Thursday, February 07, 2013

LEGO Systems Unveils 250 New Building Sets, Including Their New "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Line, At The 2013 American International Toy Fair

LEGO Systems, Inc. has announced the Nickelodeon / Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles News in the following Press Release, from PRNewswire, that the company, makers of the world's leading construction toys, will unveil its largest collection of build and play toys ever, which will include LEGO's brand "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" product range, which will allow action-packed TMNT adventures come to life in brick form! "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" will be able to build Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael in a series of six sets ($12.99-$59.99) and recreate action-packed scenes from the hit Nickelodeon CG-animated television series, at the American International Toy Fair in New York City! LEGO will showcase their new merchandise range at Booth #1351 in Hall 3B of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center between Sunday 10th-Wednesday 13th February 2013:
LEGO Systems Unveils 250 New Building Sets at American International Toy Fair

-Builders of all ages will be inspired by endless LEGO possibilities, from new preschool play options to classic themes and new licenses to the introduction of the most advanced LEGO® robotics product ever-

NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- American International Toy Fair -- LEGO Systems, Inc., makers of the world's leading construction toys, will unveil its largest collection of build and play toys ever–250 new products–at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. With new products launching throughout the year, children of all ages and interests will find a LEGO® building set or theme to spark their building creativity, inspire storytelling and role play or keep them engaged in imaginative play for hours. New items are on display in Booth #1351 in Hall 3B of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center from February 10-13.
"We know that both children and parents love the interactive fun and play value that LEGO play offers, and our new collection of versatile and innovative products delivers countless hours of building possibilities to fans of all ages," said Soren Torp Laursen , president, LEGO Systems. "With new kits focused on open-ended creative building, new themes and exciting licenses that appeal to boys and girls, the continuation of some of the most successful LEGO lines, new preschool building sets, family board games, buildable action figures, and the next generation of our robotics platform, we have a LEGO offering for every age, any interest, current trend, shopping occasion and play need, and across the board, we're raising the bar for children's expectations of toys."

Preschool Building (Ages 1½+)

LEGO DUPLO® introduces youngsters to construction play by inspiring them to be creative and tell stories as they build. New sets cater to even younger children, such as a Toddler Build and Play Cubes ($12.99) and Toddler Build and Pull Along ($14.99) which both offer larger, colorful cubes and elements that are easier for smaller hands. Two additions to the Read and Build ($12.99 each) series blend early reading with construction play. A collection of " My First " DUPLO sets – My First Garden ($12.99), My First Construction Set ($19.99), My First Circus ($34.99) and My First Train Set ($44.99) – combine creative building and imaginative role play. New licenses include LEGO DUPLO brand Jake and the Neverland Pirates™ and LEGO DUPLO brand Disney® Planes™ that bring beloved characters and stories from top preschool properties ($14.99 - $39.99).

Classic LEGO Building (Ages 4+)

Open-ended LEGO Bricks & More sets ($9.99-$24.99) provide endless building opportunities and offer a variety of LEGO bricks and elements to set imaginations in motion. New Pink Suitcase and Blue Suitcase ($24.99 each) offer a fun and practical storage option and enable on-the-go building fun. LEGO CREATOR™ kits ($6.99 - $69.99) offer three models in one box in themes such as vehicles, creatures, and buildings, enabling children to build, play, and then rebuild their creations. Experienced builders enjoy the challenge of LEGO Technic® sets, such as the Race Car ($19.99) and Excavator ($79.99), featuring detailed functionality that mimics their real world counterparts, and two building instructions so that children can create multiple models with one kit.

Robotics (Ages 10+)

LEGO MINDSTORMS pioneered a new way to build and play with LEGO bricks when it was first introduced in 1998. To commemorate the 15th anniversary, the world's original smart toy gets an upgrade in LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 ($349.99), the most exciting and innovative LEGO robotics set ever. With the new platform, children can build, program and play with a starter robot in less than 20 minutes and can ease into the process with on-brick programming. Advanced users get tech upgrades, like a Linux operating system, that make sophisticated robot building and programming child's play. PC and Mac compatibility, plus integration with iOS and Android phones, MP3 players and tablets, take robot command and control to a whole new level.

