MALIBU, CA--(Marketwired - Jun 28, 2013) - Leading U.S. toy and consumer products manufacturer JAKKS Pacific , Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) has signed motocross star, Ryan Dungey , to its growing roster of top motocross athletes in its MXS® toy line. Dungey is an accomplished rider who has represented the United States in the Motocross of Nations race and in 2012 was the Transworld Motocross Rider of the Year. Under the licensing agreement, JAKKS plans to create action figures and accessories based on Dungey, which are scheduled to be available at retailers nationwide in November 2013.
"Having won every major title in the sport of motocross, Ryan is obviously the right person to enlist as the latest addition to our MXS athlete roster," said Michael Bernstein, Executive Vice President, Marketing, JAKKS Pacific. "At 23 years old, Ryan has already accomplished so much, and we are extremely excited to see what his future holds. We are looking forward to involving Ryan in the development of his MXS line to produce a highly detailed and authentic product line that his fans will love."
"As a kid I was a huge fan of moto action figures, so I am very excited to be working with JAKKS Pacific," said Motocross Champion, Ryan Dungey. "It's awesome, and at the same time surreal, to see myself in miniature action figure form. It's an honor to join the ranks of Carey Hart and Travis Pastrana in the JAKKS MXS toy line."
JAKKS' MXS toy line is a leading brand of motocross toys, delivering the top riders, authentic motocross bikes, and the biggest names in motocross apparel and motorcycle manufacturers. JAKKS' MXS product line includes miniature performance bikes with real sound effects, fully articulated rider figures with removable helmets and accessories, stunt bikes that capture the best stunts in the sport, customizable collectible bikes, and radio control bikes.
The deal between JAKKS and Dungey was brokered by IMG .
About Ryan Dungey At the very young age of 23 years old Ryan Dungey has already won every title in the sport of motocross. His dominance began in 2009 when he won both the Lites Supercross Championship and the 250 Motocross Championship. He followed that with a stellar 2010 campaign stepping up to the 450 class and winning the Supercross Championship and Motocross Championship in his rookie season, becoming just the second motocross rider in the history of the sport to accomplish that feat. He then led team USA to a victory in the 2010 Motocross Des Nations. Ryan did not disappoint in 2011, bringing home another title for team USA at the 2011 Motocross Des Nations in addition to finishing 3rd in Supercross and 2nd in Motocross.
Before the start of the 2012 season Ryan made the decision to reunite with his mentor Roger DeCoster at the Red Bull/KTM Factory Team. The relationship proved to be a fruitful one, taking only 2 races for KTM to bring home its first ever Supercross victory. Ultimately, with 14 victories and a second 450 AMA Class Motocross Championship title, Ryan was named the 2012 Transworld Motocross Rider of the Year.
Ryan is supported by a family of racers. His dad and two siblings were amateur riders; they travel with Ryan during the season ensuring he is well supported during his quest to remain at the top of the sport.
Ryan has become a key spokesperson for the Livestrong Campaign for cancer awareness. His work with Livestrong means a lot to Ryan having lost his grandmother to the disease in 2005. Ryan races in her memory. In 2011, Ryan became a member of the Livestrong Global Envoy Team.
In July of 2012 with the help of Target, Ryan held the first annual MN Major River-to-River Ride. The event benefitted St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It featured bicycle rides of different lengths for all skill levels.
About IMG Licensing IMG is the premier brand licensing company in the world with properties that represent more than $8 billion in global retail sales. With more than 50 years of experience, IMG Licensing, a division of global sports, fashion, and media leader IMG Worldwide, provides unparalleled licensing resources and services to build and market existing and emerging brands. IMG Licensing currently represents some of the top global sports, entertainment, and lifestyle brands in the world. IMG has been ranked the No. 1 Licensing Agency by License! Global Magazine in its annual Top 20 ranking since 2009. More information is available at img.com.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (
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.
© 2013 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All rights reserved.
CONTACT: Chad Nishimura JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (310) 455-6235 Email Contact Lauren Webby JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (310) 455-6226 Email Contact Jim Gallagher IMG Worldwide 914-953-1103
