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ASTRA Prepares for 2021 Marketplace & Academy
Tomorrow, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) will usher in a new era of live events with its first in-person trade show since 2019. The 2021 ASTRA Marketplace & Academy, taking place Aug. 5-8, will welcome retailers and toymakers that are looking to get shelves stocked for a prosperous Q4 and holiday season. With the global supply chain issues still unfolding, this show will give all parties involved a chance to connect with plans to keep the positive toy industry momentum going. Read more...
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J. Allen Brack Leaves Activision Blizzard Amid Continued Shakeup
The move comes amid the fallout from a lawsuit filed against the company by California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) alleging violation of civil rights and the equal pay act followed by an employee walkout and a continued public war of words between executives and staffers. Read more…
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Funko Launches Philanthropic Pops! With Purpose Initiative to Debut at FunKon Auction
The philanthropic mission connects Funko Pop! characters to causes that are important to the Funko community. Pops! With Purpose will debut through an auction at this year’s FunKon, which runs through Friday. Read more…
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Hasbro Builds up Its Monopoly Empire with a New Constructible Board Game
Monopoly Builder, the newest addition to the Monopoly lineup, is Hasbro’s latest experiment that’s been recently released into major retailers. When players buy property in this iteration, they physically stack buildings with included builder’s blocks. Kids ages 8 and up can now literally see their properties grow in the middle of the board, dubbed Monopoly Island. Read more…
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R2-D2 Lands in Tamagotchi’s Upcoming Star Wars Lineup
Kids ages 8 and up will learn how to train, clean, and take care of Artoo just like any other digital pet in the toy line from Bandai America. The R2-D2 Tamagotchi will be available in two, pocket-sized shells inspired by the droid’s design, accompanied by the iconic Tamagotchi animation displays. Read more…
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MGA Entertainment Drops a Little Tikes Dino Ride-on and a Massive L.O.L. Surprise Dollhouse
The Little Tikes Chompin’ Dino Trike is a pedal-powered ride-on toy designed to look like a fearsome dinosaur. The new L.O.L. Surprise! House is a multi-story, wooden dollhouse that stands 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide, with four stories and 10 different rooms. Read more…
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Take on the Skatepark Nyjah Huston-Style with Spin Master's New Tech Deck Sets
Six-time world champion skateboarder Nyjah Huston is sizing down his skatepark for some ultimate finger-shredding action. Spin Master‘s Tech Deck line is helping kids ages 6 and up bring this skate hero home with a set inspired by Huston’s private skatepark. Read more…
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Moose Toys Launches Blingle Bands Gem Friendship Bracelet Kits
To celebrate National Friendship Day, Moose Toys launched Blingle Bands, a new craft kit series that combines diamond painting with wearable accessories. Kids ages 7 and up can follow the included templates or create their own designs by sticking colorful gems to the bracelet bands using a “dip, dot, bling” process. Read more…
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ZURU Launches Series 3 of Popular 5 Surprise Mini Brands Line
The newest launch features the biggest collection yet, with more than 100 all new miniature versions of popular grocery and drugstore products. Some of the new teeny treats include Teddy Grahams, Hershey’s Chocolate, ICEE Slushies, and TGI Fridays. Read more…
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UNO Artiste Series Welcomes Obey Giant Artist Shepard Fairey
Mattel teamed up with Obey Giant founder Shepard Fairey for the latest edition of the UNO Artiste Series. The collectible new UNO deck features unique designs by Fairey and can be purchased exclusively via Mattel’s growing direct-to-consumer platform, Mattel Creations. Read more…
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WowWee’s Sydney Wiseman Talks New Toys on the Power Kid Podcast
In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes WowWee‘s Vice President of Brand Development and Creative Strategy, Sydney Wiseman. Listen here...
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Take Task Force X to the Next Level with Must-Have Suicide Squad Merch
DC’s devilish The Suicide Squad is making its way to the big screen this Friday. The team’s mission? Search and destroy. Our next mission? Search and deploy new merch collections for fans to shop in time for the film’s premiere — And we didn’t have to trek through the island of Corto Maltese to find them! Read more...
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Warner Bros. Consumer Products Opens Mexico City Office
The move plants yet another flag of opportunity for WarnerMedia and its partners to develop new licensing programs to reach fans throughout the country. WBCP Mexico is developing retail entertainment experiences and promotions built around numerous films both current and upcoming, including Space Jam: A New Legacy, Fantastic Beasts 3, and DC’s The Suicide Squad, The Batman, The Flash, and more. Read more…
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Spy Ninjas Are Going Undercover — Literally — with Scholastic Publishing Deal
Spy Ninjas has a new mission: Infiltrate the publishing world. The popular YouTube serial drama signed a three-year publishing deal with Scholastic for North America. In the show, the team is tasked with saving the world through their detective and martial arts skills from the evil hacking group Project Zorgo. Read more…
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Genius Brands Expands Rainbow Rangers Global Reach
Following the recent news that Never Wrong Toys inked a deal to serve as master toy partner for the property, Genius Brands International revealed new broadcast and streaming deals to expand the reach of Rainbow Rangers to entertain audiences on a global scale. Read more…
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Jakks Pacific Exceeds Expectations with 43% Q2 Sales Boom
Jakks’ net sales spiked 43% over 2020 and 18% versus the same period in 2019 to best both pre-pandemic and pandemic-era numbers. The results mark the sixth consecutive quarter of growth for the company and come alongside the company’s highest Q2 gross margin percentage since 2016 at 28.4%. Read more…
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Stephen Stanley Tapped to Lead Jazwares’ New Costume Play Division
Stephen Stanley was named general manager and senior vice president of the department that will focus on the year-round development of licensed costumes. Following its recent deal with Marvel, Jazwares’ costume business is swinging into action with plans to develop products for all ages and interests, from everyday dress-up to high-end cosplay outfits, masks, and accessories geared toward convention enthusiasts. Read more…
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Silvergate Media’s Shelli Rottman Promoted to Company’s First Chief Diversity Officer
The new position reflects the company’s efforts to magnify diverse voices through its creative entities. The company recently announced its intent to pursue investment in a new production, titled ¡Vamos!, based upon the award-winning Spanish and English language work of Mexican-American author Raúl. Other projects with an emphasis on exploring different cultures and traditions are currently being considered. Read more…
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