Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
Happy Bloomin' Friday!
If you are in LA on Sept. 25th, People of Play (I'll be there!) and Nextoy (Bob Fuhrer will be there!) are organizing a fun night at the legendary Laugh Factory where David Fuhrer is President. We’re hoping for some big names from the comedy world to perform that night and hoping you will join us!
There are two shows - 7:45PM and 10:00PM. David has generously included a $5 off coupon making it just $20. Food and drink are available. If you choose the 7:45 show, come a bit early and get a tour. Feel free to share this with colleagues. We suggest booking early as there are capacity limits.
WED, SEPT 25 - The Laugh Factory, 8001 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
7:45pm Show: https://tixr.com/e/87575
10pm Show: https://tixr.com/e/88023
Choose Gen’l Admission and enter the Promo Code: POP5
The next time Bob, David and I will be together is POP Week and we hope to see you there, too!
Register for November's POP Week!
Connect, pitch and learn at the Inventor Pitch and Innovation Conference,
Celebrate colleagues at the TAGIEs
Encourage a creative kid to enter the Young Inventor Challenge
Kick off the holidays! Meet consumers, influencers and trade in your Chicago Toy & Game Fair booth
Thank you for reading the Bloom Report here or on the Bloom Report 24/7 News Feed! Please support our work by advertising and/or setting up a POP profile.
Mary
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"I go to work 6 days a week and magic happens! On day 7 I read the Bloom Report." 😁 - Rick Derr, Learning Express
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"Tell me you're in the toy industry without telling me you're in the toy industry... Friday Morning = a cup-a-Joe and the Bloom Report!" -Tim Walsh The Playmakers
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"I don't know anyone in the industry that doesn't read the Bloom Report." -Ken Lewis, President, 4Kidz, Inc.
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"I am a long-time reader and champion of the Bloom Report. The quantity of quality articles on so many different aspects of our industry is unmatched and I regularly share and discuss them with my management team as an important business tool." - Jim Engle, President & Founder, Little Kids Inc.
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Industry Commentary: TA's Kim Carcone
LA Fall Preview Market Week Delivers … And We’re Just Getting Started!
For the first time ever, The Toy Association held its LA Fall Preview Market Week September 9 to 13, providing domestic and international toy companies an entirely new experience for previews at 2250 E. Imperial Highway in El Segundo. Beyond creating locations for first-time exhibitors to the LA previews, there were also new industry-wide events, including The Toy Foundation’s Party with a Purpose fundraiser, The Toy Association’s networking event at Otis College of Art & Design, and WiT’s Wonder Women Awards, as well as daytime presentations from Circana and Spielwarenmesse. It was a week filled with many opportunities for our industry to network, learn, and most importantly, create value.
In The Toy Association building, throughout the LA “toy district” in El Segundo, and across the city, toy companies will continue to show their ’25 lines over the coming weeks during what is sure to be the biggest, most successful fall preview season yet. We have spoken to many participants at the previews, gaining significant insight into the nuances of timing, duration, location, and more regarding this continually growing and evolving experience in LA. Our team has been hearing an enthusiastic response from manufacturers eager to show their latest innovations for next year, which we anticipate being even bigger and better as we integrate these learnings into our 2025 plans.
We are feeling optimistic about The Toy Association’s future in Los Angeles, having seen the potential of this brand-new venture and what it can mean to our members. And we will continue to provide more valuable experiences later this year and into 2025 – with People of Play’s Inventor Pitch and Innovations Summit, TAGIE Awards, and the Chicago Toy and Game Fair in Chicago November 6 to 10 and Toy Fair New York and the TOTY Awards coming up from February 28 to March 4 – there is so much to look forward to! READ MORE...
People of the Week: Sam and Alex Fuhrer
Nextoy Digital Teams Up with Doodles and Spin Master for Rubik’s Cube’s 50th Anniversary
In 2021, cryptocurrency hit the mainstream. Major global brands began appearing on the blockchain as digital assets, and NFTs became a household name. Projects like NBA Top Shot, Bored Ape Yacht Club, and CryptoPunks quickly dominated the space, generating tens of billions in sales.
It all happened at lightning speed. Practically overnight, early adopters seemed to be making unimaginable fortunes, while others on the sidelines were left wondering if they’d missed their chance.
My brother Alex and I had been dabbling in crypto since 2017, experimenting with investments in Bitcoin and Ethereum. But by 2021, the opportunity in the space was undeniable. As third generation toy industry offspring, we had strong relationships with some of the industry’s key players. We had been working with Nextoy (our father, Bob Fuhrer's company) on traditional toys and games licensing opportunities, so when we saw these digital brands exploding, we knew we could help bridge the gap between the blockchain and the physical world with merchandising.
Alex and I are now leading Nextoy Digital, and exploring new media and Web3 opportunities. Our latest venture is an exciting collaboration between Rubik’s Cube, one of the most iconic toys ever, and Doodles, the creative force behind the animated special “Dullsville and the Doodleverse.” READ MORE...
In Memoriam: Kosin Virapornsawan, Managing Director of PlanToys, Forever in our Hearts
With profound sadness, we announce the sudden passing of Kosin Virapornsawan, Managing Director of PlanToys, on September 12, 2024 at 42 years young. Kosin was a dedicated leader and a vital part of our team, shaping our mission of sustainability and innovation but above all, a very good friend with whom we’ve shared so many great moments.
We extend our deepest condolences to Kosin’s family, friends, and colleagues.
He wasn’t a man of many words, but he always wanted to be and do the best he could for everyone.
PlanToys is steadfast in our commitment to preserving and advancing Kosin’s legacy.
Forever in our heart!
Cartoon Lovers, Lexophiles & People in Need of a Smile!
Cartoon of the Week: Thank you to Bob Fuhrer for the funny cartoon this week!
Memorable Quotes: You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows. — “Subterranean Homesick Blues,” Bob Dylan
Toy Industry Word of Day: Boil Wash Thank you, Rana Schenke for our Word of the Day! If you can think of a toy/game industry word not in our POPDictionary, add it and we will connect it to you POP profile, feature it here in an upcoming week and on POP's homepage!
Have a cartoon, quote or a joke to share? Send it to me! Mary
Happiest of Birthdays to colleagues celebrating birthdays this week!
Financial and Legal
T.I. and Tiny Awarded $71 Million Over L.O.L. Dolls’ Likeness to R&B Group. A jury found that the toy giant MGA Entertainment had violated the musicians’ intellectual property rights with its L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls. The dolls are small. The award is big. The dolls in question are L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. dolls, several-inch-tall plastic dolls with big eyes and colorful hair — part of a line of L.O.L. Surprise! dolls that often...
Gov. Dan McKee and House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi have met with Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks in an attempt to convince him to keep the company in Rhode Island, as it looks for a new headquarters. McKee's press secretary, Olivia DaRocha, wrote in a statement that McKee and Shekarchi met with Cocks on Thursday, which they "anticipate" to be the first of many meetings.
Cards Against Humanity has filed a $15 million lawsuit against SpaceX, alleging the aerospace behemoth led by Elon Musk trespassed on land it owns in TX near the border with Mexico. Cards Against Humanity bought the property in 2017 as a part of a stunt aimed at impeding then-President Donald Trump’s plans to build a wall along the southern border. About 150,000 people donated $15 to its crowdsourcing...
