Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
Mary Couzin and Greg Ahearn
Happy Bloomin' Friday!
Thank you for your excitement and support for our merger with The Toy Association!
I will still be publishing the Bloom Report!
I will still be running POP's events in November!
The merger announcement generated tons of enthusiasm for our events, which will be supercharged with the TA’s resources and new leadership under Greg Ahearn. I have never been more excited for this November, so register for your place and space now!
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
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
-
"I go to work 6 days a week and magic happens! On day 7 I read the Bloom Report." 😁 - Rick Derr, Learning Express
-
"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
-
"I don't know anyone in the industry that doesn't read the Bloom Report." -Ken Lewis, President, 4Kidz, Inc.
-
"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.
.jpg)
.png)
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I have very exciting news….
*We are merging with The Toy Association!*
The Toy Association is a great fit for us for many reasons. We could have kept running People of Play just as we have all these years, and we did entertain other offers, but the association believes our events seamlessly complement theirs and bring with them great potential to expand, and we enthusiastically agree!! The Toy Association has now created a brand-new division for People of Play and all its brands, which I will be leading.
Starting now, with The Toy Association's broad resources, People of Play will be suddenly supercharged and well-positioned to grow and flourish in the years to come.
The Toy Association's new direction places a sharp focus on innovation and consumers. Under the leadership of Greg Ahearn. President and CEO of The Toy Association, and Sharon Price John, Chairperson of The Toy Association Board of Directors, the industry we love is poised to thrive like never before, and I'm thrilled to be an integral part of it.
This opportunity was made possible because of the support and belief of so many of you through the years. We built POP together with vision, innovation, persistence, the courage to take risks, and loads of passion, but most of all we built it with heart. From my heart to all of you, thank you for making People of Play all it is today. Onward and upward to a bigger, better, brighter future! (Details in press release!)
Mary
Person of the Week:
Aaron Arvia: Toymaker, Father, Husband, Friend
A Tribute to Aaron Arvia by Brian Torney
Rumors spread like molasses, trickling whispers among his friends and colleagues. We called bullshit. You’ve got it wrong. He got laid off ages ago. No, his father-in-law passed away, again, months ago. We just saw him last week. But, in the end, it was true. Aaron Arvia —accomplished toymaker, talented engineer, musician, photographer, husband, son, father and friend— passed from this world on Saturday, July 20, 2024, just two days after his 48th birthday, of a sudden heart attack.
Aaron Arvia. Toy industry luminaries likely can’t place the name. Inside big toy manufacturers like Hasbro, where Aaron spent 9 years designing and engineering animatronic, electronic and other high complexity toys, most talented individuals toil in virtual anonymity. It’s the nature of large workforces that certain personalities receive extraneous external congratulations while others, often more talented and hardworking, strive through it all virtually unrecognized by the larger industry. There’s sort of a “nice guy finishes last” mentality sometimes, even unwilfully. Make no mistake, however: Aaron Arvia truly deserves illumination. READ MORE...
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: ““To go out there and prove what I can do has taught me a lot about who I am. We can push ourselves further. We always have more to give.” – SIMONE BILES
Toy Industry Word of Day: On the Water - 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!
Happiest of Birthdays to colleagues celebrating birthdays this week!
Paul Fish
Tim Leefeldt
Mike Foley
Kelly Flock
Whitney Kimerling
Have a cartoon, quote or a joke to share? Send it to me! Mary
Financial and Legal
Meta and Universal Music Group (UMG) announced on Monday the expansion of their multi-year music licensing agreement, which enables users to share songs from UMG’s music library across Meta’s platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Horizon, Threads and WhatsApp) without violating copyright. What’s most notable about the new agreement is that it states that the two companies are addressing...
Toy Association Responds to Threat of East Coast Port Strike Amid Ongoing Labor Talks. shipping containers. The Toy Association™ is closely monitoring the situation at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports where stalled contract negotiations between dockworkers and their employer are resulting in workers threatening to strike, potentially leading to terminal operation disruptions and port shutdowns.
The Toy Association™ assisted the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and ASTM International by presenting the U.S. toy safety and technical regulations for a delegation from the Gulf region and other key stakeholders at an international roundtable on July 18 in Washington, DC. Importantly, the meeting initiated a dialogue and explored opportunities for ongoing discussions, with a focus on potential...
The Animation Guild starts negotiating with studios. AI, layoffs and outsourcing are among the main issues driving the union's dialogue with AMPTP, which officially got underway yesterday after a well-attended weekend rally in Burbank. TAG is representing roughly 6,000 animation professionals (including artists, technicians, writers and production workers mostly based in LA) in these crucial negotiations...
*** The above posted after tBR circulated on August 9th ***
The Toy Association™ and People of Play™ Announce Merger. Association Elevates its Focus on Creativity, Innovation & Consumer Engagement
for the Toy Industry. Mary Couzin, founder of People of Play, will be joining the senior leadership team at the Association. Couzin will be responsible for guiding the future and growth of this new addition to the Association, effective immediately.
Basic Fun! will be able to stay in business after securing US$50 million in debtor-in-possession financing from asset management firm Great Rock Capital. This news comes just one month after the Florida-based company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and Basic Fun! will use the funds to support ongoing business operations while it restructures for future growth opportunities, says Great Rock CEO Stuart Armstrong.
Hunter Price International has acquired online toy retailer, BargainMax.co.uk. The deal accelerates Hunter Price’s growth and expansion strategy, building on the business’ most successful trading year to date in 2023. The acquisition of BargainMax.co.uk reinforces Hunter Price’s relentless customer first approach and commitment to its unique proposition within the retail industry, across Toys, Accessories, Lifestyle,...
Funko agrees to pay US$2.1 million to settle its class-action suits. If approved by the courts in November, plaintiffs in Delaware and California claiming Funko hid information and artificially inflated its stock will receive a payout of US$2,500 each. Plaintiffs filed the securities fraud cases last year, claiming that the toyco’s leadership team headed by former CEO Brian Mariotti failed to disclose information about 28...
