Toy & Game International Excellence Awards - the TAGIEs
Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
Happy Passover, Happy Easter, Happy Bloomin' Friday!
I am saddened to hear of Klaus Teuber's passing earlier this week. He had numerous successes, but is best known for designing Settlers of Catan. I had the extraordinarily good fortune to be the first person to interview him in North America - twenty-two years ago! Before most people in North America knew him, before our events began, before the Bloom Report existed. I'll never forget it. He gave each question a great deal of thought before answering and was genuinely humble. His son Guido translated his German into English for me. They both remembered the interview just a few years ago. I have compiled some articles and videos about him here. Klaus left us too early and will be missed.
Thank you for reading the Bloom Report. If you can't wait for the news to arrive each Friday, check out the Bloom Report 24/7 News Feed!
Mary
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“I seriously look forward to each Friday to learn most every update + more in the Industry. Priceless info! Thank you” -Michael Kohner, The Michael Kohner Corporation
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"I don't know anyone in the industry that doesn't read the Bloom Report." -Ken Lewis, President, 4Kidz, Inc.
Columnist - Nancy Zwiers
"Why is Innovation so Freaking Hard?"
I had a lot of fun speaking to my friend and another former CMO, Mike Linton, as part of his fantastic podcast #CMOConfidential on the topic
"Why is Innovation so Freaking Hard?"
Leveraging stories from my 30+ years of experience in the innovation-driven toy industry, we discuss the challenges of innovating...and offer up some nuggets of wisdom for anyone looking to be more innovative.
#innovation #podcast #barbie #mattel #hatchimals #spinmaster #procterandgamble #CMOCoaches
Person of the Week - Laura Robinson
Balderdash, Celebrity Name Game, Chicken Soup, Blank Slate and more!
Hi Laura! While reading your interview, I was thinking about the time you hosted our 2014 PlayChic toy inspired fashion show and sang at our TAGIE Awards. And now you have an even longer list of creative achievements! Thank you for taking time our from you crazy schedule to share your latest projects with us! First, let's talk about what you do in our industry...
I was and still am a board game inventor and now I am also a television game show creator and Executive Producer. My specialty or “lane” is taking great board games to TV.
What is your claim to fame?
Well, I’ve been fortunate to be part of a lot of exciting things in my life but of course, my biggest claim to fame is inventing the classic bluffing game, Balderdash, along with my co-inventor, Paul Toyne! I’m so proud of creating Balderdash, because it has stood the test of time and has given so many people around the world the joy and fun of playing an engaging, hilarious game with their families, writing their own answers and making long-lasting memories! I seriously never get tired of hearing from people how much they love Balderdash, how they play it every New Year’s Eve or Christmas... and how their wacky family member always writes some crazy answer that makes everybody laugh till they cry! Sometimes when I am having a less than great day - maybe a project is taking too long or we’ve hit a roadblock with a network or something - my husband Mark will say to me, “Laura, you’ve literally made millions of people LAUGH, not many people get to say that!” And I remember that it is something quite unique and special... and for which I truly am so grateful.
You’ve moved into TV game shows... tell us about that.
Well, I have actually been involved in several television versions of Balderdash over the years. I co-created another board game, “Identity Crisis” loosely based on the parlor game, Celebrity and we turned it into a TV format, attached Courtney Cox and sold it into syndication with Fremantle Global Media. The show was called “Celebrity Name Game,” it ran for 3 successful seasons (2014-2017), and it was such a fun, fantastic show to be a part of! Our host was the fabulous Craig Ferguson, one of the funniest guys in TV who won two Emmys for hosting the show. And in season 3, myself and the other execs were nominated for the best game show award and we all got to go to the Emmy’s... what an amazing night! We lost to Alex Trebek and Jeopardy, but wow, how special to be included in the same category. READ MORE...
Person of the Week - John Redenbach
Always Let the Vendor Know Where They Stand
Congratulations on being honored with the Lifetime Achiement Award this year at the Melbourne Toy Fair, John! How long have you been in the toy industry?
Virtually a working lifetime - around 45 years all up.
Where did it all start and where are you now?
It started by accident. I was a buyer for Venture stores in Australia (no relation to the U.S. Venture) in the general merchandise area. The business was taken over and they decided to change direction. They went out of the categories I was purchasing to concentrate on clothing (womens, mens and kidswear) and toys. They asked me to be the toy buyer and thats where it all started.
Later I was approached by Big W in the mid 80"s. I packed up and moved to Sydney as their Merchandise Manager (Big W are very much like Walmart). ToysRUs then approached me in 1992 when they were coming to Australia. I started with TRU in December '92 as the Merchandise Director after being interviewed by none other than Phil Bloom!
I stayed there for 12 years and moved on to Myer, and eventually Toyworld. Big W approached me to return for a three month contract 8 1/2 years ago and I'm still there! You can't do this job without good people and I have been blessed over the years to have worked with great staff.
Cartoon Lovers, Lexophiles & People in Need of a Smile!
Thank you Jerry Cleary for this Lexophile gem...
A vulture boards an airplane, carrying two dead raccoons. The stewardess looks at him and says, I’m sorry, sir, only one carrion allowed per passenger.
Quote of the Week...
Whatever you do, always give 100%. Unless you're donating blood. — Bill Murray
Do you have a cartoon or a joke to share with your colleagues? Send it to me at mary@chitag.com! Can't wait to see what you've got!
Financial and Legal
Aritzia is being sued by an artist in the United States over hot pink sculptures that have been featured in the Canadian fashion retailer's window displays across North America this spring. "I was astounded. Why? Why not contact me? ... It was hurtful, quite frankly," said Richard X. Zawitz, who owns Tangle Creations.
TikTok has been fined £12.7m for illegally processing the data of 1.4 million children under 13 who were using its platform without parental consent, Britain’s data watchdog said. The information commissioner said the China-owned video app had done “very little, if anything” to check who was using the platform and remove underage users, despite internal warnings the firm was flouting its own terms and conditions.
Scholastic will merge its Book Fairs and Book Clubs divisions into a single unit focused on school reading events. The reorg will be completed and the new organization launched by June, in time for the upcoming 2023/2024 school yr. Current Scholastic Book Fairs President Sasha Quinton will lead the new organization at launch, while current Scholastic Book Clubs President Judy Newman has been named Scholastic’s...
