DaGeDar™ Named Finalist for 2011 Boy Toy of the Year Award From Toy Industry Association

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DaGeDar™, the new racing sensation from Cepia LLC, has been nominated for the prestigious 2011 Boy Toy of the Year by the Toy Industry Association (TIA). This nomination follows Cepia LLC winning the Toy of the Year Award (TOTY) from TIA in 2010 for its original ZhuZhu® Pets hamsters. Since it was unveiled in August, DaGeDar has become one of the hottest toys for boys in America and has been flying off of shelves as the holidays approach.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111122/CG11791)

"We consider the Toy Industry Association awards our own version of the Oscars," said James Russell Hornsby, CEO of Cepia LLC. "Selected from more than 600 nominations in 11 different categories, the nomination from TIA is a testament to how popular and unique DaGeDar is, but the real reward for our company is the response it has received from children everywhere. Leading into the busiest holiday shopping weekend of the year, parents should be confident that DaGeDar is a game that their kids will love to play."

DaGeDar taps into the classic play patterns of young boys – a game of speed, skill and friendly competition with the added bonus of collectability. The supercharged DaGeDar battle balls encourage creativity and imaginative play as they race through tracks and loops. There are more than 100 DaGeGar balls to collect and each one has its own cool graphic and character spirit.

"The annual TOTY Awards celebrate and honor the creative spirit of the toy industry," said Carter Keithley, TIA President. "This event also supports the important work of the Toy Industry Foundation, which annually distributes more than half a million new toys and games to deserving kids across the nation and around the globe."

DaGeDar is a game where kids create their own rules on how to play.  With no batteries required, DaGeDar is simple and intuitive. "House Rules" allow kids to bring their own creativity and create new and innovative ways to play. According to Nickelodeon's 2010 Permission to Play study, "60 percent of kids prefer to play something when they can make up the rules or instructions, rather than play something that already has rules or instructions."

Fans can logon to www.toyawards.org between now and January 15, 2012 to cast their vote for DaGeDar. There, you can also register to win fantastic prize packages.

What is DaGeDar™?

Each DaGeDar (pronounced da-geh-dar) has its own unique back story, name and graphic that reflects the radical racer within. With weighted steel core centers, DaGeDar challenges players to propel the ball through various track sets and allow them to perform stellar tricks and stunts.

The DaGeDar™ Story

In a far-off intergalactic region, there exists Dimension 33, home of DaGeDar spirit-like entities. Each DaGeDar has a different quest, tale and motivation, but they all live for one bonding drive: racing!  After experiencing an emotional surge, DaGeDar thrust through the quantum foam separating Earth from their world.  They enter into their ball-like avatars, waiting for the right player to unleash the spirit within!

DaGeDar™ Characters

A special code on the back of each DaGeDar lets the player logon to www.dagedar.com to learn more about the character's spirit, biography and tagline. DaGeDar characters, who have reached a higher level of enlightenment, are marked with the rare number "33." Players are challenged to find these elite racers, making the quest to collect them all even more fun. 

• Rhinasty01014: Broken free from his captors, he will destroy anything in his path. Rhinasty01014 is an unstoppable dynamo of pure power!
• Hysterion01019: A rogue battle machine, Hysterion01019 struggles with his own sense of purpose, but this conflicted racer has built-in armor that is impossible to damage
• Insaniac06105: A rock n' roll racer, Insaniac06105 has a need for speed as well as a thrust for stardom.

DaGeDar™ Game Play, Tracks and Accessories

DaGeDar requires the perfect combination of speed and skill to successfully race through thrilling loops and turns in three differently styled track sets. Players determine how to play, whether it's racing against friends, collecting points or propelling their ball into the cup, DaGeDar racing changes every time. Ultimately, "House Rules" rule, letting players determine how to play and how to win!

Accessories

• High Speed Stunt Jump Track: Perfectly propel DaGeDar through the loop and into the cup
• High Speed Score Zone Raceway: Race against the competition; the lane narrows and points determine the champion
• Two Lane Battle Jump Raceway: Balls race head to head, launching over an extreme jump to the finish
• Launchers: Players can unleash their DaGeDar in ultimate rapid fire
• Carrying Case: Load DaGeDar in the carrying case and take them on the go. Carrying cases fit up to three battle balls!
• Spinners: Knock away competition while with wildly whirling spinners
• Dual Top Speed Start Gate: Get a head start with the Dual Top Speed Start Gate

DaGeDar is available at select national retailers.  DaGeDar balls, tracks and spinners are sold separately and range from $4.99-$19.99, ages 4+.

About Cepia LLC

Headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., Cepia LLC is a privately held company that manufactures toys and games for children of all ages. The company was founded on the premise that sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Ingenuity, creativity, playfulness and passion are the heart of Cepia and everything it creates. Cepia's toy building enterprises include: Glo-E™, ZhuZhu Pets®, Kung Zhu™, ZhuZhu Princess™, ZhuZhu Babies™, ZhuZhu Puppies™ and their newest venture, DaGeDar™. ZhuZhu Pets® has received top honor Toy of the Year recognition in five countries, including 2010 "Toy of the Year," "Most Innovative Toy" and "Best Girls Toy" at the 2010 TOTY Awards in the U.S.  All toys from Cepia LLC are sold globally through national chain retail outlets and independent toy stores. For more information, please visit www.cepiallc.com, www.zhuniverse.com and www.dagedar.com.

Media Contact:
Grant Deady
Zeno Group
(312) 396-9734
[email protected]

SOURCE Cepia LLC