the Bloom Report July 12-19 2024

July 12 - 19, 2024

CLICK HERE - THE BLOOM REPORT 24/7 NEWSFEED

Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!

Happy Bloomin' Friday!

We are super excited to announce ToyFest is our newest partner for the Young Inventor Challenge! Big thank you to Carrie Scanlon and her team for sharing details with their retailers on how to host regional events in their stores. These fun events allow kids to get a head start on their toy and game creations for participation in the Young Inventor Challenge® International Championship in November.

Toy stores, camps, schools and after school programs are engaging kids and many are buying your products for research and to use for parts as they create awesome new toys and games. If you know of an interested organization, send them HERE to join the fun, to discover our Planning Guide, and get loads of resources from Ahren Hoffman, our YIC Director.

Register POP Week! Reserve your hotel rooms! Attend the Inventor Pitch and Innovation Conference, Nominate innovative colleagues for a TAGIE Award (free and easy), get your Chicago Toy & Game Fair booth and prepare to go POP!

Thank you for reading the Bloom Report here or on the Bloom Report 24/7 News Feed! Please support our work by advertising and/or setting up a POP profile.

Mary

"Congratulations on the outstanding job that you and your team are doing on producing The Bloom Report. It seems like it is getting better and better almost every week!!! Bravo!!!" -Ron Cantor, Rainbow Concepts, Inc.
If you are tired of these quotes, send me yours!

Commentary: The Toy Association's Kimberly Carcone

Come One, Come All to LA’s Toy District this Fall!

When The Toy Association first announced our plans to have a presence in Los Angeles in September, our goal was to provide more companies with a space to do business in the heart of LA's "toy district" during what's proven to be a critical preview time of year for our industry. We're excited to announce that part one of delivering on this goal has come to fruition: The Toy Association's inaugural LA Fall Preview is officially sold out, with 78 top toy companies securing space at 2250 East Imperial Highway in El Segundo.

We are grateful for the enthusiastic response we've received thus far, and our team continues to be hard at work on the next step: ensuring 2250 East Imperial Highway is a crucial stop for buyers and decision-makers on their fall preview circuit.

Open all of September to accommodate vendor meetings, the building will serve as a particularly essential hub of activity during The Toy Association's LA Fall Preview market week from September 9 to 13, supplemented by philanthropic and networking events.

Here’s a breakdown of the activities and resources available during market week:

Person of the Week: Bruce Lund

Essay 2 - The Value of Toys

Toys are machines around which play is created.

Toys have influenced many important designers and artists

Toys matter to all of us and to the world as a whole

Creating and bringing toys to market is like delivering nutritious food to the brains of children everywhere to help them grow and develop to their greatest potentials. This matters, because the brains we are feeding will one day feed the world.

In Inventing Kindergarten, by Norman Brosterman, you find some great examples of the influence of ‘toys’. Many of the twentieth century’s greatest artists, designers, architects, and visionaries, Mondrian and Frank Lloyd Wright are two examples, were influenced by play with these toys created by the inventor of the first Kindergarten in Europe.

Nobel-prize-winning scientist Sir Harry Kroto once remarked in a BBC that one of the disasters of modern life is that the Erector Set has been displaced by Legos. While others may disagree about the Lego analogy, what he is saying is the profound result society gets from play with toys. READ MORE...

Cartoon Lovers, Lexophiles & People in Need of a Smile!

Cartoon of the Week: Thank you Bob Fuhrer for the funny cartoon this week!

Memorable Quotes: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.” - CALVIN COOLIDGE

Toy Industry Word of Day: Partytelling - submitted by Matt Fantastic (thank you!) 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!

People celebrating birthdays this past week - Happy Birthday! Emily Potrzuski, Jeremy Billups, Marvin Glass, Dahmane Dahmani, Reyne Rice, Andrew Innes, Yves Bouvier, John Ellis, and Jeffrey Lull!

Have a cartoon, quote or a joke to share with your colleagues? Send it to me! Mary

Financial and Legal

Mattel’s stock rallies on news of acquisition offer as Hasbro may enter the fray. D.A. Davidson says Mattel ‘fits the bill’ as a private-equity takeover target thanks to its low valuation and high free cash flow. The news was reported by Reuters, which said that rival Hasbro knew about the move by L Catterton and was weighing whether to make its own offer, potentially marking the latest attempt at a tie-up between the 2 companies.

L Catterton, the private equity firm backed by luxury goods giant LVMH, opens new tab, has approached Mattel, opens new tab, the toy maker behind Barbie and Hot Wheels, with an acquisition offer, people familiar with the matter said on Monday. The move could prompt other potential suitors to consider bids for Mattel, including rival Hasbro, opens new tab, which has become aware of L Catterton's approach...

Mattel’s Turnaround Toy Story Is Working, But Will Investors Buy It? Mattel delivered new evidence in its second-quarter earnings report that its turnaround plan is working. But the boost in the company’s stock today most likely is a reaction to a rumored buyout attempt, rather than Mattel’s performance. Mattel’s stock was up more than 9 percent at mid-day, after reporting better than expected earnings and improved...

*** The above posted after July 19th when tBR circulated ***

The Toy Association™ commends the U.S. Senate for passing S.Res.736, which designates the month of July as “National Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Education and Awareness Month.” The Toy Association has been a vocal advocate against counterfeit and illicit goods and continues to work tirelessly to educate the public on the dangers of fake toys through initiatives like Toy Safety Awareness Month...

Glasgow-based Axis Studios (Scrooge: A Christmas Carol, LEGO: City Adventures) has been put into administration, with all production halted and 162 employees laid off. Administration is the insolvency procedure for UK companies that are unable to pay their debts. Two managing directors from business restructuring firm Interpath Advisory have been brought in to handle creditors and find companies...

A German court has thrown out a case of legal action by the NY Times Company attempting to prevent a local puzzle maker from using the name "Wordle." The publisher acquired Wordle from the original inventor in early 2021 and applied for a European Union trademark. On the same day, Hamburg-based puzzle maker Stefan Heine secured the German rights to the name "Wordle." The court ruled on Thursday that...

A U.S. judge rejected Build-A-Bear Workshop's, opens new tab effort to dismiss a lawsuit claiming that its Skoosherz plush toys were unauthorized knockoffs of Squishmallows, the popular plush toys made by a unit of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway, opens new tab. In a decision on Monday, U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton in Los Angeles said it would be "particularly inapt" to dismiss...

IGDA comes out swinging against Patent Office in Supreme Court case. The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and YouTuber Youna Kang (aka CodeMiko) are challenging the US Patent Office. The two parties filed an amicus brief with the US Supreme Court over a new requirement for trademark registration.