Members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party plan to meet this week with Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger and Apple CEO Tim Cook, as well as screenwriters and other studio executives. The chairman of the committee, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) has previously said that he wanted Iger to testify over Disney’s business dealings in the country, along with NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
Amazon laying off 100 staff within its game divisions. Amazon has made roughly 100 layoffs within its video game divisions, including staff at Prime Gaming, Game Growth, and the company's San Diego studio. That's according to a report from Bloomberg, which has glimpsed an internal memo sent to employees by Games VP Christoph Hartmann. In that memo, Hartmann said the retail and media giant needed to realign...
NLRB alleges Activision Blizzard illegally surveilled employees in new complaint. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently filed a complaint against Activision Blizzard. Per IGN, the organization has three separate charges for the game developer, relating to allegations of illegally surveilling its employees and violating labor laws in the process.
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Financial Reporting
Box Office: ‘Super Mario Bros.’ Opens to Stupendous $204.6M in U.S., Record $375.6M Globally. The movie scored the top global launch ever for an animated pic, and the second-best ever domestically. Ben Affleck's adult-skewing drama 'Air' opened to $20.2 million
Apple’s 40% Plunge in PC Shipments Is Steepest Among Major Computer Makers
***The above posted after April 7th***
Box Office: ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Opens to OK $38.5M in North America. Paramount and eOne are confident that the big-budget event pic — based on Hasbro's...
Genius Brands announces 691% increase in revenue for 2022.
Capcom's share price hits all-time high after Resident Evil 4's remake
Stonemaier Games sales declined in 2022, with sharply reduced sales of the Wingspan core game an important factor. Stonemaier Games sales were $20.7 million in 2022, down 16% from $24.7 million in 2021, but up substantially from the company’s $17.9 million in sales in 2019
Lionsgate, Warner Bros. Discovery Among Top Hollywood Stock Gainers in First Quarter
UK video games market value dipped by 5.6% in 2022
Hardware revenue down as UK game market valuation dips to £7.05 billion in 2022.
Trends, Market Research, and State of the Industry
MARCH 2023 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 ADULT GRAPHIC NOVELS
MARCH 2023 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 KIDS GRAPHIC NOVELS
***The above posted after April 7th***
Dramatic moments and a new split-screening trend are winning with young viewers
TOP 20 GRAPHIC NOVELS - MARCH 2023
Books, books, books. Gen Z has helped to catalyze a literature revival—book sales set records in the US and the UK last year, with young-adult fiction sales increasing 30.7 percent in the US as teens tore through titles. Plus 2 more Gen Z trends that are breaking the eight-second stereotype.
Stories, Comments, and Advice
Why do animals play? The puzzle of play The purpose of play — for children, monkeys, rats or meerkats — has proved surprisingly hard to pin down. When a dog chases a ball or a child adjudicates relationship disputes in doll-land, something important and meaningful is clearly happening in their minds, says Laura Schulz, a cognitive scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge. “Play has a lot of peculiar and fascinating properties,” she says. “It’s totally fundamental to learning and human intelligence.”
A Monopoly game escalated into a fight with a samurai sword that left 2 men in the hospital. Monopoly players in Belgium got into a fight with a neighbor who was angry about the noise levels. The neighbor's son brought out a Japanese katana sword and began fighting with a player. Both men were injured, with the sword owner sustaining a deep artery cut, per reports.
If your battery is running low, be aware that juicing up your electronic device at free USB port charging stations, such as those found near airport gates, in hotels and other travel-friendly locations, could have unfortunate consequences. You could become a victim of "juice jacking," a new cyber-theft tactic. Cybersecurity experts have warned that criminals can load malware onto public USB charging stations to maliciously access electronic devices while they are being charged. Malware installed through a dirty USB port can lock a device or export...
Argentina has program that teaches game design to prisoners and helps them release simple titles. It has operated in three prison units in Argentina, where prisoners take part in weekly game development workshops. They learn the basics of storytelling, programming, game design, sound design, and other skills needed to create their own projects.
Sonny Angel figurines from Japan have spurred a passionate collector base. Sonny Angel is the name of a fictitious 2-year-old cherub designed to be a tiny companion for working women in their mid-20s dealing with the stresses of adulthood. He was created by Toru Soeya, a Japanese toy designer who lent his nickname “Sonny” to the character.
***The above posted after tBR sent on April 7th***
John Baulch, Toy World - Toy co’s go to Hollywood …it’s the Friday Blog! The Blog comes to you on a Thursday this week, as many of us in the toy community won’t be working on Easter Friday. Although, of course, stores will still be open, and retailers will be hoping for an Easter bonanza to get Q2 off to a strong start. I have definitely been detecting more encouraging vibes in recent weeks – sales seem to be...
US retailer Rick Derr discusses the importance of Comfort in the Moment and MESH skills for kids, and how the toy industry can play its part. “There is a documented mental health crisis in the US among children and teens,” Rick writes. “In October of 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry declared a national state of emergency in children’s mental health. In these organisations’ combined 125 years of existence, this has never happened before.”
A Barbie Pop-Up Restaurant Is Coming to Chicago. No word on if Skipper is invited. he pandemic dented one of Chicago’s most-loved pastimes: pop culture-themed pop-ups. But that side of the restaurant industry is roaring back with an unlikely figure leading the charge: Barbie. In June, Chicago will debut the Malibu Barbie Cafe. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, April 19 and organizers will disclose the location then.
VIDEO GAME MAKERS used to look to Hollywood for their inspiration. But in recent years, the market for games has grown to nearly $200bn, five times more than people spend at the box office and more, even, than they spend on streaming services like Netflix or Disney+. And that has caught the attention of the movie industry, which is now looking to game makers for its ideas.
A four-year-old boy has become the world’s youngest published author and has even earned himself a Guinness World Record in the process. Saeed Rashed AlMheiri, from Abu Dhabi, is the proud author of the children’s book The Elephant Saeed and the Bear, which is a story about kindness and an unexpected friendship between the two animals.