Barbie to move into El Segundo office. Mattel bought the 168,000-square-foot building at 2160 East Grand Avenue for $59 million, or $351 a square foot, according to property records and financial filings. No loan was recorded in connection with the acquisition, making it likely the Barbie manufacturer paid in cash.
Google Lost This Round of Monopoly. A federal judge ruled yesterday that Google violated federal antitrust laws to hold a monopoly on online search and search advertising. The Justice Department and a number of states sued Google in 2020 over allegations that it pays billions of dollars to companies, like Apple and Samsung, to be the dominant search engine on smartphones.
In Win for Studios, Mattel Prevails in $46 Million Suit Filed by Producer Over Allegation of Stolen Reality Show. The verdict follows a 2½-month civil trial in Santa Monica that pitted the “Lone Survivor” producer against the company whose intellectual property spawned the Hollywood blockbuster “Barbie.” In a crushing blow, the 12-member jury shot down Herrick’s claims of breach of an implied contract...
China’s video game regulator has approved another 15 foreign-developed titles for the local market, bringing this year’s total to 75, with domestic tech giants Tencent Holdings and NetEase securing licenses for some big games. Tencent secured approval to release Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six, one of the most popular tactical shooter games, and role-playing game Paper Mario: The Origami King for the Nintendo Switch...
Flybar expands portfolio with NSG acquisition; boosts sporting goods and skate presence. The “Masters of Bounce” have added another company to their growing portfolio. Flybar acquired National Sporting Goods (NSG), a New Jersey-based fixture in sporting goods, skate, and outdoor products. The acquisition of NSG expands Flybar’s presence in these categories, bringing with it numerous distributed brands...
TikTok sued for 'massive' invasion of child privacy. The US government has filed a new lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the social media company of unlawfully collecting children's data and failing to respond when parents tried to delete their children's accounts. The Department of Justice said the firm's practices amounted to a "massive-scale" invasion of child privacy, in defiance of laws that require online companies...
What advertisers need to know about the kids’ privacy bills passing the Senate. This week, the Senate overwhelmingly passed two bills that could affect how advertisers interact with children online, if they become law. The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) would effectively ban targeted advertising to and collecting personal information on anyone under the age of 17.
Program Highlights
-
A++ rated insurer, $20 Billion in assets
-
Exceeds Wal-Mart and other leading retailers insurance requirements
-
Variable rate based on sales projections
-
Foreign & Domestic Liability coverage
-
Blanket additional insured vendors
-
Employee benefits liability
-
All certificates and claims handled in house
-
Quick quotation turnaround
-
Product recall expense $250,000 limit
Additional Coverage
-
Umbrella up to $50,000,000
-
Ocean Cargo & Property
-
Commercial Auto
-
Lead coverage
-
Intellectual properties (copyrights, trademarks, & patents)
-
Credit Insurance
-
US Customs Bond Insurance
-
CYBER COVERAGE
Call us today at 800-392-6958 (ext. 318)
for a free consultation and quotation for your business needs.
185 Newman Springs Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Contact: Jason Welch: tel: 732-842-2012 (ext. 318), fax 732-530-7080, jawelch@york-jersey.com or Bob Witkin bobwitkin@york-jersey.com
Visit the York-Jersey Underwriters website at www.toy-insurance.com
Financial Reporting
Asmodee and Dark Horse Comics parent Embracer Group showed a loss on lower sales in its fiscal Q1 (April-June). The Embracer sales decline of 24% was driven by big drops in PC/Console Games (down 34%) and Entertainment & Services (down 54%). Those declines were attributed to tough comps and few new product releases.
*** The above posted after August 9th ***
In Q2, Funko’s net sales hit $247.7 million, a 3.2% increase versus the same period last year. Core Collectibles sales spiked 6.4% while sales in the “Other” category jumped 16.9%. The company’s Loungefly division, which had been red hot for years, saw another quarter of decline with sales slipping 13.4%. Gross profit hit $104 million, equal to gross margin of 42.0%. This compares with $70 million, equal to gross margin of 29.2% during Q2 last year.
Warner Bros. Discovery suffers a net loss of nearly US$10 billion in Q2. The media conglomerate's latest financial report includes a US$9.1-billion write-down for its TV networks segment.
Disney hits streaming profitability in Q3. The company got a major boost from Inside Out 2, which fueled Disney+ viewership and record-breaking ticket sales this quarter.
The Garfield Movie and anime growth steer a strong Q1 for Sony. Crunchyroll has surpassed 15 million subscribers, and its new owner plans to expand the streamer’s e-commerce presence and explore opportunities for anime in theaters.
Nintendo Q1 profits decline 55% as the Switch nears the end of its lifecycle. Hardware sales were down 46.3%, while software sales decreased by 41.3%
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet become the third Pokemon RPGs to hit 25 million sales, surpassed only by Sword and Shield and the classics
News. More and more Pokemon trainers have been diving into the open-world RPGs
Tencent’s Q2 revenue up 8% on recovery in gaming business
Trends, Lists, Market Research, and State of the Industry
The US toy industry is stabilizing in 2024. After a rough patch of declining sales last year, the American toy market is showing signs of bouncing back as inflation cools down, says Circana.
CBC research finds that kids like all kinds of captions. According to a new study from the pubcaster and CanChild, young viewers prefer karaoke-style captions, but traditional ones are just as effective at building comprehension.
TOP 20 GRAPHIC NOVELS - JULY 2024
*** The above posted after August 9th ***
Amazon worth US$1.03 billion on TikTok. Fortnite, Barbie, Disney and Roblox amongst the kids brands with the highest earned media value on the video-sharing platform.
How the Summer Box Office Went From Tragic to Magic.
Sambro finds parents want more playtime with kids.
