Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
2023 POP Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference Evening Kickoff:
Hasbro's Naomi Brugnatelli, Angus Walker and David Laskowski
Happy Bloomin' Friday!
Great news to hear that our U.S. toy industry is stabilizing! I think we can all toast a nice cool almost end of summer drink to such news!
In one of our feature stories, Sara Farber advises, "If You do Something, Something will Happen." I'm with Sara 100%, which is the perfect segue to attending our Inventor Pitch and Innovation Conferences this November. Angus Walker, Head of Inventor Relations & External Innovation at Hasbro, sums up the feeling we all share during the few days together.
“I look forward to the POP Inventor Conference and the TAGIEs every year... The toy and game community is an amazing group of people and Mary and this event have a way of amplifying all that is great about it. Where else can creators, inventors, manufacturers, retailers, and toy & game companies all come together for a few days in November to learn, share cool ideas and, if lucky, make that connection that leads to the next big thing? The energy is just so positive. It reminds us of how lucky we are to do what we do. The POP Inventor Conference is not just about feeling good and celebrating our great industry though. It’s an essential component of Hasbro’s external innovation strategy.”
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
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"I go to work 6 days a week and magic happens! On day 7 I read the Bloom Report." 😁 - Rick Derr, Learning Express
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"Tell me you're in the toy industry without telling me you're in the toy industry... Friday Morning = a cup-a-Joe and the Bloom Report!" -Tim Walsh The Playmakers
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"I don't know anyone in the industry that doesn't read the Bloom Report." -Ken Lewis, President, 4Kidz, Inc.
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"I am a long-time reader and champion of the Bloom Report. The quantity of quality articles on so many different aspects of our industry is unmatched and I regularly share and discuss them with my management team as an important business tool." - Jim Engle, President & Founder, Little Kids Inc.
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Person of the Week - Sara Farber
If You do Something, Something will Happen
Hi Sara! You wear so many different hats and your roles in the industry have evolved so much since I first met you with Schmovie. We'd love to have an update... and congrats on both an Emmy nomination and a TAGIE win!
I split my time between inventing toys and games, and writing/developing kids animated TV series. I founded Galactic Sneeze, a toy and game invention studio, with my husband Bryan Wilson back in 2011. We started off by self-publishing a couple party games, but ultimately made the transition to licensing our concepts to other companies, ranging from a Goat Yoga Party Game that comes with an inflatable goat (Kikkerland) to a plush Tickle Pup that kicks its leg when you scratch its belly (MGA) to a hilarious Netflix “Trending Now” Game (Spin Master). We also do consulting work - we helped Jet Blue design Get Packing, a game that actually came with an airline ticket inside, and collaborated with Billie to create No Worries if Not, a women-centered board game that players literally cannot win.
At the core, inventing products and writing for kids TV are both centered around playfulness, storytelling, and creative problem-solving… although they’re clearly very different formats and flex different creative muscles. Funny story - a few years ago I had just finished writing the content for a dirty adult party game for a client. He called me up and asked, “I have another game I’d love your help with, but it’s a family game. Do you only write adult content?” I explained that my day job was writing for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood… the animated preschool series on PBS. READ MORE...
Person of the Week: Michael Weis
Readying Your Business to Sell in Today's M&A Marketplace
Be a more qualified Seller-be prepared!
One would not go into a business meeting (nor a social meeting, for that matter) without being prepared. In the M&A space, this principle absolutely applies to those desiring to sell their business, and its importance cannot be understated. A potential Seller that has its “package” organized and ready to go is a much more attractive target than the opposite. It’s a better “look” for possible acquirers, and that pays off typically with higher dollars and better terms and conditions.
What does this mean practically? The following is a non-exclusive list:
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Complete, timely and accurate financial statements. No question there may be a red flag if a target does not have.
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An organized operational system-suppliers, customers, human resources, technology and the like.
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Legal house in order. Relationships evidenced where necessary by current, written, valid contracts. Corporate formalities observed and documented. Intellectual property properly protected.
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A management plan, that can clearly explain the entity’s business, its strengths and weaknesses. An understanding of its place in the market, knowledge of the competition. A budget.
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A clear organization, where qualified individuals (properly compensated and incentivized), enable the company to function at the highest possible level. 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: ““Bit by bit, step by step, you can change things.”– TONI MORRISON
Toy Industry Word of Day: Catch and Kill - Thank you, Kim Vandenbroucke for this week's word. If you can think of a toy/game industry word not in our POPDictionary, add it and we will connect it to you POP profile, feature it here in an upcoming week and on POP's homepage!
Have a cartoon, quote or a joke to share? Send it to me! Mary
Happiest of Birthdays to colleagues celebrating birthdays this week!
Mike Foley
Kelly Flock
Whitney Kimerling
Financial and Legal
LEGO to expand with large new office in central Copenhagen. The Danish toy manufacturer LEGO will open a new office complex in central Copenhagen in 2027 to accommodate 1,500 employees. CEO of the LEGO Group Niels Christiansen said that establishing operations in the Danish capital would help to attract “world-class talent” to the company.