Amscan International sold to Baaj Capital. The future of Amscan International and associated companies, including Ginger Ray and Christy’s by Design, have been secured following a sale of the business and assets to Baaj Capital. In July, administrators were appointed for Amscan International, Christy’s by Design, Ginger Ray and Party Delights.

MGA Entertainment, Zapf complete merger. The companies have formed MGA Zapf Creation GmbH. Toy and entertainment company MGA Entertainment has completed the merger with doll manufacturer Zapf Creation AG. The merger was first mentioned last October and results in the new wholly-owned subsidiary MGA Zapf Creation GmbH.

Xi tackles slow growth as economy 'hits the brakes'. China's economy stumbled in the second quarter, official data shows, just as the country's top leaders gathered for a key meeting to address its sluggish growth. It grew 4.7% in the three months to June, falling short of expectations after a stronger start in the first three months of 2024.

Disney investigating massive leak of internal messages. Disney has confirmed it is investigating an apparent leak of internal messages by a hacking group, which claims it is "protecting artists' rights". The group, Nullbulge, said it had gained access to thousands of communications from Disney employees and had downloaded "every file possible".

Sega takes legal action against individual accused of harassing employee. Sega has revealed it sued and won a case against a serial harasser of one of its staff, and intends to do the same on behalf of all employees. The developer said the unnamed individual had conducted "slander and extreme acts of harassment" on social media toward the employee, prompting legal intervention as the situation escalated.

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Financial Reporting

Hasbro Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates as Turnaround Continues. Hasbro reported revenue of $995 million in Q2 as it turned a profit compared to a loss in the same quarter last year. The bulk of the revenue loss came from the exit of the eOne business and a shift in entertainment timing. Excluding this, revenue dipped 6%. Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming grew 20% in Q2.

Mattel Kicks Off Q2 Earnings Season with Resilience. Net sales slid 1% worldwide while sales in North America dipped 3% compared to last year. Reported operating income was $83 million, an improvement of $20 million. Adjusted operating income was $96 million, an improvement of $21 million. Reported earnings per share were $0.17, an improvement of $0.09 per share, and adjusted earnings per share were $0.19, an improvement of $0.09 per share.

Amazon Prime Day drives U.S. online sales to record $14.2 billion

*** The above posted after tBR started circulating on July 19th ***

Netflix adds eight million subs in Q2 and refuses to bundle with rivals. Bolstered by a 34% lift in ad-supported memberships, the steamer's revenue shot up by 17% this quarter to US$9.6 billion.

WBD stock closed Wednesday at $8.34, +0.34%, but the media company is down from its 52-week high of $14.76 and currently has a $20.3 billion market cap. WBD CEO David Zaslav is apparently weighing myriad option,s from selling assets to separating the movie studio and Max streaming service into a new company, free from the group’s current near-$40 billion debt.

Trends, Lists, Market Research, and State of the Industry

Top Toy Companies to Work for in 2024

FMI’ Analyst view: “The Magic of Toy Packaging: Market Insights and Trends”

*** The above posted after tBR circulated on July 19th ***

SuperJoost has released its Digital toys at Play figures and Hasbro has achieved the No. 1 position among licensors in gaming.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has unveiled its annual Top 100 Retailers list, and the results show that US consumers are relying heavily on 10 top stores to fulfill their shopping needs.

Global box office and global total cinema revenue will surpass pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels in 2026.

Streaming Reaches Record 40.3% of Total TV Usage in June, Boosted by Younger Audiences.

Shoppers gear up for record Prime Day spending. The two-day online sales promotion is expected to generate US$14 billion this year, with 85% of back-to-school shoppers looking to score electronics and clothing for their kids.

Top Eight Mobile Game Development Trends.

JUNE 2024 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 AUTHOR, MANGA, SUPERHERO GRAPHIC NOVELS

DIRECT MARKET COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVEL SALES MIXED IN SPRING 2024 Marvels, Indies Doing Well, DC Down

TOP SPRING 2024 KIDS GRAPHIC NOVELS

TOP SPRING 2024 SUPERHERO GRAPHIC NOVELS

TOP SPRING 2024 AUTHOR GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUNE 2024 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 ADULT GRAPHIC NOVELS

NORTH AMERICAN COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVEL MARKET DOWN 7% IN 2023

Toyjobs has been the dominant recruiting

Stories, Comments, and Advice

Julia Fitzgerald - In today’s Midsize Match Up, we are expanding our scope and talking to a DIGITAL agency! Yes, our digital friends were saying, “Hey, what about us? The performance growth gurus?” So we are kicking off with Philip Ware, VP of Strategy at Thrive Digital —no pressure, Phil, ushering in a whole new chapter for Midsize DIGITAL agency match ups. So let’s go!

Autism Study Reveals 'Valuable' Benefits of Board Games. Anecdotally, it has been observed that board gaming is a popular hobby among people with autism. However, new research from the University of Plymouth in the U.K. has, for the first time, explored the association scientifically, and uncovered important reasons for this link.

'Hello Kitty is not a cat': Fans in denial after creators reveal she's 'a little girl'. Hello Kitty was created in 1974 by Sanrio. Jill Koch, the SVP of marketing and brand management at Sanrio, appeared on Today on Thurs. and said, "Hello Kitty is not a cat," and "she's actually a little girl.” Koch then told the TV show that Hello Kitty, who "weighs 3 apples" and is 5 apples tall, grew up in the London suburbs with her twin sister, Mimmy...

How Playing Games Shaped Our Species. Games are an extraordinary invention. A game—whether a video game, board game, casino game, or otherwise—is an arrangement of ideas the brain devised to give itself free pleasure out of nothing. In other words, the brain created games to hack itself. We’ve had some sense of this for thousands of years: the Greek historian Herodotus wrote about the Lydian people who supposedly...

*** The above posted after tBR circulated July 19th ***

John Baulch, Toy World - Here comes the summer … it’s the Friday Blog! Hallelujah, British summer time is finally here – this is not a drill folks. Sunglasses and shorts on, enjoy it while you can, as my weather app is saying it may not last into next week (although hopefully this wasn’t it…. Summer ’24 – a couple of days in the middle of July). Cue retailers frantically moving outdoor toys to the front of the store in the hope that...

Julia Fitzgerald - Today I get to talk with Leslie Sherman, the Director of Growth at WongDoody. It sounds like a word from a Ted Lasso episode, and I ain't gonna lie - I can't stop saying their name. Let's "hush our butts" and hear about this global creative and digital agency! Julia: Leslie, I’m introducing readers to agencies that are great partners for Midsize firms and brands. Can you give us the scoop on Wong Doody?

