Midwest-CBK to Host Monkeez Makes a Difference™ Showroom Events During Summer Markets

Monkey around and do good during 2012 summer markets! Midwest-CBK and parent company MVP Group International, Inc. invite retailers to celebrate the launch of the company's new educational, charitable Monkeez Makes a Difference program during kick-off events in Midwest-CBK's Dallas, Atlanta and Las Vegas showrooms.

Monkeez Makes a Difference is a first-of-its-kind, interactive experience that teaches children the importance of helping others. Featuring kid-friendly tools like the best-selling Genuine Monkeez and Friends™ plush characters, online games, real-life Do Good™ challenges and a special donation on a child's behalf to one of three nationally renowned charities of their choice, Monkeez Makes a Difference gives children the opportunity to learn and practice giving back while having fun. It also provides an innovative solution to parents, grandparents and others who are hungry for tools to help them discuss and demonstrate what it means to think of others in today's world.

During the kick-off events, retailers will have an opportunity to participate in Monkeez Makes a Difference game and website demos; meet representatives from charity partners including Samaritan's Purse, Best Friends Animal Society and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation; see special SnapRetail e-marketing program demos; receive "I Made a Difference" badge inserts with purchase; and enjoy frozen fruit or ice cream treats.

Monkeez Makes a Difference launch event was held at the Dallas Market.

Mutsy's New Innovative Designs

Netherlands-based Mutsy, recognized for its modernistic stroller designs and distinctive modular construction, introduces its latest innovation for baby transport, the EVO. This lightweight and stylish combi-buggy is an ingenious baby mobility choice with its outstanding ease of operation at an affordable price.

Mutsy's signature style shines in the compact and simply designed EVO, offering maximum comfort for baby whether in use with a bassinet, stroller seat or car seat. EVO's highly versatile stroller seat can face front or back, and is easily reclined with a single hand to a completely lay down flat position. A uniquely designed footrest with fabric can be attached to the front bumper bar to create a safe and fully cosseted enclosure for younger babies when the backrest is fully reclined.

Designed to be exceptionally easy to push and maneuver, EVO is easy to fold without the need to remove the seat, and extremely compact when closed. Other features include a height adjustable leatherette handle, swivel/lock system on front wheels, extendable hood with mesh panel, easily accessible and very large shopping basket, a carrying handle and flip down sun shade.

Program Helps Midwest-CBK Customers with Product Launch Using Email and Social Media

Midwest-CBK, a leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, has partnered with SnapRetail to provide independent retailers with a free, turnkey SnapRetail Monkeez E-Marketing Program. SnapRetail offers a web-based system for online marketing and sales that is used by thousands of independent retailers.

The program brings retailers a complete social media and email marketing campaign to drive store traffic and sales of Monkeez Makes a Difference Genuine Monkeez & Friends products. Midwest-CBK and SnapRetail have made it easy to promote Monkeez Makes a Difference by providing a complete toolbox of email and social media templates to launch the new program to retailers' customers.

The program is available to independent retailers who purchase $500 worth of Monkeez Makes a Difference products during the summer markets or from their sales reps from June through August 31, 2012, providing retailers with:

• One-month free subscription to SnapRetail's system.  

• Coming soon templates that retailers can easily and quickly share with customers to build awareness and excitement for the program just prior to product availability.
• When Monkeez Makes a Difference products leave the Midwest-CBK warehouse, SnapRetail will help retailers announce that the Monkeez are now available in their store.

"Midwest-CBK is always looking for new ways to support our customers with business-building tools," says Frank Davis, Midwest-CBK director of sales. "The beauty of this turnkey campaign is that it's free with purchase of the program and provides popular Facebook, Twitter and email tools to drive traffic and build sales. Plus SnapRetail and Midwest-CBK do the work; retailers simply push the 'send' and 'post' buttons and watch the results."

aden + anais Launches a New Multi-Functional Electronic Feeding and Sleep System

aden + anais, known for their collection of multi-functional muslin swaddle blankets, bibs, washcloths and other modern baby care items, offers its first high-tech product for parents: Serenity Star. The first-ever product from the brand to fuse useful technology with signature aden + anais style, Serenity Star unites feeding, nightlight, sound, clock and room temperature functions into one singular design.

Serenity Star's innovative electronic feeding diary function allows users to record the start-time of the last feed entered. Breastfeeding moms can also chronicle which side was last fed from. The LCD screen clearly indicates all the information needed to simplify feeding, along with a useful 12-hour AM/PM clock. By fusing feeding time and last-side memory functions into one easy display, Serenity Star pioneers the simplest way for moms to record and remember this information effortlessly.

