the Bloom Report

Toy & Game Industry's #1 News Summary Globally
Below is October 22 - 29, 2021. Click Here for Last Week

Articles posted daily with the most recent at top of each section and previous week drops off on Friday when we email you highlights.
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

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Welcome to your Weekly News Brief . . .

Happy Friday!

The POP Week Conference is November 15-19, and not only do we have the POP Duos: Legends & Leaders we shared wtih you about last week, we have POP Pub Night every night. What are those do you ask? They are the most fun you can have on zoom with your colleagues.... especially when you take a look at these co-hosts!

Dougal Grimes, VP of Innovation & Inventor Relations at Spin Master ~ Games, Gund, Outdoor, Activities
Tanya Thompson, Senior Director Design Innovation and Inventor Relations at Hasbro
Dave Harris, Senior Director, Inventor Relations and Strategic Partnerships at Mattel, Inc.
Brendan Boyle, Partner at IDEO, Adjunct Professor, Stanford d.School
David Norman, Global President and CMO of Gaming at Goliath
Jim McCafferty, President and CEO, JMP Creative

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Mary

tBR Columnist Tim Kilpin: Recent Call Transcript. This Really Happened. (OK, Well, Mostly.)

Recent Call Transcript. This Really Happened. (OK, Well, Mostly.)

NP: Hello, North Pole hotline. How may I direct your jingle?

TK: Oh, that’s cute. Hi, could I speak with Santa, please?

NP: May I ask who’s calling?

TK: Tim Kilpin. PlayMonster. You know, toys…games.

NP: Oh yes, Mr. Kilpin. Please hold.

TK: (tapping pen, feeling pretty good that he still has a little juice left with the old guy’s office…)

NP: Mr. Kilpin, he’ll be right with you. He’s VERY busy this time of year, I’m sure you understand.

TK: Oh, trust me, I understand. (Keeps tapping pen, waiting, thinking maybe that juice is running out.)

Santa: Timmy? That you? Read More . . .

TAGIE Hassenfeld Family Initiatives Humanitarian Award Honoree: Jan-Maurits (JM) Duparc

Congrats, JM, on being the TAGIE Hassenfeld Family Initiatives Humanitarian Award Honoree this year! Can you tell us about the project you were involved in to help homeless people?

Thank you so much Mary. I’m still overwhelmed and it’s still hard to believe. I really want to thank you, your whole organization and of course Alan and the Hassenfeld Family Initiatives for this huge honour.

But to answer your question, The Amsterdam Project was a documentary about 5 homeless people. Each had a different background story and a different reason for being on the street. The idea was to ask if we could interview them and follow them for a couple of days to raise awareness for the homeless. After a couple of days, we offered them $10.000 and a book with phone numbers with all different kinds of coaches they could reach out to. They were allowed to do whatever they wanted with the money and could call the coaches if they pleased. Luckily all of them decided to use the money to try and get their lives back on track. This, of course, was a very bumpy roller coaster ride with a lot of ups and downs.

When the host of the documentary gave them the money, they all seemed to get their sense of pride back and they felt responsible for the money. One of them even offered to give the money back when, after several months, he said he couldn’t solve the problems he had to get off the street. He hadn’t spent a dime! In the end, all of them made it off them made it off the streets.

What inspired you? Read More . . .

TAGIE Game Changer: Azhelle Wade

Tell us who is

POP 3 Truths and a Lie ad edited July 2 2021.png

Financial & Legal News . . .

The U.S. Dept. of Justice has filed a civil suit to block the Penguin Random House acquisition of Simon & Schuster announced. "If the world’s largest book publisher is permitted to acquire one of its biggest rivals, it will have unprecedented control over this important industry," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement accompanying the announcement. "American authors and consumers will pay the price...

(the above posted after October 29, 2021

Facebook changes its name to Meta in major rebrand. Facebook has changed its corporate name to Meta as part of a major rebrand. The company said it would better "encompass" what it does, as it broadens its reach beyond social media into areas like virtual reality (VR). The change does not apply to its individual platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp, only the parent company that owns them.

Toy manufacturers to see higher GST liability following AAR ruling. Toys manufacturers to see higher tax liabilities after a ruling said toys that have any form of light or sound should be treated as electronic toys and taxed at 18% under Goods and Services Tax (GST). While electronic toys such as expensive robots and kids’ tablets attracted 18% GST earlier, other toys such as tricycles and bicycles were taxed at 12%.

Containers still adrift as huge cargo ship catches fire ‘expelling toxic gas’ off Victoria, B.C. (There were toys on that ship - see Tim Kilpin's column.) A large cargo ship piled high with containers anchored about 5 miles offshore from Victoria, British Columbia, caught fire Saturday and around 6 p.m., Canadian authorities advised the crew to abandon ship.

Genius Brands Int'l has acquired Canadian prodco Wow! Unlimited Media for approximately US$53 million in cash and stock. In a statement, Genius Brands CEO Andy Heyward (pictured right) explained that the strategy behind the acquisition is access to Canadian tax credits, as well as a plan to bring all animation production that’s currently being handled by Chinese service companies in-house.

ACD LOSES APPEAL, MUST PAY WOTC FEES Ninth Circuit Ruling Was 2-1. In a 2-1 decision, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled for Wizards of the Coast and against ACD Distribution on ACD’s appeal of a District Court ruling on its lawsuit to prevent WotC from terminating its distribution agreement. ACD had lost in District Court in Washington and was ordered to pay $254,042.92 to WotC...

China rations diesel amid fuel shortages. Petrol stations in many parts of China have begun rationing diesel amid rising costs and falling supplies. Some truck drivers are having to wait entire days to refuel, according to posts on social media site Weibo. China is currently in the midst of a massive power crunch, as coal and natural gas shortages have closed factories and left homes without power.

Biden hopes fines on lingering cargo containers ease congestion at major U.S. ports. The Biden administration is hopeful new fines imposed on carriers at the nation’s busiest port complex will abate the intensifying logjam of cargo ships. The twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach announced Monday that containers moved by trucks will have nine days before fines start accruing and containers scheduled to...

Faze Clan is going public in $1 billion SPAC deal. Faze Clan is on track to become a publicly traded company. The competitive esports group is merging with B. Riley Principal 150 Merger Corp. in a deal that values the combined companies at $1 billion (via Markets Insider). As a part of the deal, Faze Clan estimates it can get up to $291 million to help fund its growth, according to a post on Faze Clan’s website.

