Toy & Game International Excellence Awards - the TAGIEs
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Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
Merry Christmas!
I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays even though it is the busiest time of year for us elves. Santa is our boss, just look up Santa Claus in the POP Dictionary!
If you are in the education space, you'll be interested in our Play in Education (PIE) Newsletter with a subscriber list of almost 150,000 (primarily educators). Our December issue just started sending. Here is the web verson of the newsletter and you can subscribe here to receive the quarterly newsletter.
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Thank you for reading the Bloom Report here or on the Bloom Report 24/7 News Feed!
Mary
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"I don't know anyone in the industry that doesn't read the Bloom Report." -Ken Lewis, President, 4Kidz, Inc.
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The BLOOM REPORT is fantastic and it allows me to stay on top of all the breaking news in the Toy industry! - Wai Or, Longshore Ltd.
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Person of the Week - Scott Brady
Boop, Hues and Cues, Awards, His Great-Grandfather's Beheading and More!
Hi Scott, thank you for taking sometime to share your interesting story with us. Love that I knew you and your wife, social influencer Nicole, before you started designing games. Please share what your roles and responsibilities in our industry with our readers.
None. I’m an independent game inventor/designer. I work when I want to.
What is it about the Toy and Game Industry that you love?
We’re all focused on the same thing – bringing joy and entertainment to others’ lives.
What is your claim to fame?
My great-grandfather was beheaded.
Why and how did you get into the Toy and Game industry?
My wife and I have run a review website for over 15 years and lately it became more toy & game focused. As we started going to conventions, we met many forces in the industry and decided we wanted to remain a part of it in some capacity.
What has been your biggest achievement?
2023 was a great year where my game was awarded the coveted MENSA award and of course being chosen the 2023 Game Innovator of the Year at the TAGIEs! READ MORE...
Cartoon Lovers, Lexophiles & People in Need of a Smile!
Cartoon of the Week: Thank you to Michael Kohner who sent the first cartoon and Ed Gershowitz who sent the second Santa cartoon!
Lexophile Lovers: "Santa’s helpers are subordinate clauses." Thank you, Jerry Cleary for sharing with our readers!
Memorable Quotes:
“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” -― Bob Hope
“Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” ― Charles M. Schulz
"There's always tomorrow for dreams to come true. Tomorrow is not far away." --Clarice (Comet's daughter, Rudolph's love interest)
Santa Jokes:
How much did Santa's sleigh cost? It was on the house.
Which of Santa's reindeer are dinosaurs afraid of? Comet.
What's Santa's favorite type of music? Wrap.
Toy Industry Word of Day: Christmas If you can think of a toy/game industry word not in our POPDictionary, add it and we will connect it to you POP profile, feature it here in an upcoming week and on POP's homepage!
Have a cartoon, quote or a joke to share with your colleagues? Send it to me! Mary
Financial and Legal
Philly-area creator of iconic piano in movie ‘Big’ is in a legal battle with FAO Schwarz. Remo Saraceni has been in a yearslong trademark battle with FAO Schwarz, accusing the brand's new owners of selling a "confusingly similar imitation of the Big Piano" made famous in the movie "Big." The FAO Schwarz flagship store in Manhattan brought longtime Philly-based artist and inventor Remo Saraceni one of his biggest breaks.
Chicago’s Big Monster Toys lays off staff, shuts future operations. A partner in the business, Sam Unsicker, confirmed that the staff has been let go. He said in an email, “The truth of the matter is — Big Monster Toys is not/will not fully be closed. We have royalties that will remain to come in until the products are no longer being produced - so technically, we will still be open. We did have to close future operations on Nov. 29th and...
*** The above posted after December 22nd ***
Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount in merger talks. Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount Global are in early talks to merge, according to multiple media reports. The deal would see the owner of HBO channels and CNN team up with the studio behind the Mission Impossible films and CBS News. The deal would bring together two of Hollywood's "Big Five" studios, with Warner and Paramount's combined market value...
University Games has taken another big step on its educational sojourn by acquiring The Learning Journey International, an award-winning maker of educational, sensory, active-play, electronic, and construction toys. JB and Debbie Frere, The Learning Journey’s founders, will continue to manage The Learning Journey. “This is our 14th acquisition and one of our biggest,” noted Bob Moog, University Games’ President.
Golden Bear secures £750k investment. The financial package from Lloyds Bank will help Golden Bear fund product development and consumer research to bring new products to market. £750,000 of working capital funding facilities from Lloyds Bank will help support Golden Bear, which operates globally in over 55 countries worldwide with a supply chain sourced mainly from the Far East and an expanding portfolio.
California’s Civil Rights Department reached a settlement with Activision Blizzard late last week, two years after the state regulator brought a lawsuit alleging gender discrimination, pay inequities and a culture of sexual harassment at the video game company. Activision Blizzard, which publishes hit games like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft, agreed to pay $54 million and committed to implementing measures...
AI cannot be patent 'inventor', UK Supreme Court rules in landmark case. A U.S. computer scientist on Wednesday lost his bid to register patents over inventions created by his artificial intelligence system in a landmark case in Britain about whether AI can own patent rights.
Stephen Thaler wanted to be granted two patents in the UK for inventions he says were devised by his "creativity machine" called DABUS.
Bobby Kotick, the longtime CEO of video game powerhouse Activision Blizzard, will resign on Dec. 29. The move follows the company’s acquisition by Microsoft, which closed in October for $68 billion after a long fight with federal regulators. It also comes just 5 days after the company agreed to pay $54 million to settle a massive employment discrimination and equal pay lawsuit filed by the state of California.
US economy still resilient as retail sales beat expectations, layoffs stay low. U.S. retail sales unexpectedly rose in November as the holiday shopping season got off to a brisk start amid deep discounting, likely keeping the economy on a moderate growth path this quarter and further alleviating fears of a recession.
UK tipped for speedier rate cut after surprise inflation fall. A surprise fall in inflation in Nov. has raised hopes that the Bank of England will begin cutting interest rates sooner than expected. Inflation fell from 4.6% to 3.9% last month, the lowest for more than two years. The Bank has repeatedly increased rates to try to control inflation, driving up mortgage repayments for millions. But some economists think it may start cutting them in the first half of 2024, much earlier than previously forecast.
