Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
Happy Bloomin' Friday!
Another New York Toy Fair is in the books! Needless to say, it was great catching up with so many industry friends and colleagues. Jeremy Padawer sums it up best.
As in past years, my Toy Fair mission was to generate excitement for our November POP Week events—and the interest has never been higher! Time and again, I heard, "Send me the link to register!" POP/CHITAG is 23 years strong and growing every year! Reserve your spot at our CHITAG Fair.
Thank you to everyone who attended our 25th POP Connolly's Pub event! We hosted at least 500 people throughout the night - what a blast! We raised money for the Young Inventor Challege and it isn't too late for you to donate. CLICK HERE to make an investment in the future—the next generation will support and inspire us!
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Mary and the POP Team
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Person of the Week: POP's Reviewer Julia DeKorte
So It's Your First Time At Toy Fair...
So you’re going to Toy Fair! Congratulations! You’re going to have so much fun. This year was my first time attending, so I thought I’d share some advice for other first-timers.
My number one piece of advice is to be friendly! My full-time job sadly lies outside of the toy industry, so from an outsider’s perspective, the one thing I admire the most about the toy industry is just how happy everyone that’s a part of it is. Make new friends and build new connections—it’s easy when you already have something in common: everyone loves toys!
Check out Julia's reviews of books, films, toys and games. If you are a POP member, Julia will review one product a year for you!
Event of the Week - Clever TFNYC Promotion
Sticki Rolls Content Creators Anna & Erin Leave Their Mark on NYC with Exclusive Five Below Meet and Greet!
Sticki Rolls content creators and viral duo, Anna & Erin, held a massively successful meet and greet this past weekend at Five Below in NYC!
Anna & Erin pulled up to the event in a fully Sticki Roll-wrapped New York taxi cab, and were greeted with over 100 excited fans from all ages lined up to see the pair. Along with meeting the internet sensations, fans had the opportunity to receive event-exclusive Sticki Rolls hoodies, Sticki Rolls bracelets and add to their Sticki Rolls collection with the full product line available for purchase at the Five Below location. Read More...
Cartoon Lovers, Lexophiles & People in Need of a Smile!
Cartoon of the Week: Thank you to the person who wishes to remain anonymous for the cartoon this week!
Memorable Quotes: "As one goes through life, one learns that if you don’t paddle your own canoe, you don’t move." - Katharine Hepburn
Toy Industry Word of 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 past week!
Financial and Legal
2024 was Kickstarter’s biggest year yet. Here are the creators who raised $706 million. In mid-2024, Kickstarter highlighted how more creators are using its platform to crowdfund projects that are offshoots of their usual content. YouTube animator CircleTunesHD raised $729,197 to bring his fantasy tabletop game Fool’s Blade to life. Then there’s YouTuber and inventor Simone Giertz, who raised nearly $1.2 million...
Walgreens to be acquired in $10B take-private deal. The struggling retail pharmacy chain’s nearly 100-year run as a public company could end following an agreement to be purchased by private equity firm Sycamore Partners. The private equity firm will pay $11.45 per share in cash for Walgreens, giving the company an equity value of about $10 billion. But shareholders could earn another $3 per share based on...
Court rules to not hold up the Paramount and Skydance merger. But Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick will still consider an injunction presented by a collective New York City pension group before the merger's end date on April 7. A Delaware judge has declined to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) yesterday that would have stalled the US$8-billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media.
France’s Mediawan has finalized a deal to acquire a 51% majority stake in London- and Sydney-based production company See-Saw Films. Financial terms have not been made public, but this acquisition should buoy See-Saw by providing it with access to more financing and sales capabilities under the growing auspices of Mediawan’s conglomerate, as well as opening up more co-pro opportunities with some...
Disney Animation workers ratify their first union contract. With a strong 96% eligible voter turnout, the new agreement was accepted with 93% in favor. Production management workers at Burbank’s Walt Disney Animation Studios have ratified their first union contract. Represented by The Animation Guild/IATSE Local 839, this milestone moment has been two years in the making.
*** The above posted after tBR circulated on March 7th ***
Sesame Workshop filed a lawsuit on Friday against sellers on e-commerce sites like eBay, Walmart and Amazon in an effort to stop the sale of allegedly counterfeit merchandise - or else pay $150,000 per infringed work. The parent co. of “Sesame Street” also named AliExpress, eCRATER, MadeInChina and Temu as examples of how these so-called alias store operators are able to function in their copyright lawsuit.
Toys are expected to cost more by fall due to new US tariffs on Chinese imports. As toy inventors, toy manufacturers and buyers for stores that sell toys met for a four-day annual trade show in New York last weekend, a topic besides which items were destined for holiday wish lists permeated the displays. President Donald Trump had announced days before that he planned to increase the extra tariff he put on Chines...
Toymakers brace for Trump tariffs: 'It's killing our mojo'. The business of the North American Toy Fair, an annual showcase of the latest in silly putty, monster trucks and board games, is fun. But this year at the convention center in New York City, tariffs were killing the vibe. In February, US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on products made in China by 10%.
Hasbro CEO says Trump tariffs could mean higher toy prices coming soon. We are all wondering what the new Trump Tariffs on China will mean for retail prices. Hasbro CEO Chris Cox was on Yahoo! Finance recently talking about how the Trump Tariffs impact prices. He says it could eventually mean higher toy prices coming soon.
Toy makers consider moving production to avoid tariffs. Toy companies of all sizes are reportedly bracing themselves for the impact of the tariffs that have been imposed on China, Canada and Mexico. Companies are concerned about where they will source their products, how they will manage higher costs, and how consumers will respond to higher prices...
Nintendo has won its legal battle against Dstorage, the French company it accused of hosting pirated games on its file-sharing site 1fichier.com. In a press release sent to outlets like Eurogamer and GBATemp, Nintendo says a French Court agreed that 1fichier.com is “liable for failing to remove or block access to unauthorised copies of Nintendo games stored on this platform.”
Rockstar Games announced on March 1 its acquisition of the Sydney-based Video Games Deluxe. The studio will henceforth be known as Rockstar Australia. “After working together closely over many years, we are excited to have Video Games Deluxe join the team as Rockstar Australia,” Rockstar head of publishing Jennifer Kolbe said.
Only days after the news of Technicolor’s potential collapse broke, its video game and ad-focused businesses were poised to make fresh starts. NY-based translation company TransPerfect acquired Technicolor Games on March 1 and will operate it as a division of its video game service business TransPerfect Gaming. All Technicolor Games India employees in Technicolor’s Bangalore office will keep working on projects...
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Financial Reporting
Stonemaier sales were $23.7 million in 2024, up 42% from $16.7 million in 2023, a second down year after a big year in 2021, when sales were $24.7 million
*** The above posted after March 7th when tBR circulated ***
Funko scored a 1% increase in Q4 net sales to $293.7 million versus $291.2 million in Q4 2023. For the year, net sales dipped to $1.05 billion versus $1.10 billion in 2023. Funko improved gross profit and margin, cut expenses, and reduced debt last year as part of the company’s ongoing turnaround.
Target Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2024 Earnings. The company experienced a modest rise of 1.5% in total comparable sales. This was despite a slight 0.5% decrease in comparable store sales, offset by an 8.7% uptick in comparable digital sales.
Webtoon lost around $153 million in Q4, up from a $33 million loss in Q4 2023; and lost $214 million for the full year, up from a $135 million loss in 2023. Asset writedowns contributed $70 million to the losses, pretty similar to $63 million in writedowns in 2023.