LEGO Themes (Ages 5+)

One of the most popular themes of all time, LEGO CITY allows young builders to build and role play with the everyday heroes they know and love. Along with three new sets in the Transportation theme ($19.99 each), there is a Starter Set ($29.99) featuring a fire truck, ambulance, police motorcycle and corresponding minifigures. Fire and Police themes are both back with new models ($6.99-$99.99) and in August, builders can build and explore adventure with sets from the Cargo Airport ($19.99-$99.99) and Coast Guard ($6.99-$79.99).

Following one of the most successful launches in the company's global history, LEGO Friends furthers the story of five girls who live, work and play in Heartlake City. A new Collectible Animals series ($4.99 each) provides a trial building opportunity to construct a small habitat for each pet. A series of sets such as Stephanie's Soccer Practice ($9.99) and Emma's Karate Class ($9.99) let builders create and explore extracurricular activities and hobbies. Launching in time for back to school, children can build Heartlake High ($49.99), featuring classroom, art and music room, cafeteria and lockers. The Dolphin Cruiser ($69.99) yacht opens to reveal a luxury home inside and includes recreational sports equipment.

LEGO Legends of CHIMA™ is a new original property that combines the fun of building with role play, social competitive play and digital and video game play. Builders compete via heroic animal characters, such as a lion, gorilla or crocodile, to obtain the power of CHI. The collection includes new Speedorz™ challenges, featuring a flywheel vehicle, ripcord launcher and buildable obstacles and stunts, in sets such as the CHI Waterfall ($14.99) and Ice Tower ($14.99) for action-packed competitive play. There are also classic building sets like Cragger's Command Ship ($69.99) and The Lion CHI Temple ($119.99), six Buildable Action Figures ($14.99 each) and a new LEGO Legends of CHIMA board game ($19.99) which together create the entire fantasy play world of CHIMA. Digital games and an original television series will launch later in the year.

LEGO Galaxy Squad, a new space fantasy theme, allows builders 8 and up to role play as the hero team saves the galaxy from a swarm of alien insects. Each of the 10 models in the collection ($11.99-99.99) offers a split feature function, turning every large model into two separate vehicles with ease. The 25th anniversary of LEGO Castle is marked by five new sets, including Gold Getaway ($19.99) and King's Castle ($99.99), to build a classic kingdom of knights in shining armor, dragons and treasure for builders ages 5 and up. LEGO NINJAGO™, one of the most popular LEGO properties ever introduced centered on the story of four young Ninjas mastering the art of Spinjitzu, enters its third year with six new sets ($9.99-$69.99) that introduce the Gold Ninja. Fans of all ages will want to collect 48 never-before-seen LEGO Minifigures ($2.99 each) via three new series releasing throughout the year.

Licensed Building Fun (Ages 2+)

Action-packed adventures come to life in brick form with LEGO Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™. Young fans can build Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael in a series of six sets ($12.99-$59.99) and recreate action-packed scenes from the hit Nickelodeon CG-animated television series.

Launching in April, five LEGO The Lone Ranger™ building sets inspired by the scenes and characters from the Walt Disney Pictures film premiering this July feature the masked hero, his horse, Silver, and companion, Tonto, in sets such as Stagecoach Escape ($29.99) and Constitution Train Chase ($99.99), for hours of building and role play fun.

LEGO DC UNIVERSE Super Heroes recreates famous comic heroes and villains. Available now, a collection of new BATMAN™ sets includes The Bat vs. Bane™ Tumbler Chase ($39.99). Three sets tied to the summer feature film, Man of Steel, will launch in May.

Two LEGO MARVEL Super Heroes sets are now available that feature Spider-Man™, including the Daily Bugle Showdown ($49.99). Three Iron Man 3 sets will launch in March, inspired by the forthcoming summer feature film.

Two epic themes first introduced to the LEGO world last year continue with a new collection of building sets based on The Lord of the Rings™ and The Hobbit™ characters and scenes. Four kits ($12.99-$99.99) based on The Lord of the Rings trilogy will launch in June. Details of building sets tied to The Hobbit: The DESOLATION OF SMAUG™ will be revealed later this year.

