Saban recently announced several new kids promos designed to keep its properties top-of-mind through the end of the year and into

the next.

Topping off the list is the launch of The Fox Kids Cup 2000 soccer tournament for kids 12 and under. Spun out of the successful Fox Kids Latin America soccer tournament held earlier this year, the partnership with the American Youth Soccer League will be sponsor-friendly and spawn licensed merch. Starting in September 2000, Fox Kids and Fox Family will air interstitials distilled from the selection process as teams from over 40 countries battle it out to compete. An hour-long special airing in 19 different languages on all Fox Kids outlets will cap off the event with highlights from the four-day tourney, which is scheduled to take place in December 2000. Fox and Saban plan to take the event annual, and may expand the concept to other sports in the future.

Other upcoming Saban promos include hooking up with Bandai for a January Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue contest offering kids the chance to attend Tokyo’s Toy Fair and ride the bullet train, a McDonald’s Happy Meal QSR deal slated for next April and May offering 60 million Lightspeed Rescue premiums and a Taco Bell Kids Meal promo supporting Xyber 9 set for March 2000.

Saban also plans to support the February 2000 launch of Nascar Racers by partnering with Kellogg to tout the show on 20 million boxes of Frosted Flakes starting next March. The cereal promo will link to master toy Hasbro through a mail-in offer for collector die-cast cars. Hasbro will also launch its own US$7-million ad campaign in February to push the cars and other Racers product.