Arlington, VA, September 20, 2018 – PBS KIDS today announced new licensing partnerships with IKOS Toys, Peerless Plastics, The Jigsaw Puzzle Factory, Leap year Publishing, R Squared Sales and Logistics, and Steel City Brands, further expanding the range of diverse PBS KIDS products available to families. These new products will support the brand’s continued commitment to bringing new and exciting learning experiences to kids across the country. One hundred percent of the net proceeds PBS receives from purchases of these products will support PBS KIDS’ mission to empower children to succeed in school and in life.
PBS KIDS’ new licensing partnerships will launch with the debut of a variety of products that will be available across the country at major retailers in holiday 2018 and 2019:
IKOS
Made of recycled materials and manufactured in the USA, these plastic PBS KIDS-branded construction sets let kids create three-dimensional spheres and create with curves. The toys can be enjoyed indoors, outdoors or in water. The spherical shapes have won numerous awards and a mesh bag is included for easy storage.
Peerless Plastics
Peerless Plastics will be producing a full range of PBS KIDS branded KinderMat pillowcase style sheets and blankets, as well as art smocks, recreational Play parachutes, KinderMat beanbags and KinderCushion floor seats.
The Jigsaw Puzzle Factory
PBS KIDS-branded educational puzzles will launch at Whole Foods stores in time for the holidays in 2018. The first offerings will be a 48-piece Ocean “Search and Find” themed floor puzzle and 100-piece Farm “Search and Find” themed jigsaw puzzle. More titles and formats are in development for introduction in 2019.
Leap Year Publishing
Leap Year Publishing categories will include PBS KIDS-branded wooden educational toys, bath toys, school supplies and mini-arts and crafts kits.
R Squared/Zrike Brands Company
R Squared/Zrike Brands is the first dinnerware and drinkware licensee for the brand. The range will include PBS KIDS-branded melamine, bamboo, and ceramic plates, bowls, cups, mugs, and serving pieces, as well as glass, stainless, and Triton drinkware, and flatware.
Steel City Brand Clothing
Exclusively at Steel City Brand retail locations and website, PBS KIDS-branded tees and onesies will debut in a range of colors.
“At PBS KIDS, we are constantly seeking new ways to engage kids and spark their curiosity through play,” said Dawn Ciccone, Vice President, Brand Licensing, PBS. “We’re thrilled to be working with such a diverse variety of partners who offer interesting, new spaces for us to venture into, with products we know kids will love.”
About PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS, the number one educational media brand for kids, offers children ages 2-8 the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television, digital media and community-based programs. PBS KIDS and local stations across the country support the entire ecosystem in which children learn, including their teachers, parents and community. Provided by stations, the free PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and live stream is available to more than 95% of U.S. TV households. Kidscreen- and Webby Award-winning pbskids.org provides engaging interactive content, including digital games and streaming video. PBS KIDS offers mobile apps to help support young children’s learning, including the PBS KIDS Video app, which is available on a variety of mobile devices and on platforms such as Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Chromecast. PBS KIDS also offers parent and teacher resources to support children’s learning anytime and anywhere. For more information on PBS KIDS content and initiatives supporting school readiness and more, visit pbs.org/pressroom, or follow PBS KIDS on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About IKOS
IKOS mission is to provide engaging and stimulating building toys to inspire creativity and learning through play with a minimal environmental footprint. We strive to be a standard of quality, inspiration, and imagination in order to expedite the implementation of spherical construction structures for humanity’s benefit. IKOS is manufactured in Utah out of BPA free recycled HDPE #2 plastic.
About Peerless Plastics
Established in 1951, Peerless Plastics is the creator and manufacturer of the KinderMat®, the original children’s rest mat dedicated to providing comfortable rest time and play time. Peerless Plastics offers a broad spectrum of products under the Kinder name for classroom and playground activities to encourage a fun, comfortable and organized learning environment. For more information, visit Peerless Plastics at www.peerlessplastics.com.
About The Jigsaw Puzzle Factory
The Jigsaw Puzzle Factory offers a wide assortment of exciting new titles that are all printed on premium grade materials in the United States. Each puzzle is made from 90% or more recycled materials and printed using vegetable based inks.
About Leap Year Publishing
Leap Year Publishing, founded in 1997 in North Andover MA as a calendar company, it now specializes in creating consumer goods. Leap Year Publishing creates Children’s Art Materials, Children’s Books and Toys, Puzzles for All Ages, and of course many types of family-oriented Social Stationery.
About R Squared/Zrike Company
Founded in 1983, the Zrike Company is one of the top tabletop and giftware resources in the United States and known for the quality and variety of its dinnerware, glassware, and flatware designs.
About Steel City Brand
Steel City is a family brand, born and bred in Pittsburgh. Steel City Brand has been a staple in Pittsburgh lifestyle and fashion since 2011. Their flagship retail store is nestled in historic Downtown Pittsburgh, at 625 Smithfield St.
Media Contacts
Lubna Abuulbah, PBS; (703) 739-8463; labuulbah@pbs.org
Sarah Morgan, Allison+Partners; 202-591-1126; PBS@allisonpr.com
