Toy & Game International Excellence Awards - the TAGIEs
December 8 - 15, 2023
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Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
Happy Holidays!
Sad news this week for some of our Hasbro and Haba colleagues. Such decisions are tough for the people making them and the people living them as well as the ripples across the industry. Some talk about 2023 being a correction year. One thing I do know for sure is that toy people are an optimistic and intrepid bunch.
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Thank you for reading the Bloom Report here or on the Bloom Report 24/7 News Feed!
Mary
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The BLOOM REPORT is fantastic and it allows me to stay on top of all the breaking news in the Toy industry! - Wai Or, Longshore Ltd.
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"TBR is required reading for: inventors, manufacturers, retailers, marketers, suppliers, absolutely everyone!" - Robert Fuhrer, Founder, NEXTOY
Person of the Week - Jeffrey Breslow
Nobody Really ever Leaves the Toy Business, Announcing PICKLE EVERYTHING
At the TAGIE awards last month I was honored to present the Lifetime Achievement Awards to my BMT partner Rouben Terzian and Mattel’s Jill Barad. Tim Kilpin’s wonderful keynote talk included the line “nobody really ever leaves the toy business.” His words had me smiling to myself because after 41 years as a toy and game designer and 15 years as a full-time sculptor I was again somewhat to my surprise back!
What brought me back to the toy industry? My card game invention titled PICKLE EVERYTHING, “the best card game ever” (in my opinion). Why? Because it is easy to learn and play and hysterical. It was inspired by Pickleball, the fastest growing sport in the United States, with over 50 million players.
To play this card game you don’t need a court or any knowledge of Pickleball. You need players who want to laugh, love word games and are competitive.
Frank Adler, formerly President of Uncle Milton Toys and an avid Pickleball player and I have started a new company to share the fun with the world. And... there will be many more toys and games, but you will have to wait! But not for long!
After I retired I wrote a book about my life to share with my family. I'd like to share a part of it with you. It’s easy to talk about my successes, but my failures were many. And my biggest screw-up was legendary! READ MORE...
Person of the Week - Scott Constable
The Transition to the Game World from Public Art and Inventing Interactive Site-Responsive Sculptures
I am somewhat new to game design and just attended my first CHITAG/POP pitch event. I’m entering the world of games and toys from a career as an artist working mostly in the public realm, making site-specific, site-responsive, permanent and temporary projects in cities across the US for over twenty years (www.thewowhaus.com). So, I have loads of experience inventing within strict parameters and making pitches in competitive environments, and am tempered by rejection as much as I am fueled by success as an artist working in the public realm.
I began inventing games during the lockdown in the early stages of the pandemic. I also wrote and illustrated a children’s picture book that had been floating around in my head for years (I’m still looking into publishing options). Our work in public art mostly dried up during the pandemic and I found myself with spare time on my hands for the first time in my adult life. I have always enjoyed having creative challenges and complex problems to solve, but rarely had the opportunity to generate my own assignments. I’ve also always loved how games bring people together in convivial ways, sometimes in collaboration and sometimes in competition, but always leading to conversation and positive interaction, much like how our public art projects function. I’ve always especially loved strategy games and realize how they have taught me about complex problem solving and have informed my approach to design in general. I decided to try my hand at inventing abstract strategy games and began to think of the tabletop as a new kind of ‘public space’. I would adapt the skills I have developed inventing large scale interactive sculptures to a small scale, portable medium. READ MORE...
Cartoon Lovers, Lexophiles & People in Need of a Smile!
Cartoon of the Week: Thank you to the person who wishes to remain anonymous for the funny cartoon this week!
Lexophile Lovers: "This girl today said she recognized me from the Vegetarians Club, but I'd swear I've never met herbivores." Thank you, Jerry Cleary for sharing with our readers!
Memorable Quotes:
"You better live every day like your last because one day you're going to be right." -Ray Charles
"People waste their time pondering whether a glass is half empty or half full. Me, I just drink whatever’s in the glass." -Sophia Petrillo, “The Golden Girls”
Toy Industry Word of Day: Frankenstein If you can think of a toy/game industry word not in our POPDictionary, add it and we will connect it to you POP profile, feature it here in an upcoming week and on POP's homepage!
Have a cartoon, quote or a joke to share with your colleagues? Send it to me! Mary
Financial and Legal
California’s Civil Rights Department reached a settlement with Activision Blizzard late last week, two years after the state regulator brought a lawsuit alleging gender discrimination, pay inequities and a culture of sexual harassment at the video game company. Activision Blizzard, which publishes hit games like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft, agreed to pay $54 million and committed to implementing measures...
AI cannot be patent 'inventor', UK Supreme Court rules in landmark case. A U.S. computer scientist on Wednesday lost his bid to register patents over inventions created by his artificial intelligence system in a landmark case in Britain about whether AI can own patent rights.
Stephen Thaler wanted to be granted two patents in the UK for inventions he says were devised by his "creativity machine" called DABUS.
Bobby Kotick, the longtime CEO of video game powerhouse Activision Blizzard, will resign on Dec. 29. The move follows the company’s acquisition by Microsoft, which closed in October for $68 billion after a long fight with federal regulators. It also comes just 5 days after the company agreed to pay $54 million to settle a massive employment discrimination and equal pay lawsuit filed by the state of California.
*** The above posted after December 15th ***
Hasbro Reveals Plans to Cut 1,100 Employees, Close Providence Office. The toy titan continues facing off against a challenging retail environment by pulling the one lever that no company wants to. “The market headwinds we anticipated have proven to be stronger and more persistent than planned,” wrote Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks in the letter to his staff. “While we’re confident in the future of Hasbro, the current environment demands that we do more, even if these choices are some of the hardest we have to make.”
Toy manufacturer Haba is cutting around 500 jobs As part of a realignment, employees will be offered the opportunity to be taken on by a transfer company. Mario Wilhelm, MD of Haba Familygroup, announced this on Tuesday. The term of the transfer company should therefore be six months. In the future, around 1,000 people will be employed at the traditional company's headquarters in Bad Rodach, Upper Franconia.
Epic win: Jury decides Google has illegal monopoly in app store fight. The jury decided Google’s sweetheart deals were too much. 3 yrs after Fortnite-maker Epic Games sued Apple and Google for allegedly running illegal app store monopolies, Epic has a win. The jury in Epic v. Google has delivered its verdict — and it found that Google turned its Google Play app store and Google Play Billing service into an illegal...