*** The above posted after tBR circulated on September 20th ***
Hasbro is reportedly looking at moving its headquarters from Rhode Island to Boston.
Nintendo is suing Pocketpair, the developer of the hit game Palworld. Described as Pokémon with guns, Palworld was widely accused of copying the designs of Nintendo’s famous pocket monsters when it launched in January of this year. However, no lawsuit was forthcoming from the Japanese company.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry has filed a lawsuit against an East Liberty-based company robotics toy company for what she alleges are its numerous failures to fulfill orders, issue refunds or respond to consumer requests. The lawsuit was filed against Digital Dream Labs, which marketed several in-home companion robots named Vector 2.0, Cozmo 2.0 and the Butter Robot.
A group of contestants who participated in “Beast Games,” the reality competition show hosted by Jimmy Donaldson, better known online as MrBeast, are suing Mr. Donaldson and the production companies behind the show, accusing them of exposing participants to “dangerous circumstances and conditions.” The suit, filed by five anonymous contestants in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday...
Random House Publishing Group has completed the acquisition of BOOM! Studios announced in July, and announced the management team, including a new hire, most recently from Hasbro, as Publisher. Just before the acquisition was announced, in June, BOOM! President of Publishing and Marketing Filip Sablik announced he was leaving the company, leaving President - Development Stephen Christy, Editor-in-Chief...
Reuters reports tech company IBM won its lawsuit against mobile developer Zynga, which it sued over patent infringement in 2022. Two years ago, IBM claimed the Farmville creator was misusing its "foundational" web technology, including data capture and analytics. The two companies had reportedly been negotiating a license since 2014, but those talks repeatedly fell through.
The eight biggest theater chains in the U.S. and Canada announced Thursday that they plan to invest more than $2.2 billion to modernize and upgrade more than 21,000 screens over the next three years. The investment will cover everything from improved sound and projection to upgrading dining experiences — plus, in some locations, investing in attractions like pickleball and ziplines.
Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs Bills Regulating AI Performance Replicas Into Law. In a symbolic move, the governor visited the Los Angeles headquarters of performers' union SAG-AFTRA to greenlight the legislation: "We're making sure that no one turns over their name, image and likeness to unscrupulous people without representation."
The Labour Party-led government in the UK is proceeding with plans to impose restrictions on the advertising of certain food & beverage categories in order to protect kids from exposure to unhealthy marketing. A ban on running junk-food ads on TV before 9:00 p.m. (“pre-watershed”) will go into effect starting on October 1, 2025. And a total ban on paid-for online ads will also be implemented.
Longtime friends—and collegial competitors—Dominic Gardiner and Ed Galton are finally working for the same co., although how they wound up in their current situation certainly isn’t how the two envisioned coming together. Until recently, Gardiner was CEO of Jetpack Distribution, the London-based company he founded in 2014. Now, he’s the MD of CAKE Distribution, working under CAKE Group CEO Galton.
Saga Invest announces acquisition of Heathside Trading. Heathside is a distributor and manufacturer of toys and collectibles in the UK and the Netherlands. The company is well known for its pop culture and licensed-based brands, Khadou and Master Replicas. These brands work with properties such as South Park, Minecraft, Deddy Bears, Five Nights at Freddy’s, Star Trek, Sonic, Molang, Doctor Who...
Google scores rare legal win as 1.49bn euro fine scrapped. Google has won its challenge against a €1.49bn (£1.26bn) fine from the EU for blocking rival online search advertisers. The bloc accused Google of abusing its market dominance by restricting third-party rivals from displaying search ads between 2006 and 2016. Europe's second-top court ruled the European Commission - which levied the fine...
Instagram, facing pressure over child safety online, unveils sweeping changes. Instagram unveiled a sweeping overhaul on Tuesday to beef up privacy and limit social media’s intrusive effects for users who are younger than 18, as the app faces intensifying pressure over children’s safety online. Instagram said the accounts of users younger than 18 will be made private by default in the coming weeks...
Planned merger of Super RTL, Nickelodeon withdrawn, says German cartel office. German broadcaster RTL and Paramount have withdrawn their bid to merge Super RTL, a children's television network, with Nickelodeon, the German cartel office said on Tuesday. The office said the withdrawal had occurred after it informed the companies that it intended to prohibit the planned merger.
Is Amazon eyeing TikTok for a possible acquisition? In the midst of a possible ban or sale in the U.S., social media giant TikTok is reportedly strengthening its ties with Amazon.com Inc, leading to speculation about a potential acquisition. What Happened: TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, is intensifying its relationship with Amazon.
Games featuring paid loot boxes will soon receive a mandatory 'M' rating in Australia. The Australian Government is tweaking how video games containing in-game purchases are classified in the region. New classification guidelines will debut on September 22, 2024, and mandate that titles featuring "in-game purchases with an element of chance" must have a minimum classification of 'M'...
Mobile publisher Playtika has reached a "definitive agreement" to acquire mobile studio SuperPlay in a deal for an initial $700 million. An additional contingent consideration of up to $1.25 billion could be paid out subject to SuperPlay achieving certain financial targets for 2025, 2026, and 2027. Playtika CEO Robert Antokol described the acquisition as a "key move in strengthening our leadership in mobile games...
TikTok says US ban would have ‘staggering’ impact on free speech. TikTok argued in court on Monday that a US law - which would see it banned unless it is sold by ByteDance - would have a “staggering” impact on the free speech of its US users. The law was prompted by concerns that US users' data is vulnerable to exploitation by China's government.
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Visit the York-Jersey Underwriters website at www.toy-insurance.com
Financial Reporting
Paramount and Hasbro Transformers One, the first animated Transformers movie in close to 40 years, looks to liven up the mid-September box office with a domestic start in the low-$30Ms with potential for upside. Through the last weekend of April, the domestic B.O. stood at $2.07 billion, 20% behind 2023. Since then, through last weekend, the domestic box office has made an additional $4 billion for a running YTD cume of $6.08 billion, now 12% behind last year.
Netflix releases its latest biannual data report. The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Peppa Pig 6 and CoComelon Lane were on the streamer's most-watched lists for January to June 2024.
Trends, Lists, Market Research, and State of the Industry
TTPM Kicks off the Holiday Season with the 2024 Most Wanted List.
Smyths Toys announces new catalogue and launch party. Smyths Toys has announced that its free 300-page catalogue will be available for pick-up in-store from Friday this week.
The must-have toys for children this Christmas, according to the experts. Spoiler: There are some old favorite’s making a comeback.
DreamToys to reveal 20 hottest toys list at annual event. Selected by the UK’s leading retailers, DreamToys is the most respected and authoritative list of toys for Christmas.
The Toy Insider unwraps the hottest Holiday Toys for 2024! This year’s hottest toys appear on one of three featured lists: the Hot 20, the most popular playthings of the year; the STEM 10, top toys that encourage STEM learning; and the 12 Under $20, the best toys that won’t break the bank.
Major retailers announce sales to help spread the cost of Christmas. Tesco, Asda and Argos have all announced their window of toy sales to help consumers in the run up to the Christmas period.
Amazon Prime Day and Q4 opportunites. Asha Bhalsod of Etopia Consultancy shared with Toy World her viewpoint on capitalising on Amazon’s Prime Day and preparing for the holiday season with the online platform.
ASTRA’s Insights: To the Holidays… and beyond! Specialty retailers look ahead. Neighborhood Toy Store Month events are scheduled for November, with daily arrivals of new products in stores in anticipation of a great fourth quarter.
