Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
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Happy Bloomin' Friday!
How did you like our headline newsletter's refreshed and streamlined look? All credit goes to Todd Coopee from Toy Tales!
Very excited to report that our DISTOY London Pub event raised £857 ($1,100 US) for the UK Toy Trust! Thank you to all our sponsors, attendees, the hard-working pub committee, and generous donors! Check out all the celebratory photos HERE!
Congrats to ASTRA on a productive and fun show in St. Louis! If there are toy stores that did not hear about our Young Inventor Challenge Neighborhood Toy Store Day Edition at ASTRA, send our Ahren Hoffman a note.
Thank you, Lisa Orman, for sharing your Licensing Show trends report and congrats your KidStuffPR acquisition by Diverse Marketing!
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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"Congratulations on the outstanding job that you and your team are doing on producing The Bloom Report. It seems like it is getting better and better almost every week!!! Bravo!!!" -Ron Cantor, Rainbow Concepts, Inc.
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If you are tired of these quotes, send me yours!
People of the Week: Leah Ringelsetin & Zabina Bhasin M.D.
What the Doctor Orders When It Comes To Kids and Social Media
If you have kids or know “kids these days,” you’ve developed a perspective about Social Media.
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“They love it! They are so creative and making such interesting connections!”
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“I don’t get it, we used to just go outside and play!”
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“I wish there was a better balance, a place that wasn’t so toxic, but its clearly something they want to do!”
Leah: As the market leader in safe social media, Zigazoo is hosting Social Media Wellness Month. This initiative aims to challenge mainstream social media companies to “do better” and to educate kids, parents, and lawmakers on how to build towards a healthier social media future. I am honored to host your perspectives today, Dr. Zee, as you have so much experience and insight to offer families to help them aim their kids for health and happiness when it comes to tech use. Would you like to share a little bit about your background and what you are working on right now?
Dr. Zee: Absolutely, it's a pleasure to be here. As a dedicated advocate for youth empowerment and mental health, I've spent many years working to create supportive environments for young people, both online and offline. My background spans various domains, including education, psychiatry, toys, and community engagement. READ MORE...
Person of the Week - Lisa Orman
Trend Report from Licensing Expo 2024
Even though I’ve been in the play industry for 30 years, I’ve somehow never been to Licensing Expo so with this being my year dedicated to trying new things and attending new shows, off I went! It did not disappoint.
My first reaction was it felt much more corporate and professional than other big shows like Toy Fair in NY. True, there were many smaller booths presented by independent brands or service providers on the outer limits of the show floor, but the whole center of the floor was dominated by huge companies with very expensive booths.
After just a few minutes scouting the floor, I noticed how many toy, game and children’s entertainment brands were present, and how many people I knew at the show. Somehow I was expecting more like a 50/50 mix and maybe it’s been that in the past with a larger presence of consumer brands like Coke, Nike, and beauty products, but it was more like 80-90% juvenile brands, to my eye.
Many of the trends I saw related to merchandise licensed from entertainment/movie properties.
Cartoon Lovers, Lexophiles & People in Need of a Smile!
Cartoon of the Week: Thank you, Debbie Labinger, for the funny cartoon this week!
Paraprosdokian Lovers: Son: "Dad, can you tell me what a solar eclipse is?" Dad: "No sun."
Memorable Quotes: "Never worry about failure. It’s gonna happen. But that’s OK: Go ahead, take chances ... and you might just find that what feels like failure isn’t failure at all, it’s what inspires you to dream even bigger." -Kermit the Frog
Toy Industry Word of Day: ABS 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 with your colleagues? Send it to me! Mary
Financial and Legal
Aurora World is acquiring the plush brand Mary Meyer, which specializes in baby toys and seasonal plush. Following the acquisition, Aurora World will launch an expanded lineup of plush, including new baby designs. Mary Meyer’s plush will be distributed alongside Aurora World plush and Mary Meyers’ design team will continue to develop new plush collections.
NY’s state legislature has passed a bill that would prohibit social media companies from showing “addictive feeds” to children under 18, unless they obtain parental consent. The Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act defines an addictive feed as one where the content is recommended or prioritized based on information about the user or the user’s device — basically, these are the algorithmic news feeds...
The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a dispute over a dog toy that got whiskey maker Jack Daniel's barking mad. Jack Daniel's had asked the justices to hear its case against the manufacturer of the plastic Bad Spaniels toy. The toy mimics the Jack Daniel's bottle and label but is a parody. While the original bottle has the words “Old No. 7 brand” and “Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey,” the parody proclaims: “The Old No. 2...
Illinois-based game and toy manufacturer, Regal Games LLC, is suing a German business that acquired the rights to sell its line of children’s chalk products after the company allegedly went beyond their agreement by infringing Regal’s branding and logo trademarks. Regal is suing SellerX8—and several similarly named defendants under the umbrella name, SellerX Germany—as well as Walmart, for allegedly...
Amazon slammed with £1.1B data abuse lawsuit from UK retailers. The British Independent Retailers Association, which has thousands of members, said it is filing a damages claim against Amazon valued at £1.1 billion ($1.3 billion at today’s rates) alleging that Amazon has illegally misused members’ proprietary data for competitive purposes. BIRA also takes aim at Amazon’s “Buy Box,” claiming that Amazon manipulated...
*** The above posted after tBR circulated June 7th ***
The owner of Wordle is legally challenging a geography-based spinoff called Worldle. In the filing, the New York Times, which purchased Wordle for a seven figure sum in 2022, accuses its near-namesake of "creating confusion" and attempting to capitalise on "the enormous goodwill” associated with its own brand. But the creator of Worldle, software developer Kory McDonald, is vowing to fight back on the grounds that there...
Disney will continue to be a collaborator to ‘help sustain’ the UK industry, having revealed it has spent £3.5bn on local production in the last five years. In a keynote speech at the Deloitte and Enders Media & Telecoms 2024 and Beyond Conference this morning, EMEA president Jan Koeppen noted the US giant is “ambitious to keep growing” but that it would be in conjunction with its industry peers.
WEBTOON Entertainment to go public. The storytelling platform operator, which is backed by South Korea’s Naver, has filed for an IPO in the US. The number of shares that will be issued—and their pricing—have yet to be determined. But parentco Naver, a South Korean internet conglom, plans to continue controlling the company after the IPO.
Smiffys files notion to appoint administrator. Smiffys has cited the Covid pandemic and supply chain disruption for the move, though it insists it is working to secure a ‘sustainable business for the future’. SmiffysThe Leeds-based dress-up specialist Smiffys has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators. Established in 1894, Smiffys has more than 2,000 stockists worldwide and distribution centres in...
Diverse Companies acquires KidStuff PR. The partnership will provide a full menu of coordinated marketing services. Diverse Companies, known for its portfolio of rep groups and services including Diverse Marketing, has acquired KidStuff PR, a public relations firm in the toy and gifts industry. Under the new partnership, key members of KidStuff PR are taking on new roles as the five-year-old Diverse Insights division...
