Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
Happy Bloomin' Friday!
Drumroll please! The TAGIE Awards Lifetime Achievement and Game Changer Honorees are Dan Romanelli, Mary Danby and Alan Dorfman. All are prominent people in our industry that have made a difference. Join us in honoring them on Nov 8th at the TAGIE Awards... do not miss this special evening - there will be big surprises! Finalists in the Innovation categories will be announced in a couple of weeks!
I'll be at the LA Toy Preview next week and am looking forward to seeing you there. During the days I'll be bopping around all the buildings and meeting with various companies. In the evenings, I hope to see you:
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Monday - Party with a Purpose, The Toy Foundation’s Fundraising Event. If you are not able to attend, check out the Toy Foundation online auction, there are some awesome deals.
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Tuesday - TA's LA Fall Preview Networking Party at Otis College. I haven't been to Otis since Mattel's Nick Hayes was a student in a class I had a talk with.
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Thursday - 1960 Grand Ave Management hosts Tacos and Margaritas
The Bloom Report hit a 60% open rate - more next week!
Register for November's POP Week!
Connect, pitch and learn at the Inventor Pitch and Innovation Conference,
Celebrate colleagues at the TAGIEs
Encourage a creative kid to enter the Young Inventor Challenge
Kick off the holidays! Meet consumers, influencers and trade in your Chicago Toy & Game Fair booth
Thank you for reading the Bloom Report here or on the Bloom Report 24/7 News Feed! Please support our work by advertising and/or setting up a POP profile.
Mary
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"I go to work 6 days a week and magic happens! On day 7 I read the Bloom Report." 😁 - Rick Derr, Learning Express
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"Tell me you're in the toy industry without telling me you're in the toy industry... Friday Morning = a cup-a-Joe and the Bloom Report!" -Tim Walsh The Playmakers
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"I don't know anyone in the industry that doesn't read the Bloom Report." -Ken Lewis, President, 4Kidz, Inc.
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"I am a long-time reader and champion of the Bloom Report. The quantity of quality articles on so many different aspects of our industry is unmatched and I regularly share and discuss them with my management team as an important business tool." - Jim Engle, President & Founder, Little Kids Inc.
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People of the Week: Lev Nelson and Josh Loerzel
Bracelets, Stickers, and Viral Fame: The Story Behind Sky Castle Toys’ Sticki Rolls
On Friday, June 21st, we received an email from Mary Couzin.
“I just happened to glance at our Google analytics and there are 35 people viewing your March article right now. Then I look to see how many views in last day and it’s at almost 1,500 views…So…what’s happening?”
Mary wasn’t the only one. Our inboxes were flooded, phones buzzing, and people we hadn’t heard from in months were reaching out. All because of a toy—a simple, colorful bracelet. But not just any bracelet; this one is changing the game.
This was all just a few months ago when Sticki Rolls exploded on social media. Within 72 hours of launch, we racked up 7 million views on YouTube and over 10 million views across all channels. For context, these numbers are the kind most brands dream of, but rarely see, even with big budgets and celebrity endorsements. We had done it…we had gone viral!
If you’re imagining just another beaded bracelet, think again. Sticki Rolls are the first-ever wearable, shareable sticker bracelets. Inspired by the viral sensation of friendship bracelets (thanks, Taylor Swift), these aren’t just accessories. Each bracelet is packed with 50 unique holographic, Kawaii-themed stickers—perfect for decorating anything from phone cases to water bottles, and yes, even your little brother’s forehead. READ MORE...
People of Play: Chrissy Fagerholt
Preparation Meets Opportunity!
Hey, Chrissy! Thanks for coming to our events every year and congrats on your recent successes! You always seem to be in the center of the fun crowd. So, who in the toy and game industry do you have the most dirt on?
I thought you would never ask. Just kidding, but I am sure I now have every reader at the edge of their seat!
You both license and self-publish games, what makes you crazy enough to do both?
Landing a licensing deal with zero game design experience, on your first and only concept that had never been to market, is like striking gold in this industry. Yet, that is exactly what happened with my first game, Friend or Faux, originally pitched at CHITAG back in 2017. We left armed with feedback, knowledge, and a plan to do a Kickstarter. Less than a year later, we had our final design, a successful Kickstarter, and a couple of interested companies, ultimately landing with Goliath. I was bit by the inventor bug. I created more games to pitch and quickly realized the odds of getting a game licensed are slim. My ego got the best of me and said, “time to do this ourselves!” So, there I was now with just a smidgen of industry knowledge thinking, how hard can this be? The answer? Hard, very hard. READ MORE...
Cartoon Lovers, Lexophiles & People in Need of a Smile!
Cartoon of the Week: Thank you to the anonymous person for the funny cartoon this week!
Memorable Quotes: “In order for the turtle to move, it has to stick its neck out. There are going to be times in your life when you’re going to have to stick your neck out. There will be challenges. And instead of hiding in a shell, you have to go out and meet them.” – RUTH WESTHEIMER
Toy Industry Word of Day: Game Cemetery Thank you, Kevin McNulty for our Word of the 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 week!
Steve Rad
Financial and Legal
The BBC will require all TV shows to hit 25% off-screen representation targets after spending double the amount it expected to spend on diverse content since 2021. With the first three years of its much-discussed creative diversity commitments having come to an end, the corporation said today that it will up representation by 5 percentage points in terms of ethnic diversity, disability and socioeconomic diversity...
After failing to agree on new carriage terms, Disney has removed Disney Channel and other cable networks including ESPN and local ABC stations from DirecTV, which has roughly 11.3 million subscribers. A previous agreement between the two US companies expired on Sunday, which was when the channels went dark. Disney and DirecTV have been trading barbs throughout a standoff over carriage terms.