Seagram heir and media industry executive Edgar Bronfman Jr. is preparing an offer for National Amusements, the family company that controls Paramount Global, opens new tab, a source familiar with the matter said. The offer could come together in the coming days, the source added. An offer from Bronfman would add another twist to a messy merger saga, which now stands at Paramount having accepted...
*** The above posted after tBR circulated August 16th ***
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...
The Turkish government has blocked access to Roblox following a government investigation that found content that could lead to child exploitation. “According to our Constitution, our State is obliged to take the necessary measures to ensure the protection of our children,” Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç says in a machine-translated post on X.
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.
Artists suing generative artificial intelligence art generators have cleared a major hurdle in a first-of-its-kind lawsuit over the uncompensated and unauthorized use of billions of images downloaded from the internet to train AI systems, with a federal judge allowing key claims to move forward. U.S. District Judge William Orrick on Monday advanced all copyright infringement and trademark claims...
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...
Program Highlights
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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.
July was a successful month for Funrise, with sales for the month up +29% whilst the overall toy market was down -2%, according to data from Circana
Webtoon widens loss on higher sales in first quarter as public company. Webtoon, which raised $365 million with a $2.9 billion valuation in a recent public offering earlier this year, showed a bigger loss on higher sales in its first quarter as a public company. The company lost $76.6 million in Q2 2024, up from a $19.8 million loss in the year ago quarter.
Paramount to cut 15 percent of U.S. workforce in major layoff plan. Paramount continued to push forward on its $500 million cost-savings plan and goal of reaching sustained profitability in streaming by 2025, in the co’s first earnings report since the Skydance deal was announced.
Trends, Lists, Market Research, and State of the Industry
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ Set To Pop $65M-$80M Opening As Jenna Ortega-Michael Keaton Sequel Hits Tracking – Early Look Box Office Update.
‘My Hero Academia: You’re Next’ tops stellar $16m at Japan box office
JULY 2024 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 ADULT GRAPHIC NOVELS
Streaming accounted for 41.4% of TV viewing in July. YouTube is the first streaming platform to surpass 10% of total TV usage in Nielsen's The Gauge.
*** The above posted after tB circulated August 16th ***
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.
The 50 Most Powerful Players in Kids Entertainment. The execs, stars and creatives in THR’s annual roundup are shaping the next generation’s favorite content, with megahits like ‘Inside Out 2’ and ‘Bluey’ buoying the industry.
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
Licensed properties boost global toy sales
3 ways that influencer marketing has changed in 2024.
Kids are streaming more than traditional TV, and toy brands are taking note.
The 20 most popular toys for kids of all ages in 2024
Stories, Comments, and Advice
Julia Fitzgerald - In today’s Midsize Match Up interview, we go to New York City to talk with Patti McConnell, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Something Different. They are an independent agency that has something so different about them...they made that their name. Curious? I am.
*** The above posted after tBr circulated August 16th ***
John Baulch, Toy World - These things happen … it’s the Friday Blog! I was so sorry to hear that specialist retail chain Toy Galaxy has been forced to call in the administrators. I suspect this news will have caught quite a few suppliers off guard. There were numerous messages of support and sympathy for Bhav Patel and his team on our LinkedIn posts announcing the sad news, showing just how well-liked he was.
In this month’s Toy World issue, Rick Derr looks at the development of toy products with a science, STEM or learning focus. “I remember first opening our toy store, where the Science category was made up of just a few items in rather drab packaging, and most were items you saw in schools,” says Rick Derr. This included microscopes, telescopes, metal detectors, rock tumblers and kits that featured basic experiments.
Christopher Byrne - The Disruption Report: Who Needs Innovation? In my conversations with all kinds of people in our industry in the past weeks, I keep hearing the same thing: There’s no innovation. Yes, innovation is the lifeblood of our industry, and it’s definitely a “wow” for grownups—and especially those who have been around the industry for a while, not to say decades.
Protect ‘N Play | Part 4: Look Before You Leap – Investigating IP in Your Toy Ventures. As a toy inventor himself, Joe has an extensive experience in advising clients on intellectual property in the toy and gaming space. Joe advises clients on different IP protection methods, such as obtaining the right type of patent on your toy, copyrights and trademarks for different types of toy branding, and licensing...
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...
Contact Moments with Japanese Game Magazines at The Strong Museum. On a snowy winter day in January 2024 at The Strong National Museum of Play, I read about the far-off land of Hyrule, inhabited by fiery dragons, rock-monster-people, and evil twin-sister witches. I pored over issues of Weekly Famitsu, the most popular Japanese gaming magazine, looking at their coverage of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
Spotlight on STEM toys. For Toy World’s August issue Marianna Casal spoke with leading STEM and Educational toy suppliers to find out how core educational elements are being incorporated into their ranges. Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) are core subjects in schools as they not only teach about the world around us and how everything functions, but also help develop critical thinking and technical skills.
Spotlight on Plush. Toy World’s Rachael Simpson-Jones spoke with suppliers within the Plush space to find out how they’re keeping their ranges at the forefront of consumer minds, how they’re supporting retailers with display solutions and more. Plush is lush, according to Circana. In an otherwise challenging year, it’s a major growth category and one that retailers of all sizes are enjoying success with.
