Toy & Game International Excellence Awards - the TAGIEs

Companies and Brands

 

Spin Master’s 2022 Looks Bright with Toys and Activities that Inspire Creators, Fuel Fandoms and Promote Inclusive Play. Spin Master is forecasting fun with the reveal of their toys, games and activities that will inspire children and their families around the globe this yr. Spin Master’s 2022 portfolio delivers innovation with new intellectual property, expansions within popular evergreen brands and a showstopping cast of...

 

9 Story Media Group and Karma’s World Entertainment are pleased to announce a first-of-its kind partnership with F.I.T., the Fashion Institute of Technology’s Design and Technology Lab (FIT DTech).  Inspired by the hit animated Netflix series Karma’s World – for which fashion is central to the brand DNA – FIT students designed a 50-piece fashion-forward children’s collection for licensing partners to incorporate across ...

 

Randimals, a new company out of Sun Valley, Idaho announced the launch of its new plush and hard Randimals toys. These loveable creatures embody the mantra, “What makes us different, makes all the difference in the world!”  Randimals are made up of two different animals, which means they are a unique blend of personalities, characteristics, instincts and skills.

 

Disney To Build New Residential Communities, First In Rancho Mirage, California. Disney will be building new master-planned communities called ‘Storyliving’ with the first to be developed in Rancho Mirage in California’s Coachella Valley. Other sites are under exploration “as more and more fans look for new ways to make Disney a bigger part of their lives,” the company said.

 

ViacomCBS has announced that the global media company change its name to Paramount Global (to be referred to as “Paramount”). The name change will be effective from 16th February, bringing together the company’s leading portfolio of premium entertainment properties under a new parent company name. In addition to the name change, the company has outlined plans to accelerate the global momentum behind...

 

NBCUniversal’s video streaming service Peacock is building out its animation lineup with six new kids titles.  The streamer has acquired DreamWorks series Megamind’s Guide to Defending Your City and Abominable and the Invisible City, both of which are follow-ups to animated feature films produced by the studio.  Peacock also ordered original preschool series Team Mekbots Animal Rescue and Dino Pops, and...

 

Lennox the Lamb, new from Douglas, is adorable in the palest of yellow creams. If neutral is your nursery theme, then this little one is the ideal choice. Going to a gender-neutral baby shower, choose Lennox. The ensemble combines the softest textured fabric with a soft wooly look and an adorable nursery themed print in neutral tones on a cream background. There are seven color coordinated pieces in this ensemble.

 

Singapore and UK-based animation co. Omens Studios has secured a deal with Singapore’s national public broadcaster MediaCorp for an additional 20 episodes of hit preschool series Leo the Wildlife Ranger (126 x 11’) and a further 40 episodes of Counting with Paula (340 x 11’). The first season has sold in over 50 countries globally, and the second season of the adventure series won Best Preschool Program at the Asian...

 

ZAG has established its first office in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to directly spearhead merchandising and licensing activities in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay for the company’s portfolio of “ZAG Heroez” brands, including the worldwide hit Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir and Ghostforce.  The new Buenos Aires’ office is headed by Melisa Fuhr, Director of Licensing and Retail for South America...

 

Connetix Tiles was created by two families that met when their kids started primary school together. They decided to create their own version of magnetic tiles that could help kids unlock creativity through educational play. Connetix Tiles feature clear refractions and vibrant colors that kids can use to build any structures they can think of, from castles and towers to animals and vehicles.

 

Barbie: The History and Legacy of the World’s Most Famous Doll. This might seem like an excessive amount of importance placed on a children's toy; but, in the over 50 yrs of her reign, Barbie has proven to be a near-constant cultural touchstone. The history of America's most iconic doll is embedded in American culture and the larger changes that have shaped the past half-century—including feminism, the civil rights...

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CRAZY AARON’S SHAPES NEW WAYS TO PLAY WHILE FOSTERING COMMUNITY, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES.  Crazy Aaron’s was a promotional products company for a decade. How did the company get its start and how did you transition it to be a major player in the toy industry? 
Aaron Muderick: Crazy Aaron’s began with me making my own putty and selling it to co-workers at the software consulting firm where I worked. 

 

***the above posted after February 11th***

 

Ravensburger invests in board game crowdfunding platform Gamefound.  The board game and puzzle company is investing four million euros (4.5m US$) in Polish start-up Gamefound. The international board game crowdfunding start-up is the first to receive funding from Ravensburger’s innovation and investment programme: Next Ventures

 

Introducing Israel-based Diamant Toys/Amav Enterprises, run by the third generation of the Diamant family and currently distributing to over 40 countries. While Omri Diamant, CEO of Diamant Toys, concedes it has been a challenging time for the collectibles sector during the pandemic, the company is on track for a great performance this year, with a portfolio of products which is proving to be hugely popular.

