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FTC Cracks Down on False “Made in USA” Claims
The FTC issued a new rule this month to deter what the organization is calling “rampant Made in USA fraud.” The move comes amid countless products with dubious Made in USA markings being targeted toward consumers through social advertising or via product tags on goods sold at brick and mortar retailers. The new rule is a codification of previous guidance into an official and enforceable rule that will, for the first time, allow the FTC to pursue civil penalties of up to $43,280 per violation of the rule. Read more…
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Are Global Shipping Companies Price Gouging Amid the Current Supply Chain Crisis?
Hapag-Lloyd AG — one of the major global shipping companies — issued a letter to clients this month informing them of a “Value Added Surcharge (VAD)” for Trans-Pacific trade. Now, clients are pushing back, including ZURU Co-Founder and Director Nick Mowbray, who alleges practices of “pure price gouging” on top of an already stressed supply chain. Read more…
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Spin Master Games Taps Doing Things Media for Meme-based Recruiting Campaign
Spin Master and L&C New York created a collection of humorous ads to be distributed by Doing Things Media, the company behind the Instagram meme sensations Middle Class Fancy, RadDad, and NeatMom. The ads are meant to be “a rethink of Spin Master’s recruiting process” in an effort to attract talent to its New York-based Games Pod incubator program. Read more…
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Mattel Creations Expands for SDCC Exclusives, Direct-to-Consumer Offerings
In the absence of a traditional Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) for the second year in a row, Mattel is expanding its own direct-to-consumer platform to connect with toy fans. Beginning today, Mattel Creations will be the exclusive destination for a host of products spanning numerous pop culture licenses across several of Mattel’s brands. Read more…
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Jazwares Brings Prehistoric Play to Its New ‘Dino Ranch’ Toys
Jazwares unveiled its new “pre-west-oric” collection of toys based on the hit preschool series Dino Ranch during the Toy Insider’s Sweet Suite @ Home event. Kids can collect mini dinosaur eggs, build fences, saddle up with Dino Ranchers, and cuddle their favorite prehistoric pals from the show. Read more...
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PlayMonster Introduces Spirograph Animator
Last week at the Toy Insider‘s Sweet Suite @ Home event, PlayMonster pulled back the curtain on Spirograph Animator, the latest addition to the company’s arts and crafts assortment. Created under license from Hasbro, Spirograph Animator uses the power of light and motion to create the illusion of animation in the classic Spirograph art style. Read more…
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Big G Creative Launches the Mysterious Game of Ghosted at Target
Looking for a ghostly party game as the spooky season approaches? Look no further because Big G Creative officially launched Ghosted, a supernatural “whodunnit” board game recommended for kids ages 10 and up. Read more…
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Bonkers Toys Gets Into the Game with YouTube Gaming Star Aphmau
Following its successful toy lines with YouTube stars, including Ryan’s World and FGTeeV, Bonkers Toys is getting into the game with another top YouTuber: Aphmau. Over the past few years, Aphmau aka Jessica Bravura has amassed more than 8 billion lifetime views on a Minecraft-heavy channel boasting more than 10 million subscribers. Read more…
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Hasbro, Super7 Collaborate for G.I. Joe ReAction, Ultimates! Lines
The ongoing resurgence of Hasbro‘s G.I. Joe brand has reached a new level. In one of the worst-kept secrets of recent months thanks to some retail listings that leaked earlier this year, Hasbro and Super7 are collaborating on two new lines of products inspired by the 1980s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero animated series and toy line. Read more…
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Discussing the Future of Classic Play with Hape CEO Peter Handstein on the ‘Power Kid Podcast’
In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Hape CEO Peter Handstein to the show. Since its founding in 1986, Hape has become known as a premier designer and manufacturer of high-quality wooden baby and kid’s toys. Listen here...
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BYJU’S Learning App Launches in U.S. Powered by Osmo
After finding success in India, BYJU’S is expanding globally to provide more technology-based education experiences. Through a new partnership, BYJU’S is powered by Osmo Technology and launches in the U.S. with content from Disney. Read more…
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Make It Real Introduces the Color Fusion Nail Polish Maker
Kids can get creative with colors to make more than 200 custom nail polish shades with this kit that uses special technology to source a trio of pigments and create an entire rainbow. Fashionistas ages 8 and up can mix and match their own colors to customize their nails with a glossy or sparkly finish. Read more…
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Toy & Edu China Set to Reveal New Market Opportunities
The second-largest toy market in the world is primed for expansion and Toy & Edu China, Baby & Stroller China, and Licensing China are making plans to help companies better connect with families next year. The three concurrent trade fairs will return to the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center next spring with a focus on three key areas for growth. Read more…
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Licensing International Releases Special Report on the State of the Licensing Business
Licensing International unleashed a Looking Forward: The State of the Licensing Business, a 30-page special report “that explores the trends, opportunities, and challenges facing the global licensing industry.” The deep dive into the business features insight from more than 35 brand licensing executives from around the world. Licensing International created the report in partnership with Miller Kaplan. Read more…
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NECA Previews SDCC Exclusives from TMNT, The Boys, Universal Monsters, and More
In a YouTube livestream, NECA unveiled all of the collectibles the company was planning to reveal in-person at Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) this year. Although some of these collectibles were intended to be SDCC exclusives, they are now dropping in late summer online and in stores. Read more...
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Mighty Mojo Toys Introduces Take2 Pool Floats Brand
Designed to look like fun, refreshing, summer foods and drinks, Take2 Floats come in four varieties, and pair a full-sized pool float with an 82-inch pool noodle. The line quickly sold out on the company’s new website and is available in limited quantities on Amazon. Read more...
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U.S. Video Game Sales Grew 15% in the First Half of 2021
Even though the world is reopening and families are starting to get outside their homes, the U.S. video game industry is still booming. According to The NPD Group, retail sales for the first half of 2021 grew 15% versus the first six months of 2020 for a total take of $28.9 billion. Sales growth slowed a bit in June as total consumer spending across video game hardware, content, and accessories spiked 5% over last year. Read more…
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Toy Industry Vet Ashley Mady Joins IT’SUGAR as Vice President of Brand Development
Mady joins the company from Basic Fun! and will lead the retailer’s visual merchandising, private label, licensing, public relations, and marketing efforts. Additionally, she is tasked with establishing the creative direction to support IT’SUGAR’s short- and long-term growth strategies. Read more…
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Former Disney and LEGO Exec Tim Erickson Tapped to Lead Wildbrain’s Peanuts Worldwide
Erickson joins the company from GoldieBlox as executive vice president of brand. In his new role, Erickson will be tasked with leading Peanuts forward with a strategy true to its heritage. Read more…
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