Fears of higher oil prices after Red Sea attacks. Attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea risk pushing up the price of oil and other goods, analysts have warned. Several firms have paused shipments through the route after vessels were attacked by Houthi rebels in Yemen. The world's second largest shipping line, Maersk, said on Tuesday that it would reroute some of its vessels around Africa's Cape of Good Hope.
BP pauses all Red Sea shipments after rebel attacks. Oil giant BP will pause all shipments of oil through the Red Sea after recent attacks on vessels by Houthi rebels. The firm blamed the "deteriorating security situation" in the region as Iran-backed Houthis target ships they believe are bound for Israel. Analysis by S&P Global Market Intelligence found that nearly 15% of goods imported into Europe, the Middle East and ...
Security issues in the Red Sea a major concern for UK and US importers. According to a report in The Maritime Executive, the security situation in the Red Sea is continuing to escalate, prompting several shipping companies to announce that they have suspended all sailings in the region. The actions by some of the world’s largest container shipping companies come as the naval forces of the US and UK...
Google to change app store's billing options post-antitrust suit. A week after losing against Epic in an antitrust suit, Google has been ordered to allow for direct payment options on the Google Play Store. Upon approval from the courts, Google will let developers make "alternative billing solutions" alongside the platform's standard billing for in-app purchases.
Hackers dump personal data, game files, in calamitous Insomniac Games leak. Members of ransomware hacker group Rhysida have publicly shared thousands of documents acquired in their cyberattack on Sony subsidiary Insomniac Games, exposing employees' personal information just days before the holidays. The documents contained legal contracts and details of Insomniac Games' upcoming releases.
Program Highlights
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Visit the York-Jersey Underwriters website at www.toy-insurance.com
Financial Reporting
November 2023 U.S. video game spending declines 7% over last year. November 2023 U.S. consumer total spending on video game content, hardware, and accessories fell 7% when compared to a year ago, to $5.9 billion...
PlayStation 5 tops 50 million units sold. Nearly six months after selling 40 million units, the PlayStation 5 has managed to add another 10 million to its belt. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) attributed the surpassed milestone to 2023's "strong momentum" and a release of "highly popular games."
Gamefam closes record FY2023 & releases report on State of Brands in Metaverse Gaming.
Trends, Lists, Market Research, and State of the Industry
*** The above posted after December 22nd ***
Retail and economic indicators still point to a strong Holiday season.
Barbie, Hot Wheels and Lego set to be Christmas 2023 best-selling toys: Euromonitor International
The Strategist - Coolest, Weirdest, and Squishiest Toys of 2023
TOP COMICS BUSINESS STORIES OF 2023
Under the Radar’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide Part 6: Collectibles, toys, and geek-friendly presents.
Full STEAM ahead: A deep dive into the category shows why STEAM is for everyone.
Cultivating toy sales: The farm & ranch retail channel outpaces the industry.
Revisited: The Toy Book’s 2023 State of the Toy Industry Roundtable.
Predicting the future with cookie cutters. Every yr, the holiday season is a boon for the cookie cutter industry; gingerbread men and Christmas trees are annual classics. But the industry’s biggest company, Ann Clark, has succeeded in part by anticipating less obvious trends. In the spring, the co. sold lots of guitar and musical-note shapes as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour took off. By the summer, the co. was ready for Barbie mania...
Stories, Comments, and Advice
MALCOLM GLADWELL - Podcast - Revisionist History - Board Game Season. A young family nearly lost everything in the 1970s farm crisis. Then, they invented a board game. Today on the show, producer Ben Naddaff-Hafrey shares a story about how life shows up in games and what games teach us about risk, life, love, and in this case … farming.
Sorry Santa, AI Is Replacing Elves In Toy Manufacturing. For example, LEGO, famous for its interlocking plastic bricks, has integrated AI into its design process. The company developed an AI-powered tool that allows designers to explore a vast array of brick combinations and structures more efficiently. This tool can predict how certain pieces will fit together and suggest optimal ways to achieve specific design goals.
*** The above posted after December 22nd ***
Chicago invites Santa to relocate his legendary workshop! From central location, diverse workforce, and thriving manufacturing, food, and logistics industries, the Chicagoland region has everything Santa needs for continued success! The economic development agency's "Dear Santa" pitch letter highlights a multitude of reasons why Chicago is the perfect location for the world-renowned gift manufacturer and distributor. Campaign video: https://bit.ly/474uc2p Reasons Why Chicago is the Perfect Location for Santa's Workshop...
John Baulch, Toy World - Festive frenzy … it’s the Christmas Blog! Yep, we’re still here plugging away, ironing out the last little foibles on our January issue and making sure it will be a thing of beauty and wonder when it lands with an almighty thud on your doormat early in the New Year. Hopefully by the time you read this – my final Blog of 2023 – we’ll be dotting the final i’s and crossing the final t’s, before our designer Mark...
Reading Print Is Better for Kids’ Comprehension Than Digital Text: Study. Published in the Review of Educational Research, the study found a near-zero (0.05) relationship between the frequency of reading digital texts for leisure and comprehension of that text. For the printed word, that same relationship was much higher, between 0.30 and 0.40. “This means, for example, that if a student spends 10 hrs reading books on paper...
Brian Fried - "Year-End Inventor's Essentials: December's Insightful Newsletter!" What Areas are Important for Inventors to Consider?
Licensing - Licensing is another area of consideration for inventors. Licensing is going to a manufacturer with distribution and adding your product to their product line. Keep in mind manufacturers are interested in unique items that will diversify their product offering and...
The Personal, Political Art of Board-Game Design. What can board games say that other art forms can’t? After visiting the store, Amabel and her wife, Mary Holland, played a few board games, and eventually Amabel tried designing one. She’d spent years creating music, comics, and films without attracting much of an audience, and had felt some despair about her artistic work. But Amabel, who is autistic, thinks about the world...
Seven Things We Learned Analyzing 515 Million Wordles. Maybe it’s time to say goodbye to ADIEU? Many, many words have been written about the best opening word for Wordle. Answering this question was, in fact, one of the motivations behind WordleBot’s development. In its robot brain, a handful of words — SLATE, CRANE, TRACE — are given the bot’s seal of approval as leading to the solution in the fewest guesses...
