Toy Report 10/24: The Toy Insider Reveals 2019 Top Holiday Toy Trends; Mattel Films Preps Barney for the Big Screen

October 24, 2019

The Toy Insider Reveals 2019 Top Holiday Toy Trends

The Toy Insider , one of the toy industry’s most influential organizations and a trusted, go-to resource for parents and gift-givers, revealed the top eight trending toy themes of the year, giving consumers an inside look at the hottest categories and hand-picked favorites that are sure to be bestsellers this holiday season. Read more…

Mattel Films Preps Barney for the Big Screen

A familiar dinosaur is being prepped for another great adventure. Mattel Inc., along with 59% Productions and Valparaiso Pictures, is developing a live-action film based on Barney the purple dinosaur. Barney joins Barbie, Hot Wheels, American Girl, View-Master, Magic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, and the Masters of the Universe in the Mattel Films development slate. Read more…

FAO Schwarz Opens European Flagships at Selfridges, Arnotts

Following its return to the U.S. with the opening of a flagship store in New York City last fall and the opening of its first international flagship in Beijing this spring, FAO Schwarz is opening its first European flagship toy stores. Read more…

Prime Time Toys’ Bryan Sturtevant Appears on Power Kid Podcast

On this week’s episode of the Power Kid Podcast , host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design sat down with Bryan Sturtevant of Prime Time Toys to discuss all things blaster, including the tremendous success of the Original Max Liquidator and the launch of the new Dart Zone Pro MK-1 limited edition foam dart blaster. 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.

eOne, EBS Expand Peppa Pig in South Korea

Entertainment One (eOne) inked an expanded agreement with the free-to-air broadcaster EBS to air seasons five, six, and seven of the hit series in South Korea, in addition to becoming its licensing agent in the region. Read more…

ASTRA’s 10th Annual Neighborhood Toy Store Day Brings Families, Retailers Together

Neighborhood Toy Store Day celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, and the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is offering resources to independent toy stores to help make the most of this important day within the holiday selling season. Read more…

Super Impulse, Rubik’s Brand Partner for Rubik’s Tilt

Created by Super Impulse USA LLC in partnership with Rubik’s Brand, the electronic game gives budding Cubers a new way to experience the iconic Rubik’s Cube in a virtual form controlled by motion. Read more…

YULU’s #SNAPSTAR Dolls Are “Born to Be Stars” in Music Video Debut

Produced in support of the new #SNAPSTAR Echo’s Debut on the Pink Carpet play set — available exclusively at Target — the “Born to be Stars” music video features digital avatars of two of the seven the #SNAPSTAR dolls: Echo and Yuki the DJ. YULU’s #SNAPSTAR dolls are highly articulated fashion dolls that kids can customize and glam up with real-world accessories and a free companion app. Read more…

A Rebellion Is Reborn in Final Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Trailer

On Dec. 20, the Skywalker Saga concludes as Lucasfilm and filmmaker J.J. Abrams welcome audiences back to a galaxy far, far away for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker . The final trailer offers the best look yet at a film that Abrams says is meant to be a “cohesive” conclusion to the entire nine-film episodic saga. Read more…

Back to the Future Gets New Toys for 35th Anniversary

Fire up those DeLoreans because Back to the Future is having a big year. Universal will celebrate the franchise’s 35th anniversary with a variety of products, events, and digital content, including toys, games, and collectibles from Playmobil, Funko, Ravensburger, Hasbro, Mattel, and more. Read more…

Sesame Workshop, SeaWorld Partner for Sesame Place San Diego

Families on the West Coast will soon be able to find their way to Sesame Street. The first Sesame Place on the West Coast will open on the site of the current Aquatica San Diego and will feature a fully immersive Sesame Street experience. It will also open as a Certified Autism Center (CAC), mirroring its sister park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Read more…

Animaccord, Energizer Partner for Masha and the Bear Lighting

Animaccord inked a new licensing deal with Energizer, which will design and create flashlights and headlights inspired by Masha and the Bear . The deal was put together by Maurizio Distefano – The Evolution of Licensing (MDL), Animaccord’s licensing agent in Italy. Read more…

Embark On An Epic Quest in Ice Age: Scrat’s Nutty Adventure

In the new 3D action-adventure from Bandai Entertainment Europe, Outright Games, and Just Add Water, kids can follow Scrat on an epic quest through classic locations from the Ice Age films to recover his cherished acorn from the ancient Scratazon Temple. Along the way, players will help Scrat navigate icy terrains, burning lava, and more while discovering treasures that will unlock the special powers needed to help Scrat complete his quest. Read more…

Funrise’s Fart Ninjas Action Figures Blast into Retail

The latest collectible action figure line from Funrise is letting it rip at retailers in the U.S. The “silent, butt deadly” Fart Ninjas include an electronic element that triggers fart sounds to surprise passers-by and unsuspecting individuals. Read more…

Play for Today, Play for Tomorrow

Senior Editor James Zahn takes an in-depth look at the toy industry’s shift toward eco-friendly toys and sustainable manufacturing production, along with recycling and upcycling efforts from companies large and small. Read more…

Tips Entrepreneurs Need to Launch New Products

Mary Kay Russell, executive director, Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment, brings together a group of mentors from WIT Empowerment Day to offer up first-hand knowledge, insights, guidance, and support to help those new to the toy industry take their products to the next level. Read more…

The Perfect Brainstorm

Phil Albritton, owner of Power Kid Design & Development, offers tips for slight changes you and your team can make to help shake loose more powerful and creative ideas. Read more…

Positive Outlook Remains as Threat of China Tariffs Strikes a Blow to Hasbro Q3 Earnings

In an unusual turn, Hasbro fell short of analyst expectations for the third quarter, marking what is perhaps the most public-facing toy industry impact thus far related to the looming threat of tariffs on toys. Absent a negative $20.5 million impact of foreign exchange relating to the pending acquisition of Entertainment One, Q3 revenue rose 2%. Read more…

In other Hasbro news, the company revealed plans for its NERF Challenge Tour in partnership with Kilburn Live, and introduced The Game of Life: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Edition in partnership with Amazon.

NBA2K20 Instantly Becomes 2019’s Best-Selling Video Game as Industry Sales Continue to Slide

It’s becoming a familiar story that repeats itself month after month: video game sales are sliding, but there are bright spots and better times ahead. Last month, NBA2K20 hit stores, where it was welcomed by a massive consumer response, instantly becoming the year’s best-selling game and securing a spot in the record books with the most launch-month sales of any sports video game in history. Overall tracked sales in the video game category were down 8% for September. Read more…

Mattel Taps Walmart Executive as Global Corporate Communications VP

Mattel Inc. is updating its global communications team. The company hired Danit Marquardt as vice president of global corporate communications and promoted Marissa Beck to senior director, global brand communications. Read more…