Havas on embracing change in eCommerce. Tristan Brooks, managing partner at Havas Entertainment, looks at how toy companies can embrace the eCommerce world, and how they can access detailed data and sound advice. I’ve had more eCommerce discussions with clients this year than any other and it’s no surprise with what’s going on in the market.
Sesame Workshop’s State of Well-Being Index tackles mental health crisis. It all started with a simple tweet from Sesame Street’s Elmo. The beloved little red monster took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” The collective response made it clear that people are having a tough time with their mental health.
Chess pro arrested after allegedly poisoning rival with mercury. A Russian chess player is facing possible jail time and criminal charges after she allegedly used liquid mercury from a broken thermometer to poison a rival player during a large tournament earlier this month. As reported by Chess.com, 40-year-old chess coach Amina Abakarova has been accused of poisoning 30-year-old player Umayganat Osmanova...
Soft toys are everywhere at Copenhagen Fashion Week. Vogue investigates. If you need further evidence of how eclectic Copenhagen street style has become over the years, just look at the sheer amount of soft toy charms spotted on bags this season. From Hello Kitty to Minnie Mouse and Donald Duck, it’s the ultimate way to accessorise your accessories this season. What’s behind this surge in popularity of soft toys?
The evolution of affiliate and influencer marketing: From peak popularity to resurgence. Affiliate and influencer marketing have changed immensely over the past two decades, converging into one holistic solution that has reshaped performance marketing. Here’s a short overview of the rise, fall, and coalescence of the two, as well as recommendations for how brands can leverage this model in today’s world.
History and Nostalgia
The ’80s Toy That Was Considered a Threat to National Security. Could a stealth fighter model kit for hobbyists expose classified military secrets? Ron Wyden was visibly upset. The Democrat from Oregon was addressing a meeting of the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Committee in July 1986 like a preacher on a pulpit, but his choice of accessory was not a Bible. It was a model plane kit.
*** The above posted after tBR circulated August 16th ***
Jonny Quest Card Game from Milton Bradley. Released by Milton Bradley in 1965, the Jonny Quest Card Game is based on the original animated television series that premiered in 1964. To begin a game, the deck, consisting of cards numbered 1-40 and two wildcards, was shuffled. Two to four players were each dealt five cards.
Shop King from Marx. Released in 1967 from Marx, Shop King was a child-size home workshop that encouraged creative construction and self-expression. The battery-operated toy mirrored many of the power tools a child might see in a grown-up’s workshop. Children could experiment and showcase their creativity with the help of blades and grinders to cut out shapes; sanders and polishers...
Licensing and Entertainment
‘Gabby’s Dollhouse’ Conquered Netflix. Then the Toy Market. Next up, the Big Screen. Has it already been 10 seasons? With enough episodes in the can to last through 2027, the best-friend creators of the streaming hit have a bright future all planned out. Like most people above the age of 6, Jennifer Twomey and Traci Paige Johnson were both flummoxed and fascinated by the sudden popularity of unboxing videos...
GennComm, a global consumer marketing agency, has announced a collaboration with promotional consumer products brand Logo Woman to create various products and marketing programs. Through this collaboration, GennComm will have access to Logo Woman’s extensive catalog of branding products, like trade show booths and influencer gifting boxes. Logo Woman will also have access to GennComm’s...
Spin Master is set to roll out the first-ever line of products from Ms. Rachel, the popular YouTuber and early childhood educator. The initial Ms. Rachel toys will hit shelves in N.A. on Sept 29, but that won’t be the only release. Ms. Rachel’s global master toy licensee aims to introduce more toys in January. The line will initially start with wooden toys and mystery boxes, including wooden learning blocks...
The Wiggles and the basketball exhibition team the Harlem Globetrotters have teamed up to launch a music video featuring stars from both groups. The video “Bouncing Balls” will launch first on the Wiggles YouTube channel (3.8 million subscribers) on September 5, and will be available on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music shortly after that.
Popular preschool brands Sesame Street and Ms. Rachel have joined forces to launch three YouTube videos featuring the educator singing new songs with some well-known Muppets backing her up. A lead video called “Sesame Street: This is the Way We Go to School Song with Ms. Rachel and Elmo” launched yesterday and features Elmo learning how to get ready for school. It’s available on both brands’ YouTube...
Vancouver-based Big Bad Boo Studios is prepping a five-episode fourth season of 2D-animated preschool toon Lili & Lola that’s due out next year. Canada’s ICI TV commissioned the new installment of the seven-minute miniseries. All 15 episodes from the first three seasons are also available on TFO, Prime Video, Vme Kids, Radio-Canada Jeunesse, YouTube Kids and on the multilingual streamer Oznoz...
Disney Jr. is giving its still-popular Sofia the First franchise a content lift with a sequel series called Sofia the First: Royal Magic in production at Disney Television Animation for a 2026 premiere on Disney Jr. and Disney+. Aimed at preschoolers, the new show sees young princess Sofia attending a magical school, where she learns to master her burgeoning powers and makes new friends.
