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Paramount’s Pam Kaufman, VaynerMedia’s Gary VaynerChuk to Keynote Licensing Expo
Paramount President of Consumer Products and Experiences Pam Kaufman and VaynerMedia CEO Gary Vaynerchuk will deliver the Day 1 keynote for the event, which takes place from May 24-26. The duo is expected to discuss future opportunities in the industry, how the world will impact brand licensing, and technological advancement. Read more…
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LEGO, Hasbro to Launch LEGO Transformers Optimus Prime
Two of the biggest toymakers are teaming up for what they’re calling an epic build. Hasbro and The LEGO Group inked a licensing deal for the LEGO Transformers Optimus Prime. Set to roll out next month, the set is expected to be a 1,508-piece build based upon Optimus Prime’s 1984 “G1” form — a box-style semi-truck cab that transforms into the famed Autobot leader. Read more…
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Mattel, Warner Bros Are Developing Live-Action ‘American Girl’ Specials
Mattel inked a deal with Warner Bros. for a pair of live-action American Girl specials that will be available on Cartoon Network and HBO Max. MarVista Entertainment, a Fox Entertainment company, will produce the projects. The first special, American Girl: Corinne Tan, will debut this December. Read more…
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PMI Gets ‘Spellbound’ with New Toys Based on Upcoming Film from Skydance Animation
Under a deal brokered by IMG, PMI will create a wide array of Spellbound-inspired products, including craft, activity and playsets; 2D and 3D plush; talking plush; plush backpacks; capsule toys; stationery, such as stampers, pencil cases, toppers, and erasers; keychains; figural torches with light-up functions; and a branded Matchify card game. Read more…
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Moose Toys, WildBrain CPLG Bring Magic Mixies, Legend of Akedo to Licensing Expo
Moose Toys and WildBrain CPLG are seeking partners across an array of consumer products categories, including housewares, apparel, sleepwear, accessories, and publishing to further extend the reach of Magic Mixes and The Legend of Akedo. Read more…
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2022 Barbie Fashionista Lineup Includes First Behind-the-Ear Hearing Aid Doll
Barbie is continuing its campaign for diversity and inclusivity with a new Barbie Fashionista doll lineup. Designed alongside doctors and healthcare professionals, the line will feature new dolls in a variety of body types, including the first-ever Barbie with behind-the-ear hearing aids. Read more…
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Asmodee Launches New Studio to Create Accessible Versions of Popular Board Games
The company behind Catan opened a new game studio called Access+ that adapts existing board games for players with cognitive disabilities. Asmodee partnered with an external scientific committee of care professionals to accommodate existing titles for players with disabilities that impact speech, social relation, attention, emotional control, planning, and memory. Read more…
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Licensing Expo Reveals 2022 Sustainability Programming Lineup
Turns out, it is easy being green — or at least, easy to learn about it. Licensing Expo and Products of Change are launching a sustainability agenda that includes turnkey education and product showcases for the upcoming trade show. This collaboration intends to bring sustainability to the forefront of the licensing industry and highlight issues within the industry in order to bring out real change. Read more…
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George Leon to Host Licensing International Excellence Awards
Licensing International tapped George Leon to host of the 2022 Excellence Awards, which recognizes outstanding achievements and innovation in the licensing industry worldwide. With more than 25 years of experience, Leon is an industry veteran and an expert in global promotions and franchise development. Read more…
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VTech Introduces New Marble Rush Sets
Can you feel the rush? VTech is expanding the Marble Rush line with two new marble obstacle courses. Kids can watch marbles go for a spin with the Marble Rush Corkscrew Rush Set or race marbles down ramps and through obstacles with the Marble Rush Raceway Set. Read more…
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Unruly Industries Brings New Spider-Man Figures Into the Spider-Verse
What’s the one thing missing from the latest version of Spider-Man’s suit? A cool pair of sneakers. Unruly Industries is kicking things up with a new trio of collectibles that reimagine our favorite web-slinger as a punk-rock sneakerhead. Designed by pop culture artist Tracy Tubera, the collection draws inspiration from comic books, graffiti, and anime art. Read more…
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Surge Licensing, Webtoon to Create Licensing, Merchandising Program for North America
Surge Licensing will develop a brand licensing strategy to create consumer goods — including toys — based Webtoon’s most popular titles. The company expects to meet potential partners in apparel, fashion, tabletop games, promotions, and more at Licensing Expo. Read more…
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Showcase Expands in the U.S. Retail Market with 27 New Stores in 12 States
Showcase, a Canadian retailer that bills itself as “Home of the Hottest Trends” is expanding its footprint in the U.S. market. The company, which sells toys and novelties alongside home, health and beauty, candy, and food items, features a “try it before you buy it” retailtainment environment that includes interactive demonstrations. Read more…
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U.S. Retail Imports Hit New Milestone
According to the latest update from the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates’ monthly Global Port Tracker, this spring has had record numbers of freight containers making their way through the system. The mass quantities of freight — including toys and games — are expected to continue as retailers and manufacturers bring in seasonal merchandise early in an effort to mitigate future cost increases and more supply chain issues that could loom on the horizon. Read more…
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Steve Markey Gets Hog Wild on the ‘Power Kid Podcast’
In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Steve Markey, vice president of sales and marketing at Hog Wild Toys to the show. For more than two decades, Markey has traversed the toy industry with roles at Wham-O, PlanToys, Green Toys, Crazy Aaron’s, and more. Listen here…
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Exclusive: Harnessing Imagination at Licensing Expo — How ZAG Delivers New-Age Entertainment Across All Platforms
In this guest feature by by Global Licensing Group’s Anna Knight, ZAG’s Julian Zag outlines the company’s plans for Licensing Expo and its flagship brand, Miraculous — Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir. Read more…
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Funko Earnings Pop! with 63% Q1 Sales Spike; Gets TCG Investment from Bob Iger, eBay, Rich Paul
Funko kicked off 2022 in a big way with a massive, net sales spike of 63% versus the first three months of 2021. The positive earnings report comes alongside news that The Chernin Group and a consortium of investors, including former Disney Chairman and CEO Robert A. Iger, Rich Paul (CEO and founder of Klutch Sports Group, Head of Sports at United Talent Agency), and eBay are purchasing 25% of the company. Read more…
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Elenco Appoints Anthony Trani as CEO
Trani comes to Elenco from Bazooka Candy Brands, where he led global marketing and innovation, U.S. e-commerce, and Latin America. He has more than 15 years of experience in global consumer products. Read more…
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Moose Toys Appoints Chedney Rodgers as Senior Vice President of Global and U.S. Marketing
In her newly created role, Rodgers is responsible for managing the company’s marketing strategies and messaging between the global and U.S. brand teams. Read more…
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Erik Quam Joins Magformers as President of North American Operations
In his new role, Quam will draw from his background in product development, sourcing, merchandising, sales, international distribution, catalog, and inventor relations to steer the Magformers business into the future. Read more…
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Francesca Gianesin Joins Moonbug Entertainment
In the newly created role as head of consumer products for EMEA, Australia, and New Zealand, Gianesin will be responsible for driving merchandising business for all Moonbug properties, including brands such as Blippi, CoComelon, and Little Baby Bum. Read more…
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Guru Studio Names Mark Pinder as VP of Technology
In his new role, Pinder will lead production pipeline strategies including IT/business systems, production technology, and postproduction. He will also advise on technology requirements necessary to grow and strengthen the studio. Read more…
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