Steamforged acquires the 'Warmachine,' 'Formula P3,' and 'Iron Kingdoms' brands from Privateer Press. Steamforged Games has acquired the Warmachine, Formula P3, and Iron Kingdoms brands from Privateer Press. The partnership deal will bring one of the most renowned miniatures brands, Warmachine under the SFG banner.
Mantic acquires River Horse's brand and assets in strategic partnership agreement. Mantic Games has acquired River Horse's brand and assets in a strategic partnership agreement. As part of this agreement, Mantic buys River Horse's brand and assets, and gets access to their licensing agreements. These licenses include Jim Henson IPs like Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal as well as others.
Atari acquires Intellivision brand. Atari announced that it has purchased the Intellivision brand and certain games from Intellivision Entertainment LLC. Intellivision Entertainment LLC will rebrand and continue its business of developing and distributing the Amico brand game console with a license from Atari to continue to distribute new versions of the Intellivision games on the Amico console.
Program Highlights
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Visit the York-Jersey Underwriters website at www.toy-insurance.com
Financial Reporting
B&M announces revenue increase of 10.1% to £5.5b, as the co. proceeds with further store estate expansion. In the UK, the discount retailer’s revenue rose 8.5% compared to 4% in 2023 after opening 47 new stores. In France revenue leaped 19.2% after 11 new stores were opened but …
IDW showed smaller loss in First Quarter. IDW Media Holdings is in the process of a private placement of shares to existing shareholders to raise $2.3 to $3 million, after showing a reduced loss in its first fiscal quarter, according to public filings.
Trends, Lists, Market Research, and State of the Industry
Adults are flocking to the toy aisle even more than preschoolers.
MAY 2024 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 ADULT AND KIDS GRAPHIC NOVELS
MAY 2024 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 AUTHOR, MANGA, AND SUPERHERO GRAPHIC NOVELS
Artists are fleeing Instagram to keep their work out of Meta’s AI. Meta is training its AI on artists’ creations. They’re flocking to AI-skeptical app Cara to protect themselves.
*** The above posted after tBR started circulating on June 7th ***
Kidults lift up a softer US toy market. Adult collectors accounted for US$1.5 billion of Q1 2024's toy sales, buying more than any other age group and surpassing preschoolers for the first time ever. According to the latest sales results from Circana, the US toy industry showed signs of a soft decline in Q1 2024, with toy sales down by just 1% (US$97 million) compared to the same period last year.
Global e-commerce sales are expected to reach US$6.8 trillion by 2028. Forrester's new report forecasts that online sales will account for 24% of the world's purchases in the next five years, with the US and APAC driving this growth.
Wirecutter - 5 Offline Games We Love for Camping (That Are Also Great for the Backyard)
Spotlight on Arts & Crafts. This month, Toy World spoke with suppliers and retailers to gauge how the Arts & Crafts category is currently faring, and delved into its product ranges, from classic staples to the latest trend-driven products.
Stock This!: 15 new MESH toys for summer ’24. Retailers can stock these new MESH toys this season. MESH (mental, emotional, and social health) toys are the perfect tools for teaching kids how to play with others, how to handle big emotions, and more.
TCGPlayer Top 25 Sealed Products (With Price Shifts) – May 2024.
Top 50 Comics - May 2024: Sales rankings based on comic store POS data.
Top 20 Graphic Novels - May 2024: Sales rankings based on comic store POS data.
Stories, Comments, and Advice
Julia Fitzgerald's Midsize Agency Match Up. In today’s Midsize Match Up interview, I go to North Carolina to talk with Jodi Heelan President and Partner at The Variable. So let’s jump in. Julia: Jodi, I’m looking to introduce my readers to agencies who are great partners for Midsize firms and brands. The company calls itself "The Different Agency". I can't wait to hear about that. What should everyone know about The Variable?
Amazon’s Hard-to-Find Lego Section, Explained: Get Rare Sets Before They’re Gone. The secret stock is a feast for collectors. If you’ve been eyeing the new Millennium Falcon Lego set, you’ll want to get it relatively soon. Why? Lego sets don’t stick around forever. They’re usually only available at standard retailers for a few yrs, at most, before they’re retired—and then you’re stuck shelling out way more money for them...
Unwinding Wordle: Accelerating Your Solve. Tips for the game derived from our solver data, plus more from the game’s editor and its devoted community of solvers. Wordle has captivated millions of players since it started gaining popularity at the end of 2021. While the game’s strategy seems straightforward, Wordle has a devoted community of daily solvers who have spent years developing techniques to improve their solve.
Benefits of outdoor play for children. Outdoor play helps children learn skills, develop physical strength, and benefits mental well-being. Time outdoors can also provide an opportunity to make friends. Outdoor play comes in many forms. It could involve spending time in a backyard, a local park, or more rural spaces, such as forests and national parks.
Two people were arrested Wednesday in what police are calling a LEGO theft ring after almost 3,000 boxes of stolen LEGO toys were found in a California home, police said. Richard Siegel, 71, and Blanca Gudino, 39, were arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department after a retailer identified Gudino as a suspect in a number of thefts at their San Pedro location in December of last year, leading police to conduct a...
*** The above was posted after tBR circulated June 7th ***
John Baulch, Toy World - Online, on the rumour mill and on the box… it’s the Friday Blog! Shall we start with some of the good news from the past week? Word on the street suggests that half-term week saw toy sales picking up in the UK. Obviously we would have all been worried if that hadn’t proved to be the case, but you can’t take anything for granted at the moment, so the fact it did happen is encouraging.
Rick Derr took Toy World readers behind the scenes of his latest Learning Express store opening. “By the time you read this, the grand opening of our new store will have taken place on May 17th in Naperville, Illinois,” said Rick. A suburb of Chicago, this area had a Learning Express from the mid-2000s until early 2021, but it was closed after a death in the franchisee’s family was followed by the pandemic...
9 toys ready to join the dollhouse: These dolls come in all shapes and sizes.
The 15+ best toys for two-year-olds to keep them busy.
Viewpoint – navigating troubled waters: Stephen Garrity, head of Sales at Warrant Group, looks at the current global shipping crisis and its impact on the toy industry. The shipping industry is once again navigating through turbulent times, and the effects are rippling out far and wide, impacting various sectors including the toy industry.
What’s special about Specialty Retail? Some thoughts on retail as ASTRA Marketplace & Academy kicks off. The retail landscape is changing and the lines are blurring. Where there once existed a distinct wall between “mass” and “specialty” retail accented by the occasional “category killer” in between, a growing number of “mass specialty” retailers (niche focus but more than 10 locations) continue to emerge.
Rappin’ with the Reps: Old-school sales tactics & digital platforms collide. The industry discusses the state of specialty retail and the impact of digital platforms. “Newness” has been a buzzword throughout 2024, and as the industry prepares to enter the second half, specialty retailers are faced with ongoing challenges such as competing with big boxes, the ever-growing hurdle that is online sales...