LA-based Titmouse Animation has partnered up with Japanese studio Polygon Pictures to co-develop and co-produce a slate of CG-animated projects, some of which will target kids. The deal is non-exclusive, and the companies are planning to pull back the curtain and share details about their upcoming work together later this year.
*** The above posted after tBR circulated August 16th ***
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.
Google is experimenting with a fun kids licensing hook to make taking family photos easier on its new Pixel 9 Pro Fold phone, which is available for pre-order now and scheduled to hit retail on September 4. When it’s in selfie mode, the company’s innovative Made You Look feature has animated characters from Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out films—including primary character Joy—moving around on the screen.
Coming out of D23, it’s not shocking to hear that Frozen 3 is getting the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, 2027 release date. That’s the traditional time when Frozen and Disney animated movies ‘let it go’ so to speak; har har har. On Friday night at Disney’s presentation, it was indicated that the threequel would open in 2027.
‘Wicked’ LEGO sets hit shelves in October. The LEGO Group and Universal Products & Experiences have revealed the full lineup of LEGO “Wicked” products, inspired by the upcoming musical event film from Universal Pictures, which is coming to theaters in November. The four new sets feature mini-dolls and characters such as Glinda and Elphaba, The Wizard and more.
Hasbro brings ‘Beyblade X Tour’ to cities across North America. To celebrate Beyblade’s 25th anniversary, Hasbro is hosting Beyblade events in a series of cities across North America throughout August and September as part of the “Beyblade X Tour.” Participants will experience the thrill of customization and strategy as they test their Beyblade skills with the newest Tops and have the chance to win prizes...
Skybound Tabletop inks licensing deal for Creepshow: The Suspense Building Game. Skybound Tabletop, a division of Skybound Entertainment, known for its blockbuster social party and light strategy games like Boo-ty Call, Trial by Trolley, Invincible: Escape from Mars and more, has announced its licensing deal to launch a party game based on Creepshow.
UNO partners with NFL for collectible card game. With the 2024 NFL season near, Mattel has announced UNO is expanding its collectible offerings with the officially licensed UNO Elite NFL, created through a licensing deal with the National Football League (NFL) and NFL Players Association (NFLPA). This new version of UNO features a deck with licensed NFL players from all 32 teams and an array of collectible..
Funko to launch Team USA Water Polo Flavor Flav Pop! Rapper, Flavor Flav, threw his support behind the Team USA Water Polo team as they geared up for Paris. His support for the team went viral, and Funko responded by creating a limited-edition Pop! figure in his honor. For a limited time, fans can purchase POP: Team USA USAWP Flavor Flav before it goes into the Funko vault forever.
Yu-Gi-Oh! reveals new product slate. Continuing the global celebration of the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game’s 25th anniversary, Konami Cross Media NY has confirmed several new licensing agreements for the popular global brand. New merchandising agreements have been signed with HYP Hats, Kawada Co., First Kid General Trading, Monogram International and FuRyu Corporation.
LEGO launches Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas set. The LEGO Group’s latest Ideas set is designed for kidult fans of a Tim Burton classic. The Nightmare Before Christmas is a beloved Disney movie, rewatched by fans for both Christmas and Halloween. Now, it’s getting its own LEGO set just in time for the fall season.
Panini unveils 2024/25 Premier League Adrenaline XL. Benefitting from a full re-design, the collection features plenty of fresh new card categories, amazing new materials and even more real autographs for collectors to chase, making the 2024/25 edition a must-have for collectors and fans of the game.
Hot Wheels Let’s Race Season 2 revs up for Netflix release. Season 1 of Mattel Television Studios’ action-packed series reached Netflix’s Top 10 TV Shows in 69 countries, while Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump returns for Season 2, leading the show’s music. Mattel has announced that Season 2 of the hit animated series Hot Wheels Let’s Race will debut globally Monday 9th September on Netflix.
McFarlane Toys unveils new Green Lantern Corps figures. McFarlane Toys has unveiled brand-new Green Lantern figures as part of its DC Multiverse line. Green Lantern (Green Lantern Corps) McFarlane Collector Edition #22 will soon be available for pre-order. The toy company revealed on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the Green Lantern collectible edition will launch pre-order on August 16...
Hasbro unveils new Star Wars K-2SO and Darth Maul action figures. Hasbro announced new additions to the Star Wars: The Black Series and the Star Wars: The Vintage Collection product lines featuring the droid K-2SO (Kay-Tuesso). These new products are based on the upcoming season of the Andor live-action series.
Skybound, Image & Hasbro announce new middle grade OGN series Transformers: Worst Bot Ever by Brian “Smitty” Smith and Marz Jr. Skybound Comet, the original graphic novel imprint aimed at Young Adult and Middle Grade audiences, in collaboration with Image Comics and leading toy and game company Hasbro, today announced Transformers: Worst Bot Ever: Meet Ballpoint...
Disney drops animation trailers galore at D23, 'Frozen 3' in the works; 'Star Wars' project updates and 'Skeleton Crew' trailer; 'Agatha All Along' trailer; 'Tron: Ares' scored by Nin; 'Avatar 3' gets a name. Showbiz Round-up. Disney dropped a bevy of major animation trailers at D23, including trailers for previously announced projects Mufasa, Moana 2, and Toy Story 5.
