Companies, Brands . . .  

Netflix has committed US$1 million to support Sub-Saharan African film and TV students.  The Netflix Creative Equity Scholarship Fund, part of Netflix’s Creative Equity Fund, will cover tuition costs, accommodation, study materials and living expenses at Sub-Saharan TV and film school programs for the 2022/2023 academic year. The scholarship is open to student from eligible countries, including Angola, Botswana, the ...

Spotify announced an exclusive multi-year agreement featuring some of the most beloved voices within the kids’ entertainment space. Through this initiative, Spotify will partner with CoComelon, the #1 kids channel on YouTube which garners over 4.2 billion views per month, produced by Moonbug Entertainment for a new podcast, CoComelon Storytime. The show will be followed by a mix of other original...

Ida B. Wells Barbie Flying Off Store Shelves In Chicago, Delighting Family Members Who Helped Create Doll.  The doll aims to capture the moment when Wells, a famed journalist who worked for many years in Chicago, was editor in chief of her own newspaper and launched her anti-lynching work.

Even More Snacks Join the My Squishy Littles Family.  First, there were My Squishy Little Dumplings, and now, WowWee is expanding the line with even more snack-themed collectible companions. My Squishy Little Snack Packs extends the fun with 56 characters for kids to collect. Like My Squishy Little Dumplings, the characters include accessories to give them more personality.

LEGO Debuts The Globe Construction Set.  Geared toward travelers and geography enthusiasts alike, The Globe is a realistic, 2585-piece customizable spinning Earth that uses standard LEGO bricks for the globe itself as well as Technic elements for the spinning axis.

Melissa & Doug Ramps up Sustainability Efforts.  As one of the three pillars of its “Project Restore” initiative that the company revealed last year, becoming fully Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified was originally intended to take place by 2025. Now, Melissa & Doug says that it will surpass that goal by the end of this year.

Moose Toys Reveals First Look at New Octonauts Toy Line.  Beginning this August, a new line of action figures, vehicles, playsets, and plush featuring Captain Barnacles, Kwazii, Peso, and the rest of the Octocrew will surface at retail. Moose Toys created its new Octonauts line in partnership with Silvergate Media.

Exploding Kittens is blending the worlds of NFTs and 3D printing in a new partnership with 3D laser printing startup Glowforge. The companies are introducing limited-edition printable NFTs for Exploding Kittens’ latest card game Happy Salmon (pictured), which launched last November. The NFTs, 10 in total, can be used to print a collectible hardwood box that ties into the game for kids ages six and up. 

JAKKS Pacific announced its new additions to its line of Perfectly Cute baby dolls & accessories for Target this Spring. With record breaking sales over 2021, this line is sure to be in high demand in the 1st qtr. “Our Perfectly Cute line saw tremendous success at retail in fall and we are excited to bring add'l new items to Target this spring that offer up more ways for kids to roleplay what they see at home,” said Jeremy Sueper...

DeAPlaneta and Planeta Jr, both Planeta/De Agostini Group companies, are coming together under DeAPlaneta Entertainment. This merger of the two companies is due to a strategic reorganization that aims to consolidate their leadership in the entertainment segment, to articulate their business model more efficiently and to be more agile in order to respond to the new needs of a global, multi-channel market. 

Cepia LLC’s Dogs vs Squirls come out to play. Cepia LLC will be at London Toy Fair next week, showcasing the latest products from its brand portfolio of “in real life” (IRL) iconic character match-ups, which are core to the firm’s “Versus World” concept. Visitors can expect more from the world of Cats vs Pickles (CvP), wherein Cats are afraid of Pickles, but Pickles just

Just Play on the official launch of the UK business. The past few months have been busy for Just Play UK, locking down the final operational elements needed to begin trading and bringing its team, which was five strong in the summer, to eight, ready for launch. Katie Gritt has joined as head of marketing communications UK, while Charlotte Rogers has brought her knowledge of the Just Play business from Flair, ...

Kidicraft is kick starting 2022 with the addition of seven new sales agents taking the team to 11 in total. The company has welcomed Bob Duxbury, sales agent for the North East; Craig Kidd, business development manager; Steve Davies, sales agent for Wales; Trish Easter, sales agent for the South West, and Sarah Hobbs, sales agent for the Midlands. 

Magic Box opens UK office as growth plans progress. UK managing director, Nicola Bergot, has shared details of the team who join her in the new look UK company ahead of next week’s London Toy Fair. “As we make our transition from a purely collectibles company to a toy company, we have brought in an experienced and talented team from the toy Industry,” she commented.

Toymaster ensures a bright future for indies.  The buying group outlines what membership offers independent retailers, from access to its branded and themed window programme to its standout central invoicing system. An adaptable, passionate and dedicated bunch, Toymaster’s members have worked incredibly hard over the past couple of years to both retain existing customers and attract new ones, and....