 

ADVENTERRA GAMES COMBINES ENVIRONMENTALISM AND PLAY.  Founded in 2009, Adventerra Games has made a name for itself with its eco-friendly games for kids. The brand focuses on hot-button topics like climate change, food waste, renewable energy, and more. The Toy Book caught up with France Mer, director of marketing for Adventerra Games NA, to chat about the company’s mission statements...

 

Spin Master and CMON Launch Third Marvel Kickstarter Game With $9 Million Pledged. In One of The Most-Funded Kickstarter Campaigns for Tabletop Games of All Time.  Most backed Zombicide Kickstarter of all time. #1 CMON Kickstarter of ALL TIME. #4 Tabletop Games Kickstarter of all time (of over 31,000 projects). #12 Kickstarter Project across all categories (of over 500,000 projects)

 

HOG WILD EMBRACES THE ABSURD TO FOCUS ON FUN. From its classic Poppers and Stickys to its expanding presence in the games category with a party game that asks “How many unicorn horns long is this table?” the company is always striving to make play fun and silly for kids and families. The Toy Book chatted with Hog Wild’s new vice president of sales and marketing, Steve Markey, about the company’s products...

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Dantoy launches Blue Marine Toys, made from recycled maritime waste. In 2018, Dantoy launched its Bio-line, made from sugarcanes. This was followed in 2020 by the Green Bean line, comprising of products made from internal waste, and the company’s Take Back strategy in 2021, where damaged Dantoy products were collected to make new toys out of. Dantoy’s latest new toy line, Blue Marine Toys, is made from recycled...

 

Konami enters 2022 off the back of an exceptionally strong 12-month performance for its Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG. The year saw record numbers of players participate in online duel events and a slew of impressive new product releases, meaning excitement for the year ahead, and the opportunities it presents, has never been higher. Toy World spoke to Dom Galizia, senior marketing manager at Konami, and Adrian Fox...

 

Schleich Kicks Off Springtime Musical Storytelling Contest with The Hippity Hops.  Schleich is asking fans to channel their storytelling superpowers in a musical direction this spring. The leading manufacturer of animal characters and playsets that let kids’ imaginations run wild is seeking songs and stories that celebrate the magic of spring and Easter. Starting with a consumer call-for-entries which kicks off today...

 

Good Banana, designers of fun & whimsical products for kids’ play spaces, has debuted 16 new products for the fun-filled home in 2022.  Its quest to enhance household hotspots comes hot on the heels of its popular Floor Floaties and other recent releases: Bed Tents, Kid’s Yoga Mats, Plush Lap Desks, Weighted Blankets and more. Just in time for Spring, Good Banana announces the following additions for 2022:

 

Douglas Introduces New PJ Pups for 2022.  When it comes to the littles, cute PJ’s are a hot ticket item in the fashion world. Of course, every holiday has their line-up of matching jammies for the entire family, but cute jammies are not just for the holidays anymore. All year long, cute PJ’s continue to be a must-have. 

 

Add Some Vroom, Vroom to the Neighborhood Bike Ride with Spokester.  One of the most joyous milestones of being a parent is when your child learns to ride a bike! But for the child, the excitement is all about the accessories. And now, the noise! The Spokester bicycle noisemaker snaps on to the front fork of the bicycle and makes an undeniable motorcycle sound. 

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Sesame Workshop and MetLife Foundation announced a new phase of their seven-year partnership. “Dream, Save, Do: Financial Empowerment for Underserved Populations in Brazil and Mexico” expands on previous work and aims to build the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that will help families build financial health. The initiative will launch this month with a focus on historically disadvantaged groups...

 

The Kenya Doll Brand Celebrates 30 Years Growing Up Proud During Black History Month.  Tyco Toy Company debuted during the New York International Toy Fair, with their first ethnic doll line, “Kenya.” She fast became the talk of Toy Fair, with press publications in Newsday (“She’s Black Like Me”), Ebony, Essence, NY Times, Jet and other publications. Would she succeed? How would doll buyers react? 

 

Disney Branded TV’s New Slate Leans Into Fantasy & Adaptations.  Projects from Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine, the Russo brothers and a new Goosebumps series are in the works for Disney+ and Disney Channels. Disney Branded Television is focusing on fantasy and partnering with some big-name talent as it gets to work on a new slate of original kids and family content for Disney+ and Disney Channels.

 

Rocket Mortgage's Super Bowl 56 Teaser Introduces Anna Kendrick to a Beloved Part of Her Childhood—Barbie.  The 60-second ad will run in the second quarter on Sunday. Rocket Mortgage will return to the Super Bowl with its fifth ad since 2018, this time around featuring Anna Kendrick and Mattel’s Barbie as the Barbie Dreamhouse turns 60 this year.