The European Union agreed on the details of the AI Act, a far-reaching set of rules for the people building and using artificial intelligence. It’s a milestone law that, lawmakers hope, will create a blueprint for the rest of the world. After mos. of debate about how to regulate companies like OpenAI, lawmakers from the EU’s three branches of government—the Parliament, Council, and Commission—spent more than...
Insomniac Games hacked, blackmailed with doxxing and game leaks. Longtime Sony developer Insomniac Games has been hacked, and the culprit is threatening to divulge information on its future projects. First reported by Cyberdaily, a ransomware attack resulted in a security breach at the Marvel's Spider-Man 2 studio. Along with in-progress screenshots and concept art of its Wolverine game, personal information...
Valve accuses law firm of "targeted extortion" in new lawsuit. Valve is taking a small law firm to court, alleging it's being targeted by the firm with exploitative extortion tactics. According to Reuters, the Steam maker has filed a lawsuit in federal court saying law firm Zaiger has threatened the Steam maker with bringing arbitration cases of antitrust violations filed by 50,000 Steam users.
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Financial Reporting
The Character Group has announced its results for the year ended 31st August 2023. After a strong second half, the group delivered a profit before tax of £4.7m on a turnover for the year of £122.6m (2022: £176.4m).
Global Box Office: ‘Wonka’ Wins Weekend With Sweet $43.2M Overseas Opening
‘The Boy and the Heron’ and ‘Godzilla Minus One’ break box office records Animation great Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” took the top spot, earning a record-breaking $12.8 million for its opening weekend... It’s the first original anime film ever to top the domestic box office chart.
Ghostbusters ‘Two in the Box’ HasLab crosses final stretch goal, exceeds 20,000 backers.
Generation Media looks at key Digital trends for marketers. Emilie Flanders writes that 2022 was the first year that the scales tipped in favor of Digital investment when it comes to Toys and Games UK ad spend.
ITV’s This Morning features retro toys for Christmas. The segment reported that, despite a raft of innovation in the current toy market, more and more people are going back to the old toys they used to know and love.
Zigazoo Kids polls reveal their favorite TOTY Awards toys before the Holidays. The trailblazing platform leveraged its new market intelligence solution, polling kids on Zigazoo to share their preferences on this year’s standout toys based on TOTY Awards panelist picks for 2023.
Trends, Lists, Market Research, and State of the Industry
Barbie, Hot Wheels and Lego set to be Christmas 2023 best-selling toys: Euromonitor International
The Strategist - Coolest, Weirdest, and Squishiest Toys of 2023
Predicting the future with cookie cutters. Every year, the holiday season is a boon for the cookie cutter industry; gingerbread men and Christmas trees are annual classics. But the industry’s biggest company, Ann Clark, has succeeded in part by anticipating less obvious trends.
In the spring, the company sold lots of guitar and musical-note shapes as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour took off. By the summer, the company was ready for Barbie mania with lipsticks and convertible cars
TOP COMICS BUSINESS STORIES OF 2023
***The above posted after December 15th ***
Wednesday and PAW Patrol were among Netflix’s most-viewed titles in 2023
ToysRus expects Indian market to be among the top 5 in next 4-5 years
TOP 20 GRAPHIC NOVELS - NOVEMBER 2023
From the ToyBook Editor: No, Toys are NOT Cheaper Than They Were 30 Years Ago. The average price of a toy increased 42% since 1993.
Hollywood’s Top Dealmakers of 2023. Strikes? What strikes? From big podcasting paydays to the luxe French conglomerate that snapped up CAA, Hollywood still saw major deals in 2023, and these are the 35 playmakers who made them happen.
The Biggest Hollywood Winners and Losers of 2023: From Margot Robbie to Marvel. A brutally honest rundown of who had the best and worst year in entertainment.
The 2024 License Global toy forecast. According to data analysts Research and Markets, the global toy market is set to generate over $150 billion worldwide by 2028, growing steadily with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%. Licensing International forecasts that licensed toys will play a critical role in that growth, generating 12% ($42.7 billion) of the total reported worldwide licensing revenue of $340.8 billion in 2022.
Stories, Comments, and Advice
Reading Print Is Better for Kids’ Comprehension Than Digital Text: Study. Published in the Review of Educational Research, the study found a near-zero (0.05) relationship between the frequency of reading digital texts for leisure and comprehension of that text. For the printed word, that same relationship was much higher, between 0.30 and 0.40. “This means, for example, that if a student spends 10 hrs reading books on paper...
Brian Fried - "Year-End Inventor's Essentials: December's Insightful Newsletter!" What Areas are Important for Inventors to Consider?
Licensing - Licensing is another area of consideration for inventors. Licensing is going to a manufacturer with distribution and adding your product to their product line. Keep in mind manufacturers are interested in unique items that will diversify their product offering and...
The Personal, Political Art of Board-Game Design. What can board games say that other art forms can’t? After visiting the store, Amabel and her wife, Mary Holland, played a few board games, and eventually Amabel tried designing one. She’d spent years creating music, comics, and films without attracting much of an audience, and had felt some despair about her artistic work. But Amabel, who is autistic, thinks about the world...
Seven Things We Learned Analyzing 515 Million Wordles. Maybe it’s time to say goodbye to ADIEU? Many, many words have been written about the best opening word for Wordle. Answering this question was, in fact, one of the motivations behind WordleBot’s development. In its robot brain, a handful of words — SLATE, CRANE, TRACE — are given the bot’s seal of approval as leading to the solution in the fewest guesses...
Santa Claus has appeared on U.S. currency. The U.S. and its currency seem inseparably linked, but for much of the country’s history, an official, standardized U.S. dollar didn’t exist. In its place was a Wild West of currencies from competing banks located across several states. In their zeal to earn goodwill and customers, a few of these institutions even minted some rather creative banknotes. These bills didn’t feature the chiseled...
Why reindeer have blue eyes in the winter. Rudolph does not need to use his famous red nose to guide his fellow reindeer as the animals have a special form of night vision that they use to forage for food, scientists have concluded. Researchers looked into why the species are the only mammals whose eyes change colour depending on the season, from golden-orange in summer to a blue hue in the winter months.