Disney commits $5 billion to U.K. and European production over next five years. Disney is set to invest at least $5 billion in production across the U.K. and continental Europe over the next five years, according to Jan Koeppen, the company’s European chief. Koeppen, who oversees Disney’s operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, expressed optimism about the continued viability of superhero films. .
Lego and Asmodee team up to create LEGO board games. The LEGO Group and Asmodee have announced a multi-year partnership, joining forces to create and distribute new shared play experiences. The partnership will create an exciting range of high-quality LEGO board games for all types of players, inventing new ways for families and brick fans around the world to play within the LEGO universe.
Mattel introduces ‘Wicked’ doll line ahead of film release. Mattel has released a line of fashion dolls inspired by Universal Pictures’ upcoming film, Wicked. The new collection celebrates the movie’s heroines, Glinda and Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Deluxe fashion dolls of the leads feature Glinda wearing her signature pink ball gown, and Elphaba wearing a purple dress and sheer black cape.
WizKids unveils 'Marvel Heroclix 400' products. First two sets feature Black Panther and Captain America. WizKids unveiled two Marvel HeroClix 400 miniatures boxed sets, which will hit stores starting in 2025. HeroClix 400 products offer players a full 400-point team of characters that can be played right out of the box.
Hunter Products partners with ChizSix Marketing & Media. The company is preparing new products for next year. Hunter Products has selected ChizSix Marketing & Media as its agency of record ahead of the new year. The manufacturing, design, and development company is preparing a lineup of toys, sporting goods, aquatic accessories, fitness equipment, and more.
'The Bad Batch's' villainous squad storms 'Star Wars: Shatterpoint'. Atomic Mass Games will release Good Soldiers Follow Orders Squad Pack, new miniatures for Star Wars: Shatterpoint, into retail on October 4, 2024. After releasing The Bad Batch squad earlier this year AMG follows up with a squad featuring the villains of the Disney+ animated series. The new squad is led by Crosshair, and has ES-04 as a secondary unit.
Netflix reportedly greenlights Ghostbusters animated series. Netflix has officially given a new Ghostbusters animated series the greenlight, according to Variety. Although details on the show’s plot haven’t been dug up yet, the site does say that the writer behind The Daily Show and the Mystery Science Theater 3000 revival, Elliott Kalan, will serve as showrunner and executive producer.
'Apocalypse' comes to 'Marvel Crisis Protocol': New miniatures character pack. Atomic Mass Games will release Apocalypse, a new Character Pack for Marvel Crisis Protocol, into retail on September 27, 2024. The X-Men will now face off with one their greatest enemies, the ancient evil known as Apocalypse.
Preschool puppet series Donkey Hodie has scored a third-season greenlight from PBS KIDS. Fred Rogers Productions (FRP) and Spiffy Pictures will roll out the package of 15 x 22-minutes episodes (including two specials) sometime in 2025. The series follows a fun-loving donkey who enjoys learning new things and solving problems with her friends.
Zoonicorn, the global preschool property seen in more than 100 countries worldwide, heads into Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) with a new
licensing partner, new products and the launch of its official branded Amazon portal. Zoonicorn’s seven-minute episodes are produced by Toonz Entertainment and Zoonicorn, LLC. and distributed by Toonz Entertainment.
People of Play
Warner Bros. Discovery‘s head of U.S. networks, Kathleen Finch, will retire at the end of the year, with Warner Bros. Television group chairman and CEO Channing Dungey set as her replacement. News of Finch’s pending retirement comes on the heels of Warner Bros. Discovery’s second-quarter earnings release on Aug. 7, which revealed a major devaluation in the company’s cable networks group.
Canal toys has appointed sales and marketing authority Marla Canfield Clark as Executive Vice President of Sales for North America. Clark brings years of experience in sales strategy and in-house sales management. She has previously held positions at toy companies and manufacturers, including Horizon Group USA, RMS International, and 4Kids Company.
ICV2 INTERVIEW: RAVENSBURGER NORTH AMERICA CEO STEPHANE MADI AT GEN CON 2024 Talks About the Future of 'Disney Lorcana,' 'Villainous,' and More. First of all, let's talk about your current releases. In the last interview with ICv2, you mentioned "new robust marketing and engagement activations" coming with Shimmering Skies (which released August 8, 2024). What are those new initiatives?
*** The above posted after tBR circulated August 16th ***
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...
New Jersey-based Party City has recruited Barry Litwin as its new CEO and president. He replaces interim CEO Sean Thompson, who stepped into the role in November 2023 after former boss Brad Weston departed. Litwin—who previously worked in senior e-commerce postions at Sears and Office Depot—is coming off a seven-year stint as CEO of industrial supplies distributor Global Industrial Company.
The Playground Podcast: Josh Garrett: Readyland and Revolutionizing Play with Tech. In this episode Chris talks to industry veteran and technology whiz kid Josh Garrett about his career, his vision, and how leveraging technology in a kid-centric way contributes to positive, enriching, and immersive play experiences for kids. Josh is the chief creative officer for Readyland and vice president of design for Creativity, Inc.
