Rev. W. Awdry daughter Hilary Fortnam passes away

The Rev. W. Awdry's daughter Hilary Fortnam has died at the age of 69.

One of the surviving children of The Railway Series author's family, Fortnam passed away at her home in Highworth, UK on Monday November 25th 2013 after battling cancer for a decade.

Fortnam became a driving force in keeping her father's legacy alive. She continued to support and promote her father's works, attending events associated with the books and the Thomas brand.

In 2011, Fortnam criticised the TV series over the removal of the term christmas, forcing Hit Entertainment to make edits through DVDs and recent televised episodes.

Her husband of 47 years, Alf, praised her for her care and determination; She was losing strength and energy. She was in pain. She died at home and all her children, her sister and brother were able to see her the weekend before.

She was a lovely mother and cared very much for her three children. She was very fortunate to have had two more grandchildren in the last two years. We have six now.

That was a source of great pride to her. She loved me for who I was. She was creative and inspiring in her own right.

In the mid 80s, Fortnam developed a fixation in Christian faiths and worked as a lay minister in her town's St. Michael and All Angels Church, where her funeral was held on December 2nd.

She is survived by her children Rachel, Simon and Sara, her husband Alf, her sister Veronica Chambers and her brother Christopher Awdry.

Mattel talks 'King' and more with Hollywood Reporter

Mattel's vice president has lent an interview to The Hollywood Reporter about Thomas in an exclusive article.

In the build-up to King of the Railway's US cinema and home video releases, the Vice President of Hit Entertainment for America, Sid Mathur spoke to the corporation about how the movie and its predecessors appeal to audiences.

We pick an attribute [to feature] every single year and try to weave a story around it, which kind of delivers the lesson in a meaningful and entertaining way. That is how we try to differentiate it from the daily and weekly content.

They can interact and meet with all the characters from the brand and have a full day out with them, that's what completes the picture for me.

It’s not just about dealing with the traditional and new mediums of communicating, but also trying to bring your brand to life.

An app based on the film, which will be available to Apple devices, will use elements introduced on the film's minisite. A push in retail and food outlets are to follow from Mattel, increasing the brand's reach to the public.

Mathur went on to explain why the show itself should not deviate from its core of learning abilities; You’re trying to give kids life lessons about socio-emotional upbringing in an entertaining way.

You can’t move away from those roots and say, OK, these are no longer important, because the moment you do it you lose the prime DNA.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Mattel talks better Thomas future with New York Times

Mattel has spoken about their plans for an even more expansive Thomas & Friends brand later this new year.

The toy giant who were appointed the new owners of Hit Entertainment in October 2011 have been talking to The New York Times over what to expect from the brand through 2013.

International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association alumni, Marty Brochstein said; An established brand like Thomas helps Mattel in the extraordinarily competitive preschool market.

It is much more expensive and tenuous to try and create a franchise from scratch. Plans for a refurb in merchandise and marketing are under way with four apps, a new website and more Day Out with Thomas being promised.

Head of Hit Global Brands, Shari Donnenfeld shares more; When you are successful for as long as Thomas has been, you can become part of the woodwork.

We need to reinforce the brand by reminding people why they love it and introducing new content.

Over the questions as to what newer TV series' shall bring, Executive Vice-President of Mattel, David Allmark has pledged for a change; Innocent, sweet life lessons. Faster storytelling. Some of it needs livening up a little bit.

The article also teases a release date for the King of the Railway movie, apparent to appear on DVD and in cinemas for spring.

An incorrect paragraph states that three more seasons of the show will be produced. However, CGI makers Arc Productions and Hit are currently contracted to make the new special with two seasons following.

In December last year, a makeover for the Day Out with Thomas events was announced for the UK in a press release by Licensing.biz.

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Thanks to Tristan for the alert.

Has Mattel reassured you that there is light at the end of the tunnel for Thomas or do you still see the brand in a dark place? Send in your thoughts in the comments tab below.

Sandra Bullock seen at Day Out With Thomas visitation

American movie actress, Sandra Bullock has been spotted at a Day Out With Thomas gig in California.

The 47 year old of Miss Congeniality fame became identifiable by local paparazzi where she and her adopted son Louis, visited the city for the event.

Celebrity gossip website, POPSUGAR detailed about the Bullock's day on the Fillmore & Western Railway.

Sandra Bullock and a friend brought her son Louis to check out Thomas the Tank Engine at a park in Fillmore, CA, over the weekend.

The little guy got to pick out some souvenirs, which his mom Sandra carried while Louis hitched a ride with her friend.

SEE WHAT SANDRA AND LOUIS BULLOCK GOT UP TO ON THE DAY

Bertie and Harold spinoff series' considered in 2001

Bertie the Bus and Harold the Helicopter were suggested to have spinoff series' centered around them after the Millenium.

In an article found recently, The Telegraph divulged the pitches made by former Gullane chairman, William Harris.