Stories, Comments, and Advice
On this date (Aug 8) in 1958, at the 30th Academy Awards, "The Red Balloon" (1956) was named Best Original Screenplay (even though it has little dialogue). It is the only short film (35 minutes) to win the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The director, Albert Lamorrise, was also the inventor of the board game Risk in 1957. Lamorisse used his children as actors in the film. His son, Pascal, plays himself in the main role, and his daughter, Sabine, portrays a young girl.
Julia Fitzgerald - Midsize Agency Match Up - Vokal. In today’s Midsize Match Up interview, we are in Chicago, and I get to talk with Reid Lappin Founder and CEO of @Vokal, one of the red-hot digital agencies in the Fulton Market district. Vokal is laser-focused on who they help and how they go about creating value. I can’t wait to hear more. Julia: Reid, my readers want insights about agencies that are great partners...
Sesame Workshop digs into US perspectives on well-being. Americans are worried about children's anxiety levels, and feel that kids TV is a powerful tool for modeling kindness and teaching kids how to understand and process their emotions. Sesame Workshop and The Harris Poll partnered on this research initiative, conducting more than 2,000 online surveys and 289 online interviews with Americans ages 16 and up...
*** The above posted after August 9th when tBR circulated ***
John Baulch, Toy World - Pack it in lads … it’s the Friday Blog! I was going to headline this week’s Blog “I predict a riot”, but what’s been happening here in the UK this week is really no laughing matter – especially for any toy retailers located in the towns and cities that have been affected. The British Retail Consortium advised retailers in risk areas to consider shutting their stores early, and it can’t be much fun spending...
(John - thank you for your callout of the POP/TA deal and your good wishes!)
A Life-Sized Polly Pocket House Is Coming to Airbnb! See the Nostalgia-Filled Photos. Fans will be able to book a stay inside the iconic doll's compact beginning August 21. Located in Littleton, Mass. Polly's home is now a two-story, 42-foot-tall, shell-shaped compact with all the trappings of the popular toy. A stay inside the pastel, vintage, slumber party-themed home will cost $89 per person in honor of the year Polly Pocket...
How Specialty Retailers Create Unforgettable Customer Experiences. Specialty retailers are in many ways the ultimate customer experience specialists. Freed from the constraints of big box chains, specialty stores focus on a specific product category or niche market. They cater directly to customers, carrying high-quality products sold by knowledgeable staff – all of which can translate into memorable experience for customers.
Julia Fitzgerald - Midsize Agency Match Up - FerebeeLane. Today we meet Josh Lane, COO and Co-Founder of FerebeeLane. FerebeeLane takes us to the Southeast, where the fabled charm and bespoke storytelling are engrained in their work – with some of your favorite premium brands. Spoiler Alert - #Harry Potter is one of the brands.
YouTube is market-testing a new tool called Brainstorm with Gemini, which leverages the Google Gemini AI to help digital content creators come up with video ideas, titles and thumbnails. The platform unveiled its latest AI-driven experiment in a video that was posted on its Creator Insider channel earlier this week. YouTube’s creator team is gathering feedback on the feature that will be incorporated before...
What does the word 'gamer' actually mean? Imo Kaufman, a PHD student at the University of Nottingham who has been conducting research in collaboration with the National Videogame Museum, sought to unpack the term at during another breakneck Hyper Talk at AMAZE Sheffield. Taking to the stage for just five minutes, Kaufman explains she wants to unpack the identity and experiences that surround the term–for both...
A weird, whimsical game is hiding in the bookshelves at Los Angeles Public Library. “I love puzzles and I love games,” Crocker says. “But this, in particular, I was really trying to design an experience as art. The world is very stressful. The library makes me feel at peace and curious and in control of my time. I love that it’s a public space where I can also have a private moment. We can be alone together. To me, that is sacred.”
For customer experience to work, everyone needs to understand their role – and the RACI model can help. Though the model was developed back in the 1970s, well before CX became truly top-of-mind for most organizations, its principles apply very well today. What is the RACI Model? The RACI model is a responsibility assignment matrix that helps clarify roles and responsibilities within a project or organizational...
Raising the bar: Will your toy or game get you in legal trouble?. Take action before an unwelcome adventure in court. Whether it’s an action figure or a collectible, a vehicle or an R/C toy, outdoor games or hobby supplies, or even tabletop games, IP is an essential tool when it comes to protecting your products and enforcing them in the marketplace.
History and Nostalgia
The Busy Bee Game from Marx (1952). Released in the early 1950s by Marx, The Busy Bee Game draws inspiration from the now iconic Game of Cootie, which was produced by Schaper. Instead of building a “Cootie,” Busy Bee players must assemble a three-dimensional bee from a variety of plastic body parts. The Busy Bee Game package is divided into six sections.
Bolt N’ Play Construction Set from Ideal (1980). Ideal’s Bolt N’ Play Construction Set allowed kids ages 2 to 6 to assemble super-sized objects that they could ride or sit on to play. The 81-piece set included a combination of chunky pieces, assorted nuts and bolts, a collection of wheels and axles, and the requisite tools to tighten the pieces together.
Licensing and Entertainment
Ollyball Becomes Official Hasbro Licensee, Will Give Industry-Only Look at LA Toy Preview. Hasbro’s Peppa Pig, Transformers, and Furby franchises are getting the Ollyball treatment thanks to a new licensing deal. Ollyballs are waterproof balls that kids can color with markers and crayons. The product won the Toy of the Year award in 2019.
Expanding its partnership with Hasbro, Image Comics is working towards launching a new Transformers: Worst Bot Ever collection of graphic novels for middle-grade readers under its Skybound Comet imprint next summer. This series will follow the misadventures of a brand-new character named Ballpoint (who aptly transforms into a ballpoint pen).
The latest edition of D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event unfolded over the weekend (August 9 to 11) in Anaheim, California, offering plenty of sneak-peeks and info about new projects on the way from Disney’s various divisions. Pixar, which is leading this year’s box office race so far with its billion-dollar grosser Inside Out 2, announced Dream Productions, a new four-part spinoff series to the franchise.