Walmart appears to be venturing into the metaverse with plans to create its own cryptocurrency and collection of nonfungible tokens.

The big-box retailer filed several new trademarks late last month that indicate its intent to make and sell virtual goods, including electronics, home decorations, toys, sporting goods and personal care products. In a separate filing, the company said it would offer users a virtual currency...

Max Rangel, Spin Master’s CEO and Global President, on the key factors driving the company’s success. (ToyNews UK interview) How has the toy landscape developed into digital games? “At Spin Master, our toys are designed to foster creativity and imagination, with open ended play opportunities. Our digital games offering mirrors this ethos, with Toca Boca apps created as digital playgrounds for kids to explore...

Playmobil unveils iconic Mini Cooper.  The Playmobil Mini Cooper has been reproduced in its original design with authentic details including matching figures and accessories.  The Mini Cooper symbolizes for many the independence and spontaneity of the 1960s. Now the unique combination of classic British style in a small size, fun and nimble package appears in Playmobil format, with lovingly detailed design...

Jazwares senior VP, Europe, Jonny Taylor & MD of UK & Nordics, Holly Oldham give Toy World the lowdown on the company. Jazwares enjoyed a recordbreaking year in 2021, fuelled by its phenomenal portfolio of brands and with a host of new launches in the pipeline, another bumper year is on the cards for 2022. As the company looks forward to celebrating its 25th anniversary and the 10th yr of its UK office...

Vivid Goliath relaunches Sky Dancers in partnership with Lansay. Fuschia Fantasy, Coral Cutie and Purple-Licious are the Sky Dancers making their return in July 2022. A product with a huge legacy of success selling 22mn units between 1995 and 1997, the new improved version is set to make a mark with an entire new audience – and with some hankering after memories past. The update includes modernized outfits...

Asmosdee's digital board game, Pandemic, has been quietly withdrawn from sale "for a multitude of reasons that cannot disclose.  Without formal announcement, Pandemic was delisted from Steam on 6th Jan, and it looks as though players can't pick it up on mobile devices now, either. All signs of the game have been scrubbed from the company's website, too.

MATTEL, MILESTONE LAUNCH ‘HOT WHEELS UNLEASHED’ DESIGN BATTLE. The Hot Wheels Unleashed Design Battle runs from now until  Feb. 14. Participants will design a “livery” — the paint scheme and sticker design used in motorsports — for the Hot Wheels Rodger Dodger die-cast model using the in-game Livery Editor. The winning design will then be transformed into a real, 1:64-scale Hot Wheels die-cast car that will...

CAMP CONTINUES NATIONAL RETAIL EXPANSION WITH GREATER BOSTON AREA STORE. Opening Feb. 3, the store will feature a “Canteen” that will function as the retail section of the location, displaying toys, gifts, books, and accessories for families to shop. In typical CAMP fashion, a Magic Door will be hidden somewhere within the Canteen that, upon opening, will act as a portal to the themed experience. 

(the above news was posted after the Bloom Report sent on January 14th)

Bildo – a passion for creation. Toy World spoke to Georgios Fotopoulos, commercial director, and Savvas Mouratidis, CEO, at Greek toy company, Bildo. Founded in 1989, Bildo has grown from a domestic manufacturer and supplier of building blocks to a globally distributed and highly respected maker of quality licensed toys spanning blocks, roleplay, dough and cosmetics.

The Insights Family, the kids and family market intelligence specialist, has launched its service into four new international markets. As of 1 January 2022, the company started interviewing kids (3-18s) and parents in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Argentina and South Africa. This will see the business expand its operations to provide its clients with real-time data 

David Mordecai, CEO of the company formally known as Tobar/H. Grossman, on the One For Fun rebrand.  Nearly four years after acquiring H. Grossman, Tobar unveiled a major rebrand, complete with a name change – One For Fun – and new logo, that has brought all its best-selling brands under one roof.

Genius Brands Intl has announced its subscription-based Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse, launching April 15, 2022, at $3.99/month. Kartoon Channel! Kidaverse will be anchored by technology from the acquisition of Ameba TV, a rapidly growing children’s video streaming service that brings a first-in-class technology platform.

Douglas Introduces New Friends Chive the Bee and Bert the Ladybug. Chive the Bee is 7” long and ready to take flight. Looking like a very smiley bumble bee, this little one is as cute as can bee! His fluffy furry body is the traditional black and yellow stripe. A pair of see-through blue wings sit upon his back. He is really bee-utiful with his sparkling black eyes and attention-seeking antennas.

