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The Toy Book Top 10: The Hottest Stories of June 2022
The Toy Book Top 10 is hitting the rewind button and taking a look back at some of the hottest stories of June 2022, as chosen by you, the readers. Last month’s top stories were dominated by headlines from LEGO, MGA Entertainment, ZURU, and The NPD Group alongside the release of our 2022 Specialty issue of the Toy Book. See the list…
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Hasbro Sets D2C Crowdfunding Record with G.I. Joe Classified Series HasLab Project
The direct-to-consumer business is booming at Hasbro. The company’s latest HasLab crowdfunding project launched via Hasbro Pulse where the minimum order quantity of 8,000 pieces was met in under eight hours. Timed with the 40th anniversary of the G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero brand, the G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra H.I.S.S. has more than 14,000 backers with more than a month to go in the campaign. Read more…
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Mattel Dolls Go Live-Action in ‘Monster High: The Movie’ Trailer
The Monster High franchise is making a big leap from the toy department to the world of live-action entertainment, just in time for Halloween. Mattel Television, Nickelodeon, and Paramount have unleashed the first full trailer for Monster High: The Movie. The much-anticipated movie musical is inspired by the Monster High doll brand that originally hit retail in 2010 and comes as part of a full-scale relaunch for the brand. See the trailer…
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YouTube Duo LankyBox Partners with Bonkers Toys for a New Toy Line
Bonkers Toys is delivering new influencer-based collectibles. The company is teaming up with LankyBox, the most viewed YouTube gaming duo in the world, to launch the pair’s first retail toy line. The toys will be shown next week at the Toy Insider’s Sweet Suite event in New York City. Read more…
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NRF, Toy Association, Others Issue Letter to President Biden Regarding West Coast Port Labor Negotiations
In the letter dated July 1, the coalition of trade associations urged President Biden and his administration to continue working with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) to ensure that a new labor agreement can be reached without disruption to port operations. Read more…
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Squishable Says It’s Spooky Szn — and We Couldn’t Agree More
Now that the Fourth of July is over, spooky season is officially back in session. Halloween is right around the corner and Squishable is rolling out some creepy-cute plush friends as part of the happy, strange world of the Mysterious Doctor Plague. Read more…
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Top Secret Toys Celebrates 25 Years of GigaPets
Last year, GigaPets returned to the scene. Now, Chicago-based Top Secret Toys is celebrating 25 years of the virtual pet brand in a big way. The new GigaPets capture the vibe of the original line from the late ‘90s while being packed with modern upgrades for a new generation of kids. Read more…
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Sakar International Rolls into Minecraft Wheeled Goods Deal with Mojang
The new collection includes scooters and skateboards inspired by the wildly popular video game. The full range draws from the familiar green and neutral hues that players know from the game while incorporating game lingo, scenery, and characters into the designs. Read more…
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All Elite Wrestling Taps Diamond Select Toys for New Product Range
Diamond Select Toys is jumping into the ring, partnering with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) for a new selection of collectibles featuring popular wrestlers. The full lineup will include 2-inch Minimates poseable figures, 4-inch Vinimates vinyl figures, 10-inch Gallery Diorama PVC sculptures, and 11-inch Premier Collection statues. Read more…
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Pop Mart Continues International Retail Expansion with First U.S. Location, Flagship Store in South Korea
Since launching in 2010, the China-based company has grown to operate more than 250 retail locations across 23 countries that offer art toys and collectibles designed “to light up passion and bring joy” to families everywhere. Read more..
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Smyths Toys Superstores Acquires French PicWicToys Chain
Irish retailer Smyths Toys Superstores is planting a flag in France. The company — which operates stores across Ireland, the UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria — has acquired 41 stores from the bankrupt PicWicToys in France. Many of the stores were former Toys “R” Us locations. Read more..
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Topps Truck Hits the Road Ahead of International Trading Card Day
Trading cards are doing big business at hobby shops, specialty retailers, and mass retailers across the country. According to The NPD Group, in the first four months of this year, the collectibles subcategory of toys experienced 28% growth with sports trading cards fueling a large portion of the uptick. Now, Topps is hitting the road to connect with families across the U.S. Read more…
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New in Town: TWEE Is a Chalk to Remember
What do a failed experiment and chalk have in common? They both helped to create TWEE, an artisanal chalk company based in Philadelphia. From our Specialty Toy issue of the Toy Book comes a look into this fast-growing new company. Read more…
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Toy Association Perspectives: Supporting Toy Community Efforts to Go Green
This year, the Toy Association named “Toys for Social & Environmental Good” as a top trend, encompassing products that teach kids how to build a happier and healthier tomorrow through play. These items include hands-on toys and games that explore recycling, renewable energy sources, pollution, endangered species, and more. Read more…
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Four Years After Closing, Former Toys ‘R’ Us Execs Still Face Trial by Jury Regarding Fraud Claims
Just over a year ago, the Toy Book reported that the case against former Toys “R” Us leadership was slowly moving toward a jury trial. Now, a fresh ruling declares that the unprecedented trial can move forward following allegations of “fraud, misrepresentation, and deceit,” “negligent misrepresentation,” “negligent concealment and negligent omission,” and various other breaches of fiduciary duty against some of the company’s former top executives. Read more…
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Learning Express Toys & Gifts Names Lauren Derse CEO
Learning Express founder Sharon DiMinico marked the 35th anniversary of the company — the leading franchisor of specialty toy stores in the U.S. — by passing the torch to her daughter, Lauren Derse, who takes on the role of CEO. Derse has been a multi-store owner for the past four years. Read more...
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Amy Graczyk Appointed Chief People Officer at PlayMonster
In her new role, Graczyk, who joins the company from Vericity Inc., will oversee setting and implementing strategic HR direction in people, culture, organizational structure, diversity, and inclusion across PlayMonster’s global teams. Read more...
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The Singing Machine Welcomes Basic Fun! CEO Jay Foreman to Its Board of Directors
Last November, The Singing Machine Co. revealed its plans for an uplisting to a major stock exchange. On May 24, the leading producer of consumer karaoke products made good on its promise as it began trading on the NASDAQ with a $4 million public offering. The move was accompanied by the addition of Basic Fun! CEO Jay Foreman to the Singing Machine’s board of directors. Read more…
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The Toy Association Promotes Kimberly Carcone to EVP, Global Market Events
Carcone is responsible for the management of Toy Fair in addition to leading the development of year-round events, private meetings, and opportunities that connect toymakers and innovators with key retail buyers, licensors, entertainment executives, and other decision-makers in the toy, game, and youth entertainment industries. Read more…
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Spin Master Welcomes Marc De Vellis as SVP, Digital Operations & Strategy
In his newly created role, De Vellis — a former EA executive — will work to expand Spin Master’s Digital Games ecosystem. Anchored by Toca Boca and Sago Mini Brands, Spin Master Digital Games develops and distributes digitally based creative and educational play. Read more…
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Steamforged Games Welcomes Gabe Hicks as Senior Game Designer
Steamforged Games, the company that transforms popular video games into tabletop adaptations, has hired Gabe Hicks as senior game designer. In his new role, Hicks will help build products and work on developing new systems. Read more…
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