The scientific hazards of being Santa Claus. From making over a million tonnes of toys to delivering them to hundreds of millions of households in one single night, being Santa Claus carries with it a unique set of occupational hazards. From equipment operation to work scheduling to heat stress, mental health, and workshop hazards, being Santa Claus is filled with health and safety issues that have generally...
Santa Claus has appeared on U.S. currency. The U.S. and its currency seem inseparably linked, but for much of the country’s history, an official, standardized U.S. dollar didn’t exist. In its place was a Wild West of currencies from competing banks located across several states. In their zeal to earn goodwill and customers, a few of these institutions even minted some rather creative banknotes. These bills didn’t feature the chiseled...
Why reindeer have blue eyes in the winter. Rudolph does not need to use his famous red nose to guide his fellow reindeer as the animals have a special form of night vision that they use to forage for food, scientists have concluded. Researchers looked into why the species are the only mammals whose eyes change colour depending on the season, from golden-orange in summer to a blue hue in the winter months.
Ryan Tuchow, Kidscreen’s News Editor, lays out why Netflix's Everything Now is a must-see teen series, and what he's keeping an eye on heading into next year. A lot of people in the industry know I have a particular love for Australian teen/YA series. And I don’t know whether it’s the accents, the beautiful coasts or the stunning surfing—but I have fallen hard for Netflix series Surviving Summer.
Are you looking for a way to enhance your customers’ experience? If so, ChatGPT may be just what you need. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to get started with ChatGPT and how to integrate it into your existing website. We’ll also provide an overview of the basics of ChatGPT so that you can make the most out of its features. Finally, we’ll show you how ChatGPT can help you automate interactions and leverage analytics...
4 Ways to Use AI to Improve Customer Loyalty. If you want your business to be a cut above the rest, you need to jump on the AI bandwagon. It is a great tool to enable user retention; doing it right could mean loyal customers for life. Here, we’ll look at four ways you can use it to improve customer loyalty.
Self-checkout technology faces a reckoning just as retailers like Walmart and Target are in the midst of their busiest time of the year. The promise of self-checkout was alluring: Customers could avoid long lines by scanning and bagging their own items, workers could be freed of doing those monotonous tasks themselves and retailers could save on labor costs.
He closed a video game shop decades ago. His games could sell for $1M. As he was packing up his Nebraska video game store more than two decades ago, Mark Odorisio considered what to do with the hundreds of games that had not even made it onto the shelves before the business closed. His best options were to hold a sale for the leftover games or to store them for the future.
Raising the bar: Is AI your friend or foe? Things to consider before using AI for your business. I don’t know about you, but all of this AI (artificial intelligence) talk is making me think about the 1984 movie The Terminator. Is Skynet coming to life? Will someone be knocking on the door to see if Sarah Connor lives here? I think we’re all wondering how this is all going to turn out — hopefully NOT like the movie.
Why toys that spark creativity and help build skills are so important in the development of our children. Wicked Uncle’s Top 3 Best-Selling Toy Categories for 2023: Brainiac Toys, Outdoor Toys and Games, Creativity. Wicked Uncle outlines SIX reasons why toys and games that spark creativity and help build skills are so important in the development of our children.
History and Nostalgia
The Most Popular Toys Throughout the 20th Century. The Slinky, originating in the 1940s, and the Rubik’s Cube, first sold in the United States in the early 1980s, have remained more or less the same since their invention, invoking a nostalgic simplicity. Other toys, such as LEGO and Barbie, have offered up countless iterations, weathering changing trends to endure in popularity and appeal.
*** The above posted after December 22nd ***
The Marx Toys story: The toymakers and their 'elves' made memories for children. Full-time and seasonal workers created, assembled and packaged thousands of toys, mainly for Christmas. From designing to assembling and packaging toys to handling human resources and payroll, employees knew that they were making memories for children worldwide. "I must be a Santa Claus by heart, because I really enjoyed working...
Shake Bingo from Schaper (1969). Released by Schaper in 1969, Shake Bingo delivered the anticipation and excitement of the classic game of chance right into homes. The Schaper version of Bingo followed a similar play pattern to a traditional game of Bingo that was often played in community centers and church basements. A few adjustments were made for home players.
Fizzies Fountain from Hasbro. In 1960, Hasbro released Fizzies Fountain, a tabletop playset that mimicked a real carbonated soda fountain, complete with the fizz. The fountain was made of durable, washable plastic measuring approximately 12-inches wide by 12-inches tall by 6-inches deep, and included a red tray that housed two bottles and two fountain cups.
“Jingle Bells” wasn’t written for Christmas. “Jingle Bells” is one of the most recognizable songs in American history, and the jaunty tune is as much a part of the Christmas season as twinkling lights and shiny ornaments. Take a closer look at the lyrics, though, and an interesting detail emerges: The song doesn’t mention the holiday at all. That’s because “Jingle Bells” wasn’t actually written for Christmas.
Licensing and Entertainment
Tinka‘s global quest expands with APC Kids. France's Canal+ and Canada's Téléquébec have acquired the latest season of this fantasy series from Denmark. Copenhagen’s Cosmo Film produces Tinka, which premiered on Denmark’s TV2 in 2019. It stars a half-pixie, half-human teenage girl who goes on enchanted quests, such as finding a Christmas star.
Netflix is reportedly in development on a spin-off from its supernatural comedy horror series Wednesday, based around Fred Armisen’s character of Uncle Fester. The streamer is said to be holding discussions ahead of the second season of Wednesday going into production in April 2024. The show, starring Jenna Ortega, is based on Charles Addams’ iconic The Addams Family, and was one of the streamer’s most...
Disney has a Christmas surprise for Rick Riordan fans: “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” has launched on Disney+ and Hulu early, one night ahead of its scheduled Dec. 20 premiere. This is the second update Disney has made to the show’s release strategy: Last week, it was announced that the first episode of the series would debut on Hulu as well as Disney+ and would remain streaming through Jan. 31.
