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MGA Entertainment, based in Van Nuys and known mainly for being the maker of Bratz dolls, is buying the Little Tikes toy and equipment business from Newell Rubbermaid Inc. Terms were not disclosed, but Little Tikes contributed $250 million to Newell's 2005 revenue. The Atlanta-based company, whose brands also include Sharpie, Paper Mate and Rolodex - who knew? - has been selling off less profitable product lines. Backgrounder: MGA's hot item these days is a $30 handheld device called Muichiz, a virtual pet. The thing can be plugged into a computer and lets the owner interact with other virtual pet owners on the Web.
Mark Lacter created the LA Biz Observed blog in 2006. He posted
until the day before his death on Nov. 13, 2013.