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DreamPlay™ Toys and Disney Consumer Products to Launch Next Generation Interactive Products Using NantWorks' Revolutionary iD™ Technology
LAS VEGAS --(Business Wire)--
DreamPlay Toys, LLC (DreamPlay), the joint venture between NantWorks LLC
and JAKKS Pacific, Inc., debuted Disney (News - Alert)-branded DreamPlay™ products, the
next generation of interactive technology-based toys, at the annual
Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. DreamPlay products will
incorporate NantWorks' groundbreaking iD™ image recognition technology,
a robust recognition platform that accurately recognizes images, 3D
objects, voice, speech, data, live video and more, with the capability
to differentiate between millions of objects instantaneously. The
integration of this novel technology with beloved Disney characters
enables the consumer to experience a seamless blending of the physical
toy with new character based content in the form of interactive games
and animation right on their smart phone or tablet device.
DreamPlay Toys and JAKKS Pacific plan to launch this interactive product
line in the US at major retailers in Fall 2013 and Internationally in
2014. Using NantWorks' iD technology, apps will be developed for both
iOS and Android (News - Alert) devices, which will allow the consumer to access deep,
content-rich experiences from their mobile and tablet devices without
the need for any type of QR code. The patented 2D and 3D recognition
technologies instantly recognize the toy and allow children to interact,
play and learn in ways that were not possible before. It is a seamless
convergence of technology, storytelling and traditional toy play
delivered through a single experience.
"What really sets this apart from anything else out there is the
combination of a truly incredible technological platform combined with
the best content and storytelling company in the world, Disney. Kids are
about to see the magic they always dreamed of come to life right before
their eyes," said Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, NantWorks' founder. "At
NantWorks, we believe in breaking barriers and bringing the impossible
to life. This collaboration marks the convergence of imagination,
innovation, and interactivity and we are excited that Disney is
delivering new experiences to the consumer utilizing our groundbreaking
iD technology."
"One of our top priorities is to integrate cutting-edge technologies
with our incredible Disney content to transform traditional toys into
interactive storytelling experiences that are uniquely Disney," said Bob
Chapek, president, Disney Consumer Products. "Today's announcement is an
exciting first step toward our vision of re-imagining conventional toys
as new forms of play and digital entertainment that will enrich and
enhance how the consumer interacts with Disney products."
"We are excited to work with Disney, our longtime licensor, to develop
and deliver best-in-class play experiences for families to enjoy," said
Stephen Berman, President and CEO, JAKKS Pacific, Inc. "Increasingly,
kids are 'playing' with digital technology. Our goal is to combine
physical toy play with a digital experience incorporating the unique
content that only Disney can provide. By marrying toys and Disney to our
DreamPlay technology using the powerful NantWorks iD recognition
platform, we are merging the two ways kids are playing today, with smart
devices and traditional toys, enhancing their experience and deepening
the level of interaction with our products using their smart phone or
tablet device. Children and their parents will be treated to a truly
magical experience and endless possibilities to interact with their
favorite brands and characters from Disney."
Disney will be granted exclusive rights to utilize the DreamPlay
technology in the toy space along with select entertainment characters
and brands owned by JAKKS, such as Monsuno. The launch of the products
is subject to certain conditions under the applicable agreements between
Disney, DreamPlay Toys and JAKKS.
Disney-branded DreamPlay toys will be demonstrated to the media by
appointment at the Consumers Electronics Show in Las Vegas in Januar
2013 at the DreamPlay Booth located at the Venetian Hotel, Veronese
Ballroom, Booth 2502.
About DreamPlay Toys, LLC
DreamPlay Toys, LLC is a joint venture between leading toy manufacturer
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAKK) and technology innovator NantWorks
LLC, to develop, market and sell toys and related consumer products
incorporating NantWorks' proprietary iD™ image recognition technology.
This revolutionary technology enables the consumer to create magic in
the real world, using a smart phone or tablet device, to instantly link
physical product to video content, animation and interactive game play.
JAKKS Pacific plans to introduce a broad product line, which will
combine this ground-breaking technology with exciting new content,
leaving consumers with a memorable and entertaining experience.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) is a leading designer and marketer of
toys and consumer products with a wide range of products that feature
popular brands and children's toy licenses. JAKKS' diverse portfolio
includes Action Figures, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play,
Halloween Costumes, Kids Furniture, Vehicles, Plush, Art Activity Kits,
Seasonal Products, Infant/Pre-School, Construction Toys, Ride-On
Vehicles, Wagons, Inflatable Environments and Tents, Impulse Toys and
Pet Products sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS
Pacific®, Creative Designs International™, Road Champs®, Funnoodle®,
JAKKS Pets™, Plug It In & Play TV Games™, Kids Only!™, Tollytots®,
Disguise®, Moose Mountain® and Maui Toys®. JAKKS is also the creator of
the underlying Monsuno® property and toy line. JAKKS is an award-winning
licensee of several hundred nationally and internationally known
trademarks including Nickelodeon®, Warner Bros.®, Ultimate Fighting
Championship®, Hello Kitty®, Graco®, Cabbage Patch Kids® and Pokémon®. www.jakks.com
© 2012 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All rights reserved.
About NantWorks, LLC
NantWorks, LLC was founded by Patrick Soon-Shiong, MD. Its mission is to
bring the impossible to life by harnessing the power of convergence for
the well-being of humanity. NantWorks combines semiconductor technology,
supercomputing, advanced networks, and proven innovation to
revolutionize how we work, live and play. For more information, see www.nantworks.com.
The NantWorks recognition platform comprises state of the art and
proprietary image, object, music and voice recognition technologies.
NantWorks iD Browser was released in the Apple
App Store and the Google
Play Store and is now available for download. (I could not find the
app on either store - we should verify)
About Disney Consumer Products
Disney Consumer Products (DCP), the world's largest licensor, is the
business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) and its
affiliates that extends the Disney and Marvel brands to merchandise
ranging from apparel, toys, home décor and books to food and beverages,
stationery, electronics and fine art. DCP develops Disney entertainment
franchises into 365 day-a-year product opportunities at retailers
worldwide. DCP is comprised of three business units: Licensing,
Publishing and Disney Store. The Licensing business is aligned around
six strategic brand priorities: Disney Classic Characters & Disney Moms
and Babies, Disney Media Networks & Games, Disney & Pixar Animation
Studios, Disney Princess & Disney Fairies, Disney Live Action Film, and
Marvel. Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world's largest
publisher of children's books, magazines, and digital products. Disney
English is DPW's English language learning business, which includes over
35 Disney English learning centers across China and a supplemental
learning book program. DPW's growing library of digital products
includes best-selling eBook titles and original apps. The Disney Store
retail chain operates across North America, Europe, and Japan with more
than 350 stores worldwide. Disney Store carries high-quality products,
including exclusive merchandise tied to key Disney and Marvel
entertainment offerings. www.DisneyStore.com
and www.DisneyStore.co.uk are
Disney's official online shopping portals. For more information, please
visit Disney Consumer Products or follow us at www.YouTube.com/DisneyLiving, www.Facebook.com/DisneyLiving and
www.Twitter.com/DisneyLiving.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that
are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS
Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve
risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.
Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what
is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors,
including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand
for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and
deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and
difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking
statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are
made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to
reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

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