Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
2023 Chicago Toy & Game Fair: Two perspectives: Attendees looking at Educational Insight's Kanoodle booth and Steve & Jeff Rehkemper's Top Secret Toys looking out at attendees :)
Happy Bloomin' Friday!
Join us in kicking off the holidays at our Chicago Toy & Game Fair, North America's largest consumer toy & game fair for 22 years - second generation families attending now (yikes, where does the time go?). We already have 31 influencers from around the country attending and looking for hot and fun products for the holidays. Families, grandparents, influencers, media, trade, retailers, Scouts, educators and more! Exhibit Information here
"The Chicago Toy & Game Fair is one of the stellar US toy and game consumer events in our industry. I’ve never seen more engaged kids and parents in one place, playing with everything at the different booths!" - Julien Sharp, General Manager NA of Asmodee Group
Know a creative kid? Registration for our 19th annual Young Inventor Challenge® International Championship is open now through Oct. 27 for kids ages 6-18 to submit their original toy or game creations and receive feedback from toy and game execs, have a chance to win prizes and an opportunity to get licensed! Francesca and her pirate ship game gets me every time in this sizzle!
Register for November's POP Week!
Connect, pitch and learn at the Inventor Pitch and Innovation Conference,
Celebrate colleagues at the TAGIEs
Encourage a creative kid to enter the Young Inventor Challenge
Kick off the holidays! Meet consumers, influencers and trade in your Chicago Toy & Game Fair booth
Thank you for reading the Bloom Report here or on the Bloom Report 24/7 News Feed! Please support our work by advertising and/or setting up a POP profile.
Mary
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"I go to work 6 days a week and magic happens! On day 7 I read the Bloom Report." 😁 - Rick Derr, Learning Express
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"Tell me you're in the toy industry without telling me you're in the toy industry... Friday Morning = a cup-a-Joe and the Bloom Report!" -Tim Walsh The Playmakers
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"I don't know anyone in the industry that doesn't read the Bloom Report." -Ken Lewis, President, 4Kidz, Inc.
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"I am a long-time reader and champion of the Bloom Report. The quantity of quality articles on so many different aspects of our industry is unmatched and I regularly share and discuss them with my management team as an important business tool." - Jim Engle, President & Founder, Little Kids Inc.
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Person of the Week: Amy Saldanha of kiddywampus
On the Topic of Young Inventor Challenge Camps, Amy says…
Young Inventor Challenge® regional events located at schools, summer camps, toy stores, libraries and more allow kids to get a head start on their toy and game inventions in their local community for participation in the Young Inventor Challenge® International Championship hosted each November. Check out this video from Amy Saldanha, owner of the kiddywampus toy stores in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, who is hosting her 2nd Young Inventor Challenge in 2024 at her toy store! Learn more about hosting your very own regional event here.
Cartoon Lovers, Lexophiles & People in Need of a Smile!
Cartoon of the Week: Thank you to the person who wishes to be anonymous for the funny cartoon this week!
Memorable Quotes: “Today, celebrate the little wins and watch how they inspire bigger dreams and brighter tomorrows.” – Unknown
Toy Industry Word of Day: Blister Pack- Thank you, Kim Vandenbroucke for this week's word. If you can think of a toy/game industry word not in our POPDictionary, add it and we will connect it to you POP profile, feature it here in an upcoming week and on POP's homepage!
Have a cartoon, quote or a joke to share? Send it to me! Mary
Happiest of Birthdays to colleagues celebrating birthdays this week!
Joan Frances "Bam" Widmer (RIP)
Financial and Legal
The saga for control of Paramount Global continues, with Skydance Media reportedly demanding that the entertainment giant stop negotiating with Edgar Bronfman Jr. Skydance, in a letter from its lawyers, said Paramount's special committee breached the terms of its takeover agreement for Shari Redstone's media empire by extending the "go-shop" deadline to Sept. 5, according to The Wall Street Journal.
LA’s WEBTOON Entertainment is taking aim at piracy sites by filing a Digital Millennium Copyright Act subpoena asking the domain registration company Cloudflare to reveal the details of roughly 170 alleged copyright infringers. The publisher of digital comics and manga filed the request in a Texas federal court earlier this week in order to identify the pirates. Its past efforts to fight piracy have had some success...
*** The above posted after tBR circulated on August 23rd ***
LEGO to expand with large new office in central Copenhagen. The Danish toy manufacturer LEGO will open a new office complex in central Copenhagen in 2027 to accommodate 1,500 employees. CEO of the LEGO Group Niels Christiansen said that establishing operations in the Danish capital would help to attract “world-class talent” to the company.
Seagram heir and media industry executive Edgar Bronfman Jr. is preparing an offer for National Amusements, the family company that controls Paramount Global, opens new tab, a source familiar with the matter said. The offer could come together in the coming days, the source added. An offer from Bronfman would add another twist to a messy merger saga, which now stands at Paramount having accepted...
The Animation Guild and Hollywood studios have scheduled additional negotiations dates for September after concluding a week of bargaining without reaching a deal, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The union — which represents more than 5,000 animation workers — and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers previously only allotted one week, ending Friday, to reach a new three-year contract.
Hobbycraft ‘on the brink of sale’ to Modella Capital. Modella CapitalHobbycraft is in advanced talks to buy Hobbycraft from the private equity firm, Bridgepoint. Sources have stated that the deal could be signed within the next few days. Founded in 1995, Hobbycraft has more than 85 stores and has been owned by Bridgepoint since 2010.
IMC Toys restructures UK operation. Due to recent cost challenges including escalating warehousing and freight rates, and in order to drive business efficiencies, IMC has made the difficult and sad decision to close its UK operation. All functions have been centralized with immediate effect and will be managed by the experienced Hong Kong and Spanish teams for finance, operations and marketing.
Chronicle Books acquires KidQuest. Chronicle Books has acquired the KidQuest brand, with plans to release a deck this fall. KidQuest is a card game where players, mainly kids, learn more about the adults in their life through a series of questions. In the upcoming KidQuest deck, there are 100 cards and eight different categories, including home, school, personality, inner life, big life, humor, and friends.
Actors demand action over 'disgusting' explicit video game scenes. Performers working in the games industry have spoken of their distress at being asked to work on explicit content without notice, including a scene featuring a sexual assault. Sex scenes are common in modern games - and are often made by filming human actors who are then digitised into game characters.
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Financial Reporting
The family-owned Lego company said sales from January through June rose 13% to 31 billion Danish crowns ($4.65 billion). By comparison, Lego increased first-half sales by 1% last year and 17% in 2022, year over year.
*** The above posted after tBR circulated on August 23rd ***
Designer toy brand Pop Mart is hitting its stride. The company revealed today that its H1 revenue for 2024 increased by 62% year over year, reporting that it hit $638.5 million in revenue.