US plans to scrap $800 de minimis limit. International delivery expert Parcelhero says the plans to axe the de minimis limit would have a big impact on UK exporters. US legislators are planning to scrap or make major changes to the $800 ‘de minimis’ limit, below which no taxes are paid on imports. The change is motivated by efforts to reduce ‘import sensitive’ products from China and stop drug smuggling.
Directed Electronics becomes major Toys ‘R’ Us ANZ stakeholder. Directed Electronics Australia Pty Ltd has emerged as a substantial holder in Toys ‘R’ Us ANZ Limited, securing an 18.9% voting power through the acquisition of 28,571,430 ordinary shares on September 2, 2024, for a total consideration of $2,000,000.10.
Publishers sue Florida, California book bans. Big state battles over books in libraries. A group that includes six book publishers and others has sued the state of Florida, and California has passed a Freedom to Read Act, in continuing state-level battles over book bans in schools and libraries. The Florida lawsuit, brought by Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan...
Social networks can’t be forced to filter content for kids, says judge. A federal judge issued a last-minute partial block on a Texas law that would require some large web services to identify minors and filter what they see online. Called HB 18 or the Securing Children Online Through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act, it was signed into law last year and was set to take effect over the weekend on September 1st.
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Financial Reporting
Roblox creators made US$803 million in the past year.
IDW Media Holdings is continuing to downsize after another big quarterly loss in its fiscal Q2 ended April 30. The company lost $901,000 in the quarter, a big improvement from the $1.9 million loss in the year ago quarter...
Dobbies Garden Centres is undertaking a financial overhaul of the business, which the management team expects to lead to rent cuts and closures. Dobbies operates 77 stores and emplys a staff of 3700.
Trends, Lists, Market Research, and State of the Industry
TOP 20 GRAPHIC NOVELS - AUGUST 2024
*** The above was posted after tBR circulated on September 6th ***
YouTube beats Disney as July’s top media distributor. And kids and teens were behind roughly 30% of all YouTube viewing for the month, according to Nielsen.
Summer Box Office Avoids Major Disaster as Domestic Revenue Falls Just 10 Percent. Movie ticket sales were down a terrifying 29 percent until 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' jump-started a remarkable comeback that was anchored by 'Inside Out 2' and 'Deadpool & Wolverine.'
Stories, Comments, and Advice
Julia Fitzgerald - In today’s Midsize Match Up interview, I’m interviewing NBZ Partner co-founders Simone Oppenheimer Mandel and Rachel Segall because I never see one without the other. For my midsize marketer readers, they are incredible brand + agency matchmakers. Read on about this great resource! Julia: Simone & Rachel, you know I share insights about agencies that are great partners for Midsize firms...
John Baulch, Toy World - All to play for … it’s the Friday Blog! After a long, languid summer, everything feels like it has kicked up a gear – or indeed, several gears – this week. Kids are back at school, rush hour traffic is back to its frustrating worst, the number of ‘out of office’ notifications have dropped sharply – basically, normal service has (almost) resumed. And not before time either…
Toy World, Rick Derr - September’s Letter from America. This month, Jessica, Melissa and Jamie, who all work at Learning Express Toys in Lake Zurich Illinois, owned by Rick Derr, share how they help their store stand out to customers in the local community and beyond. “Retail can be a tricky business, especially as a small brick and mortar retail store. Being employed by a small shop like Learning Express, our roles vary...
How Star Wars walked away from the world’s first self-retracting lightsaber toy. Hasbro turned down the holy grail of lightsaber toys, and it won’t say why. The Star Wars toymaker spent two years secretly working on a kids lightsaber that can automatically extend and retract its blade — the very first of its kind. Hasbro acquired all rights to the idea from a previously unknown Israeli inventor and patented it around the world.
Chris Byrne - Disruption Report: The Pitfalls of Portals. Portals are a staple of narrative. From C.S. Lewis’ iconic wardrobe to Hot Wheels Battle Force 5 (anyone?), they provide access to another world and are catalysts for adventure in a new and different world. In the real world, where most of us live, not so much. Portals can be a dead end. I’m talking about the portals companies establish to take resumes or product...
Julia Fitgerald - Today we visit Ohio, and I get to talk with Chris Wire, President and CEO at Real Art. I don’t even know how to describe the impressive range of work the Real Art creates, so I’m going to leave it to him. I would describe Chris as the modern-day Willie Wonka. See if you understand why by the end. Julia: Chris, my readers want insights on agencies that are great partners for Midsize firms and brands.
Dragons and Sharks on a Beach Near You: The Story of the Great Lego Spill. Nearly five million Lego pieces plunged into the sea in 1997. The pieces are still showing up — on England’s coast, in Ireland, Belgium, France and possibly at the beach near you. On a miserable, drizzly day in late June, Hayley Hardstaff, a marine biologist, took a walk along Portwrinkle Beach in Cornwall, England, and discovered a dragon. It was a Lego...
How Nintendo Nostalgia Is Driving New Wave of Video Game Production In PA. 40 yrs after the cinder block-sized Nintendo Entertainment System introduced America’s youth to virtual duck hunting and Mushroom Kingdom plumbing, devotees remain — and not just behind the controller. They’re also making games for other bygone consoles like the Sega Genesis. Why?
The Next Generation Pixar: How AI will Merge Film & Games. Stories are at the core of the human experience – we make sense of the world, find meaning, and connect with others through stories. Over the last century, many of our most beloved stories were enabled by technology shifts. In the 1930s, Disney invented the multiplane camera and was the first to create sound-synchronized, full color cartoons – eventually...
Toys can change your life. What if your favorite childhood toys like balls, Frisbees, and jacks could predict the future? In a November 1984 story for Technology Review, Carolyn Sumners, curator of astronomy at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, described how toys, games, and even amusement park rides could change how young minds view science and math.
Roblox and YouTube main sources of online content which ‘bothered or upset’ primary school children - report. A quarter of primary schoolchildren and just over a fifth of secondary school students have been “bothered or upset” by harmful content such as scams, harassment, horror or sexual material online, according to a new report. It found that for primary school children, aged eight to 12 years old...