Most US Teens Use Generative AI. Most of Their Parents Don't Know.
AUGUST 2024 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 ADULT GRAPHIC NOVELS
AUGUST 2024 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 AUTHOR, MANGA, SUPERHERO GRAPHIC NOVELS
Argos announces annual Top Toys List for Christmas 2024
Stories, Comments, and Advice
OPINION: Putting children last. Shaw Rocket Fund head Agnes Augustin suggests three ways the industry can fight for kids programming and be responsive to the needs of both the market and future generations. In a world where cost-cutting has become the norm due to post-pandemic recovery, inflation and improving the bottom line, children are being left behind. That’s especially true when it comes to legacy media companies.
Julia Fitzgerald - Today we visit Amsterdam, and hear from Joel Derksen, Founder of Otherness – a unique boutique branding studio. One look at their website and you understand where “Otherness” comes from and how they keep it at the center of their brand work. You will also hear about being your best self. I’ll let Joel blow your mind.
*** The above posted after tBR circulated on September 20th ***
John Baulch, Toy World - There in spirit … it’s the Friday Blog! LA Fall Preview (which seems the best moniker to go with for now) has continued this week. I may not have been able to be there in person, but I have certainly been there in spirit. Bless those people who have said they have missed me, and a huge thank you to everyone who has shared their experience of the trip with me.
BIG CHANGES AT CMON; HASBRO MAY MOVE HQ; TOPPS GETS MARVEL CARDS. World According to Griepp – The Week in Business. There's been a big flow of business news over the past week, so I'm rounding up these three important stories in this latest column. Looks like there are big changes coming to CMON, according to notices posted to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, where the company’s shares are traded.
3 yrs ago, a businessman bought a collection of roughly 20 million sports cards from its reclusive owner. Now he wants to show it to the world. In a former antique shop off a four-lane highway in rural Virginia, Tim Banazek knelt before a white banker’s box labeled “Autographed Baseballs” that was stashed at the bottom of a steel bookcase. He pulled the first ball out and examined the signature in the fluorescent light..
Julia Fitzgerald - In today’s Midsize Match Up interview, we talk with Alejandra Salazar, Founder and CEO CROING l Creative Agency. This agency has been growing and evolving and has a great multicultural story - so I’m excited to hear more. Julia: Alejandra, I’m looking to give my readers insights about agencies who are great partners for Midsize firms. What should everyone know about CROING?
Politicians say they can make social media less ‘addictive’. Experts aren’t so sure. New York just passed a law on "addictive" social media feeds for children, but some researchers are questioning what that actually means. Governor Kathy Hochul was clear about her opinion of social media earlier this month, speaking at a press conference to announce the signing of two new state laws designed to protect under-18-year-olds...
Pharrell Williams on his new space-themed LEGO set and movie. Pharrell Williams tells Wallpaper* why he is so excited about working with LEGO. ‘Being the kind of child that daydreams all the time, depending on where you are daydreaming and what you're doing, can determine whether you are seen as a good student, or as a challenging student, or as a child with a lot of imagination,’ says Pharrell Williams.
Someone recreated Stardew Valley using 75,000 LEGO bricks. A massive Lego recreation of Stardew Valley’s Pelican Town won the “People’s Choice” award at BrickCon 2024. But according to the person behind this incredible piece of Lego art, the best moment of the event was when Stardew Valley’s creator stopped by to take a look at the brick-built village.
Teenager builds robot to solve Rubik's Cube. A 13-year-old schoolboy has built a Lego robot that can solve a Rubik's cube. Ruarcc, from St Malachy's College in north Belfast, first took steps to create puzzle-solving robot prototypes in his second year at school, aged 12. This was made possible after the school launched its creative digital technology hub (CDTH) last year.
Marketing Memo: Toying with TikTok. Tips for harnessing the power of TikTok Shop. I had the privilege of participating in the first-ever toy launch on TikTok Shop, working closely with TikTok HQ to lay the foundation for the toy and game category. Since then, I’ve helped numerous brands leverage TikTok’s unique capabilities to drive consumer awareness and build excitement with retail buyers worldwide.
Raising the bar: Protecting & enforcing IP: Real world Vs. Metaverse. New virtual worlds create new real-world challenges. Welcome to another edition of Thunderdome! Just kidding, welcome to the metaverse, a similar, self-contained, fictional place where new battles are brewing! Companies are creating their own virtual worlds where people can engage, play, transact business, and so much more.
History and Nostalgia
Play-Doh Coin-Maker from Rainbow Crafts (1968). Released in 1968 by Rainbow Crafts, Play-Doh Coin-Maker allowed children to make foil-wrapped coins for wearing, decoration, or imaginative play. The playset’s simplicity made it easy to use for young Play-Doh fans. A hinged coin press would emboss Play-Doh that was folded into foil.
5 classic toys that let you bring New York City icons to life. (1) Home Alone 2: Lost In New York Board Game (THQ, 1992). Step into the mischievous world of Kevin McCallister with the Home Alone 2: Lost In New York Board Game, released by THQ in 1992. Inspired by the hit movie, this strategic board game invites players to navigate through a bustling NYC while strategically setting off traps to outwit the Sticky Bandits.
Vintage TV and movie toys heat up the auction block at Hakes.com. Getting in on the auction game is hard, with prices starting high and shooting into the stratosphere. But Hakes.com wants everyone to get in on the action! For their latest auction, they started all bidding at 9.99, leading to some great finds for a not-unreasonable price. Here are some of the top sellers in their newest auction, which ends tomorrow!
Shorter days and longer nights? Play glow-in-the-dark games! One favorite vintage game called Green Ghost, first manufactured in 1965, advertised itself as the first glow-in-the-dark game meant to be played with the lights turned off. The game found success because of its novelty and through a clever television advertising campaign. Toy Tales founder Todd Coopee authored an article on this fascinating game here.
Licensing and Entertainment
Squishmallows fans can now slip into the world’s most iconic 13-hole footwear! Jazwares, one of the world’s leading toy companies, and Crocs, a global leader in innovative casual footwear, are partnering to bring everyone’s favorite ultra-soft plush, Squishmallows, a full line of unique Crocs™ shoes and Jibbitz™ charms. Combining Squishmallows colorful personality with cute and comfy styling, the collection features...
Hasbro Reveals Global ‘Transformers’ Partnerships. Hasbro announced several new "Transformers” collaborations and products across APAC, EMEA and LATAM. In retail, Toys“R”Us has collaborated with Hasbro for a new retail campaign across China to celebrate the "Transformers One” movie launch. Now, through November, over 200 stores across China, including in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou...
Studio Trigger Celebrates Transformers 40th Anniversary. The animation company brings to life one of the world’s most beloved mecha. The Autobots are rolling out to celebrate 40 years of Transformers excellence. This time they’ve got some heavy duty help in the form of an animation studio that has attained celebrity status plus one of Japan’s most popular alternative rock bands.
After moving “Wicked — Part 1” from Thanksgiving weekend to the weekend prior this Nov., Universal is doing the same for “Wicked — Part 2,” moving the release five days up to Nov. 21, 2025. In doing so, Universal is giving Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the “Wizard of Oz” Broadway musical some small but much needed distance from 2 Disney sequels set for Thanksgiving releases: “Moana 2” in 2024 and “Zootopia 2” in 2025.