Mob Entertainment reports massive growth for brand Poppy Playtime. Its newest characters, Smiling Critters, have wracked up over 4 billion views on YouTube, while PoppyPlaytime.com merchandise sales have risen 350% compared to the same time last year.
Trends, Lists, Market Research, and State of the Industry
*** The above posted after tBR circulated on August 23rd ***
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Set To Pop $65M-$80M Opening As Jenna Ortega-Michael Keaton Sequel Hits Tracking – Early Look Box Office Update.
‘My Hero Academia: You’re Next’ tops stellar $16m at Japan box office
JULY 2024 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 ADULT GRAPHIC NOVELS
JULY 2024 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 AUTHOR, MANGA, AND SUPERHERO GRAPHIC NOVELS New 'Adventure Zone,' Older 'Berserk' and 'TMNT' Titles Top the Charts
Streaming accounted for 41.4% of TV viewing in July. YouTube is the first streaming platform to surpass 10% of total TV usage in Nielsen's The Gauge.
License them, censor them and make them pay: What Australians really think about social media
Horror Week 2024. Growing genre, growing season get new focus. Horror is one of the hottest genres in entertainment, with movies, television, and other media supporting a growing flow of games, comics, manga, merch and other products.
August’s Circana insights (UK).
Why everyone is obsessed with toys right now?
How streaming has changed kids’ viewing in Australia.
Stories, Comments, and Advice
Parental stress is a significant public health issue, surgeon general says in new advisory. “The work of parenting is essential not only for the health of children but also for the health of society,” wrote US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, a father of two. “We know that the well-being of parents and caregivers is directly linked to the well-being of their children.
Dress made of playing cards disqualified from State Fair art contest. A dress designed by a Collin County teenager is getting lots of attention but when she entered it into a competition at the State Fair of Texas, she was disqualified. Kaylee Rodgers, 17, spent days making the gown out of 40 decks of playing cards that her mom brought home from work. “One of their partners is Amazon and they gave them a bunch...
*** The above posted after tBR circulated august 23rd ***
John Baulch, Toy World - The annual white-knuckle ride is about to begin… it’s the Friday Blog! As the summer holidays draw to a close, the toy trade is beginning to gear up for the festive season. Outdoor toys are being cleared to create shelf space for the autumn winter stock which will soon be arriving – we’re buying up all the 30p bubble wands we can lay our hands on, as our granddaughter goes through them at a rate...
Christopher Byrne - The Disruption Report: Shipping Issues Float Up Again. As I’ve been talking to manufacturers over the past weeks, once again shipping issues are potentially impacting the industry. A recent article in the New York Times outlines some of the issues, which include port traffic jams, political unrest, fluctuations in the spot market and more. It’s a particular challenge for the toy industry because even a two-week...
Julia Fitzgerald - In today’s Midsize Match Up interview, we go to New York City to talk with Patti McConnell, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Something Different. They are an independent agency that has something so different about them...they made that their name. Curious? I am.
Beyond the TVC: Building a Toy Brand in the Age of Instant Connection. Article by Shane Lau, Global E-commerce Manager, Zing Toys. After 14 years in the toy industry, still feels like a big kid at heart—except now he’s got a desk, a computer, and a bit more responsibility. As the E-commerce Manager at Zing Toys, he’s had the privilege of turning creative chaos into products that (hopefully) make people smile.
Bridging history and gameplay: Lessons from historiographical video game design. The Intersection of Academia and Media. My professional path took a significant turn when I began engaging with the media and later with the world of virtual reality and interactive video games. Upon arriving in London in 2009, I was frequently called upon to answer press and media inquiries about Japanese history.
Stock the most terrifying tabletop games. A retailers cheat sheet to acquiring spooky tabletop inventory. There are a lot of great horror games out there to stock on retail shelves. However, as Summerween only comes around once a year, it is imperative that retailers be choosy when it comes to stocking these games.
Gaming accessories to die for: Impulse buys for the Halloween cash wrap. The months leading up to Halloween are a great time for retailers to beef up their inventory. There are all kinds of companies that make horror-themed gaming baubles and trinkets to tempt customers. However, retailers generally don't have infinite amounts of money to add these items to inventory.
Ethical Supply Chain Program and Open Supply Hub collaborate for better data accessibility. The Ethical Supply Chain Program has announced its collaboration with Open Supply Hub to make supply chain data open, accessible and trusted through the hub’s worldwide open data platform. Factories certified by the Ethical Supply Chain Program will now have the option of publishing their details on Open Supply Hub...
What adults can learn from children’s games. In his latest exhibition, artist Francis Alÿs points to the powerful potential of play to bring people together. The exhibition centers on Alÿs’s Children’s Games (1999–present), an ongoing series of films exploring play and collective agency. The films are utterly compelling, demonstrating the ingenuity and collaboration of children, who carve out urgent spaces for fun...
History and Nostalgia
History of McDonald’s Hot Wheels Happy Meal Toy Cars. Countless children first became interested in automotive culture and mechanical engineering through toys. And for many kids in the 1980s and ‘90s, their first introduction to vehicles’ appeal was the Hot Wheels cars in McDonald’s Happy Meals. These miniature models have become memorabilia items and favorite childhood toys for many gearheads today.
*** The above posted after tBR circulated on August 23rd ***
The ’80s Toy That Was Considered a Threat to National Security. Could a stealth fighter model kit for hobbyists expose classified military secrets? Ron Wyden was visibly upset. The Democrat from Oregon was addressing a meeting of the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Committee in July 1986 like a preacher on a pulpit, but his choice of accessory was not a Bible. It was a model plane kit.
Payoff Machine from Ideal (1978). Released by Ideal in 1978, Payoff Machine was a tension-filled game of both skill and chance as players competed to hit a payoff of high-scoring marbles. The goal of the game was to be the first player to score 25 points by dropping marbles from a twistable plastic tower. The tower comprised six opaque tumblers with holes.
Electric Quiz Games from Remco (1968). In 1968, Remco released a series of electric quiz games with printed circuit boards to challenge players with a series of trivia questions and answers. All Electric Quiz Games shared a uniform setup and required a single AA-battery. A double-sided cardboard game card was placed on top of the circuit board that was integrated into the game’s packaging.
Possible toy found at medieval site in Iceland. A possible bear or boar carved from volcanic tuff has been unearthed in eastern Iceland at a settlement site dated to between A.D. 940 and 1100. Archaeologist Ragnheiður Traustadóttir said that the object measures about two inches and is thought to have been a toy. One of the animal’s ears has been slightly damaged, but it still stands when placed on a flat surface.
Licensing and Entertainment
Blippi’s 10th birthday bash continues to grow, with new partners Formula 1, Caterpillar and actor/entrepreneur Amanda Seyfried joining the party. Seyfried, an Emmy winner (The Dropout) and Oscar nominee (Mank), is collaborating with the Moonbug Entertainment preschool franchise on a new music video that reinvents Blippi’s hit song “Excavator” as a Broadway bop during an excavator-themed play date.