Trends, Lists, Market Research, and State of the Industry
Best of the Best Toy Fair 2025: BestReviews gives awards to 13 top toys.
In a fascinating study, we have explored how social media is reshaping children’s language. The analysis of over 43,000 stories submitted by 5-11-year-olds to the BBC 500 Words 2024 competition highlights intriguing trends in vocabulary and themes.
TOP 20 MANGA GRAPHIC NOVELS – FULL YEAR 2024 (UNITS & DOLLARS)
*** the above posted after tBR circulated March 7th ***
Toy Expert Elizabeth Werner shares 2025 toy trends after visiting International Toy Fair.
The Toy Guy – Hottest Toys at the 2025 North American International Toy Fair.
Kidscreen - What was hot at New York Toy Fair.
Amanda Mushro, a lifestyle and parenting expert gives her take on the best toys from Toy Fair 2025
GameSpot - 10 Coolest Things We Saw At Toy Fair 2025
Tom's Guide - Best of Toy Fair 2025: The top 11 new toys from LEGO, Hasbro, Mattel and more
Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest game in the long-running Monster Hunter series from Capcom, was released on Friday, and immediately became a smash hit. The game attracted over 1.3 million concurrent players on Steam, and received a metascore of 90/100 from critics on review score aggregator Metacritic.
SpongeBob Beats Arthur to Become the Longest Running Animated Kids Show. SpongeBob SquarePants has now surpassed Arthur’s record to be the longest running animated kids show of all time.
Spotlight on Outdoor Toys. Despite the weather-related challenges, according to UK Circana figures from November, Outdoor Toys still represented the fourth largest supercategory in 2024, accounting for around 10% of all toy spend across the year.
Hot for ’25: 100+ Toys and Games to stock this year. This year’s lineup features beloved characters, fresh takes on classic play patterns, and boundary-pushing technology that enhances storytelling and engagement.
Toy trends on display at New York Toy Fair 2025. The first show since October 2023, over 840 exhibitors were ready to show off its newest product to the crowd of toy retailers, influencers and enthusiasts worldwide.
Location-based entertainment: The Toy Industry’s immersive future. One particularly notable trend is reshaping the way consumers engage with toy brands: location-based entertainment. More than just playthings on a shelf, toys are evolving into immersive experiences, inviting fans into physical spaces where they can interact with their favorite brands in new and exciting ways. (Editor's hint: The Chicago Toy & Game Fair)
Kidults will continue to drive licensed toy sales in 2025.
Best of Toy Fair 2025: The top 11 new toys from LEGO, Hasbro, Mattel and more.
State of the Industry Q&A 2025: Paramount’s Lourdes Arocho. The toy and licensing industries are always changing. New anniversaries are celebrated, new trends arise, and new technology is integrated into products, experiences, and brands.
Top 50 Comics - February 2025.
Stories, Comments, and Advice
NASA's Artemis 2 crew wants your help designing the plush toy that will fly with them around the moon. The first astronauts preparing to fly to the moon in more than 50 years want your help identifying their fifth crew member — their "moon mascot." NASA's Artemis 2 crew is seeking an original idea for their zero-g indicator (ZGI), a stuffed toy or doll that will be suspended from a tether in their Orion spacecraft to...
DEI Is Disappearing in Hollywood. Was It Ever Really Here? As Trump cracks down on diversity and inclusion policies, studios are at a crossroads with some observers questioning how effective the benchmarks were to begin with. If Hollywood’s answer to Donald Trump’s first months at the White House in 2017 was resistance, the 2025 edition so far appears more muted and a tad indifferent.
Are Family Vloggers Really Leaving California to Avoid Paying Their Kids? After a handful of California-based family influencers announced they were ditching the Golden State for Tennessee, other folks on the internet shared a theory: What if the reason they were leaving was because of a new child-labor law that requires parents to put a percentage of their earnings into a trust?
Five Ways Exhibitors at Toy Fair Stood out in a Sea of Playfulness. The first visual we laid eyes on at Toy Fair 2025 in NYC, March 1-4, was a larger-than-life Rubik’s cube suspended in the air and surrounded by disco lights and bumping music. There was something about a handheld toy that has transcended generations, blown up in epic proportions, that activated the joy meter for this geriatric millennial. And there was...
*** The above posted after tBR circulated March 7th ***
John Baulch, Toy World - An Englishman in New York … it’s the Friday Blog! Just after last week’s Blog hit the wires, I headed off to NY for my final trip of Toy Fair Season. Thankfully, the journey went without a hitch, unlike the poor passengers on one Virgin flight, which was cancelled due to engine failure. Some people ended up taking almost 27 hours to get to New York, including Midco’s Dave Middleton who had set off from...
From the ToyBook Editor: Toy Fair Triumphant! The biggest toy show in North America is back in action… “This was the best Toy Fair we’ve ever had.” That quote sticks in my head as it’s been echoed by several people over the past few days. This year’s Toy Fair in New York was a great show, and I feel that it reinforced its place in our universe. It was energetic, positive, and filled with the creativity and enthusiasm...
Why the New York Toy Fair is an unmissable event for the licensing industry. The 119th edition of the New York Toy Fair has just concluded, highlighting a range of innovative toy trends set to define the year. These trends include a strong focus on personalization, nostalgia, and the evolving needs of both children and parents. Additionally, the Toy Industry Association is working diligently to preserve and improve business...
Letter from America - In his March report, Rick Derr discusses what actions he’s taken at the beginning of the year to set up Learning Express for the rest of 2025. MarchThe year is 12.2% completed using my forecast model and by the end of April, we pretty much know how the year is going to trend. Learning Express has used correlation models and one of the most accurate has been sales correlated to the first four...
State of Emergency: Retail Pricing Pits Mass Against Specialty… Again. Undercutting MSRP and sending product straight to clearance are among the factors in one of the most contentious pricing environments of recent yrs. Last year, a buzzy product in the STEM space hit retailers across the U.S. with a $34.95 MSRP. By most accounts, the product was fairly priced and offered a solid value. Then came a surprise price...
Disney is introducing an openly Christian character into its Pixar animated show Win or Lose shortly after a transgender storyline was pulled. Newsweek has reached out to Disney via email outside of regular working hours for comment. The moves comes amid a wider cultural shift toward conservativism, in tandem with the beginning of President Donald Trump's second term in office.
Public media organizations across the US have declared March 6 Protect My Public Media Day, a national call to action in their defense against a potential funding cut. Protect my Public Media is driving this initiative in response to federal funding from US congress to more than 1,500 public media stations potentially being put on the chopping block next week.
Dramatic shifts in the way kids consume content have led to much debate about the role that public service broadcasting plays in the unprecedented global crisis the children’s television industry is facing. Traditional broadcast channels that once thrived on producing and presenting children’s programming are now struggling to adapt to a landscape dominated by streaming platforms and changing viewer habits.
Julia Fitzgerald: In today’s Midsize Match-Up interview, I had the pleasure of talking with Kimberly Jones, President & CEO of Butler/Till. This group has some stand-out attributes that set them apart as a media agency, especially if you need to do local marketing at scale. But I'm getting ahead of myself! Let’s dive into how Butler/Till operates.
Hoopla, Gen Media and Lumen Research collaborate on attention measurement white paper. Hoopla Digital, in collaboration with Generation Media and Lumen Research, has launched a white paper introducing the industry’s first attention measurement model specifically designed for children’s advertising.