Ryan Tuchow, Kidscreen’s News Editor, lays out why Netflix's Everything Now is a must-see teen series, and what he's keeping an eye on heading into next year. A lot of people in the industry know I have a particular love for Australian teen/YA series. And I don’t know whether it’s the accents, the beautiful coasts or the stunning surfing—but I have fallen hard for Netflix series Surviving Summer.
Are you looking for a way to enhance your customers’ experience? If so, ChatGPT may be just what you need. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to get started with ChatGPT and how to integrate it into your existing website. We’ll also provide an overview of the basics of ChatGPT so that you can make the most out of its features. Finally, we’ll show you how ChatGPT can help you automate interactions and leverage analytics...
4 Ways to Use AI to Improve Customer Loyalty. If you want your business to be a cut above the rest, you need to jump on the AI bandwagon. It is a great tool to enable user retention; doing it right could mean loyal customers for life. Here, we’ll look at four ways you can use it to improve customer loyalty.
*** The above posted after December 15th ***
E3 is dead. Is CES next? The biggest event on gaming's yearly calendar has given up its ghost. E3’s demise wasn’t exactly shocking, since it hasn’t held a live, in-person event since 2019. But the closure of such a high-profile event has some people wondering: Is CES, the electronics industry’s most high-profile event, next on the chopping block? I don’t think so. Let’s explore why.
6 board games and RPGs to play over Christmas, no matter what your holiday plans are. As the Ghost of Christmas Present says in The Muppet Christmas Carol: “Wherever you find love, it feels like Christmas.” We’re applying this warmhearted philosophy to the tabletop by providing you with a collection of recommendations for games to play over the holidays, so that regardless of where you are...
This chart shows a key reason why millennial parents are miserable. There's an economic reality to why kids today seem to have way more toys than we did: toys are way, way, way cheaper than they were 30 years ago. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks the Consumer Price Index, which is basically the inflation rate for different categories of goods and services, like education, medical care, housing, or groceries..
Rolling for Initiative -- Games Workshop woes and 'Disney Lorcana' sales slowing. The new preordering system Games Workshop implemented in November does not appear to have worked well for very long. The idea was to make sure stores knew how many copies of a new release they could expect to get.
History and Nostalgia
The Marx Toys story: The toymakers and their 'elves' made memories for children. Full-time and seasonal workers created, assembled and packaged thousands of toys, mainly for Christmas. From designing to assembling and packaging toys to handling human resources and payroll, employees knew that they were making memories for children worldwide. "I must be a Santa Claus by heart, because I really enjoyed working...
*** The above posted after December 15th ***
Polly Pocket from RoseArt (1994). Published by RoseArt in 1994, the Polly Pocket party game appealed to fans of the tiny Polly Pocket figures and accessories created by Chris Wiggs and first released by Bluebird Toys in 1989. The object of the game was to visit four parties, deliver a present, collect a balloon, and be the first player home.
Cassette Movie Projector from Kenner (1973). For budding cinephiles in the 1960s & ’70s, Kenner rolled out a whole host of toys for watching movies and cartoons of popular characters of the day. This included a slew of film-based offerings, such as the Give-a-Show Projector, Movie Viewer, Real Sound Movie Projector, Easy-Show Movie Projector, Super Show Projector, Screen-A-Show Projector...
Licensing and Entertainment
Tinka‘s global quest expands with APC Kids. France's Canal+ and Canada's Téléquébec have acquired the latest season of this fantasy series from Denmark. Copenhagen’s Cosmo Film produces Tinka, which premiered on Denmark’s TV2 in 2019. It stars a half-pixie, half-human teenage girl who goes on enchanted quests, such as finding a Christmas star.
Netflix is reportedly in development on a spin-off from its supernatural comedy horror series Wednesday, based around Fred Armisen’s character of Uncle Fester. The streamer is said to be holding discussions ahead of the second season of Wednesday going into production in April 2024. The show, starring Jenna Ortega, is based on Charles Addams’ iconic The Addams Family, and was one of the streamer’s most...
Disney has a Christmas surprise for Rick Riordan fans: “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” has launched on Disney+ and Hulu early, one night ahead of its scheduled Dec. 20 premiere. This is the second update Disney has made to the show’s release strategy: Last week, it was announced that the first episode of the series would debut on Hulu as well as Disney+ and would remain streaming through Jan. 31.
Games Workshop has struck a deal with Amazon to develop Warhammer 40,000 into films and television series. In a deal being described by analysts as a 'game changer' for Games Workshop, the tabletop game manufacturer said it would work with the tech behemoth for 12 months to 'agree creative guidelines' for prospective productions. Amazon has also gained merchandising rights and a license to option the...
*** The above posted after December 15th ***
Kindle Entertainment is all aboard an Adventures on Trains adaptation. The UK book series, which has sold more than 200,000 copies in its domestic market alone, is set to become a film series. A new kidlit adaptation is coming down the tracks. Banijay Kids & Family’s Kindle Entertainment studio has bought the rights to adapt the children’s book series Adventures on Trains as a package of family-friendly films.
McFarlane Toys signs multi-brand licensing agreement with Hasbro. McFarlane Toys has announced an exciting, multi-brand licensing agreement with leading toy and game company Hasbro, adding Transformers, Power Rangers, G.I. Joe and Dungeons & Dragons to their Page Punchers line-up. Kicking off with Transformers and G.I. JOE products, each Page Puncher will include a full comic book and 2 articulated figures.
Morrison Entertainment Group (MEG) is gearing up to bring its ’90s collectible toy line Monster in My Pocket to life as a live-action TV series, partnering with Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s Westbrook Studios (Cobra Kai, Bel-Air) and Altar Rock Pictures (founded by former Hasbro president Brian Goldner). Mattel alums Joe Morrison and John Weems launched the Monster in My Pocket brand with Matchbox in 1990.
Mattel Films reveals ‘American Girl’ movie. A live-action film inspired by the American Girl doll line is in the works. American Girl will be distributed by Paramount Pictures and produced by Mattel Films, Paramount Pictures, and Temple Hill Entertainment. Lindsey Anderson Beer (Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, Sierra Burgess is a Loser) will write the screenplay and produce. Including American Girl, Mattel Films has 14 live-action...
YuMe Toys secures EMEA deal with Sanrio for Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary. YuMe Toys has announced it is set to launch a Hello Kitty range in 2024 to commemorate Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary. The range will hit shelves across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in spring.
