Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
Happy Bloomin' Friday!
New York Toy Fair is next week! Download the app, bring chocolate covered coffee beans for quick bursts of energy (thank you Michael Steer and Garry Donner for that advice!) and reread these recent articles:
We are celebrating the 25th Anniversary of our NYTF Connolly's POP Pub Party & the 20th Anniversary of our Young Inventor Challenge on Monday March 3rd! Tickets are only $20 and it goes directly to offset the costs of the Young Inventor Challenge. Get your tickets or donate $20 HERE. Casual, fun, great networking - stop by or stay the whole evening and enjoy dinner at Connolly's! We’ll have the entire second floor. I hope to see you there! Past photos HERE!
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Mary and the POP Team
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Person of the Week: Tom Neville Delivers Experience and Toy Industry Insight to CONNETIX!
Hi, Tom! We didn't get much time to chat at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair and I'm looking forward to seeing you at NY Toy Fair. Thank you for taking time for a tBR interview now! Please share with our readers what you do in our industry.
I’m the Vice President in Sales for CONNETIX across North America, Latin America and South Africa, my role focuses on driving sales growth and building our brand across local teams. I’ve been fortunate to have worked in the toy industry since 1988, and have enjoyed my time immensely in all those years. I started my career with Lego, one of the largest construction and toy companies in the world, and now I’m here with CONNETIX, a new company on the scene that’s making big waves in the 80+ countries we sell in, and we’re just getting started in the United States!
Having had a lot of experience across all areas of the industry, from sales to marketing, operations, inventor relations, manufacturing (you name it!), as well as being an active committee member of the Toy Industry Association and the Toy Foundation, I’ve always enjoyed the strong sense of community and opportunities to collaborate with some really incredible people – and at CONNETIX, we have a full bench of talented and experienced individuals with their own expertise. Read More...
Person of Week - Spin Master's Anton Rabie
Five Things I Wish I Knew in my 20's
On November 8th, 2024, Anton Rabie was the keynote speaker for a group of University Students from across Canada who are members of the QMAC (Queens Marketing Association Club). Rabie shared key pivotal moments that shaped the success of Spin Master Ltd ( a company he Co-Founded and Co-Chairs) and five things he wished he had known when he was in his early 20s.. Read More...
Person of the Week - Baby Paper's Sari Wiaz
Small Toy Makers Aim for Big Break at NY Toy Fair 2025
A group of small manufacturers are rolling up their sleeves to compete with major brands at the Toy Fair NY , taking place March 1-4, 2025 at the Javits Center in New York City. With smaller budgets and plenty of creative hustle, these entrepreneurs are working tirelessly to gain traction by being a part of a newly launched Petit Pavilion.
“The Petite Pavilion, a pilot program launching at Toy Fair 2025, was created to provide even more opportunity for small and emerging companies to showcase their limited products in smaller and lower cost spaces,” said Kimberly Carcone, EVP of Global Market Events at The Toy Association. “In partnership with Sari Wiaz of Baby Paper, Toy Fair continues to offer innovative market entry to maintain, foster and strengthen the toy and play community.”
Small businesses like Baby Paper, and ChattySnaps face an uphill battle to stand out against big-name companies dominating the industry. Their shared challenge is creating impact with limited resources. They hope that attending Toy Fair, will help give them a competitive edge.
Cartoon Lovers, Lexophiles & People in Need of a Smile!
Cartoon of the Week: Thank you to Bob Fuhrer for the cartoon this week!
Memorable Quotes: "Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious."
- Stephen Hawking
Toy Industry Word of Day: 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 past week!
Financial and Legal
‘Less than 40%’ of Mattel toys to be produced in China in 2025, as trade war concerns grow. On the earnings call, Kreiz touched on the potential impact of US president Donald Trump’s recent tariffs, and China’s retaliatory tariffs. He said: “Our 2025 priorities are to grow the top and bottom line, while increasing investment in our digital game self-publishing business to drive long-term growth, in line with our capital....
Monopoly Go Maker reportedly wants to buy Pokémon Go for $3.5 billion. Saudi Arabia-owned Scopely is in talks to acquire Niantic's gaming division. Pokémon Go is one of the biggest games of the decade. It was a sensation when it launched and remains a massive part of the fabric of online gaming years later. But Niantic, the tech startup that created it, might soon be spinning Pokémon Go off.
Dutch consumer foundation sues Sony for overpricing digital PlayStation games. Dutch consumer foundation Massaschade & Consument has filed a collective lawsuit against Sony over its pricing of digital PlayStation games in the region. In a translated story from Tweakers, the foundation allege digital PlayStation titles in the Netherlands cost 47 percent more than their physical counterparts, despite reportedly...
Ball, Bounce and Sport, Inc., doing business as Hedstrom, has acquired What Kids Want. Together, the two companies plan to offer an expanded range of outdoor and active toys. “We are excited to welcome What Kids Want to the Hedstrom family,” says Jim Purtell, President of Hedstrom. “Their passion for creating quality, imaginative toys fits perfectly with our mission to bring joy and entertainment to children worldwide.
Video game retailer GameStop is selling off its storefronts in France and Canada after re-evaluating its international assets. CEO Ryan Cohen confirmed the sale in a post on X the same day, adding that “high taxes, liberalism, socialism, progressivism, wokeness and DEI [are] included at no additional cost if you buy today.” As of last year, GameStop operated more than 200 stores across Canada and more than 300...
Oscar winner Julianne Moore claims her children’s book “Freckleface Strawberry” was banned by the Dept of Defense’s Education Activity, a global network of 160 schools serving military families. In a post on Instagram, Moore expressed a “great shock” about the decision to yank the book for review and said she wrote the book for her children and other kids “to remind them that we all struggle but are united by our...
Tangle case takes a new twist as oft-copied toy scores court victory. A battle that has been playing out in a Northern California Court and the court of public opinion for the past two years has a new twist. Last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth District reversed a decision by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to dismiss Tangle Inc.’s claims in a lawsuit filed against fashion retailer Aritzia.
Kappa Toys closes all locations, including Mall of America store. Kappa Toys, a destination for nostalgia and Japanese collectibles, has closed at Mall of America after one year in business. All Kappa Toys locations closed around the New Year, including its flagship store in Las Vegas. "After 10 years of bringing WOW to the toy retail experience, we want to thank everyone who was a part of the Kappa Toys story...
Pat Avenue team moves to Trends UK headquarters. As part of the ongoing integration following the merger of Trends UK and Pat Avenue, it has been announced that Pat Avenue’s office will be closing, and both teams will now operate from a single location. Effective from 24th February 2025, all employees from both companies will be based at Trends UK’s current headquarters...
US retail sales plunged along with temperatures in January. U.S. retail sales dropped sharply last month, in part because cold weather kept more Americans indoors, denting sales at car dealers and most other stores. Retail sales dropped 0.9% in January from the previous month, the Commerce Department said, after two months of healthy gains.
