Companies, Brands . . .

Arthur to end after 25 seasons. The show will wrap up in 2022, but PBS KIDS and GBH plan to explore ways to leverage its large back catalogue, says Carol Greenwald. The series for four- to seven-year-olds has been a staple for both US-based pubcasters since its launch in 1996, following the adventures of aardvark Arthur Read and his friends and family through more than 250 episodes.

LeVar Burton Tunes Into Tonies with a Custom Figure, Reading Challenge, and More. LeVar Burton is bringing some of his Reading Rainbow magic to today’s kids with the help of Tonies. This fall, the PBS star will be visiting kids’ Tonieboxes as their personal narrator through his own Tonie figure.

Bonkers Toys, Pocket.Watch Partner for Ryan’s World Galaxy Explorers. Starting next week, Ryan’s World — pocket.watch’s hit YouTube series — will blast off into Walmart stores with an intergalactic-inspired toy line from Bonkers Toys. Kids can embrace space exploration, learn about the solar system, and enjoy new Galaxy Explorers-themed figures. 

Just Play Debuts ‘Learning Activity Centre’ on Amazon.  Just Play inked a deal to serve as the U.S. distributor and licensor of Early Learning Centre, a UK toy brand geared toward preschoolers with a 50-year lineage of quality products. The company is rolling out new products and initiatives via the Learning Activity Centre on Early Learning Centre’s Amazon brand store.

ZURU’s Upcoming Dino-Themed Toys Are Juras-sick! The toy company is set to release its fourth series of its Smashers brand, expanding on its Series 3 Dino Smashers. Series 4 provides kids with an unboxing experience and features light-up dinosaurs, lava-themed compound play, and the classic Smashers eggs.

Jada Toys Goes Green with B-Kind Doll Line. The new B-Kind doll line from Jada Toys promotes positive messages of kindness and creativity. The characters — Brianna, Koral, Ivy, Nora, and Daisy — each have a unique passion and come with a special DIY activity for kids to complete. Brianna helps kids learn about recycling, while Koral teaches kids about keeping the oceans clean. Ivy is .. . 

Hasbro Debuts a New Wave of Ghostbusters: Afterlife Toys. uring Toy Fair New York 2020, Hasbro previewed a wide range of new toys for kids and collectors based on the new Ghostbusters film that got held up in the shuffle between pandemic-related theater closures and other delays. Now, Hasbro is back on track with a formal look at new product offerings for kids and collectors alike.

A CHRISTMAS STORY, SUPER MARIO ADVENT CALENDARS COME HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS! It’s true, we’re just five months away from Christmas, and Jakks Pacific is celebrating Christmas in July with a pair of new collectible advent calendars that gamers and movie buffs will want to get their hands on! 

TALKIN’ TOYS: CARRERA RACES INTO THE FUTURE. Classic play is back in a big way, and the toy industry has broken sales records as kids and adults forge new bonds through the power of play. Two categories that have been speeding back into the mainstream are slot racing and R/C — a pair of evergreen staples that are ever-present but don’t necessarily always get headlines and attention.

WildBrain Television picks up The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy.  Produced by Lopii Productions, the preschool cabaret series is hosted by a drag duo, and aims to foster inclusivity, kindness and a love of reading. The 26 x 11-minute cabaret-style series is aimed at kids ages three to six, and stars drag duo Fay Slift and Fluffy Soufflé. With a focus on encouraging kindness and inclusivity, and fostering a love of reading....

New Koosh products are here, and PlayMonster along with content creator group Dude Perfect have launched their collaboration to celebrate. As part of this collaboration, the company invites families to film their own Koosh commercials to share on social media with the hashtag #KooshChallenge. The best submissions will be shared on @KooshOriginal social media channels and win a prize pack consisting of...

WarnerMedia greenlights & acquires more preschool fare. Fall-launching US block Cartoonito has commissioned Dylan from 9 Story and CBC, as well as picking up Bing, Odo and Pocoyo. Based on a book series by bestselling illustrator/author Guy Parker-Rees, Dylan (pictured) is an interactive CG-animated comedy about a multi-colored dog who wants to try out every career. 

Crayola and OceanX | “We’re encouraging partnerships to have a profound impact on supporting our planet” The global non-profit ocean exploration organisation, OceanX has expressed its hope that its new partnership with the children’s arts and crafts brand, Crayola, will inspire more collaboration between brands and conservation groups.

Miko to join 2021 Disney Accelerator scheme. The Disney Accelerator is a programme designed to accelerate the growth of innovative companies from around the world. Eight companies have been chosen to participate in the three-month mentorship programme, connecting them with the creativity, imagination and expertise of Disney, and providing unique access to Disney’s leadership team...