Games Workshop has struck a deal with Amazon to develop Warhammer 40,000 into films and television series. In a deal being described by analysts as a 'game changer' for Games Workshop, the tabletop game manufacturer aid it would work with the tech behemoth for 12 months to 'agree creative guidelines' for prospective productions. Amazon has also gained merchandising rights and a license to option the...
The LEGO Group has revealed Twilight: Cullen House, an upcoming addition to the LEGO Ideas line. The 2,995-piece building project designed by Nick Micheels honors the Cullen family residence as shown in The Twilight Saga films. Team Edward and Team Jacob fans will enjoy the 1×1 tile wall prints that represent each book cover from the Twilight series.
Following a stellar debut season, Wondery, an Amazon company, announced it is greenlighting a second season of its breakout hit ‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast, an original podcast series from Wondery and Dr. Seuss Enterprises. The festive variety show-style podcast features comedian James Austin Johnson returning as The Grinch, as he chats with celebrity guests who try to convince him to embrace the spirit of...
Loungefly, the fan-forward lifestyle brand from Funko, has announced an all-new collection in collaboration with Disney. Available on Loungefly.com and select retailers this January, the new accessories line unveils a stylish and wickedly glamorous take on the Evil Queen from Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Featuring alluring and striking designs from the beloved Disney film, the collection includes...
This festive season, join families around the globe as YouTube Kids becomes a hub of holiday cheer and creativity, thanks to a special feature: Crayola’s four-episode holiday-themed playlist, ‘Magical Winter Moments. Holiday Crafts’ made possible by its ongoing creative partnership with TheSoul Publishing.
IMC Toys announces an exciting collaboration with El Reino Infantil, a wold leading community for children in Spanish. Soon, Cry Babies Magic Tears, BFF and VIP Pets of Kitoons will become an integral part of the varied programming on El Reino Infantil’s YouTube channels. In a move to enrich the musical offerings of El Reino Infantil’s main YouTube channel, IMC Toys’ captivating musical content will be integrated...
Penguin Ventures Announces Licensed Consumer Products Program for Tom Fletcher’s ‘Who’s in Your Book?’ Penguin Ventures has secured global rights to develop a licensed consumer products program for Tom Fletcher’s bestselling Puffin picture book series ‘Who’s in Your Book?’, from his manager Rachel Drake and literary agent Steph Thwaites at Curtis Brown.
With their groundbreaking collaboration, Amazon and Readyland have redefined storytelling with an unprecedented interactive play experience. Their highly-anticipated bundle, which features the Alexa-interactive book, ‘Owl & Dragon, A Magical Adventure,’ and Amazon’s Echo Dot Kids, has been enthusiastically embraced by consumers and surpassed all expectations this holiday season.
ToyMonster and Addo Play have launched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (TMNT)-inspired fugglers in the U.S. This limited-edition collection was released outside of the U.S. earlier this year. The Fuggler x TMNT limited-edition collection features the four iconic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as fugglers. Each fuggler has a belt with the first initial of the corresponding ninja turtle name and a mask.
The Squishmallows Happy Meal is making its long-awaited debut at McDonald’s restaurants nationwide. Earlier this year, the partnership launched in select global markets. Now, for a limited time while supplies last, U.S. fans can join in on the fun when the meal hits participating restaurants on Dec. 26. “We’re all about connecting our fans to culture and Squishmallows are some of the hottest toys out there right...
Fanattik, Scottgames strike deal for Five Nights at Freddy’s products. The extensive range of products inspired by Scott Cawthon’s Five Nights at Freddy’s (FNAF) franchise is expanding next year. UK-based Fanattik inked a deal with Scottgames International to create a range of FNAF-inspired collectibles, gifts, and housewares. Striker Entertainment brokered the deal on behalf of Scottgames.
The LEGO Group launches LEGO Ideas: Polaroid OneStep SX-70 camera. The LEGO Group and Polaroid have revealed a new addition to the LEGO Ideas line. The LEGO Ideas: Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera, inspired by the original Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera from 1977, will launch on Jan. 1. LEGO Ideas is a fan-sourced platform where builders can discuss their ideas for new LEGO products.
Miniso, Cloudco Entertainment partner for Care Bears products. Cloudco Entertainment’s Care Bears brand is coming to Miniso stores across the globe. Retail giant Miniso is known for its locations carrying a large variety of goods, with everything from office supplies to collectible mystery box toys. The company just opened its 100th store in the U.S. and doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.
Bluey x CAMP heads to Chicago for second stop on tour. Bluey is getting the CAMP treatment in Chicago. CAMP offers kids across the country a retail experience not quite like any other, with toy stores designed to be a hybrid shopping and play space. The store recently launched a collaboration with preschool series Bluey at its flagship Los Angeles location.
TNA Wrestling partners with PowerTown Wrestling to produce TNA Action Figures & Accessories. TNA Wrestling is returning to the action figure market through a long-term contract with PowerTown Wrestling to produce collectible TNA Action Figures & Accessories. Pre-sale orders for Series One will begin in March 2024 and the figures will be shipped in August 2024.
Showbiz Round-Up. Live-action 'My Hero Academia'; 'Solo Leveling' Anime drop date; 'Good Omens' renewed; 'Wheel Of Time' origins movie; 'What If…?' S2, and 'Dune: Part Two' trailers. Netflix and Legendary Entertainment are working on a My Hero Academia live-action movie, which will be based on the best-selling manga series.
Panini unveils first ever Women’s Super League sticker collection. Panini and The Football Association (The FA) have proudly launched the first ever Women’s domestic football sticker collection with a celebratory evening in Manchester.Taking place at Manchester’s National Football Museum, the event brought together key opinion leaders, Barclays Women’s Super League club representatives...
Jada Toys launches licensed Pink Slips chases. These pink cars include the Batmobile, Ecto-1, and more. Jada Toys’ most recent collection of cars is getting into the licensing game. Jada Toys is already known for its die-cast versions of iconic vehicles on the screen and in real life, and now the company is turning some of the most iconic pop culture cars pink.
Mattel partners with designer Justina Blakeney to decorate Barbie’s Dreamhouse. Mattel is teaming up with Justina Blakeney, the founder of home decor brand Jungalow, to revamp Barbie’s Dreamhouse living room on the @BarbieStyle Instagram profile. This project features Blakeney’s signature style, complete with tons of texture, color, plants, and even Blakeney’s own published books on design.