Roblox is still trying to convince lawmakers it’s not social media. As the new Congress has already started working on legislation to protect kids from social media harms, Roblox is doubling down on its efforts to convince lawmakers it shouldn’t be lumped in with products like Instagram and YouTube. Even though the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) failed to become law last year, despite passing handily in the Senate...
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Financial Reporting
JAKKS Pacific Reports Q4, Full-Year 2024 Earnings. The company bounced back in the second half of the year. For the year, net sales slid 3% to $691 million, down from $711.6 million in 2023. Net sales of Toys/Consumer Products decreased 2% to $570 million, while the Disguise Costumes business saw net sales dip 8% to $121 million. Additionally, the company saw declines in gross margin, gross profit, and operating income.
In Q4, business picked up, with Disguise scoring a 46% year-over-year increase in costume sales.
Hasbro reported its Q4 and full-year earnings for 2024 alongside a new strategic plan through 2027, “Playing to Win.” While revenue fell, the company’s under-the-hood improvements continued with a 76% spike in adjusted operating profit to $838 million. Last year, Hasbro’s revenue declined 17% to $4.1 billion, down from $5 billion in 2023, primarily due to the divestiture of eOne. Absent the eOne business, revenue declined 7%, with 4% growth in Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming powered by successes in Magic: The Gathering and Monopoly Go! Declines in Consumer Products (-12%) and Entertainment (-88% or -4%, minus eOne) offset those numbers.
Unity reports revenue downturn but says business rebuild is making 'progress'. It resulted in Q4 revenue falling by 25 percent year-on-year to $457 million. Revenue within the company's Create Solutions division fell by 47 percent to $152 million.
The Very Group has reported a pre-tax profit of £6.1m for the period to 28th December 2024. This comes after the group recorded a pre-tax loss of £2m during the same six months in 2023. The half-year results show that revenue declined from £1.22b to £1.17b over the period. However, Toys remained a bright spot among the categories examined.
Trends, Lists, Market Research, and State of the Industry
“Board games are about to get more expensive”: Arcane Wonders president Robert Geistlinger on tariffs, razor-thin margins and the math of producing games
Enhancing Board Games with QR Codes: A New Level of Interaction
Ranking the top 10 Madden NFL games
‘Captain America’ Box Office: ‘Brave New World’ Opens to Bullish $100M in U.S., $192M Globally
Update from the French Toy Market. The French Toy market was down 0.7% in revenue and 1.2% in unit volume in 2024. The business has been mostly stable during a period when Germany and UK declined more, down 2.3% and 3.7% percent, respectively.
REPORT: Kids Corp calls for shift in audience approach. A new report highlights why today's young viewers need a content ecosystem—not just a platform—to keep them engaged.
Streamers continue to build up libraries. An Ampere Analysis presentation at Kidscreen Summit this week dove into how SVODs benefit from having a deep kids catalogue, while streamers are shifting to non-exclusive deals.
Parenting, preschool and the new normal: How raising kids has changed. In this Kidscreen Summit recap, we examine how a shifting cultural landscape, AI-driven entertainment and the pandemic's lasting effects are reshaping how young children grow, learn and engage with media.
Movie attendance in Europe dipped 2% last year. More than 840 million tickets were sold in 2024, according to early estimates from the European Audiovisual Observatory.
Bluey leads the way as World Book Day books take on the charts
JANUARY 2025 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 ADULT GRAPHIC NOVELS Behold the Power of Anime
JANUARY 2025 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 AUTHOR, MANGA, SUPERHERO GRAPHIC NOVELS
India's toy box opens: Retail giants roll dice on direct sourcing.
Stories, Comments, and Advice
John Baulch, ToyWorld - The waiting game … it’s the Friday Blog! February can sometimes feel a little anti-climactic for the toy community. Unlike other sectors, which can often find it hard to get going in January, the toy world hits the ground running in the first few weeks of the year, with several key trade shows giving us a fast start to the New Year. No ‘Blue Monday’ for us – January is a whirlwind, and it rushes by incredibly...
Have You Tried Lemonading? Researchers Tout the Power of Playfulness in Tough Times. Making lemonade when life hands you lemons is a concept that’s been around for over 100 years — but thanks to a study out of Oregon State University, we now have new science-backed evidence showing how powerful “lemonading” can really be. The study evaluated two groups of people during the COVID-19 pandemic, homing in on one quality in particular: playfulness. Their findings? The more playful individuals displayed “significantly higher levels” of resilience when coping...
Video Game Has 80% Success Rate in Identifying Autistic Kids. Doctors may soon be able to diagnose autistic children using a new movement-tracking video game tool, which can distinguish autistic kids from their non-autistic peers with an 80 percent success rate. The game was also able to distinguish children with autism from those with ADHD – two diagnoses that often get jumbled – with 70 percent accuracy.
Revolutionising Play: India's bold plan to lead global toy innovation. In a move that promises to reshape the landscape of India’s manufacturing and educational sectors, the recent Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has unveiled ambitious schemes designed to boost the nation’s toy industry...
Hush Harbors: Life in the Toy Box. “You are a toy!” Could the oft-recited line from the 1995 feature film Toy Story—a beloved classic—hide a more profound meaning? The film’s portrayal of toys, which are sentient in their private world but lifeless in the presence of humans, can be interpreted as a commentary on the performative aspects of existence under oppressive systems.
Impeccable Paddington offers a masterclass in rebooting a brand. Emily Horgan pens a love letter to Paddington (and his brand revival) explaining why, like a good marmalade, the IP is going down a treat with audiences. In this post-peak TV era, franchise fatigue is real. In the last five years, big media has milked their proprietary IP dry to feed the streaming golden goose.
Modeling kindness in kids TV is critical right now. Sesame Workshop researchers find that kindness among children is trending downwards, but parents still see it as a crucial trait. Kindness is a powerful tool. Being kind boosts our well-being and overall happiness, strengthens our connections with others1, and improves our sense of belonging. Children’s media has the power to portray kindness in a holistic way...
Too many video games, too little time - but could that be changing? In Japan, there's a word to describe a shelf full of books you've bought but never read - tsundoku. Video gaming has its own version of this. The backlog. Most console or PC owners probably have one - an ever-growing collection of unfinished or even unplayed titles.
Five freaky little toys that should get The Monkey‘s movie treatment. With the release of Blumhouse’s and Atomic Monster’s The Monkey, we’ve thinking about what other toys might be ripe for the haunting horror flick adaptation. From M3GAN to Chucky, there’s certainly no dearth of killer doll movies out there already, but the match between Osgood Perkins and The Monkey gave Stephen King and giddy horror gore hound...
