Top S.E.C.R.E.T  News about J.O.N.A.S

Will Jonas-mania lift retail sales in your store this spring? You bet! Joe, Kevin and Nick Jonas have a presence on stage that makes all the girls scream when they pick up a microphone. So what is next for the Jonas Brothers?  Information from our sources indicates that next spring J.O.N.A.S. is going to take on a brand new meaning.  You might even find a Bonus Jonas. (Read more here).  

14-year-old Boy Attracts Millions on You Tube

All across the United States tweens are raving about one boy, Fred Figglehorn, a 6-year-old with anger management issues.  Lucas Cruikshank, a 14-year-old from Nebraska, created and started playing the role of Fred in his many adventures with nothing more than a camera and a Mac.  Today the Fred Figglehorn channel on You Tube has the most subscribers of all time! We think he may be the next Napoleon Dynamite for retail stores.

Video of the Month!

We know that little girls believe if you kiss a frog you just may find a prince.  Maybe the fairy tales don’t tell the whole story. 

Say Goodbye to Your Favorite Stores

We have all heard the stories, but what is really going on?  Click “here” for a list of all the major chains that will be saying good-bye in 2009.  With every store closing, an opportunity opens up for someone else to fill the void.

Could This Be the End for Bratz?

The battle over shelf space between Bratz and Barbie may be coming to an end.  A California federal court ruled in favor of Mattel, agreeing that Carter Bryant created the pouty-lipped Bratz line while he was employed at Mattel.  This is a giant victory for Mattel, resulting in a $100 million dollar settlement and the removal of the Bratz line from store shelves.   (Read More Here)

Is the Future Bright for Hannah Montana?

Like most fads, we all knew Hannah Montana-mania could not last forever. Some stores are reporting significantly lower sales for ALL Hannah Products on their shelves. But don’t count Miley Cyrus out just yet.  Disney has renewed her TV series for another year, and she’s set to hit the Big Screen this Spring in her own movie.

Reducing Labor Costs, Not the Labor

Many businesses have been through times of economic highs and lows.  Learning from the mistakes of the past is one way to make sure that you are poised for the economic rebound.  Many companies are keeping productive employees by offering 3-day weekends and unpaid vacation time to reduce expenses without layoffs.

9-Year-Old Teaches You How to Score With the Opposite Sex

A PhD in psychology is no longer necessary to provide sound dating advice.  Alec Greven wrote his first book, How to Talk to Girls, at the age of 9.  What started out as a school writing assignment focusing on teaching elementary-aged boys how to talk to girls may soon be lighting up the big screen.  (Read more)

Solar Eclipse of a Lifetime

This summer you will have the chance to witness the longest solar eclipse of the 21st century.  The best viewing area for the eclipse is China near Shanghai and Hangzhou, so many are planning early to view the 6 minute, 39 second eclipse.  For those who can’t get to China, our next chance to see an eclipse of this magnitude is 2132.  Seats for that one are going fast, so book your tickets now!

That's all for this issue. We'll be back again after the NY Toy Fair with some very cool stuff to share with you. See you then!

Regards,

Jay Kamhi
President