Raising the Bar: The essential guide to hiring a lawyer for your toy company. Legal issues can be especially important in the toy industry. From product liability, intellectual property, and contracts to manufacturing and licensing, many areas of the law affect the toy industry, your business, and even your bottom line.
Marketing Memo: The uncertain fate of TikTok. What’s next for social selling if TikTok Shop goes dark. If you’ve been paying attention to what’s happening with TikTok, you might feel a little whiplash. One minute, TikTok is one of the fastest-growing e-commerce platforms in the U.S., reaching 175 million users.
History and Nostalgia
A Utah resident’s Hot Wheels collection is so vast, it caught Mattel’s attention. Ian Weber has around 5,000 Hot Wheels cars in his collection. The three-time American Ninja Warrior competitor’s collection started growing when he got into customizing the cars nearly two decades ago. The awards that adorn the walls come from customizing Hot Wheels at different conventions around the country...
*** the above posted after tBR circulated March 7th ***
Making the Games: The Story of Cadaco, A Chicago Toy Company That Created Epic Tabletop Sports Contests — and Turned the Life of Martin Luther King, Jr. Into a Competition. As the rise of television lifted sports even higher into the American consciousness in the 1960s, Cadaco games soared in popularity too, with baseball, football and basketball tabletop games that were easy to play—most notably for...
The most popular toys at the 1995 Toy Fair may come as a surprise — Buzz Lightyear, Teacher Barbie and more. If you were growing up in the 90s or raising someone who was, you know that there was one thing that reigned supreme — toys. Childhood in the '90s was all about play, with kids amassing impressive collections as toymakers tried to keep up with the interest.
Careers from Parker Brothers (1955). How do you measure success? Answering this ambitious question is the object of Careers, a classic “roll-and-move” game first released in 1955 by Parker Brothers. The ability for players to specify their own winning conditions is one of the unique and innovative aspects of Careers, resulting in play experiences and strategies that vary from game to game.
Dragnet – Badge 714 Crime Lab from Transogram (1955). Capitalizing on the popularity of the television crime drama Dragnet, Transogram released the Dragnet – Badge 714 Crime Lab. The set provided “a complete crime detection outfit for the Junior Detective,” allowing them to simulate solving crimes like the show’s lead character.
Jumbo Machinder Mazinger Z Figure from Bandai Namco, Step back into the golden era of Japanese robots—Bandai has brought a legendary line back to life with the re-release of an all-new Jumbo Machinder Mazinger Z figure. Standing 23 inches tall, this towering tribute to the original Popy playthings from the 1970s captures the era’s unmistakable charm.
Man's collection of risqué antique toys set to fetch £200k at auction. A man's lifetime collection of risqué antique toys is set to fetch £200,000 at auction - despite being deemed "unacceptable" in todays woke world. David Finn spent decades amassing the hoard of quirky 19th Century toys - many of which would be considered too controversial nowadays - before he died in 2023 aged 81.
Licensing and Entertainment
Hasbro Entertainment is rolling the dice with two film projects inspired by its classic board game Monopoly. The highly anticipated productions will bring The Monopoly Man to screens of all sizes, from a feature-length film to an unscripted television series. Deadline reports that the upcoming series will turn Hasbro’s beloved board game into a large-scale reality competition.
Spin Master has announced two new special episodes for its expanding fantasy-adventure franchise, Unicorn Academy, dropping on Netflix this year. Legendary Summer (1×60 minute), premiering on National Unicorn Day (9th April) and Winter Solstice (1×44 minute) streaming 6th November, will dive deeper into the friendships and adventures of the diverse characters and the powers that are unlocked...
Wave one of Nacelle’s new line of Star Trek action figures includes fan-favourites and deep cuts that span most of the franchise’s history. Nacelle Toys has revealed the pre-sale date for its highly anticipated Star Trek action figure line. All eight action figures from wave one are now available to pre-order for $28.99 at Nacellestore.com.
Alphablocks and Blue Zoo Licensing, the licensing division of the leading animation production company Blue Zoo Animation Studio and Alphablocks, have announced a new North American agency representation agreement for their award-winning pre-school educational series: Alphablocks, Colorblocks, Numberblocks and Wonderblocks – together forming the Blocks Universe.
Cra-Z-Art has signed a comprehensive global licensing agreement with GennComm ImaGennation, the product development and licensing division of GennComm LLC. The deal includes use of GennComm’s four issued US patents related to memory foam in plush toys, its Pop-Up Plush trademark, bespoke brands and comprehensive tactile sensory toy know-how for global use in Cra-Z-Art’s new plush division.
Little Tikes teams up with Bluey for new toy line. The Little Tikes Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MGA Entertainment has announced a partnership with BBC Studios to launch a new line of Bluey-inspired toys. The line consists of four new toys that bring an interactive experience rooted in play around the television show.
Hachette introduces official Flow board game. Fresh off its Academy Award win for Best Animated Feature, Flow is set to make waves once again, this time on the tabletop, as Hachette launches its new licensed board game. Published by Brain Games and brought to the UK by Hachette Boardgames UK, the official board game adaptation of the critically acclaimed film will be available from 15th March...
Magicbox’s Superthings Kazoom Power goes live on ITVX. Commissioned by Magicbox, Superthings Kazoom Power has been produced by Castelao Pictures, Tandem Films and Turaga Films. Perfect for 4 to 10-year-olds, the series delivers all the fun of the beloved Superthings brand with episodes are filled with comedy, adventure and superheroes. The first 13 of 26 episodes went live on 1st March 2025 and...
PGS Entertainment announces strategic partnership with El Reino Infantil for ‘Mini Smiley’ distribution. Since December, “Mini Smiley” episodes have been available on The Children's Kingdom, El Reino Infantil's English-language platform. El Reino Infantil will oversee and manage the Spanish-language “Mini Smiley” channel.
Licensing Works! to represent ‘Blocks Universe’ for North American Growth. Licensing Works! will represent Alphablocks’ brands for licensing, promotional opportunities, and additional merchandise opportunities in North America while supporting Alphablocks’ master toy partner, Hand2Mind, under Learning Resources. The Blocks Universe is a hit in the U.K. and includes four engaging animated series.
Fuggler expands with freaky fun for all with new deals worldwide. It’s been 15 years since Louise McGettrick first listed a batch of handmade figures called “Fugglers” on Etsy. The mischievous plush “funny-ugly monsters,” each with human-like teeth and a signature “BUTT-on hole,” gained a following, eventually landing with licensing agent Michael Goodman, who sold the Fuggler brand to Spin Master in 2018.
Fantasy Flight unveils Star Wars Unlimited: Jump to Lightspeed. Fantasy Flight Games has unveiled the next chapter in the Star Wars: Unlimited card game saga – Jump to Lightspeed. Launching this month, the highly anticipated fourth set takes players on an unforgettable journey, featuring iconic scenes, groundbreaking gameplay and legendary characters that expand the galaxy’s endless possibilities.
Mattel unveils Disney Snow White Collector dolls. Just out of New York Toy Fair, Mattel has unveiled two new collector dolls in celebration of Disney’s Snow White live-action film. The Disney Collector Snow White Doll and Disney Collector Evil Queen Doll, bring to life the fairytale, reimagined for a new generation.
‘Angry Birds’ toy line from The Loyal Subjects and Rovio launching 2026. The Loyal Subjects has partnered with Rovio Entertainment as master toy for “Angry Birds.” In a deal facilitated by IMG Licensing, the strategic partnership will debut its first collection of toys, collectibles and plush in 2026.