BBC Children’s and Education has commissioned a new puppet series called Dodge’s Pup School that will launch on CBeebies and iPlayer in September. Produced by the UK’s Brilliant Trees Media and Nest Productions, this comedy-driven show features a bunch of different dogs, and is designed to mirror young kids’ everyday lives learning new things and building problem-solving skills at preschool.
It’s the end of an era for the Cartoon Network website, which went dark last week after 26 years of engaging kids and fans online. Warner Bros. Discovery has posted a notice on the landing page of the cartoonnetwork.com URL that redirects users to create a kids profile on its flagship streamer Max, where all shows from the kidsnet are available. The message also reminds cable subscribers that they can still watch...
*** The above posted after tBR circulated August 9th ***
Spin Master is throwing its hat into the branded mashup ring, and tapping into the growing kids sports content trend. Spin Master’s construction-themed preschool series Rubble & Crew is getting a helping paw from the series it’s based on, in a bid to generate buzz for its upcoming second and third season episodes on Nickelodeon and its first-season premiere on Paramount+ on September 4.
Mattel Unveils UNO Elite NFL As Preseason Starts. This new version of UNO features more than 190 football players. Aug. 8, marks the beginning of the NFL preseason. To celebrate the opening, Mattel is launching UNO Elite NFL, an elevated version of UNO featuring players from all 32 teams on special edition cards. The card game includes six players from every team, including Patrick Mahomes, Justin Jefferson...
Looking to capture the youngest demo of sports fans, the New York Yankees’ YES network is going for a home run with an original 2D-animated series. Bronx Buds (six x seven minutes) is slated to debut on the northeast US regional sports network’s app on August 17, with a new episode rolling out every Saturday until October.
Panini America to launch The Rolling Stones trading card set. Collectibles company Panini America has revealed its partnership with rock band The Rolling Stones. The company will launch Prizm The Rolling Stones, which is the first fully licensed, career-spanning trading card set featuring the band. The collection will include a 100-card base set with more than 15 color parallels.
Hulk, Juggernaut, and Goliath 'Smash and Destroy' in new 'Marvel HeroClix' booster set. WizKids will release Smash and Destroy, a new Marvel HeroClix booster set, into retail in March 2025. The new booster set features fan favorite characters that are truly destructive forces on their own, such as Hulk, Magneto, Juggernaut, and Goliath.
Maestro Media celebrates Disney’s Donald Duck’s 90th Anniversary with new board game: Donald Duck: Happy Camper. In celebration of Donald Duck’s 90th Anniversary, Maestro Media announces Donald Duck: Happy Camper, its first collaboration with Disney to bring fans a board game featuring one of Mickey and Friends’ most beloved characters.
Hasbro reveals Beyblade X Star Wars and Marvel Tops. Available this autumn, Beyblade has collaborated with Star Wars and Marvel to release a new range of exclusive battle Tops. Hasbro’s celebration of Beyblade’s 25th anniversary continues as it teams up with Star Wars and Marvel to create exclusive battle Tops. The fan-favorite heroes and villains in spinning top form will be available this autumn.
Republic Records: Kids & Family joins forces with DreamWorks for ‘Gabby’s Dollhouse’ music releases. You could say that Republic Records: Kids & Family and DreamWorks Animation are “better together.” The companies forged a partnership under which they’ll release new music from the kids’ series Gabby’s Dollhouse. The news comes alongside today’s Season 10 premiere on Netflix.
Game over for Mario & Sonic at the Olympics? Lavish opening ceremonies. Photo-finishes. Gold medal drama. All things we've come to expect during the Olympic Games. But if you've wondered why two famous faces have been missing this time around, you're not alone. Mario and Sonic. Since the Beijing Olympics, the former video game rivals have joined forces in a series of tie-in titles starring characters...
Netflix orders an animated series based on Argentinian comic strip Mafalda. Oscar winner Juan José Campanella is lined up as showrunner, director and producer of this adaptation of a 60-year-old IP known for its socially conscious themes. Pedigreed Argentinian comic strip Malfada is heading to the small screen in an upcoming Netflix animated series.
People of Play
Billionaire toymaker Ronnen Harary reveals moments that changed everything. Aug. 12 | Unlock your toy nostalgia as Spin Master co-founder Ronnen Harary reveals the life-changing moments that helped him to build a billion-dollar empire and create one of Canada’s biggest exports: Paw Patrol.
Casey Collins stepped down from his president of global licensed consumer products and partnerships/alliances position at Hasbro last week. A spokesperson says the company will share further details and updates about his role at a later date, but in the meantime, Tim Kilpin (president of toys, licensing and entertainment) will temporarily oversee Collins’ division.
Bloomberg podcast - Hasbro CEO on the Toymaker’s Digital Gaming Push. Moving from Monopoly the board game, to Monopoly GO!, the app. Monopoly GO! -- has become one of the top mobile games of all time and grossed billions in revenue since it launched last year. Hasbro has also acquired Wizards of the Coast, the makers of Magic: The Gathering, and they own the best-selling video game Baldur's Gate 3.
Sabrina Caluori vacated her role as Nickelodeon’s CMO and head of global kids & family marketing for Paramount+ yesterday. Caluori has been with Paramount Global for three years, originally joining in 2021 as head of marketing and brand strategy for Nickelodeon. Throughout her tenure, she has overseen franchise and marketing strategies for kids brands including SpongeBob SquarePants, Blue’s Clues and Baby Shark.
The Evolution of Civilization by Jay Horowitz on Spotlight TV with Logan Crawford. Jay's book draws parallels with Darwin's Theory of Evolution, positioning his work as the "software" explanation to Darwin's "hardware." He analyzes the origins and future of religion, politics, discrimination, war, and peace, offering a comprehensive view of human progress. This conversation is not just an exploration of history...