HMD launches Barbie phone in partnership with Mattel. The phone, priced at 99 pounds ($131.24), is available starting on Wednesday. The device allows users to make calls and send texts but gives no access to social media apps. The Barbie-pink keypad has hidden designs featuring palm trees, hearts and flamingos that light up in the dark, the company said.
*** The above posted after tBR circulated on August 23rd ***
The Lego Group and Nike have announced a multi-year partnership that will celebrate creative play and sport, offering new opportunities for children and families worldwide. The Lego Group and Nike have long histories of championing kids’ right to play. Both brands know that creative and physical play are essential to children’s development and help kids reach their full potential as they develop essential life skills through...
‘Gabby’s Dollhouse’ Conquered Netflix. Then the Toy Market. Next up, the Big Screen. Has it already been 10 seasons? With enough episodes in the can to last through 2027, the best-friend creators of the streaming hit have a bright future all planned out. Like most people above the age of 6, Jennifer Twomey and Traci Paige Johnson were both flummoxed and fascinated by the sudden popularity of unboxing videos...
Mattel unveils Wicked dolls in run up to movie release. Mattel has revealed a brand-new line of Wicked dolls inspired by the characters from Universal Pictures’ highly anticipated movie release this fall. Universal Pictures’ Wicked will be released in theatres on 27th November 2024. The vibrant world in which the untold story of Elphaba and Glinda takes place has inspired innovative products with licensees and retailers...
GennComm, a global consumer marketing agency, has announced a collaboration with promotional consumer products brand Logo Woman to create various products and marketing programs. Through this collaboration, GennComm will have access to Logo Woman’s extensive catalog of branding products, like trade show booths and influencer gifting boxes. Logo Woman will also have access to GennComm’s...
Disney Jr. is giving its still-popular Sofia the First franchise a content lift with a sequel series called Sofia the First: Royal Magic in production at Disney Television Animation for a 2026 premiere on Disney Jr. and Disney+. Aimed at preschoolers, the new show sees young princess Sofia attending a magical school, where she learns to master her burgeoning powers and makes new friends.
Spin Master is set to roll out the first-ever line of products from Ms. Rachel, the popular YouTuber and early childhood educator. The initial Ms. Rachel toys will hit shelves in N.A. on Sept 29, but that won’t be the only release. Ms. Rachel’s global master toy licensee aims to introduce more toys in January. The line will initially start with wooden toys and mystery boxes, including wooden learning blocks...
An officially licensed Caitlin Clark plush hit Target this week. The new plush comes from the brand Bleacher Creatures, which specializes in licensed plush from sports franchises and some Marvel IPs. The plush version of the Indiana Fever player is dressed in her true-to-life No. 22 jersey and signature headband. Like most of Bleacher Creatures’ products, the plush is rendered with exaggerated anime-like features.
TeeTurtle is starting the Halloween fun early this year with two collections of Halloween-themed plush. The Hello Kitty Costume Collection is perfect for Sanrio-obsessed kids of all ages. These 4-inch plush include Hello Kitty herself, Keroppi, Kuromi, My Melody, and Cinnamoroll and, when flip-flopped inside out, reveal their Halloween costumes! Hello Kitty is dressed up as a black cat, Keroppi is dressed as a vampire...
The Wiggles and the basketball exhibition team the Harlem Globetrotters have teamed up to launch a music video featuring stars from both groups. The video “Bouncing Balls” will launch first on the Wiggles YouTube channel (3.8 million subscribers) on September 5, and will be available on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music shortly after that.
Popular preschool brands Sesame Street and Ms. Rachel have joined forces to launch three YouTube videos featuring the educator singing new songs with some well-known Muppets backing her up. A lead video called “Sesame Street: This is the Way We Go to School Song with Ms. Rachel and Elmo” launched yesterday and features Elmo learning how to get ready for school. It’s available on both brands’ YouTube...
McFarlane Toys has new figures available as Gold Label Amazon exclusives. Known for its variety of pop culture goods, McFarlane Toys has an impressive portfolio of figures featuring DC favorites. The company is adding two new products, perfect for fans of Batman villains, to its line of DC Multiverse figures: a three-pack featuring characters from Batman: The Court of Owls and a glow-in-the-dark Joker in dragon form.
Vancouver-based Big Bad Boo Studios is prepping a five-episode fourth season of 2D-animated preschool toon Lili & Lola that’s due out next year. Canada’s ICI TV commissioned the new installment of the seven-minute miniseries. All 15 episodes from the first three seasons are also available on TFO, Prime Video, Vme Kids, Radio-Canada Jeunesse, YouTube Kids and on the multilingual streamer Oznoz...
LA-based Titmouse Animation has partnered up with Japanese studio Polygon Pictures to co-develop and co-produce a slate of CG-animated projects, some of which will target kids. The deal is non-exclusive, and the companies are planning to pull back the curtain and share details about their upcoming work together later this year.
Canada’s Turtlebox Productions (Ainara’s Bookshelf) has started production on a new stop-motion show for preschoolers called Bumpy!. And regional broadcaster TVOKids has already scooped up the bite-sized toon (10 x 3.5 minutes) for a digital rollout on its YouTube channel (250,000 subscribers) and smart TV app next summer.
Munich-based Storybook Studios is embracing AI to develop its first-ever kids series, the bridge show Space Vets. The animated series follows a crew of young veterinarians who travel through space helping animals. Storybook’s goal was to use AI as much as possible, and it wound up deploying the technology across all areas of production, says Franziska Hansel, the show’s production manager...
Deadline understands that the fast-food firm has been working with a number of major production companies, including some of the studios, to create family-friendly shows, particularly in the unscripted space. It is also in talks to license and acquire content.
At Gamescom, the annual trade show for gamers held in Cologne, the Lego Group revealed six never-before-seen Lego Super Mario: Mario Kart sets, bringing Nintendo’s iconic Mario Kart franchise to the world of Lego bricks for the very first time. The addition of Mario Kart adds a new dimension to the Lego Super Mario experience, in which digital and physical play collide.
Crunchyroll curates anime tunes for Spotify. Music streams tied to the genre have skyrocketed by 395% since 2021. To attract more listeners, Spotify is doubling down on the enduring popularity of anime under a new partnership with popular OTT operator Crunchyroll. Crunchyroll is curating custom playlists with fun, genre-based themes for the music streamer to roll out on its dedicated anime hub.
Future Today’s AVOD platform HappyKids is prepping a gaming series called Minecraft Witchcraft! to roll out on October 1. A collaboration with gaming YouTuber Amy Lee (993,000 subscribers), this tween-skewing series features her playing a Minecraft experience that follows a young witch on a journey to obtain her “witch’s license.”