Oh Baby! Games launches ‘Oh Baby Kart’ racing game with ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ characters. Oh Baby! Games is launching its debut game Oh Baby Kart, in partnership with SpongeBob SquarePants. Oh Baby Kart is a cross-platform, multiplayer racing game that features more than 20 characters and 26 courses.
Hong Kong’s first ‘Care Bears Express’ Christmas train sets off at Langham Place. This Christmas, Langham Place, in partnership with the iconic toy platform kkplus, is delighted to announce the launch of a groundbreaking festive experience with Cloudco Entertainment’s Care Bears property.
CAMP launches ‘Trolls’ musical immersive experience. CAMP 5th Avenue in New York City has launched a ‘Trolls’ experience for kids following the release of Trolls Band Together in theaters last month. At Trolls x CAMP, kids can play and explore Bergen Town, Vacay Island, and Pop Village during a one-of-a-kind musical adventure that plops them right into the movie.
WildBrain’s Strawberry Shortcake embraces the Holidays with new activations, partnerships. WildBrain CPLG is known for its children’s entertainment content, and the timeless Strawberry Shortcake is no exception. In the toy space, The Loyal Subjects has launched a line of new collectibles available at Five Below stores in the U.S. as well as a Strawberry Shortcake ragdoll.
DeAPlaneta Entertainment, Bandai Namco launch ‘Milo’ toys in Europe. Toys from the preschool series Milo are arriving in British and Spanish toy shops and supermarkets just in time for the holidays. DeAPlaneta Entertainment and Bandai Namco have teamed up to bring a varied range of Milo toys to the U.K. and Spain.
Anime, Kaiju break box office records; 'Stranger Things S5' to restart production; 'Stray Dogs' attaches Gary Dauberman; 'Spider-Man Noir’ adds co-showrunner; 'Roboforce: The Animated Series' show open and 'Crisis on Infinite Earths Part 1' trailer. It's mid-holiday season and the showbiz news is still merrily rolling in. Time for a round-up! Two Japanese films broke U.S. box office records this weekend.
Zynga and Warner Bros. Pictures bring ‘Wonka’ to ‘Words With Friends’. Zynga, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive and creator of interactive entertainment, has announced a collaboration with Warner Bros. Pictures to feature the holiday film, “Wonka,” in multiple Zynga games, including its online game franchise, “Words With Friends.”
Crunchyroll levels up with the highly-anticipated Anime based on the Korean manhwa “Solo Leveling”. Crunchyroll, in collaboration with Aniplex, announced today that the eagerly awaited anime adaptation of the Korean manhwa sensation, Solo Leveling, will make its global debut on Crunchyroll’s streaming platform on January 6, 2024 and will reach viewers across 200 territories.
Kidz Toyz introduces new musical instrument line featuring beloved Sesame Street characters. Toy innovator, Kidz Toyz, is teaming up with Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit organization, to introduce a new line of musical instrument featuring favorite characters like, Elmo, Big Bird, Tango, Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby,
Pat Avenue launches new Gabby’s Dollhouse range. Hama and Gabby’s Dollhouse join forces to present a new licensed lineup that is available now, exclusively from Pat Avenue UK. Arts and crafts brand Hama and the popular DreamWorks pre-school television series Gabby’s Dollhouse have announced a partnership that is only available through Pat Avenue UK.
WildBrain secures new licensing deals for Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ Products include toys, apparel, home goods, and more. With the holidays right around the corner, Christmas intellectual properties (IP) have the perfect opportunity to pursue new licensing deals. WildBrain CPLG has secured licensing deals with a variety of brands for Dr. Seuss Enterprises’ beloved Christmas classic...
Paddington: Stage musical adapted from books and films set for 2025. A new Paddington musical is being developed for the stage, with McFly's Tom Fletcher set to write the music and lyrics. The show will be adapted from the original books written by Michael Bond and the popular film series. Workshops are currently taking place to develop the project, which is set to open in the UK in 2025.
Jumping with Jakks. The toy brand is everywhere – and for good reason. It’s not an understatement to say that JAKKS Pacific (and their costume division, Disguise) is everywhere. This year alone, the toy company signed deals to distribute toys for the upcoming “Sonic the Hedgehog” film, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and “The Little Mermaid.”
Legend has it that University Games would be the company to challenge one of the most devout legions of fans with a new and different brain teaser. The company announced the nationwide availability of a set of uniquely designed cast metal Hanayama The Legend of Zelda puzzles. Craig Hendrickson, SVP Product Development at University Games, said, “The Legend of Zelda is one of the most successful...
Snoop Dogg’s ‘Doggyland’ launches on HappyKids. Future Today, via its ad-supported kids’ streaming platform HappyKids, has added Doggyland, the 3D animated series created by Snoop Dogg, October London, and Claude Brooks, to its programming. The animated series follows a diverse group of colorful, singing dogs.
Heathside Trading, Toho International ink licensing agreement for Godzilla. Make way for the King of the Monsters. Toho International, the Japanese studio’s U.S.-based subsidiary, has inked a licensing agreement with Heathside Trading and its Khadou Brand for Godzilla merchandise.
People of Play
It’s safe to say we can never get (K)enough of Ryan Gosling’s Ken from Barbie. Gosling, along with Barbie composers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, have unveiled Ken The EP just in time for the holidays. The EP features the original “I’m Just Ken” from the record-breaking Barbie movie as well as three new versions including “I’m Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie),” “I’m Just Ken (In My Feelings Acoustic)” and “I’m Just Ken...
DeAPlaneta taps former McD’s exec to head up kids franchises and marketing. Estíbaliz González will develop new marketing campaigns to build profile for DeAPlaneta's kids brands worldwide, starting with Milo, Monster Shaker and Hero Inside. Prior to joining DeAPlaneta, González worked for four years at Spanish toyco Bizak, where she oversaw licensed product lines. And she spent a year as a marketing brand lead...
Toying around with toymaker Eddy Goldfarb. If you had a toy or game in the last 70+ years that you really loved, there's a decent chance you've got toy inventor Eddy Goldfarb to thank for it. And at age 102, he is still creating. Correspondent Luke Burbank sat down with Goldfarb, who says he was too busy inventing Yakity-Yak wind-up chattering teeth, or games like Ker Plunk, to be able to play them himself; and with Goldfarb's...