London’s iconic Hamleys makes major play for video gaming market with new department launch. The iconic London toy store and toy retail brand, Hamleys is making a major new play for the video gaming market with the opening of a new state-of-the-art console, PC and gaming accessories department in its Regent Street location. The new 1,326 square foot gaming space is situated within the Lower Ground Floor of the …

J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Mascot Gets Mattel Action Figure. The fully articulated figure celebrates the production company's twentieth anniversary. In celebration of the return of Comic-Con, Mattel has released a new Bad Robot figure, immortalizing the mascot of the production company behind Lost, Westworld, and 10 Cloverfield Lane. The figure is being released as a San Diego Comic-Con exclusive...

TALKIN’ TOYS: THE EGGMAZING FOUNDERS DISCUSS BECOMING AN EVERGREEN TOY CO. Scott Houdashell invented The Eggmazing Egg Decorator back in 2015. The Eggmazing spins the egg within a base, while kids can hold a marker to the egg to create intricate designs. Houdashell teamed up with his long-time friend Curtis McGill, and the pair started the company Hey Buddy Hey Pal Investments (HBHP).

(the above posted after the Bloom Report was sent out on July 23rd)

Exploding Kittens has acquired the family game Happy Salmon, designed by Quentin Weir and game developer Ken Gruhl, from North Star Games, the company announced.  Gruhl has joined Exploding Kittens as Senior Game Designer, as the company scales up to produce more games.  Exploding Kittens is releasing six games in 2021, including a new version of Happy Salmon re-imagined with an Exploding Kittens twist...

TALKIN’ TOYS: ADVENTERRA GAMES CENTERS ITS PRODUCTS AND PRACTICES ON GOING GREEN. Sustainability has become one of the hottest toy trends over the past few years, but the idea of centering our environment in play is nothing new for Adventerra Games. Since its founding, the company has made all of its products with the same goal: To educate kids and families about helping the environment. 

Imprint Entertainment launches kids division. Maryann Garger and Michael Becker will head up Imprint Family Entertainment and create films, TV series and podcasts, starting with Groove Tails.  It’s a shift for the LA-based studio, which has focused on decidedly more adult fare to date, including Nicholas Cage starrer Primal, horror film Zombie Tidal Wave and the marijuana-centric Kid Cannabis. 

BYJU’S Learning App Launches in U.S. Powered by Osmo. After finding success in India, BYJU’S is expanding globally to provide more technology-based education experiences. Through a new partnership, BYJU’S is powered by Osmo Technology and launches in the U.S. with content from Disney.

Hasbro, Super7 Collaborate for G.I. Joe ReAction, Ultimates! Lines. The ongoing resurgence of Hasbro‘s G.I. Joe brand has reached a new level. In one of the worst-kept secrets of recent months thanks to some retail listings that leaked earlier this year, Hasbro and Super7 are collaborating on two new lines of products inspired by the 1980s G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero animated series and toy line.

Bonkers Toys Gets Into the Game with YouTube Gaming Star Aphmau. Following its successful toy lines with YouTube stars, including Ryan’s World and FGTeeV, Bonkers Toys is getting into the game with another top YouTuber: Aphmau. Over the past few years, Aphmau aka Jessica Bravura has amassed more than 8 billion lifetime views on a Minecraft-heavy channel boasting more than 10 million subscribers.

Mattel Creations Expands for SDCC Exclusives, Direct-to-Consumer Offerings. In the absence of a traditional Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) for the second year in a row, Mattel is expanding its own direct-to-consumer platform to connect with toy fans. Beginning today, Mattel Creations will be the exclusive destination for a host of products spanning numerous pop culture licenses across several of Mattel’s brands.

Hamleys invites kids to go for gold at summer long sports day. Fun and games will be taking place at the Regents Street branch this summer as well as nationwide in all Hamleys stores until September. Most pandemic restrictions in the UK are now being lifted, however the end of the summer school term has still been affected with many sports days being cancelled, meaning no egg and spoon, bean bag balancing or the...

Zapf launches Baby born Surprise Mini Babies. The adorable new 6cm Mini Babies collection sees the brand entering an exciting phase in its collectibles journey.  New to the Baby born Surprise Mini Babies range is the multiple character surprise reveal, with bundles including either a set of twins or triplets. There are nine food and garden themed sets to collect, with tiny new friends including Garden Peas, Banana Peels, Cheeky...

Jazwares’ Dino Ranch toy line, based on Boat Rocker Studios’ franchise of the same name,  will hit retail this fall. Products will be available via online retailers Walmart.com, Target.com, and Amazon, and in-store at other retailers including Kohl’s. Fans can choose from plush, assorted figures, feature vehicles, and playsets. “We’re thrilled to bring the world of Dino Ranch to preschoolers, and the entire team at Jazwares...

