From the Editor: The Record-Breaking ‘Barbie’ Boom and the Impact on the Toy Department



For more than six decades, and with lore that spans more than 200 careers, Mattel‘s Barbie has been a symbol of empowerment that girls “can be anything.” Now, on the eve of her 65th birthday, Barbie is officially a movie star. But there’s so much more to it. Read more…

Exclusive: JAKKS Pacific Celebrates Christmas in July with Peanuts, Christmas Vacation, and more



We’re just five months away from Christmas and that means retailers of all sizes are stocking up for the holidays. For the fourth year in a row, all three Adventure Media & Events publications — The Toy Book, The Toy Insider, and The Pop Insider — have teamed up with JAKKS Pacific to celebrate Christmas in July with an exclusive look at upcoming holiday products. Read more…

Exclusive: Nacelle Fires Up the Motorcycles for ‘Biker Mice from Mars’ Relaunch as Ryan Reynolds Joins the Team

The Biker Mice from Mars are getting a trio of new rides and an assist from Deadpool himself. We have your exclusive first look at the new motorcycles from Nacelle Consumer Products’ Biker Mice from Mars relaunch. Read more…

ToyFest 2024 to Return to Las Vegas



ToyFest is officially returning next year to The Expo at World Market Center in Las Vegas March 3-5. Attendee registration is now open for buyers, buyer guests, R&D, and media. Read more…

Mattel Renews Licensing Partnership with Warner Bros.



Mattel has renewed its licensing agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products. The agreement will extend the companies’ 20-year licensing relationship. Read more…

Hasbro, Gramercy Products Expand NERF Dog Brand with Glow Line



As Gramercy Products celebrates 10 years of partnership with Hasbro, the company continues to expand its portfolio of offerings. The two recently unveiled the new NERF Dog Glow line, a series of products that let dog owners play with their pets in the dark. Read more…

Moose Toys Gains License for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles



Moose Toys has acquired a license for Paramount’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT). Under this new licensing agreement, the toymaker’s Akedo brand will be the first line of Moose Toys products to get the TMNT treatment. Read more…

Squishmallows, VeeFriends Partner for New Plush Offerings Inspired by NFTs



Jazwares’ Squishmallows is embracing Web3 with a collaboration to create plush inspired by VeeFriends’ NFT characters. The company, in partnership with VeeFriends, will develop four new Squishmallows. Read more…

Make It Real Introduces Mini Pottery Studio



Make It Real’s latest playset is geared toward helping kids create fun pottery designs in miniature. Designed for kids ages 8 and up, this arts and crafts set is a perfect way for tweens to disconnect from screens and reconnect with their inner artist. Read more…

New Marvel LEGO Sets Head to Retail



A variety of new LEGO Marvel sets featuring Wolverine, Iron Man, and others are headed to store shelves in the weeks ahead. Seven new sets are on their way, ready to provide young Marvel fans with hours of construction fun. Read more…

Mighty Jaxx Releases Mystery Boxes of Avatar, One Piece, and Sanrio Collectibles 



The latest Mighty Jaxx mystery box collectibles feature characters inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender, One Piece, and the world of Sanrio. The company’s mystery box collectibles take away all of the pressure of having to choose, giving each customer a surprise figure. Read more at The Pop Insider…

Super Impulse’s Poptaters Launch New Characters, Previews



The Poptaters launched this past January, and feature a collaboration with Hasbro Potato Heads and various iconic characters across pop culture. The first and second wave of Poptater figures included everything from The Joy of Painting host Bob Ross to Sonic the Hedgehog. Now, the brand is ready to launch a new wave. Read more…

Head Back to Hogwarts with Harry Potter Squishmallows This Fall



During a panel at Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC), Jazwares formally unveiled its first wave of Harry Potter Squishmallows. At launch, fans can collect Gryffindor Lion, Ravenclaw Raven, Hufflepuff Badger, and Slytherin Snake Squishmallows in 8- and 10-inch sizes. Read more at The Toy Insider…

BMG & Associates Acquires Trademark of Overpower, the ’90s Collectible Card Game

The game design company BMG & Associates obtained the trademark rights to Overpower, the ’90s collectible card game that involves comic book heroes and villains. The company plans to relaunch the card set that features Marvel and DC characters in 2024. Read more…

Mattel Reiterates 2023 Guidance as Q2 Sales Decline Amid ‘Barbie’ Movie Craze

Mattel kicked off second quarter earnings season with news that net sales fell 12% to $1.08 billion. The company says that its Q2 earnings are in line with expectations as it believes the unusual retail correction is planted firmly in the rearview mirror. Read more...

AMain Hobbies to Acquire HobbyTown



AMain Hobbies is set to acquire the hobby and specialty retail chain, HobbyTown, effective later this summer. The agreement will include the retailer’s headquarters and distribution center in Lincoln, Nebraska. Read more…

Walmart’s Open Call 2023 Celebrates a Decade of Investing in American Jobs



Last week, Walmart began accepting applications for its tenth annual Open Call event, a chance for entrepreneurs and small business owners to apply for the opportunity to pitch their products. Read more…

Miniso Expands After Times Square Location Smashes Sales Record



Miniso revealed that its Times Square flagship store smashed sales records in comparison to the brand’s other locations. During its first month, the store boasted sales with more than 60,000 consumer visits. Read more…

Made in the USA Toys & Games for Summer 2023



The Toy Book’s 2023 Classics & Specialty Issue highlighted a host of new product previews that retailers should have on their radar. Our Made in the USA product showcase placed the spotlight firmly upon products from a dozen companies that manufacture or assemble products domestically to support American Jobs. Read more…

Mattel Reveals Leadership Changes as Richard Dickson Departs; Silverman, McKnight, Down Elevated to New Roles



Amid the success of Barbie: The Movie, Mattel President and Chief Operating Officer Richard Dickson is departing the company effective Aug. 3. The longtime Mattel exec will step into a new role as President and CEO of Gap. Read more…

Just Play Welcomes Two New Executives to Business Development Team



Just Play is continuing to grow. The company is welcoming two new key executives to its Business Development team: Joel Berger and Jess Richardson. Read more…