From the Editor: A Cautious Approach to a ‘Phygital’ Future; Toys Go Late Night on SNL



The convergence of physical and digital play continues to raise questions as more players enter the business of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the metaverse, and Web3 just as it’s starting to crash. Elsewere, retail shelves are bursting with product as the toy industry gets a nod from Saturday Night Live. Dig into this week’s commentary…

Hong Kong is On Again … Live and In-Person!



Chris Byrne checks in with an update on the long-awaited return of the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair. The show is back to an in-person format next month as the Hong Kong Trade Development Council welcomes the international toy industry amid loosened travel restrictions. Get the scoop…

Exclusive: Get a First Look at Hasbro’s Star Wars: Boba Fett Electronic Mask



A famous bounty hunter is targeting toy departments in 2023. As part of this season’s Bring Home the Galaxy campaign, The Toy Book, in collaboration with Hasbro and Lucasfilm, has your first look at the all-new Star Wars: Boba Fett Electronic Mask. Read more…

Spin Master, Mattel, Hasbro Give Back for the Holidays



‘Tis the season of giving, and over the past few weeks a trio of major toymakers has been giving back in big ways. And, they’re doing it with some very important elves. Read more…

Flybar Plots Expansion with New Distribution Center in South Carolina



Flybar has come a long way from its roots in selling pogo sticks. The growing toy company is opening a distribution center in Greenwood County, South Carolina next month. Flybar‘s $8 million investment will create at least 36 American jobs. Read more…

Exclusive: The Nacelle Co. Unleashes the First Commercial for Rebooted Robo Force Brand



If you’re gonna bring back a classic toy brand, why not do it with some style? The Nacelle Co. is doing just that as it celebrates the pending release of the first products from its Very Important Toy line: Robo Force. See the first commercial…

PlayMonster’s Koosh Cameos are the Ultimate Retro Rewind



Koosh becomes collectible with new products inspired by Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Jurassic World. The Pop Insider explores the launch of the Koosh Cameos brand and what it’s all about. This is the way…

‘Bazooka Bubble Gum Turns 75’ Highlights the Legacy of the Toy-Adjacent Candy Brand



Flint & Steel produced a 16-minute documentary film that features appearances by former Disney Chief Michael Eisner, owner of the Bazooka Companies; Arthur Shorin, former CEO of The Topps Co. and the son of Bazooka co-founder Joseph Shorin; toy designer and collector David Vonner of The Nacelle Co.‘s toy division; and more. See the film…

Spielwarenmesse World of Toys Coming to New York, Japan



The organizers behind Nuremberg’s annual Spielwarenmesse trade fair are bringing a World of Toys Pavilion to New York and Japan next year. The U.S. edition will take place at Toy Fair, beginning Sept. 30. Read more…

16 Holiday-Themed Toys and Games to Make the Season Bright



The Toy Insider shines a festive light on some new toys and games that are infused with a seasonal twist. See which products made this curated list. Check it once, check it twice…

Open Pathways to Opportunity at Toy Fair



The Toy Association’s Jennifer Lynch checks in with an update on plans for Toy Fair 2023 and how companies in the business of play can best take part. Read more…

Big Kid Energy: Harnessing the Power of Kidults



The Toy Book explores the growing kidult market and how toymakers are finding new ways to tap into nostalgia. The term‭ ‬“kidult”‭ ‬is a portmanteau that represents adults full of childlike energy‭. Read more…

Get On Board with ASTRA: The Toy Boat Sets Sail in February



Sue Warfield, president of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), shares details about The Toy Boat and what will happen when the voyage begins. Ship ahoy…

Pop Quiz with Wendy Smolen



The toy industry has never been short on innovation, consistently disrupting the status quo with next-gen ideas; state-of-the art technology; visionary retail plans; unique partnerships; and, of course, products that changed the way kids play. Test your knowledge of some of the industry’s most game-changing toys in our latest Pop Quiz! Take the quiz…

M2 Machines Removes ‘Chase’ Stickers from Limited Edition Die-cast Vehicle Packaging



While M2 Machines die-cast products are sold across a wide range of hobby shops, independent specialty retailers, and mass retailers, the chase stickers have become an easy signal to resellers — aka flippers and scalpers — that raid store stock. Read more…

Kappa Toys Welcomes Studio Ghibli via Bandai to Las Vegas Store

Beginning this week, the Kappa Toys flagship store in Las Vegas’ Fashion Show Mall is offering an assortment of toys, plush, stationery, and housewares from Studio Ghibli via Bandai. Kappa Toys plans to expand into new markets next year. Read more…

ToyFest Reveals 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees



The organizers of ToyFest have revealed a trio of inductees for its Hall of Fame in addition to honoring Piccolo Mondo Toys as the 2023 Retailer of the Year. All will be honored at a gala set to take place in Feburary. Learn more…

Judith Ellis Retires After 35 Years of Leading the Toy Design Program at FIT



To continue the legacy, Ellis will pass the torch to Susan Baumbach. Baumbach has served as an instructor of games in the Toy Design program at the Fashion Institute of Technology for 28 years, and was the first female vice president at Pressman Toy Corp. Read more…

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Brands and Experiences Introduces New Team



The restructuring of divisions within the newly branded Warner Bros. Discovery has led to the formation of a new team led by Pam Lifford. Read more…