'Alien: Romulus' wins weekend; 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' tracking large; 'Shaun Of The Dead' re-release; Garth Ennis' 'Crossed' picked up; 'Nosferatu' T\teaser; Plus 'LOTR: The Rings Of Power' S2, 'Kraven' trailers. Horror Week Showbiz Round-up Special Edition. This week's showbiz news round-up special Horror Week edition takes a look at some of the horror movie news that has hit the wire.
New licensing partners announced for Deddy Bears. Innov8 Creative Academy, creators of the Deddy Bears brand, has announced new licensing agreements with Jay Franco & Sons, PlayMonster and Trends International. The Deddy Bears, known for their blend of edgy charm and cuddly appeal, have captured a significant fanbase since their launch in late 2023.
'Squaroes: TMNT' hit preorder. First wave includes 'Turtle Van' collectors case. heo Group has placed Squaroes: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a new line of Ultimate Guard collectible deck boxes, onto preorder with a release date of September 26, 2024. The first wave offers up collectible hard plastic deck boxes, that each hold up to 100 double-sleeved cards, featuring the core TMNT characters.
Bulldog Licensing to manage licensing for Beyblade X. Summer launch for fourth and fastest generation of toy brand at retail and on TV. Independent licensing agency, Bulldog Licensing, has announced it has been appointed by ADK Emotions NY and T-Licensing Inc. as the U.K. and Ireland licensing agent for Beyblade X – the fourth-generation toy brand.
Miffy joins Kids Preferred with plush and infant playthings. Miffy, the bunny created by Dutch artist, Dick Bruna, has announced a new partnership with Kids Preferred, which will bring new items in the plush, soft books and baby developmental toy categories to consumers across the U.S. and Canada. The collection will be featured in the Kids Preferred 2025 catalog.
YouTube takes on TikTok Shop with expanded Shopify partnership. As TikTok Shop gains traction, YouTube is expanding its partnership with Shopify to onboard more brands for its YouTube Shopping affiliate program, the company announced on Tuesday. The expanded partnership means creators will get access to thousands of new brands to tag in their shopping videos, marking a significant increase from...
Republic Records: Kids & Family releases Ryan’s World film soundtrack. Ryan’s World the Movie: Titan Universe Adventure is now in theaters, and its accompanying soundtrack has hit streaming services. The film is the first wide-release motion picture from a YouTube content creator. As such, the film’s album is full of music from digital-first artists who command more than 180 million subscribers across their respective...
Dr. Seuss Enterprises launches Dr. Seuss Babies merchandising program. Dr. Seuss Enterprises has released details for its new brand, Dr. Seuss Babies, which features baby versions of well-known Dr. Seuss characters. The company has established a merchandising program that includes baby and infant products, as well as a line of board books.
Hasbro announces new Play-Doh Marvel YouTube series. Hasbro and Marvel have teamed up to launch a new YouTube series inspired by the recently released Play-Doh Marvel Collection of playsets. The series will feature eight CG-animated, simulated stop-motion episodes, each centered around popular Marvel superheroes, including Iron Man, Spider-Man, Captain America, Black Panther and the Hulk.
Spin Master Introduces Kinetic Sand Project Planet collection. Spin Master, a global children’s entertainment company, is introducing a new Kinetic Sand Project Planet collection to engage kids in open-ended sensory play and educate them on the importance of sustainability and protecting the ecosystem.
Kids Preferred partners with Afro Unicorn. Offerings include activity toy, plush and soft books. Kids Preferred, a brand in the baby licensing space, has signed a new agreement with Afro Unicorn, the inclusive children’s brand and brainchild of April Showers, founder and chief executive officer, Afro Unicorn.
WowWee releases ‘Adopt Me!’ Fingerlings. The toys are based on the Roblox game, which commands over 100 million monthly users. WowWee has added Adopt Me! toys to its Fingerlings line. In the popular Roblox game, kids discover, adopt, and raise a wide variety of pets. With over 100 million monthly players, Adopt Me! is a massive hit with kids and tweens alike.
'Pokemon TCG: Terapagos ex Ultra Premium Collection' incoming. The Pokemon Company International will release Terapagos ex Ultra Premium Collection, for Pokemon TCG, into retail on November 1, 2024. This collection takes turtle power to the next level for Trainers. The set features three foil promos cards: one for Terapagos ex, one for Lapras ex, and one for Cinderace ex.
Gearing up for gaming: Mattel, AirConsole, and BMW Group announce UNO Car Party! With Mattel‘s recent collaboration with AirConsole and BMW Group, UNO is officially hitting the road. The three companies will unveil UNO Car Party! at Gamescom 2024, which takes place Aug. 21-25 in Cologne, Germany. BMW owners and their passengers can play UNO via their personal devices with the AirConsole controller system.
Feld Entertainment revs up ‘Monster Jam’ movie with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. The toyetic world of Monster Jam heads to the big-screen! At last week’s D23 Expo, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson took the stage in front of a packed house at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California to share a look at this year’s Moana 2. But his latest turn as Maui for Walt Disney Pictures Animation wasn’t the only thing The Rock had cookin’.
CoComelon preps its first live-action series. Candle Media-owned Moonbug Entertainment is expanding its CoComelon universe in a new live-action series that marks a first for the brand. Melon Patch Classroom features Ms. Appleberry, the teacher character from CoComelon’s animated videos. Her lessons in the new preschool show will include singing, laughing and early learning, along with special guest stars.
CandyRific reveals this year’s Christmas collection. The novelty toy and candy company has holiday goods on the way. Christmas is coming over at CandyRific! CandyRific is known for its original and licensed candy and novelty offerings. The company has partnered with a variety of popular franchises, including Disney, Marvel, PAW Patrol, and more.
Disney unveils Stitch Inspired by Elvis Collection. Pop culture collectible company, NECA, has announced a collaboration with Disney and Elvis Presley Enterprises to create a merchandise collection inspired by Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch” and Elvis Presley. The new Disney Stitch Inspired by Elvis Collection features figures, plush, collectibles and more.
People of Play
Meet Peggy Brown, the Milwaukee inventor who has created hundreds of toys and games. The inside of one Milwaukee basement looks like a toy store. Dozens of games and toys line the wall. Except, none of these items are for sale. They are all the games and toys made by one Bay View woman. “I’m a professional inventor. I work with all the major toy companies all around the world, and they come to me for new product...
Mattel's Steve Totzke on Crafting Timeless Toys. The toymaker behind Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher Price has kept pace with changing ways of play. In this episode of The Speed of Culture podcast, Suzy founder and host Matt Britton interviews Steve Totzke, president and chief commercial officer at Mattel. Totzke discusses the evolution of the toy industry, the power of iconic brands like Barbie and Hot Wheels, and...
Following Kerry Novick’s retirement, The Jim Henson Company is calling in some help on its global sales efforts, in the form of a former Henson exec. The studio’s distribution group has partnered with New York consultancy Cookbook Media, bringing Henson’s former head of distribution Claudia Scott-Hansen back into its orbit.