Why toy companies shouldn’t underestimate the passions of fans. Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger is taking no prisoners. He engineered his return by forcing CEO Bob Chapek out of his CEO role. Seven thousand layoffs later, he fired Ike Perlmutter, Chairman of Marvel Entertainment. Perlmutter was an old-time toy guy with stops at Coleco Entertainment and Toy Biz/Marvel Toys.
Over 1 million people are trying to figure out who murdered Sonic. Sega's decision to take the Sonic franchise in a wild new direction with The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog has paid off immediately. After turning its iconic platformer into a hand-drawn whodunnit as part of a tongue-in-cheek but also kinda serious April Fools gag, over 1 million people have decided to channel their inner Benoit Blanc to figure out who...
Building winning media strategies. With over 50% of 2022 advertising budgets from Toys and Games advertisers invested in digital media, Generation Media’s Jon Chambers looks at 2023 media planning. The news of CITV’s closure from the end of August will only accelerate the trend to focus on digital in 2023. Surely that should make 2023 media planning easier? Disinvest in TV and up-weight digital?
Coping with Amazon’s latest trading terms. Only a few months into 2023 and already Amazon finds itself dominating the business news, but Asha Bhalsod of Etopia Consultancy is here to help. With Amazon’s relentless focus on driving its bottom line, toy brands selling on the platform are bound to be affected, writes Asha in her Viewpoint column this month. Toys & Games is in the top five categories on Amazon...
The Strong National Museum of Play Launches “Bringing Barbie to Everyone” Project to Digitize and Share its Barbie Collections. The Strong National Museum of Play is pleased to announce the launch of “Bringing Barbie to Everyone,” an effort to make its collection of nearly 3,000 Barbie dolls and related artifacts more accessible to collectors and enthusiasts via its Online Collections portal.
Retail Focus on Game. Rachel Town, senior trading manager, and Philip Parker, head of Buying, spoke to Toy World about how Game is set to become a major player in the marketplace. Game, owned by Frasers Group, has been a mainstay of the British retail scene for more than three decades. Known for its specialism in consoles, computer games, gaming accessories and licensed merchandise, the retailer is now...
Steeve Reece - The Toy Journal #17 A Deeper Examination Of The Kidult Toy Space: Consumer Segmentations. Of all the many areas of the Toy business I comment on or write about, the ‘Kidult’ space has been the most in demand across the last year or so. I have various articles & podcasts already out there on this topic, and some more articles in the works with leading Toy trade publishers.
John Baulch, Toy World - Ain’t bot no, I got life …it’s the Friday Blog! After last week’s Blog focused on reducing headcounts and increasing automation within certain retail organisations, it has been interesting to see the whole ChatGPT/AI debate blow up in the media this week. (For the uninitiated, ChatGPT is a natural language processing tool driven by AI technology that can answer questions and assist with tasks like, for...
History and Nostalgia
Masters of the Universe action figures were created in 1979. Mattel’s Ray Wagner formed a team to explore the creation of the co.’s next big action line, which was needed to compete with Kenner’s successful Star Wars action figures. One of the team members named Roger Sweet added modeling clay to bulk up an existing Big Jim and an illustrator named Mark Taylor developed the proposed aesthetics for the new action figure and He-Man was born!
***The above posted after April 7th***
The Archie Game from Whitman (1969). Released in 1969 by Whitman, The Archie Game called on players’ alertness and quick reflexes to avoid capture by Archie and progress up the scoreboard. The game incorporated Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, Jughead Jones, and Reggie Mantle from the Archie Comics franchise. The titular character debuted in Pep Comics 22 (1941).
Gaylord the Pup from Ideal (1962). Long before Sony’s AIBO robotic dog hit the scene, Ideal released Gaylord the Pup, a mechanical pet. Gaylord hit store shelves in late 1962, just in time for the holiday shopping season. Made of rigid plastic, Gaylord was 23-inches long and 7-inches high. He was painted to resemble a Basset Hound, complete with sad eyes and droopy ears made of brown felt.
Inspector Gadget from Milton Bradley (1983). Released in 1983 by Milton Bradley, the Inspector Gadget game players assumed the role of the iconic cyborg detective and tried to stop the nefarious activities of M.A.D. (Mean and Dirty) villains. Two to four players chose an Inspector Gadget pawn and placed it on the START space. The eight MAD Villain tokens were also placed on pre-determined locations on the board.
Licensing and Entertainment
Hot Wheels Unleashed has now sold over 2,000,000 copies. Milestone CEO Luisa Bixio commented about the matter in the press release announcing the sales, saying that “Hot Wheels boasts one of the most engaged and passionate fan bases of any brand in the world. We’re proud that Mattel trusted us to bring the brand to life in Hot Wheels Unleashed, and so pleased with how consumers have responded”.
Why did Incredible Film cross the road? To add Katy and the Stolen Chickens to its sales portfolio, of course. The Dutch distributor Incredible Film has inked a deal to represent the live-action series internationally, which is produced by Netherlands-based Annemarie Mooren Productions. Aimed at kids ages 4 to 7, the five x 10-minute series follows Katy, a seven-year-old girl who has to solve the mystery of her...
The Star Wars juggernaut will continue in hyperspeed for the foreseeable future, with three new films added to Lucasfilm’s slate. The studio is developing a trio of new films for the franchise and has tapped Disney vets James Mangold (Logan), Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (Ms. Marvel) and Dave Filoni (The Mandalorian) to direct a project each.
***The above posted after April 7th***
Disney CEO Bob Iger said Monday the company has reached a new stage of its evolution in streaming and will consider “on occasion” licensing some titles to third parties. Responding to a question from a shareholder during the company’s annual meeting, conducted virtually this year, Iger acknowledged there had been a period in the late-2010s when the company clawed back streaming rights.
‘Barbie’ Posters Unveil Every Barbie and Ken Actor in Margot Robbie’s Film: Dua Lipa, Simu Liu and More. A running joke in the “Barbie” character posters is that each Barbie actor is playing a version of Barbie that has a unique profession (Issa Rae’s Barbie is president, Dupa Lip’a Barbie is a mermaid, Nicola Coughlan’s Barbie is a diplomat), while all of the Ken actors are simply just playing Ken. The character posters also provide a first look at Helen Mirren as the narrator, Will Ferrell as a Mattel CEO and Michael Cera as Allan.
