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Jakks Pacific

From Alfawiki
Jakks Pacific, Inc.
Company typePublic
Template:NASDAQ
Component of the Russell Microcap Index
IndustryConsumer products
FoundedJanuary 12, 1995; 31 years ago (1995-01-12)
Founder
HeadquartersSanta Monica, California, U.S.
Key people
Stephen Berman (president and CEO)
Websitejakks.com

Jakks Pacific, Inc. is a U.S.-based toy manufacturer established in January 1995, focusing on licensed action figures, playsets, dolls, plush toys, and dress-up sets.

The company was co-founded by entrepreneur Jack Friedman, who had previously founded LJN and THQ. Friedman remained at the helm as CEO and chairman until his retirement in March 2010, shortly before his passing in May of the same year.[1]

History

Jakks Pacific was founded in January 1995 by Jack Friedman and Stephen Berman.[2] Early on, the firm secured a critical master toy license for producing figurines and playsets from the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), initially under a seven-year contract that was later extended through December 2009.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

In 2002, Jakks diversified into interactive entertainment by launching its own line of handheld TV games known as Plug-&-Play TV Games, which integrated gaming hardware directly with television sets. Sales milestones included over 350,000 units sold by 2002, reaching one million by 2004, and surpassing 15 million units for Pac-Man TV Games by 2007.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

That same year, Jakks acquired master toy licenses for prominent franchises such as Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT through FUNimation Entertainment.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

In February 2005, the company restated its fiscal year 2003 financial results to include acquisitions of Toymax, Trendmasters, and P&M Products, reflecting its expansion strategy through corporate acquisitions.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name

Partnerships & acquisitions

In 1997, Jakks Pacific purchased the inactive Remco brand from Azrak-Hamway International (AHI), along with Child Guidance and Road Champions.

By June 1998, Jakks entered into a joint-license arrangement with THQ to produce WWF video games; THQ handled publishing while development was primarily conducted by Yuke's. In October 2004, WWE initiated legal action against Jakks alleging bribery related to licensing agreements. The federal lawsuit was dismissed in 2007; subsequent state-level litigation concluded in 2008, with an appeal dismissed in 2009. The dispute was ultimately settled in December 2009 without any admission of guilt. Meanwhile, involved WWF executives pled guilty to fraud charges. The joint-license concluded in 2009 when WWE signed a new eight-year exclusive deal with THQ that excluded Jakks.

Jakks pursued growth through multiple acquisitions: Berk (specializing in oversized foam toys) in June 1999; Flying Colors in September 1999; Funnoodle in November 1999; Pentech International in 2000; Toymax International Inc. and Kidz Biz Ltd. in 2002; Go Fly A Kite, Color Workshop, and Trendmasters in 2003; followed by the purchase of Play Along Toys in 2004.

In 2005, Jakks secured a toy licensing agreement with Black+Decker and acquired the Pet Pal Line. The following year included acquisition of Creative Designs International and collaboration with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) to produce toys based on the Rocky franchise. Additionally, Jakks obtained master toy rights for Pokémon in 2006.

Jakks signed a five-year licensing agreement with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) starting in 2010 after WWE's contract ended. The same year featured agreements for Taylor Swift dolls and a four-year license deal with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Acquisitions during 2008 included Kids Only Toys, Tollytots, and Disguise (specializing in Halloween costumes).

In 2010, Jakks formed Pacific Animation Partners LLC—a joint venture alongside Dentsu Entertainment USA, Fremantle, and Topps—to develop the Monsuno property. The company further expanded by acquiring Moose Mountain Toymakers (Hong Kong) in 2011.

Licensing agreements for The Dark Knight Rises and The Amazing Spider-Man were secured in 2012 alongside the acquisition of Ohio-based Maui, Inc. In 2014, Jakks established Jakks Meisheng Trading through a joint venture with Meisheng Culture and Creative Corp., aimed at penetrating the Chinese market; this initiative grew to include Studio JP animation production by 2016.

September 2015 saw Jakks sign a regional licensing agreement with WWE for Asia-Pacific markets covering role-play sets and action figures as well as collaboration on Ooshies collectibles. That year also included acquisition of licensing rights for Batman v Superman.

In 2016, Jakks acquired C’est Moi—a children's skincare brand—for $300,000 but discontinued the product line by October 2023. The same year featured deals with Warner Bros. Consumer Products for DC Super Hero Girls merchandise and distribution agreements with Chicco across the U.S. and Canada.

Disguise became part of Jakks' portfolio as a division focused on Halloween costumes in 2018; it also obtained rights for PAW Patrol: The Movie merchandise in 2021.

In January 2023, Jakks collaborated with Nintendo and Illumination to produce toys tied to The Super Mario Bros. Movie. By October that year, Jakks entered into a global licensing deal with Sega to develop merchandise for Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Looking ahead to May 2024, Jakks along with Disguise partnered with author Dav Pilkey to create merchandise based on the Dog Man book series and upcoming film adaptation. Later that year also marked Jakks’ collaboration with Epic Story Media to introduce the Wild Manes toy collection as well as Simpsons-themed collectibles.

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 1stPresident_02
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :0
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