It’s Day One of the Licensing International Expo 2009 in Las Vegas. And The Walt Disney Company has a big problem.
You see, the Disney booth is supposed to be ablaze with color. But someone must have screwed up the wiring. Which is why – as attendees enter the Mandalay Bay convention center – they’re walking by a dark grey booth.
Photo by Jim Hill
Andy Mooney, Chairman of Disney Consumer Products, and Rich Ross, President of Disney Channels Worldwide were clearly bummed that Disney’s booth was on the fritz.
(L to R) Andy Mooney & Rich Ross. Photo by Jim Hill
Which is why it was lucky for Andy & Rich that Wilmer Valderrama happened to be in town.
(L to R) Andy Mooney, Rich Ross & Wilmer Valderrama. Photo by Jim Hill
This “70s Show” star knew exactly who to call in order to clear up Disney’s electrical issues: Handy Manny.
Photo by Jim Hill
With the help of his trusty tools, Manny quickly figured out what the problem was (i.e. someone had forgotten to plug the Disney booth in).
Photo by Jim Hill
Then – working together – Andy, Rich, Wilmer & Manny hammered on the power button.
Photo by Jim Hill
And soon the Disney booth at the 2009 Licensing International Expo was awash with light & color.
Photo by Jim Hill
With projections that featured Tiana (i.e. the title character from “The Princess and the Frog”) in her first-ever public appearance with her fellow Disney Princesses.
Photo by Jim Hill
Okay. I know. What was described above was basically a silly publicity stunt that was used to open the Disney booth at this year’s Licensing Show.
Photo by Jim Hill
And the Mouse’s marketing types then used this grip-and-grin opportunity to announce Disney’s plans to expand the Handy Manny franchise. Including the news that not only did this hit multicultural animated preschool series just get picked up for a third season, but the first of two primetime specials – “Handy Manny’s Motorcycle Adventure” — will air this fall. In addition, the Disney Channel has just put into production a new short-form series built around this same set of characters, “Handy Manny’s School for Tools.” These 20 new animated shorts will begin airing as part of the Playhouse Disney programming block sometime in 2010.
Photo by Jim Hill
As for Mr. Valderrama … He seemed pleased that The Walt Disney Company had really gotten behind the “Handy Manny” franchise. Speaking with reporters on the convention center floor, Wilmer talked about how he had been in a hit primetime TV series and done movies. But – that said – nothing beats the thrill of having little kids shyly come up to him and ask “Are you really Handy Manny?” And then watching their eyes go wide when Valderrama does the character’s voice.