*** The above was posted after December 15th ***
Spin Master selects David Voss as its Executive Vice President, Global Toy Design and Development. Spin Master, the global children’s entertainment company, has appointed David Voss as Executive Vice President, Global Toy Design and Development. Voss will fill the newly created position next month at Spin Master’s Los Angeles office.
Penguin Ventures appoints Jess Houston for UK hardlines business. Penguin Ventures, the licensing and consumer products team within Penguin Random House Children’s UK, has appointed Jess Houston as Senior Category Manager, UK Hardlines. Houston, who is joining Penguin Ventures from Aardman Animations, will report to Commercial Director, David Sprei...
Hasbro Toys, Moose Toys alum joins Cepia Toys as head of sales for North America. Family-owned toy maker Cepia Toys has tapped a newcomer to the company to take on its head of sales for North America position. Leslie Peck, a 15-year toy industry veteran with experience in both retail and manufacturing, has been named to the position and will “bring a wealth of experience and insights,” per a release...
Xplore Distribution welcomes Kevin Griffiths. Kevin has joined the Xplore Distribution team as National Account manager for the toy division, as the company continues to expand its presence in the toy market. Kevin Griffiths brings with him a wealth of experience within the industry working for the likes of Funko and Ickle Bubba.
Lois Stewart joins the Plus-Plus team. Plus-Plus has announced the appointment of Lois Stewart as national account manager, Plus-Plus UK and Ireland. Lois joined on 27th November and brings a wealth of experience to her new role of managing all major retail accounts across the UK and Ireland.
Montreal-based software developer Toon Boom Animation has named former Corus Entertainment exec Colin Bohm as its new CEO. Bohm’s appointment comes in the wake of NY-based investment firm IMG purchasing the software developer from Corus for US$112.4 million in July. Since it opened in 1994, Toon Boom’s products have been licensed to clients in more than 150 countries, including Disney...
Warner Bros. Discovery has upped Vanessa Brookman to GM of kids, global streaming and international networks. Her expanded remit now includes developing global kids content franchises, and she will oversee both originals and commissions/acquisitions for this demo. Based in London, Brookman still reports to president of international Gerhard Zeiler, and she will also work closely with Michael Ouweleen...
In Conversation: Jeff Kinney. Diary of a Wimpy Kid's multi-hyphenate creator sits down with Kidscreen to share some tips and tricks for nailing the page-to-screen translation. When it comes to a middle-schooler’s bookshelf, few 21st-century titles can hold a candle in terms of longevity to Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Toy analyst and historian Chris Byrne answers the internet's burning questions about the toys. Do kids still play with action figures or are adult collectors fueling the industry? How did the pet rock become such a hot trend? What's his favorite toy fad? This toy expert answers all these questions and much more.
Fun and games: Jordan Goddard, owner of Indy Toy Lab named Innovator of the Year. In 2015, Jordan Goddard decided he wanted to create a special gift for the birthday of a team member who loved two pastimes: board games and prepping for the end of the world. So, Goddard enlisted his wife Mandy to help create a game. They ended up putting the game on Kickstarter. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Toynamics appoints new agents to support indie sector. Toynamics UK & Ireland has appointed two new sales agents to increase its reach in the North of England and Scotland. Des Docherty will take responsibility for Scotland and Ian Rice will cover the North of England. Toynamics UK & Ireland is dedicated to enriching the lives of children by delivering a wide portfolio of toys and games,...
Wow! Stuff appoints Tony White, Valerie Leuzy to sales team. Wow! Stuff has brought on two new additions to its sales force. The toy company has selected Tony White as its General Sales Manager and Valerie Leuzy as the Head of European Sales. Leuzy will report to White, and both will attend Speilwarenmesse next month.
Companies and Brands
Zev Shlasinger, Stephen Buonocore, and various industry all-stars launched Play to Z, a new hobby board game publisher. After leaving WizKids in June 2023, Shlasinger has resurfaced as the President and COO on this new venture. He is joined by Buonocore, former President of Stronghold Games, who will serve as the company's Chairman of the Board. Also joining Play to Z are a number of games industry all-stars...
Step inside the secretive world of toymakers. Toy industry faces tough year, with three-quarters of Canadians cutting back spending. At a $2-billion toy company in downtown Toronto, kindergarteners file in with parents and siblings, clad in snowsuits and ready to offer their expertise. They pass a toy museum decked out with Paw Patrol toys, Tech Decks, Bakugan and more, and eventually arrive at a...
*** The above posted after December 15th ***
Playmobil will kick off the celebrations for its 50th Anniversary at London Toy Fair in January, as Join the Party campaign commences. The world is invited to ‘Get ready to party with Playmobil!’ The iconic toy brand is turning 50 and will be celebrating at London Toy Fair – and toy retailers from all over the country are invited to join in on the fun.
Sega Rebooting Retro Franchises Including Crazy Taxi and Streets of Rage as Gaming Corp Eyes Hollywood Expansion. The Japanese gaming giant announced the new initiative, which will “revive a number of IPs as all-new video games, developed for today’s audiences,” Dec. 7 at the Game Awards. Sega also showed the LAbaudience a trailer that previews footage of the new games, which are currently in development.
Sesame Workshop forms Research, Education, Data, and Impact department. Sesame Workshop has realigned its education functions into the new Research, Education, Data, and Impact (REDI) department. The new department will consolidate Sesame Workshop’s larger community of educators.
MGA ranges selling out fast. With Christmas fast approaching, MGA Entertainment continues its strong position in the global toy market this holiday season. With Rainbow High the top fashion doll around the world and MGA’s Miniverse the No. 1 item in miscellaneous toys, both in November, according to Circana, the company is expecting to sell out of several items globally prior to Christmas...
Kess Entertainment will release 'Sonic Roll'. Kess Entertainment will release Sonic Roll, a new high-speed dice game, into retail in Q1 2024. In this game, players take on the role of Sonic the Hedgehog and his friends as they travel through Zones from classic Sega game. It is a cooperative game where the goal is to save woodland creatures from the clutches of the evil Dr. Eggman.
Curio launches AI-generated plush toys. The new toys can have full conversations with kids thanks to AI technology. Curio is hopping on the artificial intelligence (AI) toy train, with new plush offerings that can hold full conversations. Curio, a new technology toy brand, is launching three plush AI products in partnership with Canadian artist Grimes as the voice of one of the AI characters as well as an investor and advisor.