McFarlane Toys announces new licensing agreement for TMNT. McFarlane Toys has announced the landmark signing of a new licensing agreement with Paramount Consumer Products. This collaboration marks a new chapter as McFarlane Toys expands its comic collectibles with the iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brand.
Mattel launches ‘A Minecraft Movie’ product line. Mattel is launching a toy line inspired by the upcoming “A Minecraft Movie,” including a new figurine assortment set featuring characters from the film and accessories all tied to the video game, “Minecraft.” The reveal includes a first look at Jack Black’s character as an action figure.
Hasbro reveals Star Wars: A New Hope multipack [Toy Fair 2025]. Star Wars Retro Collection fans, get your wallets ready. This past weekend at the New York Toy Fair, Hasbro revealed its new Star Wars: A New Hope Retro Collection multipack. Ideal for new fans and long-time collectors alike, the Star Wars Retro Collection features detailing and design calling back to the original 1970s and 1980s figures.
The Loyal Subjects debuts first look at new M.A.S.K. toy line in collaboration with Hasbro. The Loyal Subjects has partnered with Hasbro to launch a fleet of collectible action figures and vehicles inspired by the 1985 franchise, M.A.S.K., set to debut in the summer, in time for the brand’s 40th anniversary.
POP MART reveals ‘One Piece’ collaborative blind box collection. POP MART is releasing a new collaborative series in partnership with the animanga “One Piece.” The upcoming The Monsters × "One Piece" Series Figures, which reimagines the Straw Hat Pirates through the whimsical style of Pop Mart’s IP The Monsters.
Barbie announces 2025 Career of the Year set and Alicia Keys Role Model doll. The 2025 Barbie Women in Music Career of the Year set features two distinct industry roles – Musical Artist and Tour Manager - designed to inspire the next generation to explore careers in music, both on stage and behind the scenes. Barbie is also honoring 17-time Grammy award-winning singer Alicia Keys, while duo ‘Barbie Role Model' ...
McFarlane Toys and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products announce Mortal Kombat Klassic collaboration. McFarlane Toys proudly announces a new collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to bring the iconic Mortal Kombat Klassic brand to McFarlane Toys’ growing video game collectible category.
Free League and Skybound team up for 'Invincible' RPG. New TTRPG based on the comic book by Robert Kirkland, Cory Walker, and Ryan Ottley. The new TTRPG will be designed by D&D Beyond founder Adam Bradford and Tomas Harenstem. The game will allow players to create characters and assume a role in the Invincible universe.
Hasbro launches into Toy Fair with new licensed collectibles. Fans can collect action figures, Transformers, Beyblades and more inspired by fan-favorite franchises. Hasbro just dropped a line-up of products that will make collectors’ heads spin.In honor of Toy Fair this weekend, the company unveiled new action figures, Transformers, and other collectible toys for kids of all ages to snag.
Littlest Pet Shop Series Three unveiled following successful relaunch. Following its 2024 relaunch which saw the brand skyrocket to become the No.1 growth property in G10’s Playsets, Dolls and Accessories, Littlest Pet Shop is growing with the release of Series Three. Distributed by Bandai UK, the latest series hits shelves this month, featuring 60 new pets to collect, trade and create stories with.
Dare to open the 'Lost Ruins of Arnak: Adventure Chest'. New expansion set by Czech Edition Games. This board game expansion offers players a sturdier box that fits all previously released Arnak content. It also includes a the brand-new Twisted Paths expansion content, which features a double-sided map, new guardians, sites, and assistants. The box also contains solo tiles previously released as print-and-play.
Devir Games rolls out the 'Red Carpet': New paparazzi-themed board game. In this game, players attend the Academy Awards as photographers looking to snap the best shots of celebrities as they head down the red carpet. Players will adjust their cell phone cameras strategically, in order to get the best angles, which yield more points.
Zuru announces sponsorship of F1 driver Liam Lawson. Liam will make his debut with the world championship winning team at Melbourne in March after a seven year journey from Red Bull Junior to Oracle Red Bull Racing. Just as Liam has risen from the junior ranks to the top team, Zuru has grown from small beginning in New Zealand to become …
Renegade unveils 'Monsters Menace The World': New game in the Avalon Hill 'Monster Menace' line. The new game picks up where Monsters Ravage America, designed by J.C. Conners and Ben Knight, later retitled Monsters Menace America left off. The monsters Gargantis, Toxicor, Tomanagi, and others have rampaged across the United States, and now they are ready to take on the world!
Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple honored as Barbie UK Role Models. Mattel has announced the first ever Barbie Role Models UK duo – Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple – celebrating International Women’s Day by honouring a powerful friendship duo whose strong bonds inspire and empower each other’s success.
The Midnight Sons ride into 'Marvel: Crisis Protocol' with new Affiliation Pack. The champions of the night emerge to do battle with the monsters of the Marvel Universe. This themed pack includes miniatures for Blade, Moon Knight, Ghost Rider, and Doctor Voodoo. It also comes with 4 Character Stat cards, 6 Team Tactic cards, a punch sheet, and an insert.
Trick or Treat Studios previews new ‘Killer Klowns from Outer Space’ toys and collectibles. It’s a personal favorite of mine… Killer Klowns from Outer Space! The 1980s horror-comedy classic has become a merchandising powerhouse in recent years, and Trick or Treat Studios has new toys, masks, and even busts/banks headed our way soon.
LEGO reveals ‘Bluey’ sets, more at Toy Fair. LEGO debuted sets for builders of all ages at Toy Fair yesterday. There are five Bluey LEGO sets, including two DUPLO sets. The LEGO DUPLO Bluey Ice Cream Trip ($29.99) with Bluey set features Bluey and Dad taking a drive to the ice cream shop. The LEGO DUPLO Bluey’s Family House with Memory Game set ($69.99) features Bluey’s house with three …
Sound the Horns: ‘Unicorn Academy’ magic continues into 2025. Spin Master’s Unicorn Academy reigns supreme amongst children’s television, ranking as the top show for girls ages 6-9 in Netflix’s audit last September. Not to be taken off its high horse, the fantasy adventure series will debut two special episodes throughout the coming year as the team gears up for a second season in 2026.
Playmates Toys has revealed a wide range of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Re-Ignition action figures, accessories, role-play toys and collectibles for the first time at the Toy Fair in NY. Hasbro’s Power Rangers is one of the longest-running kids live-action series in television history with 30+ years behind it and more than 900 episodes aired to date. Power Rangers is a globally iconic franchise, inspiring fans since 1993.
Epoch unveils Sylvanian Families movie trailer: A Gift from Freya has dropped. The trailer gives fans a sneak peek at what they can expect from the film which is set to premiere on 4th April, just in time for the Easter holidays. The first feature-length Sylvanian Families movie, the family-friendly animation includes a host of much-loved characters from the world of Sylvania, and introduces Big Brother Bruce...
'Magic: The Gathering - Marvel's Spider-Man' product line deets revealed. Friendly Neighborhood Web-slingers swing into FLGS with a hefty MSRPs. The new Marvel's Spider-Man set product line is a little bit different than some of the other IP-themed Magic sets. For one, there are no Commander Decks for this set. WotC has instead substituted Scene Boxes in for …
Ghost Galaxy previews ultimate edition of 'LOTR: The Confrontation': Classic Reiner Knizia board game returns. This classic game of strategy and cunning was last printed in 2013 by Fantasy Flight. The new ultimate edition comes by way of a partnership between Ghost Galazy, Middle-earth Enterprises, and Sophisticated Games. The standalone game is set to be crowd-funded on Gamefound later in 2025.
