Toy Report 10/10: Just Play Reportedly Close to Buying Jakks Pacific

October 10, 2019

Just Play Reportedly Close to Buying Jakks Pacific

At Toy Fair Dallas last week, one of the most frequent topics of conversation was collaboration and consolidation: essentially, mergers and acquisitions. Now comes word that Just Play is gearing up to purchase Jakks Pacific, a company that has been a frequent target for potential acquisition. Read more…

Play Visions’ Mark Chernick Appears on “Power Kid Podcast”

Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design sits down with Mark Chernick, CEO of Play Visions. In the new episode, Chernick tells his company’s origin story — “Let’s Make Stickers!” — and details the road from creating novelty and trend items that offer “a little something extra” to where the company is today as a leader in the popular category of compound and tactile play. 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.

Target to Power Toys “R” Us Shopping Experience in the U.S.

One of the biggest questions regarding the U.S. relaunch of Toys “R” Us has been answered: fulfillment. Target Corp. and Tru Kids Brands have revealed that Target’s toy assortment, digital capabilities, and fulfillment services will support the new Toys “R” Us shopping experiences in the U.S. both online and in-store. Read more…

Additionally, the Disney Store at Target opened last weekend in 25 locations across the country. The shop-within-a-shop program will expand to at least 40 additional locations within the next year.

NYCC: Catch Up on the Pop Insider’s Con Shenanigans

New York Comic Con (NYCC) 2019 was filled with parties, panels, prizes, and more. ICYMI, here’s a recap of everything that went down with the Pop Insider during NYCC. Read more…

Hasbro’s Biggest Transformers Figure Ever Is Entering Production

Hasbro’s most ambitious crowdfunding effort yet is a success. With the prototype on display at New York Comic Con (NYCC) at the Pop Insider‘s booth, Hasbro‘s Transformers: War for Cybertron Unicron figure inched toward its goal of 8,000 backers last weekend, clearing the hurdle and getting a greenlight for production. Read more…

In other Hasbro news, the world’s first NERF Action Xperience opened its doors in Singapore . A U.S. launch for the experiential family entertainment center concept is planned for next year.

Barbie Dream Gap Project Celebrates First Anniversary with GoFundMe Initiative

Barbie partnered with GoFundMe in an effort to help close the Dream Gap, the time — starting at age five — when girls start to doubt they can be anything. Researchers at New York University, the University of Illinois, and Princeton University have identified that many girls in the Dream Gap are less likely than boys to view their own gender as smart and begin to lose confidence. Read more…

Jazwares Becomes Master Toy Partner for Boat Rocker Studios’ Dino Ranch

Jazwares saddled up with Boat Rocker Studios as the global master toy partner for the new animated preschool series, Dino Ranch , which will air on Disney Junior beginning in 2021. The Florida-based toymaker will design and produce toys across multiple categories, including action figures, play sets, vehicles, plush, role play, and musical instruments. Read more…

Disney, Pokémon, and Transformers Inspire Disguise’s New Halloween Costume Lineup

Jakks Pacific‘s Disguise division is gearing up for a big Halloween driven by top licenses being applied to costumes and role play items for the entire family. Read more…

WowWee Introduces Pixie Belles

WowWee‘s latest interactive pet toy is spinning into retail. Pixie Belles feature multiple play modes and have a magnetic power pod that attaches to clothing. Available in four characters — Esme, Aurora, Layla, and Rosie — each pet has its own signature sounds and giggles. Read more…

Moose Toys, Bethenny Frankel Team Up with ASPCA to Support Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

Just as Moose Toys‘ Scruff-a-Luvs Real Rescue collection hits stores this month, Bethenny Frankel has teamed up with the toymaker and the nonprofit American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in support of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. The follow-up to last year’s popular Scruff-a-Luvs, Real Rescue pets let kids pretend that they’re adopting and nurturing their own rescue pet. Read more…

eOne Launches Broadcast, Consumer Products for Ricky Zoom in Canada

Entertainment One (eOne)‘s Ricky Zoom is picking up speed in Canada this fall. The new animated preschool property will air in Canada on Corus Entertainment’s Treehouse, joining a list of international broadcasters that will launch the first season. Read more…

Toy Fair Dallas Brings the Business of Play to the Lone Star State

Last week, The Toy Association’s Toy Fair Dallas opened its doors to thousands of toy industry professionals for a look into the product pipeline for the year ahead. The annual long-lead event included buyers from Walmart, Amazon, Target, and others, who received a fresh look at this year’s hot holiday products, along with an early peek at products arriving at retail in the fourth quarter of next year. Read more…

Chicago Toy and Game Group Reveals Full Lineup for ChiTAG Inventor & Innovation Conferences