Rubies drives industry change with 100% sustainable costumes  Following the successful launch of its adaptive range, Rubies is set to announce another game-changing product range with the addition of sustainable costumes. Acknowledging the need for industry changes to tackle the ongoing climate crisis, Rubies has made it its mission to lead the way with eco-friendly and sustainable products and packaging. 

The Lego Group expands Chinese factory to support long-term growth. The Lego Group is expanding its factory located in Jiaxing, China creating additional capacity to meet long-term growth in China and Asia. In recent yrs, the Lego Group has invested in building its business in China to bring the benefits of Lego play to more children and last month it celebrated the opening of its 300th Lego store in Haining ...

Ida B. Wells’ Legacy Immortalized with New Barbie Doll. Through its “Inspiring Women” series, a line that commemorate female change-makers, the brand has introduced young children to role models across a variety of fields such as medicine, music and social activism. Ida B. Wells was known for being a poignant journalist and activist whose work sculpted the most progressive movements of the 19th and 20thcenturies. 

Jada Toys releases collectible “The Batman” Die-cast Batmobile with Figure. In celebration of the upcoming feature starring the Caped Crusader, manufacturer of premium collectibles Jada Toys has released a 1:18 Die-cast Batmobile, a replica that pays homage to the vehicle seen in the highly anticipated The Batman film. 

Bachmann Europe to distribute Günther outdoor toys. Bachmann Europe has announced its appointment as a UK & Ireland distributor for the Günther range of outdoor toys. For over 65 years, Günther has been developing and producing ‘Anything that Flies!’ including classic children’s kites, dynamic stunt kites, model aircraft, gliders and a variety of airborne toys. 

Inclusive children’s brand Philly & Friends sells out new black doll collection in pre-order. Philly & Friends’ pre-order campaign of their new handmade doll collection featuring black fairy and ballerina dolls has been so successful it has sold out. Since then, the company has secured partnerships with top children’s retailers, including Scandiborn. 

Games Workshop previews five new 'Warhammer 40,000 Combat Patrol' sets. Games Workshop previewed five new Warhammer 40,000 Combat Patrol sets, all coming in 2022. The five new Combat Patrol sets coming this year are for the following factions: T'au Empire, Grey Knights, Thousand Sons, Genestealer Cults, and Adeptus Custodes.

Portal Games will co-publish 'Gutenberg' English edition. Portal Games will co-publish Gutenberg, a new board game by Granna, which will release into retail in March 2022. In Gutenberg, players take on the role of the printing pioneer trying to build up their wealth and fame. To accomplish this task, they will need to increase their production capacity and gain the support of patrons. 

'Fluxx' and 'Loonacy' ascend Olympus. Looney Labs will release Olympus Fluxx and Olympus Loonacy, mythology-themed versions of their classic card games, into retail on May 5, 2022. The classic card game goes even more classic with Olympus Fluxx, which features Greek and Roman mythology themes. 

Join the Marble Madness with Quadrilla Super Spirals. Welcome to the Marble Cinematic Universe — first stop? Super Spirals!  Designed for kids ages 4 and up, Hape’s Quadrilla Super Spirals is the ultimate indoor marble run. This 101-piece wooden set includes everything kids could possibly need or want to create an epic battle between marbles.

Asmodee will release 'Eriantys' into U.S.retail. Asmodee will release Eriantys, a new fantasy board game by Cranio Creations, which will hit U.S. retail on February 25, 2022. In Eriantys, players enter a world of floating magical islands where various fantasy creatures are trying to enroll in the magic schools. 

Babies ‘R’ Us stores to enter new market. Babies “R” Us is entering the largest country in South America. WHP Global, parent company of Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us, has signed an exclusive long-term license agreement with Ragabesh & Co. to bring Babies "R" Us to Brazil for the first time. The agreement covers physical retail, with plans to open approximately 20 freestanding Babies "R" Us stores in the market. 

Unbox Bubble-Blowing Animal Collectibles with Bubiloons. Have you ever seen a tiger or a panda blowing a balloon? Kids can collect a whole menagerie of balloon-blowing animals with Bubiloons, IMC Toys’ new line of animal collectibles that live in a world full of colorful bubbles and candy. Designed for kids ages 5 and up, Bubiloons are full of unboxing surprises, starting with which animal character is inside. 

'Pokemon TCG' reigns over 2021; 'Magic' standard sealed sales slip again. TCGplayer unveiled their December sales data for sealed TCG products and its price changes. This new data wraps up 2021 as well as reiterates some of the continuing trends happening in the TCG market into the new year. 

Unexpected Games reveals 'Voices In My Head'. Unexpected Games revealed Voices in My Head, a new courtroom trial board game, for release in Q1 2022. In Voices In My Head, designed by former Fantasy Flight Games VP of Research and Design Corey Konieczka, one player takes on the role of a prosecutor and the other players take on the role of voices in Guy's head.