People of Play
Meet Javon Frazier. From a young age, I was enchanted by the boundless realms of imagination – a world where Spider-Man swung from the pages of my favorite comic books and GI Joe figures stood as trophies. These were not just pastimes; they were the seeds of a dream, where owning a Spider-Man subscription was my measure of success. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of an extraordinary adventure.
*** The above posted after December 28th ***
It’s safe to say we can never get (K)enough of Ryan Gosling’s Ken from Barbie. Gosling, along with Barbie composers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, have unveiled Ken The EP just in time for the holidays. The EP features the original “I’m Just Ken” from the record-breaking Barbie movie as well as three new versions including “I’m Just Ken (Merry Kristmas Barbie),” “I’m Just Ken (In My Feelings Acoustic)” and “I’m Just Ken...
Mattel brand chief on 5 ways Barbie changed its marketing model forever. Executive vice-president and chief brand officer Lisa McKnight tells The Drum how Barbie’s success this year goes beyond box office figures and toy sales; it has totally reshaped its business. Five months after Barbie hit the big screen, Mattel’s executive vice-president and chief brand officer Lisa McKnight sits down with The Drum to reflect...
DeAPlaneta taps former McD’s exec to head up kids franchises and marketing. Estíbaliz González will develop new marketing campaigns to build profile for DeAPlaneta's kids brands worldwide, starting with Milo, Monster Shaker and Hero Inside. Prior to joining DeAPlaneta, González worked for four years at Spanish toyco Bizak, where she oversaw licensed product lines. And she spent a year as a marketing brand lead...
Toying around with toymaker Eddy Goldfarb. If you had a toy or game in the last 70+ years that you really loved, there's a decent chance you've got toy inventor Eddy Goldfarb to thank for it. And at age 102, he is still creating. Correspondent Luke Burbank sat down with Goldfarb, who says he was too busy inventing Yakity-Yak wind-up chattering teeth, or games like Ker Plunk, to be able to play them himself; and with Goldfarb's...
“Holy cow! Could it be me?” Hasbro’s Tanya Thompson discusses winning the I.D.I.O.T. Award. Tanya, you’re no stranger to Mojo Nation readers! Even if you were, they can see where Billy and I have interviewed you about your background and work here and here… However, in January of this year, you won an I.D.I.O.T. Award. For the uninitiated, how would you describe that? Oh, my goodness...
The LEGO Group appoints Andre’ Doxey as its SVP, head of design. The LEGO Group has appointed Andre’ Doxey as its Senior Vice President and Head of Design. Doxey will be instrumental in inspiring and developing builders through innovation and interesting products. Doxey will report to Julia Goldin, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at The LEGO Group, and will be based at the company’s headquarters in Billund, Denmark.
Estíbaliz González joins DeAPlaneta Entertainment as head of franchise & marketing of kids & family. DeAPlaneta Entertainment is pleased to announce that Estíbaliz González joined the company at the end of November as Head of Franchise & Marketing of the DeAPlaneta Kids & Family. Estíbaliz González has an extensive experience in the marketing departments of top level companies such as McDonald’s...
Toy Association EVP of finance & operations Paul Vitale retires. Paul Vitale, Executive Vice President of Finance & Operations at The Toy Association, will retire on Dec. 31 after 16 years with the Association. Robert (Bobby) Heins, current Vice President of Finance & Accounting, will fill the role of Senior Vice President of Finance & Administration, effective Jan. 1.
Companies and Brands
In a bold move reflecting its dynamic growth, The Pencil Grip, Inc. proudly announces its transformation and rebranding as TPG Creations. The change is a testament to our evolution beyond traditional school and office supplies, now encompassing a vibrant array of art essentials for children. With renowned products such as Kwik Stix, Magic Stix, and Wonder Stix under our new banner, TPG Creations is...
How the Elf on the Shelf Took Over Christmas. Love them or hate them—the elves’ empire is growing. This holiday tradition has already become a massive Christmas universe estimated to be worth—at minimum—$100 million in total. Since 2005, Elf’s parent co., Atlanta-based The Lumistella Co., has sold 28.3 million Elf dolls and their pets globally. Lumistella was founded in 2005 by Carol Aebersold and her twin daughters...
*** The above posted after December 22nd ***
Mattel chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz met Will Ferrell, who recently played the Mattel CEO in the hit Barbie movie, at The Mattel Children’s Foundation. On the 16th December, The Mattel Children’s Foundation partnered with the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), Ford Motors and LAFC part-owner Will Ferrell to provide an unforgettable holiday shopping event for deserving LA families.
Capitals across Europe discover Christmas Furbtrees. Alongside the traditional evergreen fir trees decorating their cities, major capitals across Europe have also played host to fun and quirky Furby-themed Christmas trees, which have been labeled as ‘Furbtrees’. Residents and tourists alike have enjoyed seeing the iconic 90s creatures make a festive comeback, with videos and images featuring a Furby-filled...
Zev Shlasinger, Stephen Buonocore, and various industry all-stars launched Play to Z, a new hobby board game publisher. After leaving WizKids in June 2023, Shlasinger has resurfaced as the President and COO on this new venture. He is joined by Buonocore, former President of Stronghold Games, who will serve as the company's Chairman of the Board. Also joining Play to Z are a number of games industry all-stars...
Step inside the secretive world of toymakers. Toy industry faces tough year, with three-quarters of Canadians cutting back spending. At a $2-billion toy company in downtown Toronto, kindergarteners file in with parents and siblings, clad in snowsuits and ready to offer their expertise. They pass a toy museum decked out with Paw Patrol toys, Tech Decks, Bakugan and more, and eventually arrive at a...
ZAG Foundation, the charitable division of global independent animation studio ZAG, is partnering with Dr. Alain Toledano’s Institute Rafaël to provide free non-medical cancer care to children in a nurturing, supportive and uplifting environment with age-appropriate activities. These therapies aim to provide support and promote healing well-being beyond medical interventions alone.
