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Get a Free ‘Toy Book’ Print Subscription!
The Toy Book team at Adventure Media & Events is offering complimentary print and digital subscriptions to U.S.-based members of the toy, game, and adjacent industries. Subscribe by Jan. 21 to get our February 2022 BIG Toy Book issue straight to your mailbox. Click here to subscribe!
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Moose Toys Reveals First Look at New Octonauts Toy Line
Beginning this August, a new line of action figures, vehicles, playsets, and plush featuring Captain Barnacles, Kwazii, Peso, and the rest of the Octocrew will surface at retail. Moose Toys created its new Octonauts line in partnership with Silvergate Media. Read more…
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Melissa & Doug Ramps up Sustainability Efforts
As one of the three pillars of its “Project Restore” initiative that the company revealed last year, becoming fully Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified was originally intended to take place by 2025. Now, Melissa & Doug says that it will surpass that goal by the end of this year. Read more…
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LEGO Debuts The Globe Construction Set
Geared toward travelers and geography enthusiasts alike, The Globe is a realistic, 2585-piece customizable spinning Earth that uses standard LEGO bricks for the globe itself as well as Technic elements for the spinning axis. Read more…
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Even More Snacks Join the My Squishy Littles Family
First, there were My Squishy Little Dumplings, and now, WowWee is expanding the line with even more snack-themed collectible companions. My Squishy Little Snack Packs extends the fun with 56 characters for kids to collect. Read more…
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Jakks Pacific Expands Perfectly Cute Line
Things are getting even cuter at Jakks Pacific! The toy company revealed new additions to its Perfectly Cute line of baby dolls and accessories. This extension brings in two new dolls, each available in African American, Caucasian, and Latino ethnicities, as well as a new playset. Read more…
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ZAG Inks ‘Miraculous’ Deal With PMI for New Categories
ZAG’s Miraculous brand is headed into new categories this summer. The studio behind Miraculous — Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir inked a licensing deal with Tel Aviv-based PMI Ltd. for a new line of collectibles, stationery, school supplies, and impulse items. Read more…
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Jada Toys Introduces Next Level The Batman Batmobile with Figure
Jada Toys’ latest Batmobile takes its styling cues directly from the upcoming feature film The Batman. The collectible features angular lines; hints of muscle car inspiration; a detailed interior; and working lights, doors, and hood. The set is being offered through Jada Toys’ Next Level direct-to-consumer platform. Read more…
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The Toy Foundation’s 2022 Toy of the Year Awards Go Virtual
Live from New York, it’s the TOTY Awards! The Toy Foundation‘s 2022 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards are going virtual. Often considered to be the Oscars of the toy industry, the TOTY Awards program recognizes the top toys and games on the market and is a vital fundraiser for The Toy Foundation. Read more…
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WiT Reveals New Plans for 2022 Wonder Women Awards
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) revealed that it is pivoting the long-awaited return of its Wonder Women Awards to a special “Wonder Women at Home” event. The winners, which were originally slated to be honored at an in-person gala on Sunday, Feb. 20, will now be announced in a press release on March 1, with the Wonder Women at Home experience to follow at a later date. Read more…
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Toy Fair London Soldiers on; Event Set to Take Place as Scheduled
While Toy Fair New York and the 72nd Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair have been called off, the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) is holding firm with its plans to hold its annual Toy Fair in the UK. The Toy Fair is set to take place Jan. 25-27 at the Olympia in London. Read more…
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Spielwarenmesse Announces Digital Platform in Lieu of In-person Event
Although the 72nd Spielwarenmesse was canceled this year due to COVID-19, the international toy fair is now going digital. Spielwarenmesse Digital will bring the global toy industry together, virtually from Feb. 2-6. Read more…
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Exploring Voice Recognition in Toys with SoapBox Labs’ Jamie Beaumont on the ‘Power Kid Podcast’
In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Jamie Beaumont, chief operating officer at SoapBox Labs. Listen here…
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Kroeger, Room Copenhagen Ink North American Distribution Deal for LEGO and Crayola Storage Solutions
Kroeger says that it plans to extend the reach of Room Copenhagen’s product line — which includes LEGO storage boxes shaped like bricks and mini-figure heads, and wall hangers and storage tubs shaped like Crayola crayons — to retailers across specialty, mid-tier, mass, and digital channels. Read more…
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Toysmith Launches ‘Joy Fair’ Virtual Toy Fair Event
On Feb. 7, Toysmith will kick off its inaugural Joy Fair virtual trade show event. The four-day event will stream live via YouTube beginning at 12 p.m. ET each day. While Toysmith is known for its position as a leading toy and gift distributor, the company notes that Joy Fair is an event that is open to all — from retailers to consumers. Read more…
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Red Toolbox, Tasty Team up for Pretend Play Kitchen Sets
Things are getting tasty in the Red Toolbox kitchen. The kids’ toy brand revealed a new line of licensed toys for kids — Tasty, Jr. The collection is inspired by the recipes featured on Buzzfeed’s social food network, Tasty. Read more…
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New Opportunities Await on the Toy Book’s Job Board!