Chronicle Books makes new hires for its kids team. Rebecca Frazer and Mary Colgan have stepped into editorial roles at the publishing company. Rebecca Frazer is on board as children’s books executive editor, with a remit to oversee licensing partnerships and bestsellers including the Tiny T. Rex series of five preschool titles by Jonathan Stutzman. Mary Colgan,who began her career as an intern at Chronicle in the 2000s...
Companies and Brands
AT&T aims to fill a timely need with its first kids smartwatch. The telecom says the amiGO Jr. Watch addresses a key gap in kids' busy lives, connecting them with their parents then they're at school or on the go. The company’s new smartwatch is aimed at four- to 11-year-olds and does not have access to the internet, the App Store or the Google Play Store. But it does allow parents to track their child’s location...
Hamleys Boutique: Be You is designed to create a space where 4-14-year-olds can hang out with friends, dress up, be creative, feel inspired, explore and have fun. The new department on the 2nd floor of the store also offers the chance for youngsters, inspired by pop fandom, to immerse themselves in the worldwide phenomenon of making, wearing and sharing customised bracelets; a trend that feeds...
Factories certified by the Ethical Supply Chain Program will now have the option of publishing their details on Open Supply Hub as part of the Ethical Supply Chain Program dataset. Data from just under 700 ethically certified factories has been added to the Open Supply Hub platform this July and will be refreshed on a bi-annual basis.
*** The above posted after tBR started circulating August 16th ***
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.
PlayMonster has unveiled the PlayMonster Influencer Network, a collective of top social personalities that will propel the company’s digital presence and engage with expansive audiences across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. The PlayMonster Influencer Network will leverage the talents of a select group of creators to connect with a combined reach of more than 50m followers through playful and shareable...
How Chuck E. Cheese Is Remaking Itself for Gen Alpha. A new loyalty program, remodeled arcades and trampolines are just a few of the changes. As its tagline notes, Chuck E. Cheese has always been the place where “a kid can be a kid.” Now, to get more of them through its doors, it’s undergoing a marketing reset, creating more content and promotions aimed at children, not just their parents.
A new line of interactive plush called Furlings is the latest release from toy brand Funrise. Furlings are large, soft creatures that interact with kids via LCD eyes and sounds. The plush are reactive to kids’ actions; for example, Furlings growl when kids squeeze their ears and laugh when they shake them.
Fans flock to launch of Disney Lorcana Shimmering Skies. Hundreds of fans amassed outside both Disney Store London and Disney Store Dublin on Friday 9th August, with some camping out, while carefully selected influencers were granted a special early look at the new Shimmering Skies set. Doors opened to a select group of influencers ahead of the official launch to the public of the hotly anticipated D23 Collector...
Jumbo UK launches Chrono Mission. Jumbo UK has launched Chrono Mission, a new escape spy game that puts players in the shoes of a secret agent tasked with defusing a bomb before time runs out. Players must skillfully navigate a field without touching any strings; any contact will accelerate the countdown, adding to the intensity of the mission.
Moose Toys partners with Click Distribution to enhance UK operations. Moose Toys has entered an exclusive partnership with Click Distribution (UK) which will now manage Moose’s UK distributor business. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in the two companies’ long-standing relationship, which began in 2019.
Wizards of the Coast unveils new 'Magic: The Gathering' 'Festival In a Box: Las Vegas'. Wizards of the Coast unveiled a new Festival in a Box: Las Vegas, for Magic: The Gathering, which will hit DTC preorder on August 19, 2024. Following up last year's Festival in a Box: Las Vegas 2023, the new bundle offers players a chance to get their hands on Mystery Booster 2 displays that were just released at Gen Con 2024.
Toy Galaxy closes stores. The owner of the Toy Galaxy chain sent a letter to staff last week confirming the closure of its stores due to financial pressures. The toy retailer operated several branches, the latest of which was its Watford store in the Atria shopping centre. Other locations included Barnet, Ealing, Hatfield and Witney. In the letter to workers, owner Bhav Patel apologized to his team..
Smiffys II to become sales agent for Rubies. Smiffys II is set to introduce Rubies’ collection to consumers, which includes its popular portfolio of licensed costumes. Drawing on many years of experience and expertise in the independent sales area of the industry, the Smiffys team has been appointed as official sales agents for Rubies.
Asmodee and Zygomatic will release 'Survive the Island' into retail. Asmodee and Zygomatic will release Survive the Island, a new version of the classic survival game, into retail on September 13, 2024. This is a new version of Survive: Escape from Atlantis!, originally designed by Julian Courtland-Smith for Parker Brothers, that has spawned multiple spinoff titles over the years.
Wrap the gift of adventure in 'Dungeon Gift Wrap'. Gift wrap that doubles as a playable battle map. Loke Battle Mats will release Dungeon Gift Wrap into retail on September 4, 2024. Dungeon Gift Wrap is the gift that keeps on giving for adventurers. This pack comes with premium dungeon-themed wrapping paper, which also doubles as a playable battle map.
Janod launches new Magneti’stories. Following the success of the best-selling Magneti’book range, Janod has unveiled the new, more compact, Magneti’stories. French toy brand, Janod, aims to inspire curious minds and encourage storytelling through play with its latest launch – Magneti’stories.