Defeated by A.I., a Legend in the Board Game Go Warns: Get Ready for What’s Next. “I faced the issues of A.I. early, but it will happen for others,” Mr. Lee said recently at a community education fair in Seoul to a crowd of students and parents. “It may not be a happy ending.” Since his loss, Mr. Lee has become an A.I. obsessive of sorts, following with rapt if uneasy attention as artificial intelligence delivers one breakthrough...

Cornell crafts multifaceted game studies program. Thanks to a grant from the Center for Teaching Innovation, the working group also collaborated with Reanna Esmail at the Cornell University Library to create the Game Studies Collection, which includes video games, controllers, board games, role-playing games (RPGs) and game-related materials relevant to courses and faculty research.

68% of Monopoly players have never read the game’s official rulebook, and 49% are known to just make up their own rules. In case you’re part of that 68%, here are a few oft-overlooked official rules that you can use to your advantage the next time you play the game. First, if a player declines to buy a property, that property must be put up for auction on the spot, with any player — even the one who declined it...

How AI is fueling uncertainty for game developers. "I'm very aware that I could wake up tomorrow and my job could be gone,” says Jess Hyland. The video game artist says the industry she’s spent almost 15 years working in is on “shaky” ground at the moment. A boom in players and profits during the pandemic sparked a flurry of investments, expansions and acquisitions that, in hindsight, now look short-sighted.

‘Advergames’: how games platform Roblox became a corporate marketing playground. Advertising to children is strictly regulated – but household brands are flooding the gaming platform Roblox with interactive marketing. Is this a danger to young users? In the blocky world of Chipotle Burrito Builder, players don the uniform of the Tex-Mex restaurant chain to make burritos for virtual customers.

History and Nostalgia

Blockhead! from Parker Brothers (1975). Released by Milton Bradley in 1975, the Blockhead! stacking game incorporated spatial reasoning, hand-eye coordination, and steady nerves to construct a tower of colorful blocks. The rectangular piece marked “Blockhead” served as the stack’s base. With the differently shaped and sized blocks laid out on a playing surface, the first player chose a block from the assortment...

Duke, the Super Action Dog from Kenner (1974). A vintage comic book advertisement from 1974 for Duke, the Super Action Dog from Kenner. Before Kenner struck pay dirt with their Star Wars toy line, the company released a series different action figures that included a fully articulated canine named Duke.

Here's how today's best-selling games compare to those from 20 years ago. On Wednesday, Mat Piscatella, executive director and video game industry advisor at Circana, posted an image on Twitter showing the best-selling video games in July 2014 and July 2004. The data from 10 years ago is interesting, especially because a lot of games like Mario Kart 8, Minecraft, and GTA V which were big back then are still...

Johnny Express from Topper Toys (1965). In 1965, Topper Toys released Johnny Express, a modular line of battery-operated, remote-controlled trucks and accessories designed to simulate their full-sized counterparts. The centerpiece and primary building block of the line was the Johnny Express Tractor Trailer combination that stood 33-inches long, 11-inches tall, and 8-inches wide.

Licensing and Entertainment

TOMY INTERNATIONAL AND PARAMOUNT ANNOUNCE A CROWD-FUNDED STAR TREK™ U.S.S. ENTERPRISE NCC-1701 FROM THE FIRST MOTION PICTURE. TOMY continues to work with noted Star Trek experts, such as Gary Kerr, to ensure this replica is as accurate as possible to the original motion picture studio model. “As far as I'm concerned, this is the most accurate model of the Motion Picture Enterprise...

Mattel is announced a new partnership with AthLife, Inc. to create branded game day activations at sporting events across the country to celebrate Barbie’s 65th anniversary year. The first event as part of the partnership will be on Aug 20th at the Boston vs. Houston Astros MLB Barbie Night Game, shortly followed by the first WNBA Barbie Night Game on Aug 30th when the Indiana Fever take on the Chicago Sky.

*** The above posted after July 19th ***

Mattel Gives Lightning McQueen Some NASCAR-Inspired Die-Cast Competition. Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Austin Dillon, Joey Logano and Bubba Wallace get the Disney Pixar treatment. On Monday, Mattel and NASCAR announced the release of a die-cast set of six cars that includes the latest version of Lightning McQueen—from the Pixar Cars movie franchise—along with five cars with a distinctive NASCAR flavor.

Ravensburger unveils 'Disney Lorcana TCG D23 Collection' set. Ravensburger revealed Disney Lorcana TCG D23 Collection, a special collector's set, which will be available at D23, August 9-11, 2024, and at select Disney retail locations. This collector's set features cards with expanded artwork that includes more scenery from existing cards.

Mattel unveils WNBA Sue Bird Barbie doll. To celebrate Barbie’s 65th anniversary, Mattel is continuing its roll-out of inspirational female dolls with its latest, the Barbie Sue Bird Inspiring Women Doll. Sue Bird is the longtime Seattle Storm basketball player, a four-time WNBA champion, and a holder of five Olympic medals.

Purrfect comedy abound in Exploding Kittens, the hilarious new animated series from creators Shane Kosakowski and Matthew Inman, the cartoonist/card game inventor/genius who spawned the Exploding Kittens and Throw Throw Burrito games, among other things. The laugh-out-loud new series has a groovy premise: God sucks at his job. He's fired and his “body” is shoved into a chubby cat on Earth as...

Amazon MGM Studios is developing a new live-action/CG-animated film adaptation of Beverly Cleary’s book The Mouse and the Motorcycle. David Guion and Michael Handelman, who both served as writers on Slumberland and Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, are writing the script for this new family film. HarperCollins first published The Mouse and the Motorcycle in 1965, and it has sold more than 20 mill...

KessCo has revealed details about its new Sonic the Hedgehog tabletop game. Sonic Speed Battle, inspired by the video game Sonic Adventure 2 Battle, is officially licensed by Sega of America. The game is KessCo’s second Sonic-themed tabletop game, and the company plans to expand its licensed Sonic the Hedgehog product range.

London-based distributor CAKE has inked a deal with Toikido to develop an animated PeaKeeBoo series. This new format will build on a package of 30 x one-minute shorts that Moonbug Entertainment is launching on its Moonbug Kids YouTube channel later this year.

CAKE is in the early stages of development on its five-minute series treatment and hasn’t locked down an animation style yet.

The Ryan’s World movie soundtrack from Republic Records: Kids & Family has been unveiled. The centerpiece of the soundtrack for Ryan’s World The Movie: Titan Universe Adventure is a cover of Imagine Dragons’ song “Thunder,” executed by the Grammy-winning vocal group Pentatonix. Other musicians and musical groups featured on the soundtrack include Qai Qai, Miles Music Kid, and The Rock and Roll Play...