‘Abundance’ of Alligators Found in Florida Sewer System: ‘Like Something Out of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ . The University of Florida's study also found 34 other species in the storm sewage system. Florida's sewer systems have been playing host to alligators. A study conducted by the University of Florida found that the stormwater sewer systems beneath Gainesville contained a total of 35 different animal species...
History and Nostalgia
Independence Seaport Museum to exhibit intricate toy, model boats from the early 19th to late 20th centuries. The Independence Seaport Museum is preparing to unveil a new permanent exhibit of battleships and steamboats that could comfortably fit on a bookshelf. "Small but Mighty!: Models, Toys and Miniature Ships" will open Thursday, March 20, at the Penn's Landing museum.
Bop the Beetle from Ideal (1962). If you’re looking to let off some steam, the Bop the Beetle game might be the release you need. Despite being touted as “more fun than a picnic” in its advertising, the game’s appeal lies in the fact that it allows players to channel their inner caveman and smash, err… bop things.
Licensing and Entertainment
Mattel, Hasbro Partner for Play-Doh Barbie Fashion Collection. Kids can create Play-Doh outfits for their Barbie dolls with new playsets, tools, and more. The Play-Doh Barbie Designer Fashion Show Playset includes a 2-in-1 runway and design studio, Play-Doh pattern sheets that mirror fabric, and tools (like a ruffle maker and faux fur roller) for kids to create Play-Doh fashion pieces.
Dr. Seuss Enterprises has teamed up with NFL players and Creative Minds Publications to help promote kids’ literacy during Creative Minds’ annual Tackle Reading event. During the week of March 2 (to coincide with Dr. Seuss’s birthday), current and retired NFL players will head to US schools to read a Dr. Seuss book to an assembly of students. Pro Football Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce is one of the athletes...
Cloudco Entertainment and WildBrain Studios are teaming up on a project that’s just as sweet in terms of revenue and licensing potential as the brands involved. In October, the two companies announced that they’re co-producing a 44-minute animated preschool special called The Care Berry Switch (working title) that unites the Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake in a content title for the very first time.
Hasbro Entertainment has forged a new deal with Netflix to develop a live-action Dungeons & Dragons series called The Forgotten Realms. The move comes in the wake of Hasbro’s previous co-production partner, Paramount+, deciding not to proceed with a live-action adaptation of the fantasy role-playing game franchise last May, amidst a company-wide restructuring and Hasbro’s sale of eOne to Lionsgate.
Teddy Mountain UK has partnered with Aardman to launch a Gromit plush. The Gromit plush will be available in the UK from April 25th and follows Teddy Mountain UK’s 2024 release of Shaun the Sheep. “The hugely successful release of our Shaun the Sheep make-a-bear plush underscores our winning strategy of licensing high profile IP, led by these wonderful Aardman characters,” said Ryan Davie...
Highland Film Group is shopping this film concept based on a series of YA books that have sold more than 31 million copies globally. A movie adaption of bestselling vampiric book series House of Night is in development. Penned by author P.C. Cast and her daughter Kristin Cast, 12 main novels have been published since 2007, in addition to a number of sequel books and novellas.
Consolidated streamer JioHotstar went live in India today, merging two of the country’s popular SVODs—JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar. Formed last yr by Disney’s Star India and Viacom18, the US$8.5-billion jt-venture is owned by Mumbai-based Reliance Industries. With an entertainment catalogue of more than 300,000 hours, JioHotstar says it will reach up to 500 million users, which is a dominant...
Hoho Entertainment and Wild Child Animation have joined forces to develop their first feature film. Toad & Friends is based on Kenneth Grahame’s classic 1908 novel The Wind in the Willows, which has sold more than 85 million copies in 29 languages worldwide. This is familiar source material for partners that have already co-produced a CG-animated Toad & Friends series...
Licensing Works and Kewpie Bring the Love on Valentine’s Day. Kewpie was conceived as a symbol of love and laughter, and the brand certainly lived up to that reputation this Valentine’s Day. Licensing Works!, the exclusive agent for the Kewpie Corporation, brokered the launch of several new Kewpie products, timed for Valentine’s Day. Kewpie Corporation owns the global rights for the Kewpie intellectual property...
KessCo has teamed up with Bandai to introduce Tamagotchi Collections, a board game that brings the nostalgic virtual pets to the tabletop. Designed for two to four players, the game challenges participants to care for and host as many Tamagotchi characters who have crash-landed on Earth as possible to earn points. Players roll dice to feed, play with and give attention to their Tamagotchi visitors.
Beast Games, Amazon Prime Video’s reality competition series hosted by the YouTuber known as MrBeast, is not a well-made show. It is certainly an expensive show, something Mr Beast, the alter ego for 26-year-old Jimmy Donaldson of Greenville, North Carolina, likes to frequently remind viewers. The series is a feat of scale shocking to audiences outside the realm of YouTube, and especially Donaldson’s fiefdom...
Barbie partners with Black in Fashion Council in honor of Black History Month. In honor of Black History Month, Barbie is addressing the statistic that Black designers make up only 7.3% of the fashion industry, despite the Black community having a significant impact on fashion. In its commitment to amplify representation in fashion and beyond, the brand is teaming up with the Black in Fashion Council...
Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel Films begin production on Masters of the Universe live-action film. Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) announced that the upcoming live-action feature film Masters of the Universe, based on the iconic Mattel franchise, has started production. Travis Knight is directing the film from a screenplay by Chris Butler...
Live and let subscribe: James Bond producers hand franchise to Amazon after more than 60 years. In a shock announcement Amazon MGM Studios and producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they have "formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights."
'Ne Zha 2' brings surging orders to Chinese toy factories. In the bustling production workshop of a cultural products company in South China's Guangdong province, miniature figurines of Ne Zha, Ao Bing and Tai Yi -- all from the Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" -- are rolling off the assembly line at full speed.
'Captain America must die in China': Nationalism fuels Ne Zha 2 fans. A chorus of praise is being sung around Ne Zha 2, the Chinese film about a mythical boy who battles demons, which has been newly crowned the world's highest-grossing animated film. The box office triumph of the film - which has raked in 12.3bn yuan ($1.7bn; £1.4bn) - triggered a huge swell of national pride across the country.
Moose Toys celebrates thriving portfolio, revealing line for another YouTube hit, Amazing Digital Circus. - Moose Toys enters North American International Toy Fair with a booming portfolio of highly sought-after partner brands, including the first-ever product line for its newest partner, viral Aussie YouTube sensation Amazing Digital Circus.
Mondo’s ‘Adventure Time’ action figures available for pre-order. Cartoon Network’s animated series, “Adventure Time,” turns 15 this year, and Mondo Squads created a figure set. The “Adventure Time” Jake and Finn figure set have bendable, poseable arms and comes complete with swappable portraits and accessories like the Golden sword and Demon Blood sword.