Hiring? Need to fill an industry-related position? The Toy Book’s Job Board highlights new opportunities in the toy, family entertainment, and licensing industries. Click here to view available positions or click here to submit a job listing!
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Holiday Retail Sales Spiked 14.1% in 2021, NRF Says
Both the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the U.S. Census Bureau report that retail sales for the 2021 holiday season made year-over-year gains when compared to 2020. The NRF says that sales during the tracked holiday season of November/December spiked 14.1% over 2020. The record $886.7 billion beat expectations and forecasts, which predicted growth between 8.5% to 10.5%. Read more…
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Babies “R” Us to Open in Brazil as WHP Global Hints at U.S. Relaunch
The last Babies “R” Us stores closed in the U.S. nearly four years ago, but the brand is growing internationally. WHP Global — parent company to the Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us brands — inked a deal with Ragabesh & Co. to open 20 freestanding, physical retail locations in Brazil. WHP is also promising an update on its U.S. strategy soon. Read more…
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Camp Continues National Retail Expansion with Greater Boston Area Store
Camp will open a new store at the Burlington Mall in Burlington, Massachusetts on Feb. 3. This will be the company’s eighth store and the first of many brick-and-mortar locations set to open this year. Read more…
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Microsoft Plans to Acquire Activision Blizzard in $68.7 Billion Cash Deal
The controversy-plagued Activision Blizzard will soon be under new ownership. Microsoft revealed plans to acquire the company behind Call of Duty, Overwatch, and World of Warcraft. Microsoft says the deal provides “the building blocks for the metaverse.” Read more…
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Osmo From BYJU’s Names Peter Glovin as Senior Vice President of Educational Sales
In his new role, Glovin, formerly of MIDAS Education, will expand the sales team and implement a U.S. sales strategy geared toward targeting the pre-K to grade 5 educational market. Read more…
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Exploding Kittens Promotes Carly McGinnis to President
In her new role, McGinnis oversees the day-to-day operations at Exploding Kittens, including the production and logistics of physical games as well as retail distribution and marketing strategy. Read more…
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Hog Wild Toys Names Steve Markey as Vice President of Sales and Marketing
In his new role, Markey will be responsible for leading all marketing initiatives and directing the company’s North American sales teams. He previously held roles at Crazy Aaron’s Puttyworld and Plantoys. Read more…
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Sal Perez Named Vice President, Executive Producer of ‘Sesame Street’
Perez brings 14 years of experience with Sesame Workshop to the role. As a first-generation Mexican-American, he’s already made history as Sesame Street’s first Latinx executive producer. Read more…
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Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner Elected NRF Chairman
Furner’s appointment comes alongside the addition of Bloomingdale’s Chairman and CEO Tony Spring to the National Retail Federation (NRF) board in a two-year term. The board serves as the governing body for the world’s largest trade association. Read more…
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ViacomCBS Taps Joann Acevedo as Senior Vice President of Softlines Licensing
Acevedo will lead strategy and growth across multiple categories of business including apparel, accessories, and home furnishings. Her programs will target fans of all ages through licenses such as PAW Patrol, Blue’s Clues & You!, Spongebob Squarepants, MTV, and Star Trek. Read more…
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Mighty Jaxx Taps Alex Neal to Lead European Expansion
Neal joins the company from Eaglemoss where he served for the past 15 years, most recently as managing director. Mighty Jaxx currently offers a range of collectibles created for top licenses, including My Little Pony, One Piece, Care Bears, and more. Read more…
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WeVeel Names Jessica Kubinski as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Innovation
In her newly created role, Kubinski will focus on growing the company’s product offerings and global marketing strategy. She joins the maker of toys, crafts, and stationery products from Mekubi Design, where she most recently served as executive consultant. Read more…
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