Board game company Mastro Media is collaborating with Oni Press to produce board games based on Oni comics titles, with three titles revealed in the initial announcement. The games will be developed in close coordination with the creators of each title. The titles announced are: The Sixth Gun, the Eisner Award-nominated series by Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt, is set in 1866 with a rebel general searching for...

POP MART announces ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ collection. In honor of SpongeBob’s upcoming 25th anniversary, POP MART has announced a new “SpongeBob SquarePants” collection, bringing Bikini Bottom’s fun and whimsy to life. The SpongeBob SquarePants Daily Quirks Series figures feature 12 mini-figures of SpongeBob and Patrick in a variety of wacky poses that nod to specific moments in the show...

Jazwares launches 4 new Harry Potter Squishmallows. Jazwares is adding four new plush to its lineup of officially licensed Harry Potter Squishmallows. The third wave of Harry Potter Squishmallows features iconic Harry Potter imagery, including the Sorting Hat; Fawkes, Dumbledore’s pet phoenix; a mandrake peeking out of its pot; and Dobby the house elf.

Animation rules box office; 'Captain America: Brave New World,' 'Umbrella Academy' S4, 'Watchmen' animated series, and 'Time Bandits' trailers; Emilia Clarke cast in 'Criminal'. Showbiz Round-Up. Animated features are ruling the box office this year, with record-breaking grosses for two big releases. Despicable Me 4 grossed $44.6 million in its second weekend in theaters, bringing its domestic total to...

MV Sports rolls out licensed MoVe Rollacase ride-on suitcases. Outdoor and sports toy specialist MV Sports is celebrating a successful roll-out of its new MoVe Rollacase wheeled ride-on suitcase range. Available in Paw Patrol and Peppa Pig designs that reflect the characters and colors of each property, the ride-on suitcases are ideal for holidaying families, kids heading to spend the weekend with their grandparents...

Wednesday Addams Funko POP! to arrive at Spirit Halloween. Spirit Halloween and Funko have teamed up again to unveil the officially licensed Wednesday Addams Glitter Funko POP! Figure. The Funko stands 4.5 inches tall and features an exclusive Wednesday figure inside, with her dress completely covered in glitter.

McFarlane Toys unveils exciting new licensing agreement with BOOM! Studios bringing the BRZRKR comic series to life. McFarlane Toys announces the signing of a new licensing agreement with BOOM! Studios for the record-breaking comic franchise BRZRKR. In a deal brokered by IMG, this collaboration heralds a new partnership for McFarlane, as it expands their comic book collectibles, bringing to life the...

Kennedy Publishing to launch Hot Wheels Magazine. Hot Wheels Magazine aims to extend the action and excitement of the Hot Wheels world onto the printed page through a variety of activities, including makes, pitstop puzzles and a Hot Wheels Let’s Race comic in every issue. The launch follows two one-shot issues of Everything Hot Wheels.

Warner Bros. Pictures Animation (WBPA) and LA’s Locksmith Animation have set July 23, 2027 as the release date for their family-friendly film Bad Fairies. This animated musical comedy is about a gang of fairies who break every rule they can. Megan Nicole Dong (creator and director of Netflix children’s series Centaurworld) is directing the pic, which is currently in production in London, with DNEG producing some of the animation.

An all-girl puppet band from Australia is getting its first big break, thanks to a funding injection from Screen Australia and YouTube. Rainbow Bop—a YouTube channel that reconstructs classic nursery rhymes to make them more modern and inclusive—is one of four projects that has been selected to receive US$97,500 in production funding from Screen Australia’s Skip Ahead initiative.

Public broadcaster France Télévisions has hitched its wagon to Wonder Pony, a new 2D-animated series for six- to eight-year-olds that’s currently in development at Paris-based Mondo TV France. Adapted from a same-name graphic novel published by Jungle (France) and BOOM! Studios (US), this action-comedy kicks off when a nine-year-old girl accidentally unleashes monsters from a book guarded by a magical pony.

IFC Films has locked in a US theatrical release plan for stop-motion film Memoir of a Snail, which will premiere in a limited run on October 25, and then roll out wider in November. Australia’s Arenamedia produced this kid-friendly stop-motion film that wowed audiences at Annecy last month and took home the festival’s top award, the Cristal Prize for best feature. Its story focuses on a lonely young snail collector who...

POP Duo just Will Shortz videos final.jpg

People of Play

Laugh Factory Taps David Fuhrer, John Weiser for Senior Leadership Roles Amid Expansion Plans. The iconic comedy brand, headquartered on L.A.'s Sunset Strip and owned by Jamie Masada, is launching Laugh Factory Entertainment, a new content division for TV, film, podcasts and more. David Fuhrer is now on board, serving as president, while John Weiser has been appointed head of entertainment to oversee the new...

Toy Business Unboxed episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jim Seymour, VP and CTO of E-Blox. Our conversation explored the vital role of STEM education, innovative product designs, and the future of educational toys.

*** The above posted after July 19th when tBR circulated ***

Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks talks to 'Entrepreneur' about his philosophies on leadership and innovation at Collision conference in Toronto. Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks reveals how the century-old toy company he helms remains innovative. He teases several upcoming releases that he is most excited about. Cocks shares his biggest piece of advice for anyone trying to break into the toy industry.

Learning Resources proudly announces the promotion of Director of Product Development Tom Runtz to VP of Product Development. Runtz succeeds longtime Vice President of Product Development Barb Plain upon her recent retirement. “Tom has been instrumental in shaping our product strategy and delivering ideas that resonate with our customers,” stated Rick Woldenberg, CEO of Learning Resources.

Hasbro is naming 3 new sr execs as the company continues its digital transformation. Dan Shull is joining Hasbro as Chief Digital Information Officer. Shull previously served as CTO at REI, along with executive positions at Signet, Nike, and Borders. Stephanie Beal, who has been with Hasbro since 2022, is promoted to Chief Supply Chain Officer. Dan Rawson, Global Play Lead for Dungeons & Dragons and RPGs, is...

Hasbro announced the appointment of two leaders to its Executive Leadership Team. John Hight will join as President of Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming, and Holly Barbacovi will take on the role of Chief People Officer. John previously served as SVP and General Manager of the Warcraft Franchise at Blizzard Entertainment, overseeing all development and commercial activities for World of Warcraft, Hearthstone...

Companies and Brands

Mattel Introduces Its First Blind Barbie to Further Inclusivity in Dolls: 'Great for Our Community'. Eric Bridges, CEO of American Foundation for the Blind, tells PEOPLE that the new Barbie "can help get blindness out into society in a way that is accurate and attention-getting". On July 22, two new Barbies are being brought to life at Mattel: a blind Barbie and a Black Barbie with Down syndrome.