 

Toikido - When Darran Garnham founded Toikido 15 months ago, he promised that own-IPs would follow soon after. True to his word, the first proudly adorns the front cover of this month’s Toy World – and it’s truly smashing. The Piñata Smashlings concept is simple enough; colourful piñatas battle it out to collect Smashlings – little collectible characters that magically live inside them – in a fun physics-based game...

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Magic Box Toys has confirmed that it has begun phasing out plastic from its product packaging, including plastic elements such as blister packs and foil bags.  The first range to feature more than 85% plastic-free packaging is the latest SuperThings series, Guardians of Kazoom, which launched on 21st January. The range, which offers kids 80+ new SuperThings characters to collect, sees foil bags and plastic packs replaced...

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Zapf slashes single-use plastic production by 65 tonnes in one year. Zapf committed to plastic free packaging in 2021 and has since stopped using cable ties, viewing windows, plastic bags and blister packs in its new packaging. In the first year of its commitment to plastic free packagaing, Zapf Creation has cut production of single-use plastic by over 65 tonnes – the equivalent weight of ten African elephants.

 

BARBIE TEAMS UP WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO COMMEMORATE 60 YEARS OF THE BARBIE DREAMHOUSE . . .  for a year-long collaboration to create more opportunities for kids and families to live in a place they can call their home. The Barbie brand is funding 60 projects and activations, including neighborhood revitalization, playhouse builds, critical home repairs, new construction, home preservation, and...

 

The Nacelle Co. officially opens toy division. After months of acquisitions and live event appearances across the U.S., it’s officially official: The Nacelle Co. has opened its toy division. The studio behind Netflix’s The Toys That Made Us and the multiplatform A Toy Store Near You has hired former Hasbro and Toy Biz designer and artist David Vonner to lead the new division. 

 

Asmodee USA will release 'Rest in Peace' into U.S. retail. Asmodee USA will release Rest in Peace, a new card game, into U.S. retail on March 4, 2022. In Rest in Peace, players assume the roles of ghosts who have come back from the dead to haunt the mansions of their ancestors. It is a tactical card game where each player has a family of 21 ghost cards, and they play these cards to try to win Mansion tokens. 

 

'Power Rangers Deck-Building Game' goes 'Omega Forever'. Renegade Game Studios announced the Omega Forever Expansion set, for the Power Rangers Deck-Building Game, which will release in June 2022. In this expansion, players can play as one of the Omega Rangers or the Anointed. It features Fusion Zords that allow for powerful combos, and players can also harness the power of the newly added Omega Coins.

 

Take leadership of the 'First Empires'. Asmodee USA will release First Empires, a civilization-building game by Sand Castle Games, into retail on March 11, 2022.First Empires is a lightweight game of conquest and building civilizations. Players take on the roles of leaders of ancient empires and move across the map to gain control of territories. 

 

Kids can enjoy screen-free fun on the go with Timio. In a world where kids and adults are constantly tethered to digital screens, the concept of screen-free tech is gaining steam. Over the past few years, that has led to some new categories that bridge the gap between play, entertainment, and learning. One emerging category is that of screen-free portable audio players, and one of the newest entrants is Timio. 

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Steamforged reveals Dark Souls Collector’s Edition and miniatures. Tabletop games creator and publisher Steamforged Games has revealed a special Collector’s Edition of Dark Souls: The Roleplaying Game will be available for pre-order from February 16th, with only a limited number of copies available. 

 

Steve Jackson Games and Cryptozoic Entertainment announce 'Munchkin Batman'. Steve Jackson Games and Cryptozoic Entertainment announced Munchkin Batman, which will be headed to Kickstarter soon. This new version of Munchkin brings the Dark Knight into the zany world of Munchkin. 

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Discover the magic of travel with Buffalo Games’ new puzzles. The art of puzzling has gone through a luxurious makeover. Buffalo Games is introducing three new puzzle lines with a lavish, new look. Through breathtaking photography and presentation, both kids and adults can unlock the magic of travel and experience the feeling of opening a designer bag. 

 

Bandai UK to distribute ‘True and the Rainbow Kingdom’ toys. Toronto-based Guru Studio has appointed Bandai UK as its UK distributor for a toy line inspired by its animated series True and the Rainbow Kingdom. The preschool series revolves around the titular True and her companion Bartleby the Cat, both of whom are featured consistently throughout the toy line. 

 

Wishbone Consumer Products launches Crazy Ice Bubbles in the U.S. Canada-based Wishbone Consumer Products is bringing Crazy Ice Bubbles into the U.S. Kids ages 5 and up can use this special bubble mixture to create bubbles that last for hours in almost all winter conditions, without any special preparation.  Crazy Ice Bubbles make crystalline patterns as they fly in the air or land on the ground. 

 

Zuru rockets into new dimension with the X-Shot FaZe Clan. The award-winning X-Shot line will now delight gaming fans with the launch of the X-Shot FaZe Clan this month. The new blaster series combines Zuru style with the look of the world’s most influential gaming organisation, FaZe Clan.

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