Raising the Bar: Are all of your legal ducks in a row? Key things to help you stay out of legal trouble and grow your business. Big-, medium-, and, yes, even small-size companies need to pay attention to legal. While lawsuits are expensive and a nuisance for any business, for a smaller company, a lawsuit could be devastating.
History and Nostalgia
An extremely rare Star Wars action figure has become the world's most valuable toy after it sold for a record $525,000 (approx. €482,000). A plastic Star Wars action figure has become the world’s most valuable vintage toy. The ultra-rare, hand-painted, 3 and 3/4-inch, rocket-packing Boba Fett figurine just fetched $525,000 (approx. €482,000) at auction. It is one of only two known to have survived...
When the ‘Home Alone 2’ Talkboy Turned Into a Real-Life Toy Craze. No one was prepared for how much kids wanted the handheld recorder used by Kevin McCallister. Some begged. Some tried bribes. Then came the lies. In the fall of 1993, between 300 and 500 calls a day came in to the operators answering phones at Tiger Electronics, the company behind the season’s hottest toy: The Talkboy, a handheld recording device...
*** The above was posted after June 7th ***
Chinese checkers was invented in Germany. Contrary to its name, however, Chinese checkers has nothing to do with China — it’s a variation of a game called Halma (meaning “jump” in Greek). Halma features a square board, and a star-shaped version was invented in Germany around 1880. Originally called Stern-Halma, the star-shaped game was published by the German game and puzzle company Ravensburger in 1892.
Flashback: The quirky toys of 1988. 1988 was full of offbeat plush, games, and toys galore. Specialty toys and gifts cover such a simultaneously wide and narrow swath of the market that a look through the Toy Book archive yields almost mind-boggling finds. Plush vegetables, games that teach tax skills, licensed laundry hamper basketball hoops: The variety of products offered in 1988 is only matched by...
Kar-Zoom from Whitman (1964). Released in 1964, Kar-Zoom from Whitman was a dexterity game that challenged players to score points by “racing their car” through a series of underpasses. To start, each player chose a coloured wooden disk (car) and gathered around a gameboard illustrated to resemble a racetrack.
Magic Erasable Pictures from Transogram (1950s). In the 1950s, Transogram released a series of coloring books that provided a creative outlet without paper waste. Each Magic Erasable Picture book was spiral-bound and consisted of seven or eight pages of illustrations ready to be filled in with color. The “magic” was created by a plastic laminated coating that could be erased by wiping with a rag...
This rocket-firing Boba Fett is officially the world's most valuable vintage toy. It’s not surprising that a pristine example of Kenner’s notoriously rare Boba Fett action figure with “rocket-firing” action—never released to the public after being deemed a choking hazard—commanded a jaw-dropping sum at a recent auction. But $525,000 is quite the handsome bounty.
Licensing and Entertainment
A rough cut of the first fully CG-animated Transformers movie gets a standing O at Annecy (Deadline). Director Josh Cooley took to the stage at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on Monday to introduce a packed screening of a work-in-progress version of Transformers One. “I’ve got that feeling you get when you’re giving a present and you know they’re going to be excited about it,” he said.
Bento Box Entertainment develops Gumby Kids. Based on the 70-year-old classic brand, the LA studio's new toon concept targets tweens and will be shopped at Annecy next week. Behind the premise, which sees Gumby flexing his creativity as chief architect of a city that’s home to outcasts and dreamers from fantastical realms, is writer Deeki Deke (The Cuphead Show!).
BBC and RAI order Eaglet Films’ Piripenguins. This 52 x 11-minute bridge series, the Brit studio's biggest project to date, is in production now and expected to deliver in Q1 2025. Originated by Eaglet chief creative officer and director Massimo Fenati, the concept stars five young penguins who leave their nests and have to learn how to get along with others and still be true to themselves.
Rebranded Smurfs IP owner to revive early Peyo creations. Formerly known as IMPS, The Peyo Company plans to modernize the Smurfs creator's other comic book series for TV, starting with Johan & Peewit and Benny Breakiron. Under the leadership of Peyo’s daughter and IMPS founder Véronique Culliford, The Peyo Company is developing The Tales of Johan & Peewit (pictured) and Benny Breakiron as TV shows for...
WildBrain CPLG and lifestyle products manufacturer Bo Friends have partnered with South Korea’s Lotte Duty Free to launch the retailer’s first Snoopy-themed pop-up shop in Seoul. The Snoopy Market opened its doors at the Lotte Department Store Main shopping mall earlier this week and will stay open until August 14. It features more than 500 licensed products from Bo Friends’ catalogue, including Snoopy...
Droners prodco La Chouette Compagnie launches an anime hub. Headed up by Charles Lefebvre, Chouette Studio is already working on Dragon Striker and Dreamland, and there are new projects with US and Japanese partners in the works. French animation prodco La Chouette Compagnie (Droners) has launched a new anime-focused offshoot called Chouette Studio to manage two series in active production, as well as..
The world’s biggest streamer is certainly betting big on animation in 2024/2025, showing off a packed slate of toon productions and teasing new projects, images and voice cast news at yesterday’s Next on Netflix: Animation event in LA. One hot ticket that’s in the works is Plankton: The Movie, a CG-animated SpongeBob SquarePants spinoff pic due out in 2025 that will spotlight teeny antagonist Plankton and his thwarted plans...
Sambro Int'l is expanding its extensive seasonal licensing programme for Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas property. Launching in time for autumn/winter 2024, a range of seasonal novelty and feature animated plush will roll out across key UK and EU retailers including B&M, Lidl, Shop Direct and Ernstings. Sambro has expertise in plush toys which has recently seen it gain status as the No. 1...
*** the above posted after tBR started circulating June 7th ***
Suzanne Collins has announced that a new “Hunger Games” novel, titled “Sunrise on the Reaping,” will be released next year. According to the Associated Press, the fifth novel in Collins’ bestselling series — which has been turned into a successful movie franchise — is also a prequel to the original trilogy, taking place 40 years after the events of the most recent tale, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,”...
Rovio Entertainment, Sega and Namit Malhotra’s production company Prime Focus Studios are in the works on The Angry Birds Movie 3, with DNEG Animation attached as animation partner. Prime Focus Studios, Rovio and Sega will produce the movie in association with One Cool Group, Flywheel Media, and dentsu. Part 3 will see the further adventures of Red and Chuck, voiced again by Jason Sudeikis and Josh Gad...
CICABOOM announces unmissable news for its Boomez and Elastikorps brands: the acquisition of important manga licenses, the creation of the Naruto board game, and the Heropop line. Cicaboom has created several winning brands over the years, such as Boomez and Elastikorps. The company is about to launch a series of novelties for 2024, mainly related to the acquisition of popular manga licenses.
