The BIG Toy Book is Coming: Order Extra Copies Today!

Do you need extra copies of The Toy Book for members of your organization? Following a successful pilot program last year, we are now offering bulk orders at a discounted rate for retailers, manufacturers, and educators who wish to supply colleagues or students with print copies of North America’s leading trade publication serving the toy industry. Email James Zahn for information or click here for individual subscriptions, now just $40 as we celebrate 40 years on the #pulseofplay!

Exclusive: Kartoon Studios’ Beacon Media Group Reports Growth, Expansion



The agency tells The Toy Book that it saw 29% year-over-year growth in billed commission and a 5% spike in billed media last year. Pre-planned Easter and spring campaigns have carried the momentum into 2024 while six new advertisers have joined the Beacon Media roster. Read more…

Mattel Teases Barney Franchise Relaunch with ‘Love Day’ Video



Nearly 14 years ago, Barney the dinosaur made his last on-screen appearance as the last episode of Barney and Friends hit screens. On Valentine’s Day, Mattel launched a video in which Barney tells kids how much he loves them and teases the future of the brand. Read more…

The LEGO Group Debuts Updated Medieval Town Square



The LEGO Group’s latest building set is blasting to the past in more ways than one. The company is releasing the LEGO Icons Medieval Town Square, a reimagined version of a set that first launched in 2009. Read more…

Exclusive: Creative Kids, Paramount Ink Nickelodeon Slime Deal 



The maker of arts and crafts kits and compounds inked a multi-year, global deal with Paramount to manufacture and distribute products under the Nickelodeon Slime brand. Read more…

MGA Entertainment and Crayola’s L.O.L. Surprise! Collab Is Finally Here



MGA Entertainment and Crayola are combining two of kids’ favorite types of toys in their new collaboration: arts and crafts and surprise toys. Read more at The Toy Insider…

The Pokémon Co. Donates $10,000 to The Toy Foundation



The Pokémon Co. International will donate $10,000 to The Toy Foundation on Feb. 27, also known as Pokémon Day. The donation to the New York-based charity aims to provide support to families and children in need. Read more…

McFarlane Toys Celebrates 30 Years of Action Figures and Collectibles



McFarlane Toys is marking three decades in the action figures and collectibles sphere with new releases, social media campaigns, and more. Read more…

Plush Wars: It’s Squishmallows vs. Skoosherz as Jazwares, Build-A-Bear File Dueling Lawsuits



Jazwares‘ Kelly Toys Holdings filed a complaint against Build-A-Bear Workshop in a California Court alleging infringement over its intellectual property (IP). At the center of the lawsuit is Build-A-Bear’s new Skoosherz line of plush toys which Kelly Toys calls “knockoff” versions of its own Squishmallows. Read more…

Disney, Epic Games Expand Partnership for New Virtual Entertainment Universe



Epic Games, best known for the hit battle royale game Fortnite, is teaming up with Disney for a big collaboration. The partnership will produce a new games and entertainment universe featuring popular Disney-owned franchises. Read more…

Immortalize the Chiefs’ Back-to-Back Victory with a Funko 4-Pack



After the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl win, Funko launched a celebratory Pop! figure pack featuring four players from the winning team. Read more at The Pop Insider…

Jada Toys Named Title Sponsor of Las Vegas Die-Cast Super Convention



Jada Toys is officially a title sponsor of the Las Vegas Die-Cast Super Convention. The Die-Cast Super Convention is being hosted by Mad Mike and will feature four days of special events, panels, activations, and a full-size car show. Read more…

Stomp Rocket Releases Space Collection



Family-owned brand Stomp Rocket recently added a new product to its kid-powered rocket line. The new Stomp Rocket Space Collection features space-themed rockets and STEM learning opportunities. Read more…

Dart Zone Updates Adventure Force Nexus and Aeon Pro X Blasters



Dart Zone’s Adventure Force Nexus and Aeon Pro X Blasters from the Tactical Strike line have been fan favorites since 2020. Now, the company will release new versions of the Nexus and Aeon Pro X in April. Read more…

I’m The Chef Too! Partners with Mattel for Barbie-Themed Baking Kits



I’m The Chef Too!, a monthly subscription company that specializes in home baking kits, recently signed a multiyear licensing agreement, as well as a Barbie partnership, with Mattel. A collection of co-branded baking kits will launch this month. Read more…

Games and Stuff Celebrates New Location with In-Store Convention



Games and Stuff, a tabletop gaming store known for its wide variety of board and card games, is celebrating the opening of its new location on Feb. 17 with a full schedule of events. Read more…

Spin Master: Preliminary 2023 Earnings Reflect 5.7% Revenue Dip Offset by Q4 Sales Boom



The high-octane action of Monster Jam and the innovation of Bitzee helped power a fourth quarter sales spike and revenue boost for Spin Master Corp. Read more…

Hasbro: ‘Refocusing on Play’ as Revenue Falls 15% in 2023



Hasbro, which has been conspicuously repositioning itself as a “toy and game company” after years of branding itself as a “global play and entertainment company,” reported fourth quarter and full year earnings for 2023 earlier this week. Read more…

Exclusive: Glo Gears Up for Growth with New Executive Hires



The company behind Glo Pals and Glo Cubes is looking to scale its business in 2024 and beyond. Glo is elevating a pair of mentors from advisors to leaders as Eric Hill and Jeffrey Rupp officially join the team as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Business Development, respectively. Read more…

Mattel Selects Christopher Farrell as its Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer



Mattel has appointed Christopher Farrell as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. Farrell will report to Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO of Mattel. Read more…

Warner Bros. Discovery Names Philippe Roucoule Senior Vice President of EMEA Consumer Products



Warner Bros. Discovery has named Philippe Roucoule Senior Vice President of EMEA Consumer Products, effective immediately. Roucoule will report to Robert Oberschelp, Head of Global Consumer Products. Read more…