Toy Fairs.

In 2014, the company launched Jakks Meisheng Trading, a joint venture with Meisheng Culture and Creative Corp., to bring its toys to China.[11] In 2016, the two created Studio JP, a joint venture to produce animation.[12]

In September 2015, it was announced that Jakks Pacific had signed a new licensing deal with WWE, but this time with Jakks making role-play sets and action figures, but only for Asian-Pacific region.[13] Jakks would also work alongside Vivid Imaginations and Headstart Toys to make Oooshies, collectible rubber penciltips.

In January 2023, Jakks Pacific signed a deal with Nintendo and Illumination to create toys for The Super Mario Bros. Movie.[14]

In October 2023, Sega and Jakks Pacific formed a deal to make toys for Sonic the Hedgehog 3.[15]

Products[edit]

Jakks produces action figures, electronics, dolls, dress-up, role play, Halloween costumes, kids' furniture, vehicles, plush, art activity kits, seasonal products, infant/preschool, construction toys, and pet toys sold under various proprietary brands including Jakks Pacific, Creative Designs International, Road Champions, Funnoodle, Go Fly a Kite, Jakks Pets, EyeClops, Plug It In & Play TV Games, Girl Gourmet, Kids Only!, Tollytots, and Disguise.The company also licenses various brands for toy production, including Black & Decker, Cabbage Patch Kids, Care Bears, DC Universe, Marvel Universe, Sonic the Hedgehog, Disney, Star Wars, and Nintendo.

Handheld games include vMigo - A handheld virtual pet game, which can be docked into a TV adapter, BioBytes - A handheld game, where the player uses their animal to attack the computer's, or a friend's (wirelessly), Eyeclops and Telestory. Toy vehicles include Fly Wheels, Xtreme Performance Vehicle (XPV), Custom Garage, Shock Racers, MXSGX Racers, and GX SkatePower Trains. Infant and toddler toys include Child Guidance and KnotWud. Girls' activities include It's a Girl Thing, If you Say Sew!, Lucky Bee Bee, Girl Gourmet and Style Six. Boys' activities include Max Force, Real Construction and Spy Net Toys. Stationery products include BloPensVivid and VelvetPentech. Seasonal toys include FunnoodleGo, Fly a Kite, The Storm, Disguise, Halloween Costumes, PetWhite Bites and Naturally Convenient. Action figures include Dragon Ball Z, Pokémon, Real Steel and Ryuji Juwara.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Crowe, Deborah (May 3, 2010). "Jakks Founder Jack Friedman Dies (LABJ)". Los Angeles Business Journal. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  2. ^ "Jakks Pacific completes Play Along buy". www.bizjournals.com. June 14, 2004. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  3. ^ Editor, Rob Fahey Contributing (October 20, 2004). "WWE sues Jakks and THQ over alleged bribery and racketeering". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved July 15, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ "JAKKS Pacific Reports Preliminary Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results for 2004".
  5. ^ "JAKKS Pacific and MGM Consumer Products Sign Licensing Agreement For Rocky". toynewsi.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  6. ^ "411MANIA". Mattel To Take Over WWE Toy Line, Jakks Pacific Switching To TNA. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  7. ^ "JAKKS to Make Taylor Swift Dolls - Raving Toy Maniac - The Latest News and Pictures from the World of Toys". www.toymania.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  8. ^ Fighting, M. M. A. (June 10, 2008). "UFC signs deal with toymaker JAKKS Pacific". MMA Fighting. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  9. ^ "JAKKS Partners with Dentsu for New Boys Action Property". Toybook. January 7, 2010. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  10. ^ "Nicktoons Debuts 'Monsuno' Feb. 23". Animation Magazine. February 6, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  11. ^ Brzoznowski, Kristin (November 13, 2014). "Jakks Pacific Sets Up New Joint Venture in China". Yibada. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  12. ^ Milligan, Mercedes (October 16, 2016). "JAKKS Pacific Sets Up Content-Creation Studio". WorldScreen. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  13. ^ "411MANIA". WWE Signs New Licensing Deal with Jakks Pacific. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  14. ^ "Jakks Pacific Announces Toys Inspired by the New Illumination and Nintendo Film 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie'". Licensing International. January 24, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  15. ^ "Jakks Pacific Announces New Global Agreement with Sega of America for Sonic the Hedgehog 3". Licensing International. October 31, 2023. Retrieved July 16, 2024.

External links[edit]

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