Cra-Z-Art celebrates 100 years of its Roseart brand. Cra-Z-Art, a prime manufacturer in the U.S.A and leader in trendy toy, activity, art and school supply products, is proud to celebrate the 100th year of its RoseArt brand. RoseArt was founded in 1923 by Isador Rosen and eventually led by Lawrence and Jeffrey Rosen, the third generation of the family.
'El Grande' returns to the tabletop. Hans im Gluck will release a new edition of El Grande, a classic board game, into U.S. retail via Asmodee on January 12, 2024. El Grande, designed by Wolfgang Kramer and Richard Ulrich, was first published in 1995 and won the Spiel des Jahres in 1996. The game is set in 15th-century Spain, where players assume the roles of Grandes.
The ultimate psychoanalyzing party game, ‘Think Like a Shrink’, launches on Amazon. Put your psychoanalyzing skills to the test with the newly launched Think Like a Shrink, available for purchase today on Amazon. Brought to you by the innovative card game company Two Docs in a Box, Think Like a Shrink is the brainchild of two best friends – a psychologist, Dr. David Stone and a psychiatrist, Dr. Matt Keene...
Become the best barista during the 'Coffee Rush'. Asmodee will release Coffee Rush, a new game from Korea Board Games, which will hit retail on January 5, 2024. In Coffee Rush, players assume the roles of baristas attempting to complete customer orders to increase their ratings. They move an ingredient board looking to acquire ingredients needed to fulfill orders.
Trends UK to distribute Original Stomp Rocket. Trends UK has announced a distribution deal for the Original Stomp Rocket, the market-leading foam toy rocket launcher with over 30 years of quality and expertise. The company says an exciting portfolio of Original Stomp Rocket sets will be available from March 2024, empowering kids to run, jump and stomp, blasting missiles up to 400 ft into the air.
Wilton Bradley unveils 10th anniversary range for Xootz. The best-selling Xootz brand is unleashing new products to celebrate a decade of wheeled fun, including ride-ons, skateboards and scooters. Xootz, Wilton Bradley’s dynamic wheeled toy brand that’s dedicated to encouraging outdoor play, is preparing to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2024.
Wild Republic ushers in new era of sustainable toys. The new biodegradable toy line features playsets and plush. Wild Republic is kicking off 2024 with a new commitment to sustainability. The company known for its nature- and wildlife-inspired toys and education has revealed a trailblazing biodegradable toy line.
This young adventurer is teaming up with Melissa & Doug for National Parks toys. Melissa & Doug is partnering with a kids that is sure to inspire kids to take on big adventures. Journey Castillo, a 3-year-old who became the youngest person to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks, is ready to show off the company’s collection of toys inspired by the beloved parks.
Synapses Games unveils two game titles, which will release into U.S. retail in 2024. The first of the two titles coming in 2024 is Tanuki, a card game featuring furry red pandas dressed up as gardeners, geishas, ninjas, and more. Players play Action or Character cards on their turn in an attempt to harvest bamboo from their garden.
Three Exploding Kittens games are heading to hobby retail. Exploding Kittens will release three new games into hobby retail in 2024. Hoppy Salmon is an seasonally-themed version of Happy Salmon, which was acquired by Exploding Kittens in 2021. The new version features new card art as well as some new actions.
Build-A-Bear launches new Sanrio characters. Build-A-Bear has released a trio of new Sanrio products under its Hello Kitty & Friends line. The latest additions include three fan-favorite characters as plush friends: My Melody, Pompompurin, and Kuromi. Pompompurin, the golden retriever, is featured with yellow fur and his signature brown beret.
Pudgy Penguins to launch Pudgy World. The game will offer open-world exploration, character customization, and more. Pudgy Penguins is known for its collection of NFT (non-fungible token) penguin characters. The brand has gone beyond digital NFTs with the introduction of toys and plush collectibles.
Games Workshop announces new 'Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team'. Games Workshop announced Salvation, a new Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team boxed set, which will hit preorder on December 23, 2023. The newest Kill Team showcases a series of skirmishes between the Space Marines and Aeldari. This set comes with two armies of 10 Space Marine Scouts and 10 Striking Scorpions.
Protect the flock with 'Sheep In Disguise'. Skybound Tabletop will release Sheep in Disguise, a strategic card game, into retail on March 2024. In this game, players need to build up their Flock and protect it from predators as well as opponents. The goal of the game is to collect Flocks of Sheep cards, which come is a variety of whimsical disguises, and keep them on their side of the play area.
'Battletech: Mercenaries Box Set' is heading to retail. Catalyst Game Labs will release BattleTech: Mercenaries Box Set into retail in Q2 2024. This set was first launched onto Kickstarter via a livestream at Adepticon 2023. The Kickstarter ended up raising a whopping $7,549,241 from 23,654 (about $319 per backer), further pushing the BattleTech Renaissance to greater heights.
A classic kids’ game inspires new Toikido, Moonbug entertainment’s show. A full line of toys for the show is also coming! Toikido and Moonbug Entertainment are joining forces to create PeaKeeBoo, a new animated series for preschoolers. PeaKeeBoo is named after the chilhood game staple peek-a-boo and features sounds and images of nature alongside a cast of charming new characters.
Step2 releases new sleds in time for winter season. The Push Around Sled ($79.99) is perfect for a safe and comfortable adventure. It comes with a molded seat and built-in handles that kids can hang on to for stability, while adults can push the wide, easy-grip handle. The grooves on the sled bottom easily move over any amount of snow, from many inches to just a dusting.
Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development
Christmas classic Elf is coming to Roblox, with help from the movie’s director. For Elf’s 20th anniversary, a whole bunch of Elf stuff is happening. Continuing a big year for Christmas-themed games in 2023 is Roblox; the game platform is getting a new experience based on Jon Favreau’s holiday comedy Elf, developers announced Wednesday.
*** The above posted after December 15th ***
Xbox considering free (with ads) Game Pass tier. According to Tweaktown, part of Xbox's plans to grow out its Game Pass service in different regions of the world may involve implementing ads. At the recent Wells Fargo TMT Summit, CFO Tim Stuart revealed Microsoft was considering ways to get its service to players in developing regions.
Netflix Games is working on a Squid Game video game spinoff. Netflix's popular K-drama Squid Game is expanding into video games. While not much on it is currently known, the confirmed, it'll exist in the same continuity as the show. In it, players will "compete with others in games from the hit series."