5 major broadcasters have scooped up K-pop tween series Gangnam Project since its launch in Canada and the UK in March. Distributor Federation Kids & Family has inked new sales deals for the 10 x 30-minute live-actioner with France Télévisions, ABC Australia, NRK (Norway), YLE (Finland) and TV3 Group (Baltics). Set in Korea, Gangnam Project is about a Canadian/Korean teen who takes a job teaching English at a K-pop...
Cloudco Entertainment has renewed its agreement with Nevada-based Bay Laurel Advisors to develop location-based entertainment activations and partnerships for its iconic Care Bears franchise. Building on a deal that was originally struck in 2021, Bay Laurel will continue to oversee the Care Bears LBE strategy and business across theme parks, family entertainment centers, dining, retail activations and hospitality.
Following Fallout, Amazon Prime announces Yakuza TV series. Amazon Prime clearly knows it’s onto a good thing as it mines the seams of video games for new TV series. Fallout was an astonishing success for the streamer, and you can only imagine how many meetings must have been held with every imaginable publisher for the last few months.
Netflix and Disney caught by Canada’s new media funding rules. Canada will start requiring foreign streaming platforms to contribute 5% of their Canadian revenues later this year to help pay for local media productions. The new obligations, imposed on streaming companies that make C$25 million ($18.3 million) or more in Canadian revenue and aren’t affiliated with domestic broadcasters, take effect on Sept. 1...
Jada Toys, Amazon MGM launch for ‘Wednesday’-inspired R/C Thing. Jada Toys is expanding its R/C collection. The company has partnered with Amazon MGM Studios to launch the R/C Thing, inspired by the character from the TV Series Wednesday. The Thing R/C features gray stitching, and the control resembles the Nevermore Academy uniform.
Hasbro launches new Arschmallows party card game . Hasbro is thrilled to team up with DENKRIESEN to introduce Germany’s breakout marshmallow bottoms-themed game, Arschmallows, to North America! Available on Amazon, this cheeky, new card game features a squishy collection of marshmallow friends that are sure to leave everyone cracking up.
Crunchyroll and Fall Guys launch adorable ‘Bananya’ collab. Crunchyroll is going bananas with a new Bananya collaboration heading to the hit free-to-play battle royale game Fall Guys on May 23. Players can expect a variety of delightfully fun and interactive cosmetics available in the Fall Guys Store, including two Bananya costumes, one celebration as well as one emote...
Toyetic Brands, ‘80s Game Show ‘Talk About’ ink exclusive licensing deal. The licensing deal will result in board games, card games, and mobile apps. The family game show Talk About, popular in the 1980s and 1990s, is planning a reboot and has secured Toyetic Brands as the licensing partner to execute it.
The Op Games launches MONOPOLY: ‘Family Guy’ edition. The Op Games has launched a new comedic version of the world’s most popular family board game – MONOPOLY: “Family Guy” Edition. Under license by Hasbro, a leading toy and game company, this new game brings the 25-year animated comedy series to tabletop form, giving fans another way to laugh with their favorite dysfunctional family.
The Jim Henson Company adds ‘Fraggle Rock’ licensees. The Jim Henson Company has announced multiple new licensees and products for the Fraggle Rock franchise. The partnerships feature product lines for kids based on the Emmy Award-winning series, “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock” reboot (currently streaming exclusively on Apple TV+), as well as collectibles, fashion apparel and accessories...
Supercell expands WildBrain CPLG partnership with consumer products program for hit game Brawl Stars. Supercell is expanding its partnership with WildBrain CPLG, a trusted licensing partner for leading brands worldwide, to bring Brawl Stars consumer products to millions of fans across the globe.
Monster Movie: Mattel, Universal Pictures plan live-action theatrical Monster High film. Mattel’s ever-popular fashion doll brand Monster High is getting a new live-action movie from Universal Pictures and Akiva Goldsman under his banner Weed Road. The movie will feature a fresh story set in the world of Monster High.
Cloudco partners with Bay Laurel Advisors for Care Bears-Themed location-based entertainment. Cloudco Entertainment, the company behind Care Bears, has partnered with Bay Laurel Advisors to expand the IP into the location-based entertainment industry. Bay Laurel Advisors will help introduce the Care Bears franchise to theme parks, themed dining, hospitality, themed retail family entertainment centers, and more.
Top Trumps launches its brand new World Football Stars range. Jude Bellingham has secured the No.1 spot in Top Trump’s World Football Stars, which ranks the top 200 players from around the world. Top Trumps World Football Stars Top 200 ranks the top 200 football players from every league around the world, including both men and women.
BBC Studios Kids & Family strikes a first-look deal with Blink Industries. BBC Studios Kids & Family has inked a first-look deal with London-based indie studio Blink Industries—the division’s first exclusive creative partnership since it was formed in 2022 by the Beeb’s in-house kids production folding into BBC Studios.
More 'Minecraft,' this time a Manga coming from VIZ. The new wave of Minecraft comics and media continues, this time in manga form from VIZ Media. VIZ will release Minecraft: The Manga, by Kazuyoshi Seto, in Spring 2025. In the new volume, Nico has a chance to escape his home and prove how strong he's become, when zombies attack.
Take command of the bridge in 'Star Trek: Captain's Chair': New deckbuilding game. WizKids will release Star Trek: Captain's Chair, a new deckbuilding game by David Turczi and Nigel Buckle, into retail in October 2024. In Star Trek: Captain's Chair, players will pick one of six captain's decks and try to out-command their opponent in a head-to-head game.
'Miraballs' roll to hobby retail: Collectible toy line by Wyncor features licenses like 'TMNT,' 'MLP,' and 'SpongeBob'. Wyncor will release Miraballs into hobby retail via ACD Distribution. Miraballs are collectible surprise toys that pop open to reveal secrets and a miniature plush. The first round of Miraballs include licenses like Peppa Pig, My Little Pony, PAW Patrol, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Monopoly...
Catalyst licenses Snoop Dogg and Master P's Cereal brand for a new area control game; Also, reveals another licensing deal for a TTRPG. Catalyst Game Labs has licensed Snoop Dogg and Master P's cereal brand, Snoop Cereal, for a new area control game. Snoop Cereal, a Snoop Dogg-inspired line of breakfast cereals made by Broadus Foods and Post Consumer Brands, is now headed to the tabletop as a new game.
Kids will find favorite Hasbro friends in new Planet Playskool center. Kingsmen Xperience, with strategic partner Bright Play, is readying to open the new Planet Playskool entertainment center to the public on June 13. The center offers kids a variety of STEAM-based activities and play areas, all themed around beloved Hasbro brands.
Blokees is coming to the UK. Blokees makes highly detailed, easy-to-build and collectible model kits that allow consumers to explore the fun of building. The kits are suitable for all age groups, from younger children to the experienced collectors. The company works with top brands like Disney, Hasbro, Pokémon, Ultraman, Transformers and more, to bring customers’ favourite characters to life...
Heo Group reveals DC Justice League 'Squaroes'. heo Group revealed Squaroes, a new Ultimate Guard sub-brand of deck and accessory boxes, which will hit stores in June 2024. These new boxes were developed in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products. The deck boxes, which hold 100 double-sleeved cards, will feature DC Super Heroes such as Batman, Wonder Woman...
