TWO KIDS' COMPANIES JOIN FORCES TO MARKET NEW TOYS
By Adnews Staff
Hasbro Canada of Longueuil, Que. and YTV Canada of Toronto have teamed up to launch a line of YTV-branded toys, but the duo hasn't decided yet how it will promote the products, YTV president Paul Robertson told Adnews yesterday. Under the agreement, Hasbro will make and distribute the toys, then the two companies will co-market the products. Hasbro and YTV haven't decided yet which agency it will use to help promote the toys. Griffin Bacal Volny of Toronto handles advertising for Hasbro, while YTV hires agencies on a project basis with Leo Burnett Co. and X Unlimited, both of Toronto, being the two agencies most frequently used. The line of toys will be based on YTV programs as well as characters in those programs. The toys will include plush characters and puppets, water pals, board games, puzzles and novelties. Some will be available by October, with the rest of the line hitting the market in time for the Christmas buying rush.