Banijay Kids & Family unveils latest Mr Bean brand deals. Banijay Kids & Family has announced several new licensing deals for the Mr Bean brand, spanning multiple categories including apparel, accessories, gifting and toys. 2025 marks 35 years since Mr Bean first hit screens. It has been broadcast in 195 territories, with the series in continual distribution for 35 years.
Nickelodeon greenlights Avatar: Seven Havens. In a move to continue expanding the lucrative Avatar IP on screen, Nickelodeon has just commissioned a new series called Avatar: Seven Havens (26 x 30 minutes). This 2D-animated toon is the latest installment in the Avatarverse—originating with Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005 to 2008) and later followed by a 2010 live-action film adaptation...
Fanroll announces 'Catan Masterpiece Series': Luxury component upgrades for 'Catan' Games. FanRoll by Metallic Dice Games is expanding its line of luxury upgraded components for the game of Catan with its Catan Masterpiece Series, set to release this December. Expanding on the accessories offered last year, the Catan Masterpiece Series will feature enhanced and upgraded versions...
Maestro Media unveils ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ board game. Maestro Media is celebrating a classic film with a new board game based on Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. In 2001: A Space Odyssey | The Board Game, players fight to survive as HAL tries to sabotage Discovery One’s mission. One player controls HAL while the rest of the players work together to outsmart the AI.
Collaborations with franchises such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have expanded reach and amplified brand awareness for Fugglers. The Entertainer has revealed that Fugglers – the weird and wonderfully mischievous plush toys – have been flying off the shelves, with sales increasing by 247% in the past year.
Teddy Mountain UK to release Gromit make-a-bear plush. Teddy Mountain UK is expanding its lineup of licensed plush toys with the release of a make-a-bear version of Gromit from Aardman’s "Wallace & Gromit." The plush will launch in the U.K. on April 25. The new product follows Teddy Mountain UK’s 2024 release of a make-a-bear ‘Shaun the Sheep.’
Kids preferred signs multi-year ‘Peppa Pig’ licensing deal with Hasbro. Kids Preferred has announced a new licensing agreement with Hasbro to create new products based on the “Peppa Pig” brand. Under the agreement, Kids Preferred will design and manufacture new “Peppa Pig” merchandise in the U.S. and Canada from now through the end of 2027.
Moose Toys and Netflix join forces for One Piece toy line. Moose Toys and Netflix are joining forces on a global licensed toy line to bring fans of the live-action show, One Piece, new ways to immerse themselves into the world of Luffy and his band of Straw Hat Pirates. Fans can dive into the adventure with an extensive new line of toys including action figures, playsets, plush, roleplay and collectibles...
Upper Deck expands trading card and game portfolio. Upper Deck has announced that characters from The Gearbox Entertainment Company’s “Borderlands” and “Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands” franchises will be incorporated into Upper Deck’s portfolio of trading cards and games. The first game being introduced is “Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands: The Chaos Chamber,” a fast-paced trick-taking card game adventure that will...
Wyncor, Hasbro sign agreement for Dungeons & Dragons Miraball Surprise collectible. Global toy company Wyncor is teaming up with Hasbro‘s Wizards of the Coast division on a licensing agreement for a line of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Miraball Surprise toys. Each Miraball Surprise comes with a mystery expanding plush, three stickers, and a leaflet for just under $10.
Wizards of the Coast add ‘Final Fantasy’ to its ‘Magic: The Gathering’ card sets. The beloved RPG series Final Fantasy enters gaming history with Wizards of the Coast’s Magic: The Gathering — Final Fantasy card sets. This upcoming Magic: The Gathering set will feature the largest collection of artwork from the Final Fantasy franchise, plus new additions to the Magic card line.
Jazwares signs global licensing agreement with Yo Gabba Gabba! to launch new toys and targeted consumer products. Jazwares announced a multi-year global licensing agreement to release toys, costumes, and accessories based on the beloved children’s franchise Yo Gabba Gabba! As part of the new agreement, Jazwares will hold global master rights to produce figures, toy vehicles, dolls, plush, playsets...
WizKids reveals 'Star Trek: Into The Unknown' expansion: 'Rising Tensions'. WizKids will release Rising Tensions, a new expansion for Star Trek: Into the Unknown, which will hit retail in July 2025. The new Rising Tensions expansion adds a new narrative and starships to the Star Trek: Into the Unknown miniatures game.
‘CookieRun’ trading card game unveiled. Devsisters, the creators behind mobile game franchise “CookieRun,” has announced the upcoming release of “CookieRun” Trading Card Game in the U.S., the first trading card game in the “CookieRun” universe. The TCG brings “CookieRun” characters, rich lore and strategic gameplay to tabletop enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
Craft Buddy adds Care Bears to line up. Craft Buddy has welcomed the Care Bears into its portfolio, marking a significant addition that highlights the strength of its licensing business. Through this partnership, Craft Buddy will launch a diverse range of Care Bears-themed Crystal Art products, designed to inspire creativity in both children and adults.
Netflix resurrects Hasbro’s live-action D&D series. Hasbro Entertainment has forged a new deal with Netflix to develop a live-action Dungeons & Dragons series called The Forgotten Realms. The move comes in the wake of Hasbro’s previous co-production partner, Paramount+, deciding not to proceed with a live-action adaptation of the fantasy role-playing game franchise last May, amidst a company-wide...
WizKids Games Marvel HeroClix 400: Warriors of Wakanda review. At the end of last year WizKids Games gave us an incredible new Black Panther HeroClix expansion chock full of heroes and villains and others associated with Wakanda as well as classic and new characters. Now four figures from that set are back in a brand-new product style with Marvel HeroClix 400: Warriors of Wakanda! “Standard” games...
“BE@RBRICK,” Apple TV+’s new music-driven animated comedy series for kids and families premiering globally on March 21. Apple TV+ announced the premiere of “BE@RBRICK,” a new CG animated comedy series for kids and families, set to debut globally on Friday, March 21. Based on the iconic BE@RBRICK figures from MEDICOM TOY, the 13-episode series...
Under the influence: Beast Games and the YouTube-ification of television. Amazon’s hugely successful extreme competition series is the latest attempt to lure younger online viewers to TV. B east Games, Amazon Prime Video’s reality competition series hosted by YouTuber MrBeast, is not a well-made show.
License-2-Play to bring Pembe to North America. The pink Kawaii cat will make a stateside debut at The Toy Fair. Thanks to a licensing agreement for Pembe the Cat, The Toy Fair will experience a wave of kawaii from Copenhagen. The pink cat known for his stealing popularity on Giphy will make a grand debut next month at The Javits Center.
Diamond Select Toys turns back the clock with new Aragorn and Galadriel ‘Lord of the Rings’ figures. With content overflowing in the coming years, there’s no better time to be a Lord of the Rings fan. Thanks to the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien, the franchise has become one of the biggest and most recognizable in history.