'Dungeons & Dragons' series cancelled; Chris Hemsworth circles Transformers - G.I. Joe crossover; 'Minecraft' animated series; 'Motu' Movie finds a He-Man; 'Umbrella Academy' S4, 'Moana 2' trailers. Showbiz Round-Up. Paramount+ will no longer proceed with a Dungeons & Dragons live-action series, according to Deadline.
BBC Studios Kids & Family has inked a first-look deal with London-based indie studio Blink Industries—the division’s first exclusive creative partnership since it was formed in 2022 by the Beeb’s in-house kids production folding into BBC Studios. Under the two-year agreement, BBC Studios Kids & Family will have exclusive access to Blink’s slate of developing animation and live-action projects, and it plans to bring a first batch of them to market ahead of MIPCOM in October.
People of Play
Moose Toys Welcomes 4 Senior Leadership Members: John Coyne, Craig Drobis, Deirdre Cross, and Stephen Davis. "Our evolved structure is now fully in place to unlock the next phase of our strategic plan. These four extraordinarily accomplished thought leaders have joined the Moose team to supercharge our strategy for sustainable, long term transformational growth." - Ronnie Frankowski, Global President, Moose Toys.
ICV2 INTERVIEW: ANDREWS MCMEEL VP & ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER, BETTY WONG. On Picking and Publishing Webtoons - Andrews McMeel is a longtime publisher of newspaper strips and webcomics, so webtoons were a logical next step, says Betty Wong, Andrews McMeel VP and Associate Publisher, Books.
Industry legend Adina Pitt is set to move on from WBD. Known and respected throughout the kids media community for her commitment to fostering independent producers and opening doors for literally everyone, Pitt is looking forward to exploring new opportunities. She is widely regarded as one of the kids content industry’s most influential and supportive content buyers, with a special gift for fostering...
Meet the 59-year-old Barbie ‘dealer’ whose hustle has netted $2 million in sales. When Bruce Zalkin, a 59-year-old New York native who has lived in Florida since 1976, looks at even the earliest editions of the original 1959 Barbie, he can detect subtle variations that differentiate a doll worth thousands of dollars and one worth pennies.
Sebastien Rossi has been promoted from head of CG to creative director of Gaumont Animation’s kids & family division in advance of Annecy, where the team will be introducing four new comedy series for viewers ages six to 11. Gaumont has reteamed with Scholastic Entertainment to co-produce Fortune Falls, a book-based concept set in a town where people let luck determine everything in their lives.
*** The above posted after tBR started circulating ***
Daron announced that toy industry veteran, Vinnie D’Alleva, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Acquired by Chaver Capital Partners and Greyrock Capital Group in 2022, Daron has been on the search for a CEO to manage their portfolio of licensed aviation and transportation-related toys, souvenirs, and collectibles.
PJ Lewis. SVP, global head, action figures and Fisher-Price Entertainment, Mattel, and License Global discuss one of the top toy and entertainment company’s latest and greatest. “My mandate is our action figure category, of which most is licensed brands,” says Lewis. “Some big news while we’re here at Licensing Expo is the ‘Jurassic World’ and ‘Minecraft’ product lines for the films coming next year.
'I Met A Hot Wheels Designer': Inside The World Of Toy Car Creations. We spoke with Hot Wheels designer Charlie Angulo, who is living every little kid's dream. The 2024 edition of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour kicked off in Miami this month and was nothing short of spectacular. As a lifelong car enthusiast, attending this fun-filled event brought out the inner child in me.
Latest episode of "The Sustainable Toy Podcast" is with Rudy Valenta the VP of Americas at Plan Toys. Rudy is an entrepreneur, an adventure seeker, and an eternal optimist. He is extremely passionate about product development, sustainability, and interacting directly with his community. Plan Toys was founded in 1981 and was the first toy company to use reclaimed rubberwood for their toys and for the last 30+ years.
‘Jim Henson Idea Man’: In a Joyful Weirdo, Lessons for Young Artists. This Ron Howard documentary doesn’t ignore the Muppet mastermind’s faults, but the tribute has a lot to teach creators everywhere. I don’t need to tell you that Jim Henson’s work is ubiquitous and beloved, foundational to childhood across several generations of “Sesame Street” watchers and stretching far beyond. It’s so important...
Generation Media bolsters leadership team and launches new office in Hamburg. Generation Media has appointed Anne Michels to business director of Planning and Client Servicing, and launched a new office in Hamburg following conversion to Employee Ownership Trust status. Anne will take the position of business director of Planning and Client Servicing to sit alongside Tim Kratochvil...
John Leisure appoints new head of Sales for UK & Ireland. John Leisure has announced the appointment of Andy Kay as head of Sales UK & Ireland, starting on 3rd June. Andy Kay has been part of the toy industry for 18 years, working for global brand leaders such as Funko, MGA Entertainment and most recently Funrise, where he led the grocery and value channel of the company.
Peers Hardy expands team with new appointments in national roles. Peers Hardy has expanded its team once more with the appointments of Gemma Price and Chris Singleton into national roles. Gemma Price has been appointed to key account manager. Chris Singleton, has been appointed to national accounts manager.
Shawn Glyn, Michael Reisbaum join Uncanny Brands’ executive team. Uncanny Brands has added two industry veterans to its leadership team. Shawn Glyn’s appointment as President and Michael Reisbaum’s new role as Vice President of Sales accompany Uncanny Brands’ path to expand its market presence.
Phil O’nion announces departure from Tactic Games. Phil O’nion has stated that, despite his recent departure, he will continue to serve the toy industry by sharing his experiences and knowledge through sales management and consultancy. Phil O'NionAfter seven years as Tactic Games’ UK sales manager, Phil O’nion is leaving the Finnish based company to pursue new opportunities.
Simba Dickie Group appoints new managing director for Corolle. Corolle has announced the appointment of Nathalie Gard as managing director. After graduating from the École de Commerce of the Institut Supérieur de Gestion de Paris, Nathalie Gard joined Corolle in Langeais in 1997. She initially worked there as a controller and from 2004 as a financial manager.
Companies and Brands
Bob Iger Touts “Richly Immersive Experiences,” Cuts Ribbon on $2B Tokyo Disney Resort Expansion. Spanning 1.5 million square feet, the flagship Fantasy Springs addition to the Tokyo DisneySea theme park features new areas inspired by 'Frozen,' 'Tangled' and 'Peter Pan.' It’s also the largest addition in Japan since the Tokyo resort opened over 40 years ago as Disney’s first major international destination.
Wild Sun Sky Entertainment, the kid’s multimedia company, has created an Advisory Board for Future Chicken, an initiative that discusses climate change for children through an animated universe. The Advisory Board will support the growth of Future Chicken — which is a joint project between Wind Sun Sky Entertainment and the Ontario Water Centre/ClearWater Farm — and provide guidance.