*** The above posted after September 20th when tBR circulated ***
John Cena To Lead Live-Action Matchbox Movie From Extraction Director Sam Hargrave. After the success of Barbie last summer, the question has very much been when and not if we would be seeing more movies based on popular Mattel toylines. And sure enough, in the weeks following the fuchsian fable's release, films based on Barney, Polly Pocket, Hot Wheels, and, er, the Magic 8 Ball amongst many others were all...
Doodles, a next-generation media company behind the new animated special, “Dullsville and the Doodleverse,” has announced a new collaboration with Spin Master to celebrate Rubik’s Cube’s 50th anniversary. The collaboration will see Doodles and Spin Master launch a fan experience, unveiling a digital collectible, digital comic and releasing a series of digital shorts all inspired by Rubik’s Cube.
Marvel Comics will release seasonal Marvel pets comics Petpool: Pool Party and Alligator Loki: Holiday Special this December. Both include the first print editions of comics originally published in digital format on Marvel Unlimited, plus new material. Petpool: Pool Party #1, written by Mackenzie Cadenhead with art by Enid Balam, collects Dogpool Team-Up Infinity Comic one-shots from last summer featuring...
Mattel celebrates Batman Day with Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy dolls. Every year, DC Comics celebrates the Caped Crusader with Batman Day. This year — the year Batman turns 85 — the day is particularly special. Mattel is celebrating the day by launching Barbie dolls based on Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, two iconic members of Batman’s rogues gallery. Both dolls are available now for $55 at Mattel Shop and Mattel Creations.
PlayMonster Group renewed its licensing agreement with Hasbro, extending its rights to the KOOSH brand through 2027. The three-year extension allows PlayMonster to expand its line of KOOSH products with new offerings aimed at engaging children with soft, sports-focused play.
Since acquiring licensing rights in 2021, PlayMonster has revitalized the brand with a range of products, including the KOOSH classic, the...
Disney primes a 24/7 Marvel and Star Wars streaming hub. The new superhero-themed "always on" channel will launch later this year, along with dedicated Disney+ nets for seasonal horror flicks, documentaries and nostalgic content. Disney is adding four new “always on” channels to its Disney+ SVOD service, according to news reports from Bloomberg. This new suite of channels will launch later this year for premium....
IMG has extended its partnership with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) to remain the exclusive global licensing representative for the 24 Hours of Le Mans through 2029. ACO and IMG aim to expand the race’s reach with collaborations across fashion and lifestyle categories.
Recent highlights include a Le Mans hypercar collection with LEGO and die-cast vehicles from Mattel’s Hot Wheels brand.
LEGO Star Wars Jabba’s Sail Barge Display Set sets sail. The Lego Group has revealed the launch of the Lego Star Wars Jabba’s Sail Barge Display Set. This iconic Ultimate Collector Series model is perfect for any Star Wars fan, packed with intricate details and minifigures. With 3,942 pieces, builders can revel in the grandeur of Jabba the Hutt’s vessel with features such as folding down sides and sails and top deck...
Spin Master introduces Rubik’s Match. Spin Master, the owner of the world-famous Rubik’s Cube, has announced the launch of Rubik’s Match, a new match-three mobile game. Inspired by one of the world’s most popular puzzles, the Rubik’s Cube’s foray into mobile gaming adds a fresh dimension to its enduring legacy during its 50th anniversary year. .
Mattel announces new animated Polly Pocket special. Mattel and WildBrain have announced the new animated special, Polly Pocket: Adventures in Rio, from Mattel Television Studios and WildBrain. The brand-new 66-minute special features an original song and debuts on Monday 16th September, on Prime Video in the US and UK. Polly Pocket: Adventures in Rio follows Polly and her friends, Lila and Shani...
Disney to spend $1b a year in Europe, Warner Bros. Discovery exec looks to 2026 Max launch in U.K. Disney's Nami Patel spoke about the "knock-on impact" of investment in the U.K., citing hit blockbuster 'Deadpool & Wolverine' which was filmed at London's Pinewood Studios. Everyone agrees: the U.K. is and will remain a production hotspot.
Warner Bros. Discovery celebrates Batman’s 85th Anniversary with new merch. Dark Knight home goods, books, toys, games, collectibles, beauty and more are available. Batman has appeared in comics, TV shows, cartoons and movies since his debut in 1939’s “Detective Comics” # 27. This year, DC is celebrating Batman’s 85th anniversary by launching a range of commemorative products, including home goods...
The Noble Collection announces ‘Wicked’ merch. The Noble Collection, a toy and collectibles manufacturer, distributor and retailer, has announced an expansion of its partnership with Universal Products & Experiences. In addition to new products based on NBCUniversal IPs, The Noble Collection is launching a range of new products for the upcoming “Wicked” film.
Spin Master, WildBrain CPLG bring ‘Vida the Vet’ worldwide. The expanded licensing program will launch in the U.K. next year. WildBrain CPLG and Spin Master are joining forces to bring Vida the Vet merchandise to the U.K. and Ireland, Europe (excluding France), Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), the Middle East and Africa (MENA), and Asia-Pacific (APAC), including China, Japan, and South Korea.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ hands Warner Bros. a lifeline. The movie has made roughly $190 million in its first 10 days, giving the studio a needed hit after a summer of misfires. Warner Bros. managed only a 4.7 percent share of domestic movie-ticket sales over the summer. By that measure, it was Warner’s worst performance since analysts started to compile seasonal box office data in 1982.
Slimer haunts 'Magic: The Gathering' in new 'Secret Lair x Ghostbusters' drop set. Wizards of the Coast will place Secret Lair x Ghostbusters, a new drop set for Magic: The Gathering, onto preorder on September 30, 2024. WotC continues to go full steam ahead, expanding Magic: The Gathering into even more Universes Beyond via their Secret Lair Drop Series.
LEGO recreates life-size drivable Lego Technic McLaren P1. The LEGO Group and McLaren Automotive have embarked on the toughest LEGO Technic challenge to date, recreating a one-of-a-kind, fully drivable McLaren P1 made from LEGO Technic elements. McLaren F1 driver, Lando Norris has been enlisted for the ultimate challenge, to complete a lap of the British racetrack, Silverstone...
Peanuts Worldwide is expanding the licensing programme for the iconic Peanuts brand in the UK, EMEA and India with new cross-category partners in collaboration with WildBrain CPLG. New licensees include Anya Hindmarch, Steiff, Faguo, Raeburn, Kaparda and more ahead of the Peanuts 75th anniversary in 2025.
PMI Kids introduces Booksy licensed collectible toys with mini books. Uniting the world of toys with the imaginative world of books is a new, patented and trademarked Booksy collectible toy line by global toy company, PMI Kids’ World. Families can collect toys with tiny books inside, featuring characters from “PAW Patrol,” “Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and PMI’s “Monster Tales.”
New company plans to revive 90s TCG 'Overpower' starting with Top Cow and Edgar Rice Burroughs licenses. New company Lazarus Rising Games has announced plans to revive the 90s TCG OverPower, and has acquired Top Cow and Edgar Rice Burroughs licenses as its initial IPs. LRG has acquired the rights to the OverPower Card Game, originally published by Fleer and eventually taken over by Fleer parent company Marvel...