D&D title Baldur’s Gate 3 rolls a critical at The Game Awards, scooping up six accolades. The Dungeons & Dragons video game Baldur’s Gate 3 took home six trophies from last night’s Game Awards. An official D&D video game, Baldur’s Gate 3 is the third in a trilogy of titles set within The Forgotten Realms setting of the tabletop roleplaying game.
Highlighted Press Releases
GUESS WHO RING’D IN THE NEW YEAR EARLY? Tweens Let Their Fingers Do The Talking With 2024’s Watchitude® Reversible Silicone Rings Launching Two Weeks Ahead Of Schedule. New Brunswick, NJ (December 12, 2023) – If kids have a little allowance or Christmas cash saved up, they’re sure to head to their local toy store or go online to buy the just-launched Ring’d 4-pack ($12) by Watchitude®. The reversible silicone rings with simple messages such as Stop/Go, Dance/Cheer and OMG/LOL let tweens express themselves without uttering a word. The colorful one-size-fits-all ring can be had, one at a time, for just $5. They’re sure to be the cool, must-have accessory this winter!
Safety and Counterfeiting
The U.S. consumer protection authority warned people to immediately stop using Chinese seller Doraemon's magnetic ball sets, after its loose, hazardous magnets resulted in seven deaths from ingestion. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) determined that the Doraemon Dovfun Suit Magnetic Ball Sets contained one or more magnets that were smaller and stronger than permitted under federal...
*** The above posted after December 15th ***
Amazon, Target and Walmart to stop selling potentially deadly water beads marketed to kids. Major retailers including Amazon, Target and Walmart will stop selling water beads marketed to children amid calls for a ban on the colorful, water-absorbing balls sold as toys that can be potentially lethal if swallowed.
BBB warns of scams while looking for this season’s hot toys. Every year, there are always a few “must-have” toys on most children’s holiday wish lists. The hot toy sells out fast and becomes expensive and hard to find. The desperation to get them that item they really want can lead us to fall victim to scams. You can’t find it in a store, so you go online and do a search. You find a site that claims to have that hot toy available.
Parent and consumer groups warn against 'naughty tech toys'. Virtual reality headsets, online gaming platform memberships and mini robots are cropping up on many must-have gift lists for kids this holiday season. But some parent and consumer support groups say these tech-driven toys are not safe for play.
New York State Department of Health recognizes National Safe Toys and Gifts Month. The New York State Department of Health recognizes December as National Safe Toys and Gifts Month and urges people to check toys for safety and age-appropriateness before giving them to children.
Associations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals
Licensing International and the Licensing International Foundation celebrated the induction of Pam Kaufman, Cindy Levitt, and Carole Postal to the Licensing International Hall of Fame. Held at Gotham Hall in New York City and hosted by CBS Saturday Morning co-host Dana Jacobson, the 2023 Hall of Fame Induction and Rising Star Awards event also honored the future of brand licensing, recognizing Rising Stars...
Disney was the biggest winner at this weekend’s Children & Family Emmy Awards, taking home a total of 23 awards, including 10 for content on Disney+ and Disney Channel. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences’ (NATAS) kids awards ceremony was split up over two nights in LA, with a focus on creative arts/technical achievement on December 16, and programming and talent on December 17.
WiT welcomes new leadership Jan. 1, Ehi Oviasu-Kahn will take over Chairwoman of the Board duties from Janice Ross, whose role as President ends this year. Oviasu-Kahn will be joined by 4 new board members, each starting Jan. 1 and serving 3 yrs. The new board members include Aneisha Veira, Global Brand Director, ZURU; DeeDee Wright-Ward, Founder and CEO, Purpose Toys; Gena Lavallee, ViP, Sales and Marketing, Make It Real; and Julien Sharp, GM, U.S., Asmodee.
Golden Globes 2024 Nominations: ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ in Front. “Barbie” led the nominations with nine, followed by “Oppenheimer” with eight. In the television categories, “Succession” had the most with nine. o many, the Golden Globe Awards are a perfect example of Hollywood’s two faces. In public, the entertainment capital plays along: It’s an honor just to be nominated, giggle tee-hee, this event is an...
The Children’s Media Foundation is planning to host a new event in London next March for UK buyers, producers and policymakers looking to generate solutions to industry challenges such as the kids content funding crisis and discoverability. This Children’s Media Summit is tentatively scheduled for March 24, and CMF editorial director Greg Childs has been laying the groundwork for it since the fall.
Kidscreen’s Hot50 revealed. PBS KIDS made Hot50 history in broadcasting, while Cheeky Little Media, Titmouse, Headspace and Banijay Kids & Family joined our annual rankings for the first time. See who else was voted in! From Hollywood’s dual strikes, to deep content cuts in streaming, the kids entertainment industry had much more to grapple with in 2023 than usual.
Spin Master Holds Annual Caring & Sharing Event to Support Children’s Breakfast Clubs. The event was co-hosted by Liberty Entertainment Group in Toronto. More than 300 Spin Master employees and Liberty Entertainment Group volunteers welcomed more than 1,200 students from the Children’s Breakfast Clubs-affiliated schools at the Liberty Grand entertainment complex for the annual event.
Brands and Buyers Prepare for Dallas Total Home & Gift Market 2024. Buyer registration and hotel reservations are trending up and demand for exhibit space is strong for the upcoming Dallas Total Home & Gift Market taking place January 10-16. The first trade event of the new year will welcome retail decision makers from around the world to experience hundreds of new brands and collections...
Eminem, LEGO and a Big Bang: How Fortnite Ushered in a New Era With an Epic Live Event. On Dec. 2, Epic Games hosted its biggest live event ever, inviting players to participate in its very own Big Bang and create the Fortnite world anew. In the roughly 11-minute interactive event, viewers watched on as a giant asteroid transferred its energy to the map and catalyzed a cataclysmic explosion.
Shaquille O’Neal Gifts Toys to Kids Through Annual Shaq-A-Claus Events. Shaq-A-Claus will spread cheer throughout Atlanta, Las Vegas, New Jersey, and Orlando this December. NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal is teaming up with multiple sponsors to bring toys, clothing, meals, and more to kids across the country this holiday season.
Licensing Expo highlights ‘Brands at Play’ as trade show evolution begins. “We want to reinvent by partnering with the industry not by telling the industry.” That statement, emphasis included, came down from the organizers of Licensing Expo as the cross-pollinating landscape of toys, games, and entertainment is evolving and the Global Licensing Group and Licensing International make moves to embrace...
