Exclusive, Make-Your-Own Plush Based on Universal Pictures and
Illumination Entertainment’s Minions, in Theaters July 10, 2015
ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2015--
Build-A-Bear
(NYSE: BBW), an interactive entertainment retailer of customized stuffed
animals, announced today that the company will produce a line of
exclusive, make-your-own plush based on Universal Pictures and
Illumination Entertainment’s Minions, in theaters July 10, 2015.
The collection will feature Minions Kevin, Stuart and Bob and
will be added to Build-A-Bear’s summer season lineup, available in
stores nationwide on May 22, 2015.
This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here:
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150522005345/en/
Build-A-Bear Workshop debuts customizable Minions collection in stores, May 22, 2015, based on Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's Minions. (Photo: Business Wire)
The Build-A-Bear
Minions collection, available online and in stores, will
include a variety of costume options, including the Minions’ signature
denim overalls and rubber boots, along with three era costumes as
featured in the film. As guests make their new plush friends, they can
choose from a selection of pre-recorded sounds based on each character’s
own popular sayings or add their own personal message on a Build-A-Sound®
recordable chip.
“Our Minions line is a unique, customizable offering, where
guests can choose their own costumes, sounds, and of course, participate
in our signature heart ceremony to make their Minion their own,” said Jennifer
Kretchmar, chief product officer, Build-A-Bear Workshop. “Our
collaboration with Universal and Illumination is testament to yet
another way we are providing memorable experiences for our store guests.”
Build-A-Bear's new Minions collection includes:
-
Minions Kevin, Stuart and Bob. Pricing starts at $25.
-
Outfits and accessories sold separately, including era costume sets:
Pirate, Gone Batty (Vampire) and Peace Brother Minion.
About Minions
The story of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Minions
begins at the dawn of time. Starting as single-celled yellow
organisms, Minions evolve through the ages, perpetually serving the most
despicable of masters. Continuously unsuccessful at keeping these
masters — from T. rex to Napoleon — the Minions find themselves
without someone to serve and fall into a deep depression.
But one Minion named Kevin has a plan, and he — alongside teenage rebel
Stuart and lovable little Bob — ventures out into the world to find a
new evil boss for his brethren to follow.
The trio embarks upon a thrilling journey that ultimately leads them to
their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Academy Award®
winner Sandra Bullock), the world’s first-ever female
super-villain. They travel from frigid Antarctica to 1960s New York
City, ending in mod London, where they must face their biggest challenge
to date: saving all of Minionkind...from annihilation.
Featuring a soundtrack of hit music from the ’60s that still permeates
our culture today, Minions is produced by Illumination’s Chris
Meledandri and Janet Healy, and is directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle
Balda. Brian Lynch has written the screenplay for the 3D-CG comedy
adventure, and Chris Renaud serves as executive producer of the film. www.minionsmovie.com
About Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
Founded in St. Louis in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the only
global company that offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal
retail-entertainment experience. There are approximately 400
Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide, including company-owned stores
in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and
Denmark, and franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, the
Middle East, and Mexico. The Company was named to the FORTUNE 100 Best
Companies to Work For® list for the seventh year in a row in 2015.
Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $392.4 million
in fiscal 2014. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit
the Investor Relations section of its Web site at buildabear.com®.
About Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com).
Universal Studios is part of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is one of the
world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development,
production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a
global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of
news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company,
significant television production operations, a leading television
stations group and world-renowned theme parks. NBCUniversal is a
subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
About Universal Partnerships & Licensing
Universal Partnerships & Licensing (UP&L) oversees NBCUniversal’s
consumer product and digital licensing for Universal Pictures, NBC
Television, Focus Features and Sprout Channel. This dedicated division
is also responsible for film, home entertainment and television
promotions. UP&L is part of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is one of the
world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development,
production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a
global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of
news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture
company, significant television production operations, a leading
television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of
leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of
Comcast Corporation.
About Illumination Entertainment
Illumination Entertainment, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007, is one
of the entertainment industry’s leading producers of all-audience event
films. In July 2010, Illumination, which has an exclusive financing and
distribution partnership with Universal Pictures, released its first
film, Despicable Me, starring Steve Carell, which earned
more than $540 million worldwide and launched a beloved global
franchise. With the success of 2011’s Hop (over $183
million worldwide), 2012’s Dr. Seuss’ The
Lorax and 2013’s juggernaut Despicable Me 2— the
year’s third-highest-grossing film at the worldwide box
office—Illumination’s films have made almost $2 billion. Universal and
Illumination’s next film Minions, starring Academy
Award®-winner Sandra Bullock and Jon Hamm, written by Brian Lynch, and
directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda, arrives in theaters on July
10, 2015. Fans may also experience Minion Mayhem in 3D with the Ultra-HD
movie motion simulator adventure at Universal Orlando Resort and
Universal Studios Hollywood.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150522005345/en/
Source: Build-A-Bear
Ketchum
Kristin Copeland, 404-879-9248
Kristin.copeland@ketchum.com