Wilma Mankiller Joins Mattel’s Barbie Inspiring Women Series



The Wilma Mankiller doll is the newest addition to Mattel’s Barbie Inspiring Women Series. The series features dolls inspired by influential women throughout history. Read more…

The LEGO Group Launches LEGO Icons Natural History Museum Set



The LEGO Group has revealed its highly anticipated LEGO Icons Natural History Museum Set. With 4,104 pieces, this museum building set is LEGO’s largest modular set by piece count. Read more…

Hasbro’s Furblets Are Full of Compact Furby Fun



Hasbro is shrinking Furby to launch Furblets, mini Furby creatures with the same interactive features as the original. Designed for kids ages 6 and up, there are six Furblets in the collection. Read more…

Spin Master, Moonbug Entertainment Forge Global Strategic Alliance



Spin Master and Candle Media’s Moonbug have inked a deal for a strategic global alliance spanning kids’ content, products, and experiences. Under the deal, Spin Master will take the lead as global master toy licensee for Moonbug’s Blippi and Little Angel with an array of new toys and games set to hit retail beginning in 2025. Read more…

JAKKS Pacific Introduces ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’ Toys to Toys ‘R’ Us at Macy’s 



Fred Rogers Productions, the children’s educational media organization behind Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and 9 Story Brands, its worldwide licensing agent for the brand, have secured a new retail program for the property in partnership with JAKKS Pacific and retail marketing agency Licensing Street. Read more…

Hot Wheels Legends Tour To Name Sixth Winner This Weekend



Mattel’s Hot Wheels Legends Tour, the traveling show designed for gearheads to show off their custom cars, is ready to crown its sixth winner, whose vehicle will be immortalized as a 1:64-scale Hot Wheels die-cast vehicle. There are 10 finalists this year from the U.S., the U.K., Poland, Germany, France, New Zealand, Indonesia, and Mexico. Read more…

IMC Toys and Disney Team Up for New Cry Babies Collection



IMC Toys is teaming up with Disney for the first time in North America to launch a collection of Cry Babies inspired by iconic Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Stitch, Daisy Duck, and more. Read more…

Kids Can Officially Collect the New Pokémon Expansion Inspired by ‘Pokémon Scarlet’ and ‘Pokémon Violet’



It’s been almost a year since Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet first launched. Now, features from the games are headed to the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Scarlet & Violet — Paradox Rift is inspired by the Paradox Pokémon from Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet and introduces Ancient and Future Pokémon and Trainer cards. Read more at The Toy Insider…

Kids Preferred Partners with Sesame Workshop for Infant Toys



Kids Preferred has inked a licensing agreement with Sesame Workshop for a line of toys for infants and toddlers inspired by the beloved kids’ show Sesame Street. The collection will include plush toys, developmental toys, soft books, jack-in-the-boxes, and wooden toys. Read more…

Sanrio Launches Hello Kitty 50th Anniversary Celebrations for 2024



Sanrio is kicking things into high gear as it prepares to celebrate Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary with digital promotions starting this month, including a collaboration with Global DJ Steve Aoki. Read more…

The World of Azeroth Expands with McFarlane Toys’ New Line of WoW Figures



Open your quest log, World of Warcraft fans, because McFarlane Toys’ new adventure is one you won’t want to miss. The World of Warcraft 1:12-scale figures feature the best heroes that Azeroth has to offer. Read more at The Pop Insider…

Spielwarenmesse Reveals Lineup of Toy Business Forum Speakers



A group of international speakers will be bringing the trade audience up to date in the Toy Business Forum at Spielwarenmesse from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, 2024. Speakers from a diverse range of fields will deliver industry expertise and discuss trends in toys and retail. Read more…

Eolo Toys Reopens Hong Kong Showroom



Eolo Toys has reopened its permanent showroom in Hong Kong. The toy company, which has more than 40 years of experience in the industry, hosted an opening event to celebrate the achievement. Read more…

First Radio Flyer Flagship Store Opens This Week



Radio Flyer’s first-ever flagship retail store will open its doors tomorrow in the Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. The 106-year-old company will offer exclusive products, a test track, and more. Read more…

Toys ‘R’ Us Asia Unwraps the Holidays for Gen Z



Toys “R” Us Asia has teamed up with the artist duo Craig & Karl to design experiences that combine fashion and fun for Gen Z. The artwork in this collaboration includes bright, geometric colors featuring holiday iconography like Christmas trees, presents, and more. Read more…

Pop Mart Opens New Stores in Auckland and Brisbane



Pop Mart is continuing to expand globally. The Chinese pop culture and art toy company has recently opened stores in Auckland, New Zealand and Brisbane, Australia. Read more…

Kingsmen Xperience, Max-Matching Entertainments to Launch NERF Action Xperience in Beijing



Kingsmen Xperience and Max-Matching Entertainments are partnering up for the launch of a NERF Action Xperience location in Beijing, China, under license by Hasbro. The new attraction will open in 2025. Read more…

Funko Beats Expectations in Q3 Amid Operational Improvements, 14.4% Sales Slide



While a double-digit decline in sales would usually be cause for alarm, Funko‘s third quarter earnings reflect the challenges of the overall toy industry this year paired with a welcome overhaul in the company’s operations. Read more…

FIT Is Looking for a Full-Time Faculty Member in Toy Design



The Fashion Institute of Technology’s Toy Design Department is seeking a full-time tenure-track faculty member with experience in the toy industry, from design through manufacturing, and the ability to serve as department chair and teach courses. Learn more…

People of Play Names 2023 Toy & Game International Excellence Award Winners



People of Play‘s (POP) Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards recently concluded, resulting in nine winners across several categories. The event also honored Game Changers and Lifetime Achievement Award winners. Read more…

CTA Reveals 2023 Canadian Toy Industry Hall of Fame Inductees, Rising Star Award Winners



The Canadian Toy Association (CTA) has revealed three 2023 Canadian Toy Industry Hall of Fame inductees and three 2023 Rising Star Award winners. Both accolades serve to honor excellence in the toy industry. Read more…

Disney Appoints Hugh Johnston as its Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer



The Walt Disney Co. recently selected Hugh Johnston to serve as its Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective Dec. 4. Johnston will join The Walt Disney Co. after holding several positions over three decades at PepsiCo. Read more…