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The Toy Book’s Top 10: The Hottest Stories of March 2022
The Toy Book takes a look back to uncover the hottest toy stories of March, as chosen by you: the readers! From retail collaborations to classic toys and fast food premiums, take a look at the most buzzed-about headlines. Read more…
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Mattel Celebrates Earth Month with Sustainable Toys from Matchbox, MEGA Bloks
The new assortment includes the MEGA Bloks Green Town collection and extensions to the Matchbox “Driving Toward a Better Future” initiative. Mattel is the first toy company to incorporate certified renewable polymers from SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE program into its products. Read more…
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The LEGO Group Opens Billund Campus
It took five years of planning and construction, but The LEGO Group has finally completed an epic build on its home turf. The workspace can house up to 2,000 staffers in a manner that LEGO hopes will “provide a playful, inclusive, and collaborative environment that enables employees to develop the best play experiences for children all over the world.” Read more…
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Bandai America and Bandai Namco Collectibles Merge
After bringing its companies under one roof in a new facility last fall, Bandai is uniting two of its divisions under a new name: Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc. Read more…
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MGA Entertainment’s L.O.L. Surprise! Joins ‘Twilight Daycare’ on ‘Roblox’
The L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls are heading back to the metaverse for a new activation inside Twilight Daycare on Roblox. The partnership kicks off April 15, and is powered by Gamefam and WildBrain Spark. Read more…
Additionally, MGAE’s Mermaze Mermaidz Color Change Fashion Dolls made a splashy debut at retail this week.
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VTech Unveils New Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Toys for Spring
“One of my favorite toys this year is the Level Up Gaming Chair — it’s a fun way for kids to pretend to emulate the cool technology their parents use,” says Andy Keimach, president of VTech. “Our new toys encourage kids to use their imaginations which is so important to a child’s development.” Read more…
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Genius Brands International Rebrands ChizComm as Beacon Media Group
There’s a new sign on the door of the former ChizComm Ltd. and ChizComm Beacon Media. The companies have been rebranded as Beacon Media Group under the parent company Genius Brands International Inc. With the refreshed alignment and branding, Donna MacNeil will lead Beacon Communications in Toronto while Kathleen Campisano will lead Beacon Media in New York. Read more…
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Spin Master Releases Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report
The company’s third annual Corporate Social Responsibility Report offers an update on the progress of Spin Master’s environmental, social, and governance goals and its performance for last year. Read more…
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ASTRA’s Certified Play Expert Program Returns
The program offers retailers a chance to become familiar with the art and science of play through research-based instruction. Certified Play Experts can help independent retailers stand out from the pack by knowing what they sell and being able to guide parents and gift-givers to great products that kids will love. Read more…
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ToyFest Reveals Dates for 2023, Rebrands as National Show
The Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) has officially revealed plans to drop the “West” and rebrand the show as ToyFest — a national show — when it returns to The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas next year. Read more…
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People of Play Introduces ‘Three Truths and a Lie’ Virtual Event Series
For the inaugural event, Spin Master’s Vice President of Innovation and Inventor Relations Rich Mazel will play host to four toy industry guests who will share stories — one of which will be a straight-up lie. Read more…
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Exclusive: Sectaurs Returns as Nacelle Co. and Seven Towns Enter Licensing Pact
Another heroic crew from the 1980s is getting a shot at a comeback. The “insect-evolved humanoid” Sectaurs are suiting up for a relaunch thanks to a long-term licensing agreement between The Nacelle Co. and licensor Seven Towns. The original toys were issued by Coleco in 1985. Read more…
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Get Schooled at Licensing Expo with Licensing U
When the licensing industry gathers in Las Vegas for Licensing Expo from May 24-26, attendees will have a chance to extend and advance their knowledge of the business. The 2022 edition of Licensing U features a packed slate of educational content that was developed and produced by Licensing International. Read more…
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Super7's April Fools' Joke was a Collection of Real G.I. Joe Merchandise Created in Partnership with Hasbro
In honor of this holiday of tricks, Super7 released a very real collection of products with some silly origins. The new G.I. Joe PSA collection includes action figures and other items inspired by the G.I. Joe PSAs that originally aired in the ’80s, only to be turned into a series of parody videos in the early ’00s. Read more…
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Power Kid Podcast: The Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co.’s Jamie Emmick
In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Jamie Emmick to the show. Emmick serves as director of special markets for the Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co. and leads the customplush.com side of the business. Listen here…
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State of the Industry Q&A: The Pokémon Co. International
Daniel Benkwitt, director of PR and corporate communications at The Pokémon Co, discusses the success of the brand’s 25th anniversary celebration and more. Read more…
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State of the Industry Q&A: Jakks Pacific
Craig Drobis, senior vice president of marketing at Jakks Pacific, discusses how on-screen brands such as CoComelon, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Super Mario have inspired off-screen play experiences. Read more…
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Squishmallows Leads Toy Growth at Five Below
In an earnings presentation led by Five Below President and CEO Joel Anderson — a former Toys “R” Us and Walmart executive — the company revealed that its net sales grew by more than 45% last year. In recent years, toys and collectibles have become increasingly important to the retailer as it strikes deals with top brands and licensing partners. Read more…
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Camp, Disney Collaborate for Interactive Retail Experience
Mickey & Friends x Camp: An Extra Big Adventure opens at Camp’s 5th Avenue flagship store in Manhattan on May 28. The collaboration is the first of several Disney-themed experiences that the growing retailer plans to launch this year. Read more…
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NRF Says U.S. Retail Is Staying Strong Despite Inflation, Ukraine Crisis
Inflation and the war in Ukraine are creating challenges around the world, but the U.S. economy appears to be staying strong as consumers continue to support retail. The National Retail Federation’s Monthly Economic Review highlights the major shift in focus from the COVID-19 pandemic to other concerns. Read more…
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Pam Kaufman Named President, Consumer Products and Experiences at Paramount
In her new role, Kaufman will oversee the Paramount global portfolio of consumer products and live experiences, including hotels, resorts, theme parks, tours, and Broadway, in addition to gaming and VidCon. Read more…
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Mattel Promotes Steve Totzke to President and Chief Commercial Officer
Totzke previously served as executive vice president and chief commercial officer, developing a digital-first demand creation approach and expanding e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retail reach. Read more…
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Electronic Arts, Discord Execs Join Hasbro Board of Directors
Hasbro is bolstering its board of directors with the addition of two executives from the tech and gaming space. Elizabeth Hamren, chief operating officer of Discord, and Blake Jorgensen, executive vice president of special projects at Electronic Arts (EA), joined the board as of April 1. Read more…
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Industry Veteran Doug Wadleigh Joins Spin Master as Head of Global Toy Brands
In his new role, Wadleigh will oversee the development and health of the company’s toy brands, reporting to Spin Master’s President of Toys and Chief Commercial Officer Chris Beardall. Read more…
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PlayMonster Welcomes Dianne Lauble as Director of Inventor Relations
In her new role, the Chicago-based Lauble will work to expand and grow PlayMonster’s relationships within the inventor community while focusing on the development of the next generation of inventors, creators, and designers that will propel the company’s product assortment into the future. Read more…
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