Toikido’s first in-house IP, Piñata Smashlings, has garnered massive hype ahead of its launch this summer and a new character-driven series is on the way. Launching in 2023, Piñata Smashlings is home to hundreds of playful characters called Smashlings. These cheeky little creatures and playful Piñatas love to have fun and are always on the lookout for the Rainbow Whale, who drops new Rainbow pods.
‘Shrek 5’ With Original Cast, Donkey Spinoff With Eddie Murphy, ‘Sing 3’ and More Teased by Illumination’s Chris Meledandri. Even as Chris Meledandri prepares to launch Mario onto movie screens, the Illumination founder and CEO is simultaneously juggling several new movies and sequels in his ever-expanding animation empire. These range from follow-ups to his “Sing,” “Despicable Me” and “Secret Life of Pets”...
Give me a D, give me an E, give me an A, give me an L! Guru Studio has partnered with American talent agency Foundation Media Partners and cheerleading brand Varsity Spirit to develop a new animated series called Spirits of Ridgeway High. Aimed at kids ages six to 11, the 52 x 11-minute concept stars cheerleader Melissa Mayfield, who tries to turn her last-place cheer team into a winning squad.
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. is close to a deal for a new online TV series based on Harry Potter, the best-selling young adult books, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. Each season of the series will be based on one of JK Rowling’s seven books, said the people, who asked not to be identified since the deal hasn’t been announced, suggesting years of fresh fare from the popular stories.
Disney is doubling down on its strategy of retelling big-screen animated classics in live action. But this time, it hasn’t gone as far back in the time machine. The studio has started developing a live-action remake of 2016’s CG-animated princess pic Moana. Inspired by Polynesian mythology, the original film stars a plucky teen girl who sets out on a voyage with the demigod Maui to lift a curse and help save her people.
“Barbie” Trailer Reveals Margot Robbie in Greta Gerwig’s Live-Action Look at Mattel’s Iconic Doll. Whereas the first trailer riffed on the iconic prehistoric “Dawn of Man” sequence in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, the new trailer widens the lens and teases the larger cast. It also offers a few salient plot points for our heroine and her friends.
Cowabunga, dudes! The Loyal Subjects (TLS) and Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences have teamed up to expand the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) BST AXN line of action figures and collectibles this year. BST AXN (pronounced “best action”) is a growing line of products that includes characters from multiple intellectual properties (IP), with TMNT among the most popular in the bunch.
The Singing Machine Co., the worldwide leader in consumer karaoke products, announced it has entered into a licensing agreement with Sesame Workshop. The Singing Machine Company will develop, manufacture and market sing-along and youth karaoke products featuring beloved Sesame Street characters, including Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and Abby Cadabby for North America, Australia, the United Kingdom.
Skipper takes the lead in latest animated Barbie movie. Following Barbie’s younger teenage sister in her first starring role, the movie brings to life fun and adventure in relatable real-world scenarios. Skipper is a babysitting expert, but when her babysitting business hits a snag, she takes a summer job at a water park and tries out different first jobs with some new friends.
GSN Starts A Blank Slate with Mario Lopez The Saved By The Bell star and Access Hollywood host fronts a new GSN show. According to AdWeek, GSN is not only a top 20 cable network, but has over 275 hours of content on deck for 2023. Part of those 11 straight days of brand-new content that their core audience absolutely gobbles up with wanton abandon will be taken up by a brand new game show: Blank Slate (The Op).
Rainbow Designs will be launching an exclusive new range of Bagpuss plush toys, which will be available to UK consumers this autumn/winter. Licensed by Coolabi Licensing, the iconic and much-loved British animated children’s television series Bagpuss will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024. Co-created by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate through their production company Smallfilms, the Bagpuss series...
Hasbro Reveals New Star Wars Young Jedi Adventures Toys. Hasbro has revealed a ton of new products inspired by the upcoming preschool series Young Jedi Adventures streaming on Disney+ May the 4th. The reveals include a playset of the Tenoo Temple where the young Jedi’s are based and train out of, as well as their ship – the Crimson Firehawk!
Monopoly is headed to the Mushroom Kingdom! Hasbro has announced and launched a brand-new edition of the iconic Monopoly board game – Monopoly The Super Mario Bros Movie Edition Game – just in time for the release of Nintendo + Illumination’s new animated action-comedy, The Super Mario Bros Movie – now playing in theaters.
Funko Games has announced the Star Wars Rivals Card Game, an all-new expandable card game experience featuring endless layers of strategy and fun within every era of the Star Wars galaxy. Arriving late spring 2023, the award-winning tabletop gaming studio will offer a Premier Set and expansive Character Booster Packs, encouraging fans to join the dark or light side of the Force, build teams and battle...
What you should know about the Super Mario Bros. Movie's end credits scenes. Oh, hello there. I see you’ve got your phone out at the movie theater and you’re sitting in the credits for The Super Mario Bros. Movie. You’re probably here wondering if there are extra scenes worth sticking around for. Well, I’m here to answer that question and more, so let’s jump down the warp pipe and into the unknown.
Spin Master and Hasbro team for Barrel of Monkeys. Hasbro has awarded a worldwide licensing agreement to Spin Master for Barrel of Monkeys. Spin Master will innovate on the game to deliver new play experiences and introduce original formats while expanding retailer distribution leveraging its global footprint. “Barrel of Monkeys is just iconic, from the shape of the monkeys and instantly recognizable barrel...
Warner Bros. Discovery reveals global 100th anniversary plans. Warner Bros., founded on April 4, 1923, has announced a global centennial campaign, “Celebrating Every Story,” featuring various products, content and experiences honoring Warner Bros. Studios’ 100th anniversary. Warner Bros. Consumer Products, encompassed by Warner Bros. Discovery Global Brands and Experiences, was listed...
Ryan’s World Island Adventures expands with Dole Foods partnership, toys, content, and gaming. Pocket.watch, a digital-first content and intellectual property (IP) company, sealed an integrated partnership deal between Sunlight Entertainment, Ryan Kaji’s family-owned production company, and Dole Foods to expand the Island Adventures program.