Report: ByteDance lays off dozens at publisher Ohayoo. TikTok owner ByteDance has reportedly laid off dozens of employees at its casual game publishing arm, Ohayoo. According to the South China Morning Post, it's particularly junior level employees who were targeted. It's unclear how many people were made redundant exactly. A source who talked to the newspaper said that "nearly 100 employees have been affected"...

Epic urges court to deny Apple's request to pause anti-steering changes. Epic Games is trying to block Apple's efforts to postpone changes to its anti-steering measures, as ordered by the court in the wake of this year's trial between the two companies. The one victory Epic secured in Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers' ruling, issued last month, was that Apple would have to allow apps to link to external payment options...

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Trends, Market Research Reports . . .

Plush drives Q3 toy sales in the US . . . . . . UK advertising spend expected to reach a record £7.9bn in Q4 . . . . . . Top 20 Graphic Novels - October 2021 . . . . . . U.S. Toy Industry Sales Spiked 11% in Q3, NPD Says . . . . . . . Top 50 Comics - October 2021 . . . . . . DIAMOND TOP 400 COMICS--SEPTEMBER 2021

(the above posted after Oct 29th)

Economists expect shipping problems to linger well into 2022 . . . . . . The Toy Insider reveals Top Toy Trends for holiday 2021 . . . . . . National Retail Federation Predicts the Biggest Holiday Season Ever . . . . . . The global movie box office could bounce back by as much as 80% compared to last year (The Hollywood Reporter) . . . . . . aNbmedia: State of the Toy Industry 2021

Financial & Brokerage News . . .

Roku missed its revenue estimates . . . . . . ViacomCBS surpassed US$1 billion in streaming revenue for Q3, but that was still below expectations . . . . . . PAW Patrol was top dog for Spin Master in Q3 . . . . . . . SPIN MASTER POSTS RECORD-BREAKING Q3 EARNINGS WHILE NAVIGATING SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES . . . . . . Alvin and the Chipmunks owner is looking to sell for about $300 million, sources say . . . . . . . Amscan International secures £30m funding as record-breaking year continues . . . . . . . Electronic Arts Q2 Earnings Preview: FIFA 2021 Is Fueling Outperformance

(the above posted after Oct 29th)

Trendy Baby-Toy Maker Lovevery Gets $800 Million Valuation . . . . . . HASBRO Q3 EARNINGS BOOM, BUT COMPANY CAUTIONS SUPPLY CHAIN HIT . . . . . . Hasbro’s entertainment revenue jumps 76% . . . . . . JAKKS PACIFIC Q3 EARNINGS: SALES SLIP SLIGHTLY AMID SUPPLY CHAIN CONCERNS, STRONG GROWTH FOR THE YEAR . . . . . . . ShopTalk Episode 15, with Mattel COO Richard Dickson . . . . . Mattel CEO sees opportunities to monetize the company's IP with digital gaming and NFTs . . . . . . Ubisoft's still investing in blockchain games . . . . . . . Sony Pictures Entertainment Records $288M Q2 Profit; Full-Year Forecast Upped To $950M . . . . . . The PlayStation 5 has sold 13.4 million units worldwide . . . . . . Microsoft's gaming revenue is up in first quarter for 2022 . . . . . . . Magic' sales beat 2020 numbers in three quarters . . . . . . . Streamlabs: Facebook Gaming surpasses YouTube Gaming in views during Q3 . . . . . . . Facebook earns $9bn despite whistleblower scandal . . . . . . . Google's growth overshadowed by slower YouTube, cloud sales . . . . . . . Resident Evil and Monster Hunter boost Capcom Q2 sales to $616m.

Future Financial Reporting . . .

Toyjobs has been the dominant recruiting

Stories, Comments & Advice . . .

Flipping toys is an emerging industry, and if you get in on this trend early enough, you could be seeing big money for your old toys. Even if you don’t have a ton of action figures and dolls from your childhood, acquiring them can be pretty easy and inexpensive if you know where to look — so you could be turning a profit on every sale. All it takes is a little ingenuity and research.

In his latest Letter from America column, Rick Derr of Learning Express Toys reveals America’s top problem for indie toy retailers. This year, Rick is operating with a team he describes as “half the size for double the volume.” As sales ramp up for the business end of the year, the increased sales volume means more inventory to deal with, as well as stepped-up servicing to handle the crowds. “While the economics may....

Zoom is testing showing ads to free users. They’ll appear in a browser page at the end of meetings. Zoom says ads are being rolled out to free users in “certain countries,” though its blog post doesn’t detail exactly which these are. Users on the service’s Basic tier will only see ads if they join a meeting hosted by another Basic tier user.

(the above posted after October 29th)

John Baulch, ToyWorld(UK) - I I did not see that coming…it’s the Friday Blog! The week started in the way most weeks do at this time of the year. We’re very busy, but certainly not complaining about that – 2022 is coming up rapidly in the rear-view mirror. Mattel and Hasbro released their Q3 results, with both companies posting strong numbers, despite the obvious global supply chain challenges – Hasbro even admitted that it had missed out on $100m of orders during the quarter due to an inability to fulfill them, and yet still announced solid growth.

How ‘Prodigy’ Lays the Foundation for the Next Generation of ‘Star Trek’. In a joint interview, Brian Robbins and franchise captain Alex Kurtzman open up about how the Paramount+ kids- and family-focused animated series may pave the way for a new feature film chapter. Alex Kurtzman hasn’t written a Star Trek feature film since 2013, but his new animated kids- and family-focused series, Prodigy — his fifth show....

Seattle police bust lucrative Lego trafficking scheme. Police seize 171 Lego sets worth thousands from Pike Place seller accused by police of knowingly selling stolen goods. The accused store owner denied knowingly selling stolen goods, protested against the picture and said he would fight the resultant charges.

Defying the odds - meet the refugee turned game designer. Lual Mayen was 12 yrs old when he saw a computer for the first time. Standing in a queue at a UN registration centre in a refugee camp in Northern Uganda, he was fascinated by the device and thought it must have fallen from heaven. He pleaded with his mother for one, but she could barely afford enough food to feed her family, how could she possibly buy a laptop.

