Zodiac Girlz Are Here!

KB Toys Inc. (Pittsfield, Mass.) has signed a deal for an exclusive toy license for Zodiac Girlz, a new tween concept that “celebrates diversity, encourages individuality and promotes self confidence among girls,” according to a company statement.

Under the agreement, the national toy retailing chain will become the exclusive U.S. toy licensee for Zodiac Girlz and will produce and market an assortment of dolls, doll fashions, accessories, activity toys and electronic toys under the brand name. KB Toys will feature exclusive Zodiac Girlz products this fall through a dedicated feature shop in its stores (as well as through an on-line boutique at KBtoys.com).

Working with KB Toys will be 3 Muses LLC (Studio City, Calif.), a brand development company specializing in the creation and marketing of children's character properties for entertainment and licensing. 3 Muses was formed in early 2002. The Zodiac Girlz, which debuted on the Internet in June 2002, is the company's first product. Described as a concept that “breaks the barriers of race, disability and ethnicity by uniting an international sisterhood of diverse pre-teens,” the popular dolls — each with individual personalities based on their astrological sign — are armed with cosmic super-powers.

KB Toys operates more than 1300 mall-based stores in all 50 states under the KB Toys, KB Toy Works, KB Toy Outlets, Toy Liquidators and KB Toy Express banners.