Silverlit Partners with 24 Hours of Le Man. To celebrate the race’s 100th anniversary, the companies work together to spread the excitement for automobiles. Originally started in 1923, 24 Hours of Le Mans is an endurance-focused sports car race held annually near the town of Le Mans, France, and 2023 is its 100th anniversary.
Toys R Us creates YouTube series featuring Geoffrey the Giraffe. Continuing its digital push, Toys R Us is launching a 10-episode YouTube series titled “Geoffrey’s World Tour,” the retailer announced on Friday. The show builds off of a marketing campaign in which its mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe travels to New York, Madrid, London, Hong Kong and other cities around the world.
Kellogg’s transports fans to the world of ZAG Heroez Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir with first-ever Macaron Flavored Cereal. One of the most beloved cereal brands is uniting with the globally popular animated kids TV show, ZAG Heroez Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir, to transform breakfast into the ultimate superhero experience with new Kellogg’s Miraculous Cereal.
Moose Toys’ Magic Mixies heads to Netflix. Surprise! Moose Toys is extending the reach of its Magic Mixies brand by bringing it to millions of households via Netflix. After amassing more than 12.7 million views for its Magic Mixies content on YouTube, Moose Toys created two Magic Mixies specials that are available on Netflix beginning today.
It’s official: Endeavor assembles tag team with UFC, WWE to form sports entertainment behemoth. The rumor mill was swirling ahead of Wrestlemania this past weekend with word that WWE and UFC may soon join forces. Now, Endeavor Group Holdings (Endeavor) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) have confirmed plans to create a new, publicly traded company pairing WWE with UFC.
New season of ‘Tara Duncan’ comes along with new partnerships. The “Tara Duncan” IP has made enormous strides in the licensing industry. Starting off as a fifteen-volume, French book series, the property – owned by Princess Sam – has evolved into a successful TV series and online video game, and it is now breaking into consumer products.
The Loyal Subjects, Paramount team up to extend Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles BST AXN collection. Cowabunga, dudes! The Loyal Subjects (TLS) and Paramount Consumer Products & Experiences have teamed up to expand the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) BST AXN line of action figures and collectibles this year. BST AXN (pronounced “best action”) is a growing line of products that includes characters...
Rainbow Designs welcomes Bagpuss to portfolio. Rainbow Designs will be launching an exclusive new range of Bagpuss plush toys, which will be available to UK consumers this autumn/winter. Licensed by Coolabi Licensing, the iconic and much-loved British animated children’s television series Bagpuss will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024. Co-created by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate...
People of Play
TIM KILPIN JOINS HASBRO AS PRESIDENT, TOY, LICENSING, & ENTERTAINMENT; GINA GOETTER NAMED CFO. Kilpin joins the company from PlayMonster where he most recently served as Executive Chairman following a stint as CEO. He previously led Activision Blizzard’s consumer products business and held leadership roles at Mattel and The Walt Disney Co.
Entrevista a Mary Couzin, presidente y fundadora de People of Play (POP). Una de las figuras más destacadas y versátiles de la industria del juguete a nivel mundial, promotora de eventos y conferencias, creadora y jurado de las principales premiaciones dentro de la industria, fundadora de instituciones tan renombradas como People of Play (POP), pero sobre todo, Inventora de juguetes. (English available on website)
Squishmallows Toymaker Jonathan Kelly Spends $26 Million on Futuristic Bel Air Estate. Featured in Robb Report and crafted by modern specialist Zoltan Pali, the palatial home spans nearly 17,000 square feet of living space. Kelly, ever the hardworking businessman, hasn’t wasted any time putting his new Bel Air asset to work. The slick mansion is already on the rental market, so if you like what you see, feel free to move right into this place — provided you can cough up $150,000 per month and $300,000 for the security deposit, of course.
***The above posted after April 7th***
The surprisingly complex business of toys, with Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks. For the final episode in our Centennial Series covering companies that are 100 years old, I’m talking to Chris Cocks, the CEO of Hasbro. And I have to tell you, I did not know the company was started in 1923 by the Hassenfeld brothers… the Has bros. This is my favorite fact now.
Joe Earley, who previously headed up Hulu, has been promoted to replace Michael Paull as president of direct-to-consumer (DTC) for Disney Entertainment. He officially stepped into the company’s top streaming position this week, reporting to Disney Entertainment co-chairs Alan Bergman and Dana Walden. Earley has played a key role in guiding DTC strategy since joining Disney in 2019, overseeing...
Build-A-Bear Workshop announces Julia Fitzgerald as the new Chief Marketing Officer, as the company continues to execute its multi-year strategy. Ms. Fitzgerald will be a member of Build-A-Bear's senior leadership team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and highlighting the company's continued commitment to delivering meaningful consumer engagement and experiences with the goal of further...
The board of directors of Toys R Us Asia has announced the appointment of Leo Tsoi to the role ofCEO and member of the board. Leo Tsoi brings to the role more than 27 years of consumer retail experience and business leadership in large multi-national brands across Asia. Most recently, Leo served as CEO of Starbucks China where he also served as a member of the Starbucks Global Executive leadership team.
Meredith Placko has been appointed CEO of Steve Jackson Games, as longtime Steve Jackson executive Phil Reed steps back from his current role, the company announced. Placko comes to Steve Jackson from paint company Turbo Dork, where she was also CEO. Reed, who became COO of Steve Jackson Games in 2008 and moved up to CEO in 2014, is cutting his time commitment to focus on...
Sambro International has strengthened its commercial sales team by appointing Richard Dinham to head up the company’s UK sales operations. With more than 15 yrs of experience in the toy sector, Richard joins Sambro from Character Options and, as Business Development director, will now lead the UK sales operations, reporting CCO Eric Markus to support the global toy company’s pan-European sales growth.
Darran Garnham - The Man Who Created An Eight-Figure Global Toy Empire From His Living Room. In just three years Toikido has gone from being a small start-up to an eight-figure business. What would you attribute that success to and do think you need to change the formula to build upon it over the next three years? Having been in toys for over 20 years, I was fed up working in an industry built on seasonal cycles, movie...
