Ty News April 2008

... A New BB2.0 Dog Soon?
One of our readers writes:
Hi Doodle - I first want to thank you (and Brendan) for sharing the news of yesterday's appearance of Heartland. I absolutely LUV that Beanie, so 'patriotic' and perfect for the 4th of July!! I wanted to let you know, when I went to check out this Bear , I noticed there's a reddish brown bear that pops up in the animation to the BB2.0 site. I know it wasn't there earlier --- sooooo, maybe a new BB2.0 doggie soon. If you hover your mouse over him, his ears perk up, he waves, and his tail wags. :) You can check him out at http://www.ty.com/newhome. So do we wait for the next group of releases by Ty to see this new Beanie, or an announcement soon? Hmmm (Can you tell I still hang on to the excitement of newbie intros?) Gotta luv those Beanies!! Thanks again for all you do. We do appreciate it!! TTy soon~Robin

... 'Giving' Beanie Baby (silently) Retires
KarenBrit reports that Beanie Baby 'Giving' (silently) retired yesterday, April 28th. This Beanie was introduced by Ty on July 31, 2007.
Doodle's Note: 'Giving' Key-Clip, also introduced on that same day, is still listed as current on Ty's website.

... Heartland Beanie Baby (2.0)
Our thanks to Brendan, webmaster of the Sloth It Up website, who shares the following:

Hi! There's a new bear now on the BB2.0 website. It's a red bear named Heartland. It doesn't say whether it's an exclusive or not, but my guess is that it would be a USA exclusive. -Brendan

... Thanks for sharing, Brendan. 'Heartland's' birthday is noted as July 4, 2008. Maybe we'll see this bear's introduction announcement soon!

... Lefty and Righty Appear on Ty's website ...
Although still no official introduction, Beanie Babies 'Lefty' and 'Righty' can be viewed on the Beanie Babies 2.0 website. (Just click on 'What's New', "Meet the Beanies".) However, they are not listed (yet) on Ty's BB2.0 current list.

... Righty and Lefty Beanie Babies (2.0) - Photos
Our thanks to Brendan who shares the following:

Hey Doodle! I got Lefty and Righty today at Cracker Barrel. Their amount of BB2.0 and the fact that they had all of them (except Motherly) was really nice. One thing that I didn't expect is that their names are just Lefty and Righty... no "2008". Here are the poems for each:

Lefty:
If Beanies were allowed to vote
Guess who I would choose to promote
If you take a good look at me
You'll know just who my choice would be !

Righty:
If Beanies were allowed to vote
Guess who I would choose to promote
It surely won't be shocking news
To find out who it is I'll choose !

I didn't enter the codes online yet; I'm worried that they might not take them. I haven't seen them anywhere on the site yet, so I'm guessing they are going to be the May introductions.
-Brendan

Added Note: Both Beanies have a birthdate of November 4, 2008. After writing back to Brendan regarding the "exclusiveness" of this duo, he reports the hang tags do NOT state as "Exclusives". I guess Cracker Barrel was just one of the first to receive them.

... Lefty and Righty 2008 Beanie Babies
On April 20th, the following was posted on the Ty Cyberboard:

Election '08 beanies
CollectorD (Apr 20, 2008, 09:17 AM)
Message Id: 1182233
CollectorD writes:

are there going to be Righty/Lefty 2008? I certainly hope so. Anybody know?
Click here to view the post

Today Sandra writes:
Hi Doodle; I read on the news on the ty cyberboard about the possibility of a Righty and Lefty Beanie this year as in year's past (presidential election years). And guess what? I found that to be true. Check out Cindy's Beans if you want to take a look at them. Not sure what I think about them; maybe the color is throwing me off. Then again, it could be my computer. What's interesting is that it reads Cracker Barrel exclusives! Hmmmm Guess I gotta find a friend near one of the CB locations as there aren't any in my area. Thanks and have a great weekend! Sandra

Doodle's note: Thanks for sharing the news, Sandra. The following are past years' Righty and Lefty Beanie Babies (with introduction / retirement / birth dates). Maybe Ty will introduce the two new Beanie Babies 2008 soon!
Note the different retirement dates in 2004 ... Just a bit of trivia to remember.

Right and Lefty - Introduced June 15, 1996; Retired January 1, 1997 (Birthday: July 4, 1996
Righty 2000 and Lefty 2000 - Introduced June 24, 2000; Retired December 21, 2000 (Birthday: July 4, 2000)
Righty 2004 and Lefty 2004 - Introduced December 30, 2003; Righty 2004 - Retired November 24, 2004 ... Lefty 2004 - Retired November 3, 2004 (Birthday June 25, 2003)

Click here to visit our Exclusive Beanie Baby list (Note: Righty 2004 and Lefty 2004 were not USA exclusives)

... Desktop Wallpaper / Calendar
Brendan (the Sloth) has designed three desktop wallpaper / calendar backgrounds for May. You can choose from a floral-themed one, a Cinco de Mayo themed one, or a non-calendar one for Mother's Day. You can check them out on his website by clicking here.
... Nice job, Brendan! ... thanks for sharing.