The annual Chicago Toy and Game Week (ChiTAG) is fast approaching, and this year’s schedule is taking shape. The Chicago Toy and Game Group revealed the full program and speaker lineup for this year’s ChiTAG Inventor Conference, taking place Nov. 21-24 at Chicago’s Navy Pier. The inventor conferences are a professional development forum that offers opportunities for education, pitching ideas, collaboration, and trend discovery. Read more…

More than 300 Brands Featured at Seventh Annual Kids India

The seventh Kids India trade show attracted more international interest. More than 5,900 trade visitors from 34 countries attended the fair. Major industry players and newcomers showed more than 300 brands featuring their new products and innovations. The event is organized by Spielwarenmesse India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary wholly owned by Spielwarenmesse eG. Read more…

Guru Studio, Scholastic Ink Publishing Deal for Pikwik Pack

Previously announced as Pikwik , the series follows Suki the hedgehog, Axel the raccoon, Tibor the hippo and Hazel the cat (the Pikwik Pack) as they deliver magical packages filled with love to the kind citizens of Pikwik. The series will air on Disney Junior in the U.S. beginning next year. Read more…

Distroller USA Expands Neonate Babies Line with New Generation Nerlies

Distroller USA debuted a new generation of Nerlies as the latest line extension for its popular collection of Neonate Babies. Barry Watts, Navarie, Bosini, Fidgets, Itzyboop, Lloyd, N’antsy, and Susiking are named after Distroller‘s original Nerlies, which are best described as “space babies recognized by a big round head and small body.” Nerlies, along with Espongie and Zygotie, make up the three species of Neonate Babies that have traveled to Earth from their home planet of Neonatopia in search of loving Neo-parents (kids), who will give them a forever home. Read more…

Genius Brands’ Rainbow Rangers Halloween Costumes Hit Retail

Genius Brands‘ Rainbow Rangers is hitting retail for the series’ first Halloween merchandising program. Based on the original preschool series airing daily on Nick Jr., the Rainbow Rangers program is led by Walmart at brick-and-mortar, with costumes and accessories available online through Walmart, Amazon, Party City, and halloweencostumes.com. The costumes are also available in approximately 1,200 Spirit Halloween stores as part of a direct-to-retail program. Read more…

Pillowie Goes Batty for Halloween

Pillowie is getting into the seasonal spirit, and for a good cause. Proceeds from the limited edition Pillowie Bat will be donated to aid in response efforts to the Amazon fires in Bolivia, where it is estimated that 10 million acres have burned. Read more…

Discovery Partners with My Town for My Town Discovery Mobile Game

Designed for kids ages 4-12, the app falls under Discovery #MINDBLOWN, the media company’s brand extension committed to educating kids in STEM. My Town Discovery is available now for both iOS and Android. Read more…

Swagtron Unveils Swagskate NG3 Kids’ Electric Skateboard

Swagtron‘s latest light electric vehicle is the Swagskate NG3, a compact electric skateboard built for kids. Capable of achieving speeds of up to 9.3 mph based on the rider’s kick, the NG3 is powered by a 100-watt motor and can support riders of up to 150 pounds for up to six miles on a single charge. Read more…

Backstory: A High Octane Chapter for UNO and International Games

If you were a fan of motorsports in the late 1970s to mid-1980s, there’s a solid chance you saw the word “UNO” flying around the track. In fact, one of the most popular card games of all-time had a presence at race tracks across the U.S. until at least 1991, a year before International Games was acquired in a stock-swap, making the Joliet, Illinois-based company a wholly owned subsidiary of Mattel. Read more…

How the YouTube, FTC Settlement Affects the Toy Industry

Melissa Hunter of the Family Video Network weighs in on the state of YouTube a month after the Google-owned company paid a $170 million settlement to the FTC. How toymakers and content creators are reacting is a fluid situation. Read more…

What Toy Tariffs Should Teach the Industry

Sean McGowan of the Liolios Group takes a fresh look at the tariff situation and what we can learn from it as the U.S. and China prepare for a new round of talks set to take place this week. Read more…

Marianne James Joins Hasbro’s Global Licensing Team

Hasbro Inc. named Marianne James as vice president, EMEA consumer products effective Nov. 11. James will be based out of Hasbro’s Stockley Park office in the UK and report to Casey Collins, senior vice president and general manager of global consumer products at Hasbro. Read more…

MGA Entertainment Taps Anne Parducci as Chief Content Officer

With more than 25 years of executive experience in the toy and entertainment industries, Parducci will oversee content development for MGA Entertainment brands, including L.O.L. Surprise! and others. She will also oversee the MGAE Studios division, the in-house creative team, and will manage MGAE’s ongoing interest in content distribution. Read more…