Colonize a new planet in next 'Power Grid' game: 'Outpost' by Friedemann Friese. Rio Grande Games will release Outpost, a new Power Grid board game, that will hit stores in October 2024. The next Power Grid game, designed by Friedemann Friese, takes player to a new planet where colonization is underway.
Magna-Tiles unveils biggest ever launch: MicroMags. Magna-Tiles has revealed its new sets for 2024, including Space and Castle themes, along with the first-ever MicroMags line, which features smaller-sized tiles perfect for play on-the-go. The Magna-Tiles MicroMags 26-Piece Travel Set is perfectly designed to take anywhere.
Asmodee will release 'Fairy Ring': New fantasy city building game by Repos Production. Asmodee will release Fairy Ring, a new fantasy city building game by Repos Production, into retail on September 13, 2024. In Fairy Ring, players will create a mushroom village to house the fairies that live in the clearing. They will develop these villages over the course of two seasons, right before the cold winter sets in.
Slida Global partners with Duncan Toys for USA and Canada distribution. This collaboration will bring Slida’s groundbreaking puzzles to the USA and Canada, marking a significant expansion for the brand in North America. Both Slida Global and Duncan Toys will be showcasing their latest offerings at the upcoming LA Fall Preview, with showrooms located at 1960 East Grand, Los Angeles, CA.
'One Punch Man' powers his way into 'Union Arena TCG'. Bandai will release Union Arena TCG: One Punch Man into retail on March 7, 2025. This is the first Union Arena TCG title to release both in Japanese and English at the same time. The set will feature 30 types of cards with brand-new illustrations for heroes like S-Ranked Genos, King, Tatsumaki, and of course, Saitama.
New edition of 'Finca' Heads to retail via Asmodee and Pandasaurus Games. Asmodee and Pandasaurus Games will release a new edition of Finca, a classic board game, into retail on September 9, 2024. Finca was originally designed by Ralf zur Linde and Wolfgang Sentker and released by Hans im Gluck in 2009.
Relatable taps social media gaming duo Games4Two for trio of new titles. Relatable, formerly known as What Do You Meme? has partnered with a popular social media gaming couple on three new games. Games4Two is comprised of Chris and Aly James, a couple with a passion for board and tabletop games. The duo commands millions of followers on both TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
Arrange cured meats and exotic cheeses in 'Charcuterie: The Board Game'. Th3rd World Studios will release Charcuterie: The Board Game, a tile drafting game, into retail on September 4, 2024. In Charcuterie: The Board Game, designed by Whitney Loraine and Josh Camden, players are tasked with arranging a charcuterie plate for a final presentation to guests.
ghostwrite launches the first true collectible brand; Aims to make toys as relevant as sneakers and trading cards. ghostwrite, the first true collectible brand, launches August 13, 2024 with its first publicly-available product release. Founded by Josh Luber, visionary co-founder of StockX and Fanatics Collectibles, two of the fastest-growing and influential companies in the burgeoning Hype Economy...
Alley Cat Games reveals 'Pusheen: The Stacking Game'. Alley Cat Games revealed Pusheen: The Stacking Game, a new party game, which will hit retail on September 4, 2024. This new fast-paced, cat-stacking game pits players against each other in an effort to become the Pusheen Stacking Champion. Players will flip over cards and quickly stack various Pusheen character meeples.
Crawligator expands accessibility, consumer potential with HSA/FSA eligibility. Crawligator, the product intended to aide and make productive the time babies spend on their stomachs, is now HSA/FSA eligible. HSA stands for health care savings account and FSA for flexible spending account. Both are accounts attached to health care insurance plans; Crawligator’s approval by the IRS means that possessors...
University Games’ Smart Ass is now available at Target ahead of DNC. Smart Ass, University Games’ fast-paced trivia game, is launching at Target as election season ramps up. The launch happens ahead of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago from Aug. 19-22. The game is taking over Chicago during the convention, with Smart Ass donkey graphics and trivia questions popping up in taxis, hotels...
Players put on their poker faces for Playview Brands’ 21 Bluff. Blackjack gets a fresh coat of paint with this new card game. Playview Brands’ 21 Bluff brings new twists and turns to the classic Blackjack card game. Created in 2017 by a group of toy industry executives, Playview Brands continues to expand its portfolio with fresh offerings in toys, games, and more.
Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development
Burgeoning Chicago-based prodco Playground Productions is bringing back iconic kids video game franchise Backyard Sports for a new generation of sports-obsessed fans and their nostalgia-craving parents. Originally developed by Humongous Entertainment and published by Atari in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the franchise was hailed for featuring a large fictional cast of diverse kids with unique personalities...
Epic Games today officially launched a rival app store for iOS in the European Union, marking the first time Apple’s own App Store has had to face a serious rival. The Epic Games Store will initially offer Epic’s games, including Fortnite, for users to download onto their iPhones, with plans to start onboarding third-party developers’ games beginning in December.