*** The above posted after August 23rd when tBR circulated ***
After five years at his post, Michael Keaton will step down as CEO of Toysmith and exit the company later this year. The industry vet made the announcement to his team on Monday and plans to continue in his role until a new CEO is named in the fourth quarter. Keaton joined Toysmith from Schleich North America in 2019 where he served as President. Prior to his role at Schleich, he spent 13 years at The LEGO...
Warner Bros. Discovery‘s head of U.S. networks, Kathleen Finch, will retire at the end of the year, with Warner Bros. Television group chairman and CEO Channing Dungey set as her replacement. News of Finch’s pending retirement comes on the heels of Warner Bros. Discovery’s second-quarter earnings release on Aug. 7, which revealed a major devaluation in the company’s cable networks group.
Canal toys has appointed sales and marketing authority Marla Canfield Clark as Executive Vice President of Sales for North America. Clark brings years of experience in sales strategy and in-house sales management. She has previously held positions at toy companies and manufacturers, including Horizon Group USA, RMS International, and 4Kids Company.
ICV2 INTERVIEW: RAVENSBURGER NORTH AMERICA CEO STEPHANE MADI AT GEN CON 2024 Talks About the Future of 'Disney Lorcana,' 'Villainous,' and More. First of all, let's talk about your current releases. In the last interview with ICv2, you mentioned "new robust marketing and engagement activations" coming with Shimmering Skies (which released August 8, 2024). What are those new initiatives?
James P. Gorman, the executive chairman of Morgan Stanley, will chair Disney’s succession planning committee to select the company’s next CEO. Gorman previously oversaw the succession process at Morgan Stanley. In addition to Gorman, Disney board chairman Mark G. Parker and directors Mary T. Barra and Calvin R. McDonald will continue to serve on the Committee. CEO Bob Iger has said he is stepping aside in 2026.
Mattel appoints Sai Koorapati Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. Mattel, Inc. announced today that Sai Koorapati has been appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for the company, effective August 19, 2024. Koorapati will report to Anthony DiSilvestro, CFO of Mattel.
Spin Master has promoted Marc De Vellis to global head of studios for its successful digital games business. De Vellis, formerly SVP of global digital games, will focus on development, delivery and live-service launches, while also working with Spin Master’s digital games studio GMs in managing day-to-day operations. In this expanded role, he is accountable for digital game development and delivery,...
Canal Toys appoints Tony Guzman as Marketing director. Canal Toys has appointed Tony Guzman as its new Marketing director, marking a strategic move to further strengthen the company’s market presence following five consecutive years of significant growth. Tony will be focusing on elevating Canal Toys’ brands awareness and consumer engagement, working even more closely with its media and PR...
Vicki Isitt joins Ravensburger marketing team. Ravensburger has appointed Vicki Isitt to its marketing team as Product Marketing Manager – Games. Vicki brings over 15 years of experience in the industry, with time spent in marketing roles at Rubies and DNC UK. She joins Ravensburger from PlayMonster, where she was cross-category brand manager responsible for Games, Arts & Crafts and Fashion Roleplay.
Heroes Technology appoints Mark Foster as general manager. Heroes Technology has appointed toy industry veteran Mark Foster as global general manager for its family travel division. Mark Foster’s responsibilities will include the Trunki brand, one of the company’s recent high-profile acquisitions.
Blue Marble appoints Jared Wolfson as CEO. Blue Marble, the STEM and science-forward toy company, has chosen Jared Wolfson as its new CEO. Wolfson brings a resume filled with toy and family entertainment leadership roles to the table. He previously served as CEO for Curiosity Ink Media, whose properties span TV, movies, publishing, and more.
Companies and Brands
Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) International has launched WBD AIM (Audience Insights and Measurement), a first-party data platform that it says enables advertisers to target their campaigns with new levels of precision, across a number of markets throughout EMEA, APAC and LatAm spanning its most engaged assets including CNN, Max, discovery+ and Eurosport.
A Nintendo Museum is opening in Kyoto on Oct. 2. Die-hard fans can discover and experience the history of the Japanese video game company’s entertainment landscape through a series of side-by-side exhibits on the many products it has released over the yrs. Complementing the main shows are a café inside the museum and a shop carrying official merchandise themed after Nintendo‘s game worlds and characters.
*** The above posted after August 23rd when tBR circulated ***
Goliath reveals new Tasty Tinies Bake Shop line. Goliath has a new line of baking sets for kids who want to cook in miniature! Following a U.S. debut at this year’s VidCon, Goliath is readying to release its new Tasty Tinies Bake Shop line of miniature baking kits. Tackling the food-related and mini-toy trends with tiny food you can actually eat, Goliath’s new kits give kids everything they need to bake tiny cakes in 25 seconds.
AT&T aims to fill a timely need with its first kids smartwatch. The telecom says the amiGO Jr. Watch addresses a key gap in kids' busy lives, connecting them with their parents then they're at school or on the go. The company’s new smartwatch is aimed at four- to 11-year-olds and does not have access to the internet, the App Store or the Google Play Store. But it does allow parents to track their child’s location...
The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet — Surging Sparks introduces players to Stellar Tera Pokémon ex, including Pikachu ex, which has a powerful Topaz Bolt attack. In this expansion, players can collect and battle with cards themed around the Terarium, an artificial paradise in The Hidden Area of Treasure Zero Part 2: The Indigo Disk DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet.
Hamleys Boutique: Be You is designed to create a space where 4-14-year-olds can hang out with friends, dress up, be creative, feel inspired, explore and have fun. The new department on the 2nd floor of the store also offers the chance for youngsters, inspired by pop fandom, to immerse themselves in the worldwide phenomenon of making, wearing and sharing customised bracelets; a trend that feeds...
Factories certified by the Ethical Supply Chain Program will now have the option of publishing their details on Open Supply Hub as part of the Ethical Supply Chain Program dataset. Data from just under 700 ethically certified factories has been added to the Open Supply Hub platform this July and will be refreshed on a bi-annual basis.
Lakeshore Learning Materials is thrilled to partner once again with Coy Bowles, author and member of the Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band. Through this partnership, Lakeshore and Bowles are launching a new all-in-one SEL and STEAM kit for educators and their students – Behind the Little Red Door: Can You Touch a Color? SEL and STEAM Kit.
MGA Entertainment unleashes Pixel Petz. MGA Entertainment’s latest collection of toys revitalizes digital pets for a new generation of kids. There are two Pixel Petz kids can play with: the Corgi and the Dalmatian. These digital pets have a screen for a face, controllers for ears, a button nose for making selections, and a touch sensitive sensor for a head.
