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Hasbro Announces the Passing of Chairman and CEO Brian D. Goldner
Just two days after announcing that he was stepping away from Hasbro on medical leave, Chairman and CEO Brian D. Goldner died on Tuesday, Oct. 12. Read more…
The Toy Book will run a memoriam for Brian in its next issue. If you are interested in contributing, please submit a 50-word quote with your name and company by Oct. 19 to Maddie Michalik at maddie@toybook.com.
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Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to Operate 24/7
The Biden Administration has stepped in to address delays and congestion across the transportation supply chain. The administration and leadership from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union have announced that the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will begin operating 24/7. Read more…
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Fill Those Empty Shelves! The Toy Book’s Get List Connects Retailers and Manufacturers with In-Stock, Fast-Ship Toys and Games!
In an effort to connect retailers to manufacturers to keep shelves stocked — especially amid trade show cancellations — the Toy Book introduces The Get List, a curated list of in-stock products that retailers can get fast from U.S. warehouses. Browse the list early and often to see the latest products added throughout the holiday selling season. Read more…
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WowWee to Create Doll Line Based on ‘Twilight Daycare’ Game in 'Roblox'
WowWee has partnered with game developer and publisher Gamefan to create a doll line based on its “Twilight Daycare” game within the Roblox platform. The dolls are slated to be the first of many projects to come from the collaboration. Read more…
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Squishmallows Hits 100 Millionth Mark with Select Series Hans
Jazwares and its Kellytoy subsidiary announced that they have sold more than 100 million Squishmallows since the plush toy line first debuted in 2017. The brand first launched with just eight characters available at Walgreens, and in the span of only four years, there are now more than 1,000 characters. Hans the hedgehog, one of the original, core Squishmallows characters, is getting the top hat treatment for the occasion with an all-new Select Series Hans. Read more…
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Spielwarenmesse's 2022 Toy Trends Focus on Sustainability
Rather than picking the usual three main trend categories, the Spielwarenmesse international TrendCommitte has named "Toys go Green" as its mega-trend for 2022. Reflecting the global importance of sustainability, the trend is further divided up into four relevant categories: Made by Nature, Inspired by Nature, Recycle & Create, and Discover Sustainability. Read more…
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Exclusive: The Nacelle Co. Acquires Marx Toys Brand
The Nacelle Co. has acquired the Marx Toys brand from Jay Horowitz of American Classic Toy and has plans to revamp and revitalize the company, its name, and some of its iconic properties. Immediate efforts include books and lifestyle products while film and TV projects loom on the horizon. Read more…
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Disguise Unmasks 2021 Halloween Costume, Accessory Lineup
Disguise — the costumes and seasonal division of Jakks Pacific — is rolling into the Halloween season with a refreshed lineup of licensed costumes and accessories inspired by some of the world’s most popular brands and franchises, spanning gaming, TV, film, and toys. Read more…
The company also expanded its line of licensed wheelchair cover sets and accessible costumes for Halloween this year. This follows last year’s global launch of licensed adaptive wheelchair covers. Read more…
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ViacomCBS, RECUR Team up for Fan-based NFT Platform
Soon, you’ll be able to collect and trade some of your favorite TV shows as NFTs. ViacomCBS Inc. has partnered with leading non-fungible token (NFT) company RECUR to create a platform in which fans can buy, collect, and trade NFTs as digital products. Fans of ViacomCBS’ portfolio of brands will have access to the company’s catalog, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, and Showtime Networks Inc. Read more…
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Mattel's Masters of the Universe: Revelation Part 2 Brings Savage He-Man to the Action Aisle
After leaving fans — and the fate of He-Man — hanging with a cliffhanger ending in July, Masters of the Universe: Revelation Part 2 will debut on Netflix on November 23. Alongside the series comes some new additions to the growing Masterverse line of action figures. Read more…
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Build the Ship of Dreams with the Massive LEGO Titanic
One of the most iconic vessels of all time is joining the LEGO fleet. The LEGO Group created an authentic, 9,090-piece replica of the RMS Titanic, the legendary ship that sank during its maiden voyage in April 1912. Read more…
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Pocket.watch Partners with Toys and Colors to Highlight Diversity
Kaleidoscope City is a new franchise that will launch next spring with an original live-action/animated series, consumer products, gaming, podcasts, live events, and more. It’s set in a magical world of color where kids can learn to see things from a new perspective. The series — Toys and Colors in Kaleidoscope City — will feature the Asian-American cast of Toys and Colors as live-action characters set against a virtual backdrop. Read more…
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PlayMonster's Drone Home Takes Flight Around the Globe
The first-ever game to feature a real drone launched to massive acclaim in the U.S., Canada, and the UK, and is now available in more than 20 countries where kids and families can race their alien friends to outer space this holiday season. Read more…
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Lucasfilm Invites Fans to Bring Home the Bounty This Holiday Season
Deck the halls with droids and beskar! The holidays are officially approaching, and Lucasfilm is wrapping up its 50th anniversary celebration by giving fans all of the Star Wars gifts they could possibly want with a new, 12-week program filled with new product reveals. Read more...