In January 2024, we (Target) introduced toy brand Gigglescape, a Target owned brand that brings discovery, play and imagination to the forefront for kids and their parents. Our newly imagined toy brand launched with adorable plush animals and spring-themed board books, and in July 2024 expanded to include preschool toys, puzzles and games. Gigglescape items will continue to roll out through 2024 and into early 2025.

GEPPI FAMILY ENTERPRISES LAUNCHES DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER PROGRAM Retailers Can Participate Via Affiliate Links. and receive 10% of the sale price, in Diamond account credit, for any qualifying purchases made through those links. FandomWorld handles all fulfillment, including customer service, returns, and exchanges.

Wizards of the Coast announced a Gen Con 2024 special edition of the Dungeons & Dragons: 2024 Player's Handbook, which will be on sale during the show at the Lucas Stadium Northwest Concourse from August 1-4, 2024. WotC will bring the first 3,000 copies of the 2024 Player's Handbook to Gen Con 2024 for collectors and fans to purchase.

This month, Imagination Playground is celebrating 15 years of innovation, and reflecting on the continued growth and success of the company mission to bring enriching, imaginative play to children everywhere. Made in Providence, Rhode Island; Imagination Playground has made its way to all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico, and over 70 countries across the globe.

IMC Toys, the brand known for its Cry Babies dolls, introduced the Be Loved Babies line at The Toy Insider’s event Sweet Suite Wednesday. Be Loved Babies feature a soft-skin fabrication, making the texture and soft articulation of the body key selling points for the dolls. There will be two dolls in the collection initially, Alex and Sam, each wearing onesies and matching headbands.

Moose Toys unveiled XOX Kweenie, the newest “crowning” achievement in collectibles. Notable for their elevated aesthetic and finishes like high gloss metallic or flocked, plus fun fills like liquid or rattling beads, these premium, weighted vinyl figurines are all about modern self-expression. With 26 dolls across two teams – Quirky and Fearless – there’s an XOX Kweenie for everyone, including the Kween of Cat Naps...

*** The above posted after tBR circulated on July 19th ***

A brand new Build-A-Bear Workshop location will open at The Wrigley Building on Saturday, July 13. The new location is positioned in the heart of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile on the Chicago River, and is a notable retail destination in the U.S. To celebrate the grand opening, Build-A-Bear will give away free Lil Cub teddy bears to the first 50 visitors.

A new generation of kids will get their hands on an all new Hatchimals. The original Hatchimals toy launched in 2016 and was one of the most sought after and talked about toys the industry had seen in years. Nestled inside a speckled egg, Hatchimals relied on a child’s curiosity, care and nurturing.

Moose Games Makes Its Gen Con Debut With New Launches for 2024. Make sure to stop by booth 371 to meet the team and check out some of our favorite new game launches this year: Wild Flowers, Crash the Party, and Pickleball Blast. Wild Flowers. One of the games they are most excited to bring to Gen Con is Wild Flowers, a new light strategy game designed by Peggy Brown. Players will “grow” a community garden...

Ty Warner unveiled Beanie Bouncers, his fresh take on the #1 selling toy of all time: the ball. A brand-new product from the maker of Beanie Babies, the Bouncers bounce sky-high and are totally wrapped in the softness of plush. The result is a toy with maximum play value – unveiled today for the first time at the Atlanta Market trade show.

Exploding Kittens to roll out 5 new tabletop games. The new title expands the company into collectible-based games, drinking games, and more. Exploding Kittens, the brand known for its tabletop and card games, is launching five new titles. The first of these new titles is Let’s Hit Each Other with Fake Swords, a sword-themed card game in which players will resolve conflict by hitting each other with foam swords.

Asmodee hosts summer games extravaganza. On Wednesday 17th July, board game fans flocked to Draughts in London to play a few rounds of Asmodee‘s must-have travel games for the summer. Tucked underneath the railway arches near Waterloo in the Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel, this was a fitting venue, with a regular, extensive board games library for patrons.

Schleich unveils first recyclable figures. A majority of Schleich’s figures will be recyclable by 2027. Schleich is launching its Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze figures, the company’s first three recyclable figures — a turtle, a lion, and a bonobo — following its 2022 commitment to improving the company’s sustainability.

L.O.L. Surprise! pop up shop opens at Hamleys Regent Street. MGA Entertainment‘s L.O.L. Surprise! continues to drive the collectible and fashion doll market with the launch of a brand new shop in shop space at Hamleys, Regent Street. The branded space lights up the third floor of Hamleys store and has been designed to surprise and delight fans.

Walmart enters the NacelleVerse as Biker Mice, RoboForce, others expand at retail. Some classic toy brands are returning to Walmart for the first time in decades. Nacelle, the company behind The Toys That Made Us and A Toy Store Near You, inked a deal with the retail giant for a dedicated endcap for its NacelleVerse toys. Set to debut in October, the endcap will live in the electronics section of approximately 2,000 stores.

Hornby Airfix reveals new Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII. Now available for pre-order, Hornby has added the 1:24 scale Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII to the 2024 Airfix range, the first ever variant in this scale. Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIIIFeaturing the original tooling from the Mk.IXc variant that was released in 2022, Hornby Airfix now brings modellers the Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII in 1:24 scale, with new parts to create...

Gibsons Games details new launches. Gibsons Games’ summer collection features Dingbats, the classic game combining wordplay and visual cues, and a new Paddington puzzle, while seasonal offerings for later in the year include a puzzle advent calendar. Gibsons Games has announced the release of its summer collection, showcasing its prominent 2024 release: Dingbats.

KAP Toys restocks in-demand Hello Kitty range. KAP Toys has announced that Hello Kitty products are back in stock. Following an exceptional reaction at the London Toy Fair, Hello Kitty range sales took off. All lines sold out before the end of April, having smashed through all forecasts and retail estimates put in place at the start of the year.

Hasbro ran its annual Partner Day in London last week, bringing together a wide selection of licensees and retail partners at the Ham Yard Hotel in London. Licensing.biz was delighted to be invited to join the event, which was so packed that some people even had to sit upstairs in the gallery.

New 'Warhammer Age of Sigmar' sets incoming. Three new boxed sets scaled for experience levels. Games Workshop will release three new Warhammer Age of Sigmar starter sets into retail soon. These sets are similar to the releases from 2021, except with the updated rulebook. The Introductory Set is an entry level product aimed at players discovering Warhammer Age of Sigmar for the first time.