Touching Base with Games & Puzzles suppliers. With the crucial fourth quarter bearing down on us all, Games & Puzzles suppliers are looking forward to seeing how their latest launches will perform in the marketplace. With consumers seeking affordable, accessible games from every sub-category, be it family board games to strategic role-play, it’s never been more crucial for companies to balance the needs...
Spotlight on Games & Puzzles. Games & Puzzles suppliers will be looking forward to Q4, the quarter in which the category really comes into its own and sales start to soar. With consumers demanding ever more from their purchases in terms of value for money and replayability, it’s down to suppliers to ensure their portfolios cater to all tastes – as well as reduced budgets in some cases.
Young workers drive South Africa's video games industry. As a child Devlyn van der Walt dreamed of one day being a video game developer. "During primary school, I would make games from paper and put them into a ring bind file, cut out paper characters and move them through the pages," he says.
History and Nostalgia
Frenzy from Marx. Released in 1974 by Marx, Frenzy has all the attributes worthy of its name. Advertised as the “pinball balance game”, this game of skill challenges players to guide rolling balls down a series of rails and into scoring channels. The game is contained within a high-impact, styrene plastic case secured by two legs. Behind the plastic face, six plastic rails, six channels, and six metal balls await the player.
Shaker Maker from Ideal. Released in 1971, Ideal’s Shaker Maker allowed children to create their own toy figures using a special powder called “Magic Mix.” The magic behind the mix was a form of plaster of Paris that was non-toxic, strong, and reasonably fast-drying. To create their masterpiece, children ages four and up added plain tap water to a packet of Magic Mix into a shaker fitted with a two-piece plastic mold.
Rare 1976 Topps 'Star Trek' wax box case boldly goes to auction. Heritage Auctions will put a 1976 Topps Star Trek Wax Box Case onto the block at their September 19, 2024 Non-Sports Trading Cards Showcase auction. A full case of any non-sports trading card product containing unopened boxes from the 70s is an incredibly rare find, let alone one that features the first series of Star Trek cards.
Licensing and Entertainment
McDonald’s are all set to team up with Crocs to release a series of new Happy Meal toys, each of which features a keychain and a different Croc design that you can fasten on your backpack. This isn’t the first time McDonald’s has collaborated with iconic footwear brand Crocs. Back in November 2023, the fast food chain released four different designs, each adorned with a classic McDonald’s character...
*** The above posted after tBR circulate on September 6th ***
Spin Master’s GUND is partnering up with Disney for a full collection of new plush. GUND is no stranger to the world of licensed plush, with offerings featuring family entertainment favorites such as its Sesame Street plush collection, PAW Patrol plush collection, and more. Now, the Spin Master brand is bringing Disney characters to its growing portfolio of plush.
LEGO announces new collaboration with Pharrell Williams. The LEGO Group has announced a new collaboration with visionary artist and designer Pharrell Williams, which sees the release of a new LEGO set. Over the Moon is a space shuttle with a golden canopy and a vibrant jet stream of colors. For Pharrell, the infinity of space was the first catalyst for his imagination, showing him that there are no limits...
The Walt Disney Company celebrates 85 years of groundbreaking Marvel storytelling with new brand spot. In celebration of 85 years of Marvel, The Walt Disney Company released a new brand spot that takes a look back at Marvel storytelling through the years as well as gives a sneak peek at what’s to come with new clips from upcoming projects that are debuting as part of this spot.
Jazwares, Universal collab on ‘Wicked’ x Squishmallows. Squishmallows and Universal are collaborating on a new Squishmallows collection inspired by the cinematic event, “Wicked,” coming to theaters Nov. 22. Launching exclusively at Walmart this fall, Glinda and Elphaba will be available in ultra-soft, squishy 10-inch scales.
Complexly and Creative Beast Studio today launched a new line of prehistoric elephant action figures inspired by weekly YouTube series PBS Eons with a BackerKit campaign. Depicting extinct proboscideans (elephants and their close relatives), these scientifically accurate, hand painted, and fully articulated action figures give fans of the popular Eons series and those who love majestic megafauna the opportunity to.
Xplore Brands has announced an exclusive collaboration with Hong Kong Umedia for its Unico gaming brand which will be represented in the UK & Ireland and EMEA. A stellar manufacturer behind the design and production of some of the biggest names in the retro gaming stations arena, Unico brings hot licences such as Neo Geo, SNK and Capcom to market.
Hong Kong-based toyco Smart Zone’s plan to promote its Mighty Wheels truck line keeps motoring along, with new AVOD deals secured for a second season of CG-animated series Mighty Man. Targeting kids ages three to eight, Smart Zone launched season one on YouTube in 2022, with stories centering around a heroic construction worker and his fleet of vehicles embroiled in an epic battle to save their city from...
Disguise extends global rights for ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘Bridgerton’. Disguise, JAKKS Pacific’s costume division, is showing no signs of slowing down as it adds to its growing portfolio of licensed costumes, this time with two Netflix series. New Stranger Things and Bridgerton costume collections are coming this fall.
Pokémon master toy line moves to Jazwares in France. Jazwares has extended the Pokémon master toy manufacturing rights to include new direct distribution in France for AW25. As the master toy manufacturing partner for Pokémon, Jazwares has extended its agreement with The Pokémon Company Int'l, and as of July 2025, distribution of the master toy line will transition from Bandai in France to the local Jazwares team.
McFarlane Toys announces new DC Collectible Batman cowls. McFarlane Toys has announced three new Batman Cowls from DC Collectibles: 1966 TV series, 1989 movie, and 1993 Knightfall. Kapow! The debonair millionaire Bruce Wayne may seem like your average cool cat, but you would be wrong!
