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‘Toy Insider’ Partners with ‘Parents Magazine’ for 15th Annual Holiday Gift Guide
Every year,
the Toy Insider
releases a Holiday Gift Guide to showcase the hottest toys and gifts of the season. This year, the source for the hottest kids’ toys and gifts is partnering with
Parents
Magazine
to give its gift guide a new home.
Read more…
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The June Issue of ‘the Toy Book’ Is Here
We are so excited to share our June issue of
the Toy Book
with you, which features a showcase previewing the hottest new products to hit specialty retail shelves this year, a roundtable discussion about the evolving specialty toy industry, and a look at how the toy industry as a whole is adapting to the new landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We also explore how toy companies are turning the tables on licensing to build their own intellectual properties, why adults are rediscovering the joy of play for themselves, and a few ways that manufacturers can be more ability-inclusive with their packaging.
Read the full issue…
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Jakks Pacific Named Global Master Toy Licensee for ‘Apex Legends’
Jakks Pacific has entered a multiyear, global toy licensing deal with Electronic Arts (EA) for a toy line based on EA’s battle royale game,
Apex Legends
. The agreement gives Jakks Pacific worldwide rights to manufacture and sell action figures and accessories, plush, role-play toys, and toy weapons and blasters inspired by the game.
Read more…
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Mattel Brings Mr. T into the WWE Elite Series
An iconic personality from the 1980s is joining Mattel‘s WWE Elite Collection. Intended to be an exclusive for Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC), the 6-inch scale WWE Mr. T Elite Collection Action Figure – 2020 Convention Exclusive follows last year’s SDCC exclusive Randy “Macho Man” Savage x Slim Jim figure that quickly sold out.
Read more...
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Hasbro Kicks the G.I. Joe Relaunch into High Gear
For more than a year and a half, Hasbro has been hard at work on a plan to relaunch the iconic G.I. Joe brand. Now, ahead of next week’s official launch of the new G.I. Joe: Classified Series action figure line, Hasbro kicked off its first-ever YO JOE! June campaign by opening a brand-new official website, and, for the first time, official social channels for the brand.
Read more…
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Moose Toys Sets Off Boom City Racers Collection
Moose Toys’ Boom City Racers will burst into stores on July 1, just in time for Fourth of July celebrations. Kids pull the ripcord of each Boom City Racers toy to launch it into play and when it crashes into something, it bursts apart. Each car can easily be reassembled to offer kids an explosive experience over and over again.
Read more...
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Jazwares Launches Colorful BLACKPINK Line
A partnership between Jazwares and BLACKPINK, facilitated by Bravado, is merging the worlds of K-pop and toys. BLACKPINK is quickly rising in fame with hits like their collab with Lady Gaga, “Sour Candy.” To celebrate their killer tunes, Jazwares launched a new line of collectible toys based on the K-pop stars. Available June 26 at Target and on Amazon, the line currently features three products.
Read more...
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Hasbro Pulse Star Wars Vintage Collectibles Feature Kenner Branding
More than 40 years after Star Wars first revolutionized the world of collectibles, a new line from Hasbro Pulse brings fans the nostalgic look at the first figures. A new wave of figures in the Star Wars The Vintage Collection reminds fans of the original toys with Kenner Branding on the packaging. Current collectibles available for preorder include 3.75-inch figures from all over the galaxy.
Read more…
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Pai Technology’s Thuan Tran Talks Botzees and More on the ‘Power Kid Podcast’
In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Thuan Tran, national sales director of Pai Technology. Tran discusses living at the crossroads of technology and toys, including Botzees — Pai Technology’s award-winning STEM robots that kids can program to move, dance, make sounds, and light up using the free companion app.
Listen here…
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Big G Creative Invites Families to Say ‘Bye, Felicia!’
Bye, Felicia! is a new party game from Big G Creative that incorporates the famous pop culture phrase into a fast-paced game of wild word associations designed for 3-8 players ages 12 and up. Designed by Peggy Brown, Bye, Felicia! requires players to “mind-meld” with friends and family to guess what other players are thinking. When a player serves up an answer that doesn’t match another player in the game, everyone says “Bye, Felicia!” to dismiss that person from the round.
Read more…
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YuMe’s Harry Potter Magical Capsules Collectibles Will Be Available for Preorder at Walmart’s Collector Con
YuMe’s Harry Potter Magical Capsules will be available for preorder at Walmart as part of the retailer’s Collector Con on July 17, which will feature products that are normally only available at fan conventions. The blind bag toy features seven surprises inside each capsule, including a collectible character from Harry Potter hidden inside a secret chamber. The unboxing experience includes color-coded, heat, and water-reveal components.
Read more...
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What Do You Meme Launches Inventor Portal
What Do You Meme is opening an Inventor Portal, where anyone can submit concepts for new games. Inventors can upload details and video presentations for What Do You Meme to review. If the submitted idea is chosen, What Do You Meme will then partner and work with the inventors to turn their product ideas into real games.
Read more…
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Mary Meyer, Kids2 Team Up for Baby Einstein Line
Mary Meyer Stuffed Toys and Kids2 are teaming up to create Baby Einstein First Discoveries plush toys for infants. The toys are designed to give babies a full sensory experience, engaging all of the senses into playtime to stimulate the body and mind. The collection includes crinkle teethers, blankets, activity balls, and hand puppets all wrapped in soft fabrics, and features four of the Baby Einstein characters.
Read more…
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Tim Kilpin Named President of PlayMonster
When Tim Kilpin left Activision Blizzard last year, Kilpin is back in the game as president of Beloit-based PlayMonster LLC. Reporting to Chief PlayMonster Bob Wann, Kilpin will focus on expanding and accelerating PlayMonster’s business with an emphasis on sales, marketing, design, and business development. Wann, in addition to continuing strategic and operational oversight, will increase focus on international growth and acquisitions.
Read more...
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Mattel Announces Anthony DiSilverstro as the Next CFO
Mattel Inc. today announced that Anthony P. DiSilvestro will join the company as executive advisor on June 29, and will assume the role of CFO on the date following the filing of the company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter this year (anticipated to be filed July 30, 2020).
Read more…
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Chatting with the Industry Q&A 2020
The Toy Book
spoke with specialty retailers and manufacturers about the latest trends, industry happenings, and how business strategies are evolving in the specialty toy market. Read their perspectives on trends, the evolving industry, and new products for 2020.
Read more...
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COVID-19: The Battle Persists
Six months ago, the idea that a pandemic could happen on U.S. soil was something that few, if any, were considering. The “coronavirus” was tossed around as a problem that would stay overseas. Toy fair season kicked off in Hong Kong amid fears of disruption thanks to regional protests, but went off without a hitch. Shows in London, Nuremberg, and New York took place, each with increasing anxiety that this virus and the disease it causes — COVID-19 — could become a real threat to business not just in the U.S., but around the world.
Read more…
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Challenge Accepted: Specialty Toy Stores Adapt Amid COVID-19
Starting in March — and every day since then — naysayers have been saying that retail will be destroyed. Many have said that “things will never be the same again,” that “we’re in the ‘new normal,’” and that “the times are reminiscent of the Great Depression.” While the pundits are making pronouncements, specialty toy retailers — and small business owners of every sector — are reacting with a “challenge accepted” attitude, pivoting on all fronts overnight with a relentless determination to save their businesses.
Read more…
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8 Perfect Ride-ons for Tweens & Teens
The Toy Insider knows nothing says “summer” quite like the perfect ride. Whether kids are seeking a thrill or looking for a leisurely cruise, these ride-ons are perfect picks for the tweens and teens in your life!
Read more...
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