Software developer tinyBUILD Games has picked London’s bRAND-WARD to represent the licensing interests of its flagship Hello Neighbor video game franchise in the UK and Ireland. Rated E and targeting a 10-and-up crowd, the first Hello Neighbor game launched in 2017, playing out a scenario in which a kid moves into a new hood and witnesses strange paranormal activity in the house across the street.
Audible has done a big deal with Disney Publishing to pick up 60 exclusive licensed titles and launch three new original stories as part of a strategy to grow its kids & family business. The original audiobooks launching today are Star Wars: Padawan’s Pride (eight to 12), Disney Frozen: Olaf’s Quest (pictured, six to eight) and Disney Pixar Cars: The Legend of the Crystal Hubcap (three to five).
Italy on the rise at Cartoon Forum. Five series concepts being presented in Toulouse this year hail from the region, which has a 40% tax credit that's increasingly appealing to cash-strapped producers worldwide. Cartoon Forum is saying “Ciao!” to Italy this year, spotlighting the Mediterranean nation that local producers say has a bright future in animation.
BAFTA-winning preschool series Balamory is making a comeback, two decades after its original run. BBC Children’s and Education has commissioned two new seasons (10 x 14 minutes each) of a reboot that’s slated to start airing on CBeebies in 2026. This Scottish live-actioner originally ran in four seasons on CBeebies from 2002 to 2005, co-produced by Glasgow-based indie studio Tattiemoon...
Paramount Global and German broadcasting group RTL have abandoned their plans to merge and launch a new Super RTL linear channel that would replace Nickelodeon in Germany. The deal’s collapse came on the heels of the German Federal Cartel Office signaling its intention to veto the transaction, claiming that it would consolidate too much kids advertising inventory under just one company. RTL is...
LA-based prodco Foundation Media Partners has signed a first-look deal with iconic publisher Simon & Schuster to mine its vast catalogue of children’s books for TV and feature film adaptations. FMP CEO Patrick Hughes brokered the deal between the two companies, and S&S’s Little Simon imprint is already earmarked for prospecting.
Underdog is heading back to the small screen in a new CG-animated series co-produced by Paris-based Superprod Animation and Milan’s Red Monk Studio, both owned by the Superprod Group. M6 and Gulli in France and Italian broadcaster RAI have ordered this 52 x 11-minute toon for bridge audiences. Underdog is currently in production and set to deliver in 2025, with Superights managing international distribution.
The Australian-based kid TV series brings an all-new live show to North America. Children and parents are in for a big treat this summer as The Wiggles hop into their Big Red Car and travel across the US and Canada, embarking on one of their biggest global tours ever. An incredible musical adventure awaits as they take their new show on a 25-city tour, based on the smash hit single “Bouncing Balls,” up and down...
People of Play
Chris Byrne - The Playground Podcast: Having Fun with Barry & Jason. Check out this episode of The Playground Podcast. Chris talks to Barry and Jason of Barry and Jason Games about their amazing journey that began on their first day of college. They’re game inventors, entertainers, developers, and passionate about the role of games in entertainment. Listen Here...
Remembering Reuben Klamer: The Mind Behind ‘The Game of Life’ and His Ties to La Jolla Forget ordinary board games like Clue, and Chutes and Ladders, it’s all about The Game of Life. Reuben Klamer, a toy inventor whose creative brilliance shaped one of American history’s most iconic board games, The Game of Life passed away on Sept. 14, 2021, at his home in La Jolla. He was 99.
Lauren Bello, a TV writer whose credits include “Foundation” and “The Sandman,” has crafted an affecting, personal narrative — and it’s a tabletop game. Her “The Morrison Game Factory” is a story with puzzles, one that illustrates the communicative power of play. I knew “The Morrison Game Factory” had its hooks in me when I started talking back to it. There I was, alone and at home, and in conversation with a fictional machine.
*** The above posted after September 20th when tBR circulated ***
Mattel announced the appointment of Mara Verzé as Head of UK Consumer Products. Mara joins Mattel EMEA from Authentic Brands Group where she was responsible for brands such as Nautica, Nine West, Aeropostale, Vince Camuto, Forever 21 and Izod within EMEA and India region, and served as relationship manager for licensing partners to maximise business performance and drive retail profitability.
People moves: Mattel names Jennifer Kettnich as vice president of IR. Mattel, the Nasdaq-listed toy and family entertainment company, has appointed Jennifer Kettnich as its new vice president of IR. Kettnich joins from The Walt Disney Company where she served as vice president of IR and, prior to that, held roles in corporate finance and treasury. Earlier in her career, she worked in equity research at...
Born to License has named Alyssa Gourlay as vice president of North America. Alyssa, an accomplished executive in brand licensing, will oversee the company’s North American operations. With over 15 years of experience in licensing, Alyssa has held roles at The Sharpe Company, Haven Global and more recently as director of Business Development at WildBrain CPLG.
Kerry Tarrant wows Wow! Stuff. With over 18 years of marketing experience within the consumer goods industry, the massively respected Kerry Tarrant has become the first head of Marketing and Brands in Wow! Stuff’s history. Kerry’s previous roles include positions held at top UK and global toy companies including Vivid, Flair and more recently IMC Toys.
Citing ‘Barbie’ success, Mattel gives CEO Ynon Kreiz a $15M stock retention grant. Mattel has issued a special $15 million stock grant to CEO Ynon Kreiz, citing his success in film and TV as a driving factor. Mattel’s board issued the Retention Performance Grant earlier this week, with the company writing in an SEC filing Friday that the importance of his continued leadership at the company was a key factor in the grant.
Dr. Seuss Enterprises has elevated Ellie Terveen from senior director of publishing and sales to VP of operations. Her new remit is to lead global licensing, publishing, retail and digital business for the company, which has been focusing on YouTube growth and a strategy to age down its characters lately.
Companies and Brands
Spin Master’s Unicorn Academy extends reach with new broadcasters. The new broadcasters will bring season one of the series to even more fans globally, covering Germany, Canada, France, China and Italy. Spin Masterbroadcasters’s Unicorn Academy franchise is set to spread its reach with a raft of new top tier broadcasters and platforms that will bring season one of the series to even more fans globally.
Funskool India, India’s leading toy manufacturer, has launched a special range of interesting toys and games, ahead of the festive season. The newly-launched range caters to infants, preschoolers, and beyond. Pour & Play Octopus, Junior Chef’s Playset and Dish set have been launched under the Giggles brand, Colour Clash Launchers under Collectibles, Country Games under Board Games and Murder Mystery...
WHSmith has announced plans to continue its partnership with Toys R Us across UK high streets and has revealed the first of the locations set to open between now and Christmas. Having exclusively opened the first Toys R Us shop-in-shop in the UK in 2023, WHSmith has continued to open new Toys R Us outlets throughout 2024, growing to 39 different locations today. In the coming months, WHSmith will now...
Toy World finds our more about Mark Thompson Productions’ expertise in developing pre-school and family shows, as well as its strong reputation as the UK’s leading company for STEM engagement productions. With over 900 individual performances planned for 2025, Mark Thompson Productions is leading the way in taking well-known pre-school, family and education brands to the theatre market.
*** The above posted after tBR circulated September 20th ***
Spin Master’s Game Plan At 30 Is To Play Like A Startup. Toy company Spin Master went from startup to over $2 billion in sales in 30 years. Its success over the next 30 years could depend on its ability to replicate the magic of its startup years while playing in the big leagues as one of the world’s top toy companies. Spin Master was born in 1994 when three recent college grads began selling a novelty item - the Earth Buddy...
