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How Sweet It Is: The Toy Insider's Sweet Suite Event Welcomes the Industry Back to NYC
Following a two-year, digital detour, the Toy Insider's Sweet Suite event returned to its original, live format last week. The legendary toy party welcomed top-tier press, media personalities, and digital influencers — including Instagram stars, TikTokers, and YouTube creators — for an epic night of play on July 13 at Pier Sixty in New York City. More than 60 exhibitors, spanning top toy and game makers and emerging stars, were on hand to preview some of the hottest new toys for summer, fall, and the upcoming holiday shopping season. Read more…
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Spin Master Powers up with Sony for Multi-Year PlayStation Licensing Deal
Spin Master will serve as the global master toy licensee for the Sony PlayStation brand and first-party, PlayStation video game titles. The deal includes rights to produce a host of new products across multiple categories, including action figures, collectibles, playsets, plush, role-play, vehicles, R/C, games, and puzzles that will hit retail in 2024. Read more…
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Exclusive: The Nacelle Co. Expands Toy Division with Big Bad Battle Caps
Following the recent debut of its kid-focused Garden Surprise collectibles line, The Nacelle Co. dropped the curtain on its next brand: Big Bad Battle Caps. The new line includes a range of products designed to capture the spirit of bottle cap games, but with a fresh, modern look. Read more…
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Mattel Inks Multi-Year Deal with SpaceX for Toys and Collectibles
Elon Musk and Mattel are blasting off with another collaboration following the success of Tesla-inspired toys and collectibles over the past few years. Beginning next year, Mattel will release SpaceX-inspired toys under its Matchbox brand in addition to a range of out-of-this-world collectibles that will debut on its direct-to-consumer platform, Mattel Creations. Read more…
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LEGO Releases Atari 2600 Construction Set
In the ‘80s, two things were a futuristic dream — flying cars and a merger of the most popular toys: LEGO and Atari. We’re still waiting on the flying cars, but the LEGO Group is *finally* building up an Atari set, brick by brick. The set comes in celebration of Atari’s 50th Anniversary and is inspired by the four-switch revision of the Atari VCS/2600 that debuted in 1980. Read more…
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The Pokémon Co. International to Launch Unscripted Pokémon Series
The Pokémon Co. International is inviting Pokémon fans and enthusiasts to partake in its open casting call for a new, unscripted series about the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). The company promises additional information about the mysterious new series in the near future. Read more…
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Jazwares Debuts Big Fat Yarn Crafts and Holiday Toy Lineup at Sweet Suite 2022
It’s time to get your craft on: There’s going to be a new way to knit this holiday season. Jazwares unveiled Big Fat Yarn craft kits at the Toy Insider’s Sweet Suite 2022 event, along with other anticipated hot toys coming out this fall for the holiday season. Read more…
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NERF Pro Gelfire Marks Hasbro’s Entry into the Gel Blaster Category
Hasbro dominates the water and foam dart blaster categories with Super Soaker and NERF, and now it’s targeting a new blaster medium: super absorbent polymer projectiles, or gel. The NERF Pro GelFire Mythic Full Auto Blaster fires hydrated super absorbent polymer rounds and is expected to be on store shelves by Nov. 1. Read more…
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Moose Toys Gives Birth to Little Live Pets Mama Surprise
Mama Surprise is the newest addition to the Little Live Pets line of realistic toy pets that teach kids the importance of nurturing animals. This interactive guinea pig features more than 20 sounds and reactions that kids can activate by caring for her. When kids pet her and feed her toy celery, her heart will start to glow, signaling that it’s time to put Mama in her hutch, where she will welcome a new baby. Read more…
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Melissa & Doug Opens U.S. Facility to Support Growth
Melissa & Doug is taking supply chain issues into its own hands. The Connecticut-based toymaker is opening a distribution facility to support its growth and continue the company’s effort to be more environmentally friendly. Read more…
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Mattel’s ‘Matchbox’ Movie Fires up the Engines with Skydance
The producers of Top Gun: Maverick and the upcoming Mission: Impossible sequels are teaming up with Mattel to bring an iconic toy brand to the big screen. Skydance and Mattel Films are developing Matchbox, the long-running real-world die-cast vehicle line, into a live-action motion picture. Read more…
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New Funko Board Games Bring Disney Days Home for Game Night
Disneyland and Walt Disney World are hot as heck right now, so you’re better off staying home and playing board games instead! Funko Games is launching two new Disney-inspired games that make the perfect at-home activity this summer. Read more…
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PMI Is Developing Toys Based on Pudgy Penguins NFT Project
PMI Ltd. is entering the metaverse. The rapidly expanding company — known for its work developing toys based on digital games, including Among Us, Gang Beasts, and Brawl Stars — is developing a new line of toys based on Pudgy Penguins NFTs. Read more…
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Jakks Pacific Introduces Foot-Tall Yoshi Figure at Sweet Suite 2022
Nintendo fans asked and Jakks Pacific delivered.The company revealed the latest addition to its Super Mario line, Let’s Go, Yoshi!, at the Toy Insider’s Sweet Suite 2022 last week. The interactive figure stands 12 inches tall and features several engaging triggers and 13 points of articulation for endless posing options. Read more…