Funko, NFL team for customizable Pop! Yourself collectibles. Funko has announced a major brand expansion of its Pop! Yourself line, in partnership with the NFL. Tees and hoodies for Pop! Yourself figures will be available for all 32 NFL teams. The range includes a selection of gray and white V-neck shirts and hoodies with accessories (e.g., a football and foam finger) in NFL-branded packaging.
Sidemen card games 'Too Far' and 'Social Ladder' set for launch. Hot House Games, co-owned by the Sidemen, is set to launch two party card games targeted squarely at a Gen-Z audience. "Too Far" and "Social Ladder" will hit the shelves in October. The new games are based on the Sidemen's game shows that have already proven successful with their multi-million weekly viewing audience.
Rubik’s Cubers twist, turn and bring superheroes to life! Calling all Marvel, DC and puzzle fans! The iconic Rubik’s Cube continues its milestone 50th anniversary year with a new way to solve and show off their fandom: Rubik’s Cubers! This new take on the 3×3 Rubik‘s Cube is fully solvable and brings characters like Batman, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Black Panther and The Hulk to life.
Skibidi Toilet Halloween costumes are now a thing. This is an officially licensed outfit based on the popular YouTube series featuring Half-Life characters. It’s nearly September, so it’s time to start thinking about the best holiday of them all: Halloween. And this year, Spirit Halloween is offering kids the chance to dress up as a Skibidi Toilet. So, uh, be ready for that on Halloween night.
Mattel, Warner Bros. Discovery share deeper look into ‘Barney’s World’. Mattel and Warner Bros. Discovery have released new details concerning the animated TV show Barney’s World. The new Max series, which marks the character’s return to screens after 14 years, will debut on Oct. 14. The preschool show will feature new characters, old friends, and updated takes on classic Barney scenarios...
Boyhood, Rovio team up for wooden Angry Birds collectibles. The collection features Red, Chuck, and Bomb in wooden form. In a deal brokered by IMG, Boyhood, a Danish design company, is joining forces with Rovio to create a collection of signature wooden collectibles for the 15th anniversary of Angry Birds.
First trailer for A Minecraft Movie builds excitement. The teaser trailer has given Minecraft fans a glimpse at next year’s major live-action movie release. Throughout 2024, Minecraft has been celebrating its 15th anniversary, featuring global initiatives, product releases and much more as fans eagerly await the release of A Minecraft Movie, slated to arrive at cinemas worldwide on 4th April 2025.
Four 'Star Wars: Shatterpoint' Squad Packs incoming: Mandalorians, Snowtroopers, Bounty Hunters, and Lando. Atomic Mass Games has announced four new squad packs for Star Wars: Shatterpoint that will release on November 1, featuring covert Mandalorians, Imperial Snowtroopers, infamous bounty hunters, and the notorious Lando Calrissian.
Funko’s Bittyverse comes to town. An expansion of the best-selling micro-collectible Bitty Pop! range, Bittyverse introduces Rides, Towns and Displays fans can use to enhance their play experience. Funko has expanded its fan-favourite Bitty Pop! range with Bittyverse. An exciting and refreshing extension of the core Bitty Pop! line, Bittyverse focuses on enhancing the playability of the miniature Funko products...
'Mass Effect: The Board Game - Priority Hagalaz' heads to retail. Asmodee and Modiphius Entertainment will release Mass Effect: The Board Game - Priority Hagalaz, a new board game based on the popular video game, into retail on October 11, 2024. This game, designed by Eric M. Lang, was first announced back in March 2024, and is a cooperative, story-driven that follows Shepard and its crew of the Normandy...
Moonbug Entertainment has announced the launch of its newest series, CoComelon Classroom, the first live-action spinoff series from the CoComelon universe. The series blends animation with live-action, bringing to life the world and characters of CoComelon, the No.1 most-viewed kids’ franchise on YouTube. Children will enjoy the show’s classroom activities and catchy music, while parents can feel confident...
BBC Children’s and Education is partnering with long-time Horrible Histories producer Lion Television to launch a new spinoff comedy series called Horrible Science. In production now to launch next year on CBBC and BBC iPlayer, the new show is inspired by British writer Nick Arnold’s 28-title book series, which has sold more than four million copies throughout the UK.
'Dead Boy Detectives' series killed off; 'Sonic 3,' 'Super/Man,' 'Agatha All Along' trailers; Biggest pirate network shut down; Late Paramount bidder drops out; '4 Kids Walk Into A Bank' adaptation. Showbiz Round-Up. Netflix has cancelled Dead Boy Detectives, according to Variety. The only season of this series, based on a comic series by Neil Gaiman and Matt Wagner, started streaming on April 25, 2024.
Gulli has ordered French studio Watch Next Media’s 2D-animated series Wild Kat, which M6 Group and Super RTL helped to co-develop.
Touching on themes of identity and self-acceptance, this 26 x 22-minute action/comedy for kids ages 6 to 10 centers around a pair of teen boys whose lives change radically when one of their families adopts Kat—who turns out to be a secret agent with the power to transform into...
Evergreen publishing franchise Maisy is scurrying back onto the small screen in a new 2D-animated series called My Friend Maisy. Now in production, this first project to come out of Trustbridge Entertainment is a co-production with BBC Studios Kids & Family. Scripts from lead writer Matilda Tristram (Peppa Pig) will follow the adventures of the titular mouse and her friends in situations ranging from the mundane...
Dr. Seuss Enterprises wants to reach families and educators on YouTube, and has enlisted Little Dot Studios to create new content in support of these ambitions. All3Media-owned Little Dot has already delivered several original animated and live-action preschool series for the Dr. Seuss channel, including Dr. Seuss Storytime, The Lorax’s Nature Club ,The Cat in The Hat’s Quirky Quiz and Draw Your Dream Pet.
The Twilight franchise is sinking its teeth into animation with Midnight Sun—a new toon treatment of Stephenie Meyer’s same-name novel that has just received a straight-to-series order from Netflix. The project is in development at Lionsgate Television, with Sinead Daly attached as a writer and executive producer. Like the book it’s based on, Midnight Sun will retell the story of lead book Twilight (2005)...
