Toy Report 4/2: Jazwares, University Games Make New Acquisitions; Toy Companies Offer Free Resources for Families Stuck at Home

April 2, 2020

ASTRA’s Marketplace & Academy 2020 Canceled

The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) has canceled its annual Marketplace & Academy, originally scheduled for June 7-10, 2020 in Orlando, Florida, due to COVID-19. Read more…

Jazwares Acquires Kellytoy

Jazwares, a subsidiary of Alleghany Capital Corp., acquired Kelly Toy Holdings LLC and Kelly Amusement Holdings LLC, formerly known as Kellytoy Worldwide and Kellytoy USA (collectively, Kellytoy). The news comes on the heels of a strategic agreement inked ahead of Toy Fair New York in which Kellytoy granted Jazwares the global rights to Squishville, an extension of the company’s blockbuster Squishmallows line. Read more…

University Games Acquires Maranda Games

San Francisco-based University Games acquired Wisconsin-based Maranda Games. The move brings outdoor recreation games such as Ladderball and board games such as Sneaky Statues into the growing assortment of games and puzzles offered by University Games. Read more…

Keep Playing: Mattel Debuts Free Web Resource for Kids

Mattel launched its online Mattel Playroom resource for families to stay busy while home from school and work. The free platform offers play-from-home activities, games, content, and expert advice based on its well-known brands, including Barbie, Fisher-Price, Hot Wheels, American Girl, and Thomas & Friends. Read more…

Hasbro Invites Families to ‘Bring Home the Fun’

Following a teaser dropped by Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner last week, the Rhode Island-based maker of Transformers, My Little Pony, and G.I. Joe is inviting families to “Bring Home the Fun.” The company launched a new global initiative aimed at helping kids and families stay occupied and entertained as they spend more time together during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more…

Additionally, Hasbro Pulse connected digitally with the collector community this week to unveil new Star Wars action figures during a virtual Star Wars Fan Celebration .

Wonder Works Debuts Immersive Virtual Toy Store Experience

The spread of COVID-19 is creating challenges across the country, and for independent toy stores, the biggest issue is the loss of foot traffic as the doors are closed. For some, challenges are becoming opportunities, and Wonder Works — an independent toy store — has completely reinvented its shopping experience. Read more…

Exploring the COVID-19 Gaming Boom with Goliath Games’ Mary Higbe on the ‘Power Kid Podcast’

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Goliath Games‘ Director of Marketing Mary Higbe. As families spend more time together amid the COVID-19 pandemic, games are experiencing a huge boost in sales. Texas-based Goliath Games offers a wide range of titles for the entire family, with products available in more than 75 countries worldwide. Listen here...

The Adventure Media and Events Podcast Network is now available through all of your favorite streaming services, including Anchor, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.

VTech, LeapFrog Help Kids ‘Learn Through This’ with New Content, Resources

To help families and teachers teach kids from home, VTech and LeapFrog have launched a new “Learn Through This” campaign providing free, online educational resources. Read more…

LEGO, Universal Unveil LEGO Technic Dom’s Dodge Charger

The Fast Saga hit a roadblock at the box office with the release of F9 pushed back a full year, but that’s not stopping new toys from racing into retail. The LEGO Technic Dom’s Dodge Charger is a 1,077-piece replica of the 1970 Dodge Charger R/T piloted by Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) in the Fast & Furious films. Read more…

Far Out Toys Encourages NASCAR Fans to #KeepRacing at Home

The spread of COVID-19 is changing life as we know it, and for racing fans that means a red flag for the 2020 season — at least on the asphalt. Now, Far Out Toys is encouraging families to #KeepRacing at home with a new social campaign featuring NASCAR Truck Series driver Natalie Decker. Read more…

Funko Pride Pop! Celebrate Colorful Love

There is no gold at the end of this rainbow — but there is Funko. Funko Pride Pop! figures celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in a colorful new way. Fans can find rainbow versions of SpongeBob, Hello Kitty, and just about the cutest Batman you’ve ever seen. Read more...

Spotify Kids App Comes to the U.S. and Canada

Following a test launch in select international markets last fall, the ad-free Spotify Kids app is now available in the U.S., Canada, and France. The app includes a robust curated content lineup featuring audio from Disney, Nickelodeon, Kidz Bop, and others. Read more…

What to Expect From Your Agency Partners During COVID-19

Jump back about three and a half months ago: You were ready to hit the ground running for 2020 with a strong product lineup, excited retailers, stellar plans to get the word out, and you have just engaged a great marketing agency to help you execute on that plan. But then things changed. Aaron Wade, director, public relations, at CanspanBMG offers tips on what toymakers should expect from agency partners while navigating these uncharted waters. Read more…

Exploring the Art of Package Design Architecture

Ted Mininni, president and creative director at Design Force Inc., provides a look at how brand assets can be properly utilized to build a packaging program that’s visually unique among the proliferation of licensed brands in today’s consumer product marketplace. Read more…

Group Publisher:

Jackie Breyer