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The October 2021 Issue of ‘The Toy Book’ Is Here!
In pre-pandemic times, the toy industry would be coming off of the Los Angeles preview loop and gathering in Texas for Toy Fair Dallas. While the COVID-19 delta variant nixed those plans this year, new toys and games are still hitting shelves and being prepped for the year ahead despite the ongoing supply chain issues that the industry is facing this holiday season. Flip through the new issue here!
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Bonkers Toys Introduces Aphmau MeeMeows Mystery Plush Collectibles
A new line of collectibles is on the prowl at Walmart. Bonkers Toys unleashed its first wave of Aphmau MeeMeows Mystery Plush this week — the first retail toys created in partnership with the top female gaming star on YouTube. Read more...
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Jakks Pacific Releases Line for Disney’s Encanto
This comprehensive line will celebrate Disney’s new family ensemble — as well as key moments and songs from the movie — with toys that kids can use to recreate their favorite scenes. Read more…
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Mattel Introduces Barbie Mega Construx Line
Barbie is rejoining Mega Construx with a new collection of themed building sets. Kids can build Barbie’s Malibu House, ride in her DreamCamper, or play in the Animal Grooming Station. For smaller play, the You Can Be Anything and Location assortment sets feature scenes that explore Barbie’s world outside her Malibu home. Read more...
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BBC Studios Colors in Deal with Crayola for Bluey
Characters from Bluey are headed to the arts and crafts aisle. BBC Studios inked a multi-territory licensing deal with Crayola that will open the door to new product categories for the popular animated series. Crayola plans to create a full range of Bluey arts and crafts, stationery, and coloring products for the license. Read more…
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WowWee Adds 2 Characters to the My Squishy Littles Collection
WowWee is releasing two new My Squishy Littles characters for double the fun. Mel the Marshmallow and Peace the Peach each have their own unique outfits and looks to add to the collection of Squishy Little Dumplings. Read more…
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Watch: Neil Patrick Harris Unveils Moose Toys’ Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron at CAMP
One of the hottest toys of the holiday season made its debut in New York City. Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris unveiled the power of Moose Toys’ Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron at CAMP‘s Columbus Circle store. Read more…
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Be the Very Best at the 2022 Play! Pokémon Championship Series
Next year, trainers from around the world will be invited to compete in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG); the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video games; the Pokkén Tournament DX video game; and, for the first time, Pokémon Go to prove they’re the very best and for the chance to win millions in prizes. Read more...
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Hasbro Releases New Version of Mahjong
Mahjong is a tile-based game that originated in China in the 1800s. A modern-day married couple, Jennifer Guo and Adam Szakacs, are looking to connect their Chinese and Jewish cultures with a new variation on the classic game, called Not Your Ma’s Jong. Read more…
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Toys “R” Us Canada Owner Doug Putman Talks Toys, Retail, and Distribution on the ‘Power Kid Podcast’
In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Doug Putman, the new owner of Toys “R” Us Canada and Babies “R” Us Canada. Putman’s latest venture places the iconic retailer into a portfolio that includes Everest Toys, Sunrise Records, Alex Global Products, and FYE. Listen here…
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Toys for Tots Kicks off 2021 Holiday Campaign
The U.S. Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is back in action for another season of giving. The nonprofit organization kicked off its 2021 holiday campaign on Oct. 1 and is seeking help to donate new, unwrapped toys, games, and books. Read more…
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The Toy Association Picks 4 Trends to Watch this Holiday Season
The holiday shopping season is upon us, and this week The Toy Association weighed in with a list of four trends to look out for this holiday season. The Q4 Toy Trends Update follows the Association’s 2021 Trends Briefing that took place in February. Read more…
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ToyFest West Moves to New Venue for 2022
The Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) will celebrate its diamond anniversary with ToyFest West in a new location next year. The relocated event will take place March 9-11, 2022 at The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, a new trade show facility. Read more…
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PMI Goes for a Spin with Zzzopa Fidget Spinner Ball Brand
Fresh off the success of its growing Among Us brand (in collaboration with Toikido), PMI Trading & Enterprise Ltd. inked a deal with Australia’s Mejjjet PTY Ltd that effectively signals the company’s entry into the fidget category with a unique spinner ball line. Read more…
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Genius Brands Inks Deal with ViacomCBS’ Pluto TV for Kartoon Channel!