Restoration Games previews 'Battle Monsters': Kaiju board game based on classic 'Battle Masters' by Milton Bradley. Battle Monsters is a restoration of the 1992 wargame Battle Masters, which was released by Milton Bradley in collaboration with Games Workshop. Restoration has taken this game to the next level by adding the officially-licensed Titans of the Monsterverse to the game.
Plus-Plus USA inks licensing deals with Peanuts, Atari. The company inked deals to create 2D Puzzle by Number boxes and tubes inspired by Peanuts and Atari. Despite being active in the U.S. market for more than a decade, the team at Plus-Plus says it was important to seek the right brands before entering the world of licensed puzzles. The new range launches in the fourth quarter and is developed for sale...
Meme to Mainstream: ‘Skibidi Toilet’ heads to Hollywood and toy store shelves. The digital-first phenomenon is joining the toy box. Teachers, parents, and others who have interacted with members of Generation Alpha have likely heard a new addition to their vocabulary: Skibidi. Skibidi Toilet is an animated YouTube series.
‘The Game of Jaws’ – NECA resurrects classic 1970s toy with deluxe upgrade! Remember Ideal Toy Company’s The Game of Jaws from back in 1975? In celebration of 50 years of Jaws, NECA brings the classic toy back to life with a modern-day upgrade! NECA’s The Game of Jaws: 50th Anniversary Edition was unveiled by the company during Toy Fair 2025 this weekend. NECA previews...
Brandgenuity brings together Goliath Games and ‘The Sims’ for new board game. The release is timed to celebrate "The Sims" 25th Birthday in 2025 and was announced at New York Toy Fair. Slated for release in fall, “The Sims” board game will capture the spirit of creativity, self-expression, and gameplay that has made the video game a global, pop culture phenomenon.
Master Replicas and Paramount collaborate on new Star Trek collection. The collection will launch in July of 2025, and pre-orders are available now. This new series will provide collectors with in-depth reference to some of the most historic Star Trek ships while offering them the opportunity to hold the models in their hands.
Youtooz to launch ‘Fortnite’ collectibles. Launching worldwide this spring, the branded collection will bring characters and moments to life, including Jonesy and Peely. The release of the collection will include bonus codes for in-game cosmetics such as Wraps & Gliders. Launching this spring, the collection will be available for purchase at Youtooz.com alongside speciality retailers throughout the world.
Hape Toys and The Met collaborate on new line. The Metropolitan Musem of Art (The Met) and Hape Toys have collaborated on a new collection; the art-inspired educational toys for infants and toddlers will unite the world’s most renowned art institution with Hape’s passion for early learning. The collection includes puzzles and educational and learning toys to foster development.
Walmart’s My Life As doll collection expands with Harry Potter licensing. The My Life As Harry Potter Collection will include four dolls and a playset. Each doll in the collection is styled with outfits and accessories inspired by the Hogwarts Houses, including Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff.
The LEGO Group drops the green flag on another round of Formula 1 sets. The two brands have exciting collaborative products and projects planned for the season. In addition to the new products, fans can participate in The LEGO Group’s at-race activities in person. Fans who are not there in person but rather watching online can also engage in the experience and excitement through virtual activities.
Decipher resurfaces via Cryptozoic Entertainment. The two companies partner up to relaunch 'How to Host a Murder'. After more or less disappearing from the games industry scene circa the late-00s, Decipher Inc. seems to have resurfaced in an attempt to relaunch their once popular How to Host a Murder game series by licensing the time-honored brand to Cryptozoic.
A global entertainment group, ROI Visual appointed Fauna Entertainment to represent its globally renowned brand, Robocar Poli, in Turkey. As part of this strategic collaboration, Fauna Entertainment will oversee licensing opportunities and YouTube channel management for Robocar Poli, a series celebrated for its engaging storytelling, educational values, and vibrant characters.
Kidscreen has confirmed that Disney is scrapping the streaming series Tiana, its long-awaited follow-up to 2009 feature film The Princess and the Frog that was first teased in December 2020. The decision is part of a broader shift at Walt Disney Animation Studios to move away from producing long-form Disney+ content. In addition to Tiana, the studio has also axed an unrelated feature-length project...
YouTube is launching a less expensive tier of its “Premium” subscription service in the U.S., as the Google-owned video platform says that it now has more than 125 million subscribers to its YouTube Premium and YouTube Music services. The new tier is called Premium Lite and will cost $7.99 per month (compared to $13.99 per month for Premium). It will allow subscribers to watch “most videos” on YouTube ad-free...
While Bordeaux, France is abuzz with pitches flying from movie producers, eager to score a deal at Cartoon Movie 2025, Kidscreen takes a look at some of the projects that seem to have strong potential to make it all the way to the big screen. At this year’s event, 27 of the 55 films being presented are aimed at families, with 11 targeting kids, 16 for young adults/adults and just one registered in the teen category.
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People of Play
The Joy Factory: How Mattel Keeps Its Enduring Brands Present in Pop Culture. As the toymaker celebrates its 80th anniversary, CEO Ynon Kreiz and senior leaders reflect on the company's deep roots and IP-focused future. It’s in the hand-painted eyelashes on every Barbie doll prototype. It’s in the meticulous detail found on the millions of Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars made every year.
He Voices Porky Pig, and That’s Not All, Folks. Listen to the performer Eric Bauza voice the characters Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny and more. His work appears in the new animated feature, “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie.” “We all want to be like Bugs, but we’re all really Daffy,” said the voice actor Eric Bauza with a hearty laugh during a recent interview in Los Angeles.
Just four months after joining BBC Studios Kids & Family, Gráinne McNamara has been promoted to VP of development for live action and animation. McNamara joined the company in November 2024 as an executive producer of development and live action—an area of expertise that she honed in her previous roles as head of live-action development at Disney EMEA (2014 to 2018) and VP of live-action development...
Trailblazing Women in Video Gaming: Meet the Pioneers Who Shaped Design History. Their contributions have changed the gaming industry in both subtle and consequential ways. Female gamers are no longer the anomaly they once were, though it's still not easy for a woman who wants to break into video game design. Since the 1970s, women have had to fight to be included in the industry. And some were very successful.
*** The above posted after tBR circulated March 7th ***
Mattel chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the impact of new Trump tariffs, diversification of its supply chain, movie production pipeline, growth outlook, and more. For access to live and exclusive video from CNBC.
Spin Master’s Anton Rabie Shows the Toy Industry Is No Child’s Play. Anton Rabie, co-founder and chair of Spin Master, shares how embracing risk and failure fueled the growth of brands like PAW Patrol and Hatchimals. After being co-CEO for nearly three decades, Anton is known for cultivating a fearless mindset, embracing risk and failure as essential ingredients for innovation. He shares how this philosophy fueled Spin...
Andrew Staff is a man with a passion for pop-culture products, so London Toy Fair 2025 (which offered no shortage of such items) provided the perfect backdrop for Toy World’s first-ever interview with specialist retailer Forbidden Planet. Despite his limited experience in front of the press, he’s an open, warm and engaging interviewee and only too happy to fill me in on his background
Shake-up on aisle four! US grocery chains Albertsons and Kroger are both changing CEOs, with Kroger's Rodney McMullen resigning in the wake of a personal conduct investigation, and Albertsons' Vivek Sankaran retiring in May. Major supermarket rivals Albertsons and Kroger have both announced top leadership changes following their failed US$25-billion merger three months ago.
17 Hollywood Stars You Didn’t Know Voiced Anime Characters. You know them for their work in Hollywood, but they’ve also lent their voices to some of the most popular anime series and films.