*** The above posted after tBR circulated on June 7th ***
How Spin Master is Revolutionizing the Future of Play. Learn about the future of play with Ben Dermer, Senior VP of New Brands & Inventor Relations at Spin Master! In our latest episode of Tomorrow's World Today, we explore the journey of toy innovation and the cutting-edge technology that's shaping the fun and excitement of tomorrow's toys.
This year, Nickelodeon’s iconic SpongeBob SquarePants franchise is celebrating its 25th anniversary, a significant milestone in the franchise’s lifetime. Since the show’s launch on July 17th, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants has prevailed as the most-watched animated series for over 20 years, creating a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products...
Hasbro goes big with new Beyblade X reveals. The launch includes a new Beystadium, starter sets, and more. Hasbro is unveiling a new Beyblade X app that takes Beyblade battles on the go. Available on iOS and Android, kids can scan the codes on their IRL Beyblade X tops to battle with their tops virtually. As kids play virtually, they can earn digital rewards and keep track of their Beyblade collection in the Beylocker.
Movie magic made miniature: Mattel Creations launches ‘Barbie The Movie’ Mini DreamHouse. Mattel has a new playset inspired by Barbie’s house, as seen in Barbie: The Movie. Barbie: The Movie was a hit with fans both young and old, and has already seen plenty of product releases since its theatrical debut. The film took place in the real world as well as BarbieLand, the pink-covered world of the Barbies.
Fantasy Flight unveils 'Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game – Clone Wars': Adds Republic and Separatist Starter Cards to the mix. Fantasy Flight Games unveiled Clone Wars, a new edition of the Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game, which will hit stores August 30, 2024. In this new edition of Star Wars: The Deckbuilding Game the war between the Galactic Republic and the Separatist Confederacy...
Crazy Aaron’s plans event, retail discount for International Day of Play. June 11 is the United Nations’ inaugural International Day of Play, and to celebrate, Crazy Aaron’s is rolling out physical activations and retail discounts. Crazy Aaron’s flagship shop in Norristown, Pennsylvania, will host a “Play Party Extravaganza” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 11.
'Magic: The Gathering - Modern Horizons 3' comes in hot, but pricing conversation looms. Magic: The Gathering - Modern Horizons 3 products seized the top three spots on the TCGplayer Top 25 Sealed Products chart for May 2024. The TCGplayer chart ranks the most active products on the platform by dollar volume, showing the beginning and ending prices of each product, and helps provide some insight...
Calliope Games will release 'Patrician: Towers of Influence': The definitive edition of the classic Michael Schacht game. Calliope Games will release Patrician: Towers of Influence, the definitive edition of the classic Michael Schacht game, into retail in September 2024. This medieval tower-building game was first introduced to U.S. markets by Mayfair Games in 2007.
Sorry We Are French follows 'In the Footsteps of Marie Curie'. Hachette Boardgames will release In the Footsteps of Marie Curie, a new resource management game by Sorry We Are French, into retail on September 18, 2024. In the Footsteps of Marie Curie delves into the famous scientist's laboratory as she does her Nobel Prize-winning work on radioactivity.
Ravensburger prepares for Play+ launch. Ravensburger is preparing for the launch of its new infant toy range Play+, which comprises a carefully curated assortment of toys and books suitable from birth. Toy World spoke to Alexander Loehr, international category director Infant/Toddler, Ravensburger, to find out what the collection offers infants and their parents, and what’s gone into the development of the Play+ line-up.
Hootenanny Games’ SIXEM Sour Patch Kids debuts at ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Specialty retailers can get a sweet first look at the upcoming SIXEM Sour Patch Kids game this week at ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. A combination of speed and strategy, the original SIXEM is a dice and pattern-matching game.
Bezier Games will release 'Xylotar' into U.S. retail. Bezier Games will release Xylotar, a new card game, into retail on June 26, 2024. This new card game, designed by Chris Wray, goes retro by featuring the half-xylophone, half-guitar synthe-wonder instrument, the xylotar. Players will use their cards to create all-new sounds and melodies in an attempt to find the perfect musical balance in this trick-taking game.
Outdoor play line Djubi returns to The Good Game Co. Djubi, the outdoor toy brand, is returning to The Good Game Co.‘s catalog. Dave Yearick, Inventor and Founder of Djubi and The Good Game Co., is bringing the Djubi brand back after it was previously distributed through Blue Orange Games.
Clever Noodle’s Quest for Childhood Literacy. 70% of kids in the U.S. don’t read at grade level by third grade. Clever Noodle offers a (gamified) solution. When a consumer is in the market for a game that will help their little one with reading, they’ll find many products — some fun and some quite dull — in the toy department.
Hess Toy Truck launches Mini Collection of aviation, rescue, and construction vehicles. Hess Toy Truck has a new collection of scaled vehicles for fans. Hess Toy Truck is known for its variety of vehicle offerings, with collections featuring plush, miniature versions, and more. Now, the company is adding new options to its line of miniatures, with a 5-in-1 toy set featuring trucks, a jet, an ambulance, and a tractor.
Horrible Adorables will release 'Familiars and Foes' into U.S. retail. Horrible Adorables will release Familiars and Foes, a new cooperative game, into U.S. retail in June 2024. In Familiars and Foes, the Good Witches and Wizards of Joralee have been kidnapped their Familiars must work together to save them from the Foes.
Wizkids Reveals new 'D&D Icons of the Realms' boxed miniature 'Miska the Wolf-Spider' from 'Vecna: Eve of Ruin'. WizKids revealed Miska the Wolf-Spider, a new D&D Icons of the Realms boxed miniature, for release into retail in August 2024. This new miniature comes straight out of the Vecna: Eve of Ruin campaign.
Preview: 'Neopets Battledome TCG' unboxing: New TCG by Upper Deck. The Neopets Battledome trading card game invites players to explore the world of Neopia where the magic of their favorite virtual pets comes to life. Players will immerse themselves in thrilling fast-paced gameplay by combining strategy, limitless creativity and dice battles with the beloved characters from Neopia.
Ares unveils Martin Wallace's 'Aeterna': New historical-themed game. Ares Games unveiled Aeterna, a new historical-themed game by Martin Wallace, which will hits stores in November 2024. In Aeterna, players charge of Roman lineage and try to increase the family's prestige through three Eras: the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire.
Scorpion Masque announces a 'Festival'. Scorpion Masque announced Festival, a new tile stacking game by Gregory Grard and Melody Leblond, which will head stores in fall 2024. In Festival, players are tasked with coordinating the most spectacular fireworks display for their respective city.
Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development
Hades II ascends to become Steam Deck's most-played May game. Steam revealed its 20 most-played Steam Deck games for the month of May, and at the top of the list was Hades II. Supergiant Games' sequel had a surprise Early Access release on May 6, and opened to over 100,000 concurrent players.