People of Play
Talkin’ Toys: Hasbro’s Kim Boyd on ‘Women Innovators of Play’ Event, Commitment to Supporting Talent. Kim Boyd shares how Hasbro supports and highlights innovation in women and girls within the toy industry. Through consumer-focused development, branding, and research, Hasbro continues to create toys and products that fulfill the desires of several audiences, especially girls.
Asmodee has appointed Thomas Koegler their new CEO. Koegler's appt to CEO places him on the Embracer Group’s Executive Management Team, alongside Stephane Carville and Marc Nunes, who are now Asmodee Board Members and Senior Advisors at the co. Asmodee's current board now includes the following members: Lars Wingefors (Chair of the Board), Kicki Wallje-Lund (Deputy Chair), Stephane Carville, Marc Nunes...
The Playground Podcast: Hot Wheels Teams up with Alex Taylor. In this episode of The Playground Podcast, Chris talks to Alex Taylor about her life in drag racing (cars), her passion for the sport, and the new deal she’s done with Hot Wheels. Passion is the operative word here, not just Alex’s for her career but also the passion the designers of Hot Wheels brought to the project of recreating her Plymouth Savoy as a small car.
Sikh action figures aim to make children proud. The co-founder of a business which makes Sikh action figures said he wanted to produce toys that made Sikh children proud of their appearance. An idea that two friends had in a living room has now snowballed into an international business, Khalsa Toys Store, which created its first action figures in 2021. Co-founder Sukh Singh, from Coventry, said the business was...
Looking to broaden its business footprint, Snipple Animation has installed Mike Hegarty as head of international partnerships. A seasoned sales exec, Hegarty is coming off of six years at Toronto’s House of Cool, where he served as head of sales and partnerships until June. Before that, he did a one-year stint at Montreal’s Toon Boom Animation as a North American sales partner.
Execs in the US and Spain launch Liquid Rock Entertainment. Former PGS sales head Xavi Mas and Ypsilon Films' Roberto Mitrani are in the market to find kids & family brands for this new production/distribution house to invest in and represent. Based in Barcelona and Miami, the company will focus on investment, distribution and co-production, and it’s looking for kids & family brands with global appeal.
Companies and Brands
Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi sits down with Hasbro (HAS) CEO Chris Cocks at the Goldman Sachs Communicopia and Technology Conference to discuss the toy company's older customer base, its expansion into gaming, and the state of the industry ahead of the 2024 holiday shopping rush. "I think we're a toy company in the most general sense that we're in the industry of play, and we make...
Mattel (MAT) has big plans to integrate artificial intelligence into its business while expanding upon its available IP (intellectual property) library. At the Goldman Sachs Communacopia & Technology Conference, Mattel Chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz sits down with Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi to talk about how the toy and entertainment giant plans to utilize its portfolio of recognizable brands.
University Games Unveils The Ultimate Couples Quiz: The Game That Lets You See If Your Partner Really Pays Attention! Because in love, taking a gamble on each other can lead to the sweetest victories! “The Ultimate Couples Quiz blends lighthearted competition with meaningful connection,” says Ashley Lopez, Games Division Manager at University Games.
The Entertainer (the retail arm of Teal Group Holdings which is also the parent company of Early Learning Centre and Addo Play) has announced a renewed strategic focus on international expansion and a corresponding change of responsibilities amongst its top team. The Group, as a whole, is in a period of significant growth as all three brands benefit from the enlarged reach across the UK and Europe...
Asmodee USA and Professor Puzzle have inked an agreement for exclusive U.S. dist. rights to Professor Puzzle's games portfolio. The new distribution agreement includes distribution into hobby channels as well as some mass channels such as to Aldi, BJ’s Wholesale, Kroger, Party City, and Rite Aid. “Professor Puzzle is a brand that has consistently brought clever creativity and joy to the gaming community,” said Julien Sharp...
Back-to-school blues got you down? University Games has the perfect remedy — The Dog Ate My Homework! This new release takes the classic excuse and turns it into a fun game, letting players transform a mischievous dog’s mess into a masterpiece of family entertainment. Craig Hendrickson, SVP Product Development at University Games, jokes: “'The dog ate my homework’—the excuse that’s been hounding teachers...
*** The above posted after tBR started circulating September 6th ***
Star Wars: New Lightsaber Toy Shows off Retractable Blade. Star Wars fans should be on the lookout for a brand-new lightsaber toy with features you haven't seen on an official release. Goliath has debuted it's Power Saber line of glowing plastic swords. What makes these different from an "official" lightsaber? Well, for one they auto retract and extend. The visual of a kids lightsaber being able to deploy and go back down...
Spirit Halloween will operate a record-breaking 1,525 brick-and-mortar stores this season, adding more than 400 locations to its 1,100-store footprint by the end of September. The retailer also will scare up a “Carnevil” concept that complements its “Spirit Hallows” in-store theme and cemetery-inspired store design details. “The Halloween fandom continues to grow, and our incredible team works year-round to create an unparalleled and unique in-store experience that will engage customers all season long,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween in a statement.
Mattel's Barbie® unveiled the latest Barbie brand campaign titled “Give Limitless Possibilities™” today, alongside 2024 Barbie Role Model and WNBA legend Sue Bird. The brand joined the WNBA’s Barbie-themed game between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena, recognizing the powerful role that play has in giving limitless possibilities to young girls in continued celebration of the brand’s 65th anniversary.
Korea’s The Pinkfong Company is on the cusp of opening its first permanent store showcasing its iconic Baby Shark franchise, and it expects the Hong Kong location to serve as a model for future retail expansion plans. The grand opening of the 1,300-square-foot destination in Hong Kong’s Times Square shopping center is set for September 14.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live tour to blaze a trail. Family Entertainment Live, one of the world’s leading presenters of family-oriented live events, and Mattel have announced the return of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live coming in 2025. Following the success of Glow Party, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live has announced its new theme for 2025: Glow-N-Fire.