Design Edge: Avoid These Common Packaging Mistakes. While many will go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Guggenheim, or the Louvre to engulf themselves in art and culture, I will simply walk the aisles in retail. Grocery stores, pharmacies, departments stores, sporting goods stores…and of course, my favorite, the toy store. And you may think I’d be there looking to find what packages are new and/or outstanding.

Sales Reps: Help Us Help You. There have been more conversations lately about the future of sales representatives, and if they can still add value to our industry. We are here to affirm that sales reps are essential to the continued growth for both retailers and vendors. Having just returned from the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association’s Marketplace and Academy in August, we have never, in the last 20 years, been...

Gender-Neutral Toys for Children Gain Ground, but Opposition Persists. New efforts are under way to eliminate what some toy makers, parents and advocates see as a longstanding issue in the toy industry: gender bias. The notion that boys like blue and play with trucks while girls like pink and play with dolls is a stereotype some in the toy industry have tried to disrupt for years. Now, a new state law and other efforts to...

The Lego Group kicks off sponsorship of UEFA Women’s Euro 2022. The Lego Group has been announced as a national sponsor for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in England next summer, as part of its Ready for Girls campaign, which celebrates girls challenging outdated gender stereotypes.

Toy Talk: Retailer pre-orders are pointless IOU's from companies. As many collectors know, a worldwide shipping debacle has swept across the county with ports unable to unload all of the incoming products. That has created a massive hit for the toy market with a lot of upcoming releases getting pushed back to 2022. One of these includes the Star Wars:

Can LEGO help save Singapore's coral reefs? Singapore is home to a third of the world's diversity of coral species - a staggering amount for a tiny country. Coral reefs protect the world's coastlines, are home to thousands of fishes and are a vital part of the underwater ecosystem. However, issues like land reclamation and coastal development have caused Singapore's reefs to deplete over the decades.

Even if retail sales slow drastically during the holidays, they will still be stellar: Wells Fargo. In many respects, forecasting the near future in 2021 has a degree of difficulty approaching that of 2020. While the pandemic casts a shorter shadow than it did last year, 2021 has brought its own bouquet of complicating factors. Chief among them is a global supply chain crisis, marked by high freight rates and delays.

It's not just Facebook — China's big tech firms like Alibaba and Tencent are also piling into the metaverse. Social media giant Facebook has thrust the metaverse into the limelight, reportedly going as far as planning to change its name to reflect its focus on the concept. The tech buzzword refers to shared virtual spaces that people can access via the internet using VR and AR devices, and it has captured the attention...

Esports added to The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. The Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) has added esports to the list of activities that participants can do to earn it. The DofE award is a UK-based scheme funded by the Royal Family that gives young people the opportunity to develop experience in a number of areas. This often includes volunteering, outdoor activities, or learning a new skill.

Remembering the Toy Industry's Past . . .

The Addams Family Card Game from Milton Bradley (1965). The characters from The Addams Family television series joined family game nights in 1965 thanks to Milton Bradley. Based on the characters created by Charles Addams in 1938, the original Addams Family television series ran on the ABC network for only two seasons from 1964 to 1966 but left a big impression on viewers. Fashioned after the classic War card game, The Addams Family Card Game pitted members of the Addams household against each other.

Worldwide Licensing News . . .

Kid Trax Toys Rolls in as Exclusive Licensee for the Ford Bronco. The Ford Bronco is making a comeback this year, but now, it’s also available in a much smaller size. Kid Trax Toys and the Ford Motor Co. have partnered for a tot-sized version of the 4×4 SUV. This year marks the first time since 1996 that Ford’s vehicle is back on the market, and Kid Trax will serve as the exclusive Ford Bronco toy licensee in 2021.

Nickelodeon and ViacomCBS Consumer Products have partnered with producer/musical artist Darryl McDaniels—a founding member of the hip hop group Run-DMC—to launch a cross-category licensing program. The agreement includes a publishing deal with Random House Children’s Books, as well as apparel and accessories inspired by McDaniels’ childhood.

Super Impulse has introduced Micro Toy Box, a new line of miniature collectibles featuring toys that fit in the palm of your hand. Micro Toy Box turns multi-generational toys into miniature collectibles. Consumers can unveil Toy Hall of Fame classics licensed from Hasbro, Mattel, Spin Master and more featuring brands including Nerf, Barbie, Monopoly, Hot Wheels, Transformers, Rubik's and more in series 1...

The Lego Group has announced the latest addition to its popular Lego Super Mario universe, with three new expansion sets based on the iconic Nintendo series, Luigi’s Mansion. Fun new features have been designed to inspire creative play, featuring King Boo, Polterpup, Bogmire, Toad, Boo and many more characters from the series.

Moose ramps up licensing and entertainment programs for Magic Mixies. Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron becomes highest grossing SKU in Moose Toys’ history with stock selling through as soon as it hits shelves. Moose Toys has enjoyed a record-breaking launch of Magic Mixies Magic Cauldron, with sales of the new, interactive magic toy eclipsing those of the company’s smash-hit Shopkins. Magic Mixies Magic...

(the above posted after October 29th)

Mattel revealed a brand new collaboration between Nike and Uno as they get colorful with gear and the NBA's Giannis Antetokounmpo. Next month the companies will converge to bring a brand new version of the classic card game with the Nike branding on it, while the shoe company will be making a special set of sneakers based around the game as part of its 50th Anniversary.

Huge Play!, Overwolf Ink GameBud Partnership Deal. Overwolf is getting into the game with an investment in Huge! Play. The investment deal includes a partnership that will enable GameBud — the world’s first talking-animatronic game-connected character — to integrate directly into PC Games. The news comes following the successful launch of the GameBud Talking Tom that Huge! Play showed off at the Toy Insider‘s...

Pocket.watch is developing a new franchise around the animated series Onyx Monster Mysteries. Inspired by YouTube creators, the Onyx Family, Onyx Monster Mysteries season one consists of 12 episodes getting wide release on over 20 streaming platforms. Season two is available exclusively on Amazon Kids+. Pocket.watch is rolling out a new slate of content and consumer products surrounding the series...

Children’s audio system Tonies has launched a cuddly collaboration with Steiff ahead of the festive season, while Shrek, Mickey and Minnie Mouse also join the range. Tonies has added a number of new Tonies to its range of stories, songs and audio as it welcomes Steiff Soft Cuddly Friends, Shrek, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Favourite Masterpieces to its line-up. Steiff has collaborated with Tonies to introduce...