10 unusual facts about toy giant Hasbro for its 100th anniversary. In 1923, brothers and Polish immigrants Henry and Hillel Hassenfeld founded Hassenfeld Bros. Inc., a company based in Rhode Island that sold textile and fabric remnants. It was an auspicious start for a company that would become a brand name in fun: The name was later truncated to Hasbro, and their toys—Mr. Potato Head, G.I. Joe, My Little Pony...
Simplicity in Innovation: Melissa & Doug. Asking simple “What if . . . ?” questions can lead to breakthroughs. By SOFIA DUMERY, Senior Vice President of Design at Melissa & Doug. Innovation isn’t rocket science. Or at least it doesn’t have to be. At Melissa & Doug, the road to delivering incremental growth isn’t through cutting-edge technology or incredible feats of engineering, but through simple insights.
Idea to Innovation: An inventor’s idea meets VTech’s product development expertise. VTech has been a pioneer and world leader in electronic toys for more than 45 years. With its core values centered on innovation and play value, the company is now turning the corner to explore how its unique strengths and expertise can be applied to other categories with the help of inventors.
'Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG' duelists can relive final duel between Yugi Muto and Atem. Konami Digital Entertainment revealed Legacy of Destruction, a new booster set for Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, which will hit stores on April 26, 2024. This set allows players to revisit final Duel between Yugi Muto and Atem. The set features new versions of Silent Magician and Silent Swordsman as well as new cards like Card of Sanctity and Ties of the Brethren.
New 'Pokemon TCG: ex Battle Decks' head to retail. The Pokemon Company International will release two new Pokemon TCG: ex Battle Decks into U.S. retail on February 23, 2024. The new ex Battle Decks allow Trainers to harness the power of Melmetal ex and Houndoom ex. Melmetal ex delivers punishing Full Metal Knuckle blows while Houndoom ex comes at opponents with an Evil Claw and the Hound's Fang.
Lookout Games reveals 'Eppi' for U.S. retail. Lookout Games revealed Eppi, a new adventure puzzle game book, which will hit U.S. retail via Asmodee on January 12, 2024. In this interactive, story-based puzzle book, players embody Eppi, a little blue creature of unknown origin, that needs the help of the Bowline family. Eppi has lost its memory and has been hiding out in their basement trying to remember its purpose.
Lookout Games unveils new 'Agricola' expansion. Lookout Games unveiled the Ephipparius Deck, a new expansion for Agricola, which will hit retail on January 26, 2024. This expansion comes with 168 new cards for Agricola. These cards consist of 85 Minor Improvements and 84 Occupations that have been playtested by the best Agricola players in the world.
'Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG' 2024 product release calendar. An ICv2 retailer resource. This ICv2 calendar tracks the release dates of Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG sets announced by Konami Digital Entertainment. The calendar begins with releases coming out on January 1, 2024 and runs till January 1, 2025 (it is a running article located in the Calendar section of the ICv2 website).
Collect tips from bizarre patrons at the 'Little Tavern'. Repos Production revealed Little Tavern, a new party game, for release into retail on January 19, 2024. This party game was designed by the team of Maxim Rambourg and Theo Riviere. In this game, players are servers at the Little Tavern and are looking to collect the most tips to win the game.
Asmodee will release Reiner Knizia's 'Marabunta' into U.S. retail. Asmodee will release Marabunta, a new write and roll game by Space Cowboys, into U.S. retail on January 26, 2024. This game, designed by Reiner Knizia, is part of Space Cowboys' line of two player games, which include Splendor Duel and Jaipur. Two players take on the roles of queen ants looking to expand their territory.
'Pokemon TCG: World Championship Decks' head to retail. The Pokemon Company International will release Pokemon TCG: World Championship Decks into retail on March 1, 2024. These four decks are card-for-card replicas of four different decks used by title contenders in the 2023 Pokemon TCG World Championships.
Konami unveils $399.99 'Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG: Stainless Steel Egyptian God Cards' set. Konami Digital Entertainment unveiled Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG: Stainless Steel Egyptian God Cards, a new premium collector set that will ship in 2024. The new premium set brings The God of Obelisk, Saint Dragon-The God of Osiris, and The Sun of God Dragon together in one three-card set.
Mastermind Toys customers warned to use gift cards by Dec. 24 as company is set to change hands. Mastermind Toys shoppers have less than a week to redeem store gift cards. The Canadian toy retailer announced earlier this month that it had signed an asset purchase agreement with Unity Acquisitions Inc. Mastermind filed for creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCCA) on Nov 24.
University Games launches 3D ‘Legend of Zelda’ Hanayama puzzles. The collection includes three puzzles. University Games has launched Hanayama 3D puzzles inspired by the video game series The Legend of Zelda. The new Legend of Zelda Hanayama Cast Metal Puzzles require skill, thought, and a passion for The Legend of Zelda.
Harness the power of Mabosstiff ex in Pokemon TCG'. The Pokemon Company International will release Mabosstiff ex Box, a new Pokemon TCG boxed set, into retail on February 23, 2024. Mabosstiff is gentle creature that can appear ferocious when defending its friends. This Pokemon ex features Proud Fangs that add damage to attacks as well as the Daunt ability.
'Ultraman TCG' unveiled. Coming soon from Tsuburaya Productions. Tsuburaya Productions Company Ltd. unveiled the Ultraman TCG, which will be headed to U.S. markets in summer 2024. The new TCG was revealed as part of the company's Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2023 announcements. Tsuburaya will be running a series of roadshows touting the new TCG to the global markets.
Droyd: innovation on wheels. A new player in the rideable space balances safety and style. In an era of extensive screen time and social media use, some parents wish that their kids would engage in longer periods of outdoor, active play. Droyd, a 1-year-old company that specializes in electric rideables, is answering the call by creating innovative ride-ons that parents can feel comfortable...
Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development
Christmas classic Elf is coming to Roblox, with help from the movie’s director. For Elf’s 20th anniversary, a whole bunch of Elf stuff is happening. Continuing a big year for Christmas-themed games in 2023 is Roblox; the game platform is getting a new experience based on Jon Favreau’s holiday comedy Elf, developers announced Wednesday.
The Last of Us Online cancelled by developer Naughty Dog. A multiplayer game based on The Last of Us has officially been cancelled. Delays to the PlayStation 5 project were reported earlier this year, and developer Naughty Dog confirmed on Thursday it had been dropped. It said the "incredibly difficult decision" came because maintaining the game would impact other projects.
