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WowWee Unleashes Power Treads All-Surface Vehicles
Following an enthusiastic response at Toy Fair New York in February, WowWee is unleashing its all-surface Power Treads vehicles in the U.S. With Power Treads, kids build and unleash custom vehicles that can be used with or without the included modular track system. In recent months, Power Treads have become a viral hit on TikTok, where pre-release videos have amassed more than 6 million views.
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Jazwares Unveils Premium UFC Collectibles
Jazwares is making waves with its new UFC Ultimate Series, a line of action figures and role-play collectibles showcasing some of the sport’s most popular fighters. The first wave of the line features both current and former UFC champions, including UFC lightweight champion Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones, and more.
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Hot Wheels Legends Tour Goes Virtual for the Remainder of 2020
The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has claimed another live event: the third annual Hot Wheels Legends Tour. The Tour kicked off on March 7 in Miami, with the first date standing as the only completed stop of the tour’s anticipated 18-date U.S. run. Additional dates were postponed, with a trial virtual run taking place on May 16 and hosted by Hoonigan. Now, the remainder of the tour will go virtual.
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MGA Entertainment Introduces L.O.L. Surprise! J.K. Mini Fashion Dolls
A new line extension is joining the No. 1 toy brand in the world. On July 10, L.O.L. Surprise! J.K. mini fashion dolls will hit retail. Series 1 includes four dolls who are little sisters to popular members of MGA Entertainment’s L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. fashion doll lineup. Diva (big sister Lady Diva), M.C. Swag (big sister Swag), Queen Bee (big sister Royal Bee), and Neon Q.T. (big sister Neonlicious) each comes packed with 15 surprises including clothes, shoes, fashion accessories, a bottle, and more.
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Going Hog Wild with Josh Loerzel on the ‘Power Kid Podcast’
In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Josh Loerzel, vice president of sales and marketing at Hog Wild Toys. Loerzel, who recently took part in
the Toy Book
‘s Talkin’ Toys series, delves into his backstory which includes stints at Monkey Business, Zing, and Yulu before landing at Hog Wild.
Listen here...
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LEGO, National Geographic Partner for Environmental Campaign
LEGO and National Geographic have entered into a partnership to launch the Explore the World Campaign, which will encourage kids to care for our planet and its creatures. The campaign invites families to learn about our planet while raising awareness about protecting endangered species of the land and sea. LEGO has dedicated a webpage to the campaign with educational content about animal conservation, including stories from six National Geographic Explorers who are working in creative ways to help address real-life problems that our planet is facing.
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Ravensburger Debuts WWE Card Game, Out Next Month
Ravensburger enters the ring of wrestling-themed games with the new The WWE Legends Royal Rumble Card Game. Out at major retailers on July 26, the game allows 2-10 players ages 8 and up to play as one of 30 fan-favorite legends. “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, the Undertaker, Andre the Giant, and more take on Action Cards, which deal or deflect damage. The more damage a player gets, the more likely they are to be defeated. The last legend standing wins.
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Ryan’s Mystery Playdate
to Expand Globally, Nickelodeon Approves 4th Season
Ryan’s world is about to get a little bit bigger. The preschool series
Ryan’s Mystery Playdate
— inspired by the
Ryan’s World
YouTube channel — is expanding into international markets, launching a new mobile game, and will receive a fourth season on Nickelodeon.
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Zuru to Expand Rainbocorns Brand, More Toys Coming Soon
The Rainbocorns brand from Zuru is expanding its offerings for kids ages 3 and up, with more toys available online, at major retail stores, and local shops this month. Rainbocorns Itzy Bitzy Surprise is glittery, glam fun. Kids can collect 24 little versions of the characters, each one a surprise until it’s unboxed. The collectible includes a ring that kids can decorate with character wings and gem hearts. The two-pack is $5.99 and a special four-pack is $9.99.
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Panda Mony Toy Brands Forms an Alliance with FanGirl Consulting & Brand Management
Independent toymaker Panda Mony Toy Brands LLC has tapped FanGirl Consulting & Brand Management LLC to build a marketing program focused on its newly released Alter Nation action figure brand. Through its alliance with FanGirl Consulting, Panda Mony seeks to achieve its goal of becoming a leader in kids’ entertainment.