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World of EPI, Rock The Bells Ink Licensing Deal for Hip-Hop Toys, Accessories, and More
World of EPI (Entertainment, Publishing, and Inspiration) has inked a licensing partnership with Rock The Bells, the global lifestyle platform founded by LL Cool J that elevates hip-hop culture from its roots to modern day. Under the partnership, World of EPI will launch Rock The Bells merch, including roleplay products, children’s costumes, fashion dolls, fashion accessories, and coloring books based on immersive global culture and iconic hip-hop styles. Read more…
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Combined Toy & Edu China, Baby & Stroller China, Licensing China Gears up for August Show Dates
Organizers expect to welcome more than 1,000 exhibitors to the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center, taking place from Aug. 5-7, 2022. Although the trio has pushed this specific convention back several times due to spikes in COVID-19 cases, they are set to hold the live event and utilize online programming to make it as accessible as possible. Read more…
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New Zealand Mint Celebrates 75 Years of Tonka Toys
The 75th anniversary of Tonka is being celebrated in a very unique way. New Zealand Mint is offering a limited edition, 1 oz. rectangular coin that features the iconic Tonka Mighty Dump Truck. Just 1,947 pieces have been minted in honor of the company’s founding in Mound, Minnesota in 1947. Read more…
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Hasbro Pulse Con 2022 Sets Dates for Fall
Following news that its direct-to-consumer Hasbro Pulse business has spiked more than 60% this year, Hasbro is holding another Pulse Con, taking place from Sept. 30-Oct. 1 in a virtual format. More details will follow in the weeks ahead. Read more…
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The Toy Book Names Specialty Retail Trends for Summer 2022
This summer, the Toy Book presented its first-ever Specialty Toy Retail Trends Panel at the 2022 American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) Marketplace & Academy in Long Beach, California. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to working with retail trends, six specifics stand out this year and just might be worth a look for stores working to expand or refine their product mix. Read more…
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Toys ‘R’ Us Set to Open in Every Macy’s Store by Oct. 15
Macy’s is ready to welcome a new generation of Toys “R” Us kids to its stores in time for the holidays. The partnership between the two retailers is kicking into high gear thanks to an expanded pact between Macy’s Inc. and Toys “R” Us owner WHP Global for a Toys “R” Us in-store shop to open in every Macy’s store across the U.S. The expanded agreement increases the location count from the 400 stores initially announced last year. Read more…
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Wild Republic to Open Las Vegas Showroom
Wild Republic, manufacturer of realistic plushies and toys that are focused on immersing kids with different species and the environment, will open an immersive showroom for retail buyers in Las Vegas to facilitate the connection between consumers and Wild Republic’s activism efforts to support nature, conservation, and sustainability. Read more…
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Hasbro Kicks Off Q2 Earnings Season with Growth in Consumer Products, Wizards of the Coast
The Rhode Island-based play and entertainment company reported a 1% spike in overall revenue to $1.34 billion for the quarter to power 3% revenue growth for the first half of the year. Hasbro’s Consumer Products segment grew 7% with toy and game growth seen across the Franchise Brands, Partner Brands, Hasbro Gaming, and Emerging Brands. Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming spiked 5%. Read more…
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Eaglemoss Hero Collector Reportedly Goes Bankrupt
Eaglemoss, one of the longest-running “partworks” companies in the business, has reportedly closed its doors and filed for administration — the UK equivalent of filing for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Just two years ago, the Eaglemoss Hero Collector brand made a big push into the U.S. market with a Walmart deal in place and distribution through Hot Topic, BoxLunch, GameStop, Calendar Club, Spencer’s, and more. Read more…
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Greg Kilrea Becomes President of TOMY International as Pete Henseler Moves Roles
TOMY International is reorganizing its leadership to position the company for expanded global growth. Pete Henseler, formerly the president of TOMY, will become a non-operating chairman of the TOMY International Board; Greg Kilrea becomes president of TOMY International for the Americas and Europe; and Rod Voss will step into the role of chief operating officer. Read more…
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Arcade1Up Expands Leadership Team with 3 New Hires
“Arcade1Up is at a pivotal growth stage with exciting and innovative products in the works with long-standing valued partners,” says Arcade1Up CEO Scott Bachrach. “Adding these new positions to our senior team really is a milestone.” Read more…
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Fred Rogers Productions Welcomes Gabrielle Howard as Creative Development Manager
In her new role, Howard will manage the company’s ever-growing portfolio of intellectual property (IP) in development, seek out new collaborators and projects, and guide them through the development process. Read more…
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ZAG Appoints Luca Bonecchi to Lead Consumer Products in Europe
In his new role, Bonecchi is reponsible for expediting the licensing and new business development efforts with a focus on ZAG Heroez brands, including Miraculous and Ghostforce. Read more…
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