Highlighted Press Releases
GUESS WHO RING’D IN THE NEW YEAR EARLY? Tweens Let Their Fingers Do The Talking With 2024’s Watchitude® Reversible Silicone Rings Launching Two Weeks Ahead Of Schedule. New Brunswick, NJ (December 12, 2023) – If kids have a little allowance or Christmas cash saved up, they’re sure to head to their local toy store or go online to buy the just-launched Ring’d 4-pack ($12) by Watchitude®. The reversible silicone rings with simple messages such as Stop/Go, Dance/Cheer and OMG/LOL let tweens express themselves without uttering a word. The colorful one-size-fits-all ring can be had, one at a time, for just $5. They’re sure to be the cool, must-have accessory this winter!
Safety and Counterfeiting
The U.S. consumer protection authority warned people to immediately stop using Chinese seller Doraemon's magnetic ball sets, after its loose, hazardous magnets resulted in seven deaths from ingestion. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) determined that the Doraemon Dovfun Suit Magnetic Ball Sets contained one or more magnets that were smaller and stronger than permitted under federal...
Consumer watchdog warns parents about recalled toys for sale online. A consumer watchdog is telling parents to double-check their children’s toys after finding several recalled products for sale online.The Mass. Public Interest Research Group issued a warning about the sale of recalled toys in its 2023 Trouble in Toyland report. MASSPIRG said it was able to purchase five recalled toys, including three sold on eBay...
Fake toys are a dangerous game. ‘’Counterfeit toys can put children in danger. Illicit toys that do not respect safety standards – and this can include counterfeits – can contain high levels of banned or restricted chemicals, and they can pose choking, strangulation and fire hazards. As if that were not enough, fake toys are infringements of intellectual property rights..
Associations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals
The British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) has presented a Golden Teddy Award to Celine McConnell of Mashal Toy Agencies. The award was presented to Celine by Alan Simpson on behalf of the BTHA at a special event surrounded by colleagues and friends, past and present. Celine is described by her proposer and seconder as someone who is always polite, efficient, loyal and, most importantly...
Warner Bros licensees and selected media partners – including Toy World – gathered at BAFTA in London last week to view a presentation on the entertainment giant’s upcoming slate for 2024, and to celebrate the successes of 2023. During the presentation, hosted by Warner Bros’ Rachel Wakley, SVP & GM Consumer Products, Home Ents, Games, Experiences, Retail & Supply Chain, a selection of companies...
Buyer registration and hotel reservations are trending up and demand for exhibit space is strong for the upcoming Dallas Total Home & Gift Market taking place January 10-16. The first trade event of the new year will welcome retail decision makers from around the world to experience hundreds of new brands and collections, one-of-a-kind and artisan items, and inspiring special exhibits and events.
Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards ZAG HEROEZ ‘Miraculous RP: Quests of Ladybug & Cat Noir’ Best Roblox Game of 2023. Miraculous RP: Quests of Ladybug & Cat Noir from award-winning global entertainment studio ZAG has won the “Pocket Gamer Mobile Games” Best Roblox Game Award for 2023. The game, developed by ZAG and Israel’s female-led studio Toya, is the only branded game in the category...
Finalists of Toy Retailer of the Year 2023 announced. The British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) has announced the finalists for the Toy Retailer of the Year Awards 2023. The Toy Retailer of the Year Awards 2023 are as follows: Independent Toy Retailer of the Year (single store), Independent Toy Retailer of the Year (multi store), Multiple Toy Retailer of the Year, Omnichannel Toy Retailer of the Year...
Kids pick their own Toys of the Year on Zigazoo. Three-year-old social network app Zigazoo Kids recently polled more than 6,300 of its users to see if they agreed with The Toy Association’s determination of the latest Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards winners. There was a clear consensus in four of the 10 categories, including Jazwares’ Squishmallows winning Plush of the Year and Mattel’s Barbie movie collection...
RIP - Rest in Play - Remembering Those that have Passed
If you know of a colleague's passing, please send us information so we may share with our readers. Archives can be found HERE
James McCaffrey , a longtime voice actor known for his numerous roles in games made by Alan Wake II developer Remedy Entertainment, died at 65 years old over the weekend.
News first broke via actor Kevin Dillon and was later corroborated by TMZ. Per the outlet, he passed following a yearslong battle with multiple myeloma. Born 1958, McCaffrey was a TV and film actor best known for roles in dramas such as FX's Rescue Me and Fox's New York Undercover. He also appeared in USA's Suits and the 2003 film American Splendor.
He made his video game debut with 2001's Max Payne from Remedy as the title character. McCaffrey reprised the role for the 2003 sequel and 2012's Max Payne 3, which was solely developed by Rockstar.
Outside of the Max Payne games, he did additional voice work for Midway Austin's Area 51 and Eden Games' 2008 Alone in the Dark reboot.
McCaffrey's primary game roles would continue to be with Remedy. He played Tom Payne and Alex Casey in Alan Wake and Zachariah Trench for 2019's Control. Alan Wake II is his final role, where he reprised the part of Casey. This is the second Remedy actor to have passed this year, with the first being Lance Reddick.
On Twitter, Remedy gave its condolences to McCaffrey's family, calling the actor "our beloved friend and collaborator. [...] His remarkable talent gave life to our characters and left an enduring impact on our community."
Tony Trickett. Tony worked for some of the industry’s most prominent toy companies during a long and distinguished career which spanned five decades. His former Palitoy colleague John Nicholas told Toy World: “Tony was my friend and mentor. He and I worked together at Palitoy through the seventies, which was a golden era for the company. Tony was initially promoted to area manager, then to export sales manager and finally to other head office duties. I remember some fantastic times at Toy Fairs over the years, particularly one snowy night in Harrogate when we had a snowball fight around the island outside the Crown hotel, as well as many other Palitoy nights going back to the Brighton Toy Fair days. He was well-liked by all of his customers and his fellow reps: he was someone you knew you could trust and he always had a joke to tell. I am proud to have called Tony a friend and we will miss him.”