Kartoon Channel! will grow its audience thanks to a new pact with Pluto TV. Genius Brands International Inc. secured a deal with the ViacomCBS-owned free streaming television service to stream a branded Kartoon Channel! beginning this week. Read more…
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Super Impulse, License 2 Play Ink Licensing Deals for Toxic Waste Candy
Candy brands are hot right now and Surge Brands Inc. — a sister company to Surge Licensing — just inked a raft of new deals to extend Candy Dynamics’ Toxic Waste into other consumer products categories, including toys and collectibles. Read more...
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The Supply Chain Saga Continues: The Toy Industry Faces Its Most Complex Challenge Yet
This holiday season, there’s pretty much only one question on everyone’s mind: “Where is my product?” Deputy Editor James Zahn looks at the latest issues facing the supply chain with insights on how toy companies, including Kids2, Super7, Madame Alexander, and McFarlane Toys, are navigating the uncharted waters. Read more…
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Peek Inside the Magic of ‘Gabby’s Dollhouse’
It’s every kid’s dream to dive head-first into their toy dollhouse to explore a world of possibilities in every miniature room, and Senior Editor Jackie Cucco takes a look at how DreamWorks Animation is making that a reality with the Netflix Original Series Gabby’s Dollhouse. Read more…
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Talkin’ Toys: Cubles Unfolds Sustainable Collectibles
Toy Book Editor-in-Chief Maddie Michalik chats with Mike Horn, chief strategy officer and co-founder, and Frank Adler, president and co-founder, from Cubles to talk about licensing strategy, manufacturing in the U.S., the importance of sustainability in toys, and more. Read more…
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Toys “R” Us Canada Reveals 2021 Top Toys List
The Canadian retailer issued its picks for the holiday season — a curated collection of more than 400 gift ideas across 10 categories, many of which are exclusive to Toys “R” Us in Canada. Read more…
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Explore Adventure Bay IRL at CAMP’s PAW Patrol Experience in NYC
There’s nothing like spending the holiday season in New York City! This year, PAW Patrol is taking a trip to the city that never sleeps, and you can, too. CAMP, the family experience company, is bringing the PAW Patrol Experience: Only at CAMP to its Hudson Yards location beginning on Nov. 22, right before Thanksgiving. Read more…
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Did the U.S.-China Trade War Just Reignite?
The National Retail Federation (NRF) issued a statement this week sharing concern for the wellbeing of American businesses and consumers following U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s announcement that the U.S. may use more tariffs as a tool to combat perceived issues with China pertaining to last year’s Phase One Trade Agreement. Read more…
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LEGO Group Sales Spike 36% in the First Half of 2021
The Danish maker of construction sets remains one of the few privately-owned companies to report earnings, and in the first half of 2021 consumer sales spiked 36% as revenue grew 46% to drive 104% growth in operating profit. The current growth rate is outpacing the rest of the toy industry as LEGO gains market share globally. Read more…
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Former Disney Exec Lori MacPherson Joins Jakks Pacific Board of Directors
MacPherson joined Disney in 1991 and served in a variety of roles across marketing, consumer products, and home entertainment. She most recently served as executive vice president, global product management for Walt Disney Studios. Read more…
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Insight Editions Bolsters Staff with 14 Appointments
The independent publisher of pop culture, lifestyle, kid’s books, and more added new members to its staff in key positions across editorial, marketing, a public relations over the past few months. The roles were filled through a mix of new hires and promotions. Read more…
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