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Updated: Global Toy Industry Supports Ukraine During Russian Conflict
Dozens of companies have answered the call to provide aid and support to kids and families in Ukraine and the surrounding area. The Toy Book is monitoring the situation with daily updates on the global industry response and is providing links to more information and resources for those looking to join the efforts. Read more…
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ToyFest West Opens at the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas
Vegas baby, Vegas! The toy industry slot machine is all 7’s this week as North America’s first major in-person toy industry event of the year is underway at the Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas. Read more…
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Sesame Workshop Names Just Play as Multi-territory Master Toy Licensee for Sesame Street
Just Play can tell you how to get to Sesame Street. The global toymaker inked a deal with Sesame Workshop to serve as the master toy licensee for Sesame Street in several territories. The company will launch an extensive Sesame Street product assortment including plush, figures, vehicles, playsets, roleplay and dress-up, bath toys, and learning toys. Read more…
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Hasbro Partners with Girl Up to Advance Women in the Workplace
Girl Up is a global leadership development initiative founded by the United Nations Foundation that advocates for equal rights, access, and opportunities for girls to be leaders. Hasbro representatives will provide direct mentorship to Girl Up officials by sharing expertise at events and panel opportunities throughout the month of March and beyond. Read more…
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Toys for Tots Distributed Record-breaking 22.4 Million Toys in 2021
Despite another challenging year fueled by the ongoing effects of the pandemic, Toys for Tots provided record-breaking support to families last year. The program distributed 22.4 million toys, books, and games to nearly 8.8 million kids in need in 2021. Read more…
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Mattel Blasts off with Toys Inspired by Disney and Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’
With Disney and Pixar’s Lightyear hitting theaters on July 17, Mattel is celebrating the iconic Space Ranger’s origin story by revealing a full lineup of new toys inspired by Buzz Lightyear’s early adventures. Read more…
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Fanatics Launches zerocool Trading Cards Brand with StockX Co-founder
Following its surprise acquisition of The Topps Co. in January — a move that accelerated its entry into the sports card realm by several years after inking a deal with Major League Baseball — the company’s Fanatics Collectibles division is launching a new brand: zerocool. Read more…
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Spin Master Creative Director Stephanie Guo Talks Toys and Marketing on the ‘Power Kid Podcast’
In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Spin Master Creative Director Stephanie Guo to the show. Guo oversees creative vision for key brands, including PAW Patrol, GUND, and more. Listen here…
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Animal Adventure Inks Licensing Deal for Sophie la girafe
Under the deal brokered by Anjar & Becker Associates, the licensing agent for Sophie la girafe, Animal Adventure/Dan Dee International will market Sophie-inspired plush, feature plush, mobiles, activity mats, storage cubes, rockers, rocking horses, soft chairs, stroller toys, baby wedges, and seasonal products in the U.S. Read more…
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Fun in Motion Toys Unveils Glow.0 Juggling Balls
The world of juggling has never been brighter. Fun in Motion collaborated with juggling star Wes Peden to develop a set of three soft and squeezable balls that contain LED light chips with programmable memory settings. Read more…
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The New Plush Hess Train Is Off the Rails
The 2022 Choo Choo Train is the third addition to the My First Hess plush toy line. Featuring squeeze-activated flashing LED lights, this train comes equipped with recordings of two iconic railroad rhythms: “Coming ‘Round the Mountain” and “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.” Read more…
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The Electric Razor Icon Makes Kickstarter Debut
The iconic Razor scooter is making an electrifying comeback. After more than 20 years since the release of the original Razor scooter, Razor USA is electrifying its very first kick scooter. A crowdfunding campaign for the Razor Icon is currently underway. Read more…
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Take Breakfast to the Dark Side with Uncanny Brands' Star Wars Waffle Makers
A new set of licensed mini waffle makers is tapping into the dark side of the Force. One makes waffles in the shape of the iconic Death Star battle station while the other makes waffles shaped like Darth Vader’s helmet. Read more…
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Miniland USA Introduces Diverse Doll Line
Classroom toy and game manufacturer Miniland USA is bringing its social-emotional learning focus to the toy industry arena by making their dolls with Down syndrome, hearing implants, and glasses directly available to consumers this year. The collection aims to support the representation and acceptance of kids in classrooms worldwide. Read more…
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New Study Asks: Are Toys Becoming More Fun?