*** The above posted after tBR circulated on August 9th ***
Meet Greg Ahearn, president & CEO of The Toy Association, the US trade organisation representing the toy industry. Bringing to the role significant experience from both the supply and retail sides of the fence, his appointment has been widely hailed as a wise choice for the association, which is now preparing to move forward and evolve with the ever-changing market. Toy World’s John Baulch...
Toy Industry's Rachel Griffin on KCAL News Los Angeles - Southern California woman to swim English Channel to honor mother. Rachel Griffin's voyage from England to France will raise money and awareness for pancreatic cancer, the disease her mother suffered from. Luzdelia Caballero reports.
Congrats to Matt Nuccio, Bredan Boyle and Mark Garcis for a successful IFIA event! Here's a bit of Matt's post: I Just wrapped up an incredible experience as a juror for the IFIA-International Federation of Inventors' Associations, SCVIIF, and it was nothing short of amazing! Special thanks to Brendan Boyle of IDEO and Stanford Design School fame, Mark E. Garcia from Hasbro Inventor Relations for....
Azhelle Wade’s Own “Toy Story”. Podcaster, educator and consultant Azhelle Wade, (BFA, Toy Design ’10), sees potential toys and potential six-figure salaries everywhere in the booming toy-and-games industry. She says she has FIT to thank. Many others say she should be thanked as well. She’s founder and CEO of The Toy Coach, helping toy industry newbies and companies thrive.
Jo Hall joins Mischievous Wolf as non-executive director and business partner. Mischievous Wolf, an award-winning company company which specialises in marketing and branding solutions, has announced the appointment of industry stalwart Jo Hall as non-executive director and business partner. Jo, the former chief commercial officer of Toys R Us Asia, brings a wealth of experience to Mischievous Wolf,...
Craig Hunter has started a new chapter in his illustrious career, joining Amazon Kids+ two months ago as a senior creative executive. His responsibilities include oversight of creative, development and production for a growing slate of shows. Based in LA, Hunter reports directly to Aaron Berman, head of original series for the Kids+ service. It’s been less than a year since Amazon promoted Berman into this role...
How a Murder Mystery Tabletop Game Managed to Outsell Monopoly (on Amazon). We chat with the makers of Cryptic Killers. Perhaps even more astonishing is the fact that this sales behemoth arose from a chance holiday meeting. "Luke Stephenson and I met each other at the beach bar in Mexico, over a beer back in 2012," Hobbs continues. "When the holiday came to an end, we added each other on Facebook and left it ...
Glynn Davies has joined The Noble Collection as Commercial director. He brings more than 20 years experience in sales, licensing and marketing gained at the likes of Lego, Warner Bros. and Eaglemoss. Based in Noble’s central London offices, Glynn will be developing existing wholesale sales and bringing new customers on board for the UK and EMEA markets...
13-year-old Analise Potsander wins young inventor challenge with pirate game. Analise shared her journey of how she got into game design. In 2018, her sister created a game for fun, and their mother discovered the Young Inventor Challenge. Analise and her siblings entered the competition, and Analise won that year. She has participated every year since.
Companies and Brands
Smart Toys and Games has announced its top Christmas games for 2024. Committed to crafting entertaining and educational toys and games for all, the company says these firm favourites have been designed to spark joy amongst families in the festive season. SmartMax My First Safari Animals is a mix-and-match game that enables children to build and play with zoological creatures and create different combinations.
French toy brand, Janod, aims to inspire curious minds and encourage storytelling through play with its latest launch – Magneti’stories. Sparking imagination in every illustrated folding book, little ones will enjoy endless fun as they move the magnets around the board to create their very own tales.
After launching photo and text stories last year, Twitch is now introducing video stories. Streamers can now film 60-second videos in the Twitch mobile app or upload a video from their camera roll. Twitch sees the new feature as a way for streamers to take viewers with them when they’re on the go and away from their streaming set-up.
*** The above posted after August 9th when tBR circulated ***
The LEGO Group and Asmodee have entered a multi-year partnership, resulting in the production of several LEGO board games. The first game, Monkey Palace, will be released in October. Monkey Palace is a jungle-themed strategy game featuring LEGO inventions — it was announced earlier this year, and will be available to purchase following the debut at Essen Spiel on Oct. 3.
Zuru Toys is now benefiting from Icecat Content Syndication services, to reach a wider audience and enhance the online shopping experience for its customers. Zuru Toys’ extensive portfolio features brands including Rainbocorns, XShot Mini Brands, Pets Alive, Robo Alive and Snackles, which are distributed to major retailers in over 120 countries.
University Games’ Smart Ass, the fast-paced trivia game, encourages shouting quickly and loudly, just like American politics. The ultimate party game, now available at Target stores nationwide, hits the campaign trail this month to help get out the vote for November. The Smart Ass kickoff campaign focuses its attention on the upcoming Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago.
Toy World spoke to Hasbro’s Alyse D’Antuono and Marianne James to discuss how the company is celebrating Transformers’ 40th anniversary and how the franchise will continue to evolve moving forward. Currently celebrating the 40th anniversary of Transformers and the recent release of the Transformers One animated movie, Alyse D’Antuono, VP of Global Brand Strategy & Management for Action Brands at...
Japan's leading community-powered marketplace, Mercari customers in the U.S. can now access its Japanese marketplace. Via a press release, the launch of "Mercari x Japan" means fans can now access inventory from millions of Japanese sellers, including niche and hard-to-find collectibles like manga and action figures, as well as from extremely popular brands and franchises like Dragon Ball, One Piece, Sanrio...
The operator of Disney's cruise line in Japan has revealed plans to expand its fleet if its first ship is a success. Earlier this month Disney announced that its cruise line will venture into the Japanese market for the first time in its 26-year history. It has a natural home as the cruise terminal on the outskirts of Tokyo is just a 12 minute drive from a Disney resort with two theme parks and six hotels.
Wizards of the Coast reveals new deets on 'Magic: The Gathering - Foundations': 'Jumpstart' returns, new SKU types, and more. Wizards of the Coast revealed new product line details for Magic: The Gathering - Foundations, a new base set, that will hit stores on November 15, 2024. This surprise end-of-year release was announced back in June.
