Kidrobot
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Collectible toys, Art, Vinyl Art Toys |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Boulder, Colorado, United States |
Key people | Paul Budnitz, Frank Kozik |
| Website | http://www.kidrobot.com/ |
Kidrobot is a producer and retailer of designer toys, vinyl art toys and collectibles founded in 2002 by Paul Budnitz, specializing in artist-created toys and imports from Japan, Hong Kong, and Europe. Kidrobot also makes Kidrobot Mascots, which are figures of their main logo. These figures are usually nicknamed KR (Kidrobot's common nickname) and the number of the Mascot. For example, the first Mascot was KR1. Some figures also have names; for example, KR1 was called Brooklyn. In August 2008, Kidrobot collaborated with jewelry designer, Tarina Tarantino, to launch a limited edition jewelry line, kidrobot by Tarina Tarantino.
In November 2014, National Entertainment Collectibles Association Inc. (NECA) acquired Boulder-based art toy company Kidrobot. Terms were not disclosed. Artist-driven Kidrobot remains headquartered in Boulder, CO. Frank Kozik, the famed concert-poster artist and creator of Kid robot's Labbit vinyl toy products, joined the company as creative director in 2014.[1]
Kidrobot relocated to Boulder from New York in 2010. The company has since closed its retail stores in Boulder, New York, London, and Los Angeles. Paul Budnitz, who created the toys in his garage in 2002, no longer works at Kidrobot.[1]
Location
Kidrobot is headquartered on Pearl Street in Downtown Boulder, Colorado.[2] Kidrobot has a commercial direct to consumer website, as well operating retail stores in San Francisco and Las Vegas. Their SoHo, Los Angeles and Boulder retail locations closed in 2014.[3][4] A selection of Kidrobot figures are carried by Urban Outfitters and Barnes & Noble, both online and in its retail stores across the U.S.
Toys and collectibles
Most items are produced in limited numbers and are, or become, collector's items. The retail stores feature a gallery of designer toys and related art, and often host artist signings to commemorate the release of limited-edition figures, such as the Bondage Labbit by Frank Kozik. Collectible Dunnys have been sold in limited edition box sets. "Kidrobot toys retail anywhere from $5 to $25,000, and many appreciate in value over time." [5] Many older Dunnys are very rare and can only be found online through websites such as eBay or Amazon at higher prices than the original Kidrobot retail pricing.
As a producer of designer toys, Kidrobot is known for its proprietary Dunny and Munny figures, soft vinyl figurines which resemble cartoon animals based on urban graffiti and stencil art. Artists and designers are commissioned to create DUNNYs, while MUNNYs are released unpainted as "blank canvas" do-it-yourself pieces. Contributing artists include Tara McPherson, Swizz Beatz, Matt Groening, Ed Templeton, Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park, Fort Minor), Shepard Fairey (Obey Giant), Joe Doucet, Futura 2000 (Mo'Wax), Devisu, Jamie Hewlett (Tank Girl, Gorillaz), MF DOOM (Madvillain), Huck Gee, JK5 (Joseph Aloi), Clutter Magazine, Mark Hoppus (blink-182, Atticus), Frank Kozik, Ron English, WuzOne, Scott Tolleson & Amanda Visell.
In June 2015, Kidrobot announced the launch of a plush line, named PHUNNY with an array of Gremlins characters including Gizmo, Stripe and Mohawk. [6] and in September a range of face masks.
Apparel
In addition to toys and dolls, Kidrobot produces apparel, particularly screen-printed t-shirts and hoodies featuring Kidrobot characters. The new clothing line for women and men comes in funky bright and colorful colors combined with artistic never before seen characters.
Feature film
On September 9, 2008, Variety reported a film based on the toy merchandise is in development. It would have been produced by Nickelodeon Movies and W!LDBRAIN Entertainment, while it would have distributed by Paramount Pictures.[7][8] As of 2015, no film has ever been released based on the toy line, however, Kidrobot announced on April 17, 2015 that MGM has acquired the film rights to Kidrobot on their blog.
References
- ^ a b "Kidrobot sold, Labbit creator Frank Kozik named creative director – The Denver Post". Retrieved 24 July 2016.
- ^ Kidrobot. "About Kidrobot". Retrieved 24 July 2016.
- ^ "Dear Kidrobot Community. An Update on KRNY. - Kidrobot Blog". 22 April 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
- ^ "Kidrobot Boulder Says Goodbye - Kidrobot Blog". 8 August 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
- ^ Kidrobot. "About Kidrobot". Retrieved 24 July 2016.
- ^ "Vinyl Pulse: Kidrobot Gremlins Phunny Line". Retrieved 24 July 2016.
- ^ Fleming, Michael (September 9, 2008). "Paramount commits to Kidrobot films: Nickelodeon bringing collectibles to bigscreen". Archived from the original on September 20, 2008.
- ^ "Movie News - Moviefone.com". Retrieved 24 July 2016.