In celebration of World PLAY-DOH Day, Hasbro announced PLAY-DOH Kids Can, an all-new campaign that empowers kids to harness their imagination as a superpower. With the mission of providing limitless resources to make imagination accessible and fun for all, the PLAY-DOH brand encourages boundless, open-ended play to equip kids with the imaginative power to turn dreams into reality and mistakes into...
Rise and Shine for the New Briarpatch Pete the Cat Bedtime Blues Game. Rest assured, University Games has its newest Briarpatch branded Pete the Cat game ready for Back to School and Holiday gameplay. Based on the hilarious bedtime story from Kimberly and James Dean’s NY Times bestselling Pete the Cat series, the new Pete the Cat Bedtime Blues Game is a simple-to-learn game of slumber party...
Golden Bear Toys has introduced its Soccer Bot, previously only available in the UK, the the U.S. market. Soccer Bot uses smart technology to provide athletic skill building and replayable fun for children, and is available now through Walmart and Amazon. Soccer Bot is designed for children six years and older, and is an independent trainer that allows kids to elevate their gameplay while not tearing up the home.
Fisher-Price teams up with Izzy Judd to launch new Wood range. Since the debut of its landmark wooden toy line more than 90 years ago, Fisher-Price from Mattel has been focused on creating trusted playthings that inspire a child’s creativity and development and are also built to last. The new timeless Wood range, designed for ages from six months to five years, comes as Fisher-Price research...
Michael Myers returns to terrorize the tabletop in 'Halloween II' board game. Trick or Treat Studios will release Halloween II, a new board game, into retail on December 1, 2024. Trick or Treat follows up last year's Halloween board game with a new game based on the popular 1981 sequel. Like the movie, Laurie Strode is stuck in the hospital from hell and has to escape.
Pandasaurus announces 'Rivages', a new draft-and-write game. Pandasaurus Games announced Rivages, a new draft-and-write game by Catch Up Games, which will hit retail in Q4. In this game, designed by Joachim Thome, players explore the legendary islands of Myr looking for treasure and filling out their wisdom tree.
Marvin’s Magic launches new trading division. Marvin’s MagicMarvin's has announced the launch of its brand-new trading division, Marvin’s Distribution. This expansion will see Marvin’s Magic broaden its scope, becoming the exclusive distributor of several high-quality, globally recognised brands throughout the UK and Ireland.
Steamforged Partners with Golden Goose to sell SFG's product lines into North America. Steamforged Games has partnered with Golden Goose to sell their product lines into the North American market. The deal includes a number of SFG product lines, such as Warmachine, Iron Kingdoms, and Epic Encounters.
'Nucleum' expansion enters the halls of power: 'Court of Progress'. Board and Dice will release Court of Progress, a new expansion for Nucleum, into retail in October 2024. The new expansion explores the clash between parliaments, monarchies, and the entrepreneurs in the Nucleum world.
1957 BMW Isetta wins Hot Wheels Legends Tour Houston. There are only two stops remaining before the Hot Wheels Legends Tour Semi-Finals. The winner of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour Houston, Texas stop may be small, but it packs a punch. The 1957 BMW Isetta started as a scrap pile until Mikey Brown put 80 days into design, engineering, bodywork, fabrication, paint, upholstery, and assembly...
New musical toys join Mattel’s Fisher-Price portfoilo. Mattel has launched new musical learning toys under its Fisher-Price brand. Kids can dance and sing alongside five toys deemed as the Link Squad and the Fisher-Price Rockin’ Record Player. When the Link Squad characters link together, they will light up, sing, and interact with kids — the band of animal musicians can teach about music and sounds individually...
Kid Kreations Heartfuls doll range launches in LA. Kid Kreations has launched its brand-new range of 14-inch Heartfuls dolls during LA Previews. The team reports that the range has received really positive feedback from those who have viewed the collection. Heartfulls is a doll range that equips kids with the tools needed to navigate and overcome everyday challenges related to a lack of self-confidence and self-belief.
Airfix announces secret release. The second secret release for 2024 introduces the Airfix 1:48 scale North American F-86F Sabre, complete with new schemes. Hornby has announced the addition of the F-86F Sabre to the 2024 Airfix range. Featuring a combination of parts from both the F.4 release in 2021 and F-86F-40 release in 2022, the F-86F-25 and F-86F-30 variants of the North American Sabre...
Two Nuts! Publishing wargames head to U.S. retail via Ares Games. Ares Games will release two Nuts! Publishing wargames into U.S. retail on September 24, 2024. The first game headed to retail is Italia 1917-1918: A Farewell to Arms. This historical strategy game allows both seasoned wargamers and newbies to play through key scenarios in this campaign that was fought out across the Italian Alpini to German Alpenkorps.
The Subbuteo World Cup kicks off in style. 78 years after its invention, Subbuteo is coming home, to Tunbridge Wells, the town where it was invented by Peter Adolph in 1948, for the playing of the Subbuteo World Cup 2024. Kicking off the competition in style, Tunbridge Wells welcomed a giant Subbuteo Player that was flown in and air dropped into the town.
'Dungeons & Dragons: Worlds & Realms' heads to retail: New illustrated book from Ten Speed Press. Ten Speed Press will release Dungeons & Dragons: Worlds & Realms, a new illustrated book, into retail on October 29, 2024. This new book celebrates 50 years of Dungeons & Dragons with an illustrated exploration of the various planes that make up the multiverse.
WizKids Unveils standalone sequel to 'Fantasy Realms' card game: 'Greek Legends'. WizKids unveiled Fantasy Realms: Greek Legends, a standalone card game, which will hit retail in June 2025. This standalone game is the sequel to Bruce Glassco's Kennerspiel des Jahres-nominated Fantasy Realms game which WizKids had re-released as a Deluxe Edition in 2022.
Sanrio goes spooky with new Halloween plushies starring Hello Kitty, Kuromi & more. Hello Kitty's Sanrio has embraced the fall season, and with it, a new line of Halloween-friendly collectibles starring several of its iconic mascots. With new Hello Kitty, Kuromi, My Melody, Cinnamoroll and Chococat toys dressed in their spooky best, fans of all things horrifyingly charming will find plenty to love in Sanrio's fresh plushie line.
New 'Flesh and Blood' Armory Kit heads to retail. Legend Story Studios will release a new Flesh and Blood Armory Kit into retail in October 2024. The newest Armory Kit provides retailers with more promos and items to support their in-store events. This month's kit features split cards as the cold foil promos: Arcane Seeds//Life and Thistle Bloom//Life.
Flat River brings Sit Down!'s 'Magic Maze Tower' to U.S.: New stand-alone sequel to 'Magic Maze'. Sit Down! Games has announced an all-new stand-alone sequel to Kasper Lapp’s 2017 hit Magic Maze called Magic Maze Tower, which will be distributed through Flat River Group following its Essen premier and October 18 release.
Sirius Dice will release 'D&D Mini Dice Cups' into retail. Sirius Dice will release D&D Mini Dice Cups, new collectible dice accessories, which will hit retail on November 7, 2024. These dice cups were first announced at GAMA Expo 2024. The first wave of mini dice cups includes 8 unique characters, such as a Mimic, Drizzt, and more.