'Andromeda's Edge' nears: Cardboard Academy's sci-fi worker placement game. The release date for Andromeda’s Edge, coming from Cardboard Academy and Lucky Duck Games, has been set for the fourth quarter following a premier at the Spiel fair in Essen, Germany. Announced in 2022, Andromeda’s Edge is a science fiction-themed worker placement style game created by Luke and Maximus Laurie.

'Gurps 4E: Basic Sets' head to retail: Latest edition of the classic universal RPG system. Steve Jackson Games will release two GURPS 4E Basic Sets, a new edition of the classic universal RPG system, into retail on August 7, 2024. The two kits offer players the basics for learning the game and applying it to any setting they desire.

Fight mechs with forest creatures in 'Defenders of the Wild': New Area Control Game by Outlandish Games. Outlandish Games will release Defenders of the Wild, a new area control game, into retail in Q4 2024. This new nature versus the machines strategy game comes from the designer of PARKS Henry Audubon and the creator of Bloc by Bloc, T.L. Simons.

'One Piece CG' ultra deck incoming: 'Ex Gear 5'. Bandai will release Ultra Deck: Gear 5, for One Piece CG, into retail on March 14, 2025. The new starter offers up a Leader card with Luffy in his Gear 5 form. It also features new cards for the rest of the Straw Hat Crew and other popular characters, which can be combined with cards from previous sets to build powerful decks.

'Worms: The Board Game Collector's Edition' heads to retail: Based on the classic computer game. Mantic Games will release Worms: The Board Game Collector's Edition, which is based on the classic computer game, into retail on September 6, 2024. This game was first announced back April 2023 (see "Worms"), and raised close to $700,000 on Kickstarter (converted from Pound sterling).

UVS Games announces second 'Attack on Titan' booster set. 'Origins of Power' for 'UniVersus CCG;' Also, new 'My Hero Academic' challenger deck. UVS Games announced Origins of Power, a second Attack on Titan booster set for UniVersus CCG, which will hit retail on November 8, 2024. This set is part of the UVS Games' recent licensing deal with Kodansha to bring the Attack on Titan IP to UniVersus CCG.

Lucky Duck Games unveils 'Tranquility' sequel: New standalone card game. Lucky Duck Games unveiled Tranquility: The Ascent, a new standalone card game, which will hit stores on September 13, 2024. In Tranquility: The Ascent, the sequel to Tranquility, players work together to attempt to scale a mountain by completing a grid of numbers.

Gel Blaster launches hybrid gaming system for Gel Blaster Experience locations. Gel Blaster is officially launching Nexus, a new digital and physical gameplay system at gaming centers across the country. Nexus combines the physicality of paintball using Gel Blaster’s water balls with the digital scoring of laser tag. The Nexus Smart Blaster launches water balls from 170-240 feet per second.

'Tekken 8' clash decks incoming from UVS Games. UVS Games will release Tekken 8 Clash Decks, for UniVersus CCG, into retail on October 24, 2024. The two new Clash decks were the result of a licensing deal with Bandai Namco and focus on Jin Kazama and Jun Kazama. These pre-constructed 61-card decks come ready to play right out of the box and are intended as entry level products for the UniVersus line.

Maped Helix unveils self-sharpening Infinity Colouring Pencils. Maped Helix has unveiled its most innovative coloring pencil yet – the patent protected, self-sharpening Infinity Colouring Pencils. The genius self-sharpening coloring pencils quite literally sharpen as little ones color, promising limitless coloring, free from mess.

Curious Universe sticks to trend-led ethos with Nano Tape Magic. Inspired by the viral craft trend that’s all over TikTok and YouTube, Curious Universe‘s Nano Tape Magic range launches with an innovative collection of fun-filled kits. Every set is jam-packed with everything children need to make amazing nano tape creations – just add kid-safe scissors.

New Hornby Cromwell Mk.IV/Mk.VI range in stock. The Cromwell Mk.IV/Mk.VI, which is available in two build schemes, features poseable hatches, hard or flexible track options, photo-etched parts, a poseable turret and revised wheel nuts. Ranked at skill level three, the Airfix 1:35 scale Cromwell Mk.IV/Mk.VI offers two build schemes, with an overall length measuring 181mm and a width of 83mm.

Legend Story Studios announces next 'Flesh and Blood TCG: Armory Kits'. Legend Story Studios announced August's Flesh and Blood TCG: Armory Kits, organized play kits for FLGS, which will be available soon. The next Armory Kit features Zen, Tamer of Purpose, the mystic ninja from Part the Mistveil.

Battle in 'Necromunda's' ruined Hive city in 'Hive Secundus' boxed set. Games Workshop will release Hive Secundus, a new Necromunda boxed set, which will hit preorder on July 20, 2024. Players can now go to war in the ruined Underhells of Hive Secundus with this new Necromunda box.

ZURU introduces new Garden, Disney, Home Mini Brands lines. The play-and-display brand commands an enormous TikTok following. Mini Brands, the popular collectibles brand from ZURU, has released a series of new capsule lines. The new Mini Brands Home Capsules are one such offering, and include miniature furniture and home goods from brands like KitchenAid, Sistema, Black+Decker, and...

'Tekken 8' Clash Decks incoming from UVS Games. UVS Games will release Tekken 8 Clash Decks, for UniVersus CCG, into retail on October 24, 2024. The two new Clash decks were the result of a licensing deal with Bandai Namco and focus on Jin Kazama and Jun Kazama. These pre-constructed 61-card decks come ready to play right out of the box and are intended as entry level products for the UniVersus line.

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Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development

Burger King recently launched a new video game for its 70th birthday called Balloon Burst that gave members of the chain’s Royal Perks loyalty program an opportunity to enter a sweepstakes and earn points. Balloon Burst arrived just a month after the QSR offered the Cloud Float game for four weeks to promote its new Frozen Cotton Candy beverage. These examples reflect the key role games play in Burger King’s...

*** The above posted after tBR circulated on July 19th ***

How Hasbro turned its popular Monopoly Go mobile app into an addictive new board game. Monopoly Go debuted as the most popular mobile game of all time. Now, Hasbro is turning it into a board game. The unusually meta tabletop game launches today at Target stores and on Amazon. It’s a petite package (about the size of a dinner plate) that, as its name might imply, is less cumbersome to take on the go than...

Mattel announced Barbie Project Friendship, an adventure game that follows Barbie “Brooklyn” Roberts, Barbie “Malibu” Roberts, and friends as they restore a run-down community center. Featuring the original voice cast of Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures and developed with support from the show’s head writer Ann Austen, Barbie Project Friendship is headed to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5...

Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” momentum cannot be stopped. The Drake-dissing anthem has officially received the video game treatment and is now available for those looking to smack around some owls. Game designer Richie Branson unveiled Not Like Us: The Game on Monday (July 15), which appears to find users playing as Kendrick Lamar wielding a wooden baseball bat, tasked with hitting owls...

FarSight Studios, a video-game company founded by Congressman Jay Obernolte, has introduced what it says is the first officially licensed pickleball title. PPA Pickleball Tour 2025 costs $50 and is available on PC, Xbox and PlayStation, with a Nintendo Switch release to follow, the company said in an emailed statement Wednesday. The studio worked with the Professional Pickleball Association, one of several...

EA College Football 25 just launched and is already one of 2024's biggest games. EA College Football 25 launches today for those who pre-ordered the deluxe edition of the game and got early access. And although the highly anticipated sports game hasn’t even been out for more than 24 hours yet, it’s already one of the year’s biggest games.

Blue Scarab Entertainment formed by Helldivers 2 and Battlefield alums. A new developer by the name of Blue Scarab Entertainment has formed over in Stockholm, Sweden, securing $7 million in funding for its debut project, an MMORPG running on Unreal Engine 5. The funding round was led by NetEase Games, which has previously invested in startups like Rebel Wolves.

Nintendo reveals its mysterious horror game and it's not what fans expected. A week after releasing a teaser for a new horror game seemingly called Emio, Nintendo has pulled back the curtain on the mysterious project with a full reveal. Turns out, it isn’t exactly what the creepy first trailer made it out to be, and is instead a new entry in the long-dormant Famicom Detective Club series.

Apex Legends piles up 10,000 negative Steam reviews as players fight price hikes. Apex Legends has, over the years, been a bit of a hotbed for EA’s penchant for greed. In the past, Apex Legends has faced controversy over numerous collections and cosmetics hidden behind notably expensive microtransactions.

Olympic esports will level the playing field, says boss. The Olympic Esports Games will put gaming "at the same level as the Winter and Summer Olympics", according to the boss of one of the world's biggest teams. This week the International Olympics Committee announced a 12-year partnership with Saudi Arabia to stage the standalone event.

Highlighted Press Releases

SUPER BLANKYS® GIVE KIDS A WARM SNUGGLE AND INSPIRE THEM TO FEEL LIKE THE SUPERHEROES THEY ARE. Moon Sonder™ Has Designed a Delightful Combination of a Soft Comforting Hug and Fun Superhero Play In Wearable Blankets. Keego Harbor, MI (July 23, 2024) – “Cool Aunt” Karen Bonnici invented Super Blankys® homemade blankets with sleeves as gifts for her young nieces and nephew. She’s always been a homemade gift maker but the outsized reaction to these gifts helped her see she just might have the seed for a successful entrepreneurial idea.

Safety and Counterfeiting

Sustainable stuffies? New Pa. law lifts ban on recycled stuffing in plush toys. For decades, Pennsylvania law has forbidden recycled materials to be used in stuffed toys. Last month, that changed. “We were only able to use all new materials to stuffed toys with, basically polyester fibers,” said Francesco Curto, vice president of city-based Curto Toys.

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Associations, Foundations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals

The Spiel des Jahres jury has announced the winners of the 2024 awards for Game of the year, Children's Game of the Year, and Connoisseur Game of the Year. Sky Team, by Luc Remond, Scorpion Masque and published in the U.S. by Hachette Boardgames, has been awarded the Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year). The Kennerspiel des Jahres (Enthusiasts Game of the Year), the top game...

Brands Licensing Africa (BLA) is the first event dedicated to licensing and brand extension in Africa, organized by LA MAISON DE L'AFRIQUE in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Côte d'Ivoire and supported by Licensing International. LICENSING MAGAZINE is proud to be Media Partner of the first edition of this event.

AN INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL'S GUIDE TO SDCC 2024 PANELS. It's that time of the year again, folks. For those of you coming to San Diego to do business, network or keep abreast of trends in the industry, here's my annual trip through the voluminous San Diego Comic-Con International programming to highlight panels of particular interest for professionals, including business folk, creators, educators, librarians and lawyers.

*** The above posted after July 19th ***

Nominations are Now Open for the 2025 Toy of the Year® Awards. Is your toy, game, or property a contender for the toy industry’s most prestigious awards? Nominations are officially open for the 25th Toy of the Year® (TOTY®) Awards, taking place February 28, 2025 at Cipriani’s 42nd Street in New York City. Toy companies, inventors, and other industry representatives are invited to submit their top products and...

TA President’s Letter: The LA Fall Preview is Officially Sold Out! As the toy industry gets ready for fall previews in Los Angeles, we’re excited to announce that The Toy Association’s first-ever LA fall marketplace is officially sold out, with 78 toy companies securing space at 2250 East Imperial Highway in El Segundo, the heart of LA’s “toy district.” The building will be open all of September to accommodate...

At the next edition of Spielwarenmesse from 28th January to 1st February 2025, visitors can enjoy a redesigned look for ToyTrends in a new central location in Entrance Mitte. The international TrendCommittee is currently seeking out the most powerful trends in the toy sector. The ToyTrends themselves will be announced on 8th October this year before being presented at next year’s Spielwarenmesse with relevant...

DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, Disney+, Paramount+ and Warner Bros. Animation are among the studios showcasing new kids projects at this year's fan fest. With Comic-Con 2024’s July 25 start date quickly approaching, attendees can now dig into the panel lineup and plan their week around must-attend sessions. Adult- and teen-focused franchises are likely to generate the most buzz...

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially struck a 12-year partnership with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the first-ever Olympic eSports Games in 2025. This collaboration will be formally presented at the next general assembly of IOC members (IOC Session) on July 25, a day before the opening of the 2025 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

The Children's Media Conference (CMC), recently held in Sheffield (9-11 July) is the UK's leading children's content conference, providing keynotes, sessions, workshops and valuable networking opportunities for those involved in the development and distribution of kids' titles, across multiple platforms. The 2024 edition attracted around 1000 delegates and 200 speakers and hosts.

Disney unveils its programming lineup for D23. The sold-out show will feature panels for Inside Out 2, an Avatar-themed interactive experience, and a dealer's hall filled with merch from partners such as LEGO and Spin Master. In anticipation of its return to the Anaheim Convention Center next month, Disney has revealed a packed lineup of more than 230 programs for this year’s D23 fandom event.

Barbie and Percy Jackson and the Olympians were in the spotlight at Saturday’s Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, respectively winning Favorite Kids TV Show and Favorite Movie. Warner Bros. Pictures’ blockbuster film Barbie also helped Margot Robbie win Favorite Movie Actress, and “Barbie World” by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice was voted as this year’s Favorite Music Collaboration.