Content Warning sells 2.2 million copies, nets 8.8M players in two months. Landfall Games revealed Content Warning has hit a pair of new milestones. In the two months since it launched, the co-op horror game has garnered 8.8 million players and sold 2.2 million copies. According to the publisher, the player count makes Content Warning one of its most successful titles.
“Play Nintendo Tour” to bring video game activations to U.S. cities. Nintendo is touring an in-person event across the U.S. this summer. The “Play Nintendo Tour” will offer guests access to a number of Nintendo activities, photo-ops, games, and more. To celebrate Princess Peach: Showtime!, kids can step on stage at the Sparkle Theater for a photo-op.
Behaviour Interactive cuts 95 jobs in 'strategic corporate change'. Dead by Daylight creator Behaviour Interactive revealed it'll be reducing 95 jobs, 70 of which will be from the mothership Montreal studio. These layoffs come months after reductions in mid-January. The developer explained its reductions were brought on by the growing headcount over the past five years.
Revving up the fun: The LEGO Group and Fingersoft unveil ‘LEGO Hill Climb Adventures’. The game is now available for both iOS and Android users. The LEGO Group and Finnish game studio Fingersoft have unleashed a new collaboration: a LEGO-themed version of the hit single-player exploration game Hill Climb Racing.
Shadow of the Erdtree previews tease a massive follow-up to Elden Ring. With less than three weeks until the release of Shadow of the Erdtree, fans are clamoring for information on the expansion. The one and only DLC for From Software’s award-winning action RPG Elden Ring is the big release of the summer, dropping on June 21.
Ikea is hiring people to serve digital meatballs in its Roblox Store. Hey, late-stage capitalism has reached a new and depressing milestone: Digital stores run by real people. Ikea is looking to hire 10 “lucky candidates” to work in the furniture company’s new digital Roblox store. Employees will get paid a £13.15 ($16.82) hourly rate and (this probably goes without saying) the job is entirely remote.
Highlighted Press Releases
TOY RETAILERS EVERYWHERE APPLAUD FUN IN MOTION TOYS AS ASTRA’S MANUFACTURER EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER. Ft. Lauderdale, FL (June 6, 2024) – Of all the toymakers across the land, only one can be called the very best and that honor for 2024 goes to Fun In Motion Toys! So said the hundreds of independent and neighborhood toy ASTRA retailers gathered in St. Louis, MO and feted the winners at the association’s inaugural Gala at Marketplace & Academy.
IT’S A BIRD! IT’S A PLANE! IT’S TOP SECRET TOYS™ BEST SELLER FOR SUMMER FUN (& LEARNING). Aero-Storm™ Stunt Plane With Real Air Engine & Engine Sounds Now STEM.org Authenticated For Kids To Cruise The Twists & Turns Of Summer. News Flash: Aero-Storm Just Named Best of Spring & Summer ‘24 Influencer Choice List. Chicago, IL (June 6, 2024) – Expect the kids to discover some new vocabulary this summer like Loopty Loops, Corkscrews and Free Flight when you introduce them to Aero-Storm™ Stunt Plane ($29.99), the best-selling stunt plane from Top Secret Toys™ (https://topsecrettoys.us/products/aero-storm-toy-airplane).
Safety and Counterfeiting
New EU rules on toy safety move a step closer. The Council of the EU has adopted its position (negotiating mandate) on the toy safety regulation that updates the rules to protect children from risks related to the use of toys. While the current legislation makes EU toy safety rules among the strictest in the world, the proposed legislation aims to increase protection from harmful chemicals (e.g. endocrine disruptors)...
Associations, Foundations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals
The nominees for the Spiel des Jahres, the German "Game of the Year," were unveiled alongside nominations for the Kennerspiel des Jahres and Kinderspiel des Jahres. The nominations and recommended titles were announced via YouTube by members of the jury. Nominees for Spiel des Jahres were as follows...
Reflections on Prix Jeunesse 2024. Dubit’s David Kleeman on this year’s diverse prize winners and the importance of immersing ourselves in unique content. 2024 marked the 60th anniversary of international children’s television festival Prix Jeunesse. To say that the industry has changed since its inception is the greatest understatement of all time. In 1964, limited channels meant children’s content had...
SPIEL Essen organizers have announced that they have sold out of exhibitor space for their 2024 convention, which will happen from October 3-6, 2024. This is the first time that SPIEL Essen will fill six exhibition halls at the Merz Verlag with exhibitors. The additional booth space sales have been attributed to exhibitors wanting more space for their booths and more new publishers buying space.
With 48 days to go until the opening ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics, France Licensing Day has announced its Olympics keynote for this year’s event. Edouard Bardon, Licensing and Retail director, Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and Bruno Schwobthaler, CEO, Licensing for Growth, will present Sporting Events and Licensing: The Keys to Success, a retrospective of the Paris 2024 licensing programme...
*** The above posted after tBR circulated on June 7th ***
ASTRA celebrates 2024 Play Awards winners. The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association and its members are gathered in St. Louis this week for Marketplace & Academy, and during its first-ever gala, ASTRA unveiled the winners of its 2024 Play Awards. More than 600 products were submitted across 18 categories and evaluated by Certified Play Experts based on newness, uniqueness, availability, and significance.
Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship begins soon with Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel and Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links. Konami Digital Entertainment B.V. (Konami) has announced that Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel and Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links players can get ready to prove their skills on the world stage. Qualification rounds for both games are set to start imminently in June.
Brand Licensing Europe 2024 opens visitor registration. Visitor registration has opened today for Brand Licensing Europe 2024, as organisers ramp up celebrations for the show’s 25th anniversary. European brand licensing professionals, including retailers, manufacturers, brand owners, agents, service providers, marketers and designers, are invited to secure their free pass to the three-day event now.
Distoy organizers thank exhibitors and visitors for their support. Following feedback from exhibitors and visitors, dates have now been confirmed for next year’s Distoy event, which will take place between 27th- 30th May. Distoy organiser David Potter has contacted Toy World on behalf of his team to thank exhibitors and visitors for making this year’s Distoy event a success.
Entry deadline extended for The Licensing Awards 2024. The deadline for entries into The Licensing Awards 2024 has been extended to Thursday 6 June. The decision to extend the deadline came about after several requests from companies for more time following last week’s Licensing Expo. There will be no further extensions.
Major stores and top buying groups are heading to Dallas Market Center for June Markets. Many of the top multi-location retailers and buying groups, representing billions of dollars in purchasing power, will attend the June Markets in Dallas including Apparel & Accessories (June 11-14), Total Home & Gift Market (June 19-25), and Lightovation (June 19-22).
VR Distribution achieves multiple awards at UK Games Expo. VR Distribution showcased its latest ranges at the UK Game Expo over the weekend and was delighted to celebrate recognition at the event’s awards. CMYK’s game, Spots, received accolades from both the judges and the public at the UK Games Expo, which the company says speaks volumes about its exceptional quality and entertainment value.
Toy Association Update: The Rules of Packaging. How The Toy Association helps the industry with extended producer responsibility compliance. Hundreds of state bills and regulations have the potential to impact the toy industry each year — and that’s where The Toy Association’s Global Government and Regulatory Affairs team steps in to help.