Most recently, Tony spent many happy years at Character Options, and managing director Joe Kissane told Toy World: “Tony was a wonderful man. He was hilarious, kind, generous and a true professional. I remember when he joined Character: we were in our early years and we were looking for a NAM to join Mike Rowe. Tony was recommended to us by Jo Hall – he had been made redundant and was working in a bakery. Mike tracked him down to where he was making bread, offered Tony the National Account Manager’s position and the following week he was selling toys again. It was undoubtedly one of the best decisions we ever made. I can honestly say he was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. The customers loved him, he spent many happy years with Character before he retired, and he is still talked about within the company.”
Sales director David Bramford added: “By all accounts, Tony was a truly lovely guy who earned legendary status amongst the Character team and naturally mastered the art of selling.”
Toy World joins all of Tony’s industry friends and colleagues in sending our condolences to his wife Marie and children Gary and Jackie.
Marlene Flumerfelt (the following is from Kirsten Anderson) - Dec 9th we had a beautiful celebration of life/funeral for Marlene Flumerfelt who we lost far too soon and suddenly. There were many people who knew and loved our dear friend Marleen that weren't aware of her passing or couldn't make it. Marleen was a generous soul who was continuously helping others and a famous fixture in the hashtag#Tsawwassen/Delta community for decades as "the toy lady" owner and founder (1993) of the community toy store Toys & Tech (more toys than tech).
Marleen has been an integral part of our T.O.Y.S. forever friends foursome for 25 years! In 1997 we cheekily called ourselves the T.O.Y.S - Totally Outrageous Young Successes. What started out as a buying group pretty much immediately turned into a deep and lasting friendship.
We shared many and regular travels, adventures, laughs, mischief, milestones, joys and sorrows. Dancing at Toy Fairs in TO & NY and ASTRA events. A Marlene shaped hole will remain in our hearts always.
Mark Kaplan (Neil Talbot shared this sad news) - We lost a toy industry veteran recently that we want to acknowledge. Born 9/15/44 in The Bronx, NY, died 8/25/23 in Tarpon Springs, FL. Mark was raised in Wantaugh, LI. He graduated from Hofstra University. He is a 40+ year veteran of the toy biz. An industry he loved. Mark started working at Times Square Stores then Enchanted Village where he met his dear wife, Monica. Then, Jamesway where he achieved the position of merchandise manager. He moved on to Ames where he achieved the position of VP of merchandise. A big hearted man, LOYAL to those few close to him and to those who reported to him. A tough exterior with a soft heart. He was a Big Yankee’s fan. He named his two cats Derek and Jeter. He leaves his wife Monica, 2 daughters and a sister.
Worldwide Magazines Weekly Top Stories
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Toy Trade Monthly Issues
Adventure Media & Events (US)
aNb Media (US)
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University Games Expands Again with Acquisition of The Learning Journey
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Estíbaliz González Joins DeAPlaneta Entertainment as Head of Franchise & Marketing of Kids & Family
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YouTube Kids Premieres Crayola’s & TheSoul Publishing’s Festive Playlist
Toyworld (UK)
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Winding down for the holidays? Yeah, right… it’s the Friday Blog!
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Security issues in the Red Sea a major concern for UK and US importers
Licensing.biz Powered by Toyworld
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Little Brother Books inks exclusive deal with Morrisons and Lidl
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Miraculous RP: Quest of Ladybug & Cat Noir wins Best Roblox Game
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Panini unveils first ever Women’s Super League sticker collection
ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture (US)
- Ultra Pro's 'Magic: The Gathering - Commander Series 1' Playmats Incoming
- 'Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG' 2024 Product Release Calendar
- Rolling for Initiative -- Hasbro's Layoffs
- Konami Unveils $399.99 'Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG: Stainless Steel Egyptian God Cards' Set
- 'Pokemon TCG' 2024 Product Release Calendar
- UVS Games Reveals New Deets for 'Critical Role Challenger Series'
- 'Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG' Duelists Can Relive Final Duel Between Yugi Muto and Atem
- Zev Shlasinger, Stephen Buonocore, and Other Games Industry All-Stars Launch Play to Z
- New 'Pokemon TCG: ex Battle Decks' Head to Retail
- The Ewoks Ambush the Empire in 'Star Wars: Shatterpoint'
Nación Juguetes (Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile & Spain)
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Magic in Peru: A special short film & gift ideas for Disney's centennial.
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Boyhood and Playmobil collaborate to create crafts inspired by the iconic "klickys"
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McDonald's has recently launched the Squishmallows Happy Meal in the United States.
The Bugg Report (Australia)
hobbyDB
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Holiday History: The Christmas Gift Frenzy That Was Shirley Temple Dolls
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10 Great Super7 Collectibles from Action Figure Designer Mondo
Kidscreen’s most-read stories of 2023
1. Moonbug awarded US$23 million in major copyright case by: Ryan Tuchow
2. FEATURE: An oral history of PAW Patrol by: Cole Watson and Sadhana Bharanidharan
3. Moonbug Entertainment lays off CoComelon staffers by: Cole Watson
4. Basic Fun! to relaunch Hasbro’s Littlest Pet Shop by: Cole Watson
5. Peacock unveils a Jurassic park LEGO special by: Sadhana Bharanidharan
6. Netflix, Disney leading the kids TV pack in LGBTQ representation by: Ryan Tuchow
7. And the 2023 Kidscreen Awards winners are… by: Jeremy Dickson
8. The Daily Wire launches a kids streaming app with originals and pick-ups by: Ryan Tuchow
9. Five predictions that could define the kids market in 2023 by: Ryan Tuchow
10. WildBrain workers move to form a union by: Ryan Tuchow
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Thank you for being a reader of the Bloom Report. — Mary and Graeme
Founding Editor and Publisher (1998-2020, Retired): Philip Bloom
We are honored to carry on Phil's 22 year legacy and continue the Bloom Report. Phil has been a mensch
and we've loved working with him. Here is a fun and interesting interview with Phil.
If you would like to reach Phil: philip.bloom100@verizon.net
Publisher: Mary Couzin, Chicago Toy & Game Group, Inc.
Managing Editor: Graeme Thomson
Assistant Editor: Patrick Fisher
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we give you all the news you didn't know you needed to know!" -Phil Bloom
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