'King of Tokyo Duel' due in October: Two-player 'King of Tokyo'. King of Tokyo Duel, a strategic King of Tokyo game for two players, will be released in the U.S. from IELLO Games on October 4. The new game by Richard Garfield and Quentin Regnes gives players three ways to win by mastering six different monsters with asymmetrical powers.
French producer/distributor StudioCanal has rebranded The Copyrights Group as StudioCanal Kids & Family in order to position its kids brand portfolio at the heart of consumer products business growth going forward. The rebranded division will make its industry debut next week at Brand Licensing Europe in London. Françoise Guyonnet, who is currently EVP of StudioCanal’s kids brands and CEO of...
Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development
10:10 Games, in collaboration with Funko, has made its debut in the licensing world with the Funko Fusion video game, released this September. At gamescom, LM had a talk with Arthur Parsons, Head of Publishing and Co-Founder at 10:10 Games, a UK video game developer, to learn more about their debut title. How did you conceive the concept behind Funko Fusion?
EA's going all in on AI for video game design. Game design looks set to the be nest frontier for generative AI. We've already seen Google researchers make an AI Doom recreation, and Tencent recently revealed initial researching into what could become an open-world game generator. Now Electronic Arts (EA), the video game giant behind Battlefield, The Sims and FIFA, has confirmed...
Gold Treasure Worth a Fortune Was Just Hidden in a Forest. The Hunt Starts Now. For years, Jason Rohrer put out bizarre, beloved video games. Now, with Project Skydrop, he launches (yes, today) the real-world treasure hunt of his dreams. The muddy trail levels out and we stop to catch our breath. Which is good, because hiking with my eyes covered has been a pain in the ass.
As video games continue to rise as the dominant form of entertainment worldwide, Scopely’s Stumble Guys has emerged as a standout, captivating tens of millions of players every month with its unique blend of frenetic gameplay and whimsical design, as well as its highly social experience.
Vancouver-based developer Kabam will shut down servers supporting its mobile RPG title Disney Mirrorverse on December 16. The team removed the game from Android and iOS app stores and disabled in-app purchases this week. But those who have already downloaded it can continue playing until the shutdown.
The Plucky Squire: From Pokémon to a page-turning indie hit. Have you ever wished a character from your favourite book would leap off the page? Imagine if they actually could. That's the concept behind The Plucky Squire, a new video game set inside - and outside - a storybook. The game follows title character Jot, and his quest to save the Land of Mojo from evil wizard Humgrump.
Respawn's Star Wars Jedi franchise tops 40 million players. According to EA's Laura Miele, the Star Wars Jedi franchise has amassed over 40 million players in its nearly five-year lifetime. Miele revealed the milestone during an investor presentation (spotted byVGC) and said EA's entire run of Star Wars games has topped $5 billion in net bookings.
Diablo 4 players have spent $150 million on skins and microtransactions. Blizzard’s 2023 action RPG dungeon looter Diablo 4 has been criticized for its microtransactions and pricey skins. But apparently, that hasn’t stopped plenty of players from spending over $100 million on in-game cosmetics and other items since it launched.
UK studio nDreams confirms layoffs could impact 17.5 percent of workforce. VR studio nDreams is conducting a round of layoffs that could impact 17.5 percent of employees. The company said a "challenging VR games market" requires a "renewed strategic focus" that will result in job cuts.
A Black Myth: Wukong expansion could be coming early next year. Black Myth: Wukong quickly became one of the biggest games of the year, and it might be getting an expansion sooner than some expected. A previously teased DLC is coming as soon as January 2025, according to a new report on the content plans for the fantasy action game.
All of the drama around the $700 PS5 Pro, explained. Sony's new console is one of its most expensive ever and people are losing their minds over it. The PS5 Pro has been rumored for over a year now and turned out to be exactly what most people expected: a similar-looking machine that runs games with incrementally better graphics and performance.
Highlighted Press Releases
HEADU HEADS TO THE USA TO BRING THEIR PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION AND PLAY STATESIDE. Toy and Game Company Headu Shows That Their Products Hide Plenty of Fun Under the Surface with Their X-Ray Series. Boston, MA (September 19, 2024) – Who knew learning could be this fun? Headu, a toy and game manufacturer based out of Italy, is spreading the joy to the United States, doing business as Headu USA in Boston, Massachusetts. The driving focus of Headu is to create toys for children of many age ranges that teach practical skills and knowledge in a seamless, immersive, and fun way! Headu toys and games have an eclectic range of visual styles but maintain a throughline of playfulness and...
MICADOR OFFERS CREATIVE FREEDOM ON-THE-GO WITH THEIR “early stART” LINE. The Micador early stART Family Of Products Grows With Sensory Packs, Colored Pencils And On-the-Go Activities. Melbourne, Australia (September 19, 2024) – Keep growing minds and restless hands busy when you’re on-the-go! The early stART line of artmaking materials just got a boost with five key offerings that are great for taking just about anywhere: the Sensory Painting and Drawing pack, Sensory Creating – Crazy Creatures pack, Color and Play – Zoo Edition pack, Triangle Purse Colored Pencils, and Developmental Activity Pad. All of these high-quality art packs are available at retail for fall 2024 at affordable price...
FUN IN MOTION TOYS ACHIEVES PRESTIGIOUS MESH ACCREDITATION FOR SHASHIBO. MESH Helps Announces Inaugural Group Of Accredited Products. Ft. Lauderdale, FL (September 17, 2024) – Fun In Motion Toys is proud to announce that its #1 best-selling Original Magnetic Puzzle Cube Shashibo has successfully achieved MESH Accreditation. This esteemed recognition is the result of thorough product evaluation and certification conducted by FUNdamentally Children, the independent, third-party accrediting body for MESH Helps. MESH stands for Mental Emotional Social Health.
CONQUER THE CARD PYRAMID WITH FRIENDS IN ULTIMATCH FROM FIRESIDE GAMES. Fireside Games Brings Some Cooperative Action To The Card Game Isle With Their New And Inventive Game Ultimatch. Austin, TX (September 6, 2024) – The flame of creativity continues to burn brighter! Fireside Games, makers of the highly acclaimed Castle Panic, has an exciting new title that turns competitive card games on their head. The eclectic game maker has everyone covered for fall 2024 with card matching game Ultimatch. In Ultimatch, set your competitive drive aside in lieu of a more cooperative spirit. Players prevail together or fail together!
Safety and Counterfeiting
PA residents warned of unsafe lead levels in recalled children’s toy set. Pennsylvania health officials are warning parents and caretakers across the Commonwealth about a play garden set with parts containing lead levels above federal limits. Recalls were officially issued for the Stanley Jr. Kids Wheelbarrow and 7-piece Garden Sets model number 1662178 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission...
Intellio Toys recalls Bright Builder Fort Kits with Flashlights due to battery ingestion hazard; Violation of Federal regulations for battery-operated toys. Hazard: The flashlight on the recalled kits violates the mandatory federal battery-operated toy regulation because the flashlights contain button cell batteries in a compartment that can be easily opened without requiring the use of a common household tool.
Fake retro video game ring worth €50m smashed in Italy. A video game trafficking ring has been smashed by police in Italy, after fake vintage consoles and games worth almost €50m ($55.5m) were seized. Among the counterfeit games were popular titles from the 1980s and 90s, including Mario Bros., Street Fighter and Star Wars.