Dubit expands Roblox services to the MENA and APAC regions. The British kids researcher and game developer has partnered with Dubai's The GenX Media to give brands in these regions more direct access to Dubit's Roblox marketing expertise. To meet growing global demand for brand connection from younger Gen Z audiences, UK-based video game developer Dubit has teamed up with Dubai-based metaverse...
*** The above posted after tBR circulated August 16th ***
Mattel teases new ‘Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem’ video game. Mattel, in collaboration with publisher GameMill Entertainment and developer 3D Clouds, has previewed the upcoming licensed video game, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem. The Hot Wheels video game will feature fan-favorite monster trucks like Bone Shaker, Tiger Shark, Race Ace, and Bigfoot, as players can execute stunts...
Developers told not to expect Switch 2 before April 2025. The question on everyone’s lips right now is: Switch 2 when? Now in its eighth year, the current handheld hybrid is more than a little long in the tooth, and the evidence continues to mount that fans still have a bit of a wait to go before Nintendo launches its next console.
LEGO launches LEGO Play app. The new app will allow kids to bring to life their own creations and share with friends, watch videos and play games, along with a whole host of other experiences to help them unleash their creative super-powers, in an environment specifically designed for the builders of tomorrow, centered around LEGO play.
Safety and Counterfeiting
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is taking aim at the small batteries that are common in kids toys by implementing better labeling and testing for products using these batteries. The CPSC wants manufacturers to add warning labels and conduct more rigorous stress-testing on products that have button-cell and coin-cell batteries. These batteries have led to more than 70,000 emergency...
*** The above posted after August 16th ***
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
The highly anticipated Toy Trust Football and Netball Tournaments are returning this year, promising a day filled with fun, community spirit and charity. Organised by Hasbro and supported by Generation Media, the event will take place on Friday 6th September at the Brunel University Sports Ground in Uxbridge. Participants can take part in a 7-a-side football and netball tournament, including a free BBQ...
The Television Academy has announced the winners in a handful of categories, including animation, for the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards, and a trio of family-friendly projects will get to claim their golden statues. What If…? – An Immersive Story (pictured) won for Outstanding Innovation in Emerging Media Programming.
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...
Brand Licensing Europe announces support for retailers and manufacturers new to licensing. BLE takes place Sept. 24-26 at ExCeL, London. Brand Licensing Europe has unveiled a program of support for retailers and manufacturers who are new to licensing and/or visiting the show for the first time this September.
What’s new at Autumn Fair this year. As one of the key events ahead of retail’s peak season, Autumn Fair gives over 12,000 visitors the opportunity to place orders with over 800 exhibitors. Buyers can not only discover the latest in the Kids, Toys and Play sector, newly housed within the wider Gift destination, but also explore other categories such as gifts and stationery...
Get ahead of the game at INDX Toy & Gift Show. There’s still time to register for the INDX Toy & Gift show, which takes place at Cranmore Park on Tuesday 3rd September and Wednesday 4th September 2024. Bringing together industry insights, emerging trends, innovative products and top suppliers, the exhibitor list for this year’s INDX Toy & Gift show features industry leaders such as Character Options...
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
Rachael Lillis. Pokémon voice actress Rachael Lillis, who starred in Pokémon TV series, films and video games dating back as far as the late 1990s, has died from breast cancer at the age of 55.
Lillis voiced the main characters of Misty and Jessie and many more on the beloved Japanese animated series.
Her death was announced by Veronica Taylor, who co-stars as Pokémon lead character Ash Ketchum.
Ms Taylor wrote: "Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether speaking or singing."
"We all know Rachael Lillis from the many wonderful roles she played," Ms Taylor wrote on social media on Monday.
"She filled our Saturday mornings and before/after school hours with her beautiful voice, her terrific comic timing, and her remarkable acting skills."
She said Lillis was grateful for the support she received as she battled cancer.
"It truly made a positive difference," Ms Taylor said.
(from Jill Chang) - Tony Miller - former Mattelite, passed away after suffering a stroke at the end of June, just shy of his 84th birthday. For those that didn't know him, Tony worked at Mattel from 1968-1974 as a Project Engineer and Product Manager, then again from 1999-2003 as Vice President of Design for Hot Wheels. During the years he was not at Mattel, he stayed employed in the toy industry as either an employee, executive, or freelance designer/inventor. Throughout his life, he was passionate about design, cars and toys, so his final gig at Mattel was the perfect fit. For anyone who was on Tony's team in 2003, I've attached a photo and bit of nostalgia that he's had hanging in his office for the last 20 years.
After parting ways with Mattel in 2003, Tony maintained his passion for all things automotive by being active in the design and creation of a wild custom 1940 Ford coupe, the reworking and additional customization of his shoebox 1951 Ford Victoria, being a docent at the Petersen Automotive Museum for a decade, actively participating on the H.A.M.B., a hot rod message board at jalopyjournal.com as @50Fraud, and of course, attending a slew of car shows. Maybe you even bumped into him at one or two! The ’40 Ford is being donated to the Petersen in Tony’s honor and will remain a part of their permanent collection. We hope you’ll join us in remembering him.
Memorial Cruise-in Car Show
Petersen Automotive Museum
Saturday, August 17, 2024, 8:00 - 11:00
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