The comments were witnessed in late March 2001 sometime after the release of Thomas and the Magic Railroad, which attributed to the proposed creation.

We want to expand some of Thomas's friends, particularly some of the off-track characters. Children would like to know what happens to Bertie when he goes back to his bus shed.

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Thanks to TOPPictures for the alert.

Mattel's post Hit Entertainment deal threatens first pay

Mattel's premiere earns since the purchasing of Hit Entertainment have suffered reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The company who currently own Thomas & Friends aswell as the whole of Hit recieved the sum of almost $8 million in their revenue.

A year previously, they had collected a $16 million gross sometime before they were involved with the highly publicised auction.

Hit in late October were finally bought for $680 million by Mattel after the intense bidding war culminated.

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Thanks to Troublesome Truck for the alert.

Raft of products to hit retailers from three companies

Dr. Fresh, H&A and Icefresh have all signed a deal with Hit Entertainment to produce new products for United Kingdom retailers.

They are all to develop each different kinds of Thomas & Friends items. Dr. Fresh will create oral hygiene stocks attributing to other bathroom necessities.

H&A are to focus on the full practicalities of bathroom themes for washing and Icefresh takes the developments of Thomas ice creams to appear in food stores, Drayton Manor Thomas Land and Days Out With Thomas events.

Vice President for Consumer Products of Thomas & Friends, Laura Clarke mentioned the enthusiasm of the deal.

We are delighted to welcome these new licensees on board - their innovative range of products will create increased impact for the brand at retail.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Hit reveres Thomas with top spots in licence groups

Hit Entertainment are commending Thomas & Friends for being the primary preschool toy licence in Britain and America.

In a press release, Hit showed that Thomas carried the wins with eleven and twelve years running in the US and UK respectively.

The Mattel owned company have also divulged that the brand claimed more top spots Down Under and in certain parts of Europe.

American Executive Vice President of Hit, Pam Westman told of the delightment; We are proud of Thomas’ longevity and look forward to many more years of being on a track for success! 

In this fickle economic environment it’s a testament to the popularity of Thomas that the brand has been able to top the charts for more than a decade as #1 preschool license and #1 preschool property.

READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE

Mattel locks in acqusition of Hit with $680 million sum

New Thomas & Friends owner, Mattel has at last finished it's pended acqusition for taking over Hit Entertainment.

The company are now allowed to proceed with various plans such as existing ones including the Take-n-Play Thomas toy lineup.

The latter and other franchises of Thomas merchandising are now commited until at least 2014 in the deal.

CNBC reports that another development may take place; The acquisition will allow it to take over the wood license too, when it expires at the end of the year.

READ THE FULL REPORT

Thanks to SI3DFilms for the alert.

LeapFrog to develop own app store with Hit

LeapFrog and Hit Entertainment are teaming up in partnership to create an app store centering on children's best loved characters.

Billed for the LeapPad Explorer and Leapster Explorer later this month, brands currently due to feature such as Fireman Sam and even Thomas & Friends are joining the company's digital learning library of apps.

LeapFrog's Vice President, Jill Waller detailed; We are very excited to expand our digital learning library with a brand like Hit that shares a similar promise to entertain kids while they learn some of life's most important lessons.

By offering content starring kid-favorite characters like Thomas and Fireman Sam, parents can be assured that their kids are learning while having fun.

Senior Vice President of Global Brand Management and Digital Media for Hit Entertainment, Natasha Fishman gave her words of the partnership.

Hit is dedicated to providing kids with trusted, entertaining content, and we are thrilled to offer fans Thomas & Friends and Fireman Sam on these two popular children's platforms.

Hit and LeapFrog have collaborated for many years and we are delighted to expand our partnership into the digital space.

The apps will present educational video clips of the two mentioned characters teaching children the values of self-esteem, building friendships, and health and safety.

Thomas & Friends and Fireman Sam will appear in the LeapFrog App Center via the LeapFrog Connect Application on it's two Explorer platformers later this month and through to the new year.

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Thanks to NWR1991 for the alert.

Official: Mattel named new owner of Hit Entertainment

Toy maker Mattel have been announced as the winner's of the sale of Hit Entertainment.

After a long year of talks and involvements going on during the bid, Mattel have purchased Hit for a $680 million sum.

Thomas & Friends once again will have a new home in the form of the known toy maker company who already sell several Thomas themed products in the market.

The Chairman and Chief Officer of Mattel, Robert Eckert spoke of the deal via Hit Entertainment's exclusive press release; Mattel is the right home for Thomas & Friends. This powerhouse brand is joining the ranks of such iconic brands as Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price and American Girl.