Amazon has recruited one of Marvel’s former bigwigs as the streamer plans a greater focus on comic book films and TV series. Joe Quesada, the former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief and ex-Marvel Entertainment CCO, has signed an exclusive first-look film and television deal with the retail giant. Under the deal, Quesada will focus on adapting existing and new comic book IP for the Jennifer Salke-led streamer.
Fragment Studios announced a deal with Richard Garfield that will see Garfield, who was described by Forbes as “one of the great tabletop game designers” and is best known for creating Wizards of the Coast mega-hit Magic the Gathering, and his consulting company Three Donkeys work closely with the project to advise on an innovative on-chain gaming experience around Fragment’s upcoming MegaForce Sentinels...
“Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Lauren Derse, CEO of Learning Express Toys & Gifts to the show. Derse leads the largest franchised toy store chain in the U.S. and has vast experience with store ownership and oversight. LE is known for its expert staff, localized selection, and incredible customer service — including gift wrapping, personalization, and the famed birthday boxes.
Laura Phillips joins MGA Entertainment. MGA Entertainment (MGA) has announced Walmart veteran, Laura Phillips, has been appointed senior vice president, general manager, Walmart at MGA Entertainment. In this role, she will lead and support the Walmart and Sam’s Club omnichannel businesses across sales, licensed products and supply chain operations for all MGA brands, as well as help MGA advance its strategic...
Zigazoo names Ashley Mady president of Zigazoo Kids. Zigazoo, a social network for kids, including the “Zigazoo” app for Gen Z users and Zigazoo Kids for Generation Alpha, has announced Ashley Mady’s new role as president, Zigazoo Kids. Previously, Mady was president of consumer products. In the newly created role, Mady will work in partnership with departments across the organization to meet revenue goals...
Inc has announced its sixth annual Female Founders list, honoring a bold group of 200 women whose innovations and ideas are shaping the world into a better place. Slumberkins co-founders and co-CEOs, Callie Christensen and Kelly Oriard are among those recognized on the prestigious Inc list. The founders on the 2023 list cross all industries and bring with them unique stories of success from each stage of the...
DKB welcomes Grace Burton-Rees as account manager. DKB has announced the appointment of Grace Burton-Rees as account manager. In her new role, Grace will strengthen the company’s focus on supporting independent retailers as DKB moves further into an exciting 2023 with new partnerships and further innovative products.
Simon Cartey appointed UK commercial director at Toys R Us. Simon Cartey has more than 35 years of global store design and operations experience with Toys R Us and Babies R Us, having worked extensively in the UK, European, USA and other global markets. Digital-first eCommerce D2C retailer, Toys R Us ANZ Limited has announced the appointment of Simon Cartey to the role of commercial director for UK Toys R Us Limited.
Industry vet Laura Tommervik joins Fun In Motion Toys as director of marketing. Toy industry veteran Laura Tommervik is the latest member of the Fun In Motion Toys team as Director of Marketing. “Laura’s wide range of creative expertise is a perfect fit for our growing company as we build on the success of Shashibo and all of our toys and games that make people move and groove,” says Founding President Kevin Daniels.
Click Distribution announces new account manager hires. Christopher Watts re-joins Click Distribution (UK) as national account manager while Katie Fenwick joins as independent account manager for UK & Ireland. As a toy industry veteran, Christopher brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously held senior positions at Meccano, Playmobil, Corgi and Epoch, and more recently Sequin Art.
Guy Rooney succeeds Terry Crew as MD of Pat Avenue UK. Pat Avenue UK has announced that Guy Rooney will become managing director from 3rd April. The move comes as current MD, Terry Crew, steps into a part time role, remaining a director within the business. Terry joined the company in 2019 when international toy manufacturer Pat Avenue completed the acquisition of DKL Marketing.
Companies and Brands
Make It Real shares the launch of two new pickleball sets: The Adventure Fun and Tie Dye 2 Person Pickleball sets. These are the latest in the Make It Real roster of award-winning products, which include the Color Fusion Nail Polish Maker, Sticker Chic: Rainbow Chic, and the 5-in-1 Activity Tower. With pickleball being the fastest growing sport in America for the third year running, Make it Real recognizes the opportunity to...
***The above posted after April 7th***
Just Play’s latest (UK) campaign sent influencers an Easter mailer packed with Disney Doorables from Series 9 to inspire treasure hunts in their own homes. This Easter, families were challenged to organise their very own Easter treasure hunt by Just Play, and to hide their Doorables around the house, garden or location of choice. The fun and interactive campaign saw a host of influencers receive an ‘a’Doorable’ Easter mailer...
Disney’s international teams are braced for layoffs and content cuts. Multiple sources both inside and outside the Mouse House have told Deadline they are expecting redundancies and budget cuts to come shortly, and that these plans are currently being finalized. Disney has approximately 5,000 staff outside the U.S., we understand, with around 40% based in Hammersmith, West London, and others stationed...
Mattel's iconic Barbie doll is getting a tech-savvy with the launch of its selfie filters. This is just in time and ahead of its new movie's release, 'Barbie: The Movie.' The selfie filters will allow fans to take pictures with virtual accessories and backgrounds inspired by the movie, making it a fun way to engage with the Barbie brand. The selfie filters will feature various themes, including fantasy-inspired backdrops where users...
Mastermind Toys' namesake private brand collection has become a standout success since its official launch in July 2022, with many of its best-selling toys featured in the retailer's third annual Spring Play Guide, available now. The Spring Play Guide is the second largest campaign from Mastermind Toys—after its Holiday Play Guide—and largely focuses on outdoor play activities, with the private brand offerings in...
Wow! Stuff is rounding off a successful Q1 with its patent-pending, connectible collectible brand Nano Pods taking the hot spot in its Amazon category. Within 48 hours of the brand’s launch on Amazon, Nano Pods was number one in the eCommerce giant’s list of Hot New Releases for the Bobblehead Figures category and in the top 50 across all Toys & Games, overtaking a bestselling range of pop culture collectibles.
Cheatwell has detailed its new games launching this year, from the hilarious Best to Wurst and brain-teasing Wordio to fresh quiz offerings and the ‘reanimation rat race’ Cadaver. Following last year’s successful launch of sub-£20 games such as Brain Ache and Top Trivia Ultimate, Cheatwell has decided to increase the breadth of its range within this price bracket for 2023.
