Bandai Namco Amusement Europe has amassed a following in the US for its range of coveted prizes and plushes, and IAAPA 2018 saw the trend continue with leading global licences, game/prize crossovers and new film character tie-ins.
“We showed everything from PAC-MAN in extended plush and prize ranges, through to the new Minecraft movie range,” said Darrell Simmonds EMEA sales Manager. “The DC Comics, PAC-MAN and Halo branded merchandise are especially effective when combined with the games and customers could really see the potential.”
To compliment the top-rated and high-earning Halo: Fireteam Raven machine, BANDAI NAMCO had a full range of gift and plush featuring the top brand. In plush there are ranges from 8”/12”/20” and 27” including 2” cushions and inflatable balls, which are distributed in the USA and Canada by Toy Factory. In gift, there are mugs/metal mugs/ stein glasses/ baseball caps/ watches and stress balls available via Sure Shot. For USA, Toy Factory are distributors for plush and Sure Shot for gift. Australian distributors are Benson Trading Company and for New Zealand, it is Auckland Coin.
“We took significant orders for the Halo-branded merchandise at IAAPA,” adds Darrell Simmonds. “Buyers loved the combination with the game and the complementary ranges of prize and plush.”
Also at IAAPA was the latest range of BANDAI NAMCO’s leading own brand, PAC-MAN, plush and gift including inflatable balls, 3D PAC-MAN plush and a new shiny version of PACMAN & the Ghosts, which also can be combined with an array of BANDAI NAMCO games to boost revenue. Plush is distributed in the USA & Canada by Toy Factory and the Gift by Sure shot.
In addition, visitors to the stand showed great interest in the range of plush based on the eagerly anticipated Minecraft movie starring Steve Carell. BANDAI NAMCO has all shapes and sizes of the plush available, which are distributed by Toy Factory in the US, with BNAE will be distributing in EMEA.