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Crazy Aaron's Donates Hand Sanitizer to Local School District
Crazy Aaron's has donated 6,156 bottles of hand sanitizer to the Norristown Area School District, which were all manufactured in Norristown, Pennsylvania in the company's manufacturing facility. Read more…
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HUGE! Play Opens Preorders for GameBud Talking Tom Animatronic Character
Following its much-buzzed-about debut at the Toy Insider‘s Holiday of Play last month, HUGE! Play’s GameBud Talking Tom is available to preorder in North America. GameBud Talking Tom is an innovative, animatronic character that live-connects to mobile games, including Talking Tom Hero Dash and Talking Tom Gold Run. Read more…
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Guru Studio Inks New Distribution Deals for True and the Rainbow Kingdom
A host of new broadcasters and streaming services have picked up True and the Rainbow Kingdom as its popularity grows around the world. Guru Studio also inked new deals for True-inspired Halloween costumes this season with partners including Spirit Halloween, Studio Halloween, and more. Read more…
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Cyber Group Studios Developing Precious Moments Animated Series, Holiday Specials
Precious Moments is an animated comedy adventure series for kids ages 4-6. A total of 52 11-minute episodes are on deck from creators Scott and Julie Stewart (Kate & Mim-Mim) along with four 30- to 60-minute holiday specials. Read more…
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How to Get the Toys: Holiday Shopping Tips to Help You Avoid Supply Chain Issues
The Toy Insider experts share tips and tricks aimed at helping consumers navigate one of the most unusual holiday seasons on record in an effort to ensure that gift-givers find what they’re looking for this year. Read more…
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Streaming Into Sales: How Streaming Services Impact the Toy Industry
It’s taken some years to gain footing, but streaming content is finally driving sales in the toy department. The Toy Book Senior Editor Madeleine Buckley explores the trend and how toymakers are cashing in. Read more…
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Chatting with Pamela Mastrota About Plans for The Toy Foundation
Pamela Mastrota joined The Toy Foundation in June as its new executive director, bringing with her an extensive C-level background in nonprofit leadership. In this special feature, The Toy Association’s Jennifer Lynch chats with Mastrota about how the Foundation is continuing to explore new ways to deliver philanthropic support and the joy of play to kids in dire situations worldwide, and to better support the members of the greater toy community. Read more…
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California Passes Bill Aimed at Creating Gender-Neutral Toy Departments; LEGO Seeks to End Stereotypical Gender Bias
The war between pink and blue is back in the mainstream. Following two previous attempts, a bill aimed at creating gender-neutral toy departments has been passed into law in California. Bill AB-1084 — Gender-neutral Retail Departments goes into effect as law on Jan. 1, 2024, and requires that all retail stores that sell toys, games, and other kids’ products and employs more than 500 employees across locations within the state must “maintain a gender-neutral section or area, to be labeled at the discretion of the retailer.” Read more...
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Walmart, Netflix Team up for Special Consumer Products Hub
The Netflix Hub at Walmart is a curated selection of first-to-market or exclusive products inspired by some of the biggest shows on Netflix. At launch, toys, collectibles, and other consumer products from Bandai, Funko, Jazwares, Just Play, and others are available in Netflix’s first digital storefront with a mass retailer. Read more…
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Sari Winick Joins Learning Resources and hand2mind as First Joint Chief Marketing Officer
Learning Resources and hand2mind have promoted Sari Winick to be the first chief marketing officer of the sister companies. Winick will oversee global brand strategy, advertising, insights, analytics, and e-commerce and digital marketing initiatives across the company’s three brands: Learning Resources, hand2mind, and Educational Insights. Read more…
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Adventerra Games North America Names France Mer as Director of Marketing
France Mer has joined Adventerra Games North America as the newly created position of director of marketing. Mer will lead and implement brand marketing strategies across digital and traditional channels for Adventerra’s line of games. Read more…
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Flat River Group Expands Purchasing Team
Flat River Group, a distributor of toys, games, and other consumer products in addition to serving as a full-service provider of warehousing and fulfillment for a variety of e-commerce retailers, is strengthening its purchasing team with the promotion of Dan Myers and the addition of five new buyers. Read more…
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Hasbro Taps Carrie Ratner to Lead Global Corporate Communications Team
Ratner joins the company from PepsiCo Inc. where she was responsible for global external communications and reputation management. At Hasbro, Ratner will be responsible for leading internal and external corporate communications and storytelling strategy with a core focus on the company’s brands and purpose. Read more…
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