Companies and Brands
Collectibles and pop culture merchandise manufacturer Pop Mart will open a new location, The SoNo Collection Store, in Norwalk, CT, marking the company’s first location in the state. The store will offer opening specials to customers to celebrate opening day, such as merchandise from the Mega Crybaby the Queen of Broken Heart, Hirono, Mega Space Molly, Skullpanda, Rick and Morty, The Monsters, and ...
Following its Q4 financial report yesterday, mass retailer Target has unveiled a new growth strategy in the hopes of generating an additional US$15 billion in sales by 2030. The gameplan kicks off this year and will encompass a reimagining of its video game, toy and youth sports aisles with new product assortments and enhanced in-store experiences to make the retailer a prime destination for family shoppers.
Driving more kid audience engagement is one of the main priorities for Disney+ this year, and new interactive features are expected to pave the path towards achieving that goal. Disney Entertainment co-chair Dana Walden teased this fresh strategy in San Francisco yesterday at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference.
Mattel unveils mix-and-match Barbie Dolls at Toy Fair. The brand will also launch unboxable Barbie surprises and new Deluxe Style Dolls. As today’s consumers continue to grow and change, so does Barbie. Tomorrow, the beloved doll will be able to reflect its evolving audience like never before. Mattel revealed a new line of fully customizable Barbie dolls at this year’s Toy Fair.
Hasbro on localizing for success in a diverse region. As one of the world’s largest toy manufacturers, Hasbro’s brands – from Transformers and Peppa Pig to Monopoly and My Little Pony – have a far reach. While global recognition is central to Hasbro’s success, the company’s ability to effectively localize its products and campaigns sets it apart in the fast-paced, culturally diverse and digitally driven Asia-Pacific markets.
The Pokemon Company announces 'Mega Evolutions'. New series of 'Pokemon TCG' expansions. The Pokemon Company International announced the Mega Evolutions series of expansions for Pokemon TCG, which will head to market in 2025. The new series of expansions marks a new era for Pokemon beyond the top-selling Scarlet & Violet series of expansions.
Faced with an uncertain economic future, nonprofit corporation Sesame Workshop is enacting a round of layoffs while it continues the search for a new home for Sesame Street. “Amid the changing media and funding landscape, we have made the difficult decision to reduce the size of our organization…These changes are necessary to ensure that the Workshop is poised to continue to deliver on its mission for years...
'Magic: The Gathering - Edge of Eternities' product line unveiled. New space-themed booster set; Galaxy foils return. Wizards of the Coast unveiled product line details for Magic: The Gathering - Edge of Eternities, a new Standard-legal booster set, which will hit retail on July 25. Edge of Eternities is a new set that has a bit of Magic: The Gathering meets Spelljammer flair to it.
Tamagotchi debuts new U.S. tour, collectibles at Toy Fair. At this year’s fair, Bandai Namco announced its adorably addictive Tamagotchis are hopping off the screen and hitting the road with brand-new collectibles, fan events, and a U.S. national tour. During the tour, Tamagotchi will unleash their colorful, 16-bit chaos on major cities across the U.S.
Hello Cutie!: The Strong celebrates Hello Kitty with new exhibit. The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York celebrates Hello Kitty with its latest exhibit, Hello Cutie: Our Favorite Kitty!, opening on March 1st. This homage to the global icon promises to immerse visitors in the world of the beloved character, showcasing her evolution and enduring appeal.
Hasbro unveils all-new toy brand, Nano-mals, electronic interactive pets that encourage nurture play, sensory play and self-expression. These mini electronic companions, which double as interactive fidget toys, are pocket-sized and fit in the palm of your hand. They will squeak, giggle, and purr when you show them love by filling up their digital heart meter.
New 'Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG' set inbound: 'Battles of Legend: Monster Mayhem'. The new set features chibi-style variant art monster cards. Each pack comes with a Dragonmaid, P.U.N.K., or Orcust-themed emblazoned ultra rare card; there are 51 of these cards total in the set plus 6 brand-new cards. Also, Starlight rares are back, and can be pulled out of packs at about the same rate that Quarter Century Rares were.
Baby born launches Splish Splash collection of bath toys. Launching into the bathtime category allows the brand to tap into sensory water play which offers a whole range of creative and imaginative experiences. The products have a variety of features with a multitude of benefits, including improving sensory development, hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and supporting independence and routine.
Loke Battlemats will release 'Dungeon Designer's Deck'. New Dungeon Master's tool. This new tool allows DMs to create instant dungeons for players to roam about in game sessions. The box comes with a 100-card deck that features terrain elements, plots, rooms, and more. It is compatible with 5E and is useful for DMs who want to quickly add encounter to their adventures.
Shoot dice in the labyrinth with 'Mythical Dice': Hachette Boardgames will release Mythical Dice, a new dice game by Iello, into retail on May 21, 2025. In this trick-taking game, designed by Manfred Reindl and Wanjin Gill, players are trying to become labyrinth champion. They will try to take dice roll tricks over the course of six to eight rounds of play. There are seven types of dice...
Golden Bear Toys scores with new line. Building on Soccer Bot, the Strikesphere line includes five new products slated to roll onto toy shelves this fall. The new items offer training opportunities with gamification features and fun for players of all skill levels. New projects include the entry-level Kick Tracker and Counter Ball, encouraging kids to pursue their personal best.
Checkmate: Miko to demo new AI-powered robots, chessboard at Toy Fair. Event attendees can get up close and personal with Miko’s assortment of interactive robots and preview its latest AI-powered toy: the Sparky Kids’ Bot. The company is also expanding into the gaming space with an innovative chessboard, aiming to redefine how children learn and play in a high-tech world.
Connetix unveiling new tiles set at Toy Fair. New products this year enhance an expanded Roads Range. New tiles come in a new sleek shade of black. Sets include quarter circles, arches, intersections, and short and long ramps. The Roads Range includes the 48-piece Roads Creative Pack and the 16-piece Roads Ramps & Intersections Pack. Connetix will also debut the 50-piece Pastel Transport Pack.
Tree Town Toys revives Yes & Know brand. The brand initially ran from the 1970s-2000s. he new launch will feature six titles with new Surprize Ink color technology. The books feature engaging questions and puzzles designed to challenge kids. Kids can use the includes Yes & Know pen to reveal the invisible answers.
Marmals teases new minimal magnetic figures at Toy Fair. Cheekily titled Minimals, these smaller, customizable magnet figures retain the fidgeting fun kids love about the original Marmals, with a renewed focus on creating character-driven stories. Though they’re small, each Minimal packs a big personality for consumers to discover! These stylish collectibles will seamlessly combine with any existing Marmal...
Play to Learn: Ravensburger reveals Play+ infant and toddler collection. The Play+ collection transforms everyday play into exciting learning experiences. With toys that nurture early childhood development skills, toddlers can experience cognitive and creative growth during playtime while parents gain confidence in their little ones’ learning experiences.
Douglas debuts new Plush at Toy Fair. Cayenne the Phoenix, Melvin the Dragon, Kylie the Unicorn, Brontie the Brontosaurus, and Boogie the Bearded Dragon will all debut at Toy Fair. They will fly, gallop, and stomp into the toy aisle next month for kids ages 3 and up. Ranging in size from 10- to 13-inches, the snuggle-ready plush features soft fur, vibrant colors, and dramatic details.
