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Exclusive: Mattel — Igniting Kids’ Imaginations at Licensing Expo
The Toy Book presents an exclusive conversation between the Global Licensing Group’s Anna Knight and Mattel’s Roz Nowicki with a preview of the robust licensing opportunities that will be available when Licensing Expo opens its doors in Las Vegas next month. Read more…
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The Toy Foundation’s Toy of the Year Awards Move to Fall
The Toy Foundation’s next Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards will take place on Sept. 20 as The Toy Association welcomes the industry to the 2023 Preview & 2022 Holiday Market at the Dallas Market Center. The move to fall serves as a reset for the “Oscars of the toy industry” ahead of next year’s big move, which sees a reimagined Toy Fair experience taking place in Sept. 2023. Read more…
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Hasbro Acquires D&D Beyond Platform from Fandom
D&D Beyond launched in 2017 and is considered to be the leading digital toolset and game companion for Hasbro’s long-running fantasy franchise. Fandom has owned and operated the platform, which boasts nearly 10 million users, since 2019. Read more…
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MGA Entertainment's Shadow High Stirs Up a Rivalry with Rainbow High
The edgy new doll line is stepping out of the shadows to stir up a high school rivalry in grayscale, embracing the other half of the rainbow. The much buzzed-about new line began hitting retail this week. Read more…
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Funko Adds Famous Movie Pets to Pops! With Purpose to Support ASPCA
Funko will donate $10 from the sale of each specially marked Pops! With Purpose figure to the ASPCA. The new collection will be made available exclusively through Funko’s direct-to-consumer website. Read more…
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BBC Studios, Hasbro Ink Licensing Deal for Bluey Games, Play-Doh
Bluey editions of Monopoly Junior, Trouble, and Play-Doh sets are on the horizon. The product range is expected to begin hitting retail in the U.S. and Canada later this month with distribution in other countries slated to rollout into next year. Read more…
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Wow! Stuff, Jakks Pacific Collaborate on Lifelike Animatronic Jurassic World Dinosaur
Kids can get to know dinosaurs on a whole new level with Jurassic World RealFX Baby Blue, a full-scale, animatronic dinosaur created under Wow! Stuff’s special projects brand, RealFX. Jakks Pacific will distribute Blue in the U.S. Read more…
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SEGA, Gamefam Bring Sonic the Hedgehog to ‘Roblox’
Sonic Speed Simulator marks the first time that a AAA video game character has been officially featured on Roblox. In the game, players can race through multiple worlds to earn rewards and exclusive character skins. Read more…
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Crayola Adventure Kits Debut at Wendy’s
The promotion features a collection of six premium toys that come packed in crayon-shaped holders. Each Color Adventure Kit comes with three Crayola crayons in different shades, and includes activities on a double-sided, 2-foot-long poster. Read more…
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PlayMonster Reveals the Six Winners of Its Spirograph National Art Contest
Using the simple magic of pens, gears, and paper, artists around the world tapped into their imaginations to produce colorful and unique pieces. Now, the winners have been revealed. Read more…
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Wild Republic Launches Eco-Friendly Plush Line Monsterkins
Monsterkins are fully sustainable — not just carbon neutral — and come with a backstory. They are said to be Earth’s creation to help eat plastic water bottles, the same material they’re made from. Read more…
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W. Britain Toys Adds Manufacturing to Ohio Operations
On the Mantle LLC dba W. Britain Toys is expanding its operations in Chillicothe, Ohio, with an investment of more than $226,000 to add manufacturing capabilities to its headquarters. W. Britain Toys is one of the most famous names in the world of collectible toy soldiers and while its legacy is rooted in the UK, it’s been an American-owned company for more than 25 years. Read more…
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Combined Toy & Edu China, Baby & Stroller China, Licensing China Trade Show Sets New Dates for August
This past February, Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd rescheduled the combined Toy & Edu China, Baby & Stroller China, and Licensing China trade show to May 5-7. After recent spikes in COVID-19 cases, the event has once again been rescheduled to Aug. 5-7. Read more…
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London Toy Fair Makes Plans for 2023
Following a successful in-person show this year, the British Toy & Hobby Association has opened exhibitor applications for its next edition of The Toy Fair. The event is set to take place at the Olympia in London from Jan. 24-26, 2023. Read more…
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NECA’s Denuo Novo Launches Batman Collectibles Range
Denuo Novo entered into a licensing partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to offer high-end collectibles, replicas, and costume pieces inspired by iconic characters of the DC Universe. The line kicks off with a replica of the 1989 Batman cowl. Read more…
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The Toy Foundation’s Pam Mastrota, Andy Weiner Discuss Support for Ukraine on the ‘Power Kid Podcast’
The Toy Book presents a special episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” in which host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes The Toy Foundation’s Executive Director Pam Mastrota and Chairman of the Board Andy Weiner to the show. Listen here…
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State of the Industry Q&A: Jazwares
Jeremy Padawer, chief brand officer at Jazwares, discusses the success of Squishmallows and the importance of social media marketing in the Toy Book’s annual State of the Industry Q&A. Read more…
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State of the Industry Q&A: WowWee
Sydney Wiseman, vice president of brand development and creative strategy at WowWee, discusses new licensing programs, marketing with Roblox, and more. Read more…
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Build-A-Bear Workshop Documentary on the Way from ‘Last Blockbuster’ Filmmaker
The film is set to explore the backstory of the company along with its path through the potentially catastrophic era of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to 2021 becoming Build-A-Bear Workshop’s most profitable year to date. Read more…
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Obituary: Jake Sivner (ZURU, YWOW, JAS Ultimate Solutions)
The global toy industry is mourning the loss of Jake Sivner. The young executive died last month at the age of 22. Sivner entered the industry in 2018 as a sales and marketing intern at ZURU Toys in Hong Kong. Read more…
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Mattel Promotes Lisa McKnight to EVP, Global Head of Barbie and Dolls
Over the past six years, McKnight has led the Barbie brand to nearly double in size with a more than $750 million spike in gross billings. Additionally, McKnight is credited with playing a "crucial role" in Mattel winning back the licensing rights to the Disney Princess and Frozen franchises and securing licensing deals for Universal's Spirit and Trolls franchises. Read more...
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The Toy Foundation Adds Four New Board Members
Chair Andy Weiner continues to lead the board, which is composed of 20 individuals with expertise spanning all facets of the industry. Trustees play a large role in helping the Foundation in its mission to provide philanthropic support and play experiences to kids and families in difficult situations around the world. Read more…
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Dr. Seuss Enterprises Promotes Shannon Spisak, Hires New Executives
In her new role as vice president of marketing and communications, Spisak will assist in developing the company’s product, creative, marketing, social media, and business plans through 360-degree marketing programs, retail opportunities, and collaborations with key partners. Read more…
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