Joovy, a leading manufacturer of baby gear, is excited to announce the launch of rejoovynated.com, a new platform that promotes sustainability, social responsibility, and affordability in the baby gear industry. The website, powered by Nok Recommerce, will provide consumers with a unique shopping experience while reducing waste and environmental impact.
Chronicle Books has selected The Moss-Tucker Group (MTG) as their Agency of Record, representing recently acquired brands Petit Collage and Ridley’s Games. Both Ridley’s Games, makers of original, trend‐led games for all ages including bestsellers Avocado Smash and Selfish, and Petit Collage, creators of sustainable, design-led toys for young children, will be featured in various promotional initiatives...
The LEGO Group Most Reputable Company according to Global RepTrak report. The LEGO Group has officially achieved another year on the top of the Global RepTrak’s report which ranks the 100 Most Reputable Companies. In the 2023 report, LEGO beat out other large corporations such as The Bosch Group and Rolls-Royce. This isn’t LEGO’s first time at the top ranking for RepTrak.
Playmobil Color returns in partnership with Crayola. Playmobil is celebrating the comeback of its classic Playmobil Color series after a 45-year hiatus with five new sets released in collaboration with creativity powerhouse, Crayola. The sets include basic white figures and a variety of accessories that can be customized with Crayola Ultra Clean washable markers which easily wash off figurine, skin and clothes.
Asmodee subsidiary Fantasy Flight offers fans first look at Marvel D.A.G.G.E.R. Fantasy Flight Games presents Marvel D.A.G.G.E.R., a new cooperative board game featuring iconic heroes and villains from Marvel comics. In this game for 1-5 players, participants jump into the role of one of 20 heroes and race across the globe to complete missions, battle enemies and square off for the final showdown...
Wilder Games announces launch of The Audio Game. The Audio Game will bring pop culture’s funniest audio clips to life using a custom-made app with over 200 sound bites. Wilder Games, the company known for creating fun, immersive and interactive games, is set to make its biggest launch yet; The Audio Game. It’s an adult party game that brings pop culture’s most hilarious audio clips to life.
April 1st. Hamleys introduces the world’s first Invisible Toy range. Hamleys’ product innovation team says there’s nothing to see here, as it launches the world’s first Invisible Toy range spanning all the most popular categories. Hamleys, the Finest Toy Shop in the World, has some serious fun in store this spring with the launch of the world’s first Invisible Toy collection.
Konami’s Speed Duel GX: Duelists of Shadows available now. Konami Digital Entertainment has announced that Speed Duel GX: Duelists of Shadows is available now for the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game (TCG) in Europe and Oceania. Speed Duel GX: Duelists of Shadows is an all-in-one box that comes with eight Speed Duel Decks included, pre-built and ready-to-play.
Fabula Toys expands retail footprint. Fabula Toys designs educational toys especially for the pre-school sector, which bring nursery rhymes alive. Each of the award-winning toys focus on a popular rhyme at a time, exploring the characters and narrative, while also helping develop key skills based around the Early Years Learning Goals such as Imagination, Vocabulary, Physical Exercise, STEM and the very relevant topics...
Baby toy and lifestyle brands Cloud b and Little Big Friends have named Swerve their agency of record. “At Swerve, we are passionate about working with innovative and forward-thinking brands, and Cloud b and Little Big Friends are a perfect fit with Swerve’s strategic integrated marketing communications approach,” says Andrew Wagar, President and CEO of Swerve.
Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development
Mainframe Studios is stepping into the eSports arena with its latest CG-animated project. The prodco has been developing ENDURATHON: Curse of Darkness, a 10x22-min tween-targeted series concept created by Mainframe president/CCO Michael Hefferon and writer Larry Raskin. It centers around a group of teenagers in the not-too-distant future competing in the titular tournament, which is streamed to audiences...
Mario no longer has a future in mobile games, says Shigeru Miyamoto. It appears Mario's dalliance with the mobile game market has come to an end. Speaking to Variety, Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto told the outlet that phones "will not be the primary path of future Mario games." Nintendo first jumped to the mobile space with 2016's Super Mario Run for iOS and Android.
Panache's Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey has sold 1.5 million copies. Developer Panache Digital Games announced its survival title Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey has sold 1.5 million copies. Panache called the milestone "significant," in part because the game released in 2019 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC with seven developers to its name.
Sony's next PlayStation handheld will be a conduit for Remote Play. The rumored device won't be a traditional handheld, and will instead leverage Remote Play to let users access their PlayStation 5 catalog. Sony is reportedly working on a new PlayStation handheld that will let owners access and play their PlayStation 5 catalog using Remote Play.
Free-to-play publisher Scopely is now owned by Saudi-backed Savvy Games Group. Saudi Arabia-backed Savvy Games Group is continuing to roll out its plans to invest $37.8 billion in the video game industry. Today the company announced that it is purchasing free-to-play publisher and developer Scopely Entertainment. S
God of War Ragnarok named GOTY at 2023 BAFTA Games Awards. God of War Ragnarok swept the 2023 BAFTA Games Award last night, taking home six awards including the coveted EE Game of the Year prize–which is voted for by the British public. Santa Monica Studio's acclaimed sequel took home the BAFTA awards for Animation, Audio Achievement, Music, Performer in a Leading Role (Christopher Judge), ...
Highlighted Press Releases
FUR REAL! WHEN MESS HAPPENS, FLUFFYWEIGHT HAS YOU COVERED WITH A BACKUP PLAN. Don’t Tell The Kids But FluffyWeight’s Huggable Weighted Stuffed Animals Have A Second Coat For Sale For Discreet Middle Of The Night Clean Ups. Portland, OR (March 30, 2023) — Everyone knows cats do not like baths. Dogs are much more amenable to a good scrubbing! But what happens when your FluffyWeight snuggable Cat or Dog (Spring Sale 30% off price now $54.50) is the recipient of a tummy ache mess or playdate grime? FluffyWeight (available at FluffyWeight.com) has the perfect backup plan that’s discreet because no child wants to give up their weighted stuffed animal knowingly!