Serenity Star's technology also includes a soothing nightlight, which doubles as a room temperature indicator for the nursery. When the nursery is at an ideal temperature, it emits a soft white glow. Should the room temperature rise above 67 degrees Fahrenheit, the glow will turn red to indicate the room is warmer than recommended. If the room temperature drops below 61 degrees Fahrenheit, the Serenity Star will emanate a blue glow as a recommendation to adjust the room temperature and/or the baby's clothing.

As a sound machine, Serenity Star features four soothing sounds to create the most peaceful environment for baby: two lullabies, white noise or heartbeat. Sound can be controlled with a timer, which can be set for 30 minutes, 60 minutes, or for continuous play, so if baby wakes between sleep cycles, the sound remains consistent.

Diaper Dude and Boba Join Together to Create Functional and Fashionable Baby Carrier

Diaper Dude, the original bag for dad and lifestyle accessory brand, and Boba, Inc., the award winning baby carrier company, join together to create The Special Edition Diaper Dude Boba Carrier. This functional trend-setting piece allows parents and baby to go anywhere and everywhere together. "We are thrilled about this joint venture with Boba, Inc.," said Chris Pegula, founder of Diaper Dude. "By merging safety and style we were able to create the ideal product for parents with babies on-the-go."

The backpack-style Boba 3G Carrier is the first baby carrier that may be converted into a newborn carrier without the need to purchase any inserts or accessories. The popular features parents have come to know and love are still found on the 3G design, including removable foot straps, ensuring babies and toddlers' knees are supported while their legs are placed at a natural 90-degree angle. When the child is seated in the Boba 3G Carrier in this flexed abducted position (legs apart, knees bent) and oriented towards the carrying adult, their hips and pelvis naturally align taking pressure off of their spine resulting in increased support and maximum comfort for the child. Other benefits this first-of-kind baby carrier provides include: 

• Multiple pockets for easy on-the-go storage. 
• Fully adjustable and removable sleeping hood, making it easy to protect children of all sizes. 
• Maximum comfort for adults with a reshaped ergonomic waist belt featuring high quality foam. 
• Unique shoulder strap holders, allowing for parents to easily carry a matching Diaper Dude bag! 
• Baby is safe at all times with Boba 3G's ultra-secure waist belt featuring a military grade buckle. 
• Extremely easy to wear and use. The child can be carried on the adult's front or back.

Coolibar Meets Moms Needs

What are new moms supposed to do to protect their precious newborn from the sun when experts agree that infants' skin is too sensitive for sunscreen until they're six months old? We've all seen the blanket or towel thrown over the hood of the stroller or car seat, but without protection, harmful rays can still get through and often babies become hot, sweaty and miserable.

So, Coolibar, the leader in sun protective clothing, has come up with a simple yet ingenious solution that new moms are sure to love while they're out and about this summer. And luscious new colors have been added to the mix!

The Coolibar Sun Blanket is made of Coolibar's own ZnO Suntect fabric - a cotton/bamboo/spandex blend that's as soft as a baby's bottom, lightweight and breathable. It is rated UPF 50+, giving complete peace of mind and priced at $25.00, it's easy to have a couple on hand to throw into a beach or diaper bag.

It comes in four beautiful summery colors: white, morning sky, pink blossom, apple, cancun, azure, poppy pink and sunset lavender.

The new Coolibar Sun Shawl is exactly what mom needs to protect herself with a dash of color, while she is out and about with the kids. Each shawl is made with the super soft, breathable, lite Suntect fabric and comes in a dozen yummy colors and is only $29.

Hot Summer Movie Releases, "Marvel's The Avengers," Sony Pictures' "The Amazing Spider-Man," and more

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) has unveiled new toys inspired by the most anticipated movie releases of the summer: "Marvel's The Avengers," Disney Pixar's "Brave" and Sony Pictures' "The Amazing Spider-Man." This exciting product assortment features dolls, action figures, costumes and role play toys inspired by favorite Marvel Super Heroes and Disney Pixar's newest heroine, the bold and adventurous Merida.

Opening in theaters May 4, Marvel Studios presents "Marvel's The Avengers"—the Super Hero team-up of a lifetime featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes: Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. On July 4, Sony Pictures' "The Amazing Spider-Man," based on the Marvel comic book, opens in theaters nationwide.

On June 22, Disney Pixar introduces a dynamic new heroine, Merida, in "Brave." The film is a grand adventure set in ancient Scotland and is filled with heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humor that audiences of all ages will enjoy. Three hot summer toys destined to be big hits with kids and fans were recently recognized as summer "must-haves" on Time to Play magazine's "Most Wanted Summer Toys" list: the Merida Fashion Play Doll by Mattel, Merida Toddler Doll by Tollytots and "The Amazing Spider-Man" Electronic Figure by Hasbro.