Associations, Foundations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals
With iconic "Transformers" characters leading the charge, this campaign hopes to inspire more people to take advantage of everything libraries have to offer. In honor of the 40th Anniversary of "Transformers," the American Library Association (ALA) has joined forces with Skybound Entertainment and Hasbro to promote Library Card Sign-up Month. As part of the "40 Years. One Legacy" campaign, the initiative...
*** The above posted after Sept 20th when tBR circulated ***
Toy Association's President's Letter: LA Fall Preview Market Week: A Celebration of Play, Purpose, and Possibilities. Coming off a busy and productive week in Los Angeles, I am energized by The TA’s renewed focus to be a “unifying force in service of our members” and the inaugural LA Fall Preview being the perfect example of this commitment. As a brand-new venture for our Association, created in direct...
The Strong Toy Hall of Fame Finalists. Player’s Choice Ballot. Which toys do you think are most worthy of joining icons such as Barbie, LEGOs, and the cardboard box in the National Toy Hall of Fame? Vote now through September 25, 2024.
A New Barbie Exhibit Is Heading To NYC With A Life-Size Mirror-Pink Corvette. A nod to the doll's iconic history, the new Barbie exhibit at MAD should be on everyone's fall bucket list. Grab your pinkest outfit: a Barbie exhibit is on its way to NYC in a few short weeks, and we couldn’t be more delighted about its arrival.
Etopia Consultancy announces inaugural Women in Amazon Business event. Taking place on Wednesday 4th Dec., the event, organised by Asha Bhalsod and Hannah Hughes from Etopia, will celebrate the women making waves in the Amazon industry. Etopia ConsultancyAmazon has announced its first ever official Women in Amazon Business event, titled “Women of Influence: Changing the Game in Amazon“.
Animaccord , the global entertainment powerhouse behind the beloved Masha and the Bear brand, has announced a series of strategic partnerships and successful live show launches that bolster its presence in the live entertainment sector worldwide. In Europe, Animaccord has secured new agreements and witnessed the successful debut of shows, underscoring its commitment to delivering high-quality family...
Kids India proved the place to be once again for the Indian toy sector. From 12 to 14 September, 5024 trade visitors from 31 countries flooded into the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The 127 exhibitors who attended included businesses from Austria, Japan, South Korea and Sri Lanka. The number of countries taking part was twice as high as last year.
Xbox Gaming Consumer Products will be at this year’s BLE with new updates. Microsoft Gaming, Xbox Game Studios, Activision Blizzard King and Bethesda are responsible for developing and publishing some of the biggest and most beloved franchises in history, with a focus on delivering great games for everyone, whether they play on console, PC, or mobile devices.
WiT celebrates 2024 Wonder Women Award winners. The annual Wonder Women Gala capped an exciting Market Week during the LA Fall Toy Previews. Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) unveiled the winners of this year’s Wonder Women Awards in front of a packed house at the Beverly Hilton on Friday night. This year’s honorees span nearly 20 categories, some of which resulted in a tie. And a drumroll please …
Submit your nominations for The Toy Book’s Pulse of Play Awards! The Toy Book reveals plans for the inaugural Pulse of Play Awards™ — a celebration of the individuals, companies, and activations that shape the heartbeat of the toy industry and drive its pulse across toys, licensing, entertainment, and the overall business of play.
At Kids India, Spielwarenmesse eG launched its new charitable project, the Spirit of Play Foundation. Under this name, the Nuremberg-based company is bringing the charity campaigns of its national and international events together under one roof – the aim being to raise everyone’s awareness of ‘play as a basic need’, emphasise its importance and anchor the issue more firmly in everyday life.
Arte wins the Cartoon Tributes Broadcaster of the Year. Germany's ZDF Studios and Ireland's Cartoon Saloon took home the other top prizes in the peer-voted categories, with RAI Kids head Luca Milano receiving a Tribute of Honor. With roots in France and Germany, Arte beat out nominees from Switzerland (Suisse/RTS), Slovenia (Radio Televizija Slovenija/RTV) and Spain (Televisió de Catalunya/TVC) to take...
ESCP and Licensing International to host webinar. On 2nd October, Ethical Supply Chain Program (ESCP) and Licensing International will join forces to host a webinar for members to learn about the latest regulatory changes impacting the licensing community and how to protect their IP. The session will take place online from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm EDT.
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
Kosin Virapornsawan, Managing Director of PlanToys, On September 12, 2024.
James Earl Jones died Sept. 9 at the age of 93 at his home in Dutchess County, New York, took on Shakespeare, the Greeks, Jean Genet and a hundred comedies, yet it’s the voiceover work that everyone’s talking about today. He is, after all, the man who said “This is CNN” and CNN was instantly and for decades classier, more distinguished for it. Today, or tomorrow, or any day, another hundred or thousand or million people will hear his voice once again, or maybe for the first time, as Mustafa in “The Lion King.”
There were, of course, a few other things for which Jones will be remembered....
John Cassaday, known for his work on Planetary, Astonishing X-Men, and I Am Legion, died on September 9 at the age of 52.
Cassaday was born on December 14, 1971, in Fort Worth, Texas. A self-taught artist, he went to film school and was a television news director in Texas for almost five years, then moved to New York in 1997 and took a construction job so he could spend his evenings working on his portfolio. He brought his portfolio to Comic-Con International in San Diego that year, and after that began getting calls from editors.
Peter Renaday, best known for his role in the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV series, has died aged 89.
He was the voice of Master Splinter in the original popular animated show broadcast in the 1980s and 1990s.... He voiced characters in Disney animated films in the 1970s and 1980s including The Aristocats, The Rescuers and the Black Cauldron.
His TV credits include Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo, Alvin & The Chipmunks, The Transformers, The Real Ghostbusters and Batman: The Animated Series.
Brian Trueman, the writer behind the cartoon series Danger Mouse, has died at the age of 92, his son has said.
Posting on Facebook, Jonathan Trueman said his Manchester-born father had died in hospital on Sunday evening after a short illness.
Trueman had an illustrious career in television and radio, presenting the BBC children's quiz show Screen Test as well as working at Granada TV.
But he was best known for his work with animation company Cosgrove Hall Films - particularly Danger Mouse, which started in 1981 and was voiced by Sir David Jason, as well as Count Duckula and Chorlton and the Wheelies.
He described him as "clever, funny, resilient, an absolute gentleman, loving and loved". "We will all miss him so much," he added.
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- WizKids Unveils New Black Dragon Sculpt for 'D&D Nolzur's Marvelous Miniatures'
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- 'BattleTech Universe' Heads to Retail
- Big Changes at CMON; Hasbro May Move HQ; Topps Gets Marvel Cards
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- Rolling for Initiative -- Alliance Open House and the Future of AI at Wizards of the Coast
- 'Dungeons & Dragons: Worlds & Realms' Heads to Retail
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Get to Know: Digital Designer & Art Sculptor Scott Wetterschneider
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McDonald's Adult Happy Meals Back with Six New Collectible Glasses
Video of the Week
Azhelle Wade: What was the hardest part of my toy journey? The answer is not quite what you think…
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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.
If you would like to reach Phil: philip.bloom100@verizon.net
Publisher: Mary Couzin, Chicago Toy & Game Group, Inc.
Managing Editor: Graeme Thomson
Assistant Editor: Patrick Fisher
Not only does the Bloom Report give you all the news you need to know...
we give you all the news you didn't know you needed to know!" -Phil Bloom
Do you have news to share? Send us a note! mary@chitag.com