Cartamundi ramps up marketing plans for Twisted History game. Cartamundi is gearing up for the rollout of its launch campaign for its latest hit board game. As the publishers of Twisted History, the hilarious, conversation-starting party game, Cartamundi is set to catapult the game into market with a series of impactful activations.
London through the ages inspires Civilization VII. Fans of Civilization have been waiting almost a decade for the latest instalment of the cult video game series. Now it has been revealed that theme of time passing is pretty appropriate: the inspiration at the heart of Civilization VII, to be released in February, is how the capital of the UK has changed from the Roman era to now.
A popular Godzilla x Mechagodzilla toy gets re-release after 20 years. One of the most popular villains in the Godzilla franchise is none other than his robotic doppelgänger, Mechagodzilla. Now, a figure of his most powerful incarnation is being re-released in Japan after over 20 years.
New Wilko owner details store expansion plans. Wilko owner Chris Dawson has told the press he intends to open 300 new stores over the next five years in carefully targeted locations. According to a report in Retail Gazette, Chris Dawson plans to launch up to 300 new store locations over the next five years as he revealed that all new branches of Wilko which have opened so far are proving profitable.
Horror Week 2024 news: 'Boxtop Pinball: Haunted House' Incoming. Pandasaurus Games will release Boxtop Pinball: Haunted House, a new tabletop pinball game, into retail in October 2024. In this game, designed by Zach Connelly and Alex Cutler, players will flick and roll their way through a game of haunted house pinball.
Horror Week 2024 news: Fantasy Flight reveals new 'Arkham Horror' scenario pack. Fantasy Flight Games revealed The Midwinter Gala, a new Arkham Horror: The Card Game Scenario Pack, which will hit retail on August 23, 2024. In The Midwinter Gala, investigators align themselves with a faction and work together to claim a powerful relic.
Simba Smoby sees success at this year’s Gloworm Festival. Kids and families had fun at this year’s Gloworm Smoby Play Zone, with even more playhouses, slides and activity sets to enjoy than in previous years, as well as the highly popular AquaPlay marquee. The brand’s range of high-quality outdoor toys was a top attraction for thousands of festival goers, with families getting the chance to play with Smoby’s...
New Transmedia Universe to be introduced in 'RantCPU,' from Scout. 'No One Is Safe' to follow as video game, board game, trading cards, more. Scout Comics will launch RantCPU, a new comic series introducing the No One Is Safe transmedia universe, which will also include a video game, board game, trading cards, and other products, in late November.
Relive the 16-bit experience with 'Video Game Champion'. Arcane Wonders will release Video Game Champion, new competitive strategy game, into retail in November 2024. In this game, designed by Andre Negrao and Patrick Matheus, players take on the roles of kids in the 90s that are out to play as many video games as they can.
New 'D&D Nolzur's' wave headed to retail. WizKids will release a new wave of D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures packs into retail in January 2025. The latest wave of unpainted miniatures features more monsters and characters that come primed and ready to paint. The miniatures have deep cuts for easier painting, and have swappable universal terrain pads.
'Final Fantasy TCG' Opus 25 incoming: 'Tears of the Planet'. Square Enix will release Tears of the Planet, a new set for Final Fantasy TCG, into retail on March 25, 2025. Opus 25 will expand on the Limit Break mechanics introduced in Hidden Hope, adding new deck construction and gameplay options.
Skybound will release 'Creepshow: The Suspense-Building Game'. Skybound Tabletop will release Creepshow: The Suspense-Building Game, a new storytelling card game, in September 2024. Creepshow is based on the horror comics anthology series of the same name. In the new card game, players use story cards to create narrative chains.
CMYK’s Spots anticipating strong Q4. Spots, a game of risk and dogs, is expected to be a strong seller this Q4 after winning the Best Dice Game award at Games Expo. Spots is a game about rolling dice, pushing one’s luck, and dogs. Players roll, trying to place dice on the matching spots on their dogs.
Games Workshop previews new 'Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team'. Games Workshop previewed Hive Storm: Hivestorm, for Warhammer 40,000, which will be coming soon to retail. This expansion not only adds a new skirmish to the game but also launches a new edition of Kill Team entirely.
Sweeten up Halloween with 'Dreadful Meadows'. Arkus Games will release Dreadful Meadows, a candy farming game, into retail on September 10, 2024. In this game, designed by Lukas Adam, players take on the roles of Confectioners looking to sow and harvest a candy patch. Players will cultivate candy crops as the rounds progress as well as create new confections through trial and error.
Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development
Sony has launched the MENA Hero Project, an incubator program which aims to identify and support local developers in the Middle East and North Africa games market. Announced in a blog post, the program will offer support for developers based in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. Support will include mentorship, training,...
Looking to provide a leg up to fledgling game developers, China’s Tencent Games is strengthening its Venture Lab initiative with the goal of supporting talent from around the world. The new unit is focused on providing investment, resources and networking to young indies and startups, helping them bring their games to market. It will also offer services such as publishing, marketing, consulting, game data science...
*** The above posted after August 23rd when tBR circulated ***
Burgeoning Chicago-based prodco Playground Productions is bringing back iconic kids video game franchise Backyard Sports for a new generation of sports-obsessed fans and their nostalgia-craving parents. Originally developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Atari in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the franchise was hailed for featuring a large fictional cast of diverse kids with unique personalities...
Epic Games today officially launched a rival app store for iOS in the European Union, marking the first time Apple’s own App Store has had to face a serious rival. The Epic Games Store will initially offer Epic’s games, including Fortnite, for users to download onto their iPhones, with plans to start onboarding third-party developers’ games beginning in December.
Dubit expands Roblox services to the MENA and APAC regions. The British kids researcher and game developer has partnered with Dubai's The GenX Media to give brands in these regions more direct access to Dubit's Roblox marketing expertise. To meet growing global demand for brand connection from younger Gen Z audiences, UK-based video game developer Dubit has teamed up with Dubai-based metaverse...
Gaming giant Ubisoft has let 45 staffers go from two of its US studios as part of a restructuring effort. The two affected studios are Red Storm Entertainment and Ubisoft San Francisco, which mostly produce older-skewing shooter and adventure games. The massive company, which employs more than 20,000 people, also owns kid-friendly franchises that it has expanded into animated TV, including Rabbids and Rayman.
Indiana Jones out in December, coming to PS5 in Spring 2025. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is supposed to be the big console and Game Pass exclusive for Xbox this fall, but it won’t be long until it comes to PlayStation 5 too, according to new reports. The port has been rumored for months and is the latest Xbox game to lose exclusivity amid Microsoft’s new multiplatform push.
Microsoft unveils new accessibility hardware including Xbox Adaptive Joystick. Microsoft has debuted four new accessibility offerings for Xbox players to help people play "anywhere they want, in a way that works for them." The new lineup includes an Xbox Adaptive Joystick that can be deployed alongside the Xbox Adaptive Controller or other Xbox gamepads.
