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Exclusive: PlayMonster Relaunches the Original Koosh
A staple of classic play is getting a full relaunch in time for its 35th anniversary. PlayMonster LLC inked a deal with Hasbro to bring the original Koosh back to retail next fall. Originally launched in 1986, Koosh won millions of fans with its signature item: a ball comprised of thousands of rubber filaments that kids of all ages can kick, bounce, jiggle, roll and squish. Read more…
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Parents Magazine Reveals Hot Holiday Toy Picks, Debuts Parents x Toy Insider Holiday Hub
Meredith Corp.’s Parents magazine is rolling out a ton of holiday toy content, including its Best Toys for Kids of 2020 list. The Toy Insider‘s Chief Toy Officer Laurie Schacht appears in videos introducing each category alongside Jessica Hartshorn, entertainment editor at Parents. Additionally, members of the Toy Insider editorial team have showcased even more of this year’s hottest toys in videos featured on the Parents x Toy Insider Holiday Hub. Read more…
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U.S. Toy Industry Grew 19% During First 3 Quarters of 2020
Since March, the wave of categories experiencing growth has continued as consumer demand and retail orders have kicked in during a time in which families continue playing together while staying at home. Overall, the U.S. toy industry experienced total dollar sales growth of 19.1% in the first three quarters of the year, according to The NPD Group. Read more…
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VTech, LeapFrog Partner with TerraCycle for Electronic Toy Recycling
A new, free recycling program provides an easy way for families in the U.S. to properly recycle select electronic toys and learning devices. The toys will be cleaned, melted into hard plastic, and remolded to make new products, many of which make their way into parks and playgrounds as picnic tables and benches. Read more…
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Exclusive: TriAction Toys Reveals Boglins Kickstarter Stretch Goals, 2021 Lineup
TriAction Toys’ Boglins World Domination campaign officially launched last week, entering its formal Kickstarter run with backers who already pledged $60,000 against a $25,000 goal following a two-day soft launch window that was exclusively revealed by the Toy Book. Now, another piece of the Boglins relaunch puzzle has been revealed with stretch goals. Read more…
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Sunny Days Entertainment Seeks a Knock Out with 9Round Fitness
The South Carolina company known for its Ravel Tales and Maxx Action lines teamed up with the world’s largest kickboxing fitness franchise for a line of new boxing equipment that will help families to level up their at-home workouts. While Sunny Days is known for toys, the 9Round line is legitimate workout gear, including 9Round branded boxing gloves, mitts, wrist wraps, and a freestanding reflex bag. Read more…
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Spin Master, Warner Bros. Launch Bakugan: Champions of Vestroia
Bakugan fans have another way to geek out over the global Spin Master brand. A new action role-playing video game launched this week, joining the existing TV series, toys, and trading cards. Read more…
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Amazon, Nintendo Partner for Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary
Everyone’s favorite 8-bit plumber is turning 35 this year, and Amazon has teamed up with Nintendo to celebrate the milestone anniversary of Super Mario Bros. with on-site promotions, themed shipping boxes, and more. Read more…
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Exclusive: Mighty Mojo Acquires Cortex Toys
Mighty Mojo Toys launched during Toy Fair New York with plans to offer a variety of licensed products, including party-in-a-box, pool inflatables, watches, and more across multiple categories beginning next year. Cortex Toys is a manufacturer and distributor of toys based in Rome, Georgia. The company was founded by Dr. John Cowan, a neurosurgeon, and produces a variety of plush toys, games, puzzles, and novelty products. Read more…
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MLGPC Inks First-look Licensing Deal with The Nacelle Co.
The company behind The Toys That Made Us and A Toy Store Near You is looking for more toys that could come to the screen. Toronto-based licensing agency MLGPC inked a one-year, first-look deal with The Nacelle Co. to identify toy properties for its development and production slate. Read more…
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Sondra Mansfield Talks Chalk of the Town on the ‘Power Kid Podcast’
In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Chalk of the Town‘s Chief Chalking Officer Sondra Mansfield. In recent years, Chalk of the Town has taken social media by storm with a line of products that kids and families use to design and style their own t-shirts, totes, and patches with water-based chalk markers. Listen here...
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Evolve Your 2021 Marketing Strategy
Cristy Collins, vice president of brand strategy at ChizComm Beacon Media, weighs in on how players in toys, games, and entertainment can best position their companies as we look ahead to what will no doubt be another unique year — one in which traditional trade shows and other promotional events will evolve amid the continued COVID-19 pandemic. Read more…
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From Pop to Pop Play: Pop Culture Merch Makers Break into Kids’ Toys
After successfully breaking into the collectibles space — a product category focused on fan conventions, licensing deals, and limited-edition action figures — some pop culture-focused companies are expanding their offerings beyond collectibles made for teens and adults and into the toy aisle. Read more…
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Pandemic Halloween Plays a Trick on Jakks Pacific Q3 Earnings
The continued impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has yielded mixed results for Jakks Pacific Inc. Despite positive gains in certain categories, the company’s third quarter earnings took a hit due to declines in Halloween costumes and licensed goods. Net sales in Q3 declined 14% to $242.3 million versus $280.1 million in the same period last year. Sales of toys and consumer products fell 8% globally while net sales of Disguise Halloween costumes dropped 27%. Read more…
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Doug Wadleigh, David Norman to Lead Goliath Toy and Gaming Divisions
Former Mattel exec Doug Wadleigh has joined Goliath as global president of its new toy division. In his new role, Wadleigh will establish a new Goliath toy innovation and marketing studio in Los Angeles. Goliath President David Norman, who co-founded the company’s North American office in 2008, will continue in his current role while taking on the additional role of global president of Goliath Gaming. Read more…
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Laurel J. Richie Joins Hasbro Board of Directors
Richie served as president of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) from 2011-2015, prior to which she served as chief marketing officer of Girl Scouts of the United States of America. She previously held positions at Ogilvy & Mather, including senior partner and executive group director, and was a founding member of the agency’s diversity advisory board. Read more…
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