DID YOU HEAR? SHOUT! STUDIOS TO BRING MOZART’S TIMELESS MASTERPIECE THE MAGIC FLUTE TO HOME SCREENS ON APRIL 25. Families Can Experience the Magic from the Comfort of Home on VOD April 25 and Blu-ray+DVD Combo, DVD and Digital on May 16. Watch the Official Movie Trailer Here. Los Angeles, CA (March 27, 2023) – Grab the popcorn and gather everyone in the house for a magical adventure straight from the big screen to the home screen with The Magic Flute, available April 25 on VOD, and on May 16 on digital, Blu-ray+DVD Combo and DVD.
Safety and Counterfeiting
Associations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals
GAMA reported the results of its Retail Division elections, and announced a special election in the Wholesale Division. In the Retailer division, Dawn Marinaro of Paddy’s Game Shoppe in St. Cloud, Minnesota was elected as Secretary of the Retail Division. Incumbent Rhonda Becker of The Gamers Den of Cambridge, Minnesota, will continue in her seat on the GAMA Board of Directors (along with John Coviello of...
MGA and Zapf win multiple Loved By Children Awards. MGA Entertainment and Zapf Creation scooped 10 awards for L.O.L. Surprise!, Rainbow High, Little Tikes, Baby Annabell and Baby born. MGA Entertainment’s Rainbow High impressed judges this year with its inclusive and diverse range of Series 4 characters (pictured).
Board Game Club announces return. Following a Covid-induced hiatus, Board Game Club – the grown-up games night celebrating sociable board gaming – is set to relaunch after securing a monthly residency at London’s exclusive members’ club, Century. Returning with a revamped look, expanded team and menu of games that’ll be refreshed every month, the relaunch night will take place on Tuesday 2nd May.
Hasbro crowns North American School Scrabble Championship winners. C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N-S. After two days of heated play, champions were crowned at the annual North America School Scrabble Championship, sponsored by Hasbro! Nathanael Campos, a 7th-grader from Ridgefield, CT, Walden Giezentanner, an 8th-grader from Webster Groves, MO, and Ruth Li, a 12th-grader from Toronto, Canada won the high-stakes...
Spring & Autumn Fair unveil Community Development team. Spring & Autumn Fair has announced a dedicated Community Development team, headed up by Community Development director Laura Rae, focused on developing relationships with buyers to improve their buying experience. With the launch of its game-changing new meetings programme, Connect @ Autumn Fair, together with the Community Development...
E3 2023 has been cancelled, and the event's future has never looked more uncertain. It marks the third time the event has been scrapped in four years. E3 2023 has been cancelled less than three months before the event was due to take place. The news comes after a number of major companies including Ubisoft, Sega, and Tencent said they wouldn't be attending the event, with the traditional 'big three'...
Playmobil to sponsor In It Together Festival. Playmobil has announced that it is the official sponsor of the Tic Tac Toe Arena for this year’s In It Together Festival, taking place in Port Talbot, Wales from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th May 2023. As part of the sponsorship, children will see Playmobil all around the Tic Tac Toe Arena as the brand will be showcasing new play sets, as well as setting up play tables...
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
Klaus Teuber, the designer of Settlers of Catan passed away on April 1, 2023 at age 70. He was a German dental technician who became a professional board game designer.
Klaus designed four games that won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) award: Barbarossa (1988), Adel Verpflichtet (1990), Drunter und Drüber (1991) and The Settlers of Catan (1995). The latter sold over 40 million copies with many line expansions.
Steven W. Smith, toy industry PR veteran. Steven W. Smith, public relations toy industry veteran, has died after complications from heart surgery. Smith worked in the industry for more than 50 years and notably created the public relations campaign that launched Teddy Ruxpin, one of the most iconic toys from the ‘80s. Smith opened his first firm in 1984, working with Bandai, General Mills, Target, Nike, Home Savings, and the World of Wonders before the firm was purchased by Saatchi & Saatchi.
“Steven was a true professional,” says Scott Allison, Chairman and CEO of Allison+Partners. “When we started our company and opened our offices in Los Angeles, Steven joined our co-founder, Scott Pansky, and helped us grow the office bringing several of his team members and clients with him including Cakebread Cellars and the Blackhawk Network, formerly Safeway Gift Cards.”
He relaunched his firm in 1992 as Smith Public Relations with clients including Mattel, McKesson Corp., Carl’s Jr., Best Buy, Vivendi Universal, and Capitol EMI. He joined Allison+Partners as Senior Vice President in 2002.
Smith graduated from California State University, Northridge with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He is survived by his son Todd and his sister Robyn Askenaizer, her husband Gary, and her sons Adam and Chris.
Worldwide Magazines Weekly Top Stories
Added Friday Morning Chicago Time. Check Back for Complete Lists.
Toy Trade Monthly Issues
Adventure Media & Events (US)
aNb Media (US)
Toyworld (UK)
Licensing.biz Powered by Toyworld
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Warner Bros. celebrates 100 years with array of products, content and experiences
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Just Play challenges families to Disney Doorables treasure hunt
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Lego announces Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series X-wing Starfighter
ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture (US)
- Konami Announces New 'Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG' Tin
- Stonemaier Sales Declined in 2022
- Privateer Press Unveils New 'Warmachine: MKIV' Starter Set
- WizKids Reveals Four New 'D&D Icons of the Realms' Premium Battle Mats
- AdeptiCon 2023's Tabletop Miniatures Terrain Setups
- Funko Games Announces 'Star Wars Rivals'
- R.I.P. Klaus Teuber
- Rolling for Initiative -- $2,000 to $4,000, to $40 Million
- Atomic Mass to Release 'Star Wars: Shatterpoint' Terrain, Accessories
- New CEO at Steve Jackson Games
Nación Juguetes (Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile & Spain)
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Hasbro and SEVEN partner to create the world's first Play-Doh rides
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Jakks Pacific will show new toys for its “Super Mario Bros. Movie” line
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Playmobil and Crayola bring back the classic "Playmobil Color" line
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LEGO Introduces New Star Wars™ Ultimate Collector Series X-wing Starfighter™ Set
The Bugg Report (Australia)
Video of the Week
Barbie Trailer #2!
Did you bring your rollerblades?
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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
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