Paying tribute to outstanding creative and technical work in animation and motion design across a variety of disciplines including television and film, the Collision Awards has announced its inaugural winners. Sony Pictures Animation’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was the biggest film winner, racking up 16 gold honors in craft categories such as art direction, 3D/CG animation, character design...

The Licensing Awards has unveiled the finalists for this year’s prizes, which will be given out at an awards ceremony to be held on September 10 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. An estimated 3,000 entries were submitted in 31 award categories, with all products launching at retail between June 2023 and May 2024.

Amazon's Fallout show and Walton Goggins score some Emmy nominations. The Emmys has revealed its nominees for the 2023-2024 season, and Prime Video's Fallout walked away with 16 total nominations. Of the bunch, the most prestigious is "Best Drama," putting it alongside big series like The Crown, Shogun, and 3-Body Problem.

Giraffe Insights to host annual KidSight conference on the big screen. Giraffe InsightsKidSight is hosting its annual kids’ conference, KidSight, on the big screen at the West End’s Odeon Luxe Cinema on Thursday, 12th September. The industry-wide conference, titled Uniquely Me, will feature an array of internal and external speakers, as well as a panel of thought leaders in the kids and youth space.

Toy & Edu China rebrands as Toy & Hobby China. The change follows the Chinese toy market’s increased interest in collectibles and trendy toys. Toy & Edu China, the annual toy show held in China alongside Baby & Stroller China and Licensing China, has rebranded as Toy & Hobby China. The rebrand follows the Chinese toy market’s new focus on collectible, trendy toys.

XTracks presents The Future of Licensing Executive Summit, which is arriving in Los Angeles on Thursday, 12th September. This premier event will unite senior industry leaders, world-renowned futurists and innovative consumer product experts. The curated content will explore the transformative power of AI, emerging consumer habits, eCommerce technologies and other rapidly evolving topics impacting the licensing...

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

Jürgen Stöhr. died on 28th April 2024. H was a businessman and entrepreneur, was a mainstay of the German Toy & Games market for many years and invented the classic family game Kniffel.

The European Games market owes much to Jürgen and his family, who were the final owners of Schmidt Spiel & Freizeit. The company was initially founded 1907 by Jürgen’s grandfather, Josef Friedrich Schmidt, an entrepreneur and an inventor of games who was inspired by the antique predecessors of their modern-day counterparts. Josef invented some of Europe’s most popular board games under the Schmidt Spiel banner, including Mensch Ärgere Dich Nicht (Take It Easy), Ludo and Paschisi.

In 1970, Schmidt Spiel joined forces with board game company Franz Schmidt to create Schmidt Spiel & Freizeit. The company flourished thanks co-owner Jürgen’s experience in product development, sales and marketing. With Kniffel, which is often described as ‘poker with dice’, he created a massively successful product in the German game market which ultimately saw Schmidt Spiel & Freizeit become the second largest toy and game producer in the region. The company had subsidiaries in France, Austria and the Netherlands, while the the rest of Europe was under franchise agreement. Read More...

Rob Ramash - Tribute from Kim Carter: Today we are saddened to learn that our friend, and former business associate, Rob Romash died suddenly on June 9th. Rob was a larger than life talented individual.
Rob had a passion for flying toys as a kid and he extended this into his business career, building his business, Eclipse toys on the numerous flying toys he designed.
A native of New Jersey, Rob started out in toys with Larami, moved on to Tyco / Mattel (where he worked on Matchbox) and subsequently joined Estes Rockets before setting up Eclipse toys.
Beyond toys Rob was well known in model flying circles, was a talented artist, crafted wooden furniture and even designed his wife Nida’s wedding ring.

Eugene “Gene” Hendel passed away on June 30, 2024. Gene was a man who was anything but ordinary, and it makes no sense to write a generic obituary for a legend such as him. He’s probably shaking his head right now, saying, “I asked for simple!”
Gene spent 50 years in the toy industry, working with giants like Kenner, Mattel, Hasbro, and Tiger Electronics. His family was so proud when he decided to launch his own company, Gene Hendel Associates, as a manufacturer’s rep. It was a huge leap of faith with a wife, two kids, and a dog to care for, but given his stellar reputation and work ethic, he thrived and became more successful than ever.

Joshua "Rod, Rodimus, Josh" Carter passed away on June 11, 2024, in Savannah, Georgia, at the age of 40. Born on February 29, 1984, in Charleston, South Carolina, Joshua was a cherished member of the community and a vibrant presence in the lives of those who knew him.

Joshua was the beloved owner of Rodimus Toys, a haven for collectors of vintage toys and action figures, which mirrored his personal passion. From his early childhood, Joshua was captivated by the world of action figures, a love that he carried and cultivated into adulthood. His business was not just a career but a reflection of his personal joy and enthusiasm for collectibles.

Chris Wiggs, the inventor of Polly Pocket, died peacefully on June 20 at his home in France surrounded by love and family, The Post can exclusively reveal. He was 74. Wiggs had been recently diagnosed with a rare form of neurological cancer.

The East London native dreamed up the portable dreamhouse in 1983, while in New York on business.

Worldwide Magazines Weekly Top Stories

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Toy Trade Monthly Issues

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ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture (US)

- Ravensburger Unveils 'Disney Lorcana TCG D23 Collection' Set
- Beadle & Grimm's Offers Classic 'D&D' Module Dice Sets
- 'Tekken 8' Clash Decks Incoming
- 'Worms: The Board Game Collector's Edition' Heads to Retail
- Ravensburger Errata's 'Disney Lorcana's' Menacing Squirrel
- Kess Reveals 'Sonic Speed Battle'
- Rolling for Initiative -- 'Meh' Releases and a Welcome Return
- New 'Warhammer Age of Sigmar' Sets Incoming
- WizKids Pits Heroes Against Villains in 'DC Forever'
-. Maestro Media to Produce Board Games Based on Oni Press Comics

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

Global Toy News

The Bugg Report (Australia)

According to Downsey — Edition 23 (The Value of Licensing, Its Role and Purpose)

Wildbrain CPLG Expands Licensing Programme for Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat

The Toy Universe (Australia)

hobbyDB

Casual Game Revolution

News Flash: New Op Party Game, Parks Roll & Hike Announced
The Op has released a new party game, a roll-and-write game in the Parks line has been announced, and Zombie Burrito is coming soon.

Video of the Week

POP Duo: Nancy Zwiers, Chief Funosopher, and Randy Duncan,

Renowned Choreographer and Dancer

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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

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

Do you have news to share? Send us a note! mary@chitag.com

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