Asmodee will release 'Tree Society'. Asmodee will release Tree Society, a city-building game by Next Move Games, which will hit retail on September 20, 2024. In this game, designed by Brett J. Gilbert and Matthew Dunston, players are tasked with helping different guilds in a prospering community with expanding their neighborhoods in the tree canopy.
The LEGO Group Gets Festive with New Additions to LEGO Icons Botanical Collection. The LEGO Group has added two new products to its LEGO Icons Botanical Collection: the Poinsettia and the Wreath sets. Made for ages 18 and up, these sets are meant to offer adults the opportunity to have a relaxing seasonal project to work on, either on their own or with friends and family.
Meta will open up Horizon Worlds access to preteens. Parents will control what parts of the game their child can explore. When I was a preteen, social media was just getting going, so there weren't many restrictions in place regarding access. Now, regulations — and the consequences of not having them — are everywhere, with the latest example coming courtesy of Meta (a case study for all the good and bad...
As fall approaches, Spookley the Square Pumpkin, a popular character from Holiday Hill Farm, is back to bring seasonal cheer to classrooms and homes with a fresh lineup of themed products. In collaboration with Oriental Trading Company, over 30 limited-edition Spookley products offer creative ways to engage children in learning and play.
The wait is over! Today, we celebrate the much-anticipated return of Heroscape as Wave 1 titles arrive in friendly local game stores (FLGS) around the world. This first wave of Heroscape includes the Age of Annihilation Master Set, Battle for the Wellspring Battle Box, and The Grove at Laur’s Edge Terrain Expansion. Bringing new life to the iconic Avalon Hill miniatures wargame in its 20th anniversary year...
A new era for Fuggler. Toy World sat down with Mark Kingston, CEO & co-founder of Fuggler brand owner Libertas Brands, Stuart Grant, co-founder of Libertas Brands, and Nick Mowbray, co-founder of Zuru Toy Company, to discuss how the partnership is evolving and what it means for the funny, ugly plush. “It’s great having Zuru on board,” said Mark Kingston.
Little Tikes launches Creative Chefs line. MGA Entertainment’s Little Tikes has released a new collection of play food kits called Creative Chefs. The line includes eight kits with different food themes, and the company has partnered with content creator and food artist Beau Coffron, known online as Lunchbox Dad, to promote the line.
Blaze forward with new 'Pokemon TCG: League Battle Deck'. The Pokemon Company International will release Charizard ex League Battle Deck, for Pokemon TCG, into retail on November 15, 2024. The newest League Battle Deck features both Charizard ex and Pidgeot ex in a 60-card pre-con. This deck comes ready to play out-of-the-box and also includes a strategy sheet.
Sirius Dice reveals over a dozen new 'Dungeons & Dragons: Adventurer Dice' sets. Sirius Dice revealed over a dozen new Dungeons & Dragons: Adventurer Dice sets, which will release into retail on November 13, 2024. This line of dice sets were first announced back in July 2024 with the first sets coming in the black and red classic colors.
'Similo' enters 'Jurassic World': New edition of the popular guessing game. Horrible Guild announced Similo: Jurassic World, a new edition of the popular guessing game, which will head to retail in Q4 2024. The new edition of this deduction game has been overrun by dinosaurs! Similo: Jurassic World features 30 famous dinosaurs and prehistoric animals from the Jurassic World franchise.
Lego Dreamzzz releases more of Season 2. In the lead-up to the final 10 episodes of Lego Dreamzzz Night of the Never Witch, a new study reveals that children can learn how to guide and change their dreams, similar to the characters in the series. The Lego Group is on a mission to educate parents and guardians on how they can help their children develop and strengthen the real-world skills needed...
Playmobil launches Playmobil Junior and Disney Princess Sets. The new, eco-friendly Playmobil Junior play sets will be supported by a high-impact marketing campaign targeting new parents and those with toddlers. Playmobil has announced the launch of Playmobil Junior in the UK toy market. This new range of diverse play sets is crafted with eco-friendly plastics, with at least 90% of the materials sourced from plant origins.
New 'Warhammer: Age of Sigmar' 'Spearhead: Skaven' incoming. Games Workshop will release Spearhead: Skaven, a new boxed set for Warhammer: Age of Sigmar, into retail soon. The Spearhead: Skaven boxed set features the Warpspark Clawpack. This army is led by a classic Grey Seer who has 3 Stormfiends, a Warp Lightning Cannon, and 20 new Clanrats at his disposal.
The return of 80s hit WereBears. Midco Toys’ David Middleton has decided the time is right to bring back the nostalgic WereBears brand. With nostalgia for 80s toy brands continuing to drive sales, Midco Toys’ David Middleton has seen an opportunity to bring back a classic from that decade that hasn’t been in the public eye for over forty years.
New 'Pokemon TCG Collector Chest' heads to retail just in time for the Holidays. The Pokemon Company International will release a new Pokemon TCG Collector Chest into retail on November 15, 2024. This year's annual fall Collector's Chest comes in a sturdy metal case that features prismatic artwork of Pikachu.
Capstone Games announces three for Spiel Essen 2024. Capstone Games announced three board game products releasing at Spiel Essen 2024. The first of the three games announced was Black Forest. In this game, players travel from village to village in the Black Forest landscape to enlist specialist workers to build up their domain.
Explore the wonderful hobby of philately with 'Stamp Swap'. Stonemaier Games will release Stamp Swap, a new set collection game, into retail in October 2024. This game comes from designer Paul Salomon, who also did Honey Buzz and Genotype. Stamp Swap brings the world of stamp collecting to the tabletop.
Stonemaier announces 'Apiary' expansion - 'Expanding the Hive'. Stonemaier Games announced Expanding the Hive, a new expansion for Apiary, which will release in late October. The expansion adds new components and new ways to build up a hiveship to the base game. These components come in the form of 7 new hive mats, 15 unique frames, and 15 new seed cards.
Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development
In an era where digital entertainment increasingly shapes our experiences, Outfit7’s Talking Tom & Friends exemplifies how a brand can transcend traditional media boundaries. With its innovative approach to mobile gaming and content creation, OUTFIT7’s Talking Tom & Friends has emerged as a global phenomenon, captivating audiences with its blend of engaging gameplay, dynamic characters, and immersive...
gamescom 2024 featured several significant licensing announcements that highlighted the collaboration between major gaming franchises and their respective developers. Here are some of the key licensing-related announcements from the event:. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: The long-awaited Indiana Jones game received a confirmed release date during the Opening Night Live.
*** The above posted after tFR circulated eptember 6th ***
WB Games and Chinese developer NetEase will be sunsetting their free-to-play, immersive mobile game Harry Potter: Magic Awakened in major Western markets. While the game was removed from app stores in the Americas, Europe and Oceania territories this week, those who have already downloaded it will be able to continue playing until its servers officially shut down on October 29.
Sony execs claim the company isn't creating enough original franchises. Sony, purveyor of original franchises like The Last of Us, Uncharted, Horizon, Killzone, Ratchet and Clank, LittleBigPlanet, Resistance, God of War, LocoRoco, and Astro Bot, feels it could be doing more to develop homegrown IP.
The internet reacts to Sony's unprecedented unreleasing of Concord. Sony’s big hero shooter is shutting down just two weeks after it launched. If you hadn’t heard the big news of the day, Sony and developer Firewalk Studios are shutting down Concord, the not-Guardians of the Galaxy hero shooter that has been flopping hard since its launch on August 23.
Zynga sells web3 game Sugartown to D20 Labs. Mobile publisher Zynga has wiped its hands of its web3 game, Sugartown. Over the weekend, it revealed it sold "all products and assets" of the title to web3 developer D20 Labs. Zynga first revealed Sugartown last year, joining several studios at the time (like Sega and Square Enix) in adopting web3 and blockchain for games.
Tilting Point making layoffs that could impact 20 percent of global workforce. Mobile publisher Tilting Point is laying off 20 percent of its workforce to "continue operating a healthy ongoing company." Confirming the news in a statement sent to MobileGamer.biz, the company said the cuts were made in response to "tough" market conditions.
Helldivers 2 and Dead Island 2 support studio Toadman Interactive confirms layoffs. The layoffs are expected to impact around 100 full-time and contract employees. Toadman Interactive, the studio known for developing original titles like Immortal Unchained and plying its trade as a work-for-hire developer, is making layoffs.
'Sleep tight, Hopoo Games': Risk of Rain developer goes dark as key staffers join Valve. The studio has cancelled an upcoming project codenamed 'Snail.' Hopoo Games co-founders Paul Morse and Duncan Drummond have departed the Risk of Rain developer to join Valve. The studio broke the news in a post on X and revealed "many other talented [team] members" have also been hired by Valve.
Rocksteady cuts staff following Suicide Squad's underperformance. Eurogamer reported layoffs at Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League studio Rocksteady. On Monday, the outlet said the developer's QA team was effectively cut in half from 33 staffers to 15. Other departments were affected, though at time of writing, the total number of redundancies is unclear. Junior and tenured staff were among those let go.
Until Dawn remake developer Ballistic Moon confirms layoffs. The UK studio has spent years working on a 'rebuilt and enhanced' version of the horror title. Ballistic Moon has confirmed a number of employees have been laid off. In a statement posted on Linkedin, the company indicated it has struggled to navigate the "complex challenges" facing the game industry.
Highlighted Press Releases
CONQUER THE CARD PYRAMID WITH FRIENDS IN ULTIMATCH FROM FIRESIDE GAMES. Fireside Games Brings Some Cooperative Action To The Card Game Isle With Their New And Inventive Game Ultimatch. Austin, TX (September 6, 2024) – The flame of creativity continues to burn brighter! Fireside Games, makers of the highly acclaimed Castle Panic, has an exciting new title that turns competitive card games on their head. The eclectic game maker has everyone covered for fall 2024 with card matching game Ultimatch. In Ultimatch, set your competitive drive aside in lieu of a more cooperative spirit. Players prevail together or fail together!
Safety and Counterfeiting
Fisher-Price recalls dumbbell toy in Baby Biceps Gift Sets due to choking hazard. This recall involves the plastic dumbbell toy sold with the Fisher-Price Baby Biceps Gift Set. The bar of the dumbbell toy is gray with orange and red plastic weights on each side. The model number GJD49 is located on the back of the kettlebell toy in the gift set. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dumbbell toy, take it away from young children, and contact Fisher-Price to receive a refund.
Associations, Foundations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals
As families prepare for the holidays, a wave of toys is set to make an impact on how children play, while building skills of resilience and promoting mental health. MESH Helps, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening kids' resilience through play, announced the first-ever group of toys and games to receive the prestigious MESH (Mental, Emotional, Social Health) Accreditation. Submissions span 39 companies...
September is a big month for the toy industry in Los Angeles, filled with opportunities for growing your business, networking with colleagues, and coming together as a community to bring the joy of play to children in need. At The Toy Association, we are excited to be a part of it! Whether you are reading this while packing your bags, you’re already in town previewing lines at The Toy Association’s new location...
GalaxyCon LLC is planning 18 geek culture conventions in 2025, a growing roster that now boasts the most North American shows of any geek culture convention organizer. The shows are under three different brands: seven of the core GalaxyCon events; six Animate! conventions, for fans of anime, video games, animation, and cosplay; and five Nightmare Weekend events, with horror, gaming, special events,...
