The NPD Group Unveils 2022 Toy Industry Performance Awards for the Americas



This year’s awards were presented to manufacturers of the top-selling toys throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. All data comes from The NPD Group‘s Retail Tracking Service. Read more…

The LEGO Group Is Shipping Up to Boston for New HQ

In a move that the company says will strengthen its long-term growth in the U.S. and throughout the Americas region, LEGO will vacate its current office in Enfield, Connecticut in favor of a new space in Boston. Read more…

Funko Bitty Pops! Debut at London Toy Fair

The new range, which is available for retailer orders now, takes the Funko Pop! stylization into the micro scale with tiny versions of popular figures and packaging from a variety of top properties. The first wave includes licensed characters from The Walt Disney Co. and Warner Bros.

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Just Play, Hasbro Ink Licensing Agreement for FurReal Brand

Following the recent news that Just Play cooked up a deal to take over production of the Easy-Bake brand, the company inked a licensing agreement with Hasbro to create and market toys for the FurReal brand beginning next year. Read more…

Moose Toys Unveils Cookeez Makery, Little Live Pets My Puppy’s Home



The company behind Magic Mixies, Heroes of Goo Jit Zu, and Dance & Play Bluey formally unveiled two of its key new releases for 2023, Cookeez Makery and Little Live Pets’ My Puppy’s Home. Read more…

JAKKS Pacific Reveals Plans for Super Mario Bros. Movie Toys



A new collection of movie-inspired toys will begin hitting retail in late February. JAKKS Pacific has plans for figures, accessories, playsets, plush, and even an R/C vehicle based on the film from Nintendo and Universal’s Illumination. Read more…

Mattel's MOTU Gets a Be@rbricks Makeover

By the power of Grayskull, Mattel is doing even more Masters of the Universe collabs! After partnering with PUMA and artist Virgil Abloh last fall, Mattel is releasing new Eternia-themed collectibles and apparel with Be@rbricks and streetwear brand Mishka NYC. Read more at The Pop Insider…

Schleich Enters the Wizarding World of Harry Potter this Fall



Characters from the Wizarding World will join the Schleich lineup beginning in September with a launch wave that includes six of the series’ main characters alongside their animal companions. Schleich says that the line is “primarily targeted toward kids ages 6-12.” Read more…

Pokémon’s Latest Trading Card Expansion Features New Art and Illustrations

The Crown Zenith Expansion features dozens of new cards with new art and illustrations, including a special art Pokémon VSTAR. The expansion also features 70 Galarian Gallery cards, which will display the Pokémon’s personality front and center. Read more at The Toy Insider…

MGA Entertainment Launches L.O.L. Surprise! Shoutouts Custom Video Messages



Partnering with Aquifer, a startup focused on instant animation results, MGA Entertainment is launching L.O.L. Suprise! Shoutouts. The program is similar to Cameo Kids, Cameo’s animated messaging feature. Kids can request messages from characters they love, animated into a short video. Read more…

Scentco’s Bedtime Defenderz Franchise Gets a New YouTube Series



Toy designer and distributor Scentco will bring its Bedtime Defenderz plush toy line to the small screen this fall. Working with Armanda Content, the company plans to release 12 animated episodes in the fall on YouTube. Read more…

PhatMojo, Roy & Charcoal Plot Rainbow Friends Toy Line



The upcoming toy line will include plushies, action figures, collectibles, and playsets inspired by Rainbow Friends, a video game within Roblox. The line will be shown at the Spielwarenmesse international trade fair in Nuremberg, Germany next week. Read more…

Funko Games, Hasbro Gaming Forge Licensing Partnership



Two of the biggest players in the games aisle are joining forces. The multiyear deal launches with the Cranium 25th Anniversary Edition — an updated game that features 18 old and new activities, hundreds of new cards, and updated content. Read more…

Learning Resources Family of Educational Toy Companies Donated More Than $1.7 Million Last Year



The trio of Illinois-based educational toy companies issued a wrap-up of its philanthropioc endeavors. Combined, the three companies contributed more than $1.7 million worth of product and monetary support to a variety of causes and organizations. Read more…

Voice Cast Unveiled for 'PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie'



Spin Master Entertainment unveiled the all-star voice cast for this fall’s PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie. The film hits theaters just as the preschool brand celebrates its 10th anniversary. See the cast…

Exclusive: Beacon Media Reveals Key Executive Appointments in the Digital Media Space



Beacon Media says its latest raft of executive appointments is designed to further foster the company’s expanded digital capabilities in media strategy, planning, and activation while broadening its programmatic buying capabilities. Read more…

ZAG Taps Industry Vet Gaye Dean to Lead North America Retail Development



Dean previously served as Vice President for Retail Development at pocket.watch and as Marketing Director for the Target Corp. In this new role, Dean will manage relationships with retailers who carry ZAG Heroez brands — including Miraculous  — Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, Ghostforce, and more. Read more…

Dawn Lavalette Is the New Managing Director of Wow! Stuff



Lavalette, a former Head of Toys at Tesco and Senior Toys Buyer at Sainsbury’s, began her career at Wow! Stuff as Commercial Director in 2019, guiding the company’s sale strategy for award-winning products such as the Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak. Read more…