E3: Once world's biggest gaming show permanently axed. The E3 gaming show, once the biggest event in the gaming calendar, has been permanently cancelled. In a statement, the organizers said: "After more than two decades of E3, each one bigger than the last, the time has come to say goodbye." It added: "Thanks for the memories. GGWP [good game well played]". .
RIP - Rest in Play - Remembering Those that have Passed
If you know of a colleague's passing, please send us information so we may share with our readers. Archives can be found HERE
Marlene Flumerfelt (the following is from Kirsten Anderson) - Dec 9th we had a beautiful celebration of life/funeral for Marlene Flumerfelt who we lost far too soon and suddenly. There were many people who knew and loved our dear friend Marleen that weren't aware of her passing or couldn't make it. Marleen was a generous soul who was continuously helping others and a famous fixture in the hashtag#Tsawwassen/Delta community for decades as "the toy lady" owner and founder (1993) of the community toy store Toys & Tech (more toys than tech).
Marleen has been an integral part of our T.O.Y.S. forever friends foursome for 25 years! In 1997 we cheekily called ourselves the T.O.Y.S - Totally Outrageous Young Successes. What started out as a buying group pretty much immediately turned into a deep and lasting friendship.
We shared many and regular travels, adventures, laughs, mischief, milestones, joys and sorrows. Dancing at Toy Fairs in TO & NY and ASTRA events. A Marlene shaped hole will remain in our hearts always.
*** The aobve posted after December 15th ***
Mark Kaplan (Neil Talbot shared this sad news) - We lost a toy industry veteran recently that we want to acknowledge. Born 9/15/44 in The Bronx, NY, died 8/25/23 in Tarpon Springs, FL. Mark was raised in Wantaugh, LI. He graduated from Hofstra University. He is a 40+ year veteran of the toy biz. An industry he loved. Mark started working at Times Square Stores then Enchanted Village where he met his dear wife, Monica. Then, Jamesway where he achieved the position of merchandise manager. He moved on to Ames where he achieved the position of VP of merchandise. A big hearted man, LOYAL to those few close to him and to those who reported to him. A tough exterior with a soft heart. He was a Big Yankee’s fan. He named his two cats Derek and Jeter. He leaves his wife Monica, 2 daughters and a sister.
Worldwide Magazines Weekly Top Stories
Added Friday Morning Chicago Time. Check Back for Complete Lists.
Toy Trade Monthly Issues
Adventure Media & Events (US)
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The Toy Book’s 2023 Innovation & STEAM Issue is Here! (The Toy Book)
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From the Editor: No, Toys are NOT Cheaper Than They Were 30 Years Ago (The Toy Book)
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Mattel Films Reveals Plans for 'American Girl' Movie (The Toy Book)
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Hasbro Reveals Plans to Cut 1,100 Employees, Close Providence Office (The Toy Book)
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Water Beads Under Fire Again as Retailers Face Pressure to Ban the Toys from Sale (The Toy Book)
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Backstory: RoseArt Celebrates 100 Years of Cra-Z Resilience (The Toy Book)
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McFarlane Toys, Hasbro Ink Multi-Brand Licensing Deal (The Toy Book)
aNb Media (US)
Will add Friday morning.
Toyworld (UK)
Licensing.biz Powered by Toyworld
ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture (US)
- 'BattleTech: Mercenaries Box Set' is Heading to Retail
- Rolling for Initiative -- Games Workshop Woes and 'Disney Lorcana' Sales Slowing
- Ultra Pro Unveils 'CardPreserver Protective Holders'
- Wizards of the Coast Updates Info for 'Magic: The Gathering - Murders at Karlov Manor' Release
- 'Dungeons & Dragons' Goes Postal
- Hasbro to Lay Off Another 1,100 Employees
- Wizards of the Coast Announces EventLink Updatesv
- 'Magic: The Gathering' 'Secret Lair x Doctor Who: Regeneration' Hits Preorder
- UVS Games Unveils 2024 Lineup
- Three Exploding Kittens Games Are Heading to Hobby Retail
Nación Juguetes (Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile & Spain)
The Bugg Report (Australia)
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BANTER TOYS INKS DISTRIBUTION DEAL TO RELAUNCH LITTLEST PET SHOP IN AUSTRALIA
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MGA ENTERTAINMENT AND CRAYOLA SIGN MULTI-YEAR LICENSING AGREEMENT
hobbyDB
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Crowdfunded Collectibles Projects from Comic Books to Action Figures
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History of the Inverted Jenny, the First $2 Million Dollar United States Stamp
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Every Amiibo Ever! Build and Track Your Collection's Value on hobbyDB
Kidscreen’s most-read stories of 2023
1. Moonbug awarded US$23 million in major copyright case by: Ryan Tuchow
2. FEATURE: An oral history of PAW Patrol by: Cole Watson and Sadhana Bharanidharan
3. Moonbug Entertainment lays off CoComelon staffers by: Cole Watson
4. Basic Fun! to relaunch Hasbro’s Littlest Pet Shop by: Cole Watson
5. Peacock unveils a Jurassic park LEGO special by: Sadhana Bharanidharan
6. Netflix, Disney leading the kids TV pack in LGBTQ representation by: Ryan Tuchow
7. And the 2023 Kidscreen Awards winners are… by: Jeremy Dickson
8. The Daily Wire launches a kids streaming app with originals and pick-ups by: Ryan Tuchow
9. Five predictions that could define the kids market in 2023 by: Ryan Tuchow
10. WildBrain workers move to form a union by: Ryan Tuchow
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Thank you for being a reader of the Bloom Report. — Mary and Graeme
Founding Editor and Publisher (1998-2020, Retired): Philip Bloom
We are honored to carry on Phil's 22 year legacy and continue the Bloom Report. Phil has been a mensch
and we've loved working with him. Here is a fun and interesting interview with Phil.
If you would like to reach Phil: philip.bloom100@verizon.net
Publisher: Mary Couzin, Chicago Toy & Game Group, Inc.
Managing Editor: Graeme Thomson
Assistant Editor: Patrick Fisher
Not only does the Bloom Report give you all the news you need to know...
we give you all the news you didn't know you needed to know!" -Phil Bloom
Do you have news to share? Send us a note! mary@chitag.com
