November 14, 2019
2020 TOTY Awards Finalists Revealed

They’re often considered to be the Oscars of the toy industry, and on Friday, Feb. 21, the next Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards will be distributed at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City as Toy Fair New York gets underway. After carefully examining 633 nominees submitted by 236 companies, a panel of 18 industry experts determined this year’s finalists in 16 categories. One winner in each category, along with the consumer-chosen People’s Choice Award and the overall Toy of the Year Award, will be presented in February. Read more…
National Toy Hall of Fame Inducts New Honorees

Matchbox cars, Magic: The Gathering, and the coloring book have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. The honorees were chosen from a field of a dozen nominees, including Care Bears, the Fisher-Price Corn Popper, Jenga, Masters of the Universe, My Little Pony, the Nerf blaster, the game of Risk, the smartphone, and the top. Read more…
The Last Gameboard’s Shail Mehta Appears on “Power Kid Podcast”

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with the Last Gameboard Co-Founder Shail Mehta about the successful funding of Gameboard-1 on Kickstarter, and how the company looks to disrupt the gaming industry by merging tech and play into what’s being called “the world’s first arcade and board game console.” Read more…

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CookieSwirlC Is the Latest YouTuber Headed to the Toy Aisle

Mattel teamed up with CookieSwirlC on a new line of dolls designed in collaboration with the popular YouTuber. Launching in December, exclusively at Walmart, the line includes the Lotta Looks collection and the CookieSwirlC Barbie doll and playset. Read more…
Mercedes-Benz x Matchbox “No Limits” Collaboration Kicks-Off

Launched on National STEM/STEAM Day, the “No Limits” initiative was created by Mercedes-Benz USA in partnership with Mattel and the National Girls Collaborative Project in an effort to challenge gender stereotypes and encourage interest in science, technology, engineering, and math. Read more…
ZURU Unleashes 5 Surprise Dino Strike

Following the prehistoric themes of Smashers Series 3 Dino and the Robo Alive Attacking T-Rex, dinosaurs have made their way into ZURU‘s 5 Surprise. 5 Surprise Dino Strike brings 13 collectible dinosaurs to the line for kids to collect. Kids can unwrap and build dinosaurs, including the pterosaur, triceratops, raptors, and a super-rare golden fossil tyrannosaurus rex. Read more…
NSI International Debuts Groovy Wubble, Giant Wubble for the Holidays

A colorful new introduction, the Groovy Wubble is a Super Wubble bubble ball that looks like a bubble and plays like a ball. Offered in multicolored, tie-dye designs, it’s squishy, lightweight, soft, and will mold around whatever it touches before bouncing away. The Giant Wubble is “the most mammoth, mega-sized Super Wubble bubble ball ever.” Read more…
Hasbro Reveals My Little Pony: Pony Life as the Next Evolution for the “Mane 6”

Following the conclusion of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic , Hasbro‘s Allspark Animation is in production on My Little Pony: Pony Life , a new animated series starring Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash, collectively known as the “Mane 6.” Read more...
The Empire State Building Goes Yellow and Green for Sesame Street

Last Sunday, the Empire State Building was lit in yellow and green in honor of the iconic Sesame Street sign. The lightning, along with a special ceremony, took place to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street ’s debut in 1969. Read more…
Kids India South to Debut in Bengaluru

Following the success of its international trade fair for toys, kids’ products, and sporting goods, Kids India will launch a regional fair in Bengaluru next spring.  Read more…
Diamond Select Toys Leaves No Fandom Behind with Newest Figures

Diamond Select (DST) and Gentle Giant LTD are looking forward to spring with new action figures and busts from a variety of top pop culture licenses. Read more…
Disney Television Animation Celebrates 35 Years

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of Disney Television Animation, the company released a video that highlights some of the studio’s talented creatives, crew, and executives behind series such as TaleSpin , Sofia the First , Recess , Kim Possible , Mickey Mouse Clubhouse , Phineas and Ferb , and Gravity Falls , along with the upcoming titles The Curse of Molly McGee and Marvel’s Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur , which will debut next year. Read more…
Kids2 Introduces Baby Einstein Around We Grow 4-in-1 Discovery Center   

Designed for kids ages 3 months to 3 years old, the latest offering from Baby Einstein combines the benefits and features of a traditional baby walker and stationary entertainer into one unit with a 360-degree design. It’s a walk around, discovery table, art table, and has removable floor toys. Read more…
Disappearing Instagram “Like” Counts: An Affront to Marketers, or an Opportunity to Redefine Engagement?

Clark Nesselrodt of Brilliant PR & Marketing weighs in on Instagram’s announcement that it will begin testing its “hidden likes” program in the U.S. Is this a damper on the holiday season? Perhaps there is a more thoughtful way to consider the value of influencer posts beyond engagement. Read more…
Nintendo, Disney, and Disguise Drive 18% Sales Increase for Jakks Pacific Q3 Win

As predicted following its second quarter earnings reports, the back half of the year is looking good for Jakks Pacific. The Santa Monica-based toymaker reported solid third-quarter numbers that reflect growth in several areas despite looming tariff threats and its position as an acquisition target. Net sales for the second quarter were $280.1 million, an increase of 18% compared to $236.7 million during the same period last year. Read more…
MEGA Brands’ Vic Bertrand Takes the Helm at Toys “R” Us Canada

Effective immediately, Vic Bertrand, formerly of MEGA Brands, joins Toys “R” Us Canada as its president and CEO. Bertrand has spent the past 18 months working with Toys “R” Us Canada as a board member and advisor following the company’s purchase by Fairfax Holdings Limited. Fairfax owned MEGA Brands prior to its sale to Mattel in 2014. Read more…

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