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Chicago Toy & Game Group Reinvents the TAGIES as the Toy & Game International Excellence Awards
The Chicago Toy & Game Group (ChiTAG) is reinventing its TAGIE Awards by expanding the platform with new meaning. The Toy & Game Innovation Awards have been renamed the Toy & Game International Excellence Awards, keeping the TAGIE designation while broadening its scope to honor innovators, designers, and marketers in the toy and game industry. The change celebrates the international reach of the ChiTAG community, which includes members from more than 150 countries.
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GoGo Gachas Roll into Target this August
RedwoodVentures and Olo Industries had a winning partnership with the soft and squishy Smooshy Mushy line, and now they’re back for more with the debut of GoGo Gachas. Based on the Japanese “gachapon” trend of vending machine capsules filled with toys and charms, GoGo Gachas is a new unboxing toy that dispenses disco ball capsules filled with collectible surprises.
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Arcade1Up, Coleco Partner for Mini Arcade Machines
Two years ago, Coleco launched a Kickstarter campaign to create a new version of its Mini Arcade machines from the ’80s, with their signature hard shells and large bases. Now, these machines are about to get a much wider reach than utilizing Arcade1Up’s retail and licensing connections.
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SDCC: Funko Begins Rolling Out Exclusive Toys and Collectibles
Funko will celebrate the at-home version of Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) with its very own virtual con and that means one thing: The exclusives are so close to being ours. From July 19-25, Funko’s social media feeds will be jam-packed with activations, special guests, and more. This marks Funko’s third virtual con since conventions started to shut down amid the pandemic.
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V1 Analytics Presents a Fascinating Visual Look at the Expansion and Collapse of Toys ‘R’ Us
A new video from V1 Analytics is pushing the nostalgia buttons while also reminding the toy industry of some not-so-old wounds. The data visualizer offers a look at the growth, contraction, collapse, and seeds of rebirth that have been planted for Toys “R” Us in the U.S. Using multiple data sources, the video focuses on the company’s physical footprint from 1957 to 2020 and includes Toys “R” Us, Babies “R” Us, Kids “R” Us, and Imaginarium locations.
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Wild Hair Creations Debuts Virus Smasher to ‘Smash’ COVID-19
The company behind the recent Creatures of Legends and Lore and the President Trump Troll doll is introducing Virus Smasher, a squishy stress relief toy that’s being touted as “the perfect gift for anyone tired of hearing phrases like ‘social distancing,’ ‘a new normal,’ and more.” Based on the familiar shape of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the toy features a “beat-up” face that encourages consumers to smash the virus.
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Talkin’ Toys: How Storypod Seeks to Reinvent What a Kids’ Audio Player Can Be
Last year, Daniel Buelhoff was victoriously coming off of a year-long lymphoma treatment when he rediscovered some old German audio tapes from his youth. After firing up the cassette deck and realizing how much his 2-year-old daughter enjoyed listening, Buelhoff was inspired to create Storypod, an interactive podcast player for kids.
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Star-Spangled Toys for Fourth of July Fun
The Fourth of July usually means fireworks, beach days, and barbecues. The holiday may look a little different this summer while families are following social distancing rules, but it can still be filled with patriotic fun. Even if families opt to stay home on the Fourth, they can party it up with some exciting toys, games, and activities fit for the occasion.
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Backstory: Pac-Man — 40 Years of Chasing Ghosts and Gobbling Quarters
On May 22, 1980, the world changed. Engineers from Namco plugged in and powered up the first public iteration of a new arcade game that put players in charge of a mysterious yellow creature with an insatiable appetite for power pellets, fruit, and ghosts.
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Toys Aren’t Just For Kids Anymore: Adults Are Rediscovering the Joy of Play
There was once a time when kids grew up. At some point, usually on the cusp between being tweens and teens, kids moved beyond traditional play and started viewing toys and games as “kid stuff” — as if that’s a bad thing. While some kids still do hit that point, big kids are realizing that they don’t have to let go of childhood. Once they move beyond the traditionally awkward teen years, a lightbulb goes off to signal that play is something for everyone.
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Wil Wheaton Joins Games By Bicycle as Its First Global Board Game Ambassador
Wil Wheaton has been appointed as the first global board game ambassador for the Games By Bicycle line of board and card games. The actor, writer, and board game enthusiast is perhaps best-known for his roles on
Star Trek: The Next Generation
and
The Big Bang Theory
, and currently serves as creator, producer of the web series,
Tabletop.
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Kevin Glass Joins the Spin Master Board of Directors
Toronto-based Spin Master Corp. continues to reshape its board of directors with the appointment of Kevin Glass to the board. Glass most recently served as senior executive vice president and CFO at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC).
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