'Game of Thrones' goes 'Legendary' with new deck builder by Upper Deck. Upper Deck Entertainment will release Legendary: Games of Thrones, a new deck-building game, into retail on July 31, 2025. In this new version of Legendary, players assume control of one of the great house of Westeros and make their bid for the Iron Throne.
'Cap 4' tops box office; 'D&D' live action series in the works; 'Rings of Power' renewed; 'Motu' movie finds a sorceress; 'Thunderbolts' and 'The Anime Business' trailer. Showbiz Round-Up. Marvel Studio's Captain America: Brave New World topped the box office this weekend, according to Deadline. At a projected $87 million 3-day weekend total, it squeaked by animated features Paddington in Peru ($12.6 million) and..
‘Batman Begins’ celebrates 20th Anniversary with new DC Multiverse figure at McFarlane Toys. It's hard to believe that Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy started 20 years ago with 2005’s Batman Begins. The film, starring Christian Bale as The Dark Knight, retold the hero's origin story and reestablished this brooding vigilante of the night as a serious character.
Paramount and YouTube TV cut new carriage deal, averting blackout. Paramount and YouTube have a deal. The entertainment company and the Google-owned video platform have cut a new carriage deal that will keep Paramount channels available on the YouTube TV video service. The companies had warned earlier this week that they were at odds over a new deal, and said that CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, BET and...
WubbaNub partners with Aurora World for global expansion. Aurora World has the exclusive license to manufacture and distribute WubbaNub products. The new licensing agreement will expand the brand into new markets. WubbaNub is known for its line of infant and toddler pacifiers and plush toys, notably the WubbaNub Pacifier, a 100% silicone pacifier with a detachable animal plush.
Lion Forge Entertainment taps Resurrection Games to launch new board and card games for ‘IYANU’. Collectible tabletop gaming brand Resurrection Games has announced a partnership with Lion Forge Entertainment for its animated series “IYANU” – an epic superhero fantasy story set to premiere on Cartoon Network, Max and Showmax in Spring.
Sagat & Blanka are the latest Street Fighter characters to get figures from Jada Toys. The figures are the latest in an ongoing line from the American manufacturer based on the famous Capcom fighting series, with the company having previously released other collectible figures based on DeeJay, Cammy, Guile, M. Bison, Ryu, Ken, Dhalsim, Chun-Li, and Fei Long.
Get a first look at a flying RC Toothless & other upcoming How To Train Your Dragon Live-Action toys from Spin Master. From Spin Master, this line of toys was created using actual digital assets from the film, making them an authentic reproduction of what audiences will see on screen. The toys themselves will begin hitting shelves May 1.
Nickelodeon greenlights Avatar: Seven Havens. Original series co-creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko are back with this new sequel project. This 2D-animated toon is the latest installment in the Avatarverse—originating with Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005 to 2008) and later followed by a 2010 live-action film adaptation, a sequel toon called The Legend of Korra (2012 to 2014) and most recently, a live-action...
Edgar Rice Burroughs—the LA-based company that manages the rights to the author’s IP—has partnered with Flying S Films to develop a not-yet-named 2D-animated series featuring Burroughs’ characters. The 10 x 22-minute episodes follow sci-fi character Victory Harben as she goes on adventures with familiar Burroughs characters, including Tarzan and John Carter.
Canada’s Tundra Book Group is set to launch a new children’s imprint called Swift Water Books. Headed by David Robertson and spotlighting Indigenous voices, the new imprint will cater to young readers through picture books, graphic novels, middle-grade stories and YA titles. “With a growing interest in Indigenous storytelling, there is no better time for this imprint than right now,” said Robertson...
Paris-based Banijay Entertainment has launched a new unit called Banijay Live Studio that will leverage its IPs to develop location-based entertainment projects worldwide. Senior producer Tristan Desplechin was hired three months ago to head up this new label of the existing Banijay Live division. The former CEO and co-founder of Dream Factory, Desplechin is best known for developing the first immersive...
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People of Play
Playing to Win: Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks on Building a Modern Play Company. Few companies would be rewarded upon dropping news that overall revenue fell 17% in the previous fiscal year. But, for Hasbro, an iconic toy and game maker, amid a turnaround, shares spiked (up more than 14% as of this writing) following its fourth quarter and full year 2024 earnings today. The Toy Book caught up with Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks...
People Profile: Gerilynn Maria, Director of Licensing & Brand Management at Tetris, Inc.. How did you get into licensing (or how did licensing find you)? I worked at a law firm as a legal assistant for many years. In 2005, one of the attorneys I worked for became the General Manager/General Counsel at Tetris (fka Blue Planet Software) and I eventually transitioned over to work for him. My role involved...
Hasbro’s Steve Evans is one of, if not the most, active members in the toy community – whether it’s his frequent polls and questions, posts of his personal collection, or what brings us to sitting down with him live at Chubzzy Wubzzy’s this week – one of his TREMENDOUS giveaways. On his way to deliver the Ghost HasLab to his lucky winner, he stopped in to chat with us and others at New Jersey’s FINEST toy shop
Disney hires Daria Cercek to lead live-action theatrical unit. Coming from Paramount Pictures, she will report to David Greenbaum in her new role. As the new president of Disney Live Action – Theatrical, Daria Cercek is tasked with driving the development and production of original films, as well as features based on the studio’s existing trove of legacy characters. She’ll report to David Greenbaum...
Greta D’Este-Donelan introduces AliLeo Media. AliLeo Media has been created to help brands engage with young audiences, utilising all available touchpoints and building long-term franchises. Greta D’Este-Donelan set up AliLeo Media in 2024, paving the way to meaningful conversations between IP owners, broadcasters and cinemas.
Jo Pascoe appointed Universal Products & Experience’s SVP Consumer Products for the APAC region. Universal Products & Experiences has announced that it will promote Jo Pascoe as the Senior Vice President of Consumer Products for the APAC. In this new role, Pascoe will be responsible for overseeing the Asia Pacific and China regions.
42West expands leadership team with new appointments. The Dolphin subsidiary has promoted two executives and has a new Vice President. Public relations firm 42West, a subsidiary of Dolphin Entertainment, is expanding its leadership team by promoting from within and hiring a new Vice President. Jeffrey R. Epstein will join 42West’s Strategic Communications Division as Vice President.
Companies and Brands
Time - How a Children’s Toy Company, Spin Master, Launched a TV Juggernaut. Long before he started watching TV, people started giving my son stuff decorated with cute cartoon puppies dressed in distinctive outfits. There was a Dalmatian dressed as a fireman. A bulldog construction worker. A German shepherd police officer. I could not figure out why these brightly colored dogs seemed to be on roughly half the gear in our...
