Adventure Media & Events to Launch FUNfluential; Rainbow Brite Returns

April 20, 2023

Adventure Media & Events to Launch FUNfluential Influencer Campaign Management Software for the Toy Industry

Launching this summer, FUNfluential is a passion project between the toy experts at Adventure Media & Events — publisher of The Toy Book and The Toy Insider — and toy industry veteran, Deborah Stallings Stumm. FUNfluential is a brand-new software that allows companies to find, manage, and track their influencer campaigns with more ease than ever before. Learn more…

The Toy Insider Launches 2023 Spring & Summer Gift Guide

This year’s guide has more than 250 toys from more than 120 toymakers, with dozens of travel and budget-friendly finds, toys that teach, screen-free options, outdoor play must-haves, and water toys for summertime splashing. Read more…

Exclusive: The Loyal Subjects Launches TLS Toy Division; Inks Deal with Hallmark to Relaunch Rainbow Brite

The Loyal Subjects is launching a new division: TLS Toy. At launch, the company inked a licensing deal with Hallmark to reintroduce Rainbow Brite to toy departments everywhere. Read more…

Mattel, GAP Strike Partnership Deal for Barbie, Hot Wheels Apparel Collections

Mattel and Gap inked a deal to collaborate on apparel inspired by Mattel’s portfolio of brands, starting with Barbie and Hot Wheels. The partnership formally launches on May 23 with the Gap x Barbie collection. Read more…

Hasbro Reveals New Action Figures Inspired by Third Season of ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Book of Boba Fett’

As the third season of The Mandalorian comes to a close this week, Hasbro is giving Star Wars fans a chance to continue the adventure with their favorite characters. Retailers can offer consumers a range of new action figures that will be available starting this summer with additional products coming next spring. Read more…

SEGA, LEGO Level up with LEGO Sonic the Hedgehog Collection

LEGO and SEGA are teaming up to bring a line of Sonic the Hedgehog building sets to market. The collection includes four sets featuring different levels of Sonic games, including Amy’s Animal Rescue Island, Tails’ Workshop and Tornado Plane, and Sonic’s Speed Sphere along with a more generic level set. Read more…

Ravensburger’s Wooden Puzzles Are Here Just in Time for Earth Day

For Earth Day, Ravensburger is debuting its first line of sustainable wooden puzzles. The puzzles are designed using ethically sourced wood and have limited plastic packaging so kids and families can feel good about the environment as they puzzle nature scenes and animal designs together. Read more at The Toy Insider…

Cepia Blasts Off with Cows vs Aliens This Summer

Cepia will launch Cows vs Aliens this summer at a variety of retail touchpoints, including specialty shops and mass retailers. The company will release a line of 24, collectible, bean-filled plush characters. Read more…

Miniland Expands Eco Toy Line and Continues Sustainability Effort

Miniland is expanding its line of eco-friendly toys and reduced its average emissions by almost 9% this year. The company’s line of sustainable toys is made with eco-friendly materials, including reclaimed wood, natural fir fibers, bioplastic made from sugarcane, and more. Read more…

Arcade1Up Introduces The Infinity Game Board

The Infinity Game Board shrinks down the Infinity Game Table for a lightweight, portable gaming experience. The 18.5-inch screen can zoom in and out, so players can get a good angle of the board wherever they are. Read more at The Pop Insider…

ZAG Inks Licensing Deal with Hyperkin for ‘Miraculous’ Gaming Controllers

The animation studio is teaming up with gaming hardware developer Hyperkin to create a line of Miraculous game controllers and accessories to debut this summer. The collection will include three versions of Hyperkin’s Pixel Art wireless Bluetooth controllers. Read more…

Chronicle Books Taps The Moss-Tucker Group as Agency of Record

Chronicle Books has appointed public relations and marketing firm, The Moss-Tucker Group (MTG) as the company’s agency of record. Under this partnership, MTG will be representing two Chronicle Books brands — games publisher, Ridley’s Games, and sustainable toy brand, Petit Collage. Read more…

Spielwarenmesse Eg’s Kids India Offers Opportunity to Enter Indian Toy Market

Spielwarenmesse eG is giving companies an opportunity to break into the Indian toy market with its Kids India fair. The event features a full range of exhibitors within two halls, with toys featured including dolls, educational toys, electronics, and more. Read more…

Rocket Licensing to Rep the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop in the UK

Rocket Licensing struck a deal to manage licensing efforts in the UK and other European countries for The 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop campaign, which will feature numerous live events, concerts, and collaborations. Master agent The Brand Liaison will support the campaign from the U.S. Read more…

The 2023 ASTRA Play Awards Finalists Are Here

The ASTRA Play Awards are here with finalists at the ready. ASTRA retail members are invited to vote for their chosen products and winners will be announced officially at ASTRA Marketplace & Academy this June. Read more…

From the Archives: Mattel's Warning Regarding Bootleg Rainbow Brite Products

In the 1980s, toymakers were not as conservative in keeping scuffles private, and many took out full-page ads in The Toy Book to fire warning shots at the competition, or worse — counterfeiters. Mattel and Hallmark placed just such an ad in the June 1985 issue to deliver a “Warning from Mattel Toys” regarding the import and sale of counterfeit Rainbow Brite dolls. Read more…

Raising the Bar: Do You Actually Own Your IP?

In this guest column, Stephanie Pottick, Esq. weighs in on the important steps that toy and game manufacturers need to take to ensure that they actually own their intellectual property.