Thomas & Friends routinely ranks among the world’s leading preschool toys. Additionally, with more than half of the Thomas & Friends revenue generated from non-toy products, this transaction will marry Mattel’s global marketing,

distribution and brand management capabilities with Hit Entertainment’s global programming and licensing expertise to accelerate growth of the combined portfolio.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Hit Entertainment, Jeffrey Dunn also commented; Hit Entertainment owns some of the most loved and trusted preschool brands in the world and under Mattel’s leadership, I look forward to seeing them grow to even greater heights.

Mattel is a wonderful steward of brands and a great home for the outstanding properties Hit has developed and grown, including Thomas & Friends. It is fitting that the world’s premier toy company should become the owner of the world’s premier pre-school property.

Apax Partner's Media team member, Irina Hemmers said; We are very pleased that this strong portfolio of iconic brands will continue to flourish in the hands of Mattel.

Fisher-Price already produces Hit’s toys under license so the two companies know each other well and there is considerable industrial logic in this combination.

I would like to thank the employees and the management team for ensuring that Hit’s brands achieved their leading global position in the preschool character space. We wish the whole company every success for the future.

Viacom, Disney, Chorion, Saban Brands, Tomy and many other companies were all considered for the buyout but lost out to Mattel in one of the most eagerly anticipated stories of this month. 

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What's your view on Mattel? Are they the right choice to buyout Hit Entertainment?, could you see a bright future ahead?, and what do you think is to become of Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends?

Send a comment just under this post to express your views.

The end of the Hit sale goes on the nigh

After a long period of bidders waining in on the sale of Hit Entertainment, an end to it could surface as early as this week.

Mark Kleinman's latest post on his Sky News Blog indicates that toy maker Mattel is on the way to winning the bid.

The buyout would cost a sum of over £500 million or $785 million in the US which was originally thought to be a £1 billion payout at the start through to it's midway stage.

Neither Hit Entertainment, Mattel or Apax Partners have yet to speak over the sale or even of it's supposed upcoming end.

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Hilary Fortnam slams 'Christmas' removal saga

Hilary Fortnam, one of the Rev. W. Awdry's children has criticised the replacement of the Christmas term becoming Winter Holidays.

In an open letter to The Telegraph, Fortnam wrote a statement showing her dismay; It is not what my father, the Reverend Wilbert Awdry, wrote.

He always impressed on reporters and publishers that he “was a priest first and a children’s author second. Christmas, signifying the birth of Christ, was always very important to him.

He would feel very strongly about this politically correct age, and that those who now write his stories should not take Christ out of Christmas. Political correctness against Christian beliefs offends.

The subject in question comes from the removal as seen in the Keeping Up With James TV Series episode, however many reporters have missed out the later and current episodes that still carry on the affair.

A spokeswoman for Hit Entertainment has spoken out to Channel 4 News where she has assured people that the wrong impression is being given out.

Hit Entertainment has no policy against celebrating Christmas and any assertion to the contrary is incorrect.

In fact, we actively embrace Christmas, recognising that it is a period of joy and celebration for many children around the world. I would understand why she would want to preserve her father’s legacy.

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James delivers Daily Mail's "Winter holidays" hate mail

The Daily Mail have picked up on the subject of the term Winter holidays replacing Christmas in certain TV episodes.

Now grabbing the attention of Britain's more broader newspaper audience, the article has published an interview with former MP Anne Widdecombe who has given her views on the story with great disgust.

The shops will be stocking Christmas gifts, the television will be advertising presents and people will be talking about it, so the idea that children won’t hear about it is ludicrous

Hit Entertainment have since responded to the complaints, who have also pointed out the referred and centered DVD's original release date. 

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"Winter Holidays" term for Christmas hits church with dislike

Episodes of Thomas & Friends have been blasted by political correctness campaigners and churches over replacing a common word during the Winter.

The newer episodes made by Hit Entertainment have often been celebrating christmas parties but rather renaming christmas, Winter Holidays.

Fans have since complained over the term but none has been more public than the campaigners and church leaders who have hit out.

A Catholic Church spokesperson said; It would be a great shame if political correctness were to wipe out the true meaning of Christmas for children, even to the extent of interfering in classic children's stories.

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Kleinman confirms Tomy involvement in Hit sale

Sky News' City Editor, Mark Kleinman has revealed another company entering the wrangling sale of Hit Entertainment.

Toy maker Tomy, who for the present day make many Thomas & Friends products over in Japan are now linked to the buyout.

Mattel was previously in the forefront of the sale with discussions having taken place with Apax Partners.

Disney, Hasbro, Viacom and many other companies are also still in line for the takeover.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Thanks to Ajani for the alert.

Disney keeps shadow over Hit bid

Disney has not ruled out purchasing Hit Entertainment as the bidding war over the company continues.

President and Cheif Executive for Disney, Bob Iger has spoken out however assuring people that they might not keep buying properties.

There isn't a great strategic hole to fill, we've got so many already, it will be judicious in what we'd be willing to pay for them.

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Thanks to Thomasfan for the alert.