Company Debut: Dreambo brings funny games to game shelves later this year. The game is titled QU!CK QU!CK QU!CK and is described as a fast-paced party game packed with humor and fun. Dreambo developed it in collaboration with Relatable, which is known for creating popular party games like What Do You Meme? and For The Girls.
Cepia launches new brands for Toy Fair. Cepia is launching two new puffy sticker brands at Toy Fair this year. Puffy Puffs and Pukey Puffs are reusable, puffy stickers that kids can use to create their own quirky characters with mix-and-match pieces. Each pack includes a vignette scene for kids to display their puffy creations in. Cepia is also expanding its Decora Girlz collection with new 11-inch dolls, new 5-inch collectibles....
Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development
New tariffs could lead to fewer physical games and higher digital prices. As reported by Ars Technica, Circana analyst Mat Piscatella recently posted on social media that it wouldn’t surprise him “to see physical games that would be subject to tariffs simply not get made,” and that publishers might move to an all-digital strategy.
Neil Druckmann says 'Don't Bet' on The Last of Us Part III. Naturally, those conversations end up drifting over to the future of the video game series that started it all. That’s to be expected, but what was surprising is that Druckmann is claiming that The Last of Us games might be over.
Bandai Namco kicks-off year-long celebration to commemorate Pac-Man’s 45th Anniversary. Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. is commemorating PAC-MAN’s 45th Anniversary with a year-long campaign. Featuring a host of activities and partnerships celebrating the legendary gaming icon’s legacy, fans from around the world are invited to join in this milestone.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3+4 officially revealed, launching in July. After plenty of teases and rumors, Activision officially announced Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, the next main entry in the long-running Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise. The newly announced game remasters the third and fourth entries in the series, adding new skaters, songs, and parks.
Monster Hunter Wilds sales roar to 8 million copies in opening weekend. Within three days of release, Monster Hunter Wilds sold 8 million copies, Capcom has revealed. The latest entry in the co-op action franchise released February 28 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. According to the developer, this is the fastest-selling game in company history.
Sony cutting jobs at Visual Arts and Malaysia support studios. PlayStation maker Sony is reportedly continuing a layoff spree that has resulted in widespread redundancies, project cancellations, and studio closures. Numerous current and former PlayStation employees shared the news on Linkedin, indicating there have been widespread cuts on a global scale."I don't often post, in fact, I think this is my first post.
Why Astro Bot's awards sweep may matter even more than you think. Is the game industry trying to tell us something about 'compact,' 'joyful' games? It both was and wasn't surprising to see Team Asobi's Astro Bot scoop up another game of the year win at the 2025 DICE Awards. As Game Developer news editor Chris Kerr put it, "there is catharsis to be found in the silly and absurd," and...
Acclaim returns from the dead to support indies and 'reignite classic franchises'. Iconic publisher Acclaim is being revived by a group of industry veterans hoping to support to indies and resurrect classic franchises. Originally launched in 1987, Acclaim was known for working on popular series like NBA Jam, Turok, and Mortal Kombat.
Activision Blizzard is using generative AI to hawk games that don't exist. Activision Blizzard has been using generative AI to create online ads for games that do not actually exist. VGC spotted promos for three fake titles - Guitar Hero Mobile, Crash Bandicoot Brawl, and Call of Duty: Zombie Defender - on Instagram.
Highlighted Press Releases
($100/week/press release)
Hasbro announced that Transformers One Power Flip Optimus Prime (Orion Pax) won the TOTY Action figure of the Year – an action figure that converts between four different modes, inspired by the iconic character in Paramount Animation and Hasbro’s Transformers One film.
TOMY International to Bring Favorite Japanese Collectibles to North American Consumers. This partnership includes U.S. and Canadian availability of a variety of products across multiple product lines, including T-SPARK-branded items such as ZOIDS and DIACLONE and TOMY TEC's tomica LIMITED VINTAGE.
Safety and Counterfeiting
Did you know that more than 1 billion young people worldwide could develop permanent hearing loss due to unsafe habits while playing video games, listening to music, and attending noisy events such as concerts and festivals? Regular exposure to sounds that are too loud for too long can cause irreversible hearing damage. Children are particularly vulnerable to noise-induced hearing loss.
Britain's privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner's Office, launched an investigation into how TikTok, Reddit (RDDT.N), opens new tab and online image sharing website Imgur safeguard children's privacy. Social media companies use complex algorithms to prioritise content and keep users engaged. However, the fact that they amplify similar content can lead to children being influenced...
Apple announced in a whitepaper that it plans to introduce a bunch of new child safety features, including letting parents share their kids’ age ranges with apps, refreshing the App Store’s age ratings system, and making it easier for parents to set up Child Accounts for their kids. The company says it will introduce the features “this year.” Companies like Meta, Snap, and X have called for platforms to be responsible...
Free-to-play browser game Urban Dead taken offline by UK's online safety law. After a near 20-year run, the free-to-play browser game Urban Dead is shutting down on March 14. Creator Kevan Davis' statement pointed fingers at the UK's Online Safety Act (OSA) of 2023. Under the law, all social and video game websites are "more responsible for their users’ safety on their platforms," according to its website.
Associations, Foundations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals
GAMA Origins Awards nominations revealed. Plus a chat with GAMA executive director John Stacy. The Game Manufacturer’s Association GAMA), makes its return this year with a slate of industry and consumer-facing events, including GAMA Expo which took place last month in Louisville, Ky. The occasion marks the 50th anniversary of the trade show, and also the 48th anniversary of the coveted GAMA Origins Awards...
*** the above posted after tBR circulated March 7th ***
Top toys announced at the 25th Toy of the Year Awards. The most creative and innovative toys and games earned top honours at the 25th anniversary Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards, where nearly 800 toy, play and youth professionals gathered to celebrate excellence in play, as well as the industry icons inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
Wow! Stuff has cemented its place in toy industry history as the first-ever British toy company to win two Toy of The Year (TOTY) Awards in a single year. At the 25th anniversary of the prestigious TOTY Awards, hosted by the Toy Association in NY, the company’s Disney Stitch Puppetronic by RealFX took home both the coveted Toy of The Year and Tech Toy of The Year titles, an unprecedented achievement...
Moose Toys is celebrating a landmark achievement at the Australian Toy Association’s 2025 Toy of the Year Awards, where it received three awards, including Judges’ Choice 2025 Outlook, the Australian Product Development Award and Doll of the Year. Unveiled just last week ahead of the New York Toy Fair and yet to hit shelves, Moose’s innovative slime brand Gui Gui was awarded the Judges’ Choice 2025 Outlook...
Plus-Plus recently celebrated its first-ever Toy of the Year Award (TOTY) in the Speciality Toy category with Hexel, a fidget toy. Plus-Plus was established in the UK market in 2023 and has since seen growing demand from both independent toy stores and major retailers. The brand is enjoying an upsurge in its popularity and 2025 is already a bumper year for the company in the UK and overseas.
Hasbro Reveals Winners of the 2024 Women Innovators of Play Designer Challenge. This past October, Hasbro held its second annual Hasbro Women Innovators of Play Challenge to find the next woman-led innovation in the toy industry. More than 100 submissions worldwide were reviewed and judged on factors like mass marketability, manufacturability, fun factor, and design.
The Toy Association outlines plans for the future at AGM. The Toy Association held its Annual General Meeting on Saturday 1st March during Toy Fair New York. The meeting was open to all Toy Association members and Toy Fair attendees and included the election of four new members and four term renewals to the Toy Association Board of Directors.
