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Mattel TV, Fremantle Are Developing a Whac-A-Mole Game Show
The new era of game shows inspired by iconic properties is rapidly developing. Following the recent news that The UNO Game Show is in development from Mattel Television and Propagate (Running Wild with Bear Grylls, Chopped), Mattel Inc. is partnering with Fremantle (American Idol, The Price is Right) to develop a game show inspired by the arcade classic Whac-A-Mole. Read more…
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My Squishy Little Dumplings Roll into Stores this Summer
WowWee is launching My Squishy Little Dumplings this summer, featuring little interactive characters with big flavor and stylish accessories to match. Kids ages 5 and up can hold the collectible dumplings in the palm of their hand and squeeze the squishy dumplings’ cheeks to pop out their unique personalities. The characters will light up and make more than 50 reactions and sounds when kids dress them up, tickle them, shake them, and toss them. Read more…
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Spin Master Inks Publishing Deal for Mighty Express
Penguin Random House is climbing aboard the Mighty Express and heading to Tracksville. Spin Master signed a publishing deal with Penguin Young Readers this fall for its Mighty Express franchise. The global deal includes rights for picture books, board books, holiday books, sticker books, coloring books, and more. Read more...
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Hasbro, Epic Games Debut Fortnite x G.I. Joe Collaboration
Hasbro unleashed a collaboration with Epic Games that brings an iconic ninja commando to Fortnite as the latest hunter to pass through the Zero Point. Fortnite x G.I. Joe kicks off with a new Snake Eyes skin available in the Fortnite Item Shop. The collaboration also includes a limited edition action figure that will ship next year. Read more…
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Disguise Levels Up New Costume Deal for Nintendo’s Kirby Franchise
Disguise Inc., the costume division of Jakks Pacific, has entered into a new partnership with Warpstar to design, market, manufacture, and distribute costumes and costume accessories inspired by Nintendo’s Kirby franchise. Disguise will launch a line with looks inspired by the original Kirby as seen in gaming and animation this fall. Read more…
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Stencil and Doodle Away with Buffalo Games’ Chuckle & Roar Line
Buffalo Games is launching four new crafts toys for the Chuckle & Roar line, including a stencil set, a stamp set, dot art, and a doodle map, all launching exclusively at Target on March 14. Read more...
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The 10 Coolest Reveals from Funko Fair
Now that Funko’s 9-day virtual event has come to a close, the Pop Insider revisited some favorite new product reveals from the past two weeks. From Comic Book Pop! displays to art-inspired Mickey Mouse designs, these products are sure to be on collectors’ wish lists. Read more...
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Genius of Play Week: Jazwares’ Michael Rinzler Appears on the ‘Power Kid Podcast’
This week, host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes four committee members representing The Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative and its ongoing mission to provide families with the information and inspiration they need to make play an important part of their kid’s day. First up is Jazwares’ Michael Rinzler. Listen here…
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Sonic Prime Races to Netflix Next Year
Sega of America and WildBrain have partnered to release a new Sonic the Hedgehog animated adventure series on Netflix. Sonic Prime is a 24-episode series that follows Sonic in an action-packed race to save the universe through self-discovery and redemption. Read more…
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Moonbug Entertainment Grows Blippi Publishing and Streaming Apps
The company teamed up with Future Today in an effort to make its properties more accessible to a wider audience with new over-the-top streaming channels, and with Studio Fun International for an expanded range of Blippi books. Read more…
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Nintendo, Burger King Partner for Kids’ Meal Toys and Sweepstakes
Starting this week, Burger King Jr. meals across the U.S., Canada, and parts of Latin America come with one of six toys inspired by Nintendo Switch video games. The available toys feature characters from Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Luigi’s Mansion 3, Super Mario Maker 2, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, and Splatoon 2. Read more…
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Super7 Preps Power Rangers Action Figures and Collectibles Range
It’s morphin’ time over at Super7. The collectibles manufacturer has officially partnered with Hasbro to produce a range of Power Rangers merchandise this year, including ReAction figures, Ultimates! figures, and Super Cyborg figures. Read more...
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Genius Brands Completes Acquisition of Chizcomm Ltd., Chizcomm Beacon Media
The acquisition adds PR capabilities to the Genius Brands stable with instant footing in the toy industry and kids entertainment space along with an in-house media research, planning, and buying division. Read more…
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LaRose Industries Acquires Mattel Arts, Crafts, Stationery Business, Including RoseArt
RoseArt is coming home. LaRose Industries LLC — better known as Cra-Z-Art —acquired Mattel’s arts, crafts, and stationery (AST) business. The deal, which includes the RoseArt and Rose Moon brands, reunites the family business under one roof and the leadership of Lawrence Rosen. Read more…
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Praesidian Capital Acquires Controlling Stake in Round 2 Corp
Indiana-based Round 2 Corp. — best-known as the maker of die-cast vehicles, model kits, and slot racing sets marketed under the Johnny Lightning, Auto World, AMT, and Racing Champions brands — has entered into a new partnership with Praesidian Capital. The New York-based private equity group acquired a 51% controlling interest in Round 2. Read more…
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Carve Communications Names PR Vet Scott Goldberg as Managing Director, EVP of Client Services
Miami-based Carve Communications is ramping up its efforts in the toy and parenting space. PR veteran Scott Goldberg has been appointed to managing director and executive vice president of client services for the agency that currently represents Learning Resources, Educational Insights, and hand2mind. Read more…
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Clark Nesselrodt Promoted to EVP, Brilliant PR & Marketing
Brilliant PR & Marketing has promoted Clark Nesselrodt to the role of executive vice president. The move comes as the agency emerges from a year of growth in which the Brilliant team expanded its roster to more than 40 retainer clients and secured more than 23 billion media and influencer impressions. Read more…
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Sesame Workshop Names Ed Wells EVP, Head of Global Media and Education
Sesame Workshop is consolidating its media and education business. As part of the move, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street promoted Ed Wells to executive vice president and head of global media and education. Wells will develop and implement Sesame Workshop’s strategic vision for media and education in the U.S and abroad. Read more…
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Licensing International Names Bill Burke SVP, Marketing Strategy and Communications
Burke is a global licensing veteran with more than 20 years of experience, most recently serving as senior vice president of marketing for CBS Consumer Products. Over the past 13 years, Burke led global marketing, retail, international licensing, and licensing operations for brands including Star Trek. Read more…
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Former Mattel Exec Helena Perheentupa Joins ZAG
ZAG continues the expansion of its global senior executive team with the appointment of licensing veteran Helena Perheentupa to the newly created role of vice president, licensing, Central, Eastern, Northern Europe and Russia. Perheentupa joins the company from Mattel’s Frankfurt, Germany office. Read more…
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Warner Bros. Consumer Products Names Samantha Bushy SVP North America, Head of E-Commerce
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) is ramping up efforts on building its direct-to-consumer business. Effective immediately, e-commerce veteran Samantha Bushy assumes the role of senior vice president of North America and head of e-commerce. Bushy joins the company from Apple Inc. Read more…
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