Furthering the trend of apps and viral properties taking on the US licensing scene, popular web series The Annoying Orange is headed for the toy aisles next month thanks to a master toy deal with The Bridge Direct, which creates pop culture items like Justin Bieber dolls.
The company has signed on to create a collection of talking plush, clip-ons and collectible figures featuring Orange and the rest of the Kitchen Crew that will be available next month. The products will range from US$7.99 to US$9.99 and will be available at mid-tier and specialty retailers including Toys ‘R’ Us and RadioShack. The talking plush, for instance, will play classic jokes and puns from the web series.
The deal was brokered on behalf of The Collective by The Joester Loria Group, the licensing agent for The Annoying Orange brand.
Created by Dane Boedigheimer, The Annoying Orange has become the most-watched web series of all time with 800 million total views on its dedicated YouTube channel, and the brand has garnered close to 10 million fans on Facebook.
Last month, The Collective announced the first wave of partners for The Annoying Orange licensing program, which includes apparel and accessories for juniors from Hybrid Apparel and Accessory Innovations. These items will begin rolling out this month through spring 2012.