The Ethical Supply Chain Program (ESCP) and Products of Change have announced a partnership they say will help companies to strengthen social and sustainability standards across global supply chains. Through the partnership, members of both organisations will be able to access a broader range of tools that will help them to create products in more ethical and environmentally friendly ways.
Over 80 toy suppliers from China brought more than 1,000 products to the 2025 North America International Toy Fair in NYC, drawing great attention from international buyers. The four-day event ending Tues. attracted manufacturers, retailers, sales representatives and others from the toy industry from around the world. The China Pavilion has a strong presence with its unique product designs, many of which were...
GAMA Expo 2025 sets new attendance record: Up over 25% from 2024. Attendance for the 2025 show was 3,425, compared to 2,736 in 2024. This is up 26% year-over-year. The number retailers that attended the show was 1,092, which was up from 890 in 2024. The increase in attendance is likely due to the number of Midwest retailers that were able to drive into the show.
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has announced that toy company Mattel is the winner of its Helen Keller Achievement Award, which recognizes companies or individuals who increase opportunities for those with vision loss. Mattel was honored in recognition of its global impact on the inclusion of people who are blind or have low vision following the release of its Blind Barbie doll in 2024...
Save the date for INDX Toys 2025. The INDX Toys show will return to West Midlands event venue, Cranmore Park, on 2nd-3rd September 2025. Save the date and get ready to explore an inclusive product showcase, perfect for a variety of retail spaces and carefully crafted to drive commercial success. The only dedicated toy industry trade show taking place in autumn 2025...
Senua's Saga: Hellblade II dominates BAFTA Games Awards 2025 nominations. The nominations for the BAFTA Games Awards 2025 are in and Senua's Saga: Hellblade II leads the pack. Ninja Theory's sequel has been nominated in 11 categories. A total of 41 titles across 17 categories have received nods.
A' Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design Award announces final call for late entries. The A' Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design Award, a highly regarded recognition in the toy design industry, has announced its final call for late entries, with submissions being accepted until March 7, 2025.
From the showrooms to the streets: Hong Kong comes out to play. A look back at January’s show in Hong Kong. If there were any doubt that a toy fair is still an exciting place to be, one need only have walked the halls at the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair in January to be reminded how vital and vibrant these events are for the industry.
Back in the New York Groove. Toy Fair’s (almost) in its normal spot, but a paradigm shift is afoot. The industry, and the world, is changing faster than ever. When you pull back the camera and look at things through a wide lens, you’d be hard-pressed to find another segment of the consumer products space that’s faced more challenges and fought more battles than the toy industry over the past decade.
Dream Well Studio (Latvia), Sacrebleu Productions (France) and Take Five (Belgium) jointly won Cartoon Movie’s Producer of the Year award today for their work on Oscar-winning animated feature film Flow. Pitched at Cartoon Movie 2022 and directed by Gints Zilbalodis, the co-production was also recognized with award wins at Annecy, the European Film Awards and the Golden Globes this year for its gorgeous...
POP Pub marks 25 years at Toy Fair. The networking event benefits The Young Inventor Challenge. Hosted at Connolly’s Pub, the event will unite toy and game professionals for networking, celebration, and philanthropy. Ticket sales benefit POP’s Young Inventor Challenge (YIC), which inspires and empowers young toy and game innovators. Tickets for the event are $20, a symbolic price reflecting the YIC’s 20th anniversary.
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
Gene Hackman; Two-time Academy Award-winning actor Gene Hackman has passed away at age 95. Hackman's career spanned over four decades with dozens of notable roles in movies such as The French Connection, Young Frankenstein, Hoosiers, The Royal Tenenbaums, and Unforgiven. To DC Comics fans, he will forever be known as Lex Luthor.
Jim Curry, a writer and marketing manager on Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver and the Gex series, passed away in mid-February. In an obituary on his Facebook page, his wife Ellen revealed he had been battling an undisclosed illness for "over two years." According to MobyGames, Curry got his start in the industry as a special advisor on 1991's Marvel Land and on the "Hometek Team" for Rolling Thunder 2 that same year. Most of his credits, such as 3D Baseball and Abomination, pertain to product marketing. Along with Soul Reaver, his writing credits include Battle Cars (as a copywriter), Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain (cinematic script editor), and Akuji: The Heartless. Both Soul Reaver and its sequel were recently remastered in a bundle for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox One and Series X|S, and serve as his final credited work.
George Lowe, famous for voicing Space Ghost on Space Ghost Coast To Coast, has died at age 67. The sad news was confirmed by friends and former colleagues on social media. Lowe, who was born in Florida in 1957, got his first radio job at the age of 15. In the 1980s he began doing some voiceover work for TBS and later Cartoon Network. Space Ghost Coast To Coast was his first real voice acting role, with Lowe portraying the silly and boisterous Space Ghost from 1994 to 2004. Lowe’s voice and his comedic timing helped turn Space Ghost, previously a forgotten cartoon superhero from the ‘60s, into one of Cartoon Network’s and later Adult Swim’s most iconic and popular characters. Lowe also occasionally portrayed the character in live-action. Beyond Space Ghost, Lowe voiced Dad in The Brak Show as well as various other characters in different Adult Swim shows like Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Sealab 2021. His last role was returning to voice Space Ghost in a 2024 episode of the animated Max series Jellystone. While Lowe is well-known for his voice acting and for being Space Ghost, he was also an accomplished artist and art collector. In 2016, he talked to the Lakeland Ledger about his collection and an exhibit he was hosting to show it to people.
Brian Griffin sadly passed away on 29th January at the age of 93. Heading up Hamleys in a golden era for the retailer during the 1960s and 70s, Brian was responsible for launching iconic toy ranges such as Paddington Bear and supporting growing British companies like Hestair Kiddicraft.
His former press officer Dawn Allan rang Toy World to pass on the sad news and was fulsome in her praise for her former boss, telling us: “He was my mentor, my guide. My entire career in press and PR was down to him. He was a great boss, he treated everyone in the Hamleys family equally. He was such an inspiring figurehead and hugely well-liked and respected by his employees and toy companies.”
Zoe Bamsey, Head of Animation Development for BBC Studios Kids & Family, has passed away after a long illness. It’s so hard to put into words the impact Zoe made on the kid’s business but her passion and drive to develop great shows with all her friends and colleagues here at BBC Studios will be greatly missed.
She will also be missed in our wider community; the impact she had during her 30-year career, on the productions she worked on as well as people she met and loved will be felt for many years to come. I’ll always remember the exceptional vision she had for identifying and developing the creative essence of every show with obvious enjoyment for doing something she truly loved.
Viktor Antonov - Celebrated artist and art director Viktor Antonov, known for shaping the worlds of Half-Life 2 and Dishonored, has passed away. According to his Linkedin page, Antonov joined Valve in 1999 and spent seven years at the company as art director. During his tenure, he worked on notable projects including Counter-Strike: Source and Half-Life 2. After departing Valve in 2006, Antonov joined Arkane Studios to oversee the visual direction of the Dishonored franchise. He eventually moved to ZeniMax Media in 2011, taking on the role of visual design director and working on titles such as Wolfenstein: The New Order, Doom, and Fallout 4. Throughout his career, Antonov received multiple awards from organizations such as BAFTA and The Visual Effects Society.
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State of the Industry: Consistency & Creativity (The Toy Book)
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From Five & Dime to the Big Time: Lean In Bentonville (The Toy Book)
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State of Emergency: Retail Pricing Pits Mass Against Specialty… Again (The Toy Book)
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Meme to Mainstream: ‘Skibidi Toilet’ Heads to Hollywood and Toy Store Shelves (The Toy Book)
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