Rubies announced as EMEA dress-up partner for CoComelon. Just weeks after revealing 66 new licensee partners across EMEA, the brand licensing programme for Moonbug Entertainment’s leading IP CoComelon has signed with costume designer, manufacturer and distributor, Rubies.

Panini to become exclusive WWE partner. The Panini Group and WWE have announced that the landmark agreement will begin in the first quarter of 2022 and will include multiple trading card products and a sticker album collection during the first year. The first two product releases will be 2022 WWE Prizm trading cards and a WWE Sticker Album, which will coincide with the buildup surrounding WrestleMania...

Bandai UK lands distribution for Star Trek in Europe and Mexico. he new range of detailed action figures and play sets will be based on Star Trek Universe and the new upcoming animated Star Trek: Prodigy series. Bandai UK is boldly going into the European and Mexican toy markets as the distributor of a new range of Star Trek licensed toys and collectibles.

Simba Dickie Group has been signed as the master global toy partner for colourful new pre-school property, Oggy Oggy. Set to debut in Autumn/Winter 2022, the range will target kids aged 3-6 years and span plush, figurines, playsets and accessories, vehicles, collectibles and sand buckets. The collection will initially be available in France, Italy, Germany and the UK, before being extended into Poland and Spain...

Mattel and WWE have decided to extend their global master toy licensing agreement, which grants the toy manufacturer exclusive rights to produce WWE action figures, action figure accessories, and kids toy title belts. “Mattel is a true industry leader that continues to surprise and delight our fans around the world with innovative and creative WWE products that drive significant revenue for our retail partners,” ....

StoryToys announces new LEGO DUPLO and Marvel collaboration for preschool app . Team17, a global games label, creative partner and developer of independent video games and educational entertainment apps for children, has announced that StoryToys (a subsidiary of Team17), the LEGO Group and Marvel Entertainment are bringing the LEGO DUPLO brand and Marvel Universe to preschoolers with the unique LEGO...

Funrise to launch range of Rocket League replica cars. Funrise has announced a new partnership with video game developer Psyonix to create a range of customisable and remote-controlled Rocket League replica cars, in a deal brokered by IMG. The new Rocket League branded collection will feature several customisable cars, including mini-RCs and full-size RCs that allow players to bring the video game Rocket League to life.

Mattel Creations reveals 'Gremlins 2' Monster High doll. Mattel Creations, Mattel's e-commerce and content platform for creators, collaborations and innovators, has revealed the new Monster High Skullector Dolls, reimagining Greta Gremlin in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products. 

The Minions bring mayhem to 'Spot It!' Asmodee USA will release Spot It! Minions, by Zygomatic, into retail on November 19. Spot It! Minions adds different characters from the Minions universe to this classic game. As in most versions of Spot It!, players try to pinpoint the single matching symbol between two cards as quick as they can.

The Batman toys, licensed character Pop It!s, & more new products. DC and Warner Bros. Consumer Products revealed more must-have products inspired by DC Super Heroes including DC FanDome exclusives, limited-edition merch, and more. Multiple retailers including the DC Shop and Walmart unveiled toys, collectibles, and apparel for super-fans, heroes, and heroines everywhere.

Kidicraft launches new Marvel 3D puzzle range. A brand new range of Marvel 500 piece Prime 3D jigsaw puzzles has been launched by Kidicraft with the promise of more designs to come next year. There is a vast amount of Marvel characters and images available, with something to suit every Marvel fan. These include Spider-Man, Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk, Thor, Wolverine, Ant-Man, the Wasp, Black Widow, ...

People . . .

Partners in Play: Q&A with Richard Gill & Catherine McMillen Gill. Richard Gill is VP international at PlayMonster and Catherine McMillen Gill is the president of McGill Associates. Catherine and Richard epitomize the title of this new series, Partners in Play. They have been my dear friends for a long time and are generous, fun-loving, smart, connected, tres chic and more. And, anyone who knows Catherine knows she LOVES taking photos. At the time it can be annoying (sorry, Catherine), but over time one is quite glad she took those photos...

We are excited to welcome new employees to the TLJI team! Nelson Dixon joins as Inventory Analyst, Tyler Espe joins as E-Commerce Business Coordinator, and Tom Carson, MBA joins as National Sales Manager. Nelson joins us from the U.S.Air Force with a background in supply chain management and logistics and Tyler joins us from Priority Financial Group with a background in banking and financial planning services.

ICTI Ethical Toy Program appoints Todd Merton, based in U.S., as head of Business Development. ICTI Ethical Toy Program (IETP), the specialist responsible sourcing programme for the industry, is strengthening its engagement and support for brands and retailers. Todd brings with him a wealth of experience in developing strategic partnerships including complex licensing agreements with renowned companies like...

Australian pubcaster ABC has hired two new executive producers for its kids team to help grow its slate, kicking off those efforts with the acquisition of Butter Media’s Built to Survive. SLR Productions’ creative director Jo Boag will join the pubcaster in the newly created role of executive producer of animation. Boag worked for 15 years at the Aussie animation studio SLR Productions where she oversaw its shows...

Q&A: Adam Woods, ZURU Creative Director. I joined ZURU five years ago to head up the company’s creative department as their global creative director. Working closely with co-founder Mat Mowbray, my responsibilities range from launching new brands, growing existing product lines and solidifying the ZURU’s collectibles portfolio. Our goal: establish ubiquitous pillar brands across value, trend, and innovation categories...

Kepler Interactive hires former Xbox head as VP of partnerships and portfolio. Publisher Kepler Interactive has hired former Nintendo and Xbox head Damon Baker as its new VP of partnerships and portfolio. Baker will take a leading role in expanding Kepler's portfolio of studios, as well as managing collaborations between platforms. Prior to Kepler, Baker served as head of portfolio at Xbox, a role he took in 2019.

Kids Industries CEO Gary Pope appointed as Products of Change children’s ambassador. Kids Industries’s co-founder and CEO Gary Pope has been appointed as the children’s ambassador for Products of Change, the global educational hub and membership organisation driving sustainable change within the consumer products sector and beyond.

GSNMC Manufacturing ad August 9 2021 for Bloom Report.jpg

Companies, Brands . . .

Roll into the Holidays with Jakks Pacific’s RC Rock N’ Rollerskate Dolls. Jakks Pacific is getting into one of the biggest TikTok trends with the RC Rock N’ Rollerskate Dolls, rolling into retailers in time for the holiday shopping season. There are two 10.5-inch, fashion-forward dolls for kids to choose from that perform a variety of tricks with the included, boombox-shaped remote control.