KSI and the Sidemen among UK's richest gamers. YouTube stars KSI and the Sidemen have been named alongside the creators of Candy Crush, Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto as some of the richest gamers and creators in the UK. Taking the top spot of the Sunday Times' top 30 Gaming Rich List are co-founders of Playrix, Igor and Dmitry Bukhman.
Fortnite app returns to iPhones - but only in the EU. Fortnite, one of the world's biggest video games, is available as an iPhone app for the first time in four years. However, it will only be available to players in the European Union. This is because EU law requires Apple to allow third-party app stores on its devices - other parts of the world do not have comparable legislation.
Respected gaming magazine praised after sudden closure. The makers of the final game to appear on the cover of one of the world's longest-running gaming magazines say its sudden closure is a "big loss" to the industry. US-based Game Informer had been running for 33 years until earlier this month, when its print edition and website were closed without warning.
Black Myth: Wukong beats Cyberpunk and Elden Ring to set new steam records hours after coming out. The first time we saw a trailer of Black Myth: Wukong I joked that it looked great and would probably never actually come out. That was August 20, 2020. Exactly four years later the fantasy action game isn’t just available to play, it’s shattering records on Steam for single-player and online games alike.
Funko Fusion announces Mega Man as latest character to join fandom-filled action-adventure game. 10:10 Games, in collaboration with Capcom, Funko, Inc., and Universal Products & Experiences, today announced that the Blue Bomber, Mega Man, will be a playable character in the upcoming action-adventure game Funko Fusion.
Three new video games featuring Legendary’s Monsterverse are on the way. Legendary’s next Monsterverse movie isn’t slated to come out until 2027. However, fans won’t be without content until then. Three new video game experiences featuring the monsters from the series are slated to release later this year: Kong: Survivor Instinct, Godzilla x Kong: Titan Chasers, and a Monsterverse game on Roblox.
Highlighted Press Releases
SUPER BLANKYS® GIVE KIDS A WARM SNUGGLE AND INSPIRE THEM TO FEEL LIKE THE SUPERHEROES THEY ARE. Moon Sonder™ Has Designed a Delightful Combination of a Soft Comforting Hug and Fun Superhero Play In Wearable Blankets. Keego Harbor, MI “Cool Aunt” Karen Bonnici invented Super Blankys® homemade blankets with sleeves as gifts for her young nieces and nephew. She’s always been a homemade gift maker but the outsized reaction to these gifts helped her see she just might have the seed for a successful entrepreneurial idea. While the first iteration wasn’t perfect, the wearable blankets were beloved and she learned a lot from watching the kids wear and play with them.
Safety and Counterfeiting
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is taking aim at the small batteries that are common in kids toys by implementing better labeling and testing for products using these batteries. The CPSC wants manufacturers to add warning labels and conduct more rigorous stress-testing on products that have button-cell and coin-cell batteries. These batteries have led to more than 70,000 emergency...
Associations, Foundations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals
People of Play (POP) is announcing the kick-off of the 19th annual Young Inventor Challenge® International Championship. Registration is open now through Oct 27 for kids ages 6-18 to submit their original toy or game creations for a chance to win prizes and an opportunity to have their original creation published. The Young Inventor Challenge® is a unique, global competition designed to inspire and encourage creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills in children.
The Toy Association™ today unveiled its “Back to School STEAM Toy Shopping List,” which includes 15 officially accredited STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) toys that will enrich kids’ learning during the academic year. Families can now shop the list of toys (listed below), choosing from a variety of hands-on building sets as well as activities that invite kids to explore different career options, music, natural sciences, and much more.
In partnership with Wizards of the Coast and WizKids, The Strong National Museum of Play will unveil its latest exhibit honoring the popular role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. The exhibit, Dungeons & Dragons: 50 Yrs of Storytelling, celebrates the community and camaraderie created by the fantasy game. It features rare artifacts, prototypes, original artwork, interactive elements, and behind-the-scenes...
Richard Gottlieb's Celebration of Life Friday, October 25, 2024 | 6-8pm, The Toy Association (10th floor) 1375 Broadway (37th Street), New York, NY. Join us for Richard Gottlieb's Celebration of Life, an evening of heartfelt memories, inspiring speakers, light bites, cocktails, and a special announcement of the Richard Gottlieb Grant, as we honor our cherished friend and toy industry legend.
LA Preview website launches to aid planning. The website aims to present a round-up of toy companies exhibiting in LA this September to help buyers and distributors to plan their trips. LATalking to Toy World, Jonathan Busher explained the rationale behind the creation of the website: “I have created the Toy Previews.la website with the aim of being the overarching website for LA Previews.
Toyology unveils The Kidults awards. Billed as ‘the Oscars for grown-up toys’, the awards will recognize the very best toys and games aimed at kidults and adult collectors. Dedicated to celebrating the ever-growing and significant Kidult sector, the new The Kidults awards include categories designed to highlight some of the best products on offer to grown-up toy and games fans, while also shining...
Judges revealed for The Big Christmas Wishlist Awards. The judging panel for this year’s The Big Christmas Wishlist Awards, hosted at the annual The Big Christmas Press Show, has been revealed by the CIJ Group, featuring retail and consumer specialists, high profile social figures and media specialists. Back for the second year in a row, the awards are an integral part of The Big Christmas Press Show event program.
Giraffe Insights releases full line-up for annual KidSight conference, which takes place on 12th Sept. with the theme ‘Uniquely Me’. Following the ticket launch, more details have now been released showcasing what visitors to the West End’s Odeon Luxe Cinema can expect during the morning event.
LA Preview website launches to aid planning. The website aims to present a round-up of toy companies exhibiting in LA this September to help buyers and distributors to plan their trips. LATalking to Toy World, Jonathan Busher explained the rationale behind the creation of the website: “I have created the Toy Previews.la website with the aim of being the overarching website for LA Previews.
Seven things we learned from Gamescom opening night. If there's one thing the world's gaming studios need at the moment, it's a little bit of hype. It has been a year with no major new console launches and where the industry has seen strikes and cuts with thousands of workers being laid off. The opening night of Gamescom is often an opportunity for a big shiny night to get fans all excited for the year ahead.
RIP - Rest in Play - Remembering Those that have Passed
If you know of a colleague's passing, please send us information so we may share with our readers. Archives can be found HERE
Leonard Riggio, the founder and former chairman of Barnes & Noble, Inc., on August 27, 2024, at the age of 83. Len's vision and entrepreneurial spirit transformed the retail landscape, establishing Barnes & Noble as the largest bookstore chain in the U.S. His leadership spanned decades, during which he not only grew the company but also nurtured a culture of innovation and a love for reading.
A true son of New York, public servant, and tireless advocate for public education, literacy, and the arts, he supported organizations such as the Children’s Defense Fund, the Anti-Defamation League and DIA.