'Pokemon TCG: Trainer's Toolkit 2024' heads to retail: New entry level product. The Pokemon Company International will release Pokemon TCG: Trainer's Toolkit 2024, a new entry level product, into retail on October 18, 2024. The annual toolkit offers Trainers more than 50 cards to help them power up their decks.
Connetix launches new Road Range. The new Road Range debuts a versatile, sleek black tile and a selection of shapes designed for roads, while maintaining the open-ended play intended by Connetix products. Connetix has launched Road Range, driving creativity and inspiring new directions in magnetic tile construction play.
Just Play unveils ‘Morphle and the Magic Pets’ toys. Moonbug Entertainment is joining forces with Just Play to launch a new collection of toys inspired by Morphle and the Magic Pets. The Morphle and the Magic Pets toy collection features four new toys designed for kids ages 3 and up. The Morphle Magic Pet Mobile Playset takes Morphle fun on the road.
Magicbox UK announces roll-out of new IP, Piratix. As experts in collectibles, Magicbox is renowned for developing best-selling brands that offer affordable, exciting ranges with longevity. The company is now set to introduce an exciting new pirate-themed IP early next year. Following successful previews, the brand will be showcased to international partners in LA and also at the forthcoming AIS show this September.
Gen Con 2024 news: Gale Force Nine will release four new 'Tenfold Dungeon' sets into retail. Gale Force Nine will release four new Tenfold Dungeon sets into retail in fall 2024. The four new, fully immersive out-of-the-box 3D terrain sets add new settings to this line that was originally released in 2022. The sets are ideal for dungeon crawls, and contain 1" by 1" grids with art printed on them.
Build-A-Bear accelerates classic, Sanrio Halloween offerings due to viral product leak. Due to an unauthorized leak of licensed products on social media platforms, Build-A-Bear has fast-tracked its output of Halloween products. Users on platforms like TikTok revealed a Build-a-Bear collaboration featuring Sanrio characters designed with autumnal Halloween theming; the collection is out today and...
Chill B Games unveils Wu-Tang Clan Board Game. This game combines Wu-Tang trivia with battle mechanics. Chill B Games latest game — Shaolin: A Wu-Tang Inspired Board Game — is bringing the world of hip hop to game night. “The Wu-Tang Clan has often been described as the Rolling Stones or Beatles of hip-hop,” says Tiffany Campolongo, Co-founder of Chill B Games and designer of Shaolin.
Little Tikes launches Story Dream Machine to encourage early literacy. Little Tikes has announced the launch of the Little Tikes Story Dream Machine, a brand new, innovative portable projector that is both an early reading tool and sleep solution. The first of its kind, Little Tikes Story Dream Machine provides an opportunity for device-free entertainment and can be used for quiet time or as part of a sleep routine...
New 'Warhammer 40,000' combat patrol and codex incoming for Imperial Agents. Games Workshop revealed new Imperial Agents products, for Warhammer 40,000, which will hit preorder soon. The brand-new Combat Patrol: Imperial Agents features an array of units that function as the Inquisitor’s Hand.
Moose Toys brings immersive play and exclusive product drops to Camp Bestival. Moose Toys’ brought its first ever multi-brand experiential activation to Camp Bestival in Dorset last weekend (25th-28th July) for four days of immersive play and new product line-ups. Drawing in a crowd of thousands, festivalgoers enjoyed hours of fun in the Moose Superhappy Playhouse, an interactive, creative space...
Renegade Game Studios will release 'Acquire: 60th Anniversary Edition'. Renegade Game Studios will release Acquire: 60th Anniversary Edition, an upgraded edition of Sid Sackson's classic game, into retail in October 2024. Last year, Renegade reintroduced the world to Sid Sackson’s Acquire, the classic game of real estate that was first released in 1964.
Restore Scotland in Reiner Knizia's 'Rebirth': New tile game by Mighty Boards. Mighty Boards will release Reiner Knizia's Rebirth, a new tile-laying game, into retail in October 2024. In Rebirth, Scotland lies in ruins and the ancient clans have set out to rebuild the once great nation. Players take on the roles of clan leaders that will compete for control of the land in an attempt to construct new castles.
MGA Entertainment launches Yummiland doll collection. The collection includes dolls as well as DIY lip gloss and lip balm. MGA Entertainment has a new offering for little makeup megafans. Known for its fashion doll and collectible offerings such as L.O.L. Suprise!, Miniverse, and Rainbow High, MGA is launching a new line of dolls.
Goliath and PlayMonster to form UK/Eire distribution partnership. Family-owned Goliath Group has announced an exclusive distribution partnership with the PlayMonster Group. Goliath will distribute the PlayMonster portfolio including Games, Fab Lab, Spirograph and Koosh in the UK and Eire from Jan 2025, transitioning all inventory, retailer programmes, marketing and brand management.
Brainstorm introduces Zinkeez sensory fidget range. The company expects Zinkeez to become a hot new craze, with product that also satisfies sustainability credentials. Having already launched several craze toys to the UK including Eugy and StikBot, Brainstorm has launched a brand new fidget toy that has already taken TikTok by storm.
WizKids reveals 'D&D Nolzur’s Marvelous Miniatures: Classic' miniatures. Sculpts harken back to early 'D&D'. WizKids revealed D&D Nolzur’s Marvelous Miniatures: Classic miniatures, which will hit retail in January 2025. This line of D&D Nolzur’s Marvelous Miniatures features monsters with classic designs from older D&D books.
Hanako of the Toilet toy to pop out in August 2024. Megahouse will release a new toy based on Hanako of the Toilet, a popular Japanese urban legend. It’ll come out in early August 2024. The toy is called “Dokkiri Hanako of the Toilet,” and it’s quite similar to toys like Pop Up Pirate. Each player will take turns pulling down the lever of the toilet.