The Op's 'Flip 7' heads to retail as an inexpensive Tuckbox SKU. Popular card game by Eric Olsen. Flip 7 is a hot press-your-luck card game, designed by Eric Olsen, where players try to flip over cards without flipping over the same card twice. The deck that the cards are revealed from contains only one 1 card, two 2's, three 3’s, and so on. It also has special cards that can score players extra points or trigger other...
The Entertainer has revealed that Fugglers – the weird and wonderfully mischievous plush toys – have been flying off the shelves, with sales rocketing by 247% in the past yr. And it’s not just children who are going wild for Fugglers – grown-ups are fanatics about them too. The Fuggler craze is popular with little ones as young as 5 yrs old, as well as teens and adults due to their quirky charm, collectability & sheer silliness.
Devsisters, the creators behind the global hit mobile game franchise CookieRun, proudly announce the upcoming release of CookieRun Trading Card Game in the United States, the first trading card game in the CookieRun universe. This exciting new TCG brings beloved CookieRun characters, rich lore, and strategic gameplay to tabletop enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. ACD Distribution has been appointed...
The LEGO House, a LEGO experience in Billund, Denmark, is debuting the latest edition of its series of annual exclusive products, a LEGO Fabuland Tribute. Created by LEGO House Master Builder Stuart Harris and LEGO Senior Designer Markus Rollbühler, the set (40506) is exclusive to the LEGO House. The creators collaborated with a team of historians at the LEGO Idea House to ensure the set honors...
What is Rokimoto? In Japanese, the name could be interpreted as the road or path (Roki) to one’s true essence (Moto). In the world of toys and collectibles, Rokimoto is the first brand from Funmaker Inc., Funko founder Mike Becker’s new company. Together with Dave Bere, a former Target Buyer who served as Vice President of Brand & Marketing and, most recently, Pop! Yourself & Retail at Funko, “Funmaker Mike”...
Twist Toys pops into Toy Fair with The Bubble Lab. In an oversaturated and stagnant sector like toy bubbles, companies have to think creatively to rise to the top. Twist Toys is launching a new brand, The Bubble Lab, to disrupt this middling market with innovative products dedicated to bringing the magic back to bubbles.
L.O.L. Surprise! introduces Pastel Party Tot assortment. This season, L.O.L. Surprise! is launching the L.O.L. Surprise! Pastel Party Tot Assortment. This seasonal limited-edition Easter themed Hops Bunny Pet and Hops Tot dolls are available for a limited time only, and priced at an accessible pocket money price of £9.99.
Welcome to Bestieville! Maison Battat, the company behind Our Generation, Lulla Baby, and Glitter Girls, is launching Hey Bestie, a new line of dolls celebrating friendship, teamwork, and imagination. The new line will encourage creativity and meaningful play; the dolls are exclusive to Walmart.
Carrera Revell of Americas is debuting the world’s first AI-powered racing system at Toy Fair. The company celebrated for its model kits and 3D puzzles plans to debut Carrera Hybrid, which uses technology and tangible hardware for next-level fun. “The Carrera Hybrid marks a new era in slot car racing,” says Frank Tiessen, Carrera Revell of Americas President.
Yoonique is hip to be square with Cutie Cubes. The plush line follows the successful launch of Candy Bears and Pluzzles. Yoonique has a square deal with Cutie Cubes. The company behind Pluzzles and Candy Bears has launched square-shaped plush in various sizes for collectors of all ages. The soft, stackable plush launches this spring.
Fashion Angels preps Toy Fair debut for ‘Luxe Life’ craft kit line. Craft and lifestyle brand Fashion Angels is producing a line of creative kits under the “Luxe Life” brand, designed for young girls and tweens to enjoy luxuries made with them in mind while sparking their creativity. The kits will come in unique packaging with a pink quilted pattern and black and gold details to offer a more eye-catching and luxurious appearance.
Carrom brings its screen-free offerings to 2025 with a digital storefront. The digital storefront is now available on the company’s website. Carrom, known for its wooden game boards is keeping its momentum rolling into this year with a new digital storefront on its main website. After being revitalized by a group of investors late last year, the company continues its new mission to prioritize e-commerce...
Mayfair Games inks retail agreement with Troll & Toad allowing Troll & Toad to sell most of Mayfair's product line. Mayfair Games has inked a retail agreement with Troll & Toad, the company announced. The new agreement allows Troll and Toad to sell most of Mayfair's new releases and back catalog. Mayfair's game lines include Co2 (Vital Lacerda), Celtae, and Cafe from Studio partner Pythagoras.
McMiller launches eco-friendly, humor-filled game at Toy Fair. As the industry prepares for next month’s Toy Fair, companies are gearing up to showcase their latest products. McMiller, the company that also created It’s Bananas! will launch its latest game, Fish Fight, at Toy Fair. Fish Fight is a fast-paced and all-ages party game that takes inspiration from both cornhole and pétanque.
Ultra Pro Rolling Die into GAMA Expo and Toy Fair. Two new board games are unfolding this spring. Whether you roll a six-sided die or a soccer ball, Ultra Pro Entertainment, the tabletop games division of Ultra Pro International, has two new titles for consumers and retailers for preview at GAMA Expo and Toy Fair this spring.
Darrington Press unveils 'Solar Gardens': A new tile-drafting board game. Darrington Press has unveiled Solar Gardens, a new tile-drafting board game, which will release in summer 2025. In this game, designed by Alex Cutler, players are tasked with building a futuristic garden rooftop. To accomplish this task, they will draft and lay out garden tiles on their board.
Thunderworks Games reveals 'Emerald Skulls'. A new push-your-luck dice game. Thunderworks Games revealed Emerald Skulls, a new push-your-luck dice game, which will hit retail in May 2025. In this game, designed by Steven Dast, players are incarcerated in Kulbak Prison and are gathered for a dice game with Nargash the goblin and his bone-carved dice.
'Soul Masters TCG' heads to retail: New fantasy TCG by Soul Master Games, into retail in March 2025. In Soul Masters TCG, players enter a fantasy world where factions are doing battle over various territories to further establish their nations. They assume control a Soul Master's army, and engage in combat and spellcasting in order to defeat the other players.
Indie Board & Cards will release 'Aeon's End: The Descent': New standalone deck-building game. The newest game in the Aeon's End series is a standalone game that features a shuffle-free deck-building game system. The game offers players a new narrative that revolves around the founding of Gravehold.
Collect rare butterflies in Reiner Knizia's 'Butterfly Garden': New edition of the abstract strategy game.In Butterfly Garden, which was first released as Indigo in 2012, players place tiles to build paths in order to attract rare butterflies. Players score points when butterflies end up in their Flowerbeds. The game features an array of mechanics, such as route building and tile placement, and this version offers a new theme.