Play-Doh Expands Adult Compound Line with ’90s Edition. This Play-Doh is for the adults. While kids can technically play with Hasbro’s new Play-Doh Grown Up Scents ‘90s Edition, the compound is designed for adults to destress with memories of a simpler era. Each of the 4-ounce cans of compound features black packaging and a nostalgic smell. The scents are called Eau de Boy Band, VHS Rental ‘n Chill, Pump up the Jamz, Dial Up Delight, Mall Food Court, and Flannel Fresh.

Netflix launches games worldwide. Five new titles are now available globally to Android users—and the streamer plans to eventually build a library that appeals to all gamers. Available now on Android devices, the latest additions include Shooting Hoops and Teeter Up (puzzle) from Frosty Pop; Card Blast (puzzle) from Amuzo and Rogue Games; and Bonus XP’s Stranger Things: 1984 and Stranger Things 3: The Game ...

New PAW Patrol movie & spinoff in the works. Spin Master is producing a second movie that's set for a 2023 release, as well as a new series focused on one of the main pups. Distributed by Paramount Pictures, CG-animated film PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie will hit theaters October 2023, exploring what happens when the pups get superpowers after a magical meteor crashes into Adventure City.

Schleich USA Hires Eight-Year Old Chief Storytelling Officer. Chosen from Nearly 150 Applicants, Marcello from Queens, NY Accepts Role, Will Star in New Holiday-themed Brand Campaign. Once upon a time, Schleich (pronounced Shh-like), the leading manufacturer of animal characters and playsets, went searching for one special kid with superlative storytelling and imaginative superpowers to fill the role of its very first Chief...

DreamToys Top 12 unveiled as countdown to Christmas begins. The Toy Retailers Association says this year’s picks ‘capture the magic of Christmas’, as The NPD Group reveals a 9% uplift on sales versus 2019. The Toy Retailers Association has announced that the biggest licences from film and TV are the driving force behind this year’s must-have Christmas toys, with Star Wars, Pokémon, Jurassic World and Paw Patrol ...

Nelvana & Keith Chapman prep new series. The creator behind Bob the Builder and PAW Patrol has lined up Bella's Bro-Bots, inspired by his daughter. In 2020, he teamed up with UK-based Studio Liddell and China’s Alpha Group on Camp Furly, as well as with Toonz Media Group to create Paddypaws & Pals. And Netflix has been airing his Spin Master-produced Mighty Express series globally since Sept 2020.

Sega partners with Microsoft to develop "large-scale, global games" on Azure cloud. Partnership does not mention Xbox. Video game developer and publisher Sega said that it had entered into a strategic alliance with Microsoft to use Azure cloud technology. The company said that the partnership was a key part of its 'Super Game' initiative to develop large online games.

OnBuy adds Lego to product portfolio. Mark Lister, CCO of OnBuy, described the move as “a very exciting time for OnBuy,” adding: “This year has really seen OnBuy grow its network of retailers and brands to an impressive level, with quality and trust remaining at the heart of the business. Working with the team to bring Lego products to OnBuy will help us serve more consumers than ever before, with the products...

New Toys R Us UK operation sets up web page for suppliers to register interest in becoming a partner. In order to record and respond to the immense number of enquires from toy and nursery suppliers, as well as 3PL and other service providers, Toys R Us ANZ, the company behind the return of Toys R Us to the UK market, has set up a dedicated expression of interest page. According to CEO Dr Louis Mittoni, who spoke...

French board game company IELLO is severing ties with IELLO USA and its COO, Stephan Brissaud, the company announced. The company "…has decided to rethink the distribution of its products IELLO and LOKI in the United States and in Canada," it said in its announcement. "Consequently, IELLO, through its legal advisor, terminated the distribution agreement, effective Dec. 31, 2021, which authorized IELLO USA...

2021 HOT WHEELS LEGENDS TOUR NORTH AMERICAN FINALISTS REVEALED. The 4th annual Hot Wheels Legends Tour is nearing the end of its search for the next real-life ride to become a 1:64-scale die-cast Hot Wheels vehicle. This year, 5 N.A. finalists will join the Nov. 4 Int'l finalists to face off at the Global Grand Finale on Nov. 13. Last night, Mattel popped the virtual garage door to reveal the five “built, not bought” finalists...

(the above posted after October 29th)

FAO Schwarz has its first permanent location in in continental Europe with three floors of retail space in Milan, Italy. Achieving plans first unveiled earlier this year, ThreeSixty Group, the owners of FAO Schwarz, and its partner Prénatal Retail Group have launched the first Italian FAO Schwarz flagship store in the heart of Milan. The newest FAO Schwarz toy store spans three levels with over 600 square metres of signature toys...

Brilliant Named Platinum PR Awards Finalist. Brilliant PR & Marketing, an agency serving the juvenile and family products industry, was named a finalist in two categories of the 2021 PRNEWS Platinum PR Awards. Brilliant is up for an Agency of the Year (small) award, while executive vice president Clark Nesselrodt is in the running for PR Professional of the Year (agency). Winners will be announced at a virtual gala on November 16.

Creative Kids Launches Sense & Grow Toy Line for Maximum Sensory Play. Creative Kids — maker of kids’ arts and crafts toys — is launching the new Sense & Grow line of toys designed to stimulate the senses with bright colors, different textures to touch, and sound elements. The collection includes a range of toys recommended for kids ages 5 months and up, supporting play for kids of various ability levels.

Lego rewards ‘Inspiring Lego Inventions’ with unique build. Lego has joined forces with mum and pop royalty Alesha Dixon to celebrate children’s creativity and problem-solving skills by showcasing how children can use the power of play to rebuild the world around them. Alesha and Lego asked children how they would use Lego bricks to solve a problem faced by their friends or family. Ideas received included a book...

Disguise dresses up its adaptive costume biz. Tapping into an under-served market predicted to hit US$294 million by 2026, the Jakks segment sees year-round possibilities for dress-up offerings for kids with disabilities, says Tara Hefter. Disguise saw a 16% increase in net sales this quarter to the tune of US$64 million, Jakks reported in its Q3 financial results yesterday.

