Prompted by the blockbuster success of the I-DOG Interactive Music Companion, Hasbro, Inc.’s (NYSE: HAS) Tiger Electronics brand expands its popular line with the introduction of the I-CAT Interactive Music Companion, a black I-DOG, a pink I-DOG, the I-DOG PUP Assortment and fashionable I-DOG accessories, including colorful clothing for I-DOG and stylish bags to take I-DOG and I-CAT on the go.
“As one of the biggest hits of 2005, I-DOG perfectly exemplifies the changing nature of toys and play in the today’s culture,” says Chris Byrne, editor-at-large for Toys & Family Entertainment aka The Toy Guy. “It’s a virtual pet, a music accessory and a fashion statement all rolled into one – perfectly reflecting the diverse culture, activities and tastes of today’s tweens.”
“After the runaway success of I-DOG it was only natural to expand our dog pound to include exciting, new interactive pets for music lovers of all ages,” said Sharon John, general manager of Tiger Electronics, “Our innovative line, featuring both pets and accessories, will keep Tiger in the forefront of the ever expanding tween lifestyle electronics category.”
“With millions of iPods and MP3 players sold last year, our line is the perfect companion for owners who are young at heart and looking for playful accessories,” she continued.
New items for 2006 include:
I-CAT
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Available: Fall 2006)
This is one cool cat! The I-CAT Interactive Music Companion is a fabulous feline that not only loves to listen to your favorite tunes but can also play funky ‘scratch’ sound effects along with the music and will groove along to any song it hears. Owners can plug their music systems directly into I-CAT Interactive Music Companion and music will broadcast through a built-in speaker. Simply petting I-CAT will allow owners to mix things up and play meows, purrs and ‘scratch’ sound effects with the music! Owners can play these sound effects along with the music depending on how they touch or pet I-CAT, making this new interactive pet the cat’s meow!
Owners can also sit I-CAT in front of a speaker or plug it into the headphone jack of any music system and I-CAT will move and groove to the rhythm of the song. In addition, I-CAT Interactive Music Companion comes complete with a dual jack so that its owner can plug their headphones in and dance along to the music with I-CAT. Either way the owner chooses to listen to their favorite tune, as soon as I-CAT hears music, its face will light up or its ears and head will wiggle and sway with the tune.
I-DOG
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/Available: Spring 2006)
Just like the original white I-DOG, the new black I-DOG and the pink I-DOG are both sleek and stylish, palm-sized pooches that love to listen to music and will groove along to any song they hear! Easy to use, simply sit the white, black or pink I-DOG Interactive Music Companion in front of a speaker or plug it into the headphone jack of any music system and I-DOG will move and groove to the rhythm of the song. To really get the party started, owners can plug their music systems directly into the white, black or pink I-DOG and music will broadcast through a built-in speaker. In addition, the white, pink and black I-DOG Interactive Music Companions, come complete with a dual jack so that its owner can plug their headphones in and dance along to the music with I-DOG. Either way the owner chooses to listen to their favorite tune, as soon as the white, black or pink I-DOG hears music, its face will light up or its ears and head will wiggle and sway with the tune.
Both the black I-DOG Interactive Music Companion and the pink I-DOG Interactive Music Companion display four distinct personalities that are dependent on the type of music it hears: rock, punk, hip hop and dance. In addition to head and ear movement, both the black and pink I-DOG expresses its different moods through a unique array of colorful LEDs located on its face. The black I-DOG and the pink I-DOG are compatible with most portable music devices including Discman, iPod and Rio MP3 players. Two AA batteries are required, but are not included.
I-DOG PUP Assortment
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Fall 2006)
This adorable pocket-sized pooch features cool lights and sounds that get the party started and keep it going! Each I-DOG PUP has its own color and music style so owners can adopt the doggie that best suits their personal style. Owners can choose from black I-DOG PUP who loves to rock n’ roll, pink I-DOG PUP who bops to pop music, blue I-DOG PUP who gets down to dance music and silver I-DOG PUP who is into hip hop music. Just like its big brother I-DOG, I-DOG PUP loves to listen to music and will groove along to any song it hears. Just sit I-DOG PUP in front of a speaker and as soon as it hears music its face will light up or its ears and head will wiggle and sway with the tune. I-DOG PUP does not function as a speaker for your MP3 player. Three AAA batteries are required but not included.
I-DOG DOGGY BAG Assortment
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/Available: Spring 2006)
Take your I-DOG Interactive Music Companion on the go with the stylish new I-DOG DOGGY BAG Assortment! Show off I-DOG in three fashionable bags: the trendy orange bowling bag, the cute pink box bag and the hip white profile bag. Each bag is designed specifically for I-DOG so it’ll always looks its best while it’s moving and grooving! These stylish bags even have a convenient compartment for your favorite hand-held music player, so you can take your I-DOG and your tunes everywhere you go! This chic bag collection is also the perfect fit for your I-CAT Interactive Music Companion.
I-DOG CHILL ASSORTMENT
(Ages 8 years & up/Approx. Retail Price: $9.99/Available: Spring 2006)
I-DOG is always in style but everyone needs to accessorize! Now I-DOG has its own cuddly clothing. Each I-DOG CHILL set includes an adorable hat, scarf, sweater, boot-ies, and ear warmers. Choose from six stylish colors: pink, purple, green, blue, orange and gray.
Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is a worldwide leader in children’s and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.