We honor his remarkable contributions and extend our deepest condolences to his family. Len will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Atsuko Tanaka, game and anime voice actor, dies at age 61. Per her son Hikaru, she died of an undisclosed illness she'd been battling for the past year. "Including her year-long battle with illness, I think she lived a life that was typical of Tanaka," he wrote in a translated obituary. "Serious, dignified, and a little playful. I am truly happy to have such a proud mother."
Born November 14, 1962, Tanaka was best known for voicing Motoko Kusanagi in the Ghost in the Shell franchise. Much of her voicework career was in anime including Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Lupin III, and Queen's Blade.
Game-wise, she did the Japanese voice for Bayonetta in PlatinumGames' titular series. She's also been in franchises like Nier (as Kaine), Yakuza (Reina), and Devil May Cry (Trish), and was Lara Croft's Japanese voice for several Tomb Raider titles.
Several franchises Tanaka was attached to wrote eulogies of their own following her passing. Ghost in the Shell's Twitter said she imbued Kusanagi "with a presence that is both quiet and powerful and full of charm."
"I had a great time playing the role of Kaine in Nier Replicant," reads Nier's Twitter account. "We sincerely pray for the repose of your soul."
Finally, from the recent anime Frieren: "We would like to once again express our gratitude for your appearance in Funeral Parlor Frieren and your performance, and we offer our heartfelt condolences."
Rachael Lillis. Pokémon voice actress Rachael Lillis, who starred in Pokémon TV series, films and video games dating back as far as the late 1990s, has died from breast cancer at the age of 55.
Lillis voiced the main characters of Misty and Jessie and many more on the beloved Japanese animated series.
Her death was announced by Veronica Taylor, who co-stars as Pokémon lead character Ash Ketchum.
Ms Taylor wrote: "Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether speaking or singing."
"We all know Rachael Lillis from the many wonderful roles she played," Ms Taylor wrote on social media on Monday.
"She filled our Saturday mornings and before/after school hours with her beautiful voice, her terrific comic timing, and her remarkable acting skills."
She said Lillis was grateful for the support she received as she battled cancer.
"It truly made a positive difference," Ms Taylor said.
(from Jill Chang) - Tony Miller - former Mattelite, passed away after suffering a stroke at the end of June, just shy of his 84th birthday. For those that didn't know him, Tony worked at Mattel from 1968-1974 as a Project Engineer and Product Manager, then again from 1999-2003 as Vice President of Design for Hot Wheels. During the years he was not at Mattel, he stayed employed in the toy industry as either an employee, executive, or freelance designer/inventor. Throughout his life, he was passionate about design, cars and toys, so his final gig at Mattel was the perfect fit. For anyone who was on Tony's team in 2003, I've attached a photo and bit of nostalgia that he's had hanging in his office for the last 20 years.
After parting ways with Mattel in 2003, Tony maintained his passion for all things automotive by being active in the design and creation of a wild custom 1940 Ford coupe, the reworking and additional customization of his shoebox 1951 Ford Victoria, being a docent at the Petersen Automotive Museum for a decade, actively participating on the H.A.M.B., a hot rod message board at jalopyjournal.com as @50Fraud, and of course, attending a slew of car shows. Maybe you even bumped into him at one or two! The ’40 Ford is being donated to the Petersen in Tony’s honor and will remain a part of their permanent collection. We hope you’ll join us in remembering him.
Memorial Cruise-in Car Show
Petersen Automotive Museum
Saturday, August 17, 2024, 8:00 - 11:00
Worldwide Magazines Weekly Top Stories
Some Added Friday Morning Chicago Time. Check Back for Complete Lists.
Toy Trade Monthly Issues
Adventure Media & Events (US)
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Talkin' Toys: Addo Play Targets the U.S. Market During LA Fall Toy Previews (The Toy Book)
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Exclusive: Goliath Reveals New Tasty Tinies Bake Shop Line (The Toy Book)
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GennComm Partners Up with Logo Woman for Strategic Collaboration (The Toy Book)
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The Toy Book Pulse of Play Awards Arrive in '25! (The Toy Book)
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CandyRific Reveals This Year’s Christmas Collection (The Toy Book)
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Toysmith CEO Michael Keaton to Exit this Fall (The Toy Book)
aNb Media (US)
Toyworld (UK)
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The annual white-knuckle ride is about to begin… it’s the Friday blog!
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Bandai UK launches Tamagotchi collaboration with Japan Centre
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Cartamundi ramps up marketing plans for Twisted History game
Licensing.biz Powered by Toyworld
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Bandai Camden store celebrates 1st anniversary with Pac-Man and Tamagotchi
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Lego and Nike unite to elevate the power of creative play and sport
ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture (US)
- New 'WizKids Deep Cuts' Miniatures Pack Incoming
- Ultra PRO Unveils 'Magic: The Gathering - Foundations' Accessories
- 'Pathfinder: Guns & Gears (Remastered)' Revealed
- 'Heroscape' Wave 1 Sells Out
- 'Magic: The Gathering's' The One Ring Card Was Polarizing for Fans
- 'UniVersus CCG' 'Star Trek: Lower Decks - Challenger Series' Hits Preorder
- Rolling for Initiative -- Making Money Off Table Space
- 'Pokemon TCG: Terapagos ex Ultra Premium Collection' Incoming
- Steamforged Games Announces P3 Paints Crowdfunding Campaign
- Horror Week 2024 Feature: Stock the Most Terrifying Tabletop Games
Nación Juguetes (Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile & Spain)
Global Toy News
The Bugg Report (Australia)
New Emma Memma Song Exclusive to the Toniebox Released in Australia and New Zealand
The Toy Universe (Australia)
hobbyDB
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Corgi Model Club's New hobbyDB Official Archive & James Bond Diecast Giveaway
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Get to Know: The Works, Sculpts & Mind of Art Toy Designer Kyle Kirwan
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Get to Know: Figurama Collectors 3D Designer Ezequiel Politano
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1979 Kenner Rocket-Firing Boba Fett Sets New Record for Most Valuable Star Wars Action Figure
Video of the Week
Who Invented Wham-O's Yellow Slick Road? It's the Slip 'N' Slide Edition of Tim Walsh's Where's the Fun from?
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Thank you for being a reader of the Bloom Report. — Mary and Graeme
Founding Editor and Publisher (1998-2020, Retired): Philip Bloom
We are honored to carry on Phil's 22 year legacy and continue the Bloom Report. Phil has been a mensch
and we've loved working with him. Here is a fun and interesting interview with Phil.
If you would like to reach Phil: philip.bloom100@verizon.net
Publisher: Mary Couzin, Chicago Toy & Game Group, Inc.
Managing Editor: Graeme Thomson
Assistant Editor: Patrick Fisher
Not only does the Bloom Report give you all the news you need to know...
we give you all the news you didn't know you needed to know!" -Phil Bloom
Do you have news to share? Send us a note! mary@chitag.com