... Wonder Pets - Update
On June 19, 2007, a Press Release was issued announcing plans to expand new merchandising programs for Wonder Pets. The PR information is posted below. A post on the Ty Cyberboard on Friday (April 18th) reads:
"Ming-Ming Duck and Linny, Guinea Pig Beanie Baby sets due out in July?", followed by a post stating "I checked with the B&N online store and both Tuck and Linny are due to be released July 1st. Because of the $7 price, I suspect they're just beanies and no book combo. No pic available at this time."

Note: On January 14th, we posted photos shared by Sakurako of Japan (Bottega Beanies) on the first Wonder Pet Beanie Baby (Ming-Ming) ... as shown below. (Additional photos can be viewed in our January 2008 news)

Posted June 19, 2007:
Nichelodeon / NVCP New Merchandising Programs (Press Release)

EARTHtimes.org - Press Release
NEW YORK, June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP), the world's leading television-based licensing organization, today announced plans to expand its respected portfolio with new merchandising programs created for tween hit The Naked Brothers Band; preschool smash, The Wonder Pets!; and the "stickiest" virtual community for tweens on the web, Neopets. The three brands will be spotlighted at Licensing 2007 International, June 19-21, at the Javits Center in New York City, joining a Nickelodeon- fueled roster of licensing success stories including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Go, Diego, Go!, Avatar, and The Backyardigans. In addition, NVCP announced a series of new domestic and international licensees and extended product lines with partners including Lego, Fisher-Price, Memcorp, Jerry Leigh, Scholastic, Skechers, and Ty, Inc. ......

Nick Jr., master toy licensee, Fisher-Price will launch a full The Wonder Pets! toy line at mass market retail in fall 2008. The planned preschool products will combine the property's unique mix of music, animal-rescue teamwork, "super-hero" role play and vivid animation style. Partner Ty, Inc. will produce plush products including the brand's signature Beanie Babies that will hit shelves in fall 2008.
Click here to read the entire article

Click here to view NVCP Wonder Pets (Linny the Guinea Pig, Ming-Ming Duckling, and Turtle Tuck)

... New 'Ask Ty' Q & A
A new 'Ask Ty' question and answer has been posted on Ty's website:
Q: Ty, what color is your car or vehicle? (submitted by puppykins)
A: I wish I could tell you it was something with a fun name, but my vehicle is basic black
Click here to visit 'Ask Ty'

... Buy One, Get One Free
"What's new" on the Ty website? Ty Girlz news! A limited time offer. Buy one, get one free! ... at participating stores. For a 'buy one, get one' store locator, click here.

... New Ty Trademark Application
Sly has shared a new Ty trademark with collectors (via Ms. Janie).

On April 8,2008 Ty applied to register a New Trademark on the following Word SNOOTZ
Ty Inc Lists the following as the goods and services: An avatar-based or virtual character associated with an online virtual world.

... Upcoming (Holiday) Hallmark Exclusive
Diana shares the following with Ms. Janie:

... I saw the Hallmark retail catalog and thought I'd mention to you what I saw in case it is news. The Christmas Hallmark Ty Beanie Baby exclusive this year is a bear called Gingerspice. The order number is 47100. It is a white bear with a random pattern in red and green of the outlines of gingerbread men.

Yes, I agree ... it's a little early to be thinking Christmas. But news we thought worth sharing :)

... Two Beanie Babies 2.0 Retire Today
As you probably know, the retirement announcement of Rascal and Fluffball (as the "First Retired 2.0 Beanies announced") was posted on the BB 2.0 site on April 3rd ... (under 'What's New"). Today Ty has added two more BB2.0's to the retirement list... 'Pico' and 'Jumps'. (I thought perhaps 'McLucky' would be one of the next to retire. Maybe soon?)
Note: The Beanie Babies 2.0 checklist has been updated on this site

... New 'Ask Ty' Q & A
A new 'Ask Ty' question and answer has been posted on Ty's website:
Q: Would you ever agree to be interviewed on TV, and if so, who would you talk to? (submitted by 4760177)
A: Aw c'mon . . . who really wants to see me on TV ?
Click here to visit 'Ask Ty'

...   'Golden Compass' Movie - with Beanie Baby ... Coming Soon
Wendy shares the following:

Hi Doodle; I saw on the Ty Cyberboard where a new exclusive Beanie is coming out, a "GOLDEN COMPASS" movie Beanie Baby. I went searching around and sure enough, there is one (on the WalMart website), due to arrive "on or after 4/29/2008". It's a white bear - & It looks like a regular one, not a 2.0. You can pre-order now for $26.08 and it says "not available in stores". If you want to go look at it, go to http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=9711276.   It's my understanding the bear's name is Iorek Bernison, although I don't know too much about this movie. Maybe the Beanie's name is "lorek"? So you might want to let collectors know so they can get it on order soon. When mine comes in, I'll definitely LYK. Thks for all you do for us collectors. Hv a great week!! Wendy

... Thanks for sharing, Wendy.   I did go take a peek - it is an adorable plush white bear. Definitely let us know when your Beanie arrives.

... Four Seasons New York - Penthouse Tour
Are you interested in taking a virtual tour of the Ty Warner Penthouse at the Four Seasons New York? While cruising around the internet today, I came upon this link and thought you might enjoy it. Just click on the "Open External Article" once you're on the website, and enjoy. (I know that's the closest we'll come to ever seeing this awesome Suite - all I can say is "Wow!")
Click here to visit the Four Seasons New York Penthouse tour

... Current BB2.0 Checklist Updated
With the recent announcement of new Beanie Babies, the current BB2.0 checklist has now been updated.

Are you a Ty MasterCard holder? Have you been wondering about the continuation of the MC Beanie? Marilyn writes with the following information, received from 'Your Friends at Ty':

We give you more.
The Ty MasterCard credit card comes with an introductory 0% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Cash Advance Checks and Balance Transfers through your first 15 billing cycles, and no annual fee (subject to a 3% transaction fee, no less than $10).+ You'll also receive 24-hour professional Customer Service, secure online account management, and zero liability for unauthorized credit card use. Also, add an authorized user to your account so you can share the exclusive rewards and benefits, plus earn more points!

Sincerely,
Your Friends at Ty

Added Note:
Posted 4/6...
Ian from the UK writes:

I also received an email about the ty & mastercard credit card only thing is it does and has never applied to the united kingdom! thanks ian

Doodle's Note: That is true, Ian. You must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States to apply for most Bank of America credit cards online. Non-U.S. citizens cannot apply.

... Shipping Soon!
The new Beanie Babies should be shipping soon. Marilyn also shares the following:
We won't have to wait long for our spring 2.0 beanies....most of them have already shipped to southern Wisconsin. I'm going to wait until Monday to get them in hopes that more of them will show up. Marilyn_in_Wisconsin

... Revamped BB2.0 Website
On Monday, with the anticipation of new Beanie Babies intros, we wrote ... "for those playing online, you will probably be led to new ventures as you tour the island with these new products." Now that the new Beanies have been introduced, it appears the BB2.0 website has some changes / additions. "The Sloth" writes:

... Buddies on Ty's Current List
The following was posted on the Ty Cyberboard:

The following Buddys are now on the Ty Classics current list:
PattiBuddy, FerociousPlatypus (Apr 03, 2008, 12:08 PM)
Message Id: 1181341

... (Silent) Retirements
Yesterday's news of a potential upcoming retirement was a good hint of what was around the corner. Today the two Beanie Babies ... 'Rascal' and 'Fluffball' ... have both silently retired. These are the first BB2.0 Beanies to retire.
Click here to view the BB2.0 lists on Ty's website.

... New 'Ask Ty' Q & A
A new 'Ask Ty' question and answer has been posted on Ty's website:
Q: If you could ask advice from any person in history, who would you call? (submitted by cold water)
A: I think maybe Teddy Roosevelt because not only was he a great man, but he was the inspiration for the teddy bear, too !
Click here to visit 'Ask Ty'

... 'Scholar' vs 'Scholars' Beanie Babies
With last year's Ty graduation bear named 'Scholar', and this year's graduation bear named 'Scholars' ... how do the two Beanie Babies compare? Check out the similarities (and differences) below.
(Note: Maybe the Class of 2009 Bear will be named 'Scholarly'? :)


Scholar (Class of 2007) Introduced March 30, 2007 Retired December 27, 2007 Poem: It's graduation day at last All grades are in; each test you've passed Your hard work has paid off, it's true And so I'll say "congrats" to you !	Scholars (BB2.0) (Class of 2008) Introduced April 1, 2008 Current Poem: Reading, writing, studying, too All that hard work paid off for you Congrats to you, Class of Oh-Eight It's time for you to graduate !

... "Off Order" Means? .....
A Ty product listed as "off order"? ... not 'retired' or 'sold out'. What could that mean? A reader has reported the following to Ms. Janie:

Just noticed on the retailers site that there are 2 of the 2.0 listed as "off order". Not sold out or retired. They are: