Toy Report 10/17: Schleich Plots Major Retail Expansion in the U.S.; Spielwarenmesse International TrendCommittee Reveals Toy Trends for 2020

October 17, 2019

Schleich Plots Major Retail Expansion in the U.S.

Schleich is going big at retail in the U.S. this holiday season. The popular German brand of figurines and play sets is following the opening of more than 20 flagship retail shops with four holiday-themed pop-up stores, a new e-commerce platform, and partnerships with Toys “R” Us Adventure and FAO Schwarz. Read more…

Spielwarenmesse International TrendCommittee Reveals Three Toy Trends for 2020

The Spielwarenmesse‘s international TrendCommittee — which includes the Toy Book Publisher Jackie Breyer — revealed three strong toy trends for next year: Toys for Future, Digital Goes Physical, and Be You! Products from all three trend categories will be on display on Trend Islands in the TrendGallery of Hall 3A at the 71st Spielwarenmesse international toy fair, held from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 in Nuremberg, Germany. Read more…

Screenwriter Jeremy Adams Appears on Power Kid Podcast

Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design sits down with screenwriter Jeremy Adams to discuss the crossroads of toys and animation — including Adams’ work with LEGO and a stint at Jakks Pacific — and the challenges of working with established brands while, at the same time, giving the characters a unique twist. Read more...

The Adventure Media and Events Podcast Network is now available through all of your favorite streaming services, including Anchor , Spotify , Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , and more.

American Girl Debuts New Retail Experiences in Chicago, New York

The experiential retail locations have been updated with new “retailtainment” features, including a doll hospital in both cities, a remodeled salon in Chicago, and a 1970s-themed experience centered around the popular Julie doll in NYC. The updates are among the new moves for the American Girl brand under the leadership of Jamie Cygielman, who joined the company as senior vice president and general manager earlier this year. Read more…

LEGO Replay Recycles Bricks by Gifting Them to Nonprofits

The LEGO Group has been leading the charge toward making toys that are both eco-friendly and sustainable, and now it’s taking a novel approach to “recycling” bricks without recycling them at all. Read more…

Magformers’ DOLCE Range Gains STEM.org Authentication

Magformers’ DOLCE line is the first soft baby toy brand to be awarded STEM authentication by STEM.org. DOLCE (design, observe, learn, create, educate) products are designed specifically for newborns and young children to learn cog n itive skills at an early age through play. Read more…

Nelvana, Spin Master Ink International Deals for Bakugan: Battle Planet

Based on Spin Master‘s popular toy line, the 100-episode first season of Bakugan: Battle Planet will expand its reach across broadcast and streaming platforms worldwide as a second season enters production. Read more…

Ellen Degeneres, Hasbro Partner for You Bet Game

Hasbro and Ellen DeGeneres are teaming up to bring home a new version of a fan-favorite from the primetime game show Game of Games . You Bet is the first title under the Ellen’s Games banner from Hasbro Gaming. Read more…

Nominations for 16th Annual Wonder Women Awards Close Soon

The clock is ticking to get in your nominations for the 16th Annual Wonder Women Awards presented by Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT). Nominations are open through Oct. 31. Read more…

Figure Skaters Tara Lipinski, Alysa Liu Present Winners of Barbie’s ‘Be Anything’ Tour

As part of Barbie‘s 60th-birthday celebration this year, Mattel and Walmart honored role models across the U.S. during the “Be Anything” tour. Following a kick-off event in March, the tour made its way across the U.S., concluding in Los Angeles this past weekend. Read more…

Sesame Workshop Debuts New Program to Assist Kids Affected by Parental Addiction

The nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street launched a new initiative that’s specifically designed to support kids and families affected by parental addiction. In a new series of videos and other content, familiar characters, including Elmo and Abby Cadabby, support their friend Karli, a 6 ½-year-old Sesame Street Muppet whose mom is dealing with addiction. Read more…

Collector Ownership Campaign Opens for hobbyDB

Colorado-based hobbyDB is offering collectors the opportunity to own shares in the growing hobby and collectibles data service. Nearly 600,000 users already use hobbyDB to track, price, and sell their collections, and the company is already helping power features of third-party apps, such as the Funko Collection Tracker. Using Wefunder, hobbyDB is selling stock in the company. Read more…

Dr. Seuss Enterprises Launches Seuss World with Roblox, Previews Netflix’s Green Eggs and Ham

First announced back in 2016, Green Eggs and Ham is finally coming to Netflix with an all-star cast, right on schedule. Additionally, Dr. Seuss Enterprises collaborated with SkyReacher for Seuss World , a brand-new Roblox game based on If I Ran the Circus . Read more…

Little Tikes UK Shifts into Top Gear with New Wheelz Campaign

The Stig may not be well-known outside of automotive culture in the U.S., but in the UK, the anonymous, white-suited driver from Top Gear is a household name. For its latest social media campaign, MGA Entertainment‘s Little Tikes UK division is tapping into the mysterious vibe with Little Stiglet, who stars in new commercials for the company’s Wheelz line of RC vehicles and play sets. Read more…

L.O.L. Surprise! Winter Disco Movie Special Heads to Amazon Prime Video Kids

On Nov. 1, the L.O.L Surprise! Winter Disco Movie special will be available for streaming exclusively on Prime Video Kids. The trailer for the special launched alongside preorders for the Amazon exclusive L.O.L. Surprise! Winter Disco Bigger Surprise, which includes an exclusive L.O.L. Surprise! family and more than 60 all-new surprises for kids to unbox. Read more…

Build-A-Bear Workshop, iHeartMedia Expand Build-A-Bear Radio

Build-A-Bear Workshop Inc. and iHeartMedia are making Build-A-Bear Radio available to families across the country on the free iHeartRadio app. The streaming radio station features songs and stories from family-friendly pop artists, alongside a curated selection of shows and segments, including ABEARica’s Countdown , Bear-aking News , and Build-A-Bear On Air with the Moseley’s.

WarnerMedia, Animaccord Launch Masha and the Bear in Turkey

Last week, WarnerMedia and Animaccord launched the popular series on Cartoon Network Turkey. The news follows the recent announcement that the fourth season of Masha and the Bear , Masha’s Songs, will debut on Netflix and other outlets around the world next year. Read more…

Mezco Launches 5 Points Line with the Addams Family

Timed with MGM’s animated reimagining of The Addams Family hitting theaters in the U.S., Mezco opened preorders for “the first family of Halloween,” with the family packaged in duos on retro-styled blister cards. The collection marks the debut of 5 Points — the company’s take on the classic 3.75-inch action figure scale with five points of articulation, commonly known as 5POA. Read more…

A Quest for Magic Begins in the New Trailer for Disney•Pixar’s Onward

Next spring, Disney•Pixar’s Onward will lead the charge as Mattel’s expanded licensing agreement with Disney kicks in, and new products based on the film hit stores alongside a fresh lineup of toys inspired by the entire Pixar library. Read more…

NPD: The Health of the U.S. Toy Industry

As we head into the holiday selling season, Juli Lennett, vice president and industry advisor of U.S. toys at The NPD Group provides an update on where the industry numbers sit, along with a look at some of this year’s top growth properties. Read more…

Bringing Play to the People

Events and experiences are all the rage, with toymakers and brands taking the show on the road, while some are building their own experiences. We look at how companies, such as Mattel, Nickelodeon, Hasbro, Crayola, Entertainment Earth, and more, are changing the way they interact with families in a live setting. Read more…

Raising the Bar: Dubious Distinctions

No matter how you say it, counterfeits, bootlegs, and knock-offs are a serious problem affecting the toy industry. Howard N. Aronson, managing partner at Lackenbach Siegel, explains what companies can do to protect themselves and their IP. Read more…

Racing to the Stars: The Booming Market for Collectible Vehicles Inspired by Entertainment

The Pop Insider takes a look at a growing fandom fueled by a quickly expanding assortment of product offerings from a variety of companies, including Jada Toys, Greenlight Collectibles, Mattel’s Hot Wheels brand, Johnny Lightning, and others. Read more…

Target Exec Mark Tritton Tapped to Lead Bed Bath & Beyond

As Target‘s Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Mark Tritton was a central figure in Target’s growth and expansion in toys and baby, and he offered opening remarks at The Toy Association’s Annual Business Conference this year. Effective Nov. 4, he will take the helm at Bed Bath & Beyond. Read more…

WarnerMedia Appoints Abhishek Dutta to Head Cartoon Network, Pogo in South Asia

Most recently the senior kids programming director at Viacom18, Dutta will be responsible for content direction for both brands, in addition to programming, channel operations, acquisitions, and promotions. Read more…