Marvel announces new 'Marvel Multiverse RPG' book: The 'Avengers Expansion'. . The next major tabletop expansion for the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game features Avengers from the past and present, including Black Widow, Captain America, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Hulk and Thor. This 256-page book, written by Matt Forbeck, adds all-new playable locations, characters, and legendary equipment
Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development
Elon Musk Is Serious About His xAI Video Game Studio. While you may not believe he has time for this, between slashing a large percentage of government spending (and agencies, and jobs) and tweeting a hundred times a day, Elon Musk has once again circled back around to his idea about making an AI-based game studio. Reminded by a few, let’s say, Musk superfans on Twitter, Musk confirmed that he is still making...
Harry Potter: Everything We Know About the Franchise's Upcoming Video Games. Harry-Potter-Everything-We-Know-About-the-Franchise's-Upcoming-Video-Gamesimage by Ryan Rice. 2025 is likely to be a bit of a transitional year for Harry Potter, as it says goodbye to the old and brings in the new. HBO is hard at work putting together the Harry Potter reboot series, which is set to define the portrayal...
Microsoft researchers and Xbox staffers have created a generative AI model that can simulate a playable video game. The prototype program, called "Muse," can churn out the in-game visuals and corresponding actions based on the controller input. The 1.6 billion parameter Muse model was trained “on more than 1 billion images and controller actions" from a 2020 multiplayer title called Bleeding Edge, which...
Gamescom Asia combines with Thailand Game Show to establish 'powerhouse' event. Gamescom Asia is merging with Thailand Game Show to deliver a behemoth industry showcase organizers say will be the largest in the region. The new event, dubbed Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show, will take place from October 16 to 19 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.
How and where to watch the Pokémon Day Presents showcase. It’s that time of year when The Pokémon Company pulls back the curtain on things it’s been cooking up. Pokémon Day, the anniversary of the release of the original Pokémon Red and Green, is February 27, and The Pokémon Company has announced it will be holding a Pokémon Presents livestream on YouTube at 6 a.m. Pacific / 9 a.m.
Marvel Rivals topped 40 million players before U.S. developers were laid off. Marvel Rivals has surpassed 40 million players worldwide after topping 10 million users within 72 hours of launch. NetEase shared those milestones in its fiscal report for the year ended December 2024, and revealed the free-to-play hero shooter delivered another "surge" to claim the top spot on Steam's global top-sellers and most-played charts.
Netflix has laid off staff at Oxenfree developer Night School Studio. Oxenfree developer Night School Studio has laid off an undisclosed number of employees. Game Developer understands multiple workers have been made redundant at the Netflix Games studio, which was acquired by the streamer in 2021 as part of its expansion into game development.
VR dev Toast Interactive lays off majority of staff. Toast Interactive has eliminated most of its positions and closed its office in Gold Coast, Queensland. In a statement published to social media, co-founders Toni and Richard Eates called the reductions a "heartbreaking decision." Last November, Toast laid off 10 developers, which was owed to its inability to "sustain a large indie team."
10:10 Games making layoffs after branding Funko Fusion 'commercial and critical failure'. The UK studio has been accused of failing to support employees throughout the process. Funko Fusion developer 10:10 Games has reportedly laid off a number of employees. Anonymous sources speaking to Insider Gaming claim the UK studio placed 19 jobs at risk after branding Funko Fusion a "complete commercial...
Retro gaming returns: Nintendo Download announces nostalgic content. Nintendo relaunches its classic games from the early ’90s and 2000s. Gaming enthusiasts can play their favorite childhood games with Nintendo’s upcoming releases. Continuously expanding its video game arsenal, the company announces remastered games, music, and more for audiences of all ages.
Epic Games Store reached 295 million PC players in 2024. The Epic Games Store (EGS) attracted 295 million users on PC in 2024–an increase of 25 million users year-on-year. Epic shared the data in its latest Epic Games Store Year In Review and claimed its ecosystem expanded "significantly" last year.
Highlighted Press Releases
($100/week/press release)
REVITALIZED LEGACY GAME BRAND CARROM BRINGS THEIR NEW ENERGY TO 2025. With Their Digital Storefront Now Up and Running, Carrom is Eager to Bring ‘Games That Move You’ into Family Fun Time. Grand Rapids, MI (February 18, 2025) – Togetherness and family time are in greater demand than ever before, and to meet that demand, Carrom invites friends and families to go analog with their recreation! Step away from screens and embrace a hands-on, sensory-rich gaming experience. Expertly crafted from sustainable, high-quality wood right here in the United States of America, Carrom game boards are built to last and dressed to impress! Each Carrom product sports a minimalist aesthetic...
PAUSE WITH PANDA: THE CUDDLY COMPANION HELPING KIDS FIND CALM. A Comforting, Customizable Plush Designed to Promote Self-Regulation, Focus & Emotional Resilience—Available Now at PausewithPanda.com. Bernardsville, NJ (February 11, 2025) – The Washington Post’s headline last month read “Pandamonium as giant pandas from China make their debut at DC’s National Zoo.” No one can resist these chubby, fluffy, adorable animals. In the toy market, one special panda is doing more than just cuddling—it’s helping children navigate big emotions. Pause with Panda is a new, customizable emotional support tool designed to guide children in practicing mindfulness based exercises.
YOUNG KIDS ARE FINALLY LEARNING EMPATHY AND RESILIENCE – AND IT’S ALL THANKS TO A PLUSHIE. Baba Blast! Helps Children Master the True Magic of the World: Self Confidence, Resilience and Compassion! Scottsdale, AZ (February 13, 2025) – “I can do this, I can do this!” For little ones at a tender age, what could be a more important lesson than self-confidence and resilience? The National Institutes of Health recently did a compilation of 25 studies and concluded it’s critical for caregivers and parents to actively help children develop resiliency when they are young. How about the importance of compassion? Just as vital!.
Safety and Counterfeiting
The European Union adopted the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), a new framework for sustainable design requirements in consumer products (excluding food and medicine). As part of this legislation, each item imported into or manufactured in the EU will soon require a digital product passport in the form of a QR code that proves the product is legitimate, and provides consumers with information like how and where it was produced and what its carbon footprint looks like.
Associations, Foundations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals
Small toy makers aim for big break at NY Toy Fair 2025. A group of small manufacturers will compete with major brands at the NY Toy Fair, taking place 1st-4th March 2025 at the Javits Center in New York City. With smaller budgets and plenty of creative hustle, these entrepreneurs will be a part of a newly launched Petite Pavilion. “The Petite Pavilion, a pilot program launching at Toy Fair 2025, was created to provide...
The Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) Board of Directors has announced new leadership and board enhancements as the organization prepares for what it is calling strategic growth in 2025 and beyond. Founded in 1991, the organization has a 34-year history of bringing together resources, connections, and expertise. Over it’s history, the organization has been dedicated to empowering...