The BlogOn Summer Toy Awards 2024 results are out now. The results are in for the BlogOn Summer Toy Awards 2024, which saw over 250 entries across 24 categories, with awards such as Influencers Choice and Influencer Kids Choice. Last Thursday saw the first ever BlogOn Summer Toy Awards take place at the BlogOn Kids event in Manchester.
A brand festival with an unconventional spirit: that’s the third BRANDmate. It’s the licensing event of the year: on 19 and 20 June, the third edition of BRANDmate takes place in Offenbach, near Frankfurt am Main. The matchmaking area is online for all participants right now on the website for making appointments and networking.
The world’s first Autism in Entertainment Conference – a single-day confab at Skirball Cultural Center in LA – ignited new ideas and action toward neuro-inclusive hiring practices. At the forefront were recognizable names from the world of playthings. A cornucopia of general and breakout sessions packed the Friday, April 5 eight-hour program. All assemblies united work-ready attendees on the spectrum...
Annual animation pitchfest Cartoon Forum has announced its 2024 lineup of projects, with a total of 75 series/specials making the cut this year from 107 submissions. Kids & family content represents roughly three-quarters of the selection—nearly 63% of projects fall into the children’s category (which includes tweens and bridge audiences), followed by adult/teen content (23%), preschool (7%) and family (7%).
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
Clive Wooster. Toy World is very sad to report that Clive Wooster passed away unexpectedly at home on Saturday, 18th May, with his beloved wife Heather by his side. Friend and colleague, Nikki Jeffery, shared that Clive Ralph Wooster, who passed away at the age of 69, dedicated his entire career to the toy industry, beginning at Fisher Price where he spent several years honing his skills – and sales patter. His career saw him taking on various influential roles in sales. In the 90s, Clive ran The First Years until RC2/Learning Curve acquired it in 2004, when he became managing director. He continued to lead during periods of significant change and oversaw the European transition into Tomy when it acquired RC2 in 2011. Clive later chose to join smaller, close-knit companies, enjoying many fulfilling years as a country manager for Famosa and more recently, working with Geomagworld. In January this year, he decided to step back to spend more time with his family and further pursue his passion for motor racing. Well-known within the industry for his kindness, humour and endless stories, Clive’s presence ensured that any room was filled with laughter and conversation. He was approachable and always willing to help. Clive inspired many through his mentorship and formed strong relationships with colleagues across the companies he worked for over the years. Many from his First Years and RC2 days remained close friends and will miss him dearly.
Salvatore Anthony Mucaro of Fernandina Beach FL passed away peacefully on May 16, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength, and cherished memories. Salvatore was born in The Bronx, NY to Nicola Mucciacciaro and Christina Mucciacciaro (Nee DiMangano) on December 13th, 1934. He was the middle child of the family, and loved his two siblings, older sister Maria (McGuckin)and younger brother Mario Mucaro and their families dearly. Some of Salvatore's favorite childhood hobbies included building balsa wood model airplanes, playing street hockey and stick ball and racing pigeons. Salvatore worked in the toy industry from 1967 until his semi-retirement in 2010. He worked for such noteworthy companies as Remco Toys, Aurora Products Corporation, Mego Toy Corp., Ideal Toy Corp. and Coleco Toys, before starting his own development company Studio Geppetto with longtime friend and coworker John MacNett. He has several toy design patents and designed several successful toys in his long career as a package designer and toy designer.
Shelly Morick - former Mattel sales executive. December 21st, 1937 - May 7th, 2024.
Worldwide Magazines Weekly Top Stories
Some Added Friday Morning Chicago Time. Check Back for Complete Lists.
Toy Trade Monthly Issues
Adventure Media & Events (US)
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Local Heroes: Independent Toy Stores Become Community Cornerstones (The Toy Book)
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Celebrate Pride Month by Shopping Epic Merchandise (The Pop Insider)
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Rappin’ with the Reps: Old-School Sales Tactics & Digital Platforms Collide (The Toy Book)
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Collectibles Brand Super7 Drops Richard Scarry’s Busytown Figures (The Pop Insider)
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From the Editor: What’s Special About Specialty Retail? (The Toy Book)
aNb Media (US)
Toyworld (UK)
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Golden Bear named master toy partner for Toikido’s PeaKeeBoo
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Exclusive: The Entertainer reports on progress of Tesco toy zones
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Top Trumps launches its brand new World Football Stars range
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Distoy organisers thank exhibitors and visitors for their support
Licensing.biz Powered by Toyworld
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Golden Bear named master toy partner for Toikido’s PeaKeeBoo
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Farshore unveils Minecraft’s 15th anniversary publishing programme
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Loungefly launches Pound Puppies collection to celebrate 40 years
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First Planet Playskool under Hasbro licence to open this month
ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture (US)
- WizKids Reveals New 'D&D Icons of the Realms' Boxed Miniature
- Mantic Acquires River Horse's Brand and Assets
- New 'Dungeon & Dragons HeroClix Iconix' Incoming
- 'D&D Icons of the Realms - Vecna Eve of Ruin' Miniatures Booster Set Incoming
- Paizo Goes on a 'Pathfinder Quest'
- Steamforged Acquires the 'Warmachine,' 'Formula P3,' and 'Iron Kingdoms' Brands
- 'Magic: The Gathering - Modern Horizons 3' Comes in Hot, But Pricing Conversation Looms
- TCGplayer Top 25 Sealed Products (With Price Shifts) – May 2024
- Rolling for Initiative -- Concerning Cartons
- Upper Deck Announces 'Neopets Battledome TCG' Release Date
Nación Juguetes (Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile & Spain)
- "World Smurfs Day" is approaching with many new features
- Toei Animation presents licensing agreements for Dragon Ball
- The Op Games release "Family Guy" Monopoly
- The Licensing Warehouse will distribute Mighty Jaxx collectibles for LATAM
Global Toy News
The Bugg Report (Australia)
The Toy Universe (Australia)
hobbyDB
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Celebrating the Unusual with hobbyDB New Snark Totes Official Archive
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Valuable My Little Pony "Nirvana Ponies" From Across the World
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Rocket Firing Boba Fett Prototype Now the Most Valuable Star Wars Action Figure Ever
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Former Funko CEO Brian Mariotti Co-Founds Thrilljoy Collectibles
Video of the Week
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Thank you for being a reader of the Bloom Report. — Mary and Graeme
Founding Editor and Publisher (1998-2020, Retired): Philip Bloom
We are honored to carry on Phil's 22 year legacy and continue the Bloom Report. Phil has been a mensch
and we've loved working with him. Here is a fun and interesting interview with Phil.
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Publisher: Mary Couzin, Chicago Toy & Game Group, Inc.
Managing Editor: Graeme Thomson
Assistant Editor: Patrick Fisher
Not only does the Bloom Report give you all the news you need to know...
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