Commotion broadens its outlook. Commotion is dedicated to providing the global market with high-quality, educational products that inspire creativity and learning in children. Originally an educational supplier to schools and nurseries, it continuously innovates and improves its products to meet the ever-changing needs of children and parents, with product development the highest priority within the company.
Funrise details multi-channel marketing drive. Mayur Pattni, European Marketing manager at Funrise UK, tells Toy World what’s behind the company’s reinvigorated marketing strategy and why a multi-channel approach should spell success for new brand Furlings. Joining the company in February 2023, Mayur Pattni has made it his mission to enhance Funrise‘s marketing operation.
Exclusive: MAGNA-TILES blasts off for adventure with new themes, microMAGS. Illinois-based MAGNA-TILES is continuing its expansion with the biggest launch in the company’s 27-year history. Following an out-of-this-world showing at The Toy Insider‘s Sweet Suite event in New York City last month, the new products include Space and Castle-themed magnetic building sets alongside microMAGS...
Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development
Moonbug has big gaming ambitions. After conquering YouTube, the company is moving further into digital play with mobile title CoComelon—Kids Learn & Play and wants to partner with experienced game-makers, says VP Ed Barton. Although Candle Media’s Moonbug Entertainment has already dipped its toes into gaming waters with 2022 console/Netflix game Play with JJ and 2023 Roblox title Blippi’s Playground...
Warner Bros. Pictures brings Beetlejuice Beetlejuice to Roblox with ghostly escape experience and platform’s first virtual Fandango box office. It’s showtime! Fans can now travel to the Afterlife in a new immersive Beetlejuice Beetlejuice experience on Roblox from Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, created by Sawhorse.
Online games likely to be hit if strikes continue - union. Online games could be first to be hit by the video game acting strike if the dispute is not resolved quickly, according to a union boss. Performers in the industry walked out on 26 July after a failure to reach an agreement over the use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) in development.
Xbox Game Pass snags beloved Crash Bandicoot trilogy and more in August. We’re coming up on a year since Microsoft finished its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and the publisher’s games are slowly but surely beginning to trickle onto Xbox Game Pass. In August, the subscription service gets Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, a very hard but very good remaster of the first three games in series...
Game Pass super-hit High on Life is getting a TV show. When sci-fi comedy shooter High On Life launched on Game Pass in 2022, it quickly became one of the service’s biggest hits. And now, following all that success, one of the game’s actors, J.B. Smoove, is using his newly-formed production studio to help create an animated TV show based on the FPS.
Spooky-looking Quiet Place game launching in October. Saber Interactive’s upcoming horror game based on the popular Quiet Place films finally has a release date and a price. And the new creepy-looking game, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead, is dropping in the spookiest time of the year: October. First announced in 2021, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is an upcoming single-player survival survival horror game...
EXG Pro launches new Peely controller and phone holder. The ‘Fortnite’ favorite is joining EXG Pro’s Cable Guys line. EXG Pro has a new phone and controller holder featuring battle royale video game Fortnite. Fortnite has seen success since its release, attracting players eager to battle and build until only one remains. The game includes a variety of unlockable outfits, such as the Epic rarity Peely skin.
Safety and Counterfeiting
'Take them away from children!' Beloved toy pulled from shelves due to choking risk. Little ones must stop using the Donald and Daisy Duck Figurines supplied in Little People Mickey & Friends Figure Pack, as they pose a choking risk. The Office for Product Safety and Standards said: "The product presents a risk of choking as it is possible for the heads on the Donald and Daisy Duck figurines...
Associations, Foundations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals
Global Toy News Everything you wanted to know about Autism in Entertainment (but were afraid to ask) happened at San Diego Comic-Con. On July 25, the who, what, when where, why, and how of the first-ever Autism in Entertainment Conference (4/5/24 at Skirball Center in LA) were on full display at the Marriott Harbor San Diego and environs, albeit in encapsulation. However, it was key for the Con-goer to know where...
Don't roll the dice on IP: Protecting creativity in the tabletop world. Join the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for an engaging virtual talk exploring intellectual property (IP) in the world of tabletop games. We will delve into the rich history and contemporary challenges of protecting creative ideas in this vibrant industry.
Licensing Con São Paulo is one of the most significant events in the licensing industry in Latin America, and this year’s edition promises to be bigger and better than ever. For professionals in the licensing, branding, and entertainment industries, attending this event is not just an opportunity—it’s a must. Here’s why...
At the forefront of The Toy Association’s work on behalf of the greater toy community is our year-round commitment to tackling issues affecting members and their ability to successfully do business. “Although many legislatures are currently adjourned for summer recess, our team remains at work 365 days a year to ensure forward movement on the issues that matter most to our members,” said Ed Desmond, EVP...
At this year’s Spielwarenmesse, media attention exploded around toys for “kidults,” or adults who enjoy purchasing toys for themselves. Since 1949, the Spielwarenmesse has been held in Nuremberg, Germany, and is one of the largest international trade events for the toy industry. Well-established companies and startups alike attend the fair to share new products and observe what toys are currently trending...
*** The above posted after tBR circulated August 9th ***
Young Inventor Challenge® registration is NOW OPEN for kids ages 6-18 from all over the world to submit their toy and game inventions judged by toy industry professionals. Participants have the opportunity to win prizes and get their creation published! Learn more about the Young Inventor Challenge® and get inspired to create!
Opening its doors from 3rd-6th October, Spiel Essen, the world’s largest board game fair, will transform exhibition venue Messe Essen into the epicentre of the gaming world. The 3rd October, the day board game fans from all over the world flock to Essen to begin celebrating their favourite hobby for four days, falls on the German public holiday: the Day of German Unity. Covering 68,500m² of exhibition space...
Gen Con LLC. announced that it has broken its previous attendance record at its 2024 convention. The convention sold out at over 71,000 unique attendees. The previous attendance record was over 70,000 unique attendees at Gen Con 2023, a show which had broken record from the 2019 numbers (see "Gen Con Releases Attendance"). The show also sported over 540 exhibitors as well as nearly 24,000 events run.
