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The Toy Book’s 37th Annual BIG February Issue Is Available Now!
Despite the absence of Toy Fair New York this year, the Toy Book is proud to present you with our largest issue of the year, packed with everything you need to be prepared for the year ahead. Our team worked countless hours to pack as much valuable information as possible into this issue, including new product launches throughout the year, top trends, sales stats, expert commentary, and more. Read it here…
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Top Announcements from Mattel’s 2021 Virtual Analyst Meeting
Following the big news that Mattel and Nickelodeon are relaunching Monster High next year, Mattel held its Virtual Analyst Meeting yesterday as a digital replacement for its annual in-person event that usually takes place at Toy Fair New York. The company gave updates and first looks at new products, including Masters of the Universe, Barbie, Hot Wheels, and more. Read more...
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YouTube Originals Reveals Global Slate of Kids Content from $100 Million Commitment to Programming
Nearly two years after YouTube came to a $170 million settlement agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over allegations that it violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA) in how it dealt with kids’ content and consumption on its platforms, the streaming video giant revealed a first look at its new global slate of original content from its $100 million commitment to “invest in the future of quality kids, family, and educational programming.” Read more…
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Funko Introduces Hamilton Pop! Vinyl Figures
There may be a million things Alexander Hamilton hasn’t done … but becoming a Funko Pop! figure is no longer one of them. Finally, the main characters from the popular Broadway musical Hamilton have gotten the Funko Pop! treatment, and you don’t want to miss your shot to add these to your collection. Read more…
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MGA Entertainment Inks Music Deal for L.O.L. Surprise!
MGA Entertainment signed a music deal with Sony Music UK’s Magic Star to develop new ways to expand L.O.L. Surprise! through the power of music-based storytelling. Under the new agreement, Magic Star will collaborate with Sony Music Entertainment’s record labels — including Columbia Records’ Jam Jr. — to create and produce music that will support the L.O.L. Surprise! brand and its product lines and marketing initiatives. The new music will be distributed in more than 40 territories around the world. Read more…
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Disguise Expands Costume Lineup with Universal Brand Development Portfolio
Under the new agreement, Disguise will design, market, manufacture, and distribute Halloween costumes, costume accessories, inflatables, adaptive costumes, and trunk-or-treat kits for a robust lineup of properties from the Universal catalog of feature films, TV, vault, and horror brands. Read more…
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ElevatorUp’s Harrison Brooks Appears on the ‘Power Kid Podcast’
In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Harrison Brooks, the 17-year-old creator and CEO (Chief Elevator Officer) of ElevatorUp and database and content manager at People of Play. Listen here…
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YuMe, ViacomCBS Ink Deal for Baby Shark Infant Toys
YuMe is jumping into the water with Pinkfong Baby Shark. The growing toymaker inked a deal with ViacomCBS Consumer Products and SmartStudy to create and market a new collection of infant products based on the viral sensation-turned preschool brand. YuMe’s Pinkfong Baby Shark line will include bath toys, playmats, stroller accessories, rattles, and gift sets. Read more…
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Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir Toys Are Heading to the U.S.
The stylish Parisian superheroes of Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir are coming to the U.S. as fashion dolls from Playmates Toys and ZAG Labs. The Miraculous toy line will debut stateside this spring following a successful international launch late last year with Ladybug, Cat Noir, Queen Bee, and Rena Rouge, each dressed in their signature outfits with packaging to match. Read more…
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Flashback: Newly Discovered Video Shows Kenner’s Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back Collection Arrive at Toys “R” Us
A month after discovering previously unseen video from inside a Manhattan Toys “R” Us circa 1991, mysterious YouTuber btm0815ma is back with a 25-minute reel of footage that was shot on film inside an undisclosed Toys “R” Us location on May 21, 1980. The reel features an ABC reporter interviewing kids and parents and Toys “R” Us executive about the appeal of Star Wars, the quality of the Kenner toys, and the potential for Star Wars and its sequels to become “an evergreen property as long as they keep making movies for the next 25-30 years.” Read more…
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Netflix Names Toikido as Back to the Outback Master Toy Partner
Hot on the heels of its licensing deal to produce action figures and other toys based on the hit game Among Us, Toikido has another property on the horizon. The UK-based toymaker was named master toy partner for Back to the Outback, a Netflix original animated feature slated to make its global streaming debut this fall. Read more...
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Choo Choo: Here’s Your First Look at New BRIO Train Sets
Driving trains is harder than it steams, but BRIO is making it easier than ever with a lineup of new train sets and stations — and the Toy Insider has your first look at all the new for 2021 train sets that will be rolling into stores very soon. Read more…
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Alliance Entertainment Inks Exclusive Distribution Deal with Weta Workshop Collectibles
Under the new agreement, Alliance holds the exclusive wholesale B2B distribution rights to Weta Workshop’s growing line of film-inspired licensed collectibles, including figures, prop replicas, and more. Read more…
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GreenLight Collectibles Inks Licensing Deal with MGM for Hollywood Die-cast Vehicles
Under a new multi-year licensing agreement, GreenLight will design and market die-cast versions of vehicles featured in numerous MGM film and TV projects. Beginning later this year, GreenLight will offer MGM-licensed vehicles in 1:12, 1:18, 1:24, 1:43, and 1:64 scales across a variety of its brands, including GreenLight Hollywood, Artisan Collection, Hollywood Hitch & Tow, and more. Read more…
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Trending in Toyland: Top 2021 Trends to Watch
The Toy Insider got a sneak peek at some of the coolest new products making their way to store shelves this year, and it’s clear that this year’s toy trends are largely a continuation of what was hot in 2020, such as games, puzzles, educational tools, and craft kits. Plus, toys are a really integral part of our culture, so some trends we are seeing in the real world are making their way into the toy box, such as eco-friendly products, licensed toys based on YouTube channels, and items that help foster kids’ mental and emotional wellness. Read more…
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The Toy Association Schedules Mix of Digital and Physical Events for the Year
As the toy community embarks on a new year that is once again filled with challenges and opportunities, The Toy Association is committed to offering a mix of digital and physical events that will help toy companies grow their businesses and brands. Read more…
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Is this the End of the Master Toy Licensee?
For nearly 40 years, being a master toy licensee has been a designation that toymakers have chased. Now, as slicensing continues to proliferate the industry, the biggest licenses — from Star Wars to Batman and beyond — are opening doors for more products than ever. Read more…
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Spin Master Entertainment’s New Leadership Team Takes Shape
Following a round of executive moves in December that aligned Toronto-based Spin Master Corp. under three distinct “creative centers” — toys, entertainment, and digital games — the company revealed another round of appointments within its growing entertainment division. Read more…
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Canspan BMG Reveals Executive Promotions
Following a successful year in 2020, Canspan BMG is making moves in its executive ranks. The Toronto-based full-service digital and social media marketing agency revealed a trio of promotions, including Jordana Dobski (Kujavsky) to director of public relations; Isabella Moschovakis to social media and content director; and Riley Wallace to director of paid media. Read more...
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Jakks Pacific Q4, Full-year Earnings Reflect a Challenging Year with Some Bright Spots
Despite the U.S. toy industry having grown 16% in 2020, Jakks Pacific faced challenges that came to light as the company reported its Q4 and full-year earnings. Jakks reported that net sales declined 16% in Q4 to $128.3 million versus $152.5 million during the same period last year. The company says that excluding Frozen 2 declines, its net sales were up 16%, which is in line with the toy industry as a whole. Read more…
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