Schylling Adds NeeDoh Dohjees to Its Holiday Lineup. There’s a new, groovy NeeDoh on the way. Schylling is continuing to expand its NeeDoh line of squishy, satisfying blobs with NeeDoh Dohjees. Each Dohjee has a Teenie NeeDoh inside that can be easily popped out and swapped to create a different Dohjee and features blind box packaging so the character is a surprise

Hasbro Star Wars Reveals HasLab Rancor, FX Elite Leia Organa Lightsaber, & More During Pulse Con Day One. Star Wars: The Black Series Leia Organa Force FX Elite Lightsaber (14+/$264.99/fall 2022) Combining advanced LEDs and entertainment-inspired Lightsaber sound effects, the Star Wars: The Black Series Leia Organa Force FX Elite Lightsaber is one of the most realistic Force FX Lightsabers yet.

The Entertainer announces biggest ever Santa’s Grotto. Following the success of last year’s virtual experience, born of necessity, The Entertainer received feedback that this format was much preferred by families compared to meeting in person. Therefore, it has once again partnered with Mattel to bring Christmas cheer to families and nurseries across the UK with this year’s Santa’s grotto.

Toys R Us and Babies R Us to return to UK market. Toys R Us ANZ has signed an exclusive deal with WHP Global for UK rights, saying it will tailor its successful Australian relaunch plan to the UK. Toys R Us ANZ Limited and WHP Global, the parent company of Toys R Us and Babies R Us, have announced that they have signed a landmark long-term exclusive licence agreement for Toys R Us ANZ to run digital and physical retail...

YouTube will demonetize kids and family content that falls outside of its quality principles, the AVOD announced in a blog post. Videos that adhere to YouTube’s quality guidelines for kids need to promote or one more of the following qualities: being a good person; learning and inspiring curiosity; creativity, play and a sense of imagination; interaction with real world issues; and diversity, equity and inclusion.

As part of its 2-day Pulse Con virtual fan event, Hasbro revealed plans for its first line of non-fungible tokens (NFTs), partnering with The Worldwide Asset eXchange (WAX). This collection will be available for a limited time exclusively from the Hasbro Pulse website and will feature characters from the Power Rangers franchise. (This is a first for NFTs, which have not previously been offered on a mainstream e-commerce...

Manufacturer Hanky Panky has partnered with Trends UK to distribute its new That’s Magic range of magic sets. Hanky Panky, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, is the company behind magic sets in the UK such as Paul Daniels Magic Sets, Gross Magic, Box of Shocks and Street Magic. With the new That’s Magic range, budding magicians can learn and master classic magic tricks guided by on-line tutorial videos.

Star Wars fans can ‘bring home the bounty’ this festive season with weekly product drops. Disney and Lucasfilm today launch ‘Bring Home the Bounty’, a global consumer products, games and publishing campaign to debut new Star Wars products every Tuesday from today through 21 December, helping fans find the perfect bounty for their family, friends and themselves this Christmas.

Cartamundi seals WH Smith Travel deal for iconic Bicycle playing cards. The Bicycle brand of playing cards is now available in WHSmith Travel stores, highlighting the brand’s rapid expansion in the UK and putting the brand firmly on track to become the number-one playing card in the UK as well as the USA. Bicycle playing cards are the most widely used playing cards in the world and having launched over 130 years ago, have a rich history. Bicycle cards have paved the path to freedom for prisoners of war in WWII …

Barbie named ‘Fashion Icon 2021’ by Fashion Icon Awards and Arab Fashion Council. This year, the Fashion Icon Awards and Arab Fashion Council has named Barbie the Fashion Icon for 2021. In tribute to Barbie, fashion designer Jeremy Scott presented Moschino’s archive collection inspired by Barbie and received the Council’s Medal of Honor.

LEGO shares content to mark launch of Lego City Stuntz. As the LEGO City Stuntz range launches at retail, LEGO has partnered with Bold Dog FMX to produce an exciting freestyle motocross video. The video, which can be viewed on YouTube and on Facebook, shows the daredevil athletes from Bold Dog FMX build stunt courses with the new LEGO City Stuntz sets and then take the creative ideas of the kids to real courses...

Disguise dresses up its adaptive costume biz. To better serve kids with disabilities, Disguise has unveiled a new line of adaptive costumes, with plans to grow its offering with more products, additional licensing deals, and a global strategy to meet international demand for inclusive Halloween apparel. With more kids set to Trick or Treat in 2021 than in 2020, the costume segment has already contributed to growth ...

Hasbro kicks off 40th anniversary of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero with Haslab Project, O-ring return. Next year, Hasbro‘s groundbreaking G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (ARAH) toy line turns 40, and the company is celebrating in a big way. At Hasbro Pulse Con 2021, the G.I. Joe brand team dropped the curtain on the first-ever G.I. Joe HasLab project: the G.I. Joe Skystriker.

Forbeck's 'Shotguns & Sorcery' joins '5E'. A new edition of the Shotguns & Sorcery “fantasy noir” setting tooled for 5E will be released next year. Written by New York Times best-selling author Matt Forbeck and his son Marty Forbeck, the new version of Shotguns & Sorcery presents an expanded view of the Dragon City, a walled metropolis on a continent overrun by undead.

'Ultimate Werewolf' goes 'Extreme'. Bezier Games has announced Ultimate Werewolf Extreme, an expanded version of its popular party game, set to release on November 17.Like the classic social deduction game, Ultimate Werewolf Extreme assigns players secret roles as villagers or werewolves, seeking to eliminate the opposing team through subterfuge and persuasion over a series of “nights” in which the werewolf players...

Games Workshop reveals new 'Warhammer 40,000 Kill Team'. Games Workshop revealed Warhammer 40,000 Kill Team: Chalnath, a new skirmish boxed set, which is on preorder November 1. Warhammer 40,000 Kill Team: Chalnath boxed set come with two full kill teams: Adepta Sororitas Novitiates and a squad of T'au Pathfinders.

Amaroni becomes UK distributor for FabBrix. Amaroni has partnered with FabBrix to become the UK distribution partner for toy brand FabBrix, which is already established in 15 countries around the globe. FabBrix produces environmentally friendly wooden building bricks which are completely compatible with leading brand plastic bricks and yet are 100% FSC certified.

Hanky Panky partners with Trends UK for launch of That’s Magic range. The brand new That’s Magic range will be supported by an online video and social media campaign in the run up to Christmas. Manufacturer Hanky Panky has partnered with Trends UK to distribute its new That’s Magic range of magic sets. Hanky Panky, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, is the company behind magic sets in the UK...