*** The above posted after Septe,ber 6th when tBR circulated ***
CONNETIX announced the launch of “Toys Down Under,” a collaborative showcase featuring five all-Australian toy brands. Making its debut at the iconic LA Toy District during LA Fall Preview, this initiative aims to bring the unique creativity and quality of Australian toy innovation to the forefront of the US market. The “Toys Down Under” collective will feature CONNETIX, My Creative Box, Jellystone Designs, BMS Brands...
Spielwarenmesse eG sees success with World of Toys Pavilion at the Tokyo Toy Show. The shared stand was fully booked for the Tokyo Toy Show. Spielwarenmesse eG, known for its namesake trade fair, reports a fully booked and fully satisfied World of Toys Pavilion at this year’s Tokyo Toy Show, running from Aug. 29-Sept. 1.
LA Fall Toy Previews: New Tools Help Visitors Navigate the Showrooms. There are multiple options to help attendees navigate an increasingly complex preview cycle. The organic shift to Los Angeles finds nearly 300 companies exhibiting in multiple locations throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, including the growing El Segundo Toy District.
Cartoon Forum has selected this year’s nominees for its annual Tribute awards, recognizing companies that have made a significant positive impact on the animation industry. 12 finalists from 8 different countries are in the running to win Broadcaster, Investor/Distributor and Producer of the Year prizes. The winners will be announced on September 19 during Cartoon Forum 2024 in Toulouse, France.
Brand Licensing Europe turns 25 this year, and to celebrate, the team took a trip down memory lane to tell viewers about their favourite memories and what they’ve loved most about working on BLE24. The new video can be viewed below. With only three weeks to go until the show opens its doors at London Excel, the video is a fitting tribute to the importance of the show and its well-earned place...
Playtime PR rolls out phase two of Libraries Board Game Club. Building on the successful first wave of the Libraries Board Game Club project, which ran in spring and saw 1,100 games delivered to 100 public libraries, the second wave of Playtime PR’s initiative has received stellar support from games companies. The project aims to increase access to play for local communities through their libraries.
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
James Earl Jones died Sept. 9 at the age of 93 at his home in Dutchess County, New York, took on Shakespeare, the Greeks, Jean Genet and a hundred comedies, yet it’s the voiceover work that everyone’s talking about today. He is, after all, the man who said “This is CNN” and CNN was instantly and for decades classier, more distinguished for it. Today, or tomorrow, or any day, another hundred or thousand or million people will hear his voice once again, or maybe for the first time, as Mustafa in “The Lion King.”
There were, of course, a few other things for which Jones will be remembered....
Brian Trueman, the writer behind the cartoon series Danger Mouse, has died at the age of 92, his son has said.
Posting on Facebook, Jonathan Trueman said his Manchester-born father had died in hospital on Sunday evening after a short illness.
Trueman had an illustrious career in television and radio, presenting the BBC children's quiz show Screen Test as well as working at Granada TV.
But he was best known for his work with animation company Cosgrove Hall Films - particularly Danger Mouse, which started in 1981 and was voiced by Sir David Jason, as well as Count Duckula and Chorlton and the Wheelies.
He described him as "clever, funny, resilient, an absolute gentleman, loving and loved". "We will all miss him so much," he added.
Leonard Riggio. Barnes & Noble and GameStop founder Leonard Riggio passed away on Tuesday after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, the family announced. The retail pioneer was 83.
Riggio built Barnes & Noble up over half a century, opening his first college bookstore in Greenwich Village in 1965 and acquiring rival Manhattan store Barnes & Noble in 1971. B&N bought B. Dalton Bookseller, a mall chain, in 1987, and began a strategy of opening superstores, which included cafes and large newsstand offerings. The growth of the chain was accompanied by a decline in the number of independent bookstores, who found it difficult to compete with B&N’s size and selection.
B&N continued to expand until the store count peaked at 726 for the fiscal year ended January 2009. But Amazon’s emergence on the retail scene in 1995 and the growth of digital content took their toll, leading to a challenging sales environment through the teens. But it was during that period that Barnes & Noble expanded its selection of manga, graphic novels, and hobby games, dramatically impacting sales in those categories.
Riggio was a pioneer of retailing beyond Barnes & Noble. He also founded Barnes & Noble College Bookstores, a contract operator of college stores across the U.S., Software, Etc., and in 1999, GameStop, which grew to over 7000 stores worldwide.
Through the teens, Riggio was in and out as Barnes & Noble CEO multiple times in a period when the company had at least five CEOs. He came back one last time to oversee the sale of the chain to Waterstones parent Elliott Management Corporation in 2019 ensuring that the company would be run by a bookseller.
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Adventure Media & Events (US)
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Toyworld (UK)
Licensing.biz Powered by Toyworld
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Playmobil launches Playmobil Junior and Disney Princess Sets
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Disguise to develop new Stranger Things and Bridgerton costumes
ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture (US)
- 'Dungeons & Dragons' and New Holland Brewing Co. Team Up to Celebrate D&D 50th Anniversary
- Wizards of the Coast Reveals Card Treatments for 'Magic: The Gathering' 'Duskmourn: House of Horrors'
- Wizards of the Coast Suggests Strategies for 'Magic: The Gathering' New Player Acquisition
- UVS Games Unveils 2025 'UniVersus' Lineup
- Sirius Dice Reveals Over a Dozen New 'Dungeons & Dragons: Adventurer Dice' Sets
- Asmodee Appoints New CEO
- Rolling for Initiative -- What to Do when the Prize is Too Good?
- New 'Pokemon TCG Collector Chest' Heads to Retail
- CMON Will Release 'Cthulhu: Death May Die - Ithaqua'
- 'Mass Effect: The Board Game - Priority Hagalaz' Heads to Retail
Nación Juguetes (Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile & Spain)
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Pinkfong opens its first Baby Shark flagship store in Hong Kong
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LEGO inspires children to control their dreams with the new season of LEGO DREAMZzz
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GUND® by Spin Master announces a new line of Disney characters
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Crazy Aaron 25th Anniversary Putty Production
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