NECAOnline.com | PRESS RELEASE: NECA AND TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX CONSUMER PRODUCTS REVEAL THIRD WAVE OF CELEBRITY NAMES TIED TO MERCHANDISE PROGRAM IN CELEBRATION OF 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIMPSONS

The Latest Celebrity Guest Stars to See Themselves Featured in Limited-Edition Boutique Collection Includes Penn and Teller, Bret Hart, Stephen King, Leonard Nimoy and R.E.M., Available June 2014

Hillside, NJ – May 12, 2014 – “Woo Hoo!” THE SIMPSONS fans rejoice! National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA), an entertainment conglomerate and global leader in licensed consumer goods, in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products, announced today the next line-up of celebrities appearing in NECA’s exclusive “25 of the Greatest Guest Stars” program. The third installment of talent in this limited-edition boutique collection includes Penn and Teller, Bret Hart, Stephen King, Leonard Nimoy and R.E.M.

In addition, the second wave of five celebrity figures and merchandise, featuring The Who, Britney Spears, Mark Hamill, Lucy Lawless and Tony Hawk, is now available at various retailers, including Toys“R”Us stores nationwide and online at Toysrus.com, as well as Hastings. This product line joins the first wave of the limited-edition collection celebrating “25 of the Greatest Guest Stars,” which includes Hugh Hefner, James Brown, Yao Ming, Tom Hanks and Kid Rock products that have been available to consumers since Feb. 2014.

The limited-edition boutique collection includes a diverse array of products including figures, collectibles and apparel featuring the animated likenesses of 25 of the most celebrated guest stars as they appeared on the show. This is the first time in THE SIMPSONS’ 25-year history that merchandise has been designed around celebrity guest stars.

The “25 of the Greatest Guest Stars” program launched in early 2014, with product roll-outs continuing throughout the year. New products will continue to be introduced every two to three months, featuring different groupings of guest stars, with limited quantities available at select retailers worldwide.

For more information about the “25 of the Greatest Guest Stars” program, visit http://thesimpsons.necaonline.com.

About THE SIMPSONS
The longest-running scripted show in television history, THE SIMPSONS exploded into a cultural phenomenon in 1990 and has remained one of the most groundbreaking and innovative entertainment franchises, recognizable throughout the world. Currently airing its record-annihilating 25th season and in production on their 26th season, THE SIMPSONS has won 28 Emmy Awards and been nominated for an Academy Award in 2012 for the theatrical short The Longest Daycare. The Simpsons: Tapped Out is a top grossing mobile App and has ranked number one around the world on the App Store™ charts. The Simpsons Movie had worldwide global acclaim and the revolutionary virtual coaster ride at Universal Studios Florida and Hollywood is a continuous hit, along with the new Springfield experience at Universal Studios Florida. THE SIMPSONS received a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000 and has been honored with five U.S. postal stamps personally designed by Matt Groening. Named the “Best Show of the 20th Century” by Time Magazine, in 2013 Entertainment Weekly named THE SIMPSONS the Greatest American Sitcom.

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films Production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, and Al Jean are the Executive Producers. The Gracie Films Worldwide Brand Division develops and produces the licensed content for the series. Film Roman is the animation house.

About Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products:
A division of 21st Century Fox and recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Century Fox Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, the flagship studio leading the industry in supplying award-winning and blockbuster primetime television programming and entertainment content.

About NECA
National Entertainment Collectibles Association Inc. is a media and entertainment company operating in the United States and internationally, with three segments: Consumer Products, Filmed Entertainment and Online Retail/Digital Distribution. NECA is the leading designer, marketer, and worldwide distributor of licensed entertainment consumer goods based on some of the world’s most established and beloved properties, providing products across all consumer categories and distribution channels. Together, NECA’s divisions provide a comprehensive, end-to-end solution to elevate each property, maximizing exposure and reach, while protecting the vision of the creator. As a result of NECA’s singular passion and reverence for the intellectual property backing its products, some of this generation’s most recognized content creators enjoy working with NECA, allowing us to help bring their vision to their audience. For additional information, visit www.necaonline.com.

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