DC and Warner Bros reveal new toys inspired by DC Super Heroes. Hot on the heels of a record-breaking DC FanDome, DC and Warner Bros Consumer Products have revealed more products inspired by DC Super Heroes. Multiple retailers including the DC Shop and Walmart have unveiled toys, collectables and apparel, with the DC Shop offering more than 60 exclusive DC FanDome 2021 graphics with the potential ...

Video Games, Gaming Hardware & Game Development News . . .

Pikmin Bloom is Niantic's latest attempt to get people moving. Niantic has finally introduced the world to Pikmin Bloom, the first in a slate of AR projects developed in partnership with Nintendo. As with other Niantic titles, Pikmin Bloom is an AR experience for mobile devices that encourages players to get active and explore the real-world by letting them nurture and collect Pikmin as they wander.

Dr. Dre is making music for an upcoming GTA game, says Snoop Dogg. Rockstar Games recently revealed Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition, which launches digitally next month and hits store shelves in December. Alongside this high-profile return to the franchise’s past, though, the developer is presumably still working on its future. Now, according to comments made by Snoop Dogg on a Rolling Stone...

Fortnite boss slams billionaire tax he doesn't seem to fully understand. Surprise, surprise, Epic Games founder, Tim Sweeney, is not a fan of the new billionaire tax being proposed in Congress at the moment. The CEO of the company, which prints money thanks to Fortnite, said the tax would possibly “end founder control” of Epic Games, calling into question whether he even knows what the proposed bill would do.

Amazon Prime’s free games for November are shockingly good, again. Amazon has been giving away free games as part of its paid Prime membership for a while now, but they’ve rarely been this good. After a powerhouse lineup last month, the service is doubling down in November with nine more, and just in time for Tomb Raider’s birthday.

Google Stadia tries something new: a free 30-minute game trial. Google’s Stadia cloud gaming service is still coming up with new ways to attract gamers, and it’s finally trying one that we’ve suggested for years: free time-limited trials of entire games, so you can see whether it’s for you.

FIFA 22 holds No.1 and Resident Evil Village sales jump 227% | UK Boxed Charts. FIFA 22 is No.1 for a fourth consecutive week in the UK boxed retail charts. After a disappointing start for the physical version (the game has been primarily downloaded), things have improved with FIFA 22's boxed sales declining relatively slowly, at least compared with previous iterations.

Pokémon Unite hides score to stop players from rage quitting, devs say. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been in the thick of a Pokémon Unite match, feeling good about my team’s chances of winning, only for the timer to countdown to zero and reveal that we actually got wrecked.

Overwatch’s cowboy hero is now named Cole Cassidy. Jesse McCree, Overwatch’s cowboy hero, has been renamed Cole Cassidy. The name change is part of a number of updates Blizzard is making to its games to remove references to problematic people or themes that have come to light in the wake of several discrimination and harassment suits filed against the company.

ZAG inks deal with Gamemill Entertainment for ‘Miraculous’ console game. ZAG Games — the digital gaming division of ZAG America — is following the success of its recent Roblox title with a console game inspired by the Miraculous franchise. The company inked a deal with GameMill Entertainment and Magic Pockets to create the as-yet-untitled action-adventure game that is slated for release for holiday 2022.

Epic Games irks employees with shift in vacation policy. Bloomberg games reporter Jason Schreier is reporting that Epic Games employees are in an uproar after the company announced an end to a pandemic-inspired policy that allowed employees to take every other Friday off. Ending the policy has frustrated employees so much that some reached out to Schreier and shared documents confirming the policy's end.

Activision Blizzard

Bobby Kotick takes another pay cut, waives arbitration in letter to staff. In the wake of all that’s been happening at Activision Blizzard, CEO Bobby Kotick—who has been in charge of the company during all the recent allegations of sexual harassment and abusive workplace conditions—is taking possible steps toward his claims of a commitment to inclusiveness.

Blizzard will ‘pause’ plans for an online BlizzCon event in 2022. The pandemic canceled BlizzCon 2021, and it appears that a planned online event next year from Blizzard will also be a scratch. An uncredited blog post says, “We’ve decided to take a step back and pause on planning the previously announced BlizzConline event scheduled for early next year.”

Activision Blizzard fails to have DFEH lawsuit paused over alleged ethics violations. Activision Blizzard has failed to have the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing's (DFEH) harassment lawsuit paused due to potential ethics violations. The U.S. publisher is being sued by the DFEH for allegedly creating a "frat boy" culture that allowed misconduct to flourish..

Toy Safety & Counterfeit Related Articles . . .

Combating online counterfeiting. As holiday sales ramps up, and consumers around the world look to ecommerce and social commerce for a growing part of their gift-giving, major platforms – in particular, both Facebook and Amazon — are throwing a spotlight on the measures they’re taking to combat counterfeiting.

Toy trafficking bust: $10K worth of Lego sets. Seattle Police say they have disassembled a criminal Lego trafficking operation brick by brick. Police say they arrested a 67-year-old store owner and seized more than 170 stolen Lego sets. Police believe a thief shoplifted the Lego sets from another store.

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Highlighted Press Releases . . .

SANTA SAYS: EMPOWER CHILDREN THROUGH PLAY WITH FIVE PRESCHOOL GAMES THAT ARE REALLY FUN! .Over 75 National & International Awards Commend Adventerra Games’ Swiss-based Company For Its Ecological Themes In Every (Recycled) Box. Boston, MA (November 4, 2021) – Imagine gifting a game where tots can play, learn, AND save the planet before they enter kindergarten! Saving Water: Ecologic Puzzle ($14.99) created for ages 2+ and Hungry Bins Memory Game: Learn to Recycle ($19.99) for ages 3+ do exactly that, along with a toybox full of memory games and board games to delight the eyes and inspire young minds.

WERE YOU RAISED IN A BARN? IF NOT, COW PIES AND CATAPULTS WILL BE A NEW DINNERTIME TOPIC! Launching Poo Through The Air To Tip Over Your Opponents Bovine Is The Goal Of Cow Pie Catapults™–Find It Now at Target, Amazon & Specialty Shops! Ready for some potty humor? It’s always been popular with kids and now is combined with a fun new game. Someone much older thought a Pile of Poo with cartoon eyes would make a great emoji. And it has! The Good Game Company, makers of wholesome family fun for good times, launches the next level of this phenomenon with Cow Pie Catapults.