Funosophy‘s Nancy Zwiers and New York-based research firm Michael Cohen Group (MCG) produced an updated version of a report titled U.S. Toy Industry Play Value Report Card: After the Toys Come Home (originally released by MCG in 2011) that was created using fresh data from the parents of kids ages 2-6. This year’s findings were released in a webinar presented by Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment. Read more…
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Talkin’ Toys: Wrebbit 3D Celebrates 30 Years of 3D Puzzles
The Toy Book’s Senior Editor Marissa Silva chats with Wrebbit3D President Jean Théberge about the company’s evolution over three decades and what’s in store for the company’s milestone anniversary. Read more…
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YouTube Takes Action on Low-quality Video Content
Family Video Network’s Melissa Hunter takes a look at the major changes taking place at YouTube and how their impact will be felt on video creators and toymakers alike. Read more…
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Why Toy Production Is Ebbing Away from China
Toy Team Asia’s Steve Reece explores the growing movement of toy and game makers to diversify their manufacturing bases by moving production to countries outside of China. Read more…
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State of the Industry Q&A: WarnerMedia
Pam Lifford, president at WarnerMedia, discusses licensing opportunities with HBO Max, choosing licensees, and some of the most impactful trends for 2022 in the Toy Book’s annual State of the Industry Q&A. Read more…
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State of the Industry Q&A: Amazon
Anne Carrihill, category leader of toys and games at Amazon, discusses the retailer’s investment in its supply chain to support a record-breaking holiday season in the Toy Book’s annual State of the Industry Q&A. Read more…
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State of the Industry Q&A: Target
Nikhil Nayar, senior vice president of hardlines at Target, discusses strategies for keeping shelves stocked, same-day services, and offers some 2022 predictions in the Toy Book’s annual State of the Industry Q&A. Read more…
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Build-A-Bear Workshop's Rebel Girls Collaboration Celebrates Powerful Women
The exclusive collection features a Rebel Girls-branded teddy bear and gift sets inspired by famous female trailblazers with bear T-shirts and accessories. Each week for the next month, Build-A-Bear will reveal one of the inspiring women featured in the collection, which goes on sale April 13. Read more…
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LEGO Group Reports 22% Increase in Consumer Products Sales for 2021
The LEGO Group, one of the few privately held toy companies to report earnings publicly, revealed that sales for 2021 outpaced the growth of the global toy industry. The Danish company says that total revenue grew by 27% atop a 22% spike in consumer products sales for the year. Read more…
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Funko Earnings ‘Pop’ as Sales Spike 58% in 2021
Owing much to the continued diversification of its product assortment to include figures, plush, games, apparel, and accessories, Funko’s net sales spiked 58% last year to $1.03 billion. Net income swung back in the right direction with a 595% increase to $67.9 million. The success was capped by a big fourth quarter with net sales increasing 48%. Read more…
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Global Licensing Group Names Laura Freedman-Dagg as Head of Retail, Licensing
In her new role, Freedman-Dagg will work across the company’s global events, including Licensing Expo, the European and North American Brand and Licensing Innovation Summits, and Brand Licensing Europe (BLE), to meet, engage with, and deliver content to retailers and exhibitors. Read more…
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WildBrain CPLG Forms Partnerships Team
The licensing agency’s new partnerships team will offer its multi-territory licensors a unified and strategic approach for growth. Incorporating all operations from the previous client services unit, the new team led by Meike de Vaere will also oversee business development and implement new processes to maximize opportunities for growth and efficiency. Read more…
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