Toy Report 9/5: YouTube's $170 Million FTC Settlement and the Future of Kids' Content; Target Goes Big on Toys for the Holidays

September 5, 2019

YouTube's $170 Million FTC Settlement and the Future of Kids' Content

This week, Google's YouTube division came to a $170 million settlement agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over allegations that the streaming video giant violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA) in how it dealt with kids' content and consumption on its platforms. Concerns over safety and privacy have surfaced on a regular basis in recent years, all of which have led to a constant revamp in policies geared toward content creators, including the development, launch, and subsequent revamp of the YouTube Kids app and website. Despite this, the FTC believes that COPPA violations took place regarding how YouTube was handling the data of users under the age of 13, and how it was tracking said users and serving them targeted advertising. Read more…

Target Further Expands Toy Selection Heading Into the Holidays

Target Corp. is doubling down on its commitment to toys. The Minneapolis-based retailer will offer an expanded assortment of more than 10,000 toys this holiday season, continuing to build on last year’s initiative to reimagine its toy departments and increase its selection. Target promises “highly knowledgeable team members” to assist guests in their toy shopping during the holiday season, and plans to offer an increased number of in-store events for kids and families in the months ahead. Read more…

Hasbro, TOMS Ink Multiyear Partnership for Footwear, Apparel, and Eyewear

Hasbro Inc. and TOMS inked a three-year deal to develop and launch products inspired by brands in the Hasbro portfolio. Transformers, My Little Pony, Power Rangers, Tonka, Monopoly, Candy Land, and others will be featured in collections of footwear, eyewear, and apparel items for men, women, and kids. The first wave of Hasbro x TOMS collaborations will hit stores next fall. Read more…

In addition, Hasbro launched its latest Monopoly Gamer edition: Sonic the Hedgehog .

Clio Awards to Honor Barbie as Brand Icon

Hosted by Bravo’s Andy Cohen, the award presentation will take place Sept. 25 at the Manhattan Center in New York City. Lisa McKnight, Mattel’s global head of dolls, will be on hand to accept the award on behalf of the brand. The Clio Brand Icon Award is presented to a brand that “has transcended the product or service it provides to become a permanent fixture in popular culture.” Both Barbie and Clio are celebrating their 60th anniversaries this year. Read more…

Skyrocket Launches Pomsies Lumies with Influencer Easter Eggs

Skyrocket took a unique approach to its launch for Pomsies Lumies, the latest generation of its Pomsies interactive pets. Rather than simply partnering with digital influencers for the promotional rollout, the company teamed up with more than a dozen top influencers to design secret modes that are built into the Lumies products being shipped worldwide. Read more…

How to Spend Your Credits at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

The Pop Insider takes a trip to Batuu for a look at all the new merchandise available at the new smuggler’s outpost located inside Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida. Read more…

Lakeshore Opens ‘Gifts for Growing Minds’ Pop-Up Store at Mall of America

During Labor Day weekend, Lakeshore opened its first-ever pop-up store. Located at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, Lakeshore’s 200 square-foot “Gifts for Growing Minds” pop-up will be open through the holiday season, with an open layout that allows kids to go hands-on with new toys at activity stations throughout the shop. Read more…

Kids2 Introduces Bright Starts Ford Mustang Walker

Kids2 and the Ford Motor Co. are bringing some horsepower to the growing lineup of Bright Starts baby products. Following the success of the 3 Ways to Play Ford F-150 Raptor Walker, the Ford Mustang is racing into baby departments as a new 3-in-1 walker this fall. Read more…

Sales, Revenue Grow as LEGO Group Shapes its Future

The LEGO Group reported a solid first half of the year with sales and revenue increases driven by growth in original IP and partner brands. The company — which is in the midst of major self-investment — took a hit in profit as it positions itself for future growth. Read more…

Additionally, the company announced its latest gaming partnership with Warner Bros. Interactive and Lucasfilm for LEGO Star Wars Battles .

See 2020 Trends First at Toy Fair Dallas

Toy Fair Dallas (Oct. 2-4) is the place to scout what’s coming down the pipeline in the toy and youth entertainment product industry. Along with a new Wednesday-to-Friday date pattern, The Toy Association’s fall marketplace will include initiatives to elevate the trend-scouting, toy-shopping, and networking experiences for exhibitors, buyers, and all other trade guests at the show. Read more…

Spotlight Your Success with Media Coverage

ASTRA President Kimberly Mosley serves up some helpful tips and best practices for achieving earned media coverage as we enter the holiday selling season. Read more...

Unboxing Reaches New Heights

Toy companies are continuing to add innovative ways for kids to unbox their toys to take the exciting experience of the reveal to the next level. Whether it’s incorporating unique packaging that transforms into storage or play sets or using different compounds that kids have to dig through to get to the surprise, the unboxing trend is ramping up in a major way. “Unboxing 2.0” is one of the hottest toy trends according to experts at The Toy Association. Read more…

A Tribute to Jerry R. Welch, Bambini Partners, and Right Start

Bambini Partners’ John Lee pays tribute to his friend and business partner, Jerry R. Welch, who fought a valiant battle with leukemia until Aug. 27. Welch was CEO of The Right Start, which famously acquired Zany Brainy and FAO Schwarz to form FAO Inc. Read more…

Rick Mershon Joins Sunny Days Entertainment as SVP, Sales and Marketing

Mershon joins the team behind Maxx Action, Cupcake Surprise, Sweet Pups, and Lil’ Blizzard Friends. He previously served as the senior vice president of sales at Basic Fun! for the past three years and as the vice president of sales at Blip Toys for nine years.

Viacom’s Sarah Kirshbaum Levy Joins Funko Board of Directors

Funko Inc. appointed Viacom Media Networks’ Chief Operating Officer Sarah Kirshbaum Levy to the company’s board of directors. At Viacom Media Networks, Levy is responsible for overseeing global strategy, finance, and operations for the division. Read more…

Former Marvel, DreamWorks Exec Eric Ellenbogen Takes Helm at DHX Media

DHX Media appointed Eric Ellenbogen as its new CEO and vice chair of the board of directors. Ellenbogen joined the board at DHX Media in April and served as president and CEO of the pre-Disney Marvel Enterprises in the late 1990s. After, he co-founded Classic Media, which was sold to DreamWorks Animation and rebranded DreamWorks Classics in 2012. Read more…

Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products Promotes David Chustz

A 12-year Nickelodeon vet, Chustz most recently served as senior vice president, franchise creative strategy and planning for Nickelodeon. He first joined the company as a vice president for TeenNick (formerly “The N”), and later moved into multiplatform content and consumer products. Chustz led the consumer products strategy for the launch of PAW Patrol, the 2012 and 2018 reinventions of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the development of JoJo Siwa as a licensing brand, and the recent SpongeBob SquarePants 20th anniversary program. Read more…

Xilam Animation Taps Manya Zhou to Head Business Development in China

Paris-based Xilam Animation appointed Manya Zhou to the newly created position of head of business development for China. Zhou joins the company from Amuse, a subsidiary of Millimages, where she managed the Asian market. She previously held positions with Spideo, the Festival National du Film d’animation, and Festival Ciné-Jeune de l’Aisne. Read more…