The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) has unveiled that it will present the first Children’s and Family Film Award at the 78th edition of its awards ceremony in February. The award will be the first new category BAFTA has added to its ceremonies in 5 yrs, since the introduction of its Casting category in 2020.
Here is the 10th Annual Her Universe Fashion Show from SDCC, presented by Mattel, and hosted by Ashley Eckstein and Michael James Scott. The 2024 Her Universe Fashion Show, presented by Mattel, celebrated its 10th anniversary this year at San Diego Comic-Con with a show full of fun, fashion, and innovation. Watch as 25 designers compete for the chance to win the opportunity to design a Her Universe collection...
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
Susan Wojcicki, the former YouTube CEO and one of the first Google employees, has died at the age of 56 after two years of living with cancer. Her husband, Dennis Troper, announced the news of her death on Friday. In a post on Facebook he said: “It is with profound sadness that I share the news of Susan Wojcicki passing. My beloved wife of 26 years and mother to our five children left us today after two years of living with non-small cell lung cancer.” Wojcicki, one of the most prominent women in tech, stepped down from her role at YouTube in 2023, a position she held for nine years, saying she wanted to “start a new chapter focused on my family, health and personal projects I’m passionate about”.
Beth Schlansky, licensing and retail veteran, a pioneering figure in the licensing industry, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2024, at Columbia Presbyterian Hospice in New York City due to complications from cancer. She was 70 years old.
Schlansky began her career in Macy’s Executive Training Program, where she honed her skills in the buying office and learned the store line. In 1979, she joined the corporate office of British American Tobacco U.S. (BATUS), where she sourced home goods for major retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue, Marshall Field’s, Gimbels, and Kohl’s. Her role involved extensive international travel, particularly in Europe and Asia.
In 1986, Schlansky was recruited by Spencer Gifts, where she recognized the growing potential of licensing. She became one of the nation’s first Vice Presidents of Licensing for a retailer and was an early adopter of Direct to Retailer licensing contracts. Her innovative approach led to numerous successful licensing ventures.
Schlansky also contributed significantly to Licensing International (formerly LIMA), the leading trade association for the global brand licensing industry. She served on its Board of Directors, was a LIMA Retail Officer, and became the first Charity Chairperson, where she helped inaugurate the Licensing Industry’s Charity focus, The Hole in The Wall Gang Camp, founded by Paul Newman.
In 2006, she founded her own company, Beth Schlansky, Inc., offering licensing and consulting services to licensors, manufacturers, and retailers. Her expertise facilitated numerous successful licensing deals across various industries.
Schlansky is survived by her husband, George Velasco. She was predeceased by her parents, Morris and Lilian, and her beloved dog, Anna.
Worldwide Magazines Weekly Top Stories
Some Added Friday Morning Chicago Time. Check Back for Complete Lists.
Toy Trade Monthly Issues
Adventure Media & Events (US)
-
From the Editor: Where Have All the Heroes Gone? (The Toy Book)
-
The Need for New Action IP: Who Will Create the Next Great Brand for Kids Ages 5-10? (The Toy Book)
-
Back-to-School Must-Haves: Fall Toy Highlights (The Toy Insider)
-
Funko Q2 Earnings: Sales Growth Returns Amid Improvements in Inventory, Margin (The Toy Book)
-
Basic Fun! Scores $50 Million DIP Facility from Great Rock Capital (The Toy Book)
aNb Media (US)
Toyworld (UK)
-
Summertime (and the living is easy) … it’s the Friday Blog!
-
Little Tikes launches Story Dream Machine to encourage early literacy
-
Jo Hall Joins Mischievous Wolf as non-executive director and business partner
-
Goliath and PlayMonster to form UK/Eire distribution partnership
Licensing.biz Powered by Toyworld
-
Science Museum Group launches new STEM badge for licensed products
-
Natural History Museum and Tonies announce new collaboration
ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture (US)
- Wizards of the Coast Reveals New Deets on 'Magic: The Gathering - Foundations'
- Wizards of the Coast Offers 'Magic: The Gathering Arena' Rewards
- Beadle & Grimm's Will Release 'Magic: The Gathering Mana Token Sets'
- Gen Con 2024 News: Wizards of the Coast Announces 'D&D 50th Anniversary' Secret Lairs
- Rolling for Initiative -- Thoughts on Gen Con 2024
- Gen Con 2024 Breaks 2023 Attendance Record
- Gen Con 2024 News: 'Unmatched Adventures: TMNT' Heads to Kickstarter
- Gen Con 2024 Booth Highlights: Renegade Game Studios
- 'Pathfinder Dice Conquest' Unveiled
- People of Play Merges with The Toy Association
Nación Juguetes (Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile & Spain)
Global Toy News
Why You Should Attend Licensing Con 2024 in São Paulo This Year
The Bugg Report (Australia)
The Toy Universe (Australia)
hobbyDB
Video of the Week
Artist George Lerner Invented Mr. Potato Head!
Tim Walsh's Where's the Fun from?
JOIN PEOPLE OF PLAY (POP)
It's Linkedin + IMDb + Wiki
"I highly recommend that if anyone in this industry wants to be found, they join POP and fill out the skills and expertise section of their POP Profiles. I've had companies and a major media network reach out to me for a show based on my skills and expertise."
- David Yakos, Founder of Streamline Design and Owner of Salient Technologies
-
Display your entire portfolio, unlimited products, videos, photos, media, and more
-
Easy-setup and a real live helpful person to talk to if you have questions
-
Advanced search for industry contacts by roles, skills, location, and more
-
POP Pub networking – just one connection can change your life!
-
Access to information of products, people, and companies
-
Find person-to-hire based on skills, roles and expertise
-
Ad campaigns, target members of the industry
-
Exclusive discounts and events
-
Classified Ads
What are you waiting for? We've got the most powerful platform in our industry!
Join here: www.peopleofplay.com
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
