C
artoon Network has announced Playmates
Toys will serve as the global master toy part-
ner for the brand new Ben 10 franchise that
will premiere on Cartoon Network channels in inter-
national territories in fall 2016 and in North Amer-
ica in 2017. The animated series will introduce a
new generation of fans to the global boys’ action
phenomenon that centres on a 10-year-old every-
day kid who, with the help of a mysterious watch,
can transform into 10 aliens, each with their own
unique abilities. Through the deal, Playmates Toys
will have licensing rights to create a full line of toys
based on the series that will anchor the franchise’s
consumer products program. The new Ben 10 toy
line, which launches at retail in fall 2017, will lever-
age the collectability and role play elements that
are endemic to the franchise and include a range of
figures, playsets, role play items and more.
‘Ben 10 is a franchise that has a unique point
of difference that makes it ripe for re-imagination
and extension into an all-new consumer products
program,’ said Pete Yoder, vice president, Cartoon
Network Enterprises, North America. ‘With its com-
mitment to innovation and deep understanding of
the boys’ action space, Playmates Toys is the ideal
partner with which to bring this new toy line to
life and tap into the collectability and aspirational
qualities that are so core to Ben.’
‘We are thrilled to begin working with Cartoon
Network and look forward to building an enduring
partnership,’ said Thomas Chan, CEO, Playmates
Toys. ‘We take great pride in our commitment to
developing a full line of toys that capture the es-
sence of the new Ben 10 series and provide young
fans with an immersive and imaginative play expe-
rience.’
Cartoon Network’s fresh take on the beloved
Ben 10 will centre upon a new animated series
re-introducing an energetic, fun-loving, 10-year-
old Ben Tennyson. At the core of the new Ben is
a healthy serving of action, excitement, and all-
around fun. Featuring many new and fan-favourite
aliens, the series kicks off with the adventures of
Ben, his cousin Gwen, and Grandpa Max as they
travel the country during summer vacation. When
Ben finds the mysterious Omnitrix, a world of alien
superpowers opens up to him. The new television
series is created by Cartoon Network Studios and
executive produced by Man of Action. John Fang
(Mixels, Generator Rex), is on board as supervising
producer for Cartoon Network Studios.
Ben 10, the original precedent setting series,
premiered on Cartoon Network in January 2006, to
high ratings and an immediate admiration for the
title character. Many boys and girls wanted to be
a kid hero, just like Ben. The success of this series
spawned three additional, original, animated series
(Ben 10 Alien Force, Ben 10: Ultimate Alien, Ben 10:
Omniverse), one animated movie (Ben 10: Secret of
the Omnitrix), and two live-action movies (Ben 10:
Race Against Time, Ben 10: Alien Swarm). The ad-
venture began when 10-year-old Ben Tennyson dis-
covered a strange alien device, The Omnitrix, which
locks itself onto his wrist and allows Ben to morph
temporarily into one of 10 alien heroes.
Consistently a top rated series among boys, Ben
10 is a powerful global franchise for Cartoon Net-
work with proven sales success led by top-selling
toy, interactive and home entertainment franchises
generating more than $4.5 billion in global retail
sales to-date.
Cartoon Network names Playmates Toys global partner for
all-new Ben 10
Nex Media • NEWS
58
T
he shell scheme service provider in the 3D
Group, 3D Shell, is still on a high after its ac-
tion-packed build and breakdown for Securex/
A-OSH Africa on behalf of Specialised Exhibitions
Montgomery.
‘With over 150 exhibitors to keep happy and
over 4500m
2
to oversee in just two days, Special-
ised Exhibitions Montgomery was certainly put to
the test,’ said director Dylan Solomon.
‘3D shell was glad to alleviate some of the
stress by taking care of the 1500m
2
shell scheme
component of the exhibition, plus provisions of all
the services including carpets, electrical, furniture,
plants and other on-site elements.
‘These included building the special areas –
registration counters, seminar theatres, the Work-
ing at Height theatre, Ideco premier lounge and
exhibitors’ lounge – as well as providing indoor and
outdoor signage, supplying and rigging all the walk-
way banners, and installing a new product show-
case in that walkway.
‘More than 200 plug points and lights later and
we were happy; more than ready for the expected
8000 visitors over the three days.’
The response from Specialised Exhibitions
Montgomery projects manager, Joshua Low, was a
feather in 3D Shell’s cap.
‘I must compliment 3D Shell on the excellent
service its team delivered for the Securex/A-OSH
events,’ he said. ‘Our clients were extremely happy
with the quality of service they received on-site and
3D is, in part, to thank for this.
‘Jonathan, Hafsa and Ziggy deserve a special
mention: they were always willing to assist and
managed to resolve any of the issues that came up
on-site quickly and in a calm and engaging manner.’
Josh added ‘It was a pleasure working with you
all and thank you again for all of the hard work and
commitment that went into servicing our account
at the show.’
With over a decade of experience during which
it has grown into preferred supplier status to most
of the larger exhibitions and events in South Africa,
3D Shell excels at providing an exhibition infra-
structure service company to exhibition and event
organisers.
Its in-house team manages each exhibitor’s in-
dividual requirements on behalf of the organiser so
that it can focus on selling the show. Its portfolio
also includes country pavilions, package deals and
specialised exhibition areas such as information
points, VIP zones, coffee areas and organiser of-
fices.
Most recently, 3D Shell launched EaziXpo, an
online exhibitor and services management system.
Based on workflow principles and housed in the
cloud, it does away with the need for the endless
paper trail and complicated spreadsheets of data,
historically proven to be unreliable because of hu-
man error, to provide an elegant solution for manag-
ing all aspects of the exhibition, including money
collection for extra services.
‘Given that the shell scheme industry is fast
becoming an unsustainable commodity business
with prices being driven down until the supplier
is operating so close to the bone, the system was
developed to give 3D Shell a unique selling point
by adding value to all involved in the process,’ said
Solomon.
‘We’re finding more and more exhibition compa-
nies are embracing the system, which augurs well
for both us and the industry going forward.’
Securex is Africa’s leading security and fire
exhibition for industry professionals serious about
providing a safer and more secure working and
customer environment. A-OSH Africa addresses
the occupational environmental, health and safety
industry on the continent. Saiosh (South African In-
stitute of Occupational Safety & Health) hosted an
OHS Conference alongside the exhibition.
3D Shell supports Securex/A-OSH Africa
www.
nexmedia
.co.za