Perennially popular LEGO Star Wars™, inspired by the Star Wars film saga and the animated television series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, features new favorites such as the Battle of Hoth™ ($49.99) and Rancor™ Pit ($59.99) available now, and AT-TE™ ($89.99) and Jabba's Sail Barge™ ($119.99) coming in August.

Buildable Action Figures (Ages 6+)

The LEGO HERO FACTORY is where heroes are designed, equipped and built to accomplish any mission that beams in from across the universe. Children can build articulated action figures ($9.99-$34.99) that coincide with an online game and a free mobile app that, in 2013, tell the story of a devious Brain Attack.

LEGO Games (Ages 6+)

Bringing families together through building and gaming fun, the LEGO Games collection of board games adds a family game, Story Mixer ($29.99), that encourages hours of family fun through silly storytelling inspired by mini LEGO creations. A LEGO Legends of CHIMA game allows children to build and play with the property in a gaming format. Two new licensed games include BATMAN ($29.99) and The Lord of the Rings: The Battle of Helm's Deep ($34.99) allowing fans of all ages to compete as their favorite characters from both iconic properties.

About LEGO Systems, Inc.

LEGO Systems, Inc. is the North American division of The LEGO Group, a privately-held, family-owned company based in Billund, Denmark, one of the world's leading manufacturers of creatively educational play materials for children. The company is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen : "Only the best is good enough." Visit the virtual LEGO world at www.LEGO.com

LEGO, the LEGO logo, DUPLO, MINDSTORMS, Legends of CHIMA, the Minifigure and brick and knob configuration are trademarks of The LEGO Group. © 2013 The LEGO Group.

© 2013 Disney/Pixar. All rights reserved.

© Disney. All rights reserved.

©2013 Viacom International Inc. All rights reserved. Nickelodeon, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES and all related titles, logo and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Incorporated. Based on characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman .

© Disney Enterprises, Inc. and Jerry Bruckheimer , Inc. LONE RANGER TM & Classic Media.
DC Universe and all related characters are elements or trademarks of and © 2013 DC Comics. (s13)
TM and © 2013 Marvel & Subs.

© 2013 New Line Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG™ and the names of the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, Inc. (s13)

© 2013 New Line Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and the names of the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, Inc. (s13)

© 2013 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved.

SOURCE LEGO Systems, Inc.

RELATED LINKS
http://www.lego.com.
Also, below is LEGO's Sales Report News Release from PRNewswire:
LEGO Systems Builds Eighth Consecutive Year of U.S. Sales Growth

-Brand relevance and play pattern at an all-time high as company's 2012 sales increase by 26%-

NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR -- LEGO Systems, Inc., the North American division of the world's leading construction toy brand, achieved its eighth consecutive year of double-digit U.S. consumer sales growth in 2012, increasing category and overall toy industry shares over record performance in 2011.

2012 U.S. Year-End Highlights (Source: The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service)

* Continued year-on-year growth trend in the U.S. as consumer sales grew +26% to reach $1.32 billion.

* Increased U.S. total toy market share to 7.9%, up +1.6 share points over 2011, maintaining rank as America's third largest toy manufacturer. The company's share of the total U.S. toy market has quadrupled in five years.

* Grew share of U.S. Building Sets category +5.3 points to 84.6% in a year of increased category competition.

* Gained +12.1 share points to reach 51.4% of the Preschool segment of U.S. Building Sets.

* Surpassed expectations of LEGO® Friends to become the #6 U.S. girls' property of 2012 in fourth quarter.

* Manufactured 48 of the top 50 Building Sets of 2012.

* Accounted for 4% of total video games units sold industry wide, ranking #3 in overall video game franchises.

"Achieving another year of record growth in the U.S. is both an exciting and humbling reflection of our strategy to deliver a wide range of building opportunities that invites builders of all ages, interests and skill levels," said Soren Torp Laursen , president, LEGO Systems. "Last year's sales growth is the result of a well-balanced core business of themed and licensed building sets, amortized by innovative play options for preschoolers, girls, and board game enthusiasts, all of which capture and inspire children's imaginations and compel them to keep building."

