Press Release:
Hillside, N.J. – June 18, 2013 – National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA), entertainment conglomerate and global leader in licensed consumer goods, in association with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products (FCP), has announced an exclusive global merchandise program around the groundbreaking animated series, THE SIMPSONS. The limited-edition boutique collection, announced today at Licensing Expo 2013, will feature twenty-five of the greatest guest stars who have appeared as themselves on THE SIMPSONS. The first five guest stars to be featured will include James Brown, Tom Hanks, Kid Rock, Yao Ming and Hugh Hefner.
Available to consumers in early 2014, the limited-edition boutique collection will feature diverse product roll-outs, highlighting the guest stars’ animated likeness as depicted on THE SIMPSONS. Additional celebrities showcased for the program will include other iconic music sensations, award-winning actors, actresses, sports heroes and more. New products will be introduced every two to three months, containing different groupings of guest stars, with limited quantities available at select pop-up shops and retailers worldwide.
“We are honored to celebrate a show that continues to entertain generations of fans,” said Joel Weinshanker, president and COO at NECA. “When you look at the guest stars over the years, they read like a who’s who of music, movies and television. I, for one, have made room on my shelf for all the amazing action figures that will be part of this program.”
“This unique partnership with NECA brings to life one of the many distinctive attributes of THE SIMPSONS: its unmatched guest star roster,” said Roz Nowicki, executive vice president of global sales and retail at Fox Consumer Products. “Developed with THE SIMPSONS fan in mind, this inspired product line will feature some of the greatest guest stars from the series and is sure to engage consumers around the world.”