TikTok, trends, & toy ads: 15th Annual Blue Plate Media Lounge comes to Toy Fair. In partnership with The Toy Association, Blue Plate Media Services (BPMS) will host its 15th Annual Blue Plate Media Lounge at Toy Fair on Monday, March 3. Open to all exhibitors and attendees, the lounge offers free educational sessions covering media strategies, consumer engagement, and industry trends.
Although the holiday season has passed, the joy it brings remains. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police of the Central Region (RCMP), with the help of the Toys for the North, successfully delivered more than 28,000 toys across remote Northern Canada, sharing festive cheer and breaking their all-time donation record. The philanthropic Toys for the North drive, under the Canadian Toy Association (CTA), has been...
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) has announced the seven artists who will be honored for individual achievement in animation as part of the third annual Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. While the LA ceremony is still a month away, the honorees for this special category have been announced early, with winners chosen by a jury of experts for their work in background design...
Autumn Fair and Glee to co-locate for 2026. Hyve Group, a global leader in events and exhibitions, has announced the co-location of Autumn Fair and Glee at the NEC Birmingham. Autumn Fair will take place 6th – 9th September 2026 and Glee will take place 8th – 10th September 2026.
Big brands, bold ideas: BRANDmate comes to Essen. Excitement is mounting for BRANDmate, the licensing and IP event from the team at Spielwarenmesse eG. Set to take place June 25-26 at the Zollverein Coal Mine World Heritage Site, industry leaders from various sectors will convene to exchange ideas, foster partnerships, and explore emerging trends.
Astro Bot takes home the gold at 2025 DICE Awards. Team Asobi's Astro Bot was crowned Game of the Year at last week's 28th annual DICE Awards in Las Vegas. The PlayStation 5 platformer won in several categories, including Achievement in Animation, Outstanding Technical Achievement, Family Game of the Year, and Outstanding Achievement in Game Design.
Hornby Model Shop of the Year 2025 named. Hornby Hobbies has announced that Salisbury Model Centre has been crowned Model Shop of the Year 2025. The awards recognize independent model shops that go above and beyond in supporting their local model communities, highlighting the well-being benefits of hobbies and inspiring the next generation of hobbyists.
It was a double victory for the Wallace & Gromit team during the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards, held at the Royal Festival Hall in London on February 16. Not only did Aardman’s Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl take home the trophy for Animated Film, it also became the first winner of Best Children’s and Family Film, a new category that was added this year. Across both categories, it beat out The Wild Robot and Flow...
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
Brian Griffin sadly passed away on 29th January at the age of 93. Heading up Hamleys in a golden era for the retailer during the 1960s and 70s, Brian was responsible for launching iconic toy ranges such as Paddington Bear and supporting growing British companies like Hestair Kiddicraft.
His former press officer Dawn Allan rang Toy World to pass on the sad news and was fulsome in her praise for her former boss, telling us: “He was my mentor, my guide. My entire career in press and PR was down to him. He was a great boss, he treated everyone in the Hamleys family equally. He was such an inspiring figurehead and hugely well-liked and respected by his employees and toy companies.”
Zoe Bamsey, Head of Animation Development for BBC Studios Kids & Family, has passed away after a long illness. It’s so hard to put into words the impact Zoe made on the kid’s business but her passion and drive to develop great shows with all her friends and colleagues here at BBC Studios will be greatly missed.
She will also be missed in our wider community; the impact she had during her 30-year career, on the productions she worked on as well as people she met and loved will be felt for many years to come. I’ll always remember the exceptional vision she had for identifying and developing the creative essence of every show with obvious enjoyment for doing something she truly loved.
Viktor Antonov - Celebrated artist and art director Viktor Antonov, known for shaping the worlds of Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, has passed away. According to his Linkedin page, Antonov joined Valve in 1999 and spent seven years at the company as art director. During his tenure, he worked on notable projects including Counter-Strike: Source and Half-Life 2. After departing Valve in 2006, Antonov joined Arkane Studios to oversee the visual direction of the Dishonored franchise. He eventually moved to ZeniMax Media in 2011, taking on the role of visual design director and working on titles such as Wolfenstein: The New Order, Doom, and Fallout 4. Throughout his career, Antonov received multiple awards from organizations such as BAFTA and The Visual Effects Society.
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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Playing to Win: Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks on Building a Modern Play Company (The Toy Book)
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Support Black-Owned Businesses This Black History Month with These 16 Fun Products (The Toy Insider)
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Captain America: Brave New World - New Merch for the New Marvel Flick (The Pop Insider)
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Battat Launches Hey Bestie Brand, Debuting at Walmart (The Toy Book)
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Return to Fun? Funmaker Inc. Teases the Arrival of Rokimoto (The Toy Book)
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Moose Toys Shares Upcoming Product Lineup for Toy Fair (The Toy Book)
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Hedstrom Acquires What Kids Want, Expanding Portfolio and Reach (The Toy Book)
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Mattel, Hasbro Partner for Play-Doh Barbie Fashion Collection (The Toy Book)
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Twist Toys Pops into Toy Fair with The Bubble Lab (The Toy Book)
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Ultra Pro Rolling Die into GAMA Expo and Toy Fair (The Toy Book)
Toyworld (UK)
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Yo Gabba Gabba! welcomes Jazwares as global licensing partner
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Get involved in the April Pocket Money Toys & Collectibles feature
Licensing.biz Powered by Toyworld
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Cookie Dough Bites appoints Surge Brands as global licensing agent
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Galison partners with photographer Stephen Wilkes on new product line
ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture (US)
- Paizo Unveils 'Pathfinder: Battlecry!'
- Wizards of the Coast Reveals Deets on New 'Magic: The Gathering' Event Series
- WizKids Unveils 'D&D Icons of the Realms: Ghost Light'
- 'Starfinder Player Core' Heads to Retail
- 'Magic: The Gathering: Final Fantasy' Product Line Deets Revealed
- Behold the Death Defying Power of 'D&D Icons of the Realms: Black Dracolich'
- NFL Legend Tom Brady Invests in a 'Magic,' 'Pokemon,' and Sports Card Retailer
- Introduce a Carnivorous Plant into 'D&D' Encounters
- FanRoll Announces 'Catan Masterpiece Series'
- Mayfair Games Inks Retail Agreement with Troll & Toad
Nación Juguetes (Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile & Spain)
Global Toy News
The Bugg Report (Australia)
The Toy Universe (Australia)
hobbyDB
Trends, Lists, Market Research, and State of the Industry
Companies and Brands
Retailers step in to help Dutch publisher Splotter after US distributor GTS cancels ‘large order’ over tariff uncertainty
Associations, Foundations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals
Harmonies, Captain Flip triumph in this year’s Swiss Gamers Award, Castle Combo seals two finalist spots
Toy Store (Italy)
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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
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Publisher: Mary Couzin, Chicago Toy & Game Group, Inc.
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