Growth Across the Product Portfolio

LEGO Friends, LEGO NINJAGO, LEGO CITY, LEGO Star Wars™, and LEGO Super Heroes ranked among the top five LEGO properties of the year, together accounting for 50% of all Building Sets sold in the U.S. in 20121. An expanded and diversified LEGO DUPLO® collection introduced new builders to the brand to drive the company's share of the Preschool segment of Building Sets to its highest level ever. Sales of the classic LEGO CREATOR™ line of 3-in-1 models increased +20%, and the company's Bricks & More collection of buckets, tubs and boxes grew +28%2, signaling that demand is very strong for the open-ended creativity of non-themed building sets.

Introduced in January 2012, LEGO Friends is one of the company's most successful global launches ever. In the U.S., the line ranked #6 overall girls' property in the all-important fourth quarter of the year.3 Measured in dollars, the line was the number-one property if ranked among the Dolls Play Sets segment4, where it is sometimes found in stores. The line tripled the number of girls who build with LEGO bricks in the United States in its launch year5, significantly growing the company's active user base in the U.S.

The Year Ahead

To fuel continued U.S. growth, LEGO Systems introduces 250 new products at the American International Toy Fair this week in New York City. Building on its winning themes such as LEGO CITY, LEGO Friends and LEGO Star Wars are new themes, LEGO Legends of CHIMA™, LEGO Galaxy Squad, and a 25th anniversary LEGO Castle collection. New licenses, Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles™ and Disney's The Lone Ranger™, join continuing powerhouse lines of DC UNIVERSE and MARVEL Super Heroes, the LORD OF THE RINGS™ and THE HOBBIT™. New DUPLO preschool products, board games, and the next generation of the world's original smart toy, LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3, round out an innovative portfolio that makes the potential for continued growth very strong.

"We are very confident in our ability to achieve growth again in 2013 as we continue to redefine the way children play and build, recruit new builders to the LEGO system and reinforce our single brand status with every new experience," Laursen said. "For example, LEGO Legends of CHIMA marks the first time we have applied the same original story line to all of our play patterns–construction, social competition gaming, buildable action figures, board games, video games, and online gaming–anchored by a Cartoon Network television series and surrounded by a calendar full of events and engagement opportunities, and is sure to be among the hottest properties this year."

"As a privately-held company with a fixed mission, we have the flexibility to take bigger risks, develop long-term strategic offerings, and truly place consumer needs at the center of our business to drive continuous growth," Laursen concluded.
About LEGO Systems, Inc.

LEGO Systems, Inc. is the North American division of The LEGO Group, a privately-held, family-owned company based in Billund, Denmark, one of the world's leading manufacturers of creatively educational play materials for children. The company is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen : "Only the best is good enough." Visit the virtual LEGO world at www.LEGO.com

LEGO, the LEGO logo, DUPLO, Legends of CHIMA and MINDSTORMS are trademarks of The LEGO Group. © 2013 The LEGO Group.

© 2013 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved.

© 2013 Viacom International, Inc. All rights reserved. Nickelodeon, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES and all related titles, logo and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Incorporated. Based on characters created by Peter Laird and Kevin Eastman .

© Disney Enterprises, Inc. and Jerry Bruckheimer , Inc. LONE RANGER TM & Classic Media.

DC Universe and all related characters are elements or trademarks of and © DC Comics. (s13)
TM and © 2013 MARVEL & Subs.

© NLP ™ Middle-earth Ent. Lic. To New Line. (s13)

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG™: © WBEI ™ Middle-earth Ent. Lic. To New Line. (s13)

1 The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service
2 The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service
3 The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service
4 Internal Analysis of The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service
5 LEGO Systems, Inc. proprietary research

MEDIA CONTACT:
Michael McNally
LEGO Systems, Inc.
860-830-5885 / michael.mcnally@lego.com

SOURCE LEGO Systems, Inc.

RELATED LINKS
http://www.lego.com.