News from Associations, Trade Shows, Awards, Events & Festivals . . .

People of Play (POP) announced their official schedule for the Virtual POP Week, running from November 15 - 20, 2021. The week includes The Toy & Game International Innovation Summit, POP Duo Keynotes Legends & Leaders, Networking in the POP Pub Rooms, Entertainment on the Fair Stages, TAGIE Awards, and Young Inventors Challenge. “Our 2021 program is turning out to be one of the most innovative we’ve ever had,” said Mary Couzin, CEO and founder of the Chicago Toy & Game Week (CHITAG). “We’re bringing our industry and other entertainment industries together in new and exciting ways to share ideas and cross pollinate. We’re creating network opportunities, bringing in the highest caliber of diverse speakers we’ve ever had and awarding deserving companies and kids with both the TAGIE awards and Young Inventor’s Challenge as well as stages of entertainment at the Fair. There’s something for everyone.”

The Rainbow Awards 2021 reveals winners. The awards are designed to reward the very best new toys, helping consumers to make smart choices in the run-up to Christmas and beyond. Each toy entered is tested by children along with their carers or parents, carefully selected by the organisers for the correct age, gender and setting.

(the above posted after October 29th)

Toy brands report success at The Big Christmas Press Show. icking off the ‘most wonderful time of the year’, The Big Christmas Press Show, hosted by CIJ Group in September at the Business Design Centre, had over 90+ brands and retailers in attendance, showcasing their hero products for Christmas over the two days. Representing KAP Toys at the show, Nathaniel Southworth commented: “Christmas has a new kick off event;....

Konami Digital Entertainment announced that in-person Yu-Gi-Oh! events will return in January 2022. It's been almost two years since the last in-person Yu-Gi-Oh! Championship Series event occurred in February 2020 and over a year since in-store play was suspended indefinitely. The YCS will be making its official in-person event return with Pasadena YCS on January 15-16, 2022.

UK Toy Fair 2022 – visitor registration now open. Toy Fair will return to Olympia London from Tuesday 25th – Thursday 27th January with more than 250 exhibiting companies. The British Toy & Hobby Association has announced that registration has opened for visitors and media to attend Toy Fair 2022. Following a hiatus in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 68th Toy Fair will return to Olympia London...

BLE outlines enhanced Covid-19 testing and safety measures. Brand Licensing Europe has partnered with ExpressTest by CignPost to facilitate all testing requirements for international attendees. Anyone needing to take a day two test to enter England will be able to purchase a ‘click and collect’ testing kit to be picked up at Excel. The tests can be self-administered in any location with results uploaded online.

Tickets for Spielwarenmesse to be released on 17 November. The world’s leading trade fair for toys is back, and will be opening its doors again from 2 to 6 February 2022 after a one-year gap. Visitors from the specialist retail trade will be able to secure tickets from 17 November. Spielwarenmesse is renowned for showcasing trends and innovations, and for networking opportunities and toy expertise.

Brand Licensing Europe partners with ExpressTest by CignPost to facilitate testing needs for international attendees. Brand Licensing Europe has partnered with ExpressTest by CignPost to facilitate all testing requirements for international attendees. Anyone needing to take a day two test to enter England will be able to purchase a ‘click and collect’ testing kit to be picked up at ExCeL.

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 colleagues. Archives can be found HERE.

Malcolm Rose - He enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the toy trade. His first role in toys was with Angel Toys, which he joined in the mid 60s. He then went on to hold several senior roles in the industry; as well as his tenure at Angel Toys, Malcolm lent his expertise to Illco, Tyco-Matchbox and Mookie Toys, among others.

His last full-time role was as sales director at Mookie Toys, where, over a 10-year period, he played an instrumental part in the growth of the business and its establishment as a pre-eminent force in the outdoor toy market, both in the UK and internationally. Malcolm formally retired from Mookie in 2005, but continued to work for a number of years on a consultancy basis, firstly for Top Banana Toys and then with Kelly Richardson at Kyria.

Remembering Malcolm, Andrew Moulsher of Top Banana Toys said: “Malcolm was hugely respected by both the buyers he dealt with and his co-workers. He had a reputation as a straight talker, always showing great integrity and was never afraid to give a retail buyer the benefit of his experience if he thought they were making a less than judicious buying decision. In the main, they appreciated this and respected him all the more for it. He certainly had a significant impact on my own career development, and I shall miss him enormously.”

Affectionately known as “Grumps” by his family and many of his colleagues, Malcolm is survived by his wife Sandra, children Simon and Jo and grandchildren Sophie and Sam.

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Weekly Top Stories from Toy and Game Trade Magazines Worldwide . . .

Toy Trade Monthly Issues

Adventure Media & Events (US)

aNb Media (US)

ToyWorld (UK)

ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture's (US)

- Defend Retail Treasures with 'Pathfinder' Kobolds
- WizKids Unveils 'D&D Icons of the Realms: Storm King's Thunder'
- ACD Loses Appeal, Must Pay WotC Fees
- Defeat Plastic Space Fascists in 'Rebel Scum RPG'
- Wizards of the Coast Forms 'Magic: The Gathering' Casual Play Design Team
- Rolling for Initiative -- Gifts for Roleplayers
- Paizo Voluntarily Recognizes Union

- ICv2 Gifts Week 2021
- Gifts Week: Ten Board Games for the Holidays 2021

- 'Magic' Sales Beat 2020 Numbers in Three Quarters

Nación Juguetes (Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile & Spain)

TOYS Magazine (Germany) - posted once a month

The Bugg Report (Australia)

Casual Game Revolution

News Flash: Dreadful Circus Released, Halloween Games
Portal Games has released a new card game, several websites recommend games to play for Halloween, and Rory's Story Cubes: Harry Potter has been announced.

Video of the Week!

Reuben Klamer Invented The Game of Life for Milton Bradley Company's 100th Birthday!

Reuben Klamer's life was full. He helped save the world in World War II, and created playthings that have entertained countless kids across generations. Inspired by Milton Bradley's first game, The Checkered Game of Life, Reuben designed a game for the 100th birthday of the Milton Bradley Company. This is The Game of Life Edition of Where's the Fun from? (WTFF).

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

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the Bloom Report

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