Redakai Fever Kicks off Across America as Thousands of Gamers Get First Glimpse at Highly Anticipated New Trading Card Game

TORONTO, June 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Thousands of gamers at more than 250 hobby stores across North America tried their hand at the hotly anticipated new trading card game Redakai over the weekend. The official launch weekend was a huge success, generating great excitement among players and the hobby stores that hosted events.

"We encouraged retailers to document their Redakai launches over the weekend," said Chris Austin of Southern Hobby Supply, one of Spin Master's distributors for Redakai. "Some were skeptical about having a new innovation in trading card games, but their minds have quickly changed. Feedback from the weekend across the board nationwide has been amazing, and our phones have since been very busy fielding retailer re-orders. Redakai has the potential to be a huge success"

Here are a few responses from participating retailers at the weekend's events:

"Redakai is the real deal; it's original and innovative while having challenging tactical game play. The market is ripe for a new game to hit that is focused on getting younger players. Other trading card games have practically ignored younger players assuming they own the market. If Redakai plays smart they can snatch up those ignored kids."

"Redakai's stackable system is revolutionary and plays as well as it looks. The players really liked how quick they could learn the game and how fast the game plays. Once the cartoon releases, this game will hit another level."

"The launch went great! We completely sold out of our championship sets and the overall response was overwhelming. Players from all age groups were participating and enjoying themselves. Our league tournaments are now already in full swing."

"The reaction over the weekend was superb! Everyone was excited about the Blast3D and Stack to Battle technology, and we anticipate that Redakai will fill a niche with younger gamers that has been neglected for a long time. I am a firm believer that Redakai will be the next huge thing for gamers in the 6 to 14 age range. This is going to blow up, trust me, and we're glad we've been a part of this from day one."

As exciting as this first weekend has been, it represents just the beginning Spin Master's efforts to drive new gaming consumers into hobby stores. Awareness will grow each week through the online Redakai community, the launch of the animated series on Cartoon Network in July (YTV in Canada), and a major TV advertising campaign in August.

Redakai™ is a ground-breaking innovation in gaming, taking trading cards to the next level with amazing Blast3D™ technology. Never before have trading cards contained 3D and animation effects like Redakai™. A new  "stack to battle" gaming advancement automatically tracks your progress and allows you to see the damaging effects of your attacks. Redakai is the follow-up to Spin Master's hit entertainment property and cultural phenomenon Bakugan.

Co-produced by Spin Master and Marathon Media/Zodiak Kids, Redakai: Conquer the Kairu is an animated kids adventure series on Cartoon Network starring Ky, a 15-year-old student of ancient martial arts who embarks on an incredible quest to find the Kairu, a primordial alien energy force. Helped by his friends Maya and Boomer, Ky travels the globe looking for the Kairu to protect it from his extraterrestrial teenage opponents, with the hope that one day he will become the greatest Kairu warrior of them all - a Redakai.

Redakai will be sold in mass retail stores across America beginning in August.

For additional information on Redakai, organized play tournaments, gaming accessories and much more, please visit www.Redakai.com.

About Spin Master Ltd.
A multi-category children's entertainment company since 1994, Spin Master has been designing, developing, manufacturing and marketing consumer products for children around the world and is recognized as a global growth leader within the toy industry. Spin Master is best known for such popular brands as boy's action phenomena and 2010 Boys Toy of the Year winner Bakugan Battle Brawlers™, and award-winning brands Air Hogs®, Aquadoodle™, Tech Deck™, Moon Sand™, Liv™, and Zoobles™. The company has also marked an entry into children's media with the launch of Spin Master Entertainment, a subsidiary focusing on the design, development and production of television and other media properties. Spin Master employs 900 people with offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Mexico, Munich, and central Europe. For additional information please visit: www.spinmaster.com.

About Marathon Media / Zodiak Kids
Marathon Media is one of France's biggest animation producers, and one of the world's leading cartoon studios. Based in Paris, the company is managed by Vincent Chalvon Demersay and David Michel. Amongst its portfolio of international successes are Rekkit Rabbit, Gormiti, Spiez, Monster Buster Club, Martin Mystery, Team Galaxy, Marsupilami, and of course the smash hit series Totally Spies! Each brand's extraordinary track record in TV extends into merchandising, with activity across categories such as toys, home entertainment, multimedia, stationery, publishing and many more.

Marathon Media is part of Zodiak Kids, the brand new division which will see all of the Zodiak Media Group's kids production and distribution entities combine under one united banner. The newly formed Zodiak Kids production companies had a combined yearly (2010) output of over 350 episodes of brand new programming. For additional information please visit: www.marathon-media.fr / www.zodiakkids.com.

SOURCE Spin Master Ltd.