Big G Creative has a ghostly new murder mystery game, out now. You’ve Been Ghosted, available exclusively at Target, is a “whodunnit” that challenges three to six players, ages 10 and older, to solve their own murder from beyond the grave. They’ll need to figure out which suspect is guilty, what weapon they used, and their motive — the first to solve the mystery wins. The murder mystery game introduces 12 characters...

Spin Master Looks to Recruit Talent to Games Pod. Spin Master is looking to recruit board game and puzzle enthusiasts for its new games pod, hoping to reach prospective applicants with the launch of a new meme campaign. Calling all board game fans: Spin Master is recruiting for its new games pod, with the help of a meme campaign. Created to support marketing for Spin Master’s games and puzzles division, the games pod...

Netflix bets on animated movies, games for growth. While the SVOD giant's subscriber growth has slowed, The Mitchells vs. the Machines was a bright spot in Q2, and the streamer confirmed plans to get into games. Following a pandemic-driven bump in 2020, Netflix’s growth appears to be slowing. It added just 1.5 million new subscribers globally in Q2 2021—a far cry from the 10.1 million users that signed up in the same ...

Spirit Untamed toys arrive at retail as film hits cinemas. Global master toy licensee Mattel is building on the equine adventure with a broad range of horses, character dolls and play sets. The next chapter of DreamWorks Animation’s high-stakes adventure about a fearless girl and her beloved wild Mustang, Spirit Untamed is now hitting the big screen, with the movie enjoying a star-studded opening in the UK as celebrities ...

Learning Resources and The Creation Station open Playfoam workshops. The #SummerofPlayfoam activity sessions will run across the UK as part of Learning Resources' wider Summer of Play campaign. The workshops, which will run from 24th to 31st July, will involve hands-on play and activities using the multi-sensory reusable compound that never dries out.

Hornby announces #HornbyHoliday Summertime Layout Challenge. Model railway enthusiasts are invited to create a summertime themed layout for the chance to win £1000 worth of prizes. Entrants must register to participate in the challenge by Sunday 25th July, and by 9th August must provide images (plus videos if wished) of the layout base, featuring the track and ground level scenic.

The Entertainer & Mattel launch The Summer Games campaign. The Entertainer is launching an engaging campaign spanning stores and online, highlighting Mattel's games range as the perfect family entertainment. The new campaign, The Summer Games, taps into the summer of sport consumers are enjoying and encourages the ‘athletes’ in each family or friendship group to battle it out over the likes of Uno, Scrabble...

Winners crowned for PlayMonster UK's My Living World Design a Bug Competition. Primary school students designed bugs for the My Living World campaign, as over 230 schools received free Ant World and Worm World sets with STEM Learning Packs. The competition was very popular, with over 800 students entering their bug designs.

The Pokemon Company International announces two new 'V Battle Decks'. The Pokemon Company International announced two new V Battle Decks, for Pokemon TCG, which will release into retail on October 8. The new V Battle Decks will feature Dragon-type Pokemon Rayquaza V and Noivern V. Dragon-type Pokemon will be introduced in the Sword & Shield series with the Sword & Shield—Evolving Skies expansion. 

Ares Games will release 'Quartermaster General: 1914 2E'. Ares Games will release Quartermaster General: 1914 2E, a World War I board game by Ian Brody, into U.S. retail in November. This title runs on Ian Brody's Quartermaster General system for card-driven strategy games, where players assume the role of a world power in the conflict and each power has its own deck of cards to use to progress their position. 

Pick the culprit out of a crowd in 'Last Message'. Iello USA will release Last Message, a deduction game, into U.S. retail in October. In Last Message, a crime has been committed and the victim sent one last text message which may lead to the identity of the criminal. The player who takes on the role of the victim draws out an image on one of the erasable message boards, but the player who is the criminal gets to erase some...

Bubblegum Stuff makes tabletop card game debut with Plant-Based Riot. The east London gift and games company, Bubblegum Stuff is making its tabletop card game debut with the launch of its family-friendly title Plant-Based Riot to the Kickstarter platform. The new title is the result of 18 months of production to land on a game that promises fluid game play based on bluffing, stealing, ‘and screwing people over’ ...

Big Potato lifts the lid on its first ever jigsaw puzzle range featuring cryptic clues. The London-based independent games publisher, Big Potato has made a move for the puzzles market, having lifted the lid on its first jigsaw puzzles range. The two 1000-piece puzzles will challenge puzzlers to solve a series of clues – 101 clues, to be precise – in order to complete the puzzle in its entirety. 

Go deep sea fishing with 'Captains of the Gulf 2E'. Stronghold Games will release Captains of the Gulf 2E, a deep sea fishing board game designed by Spielworxx, into retail in August. In Captains of the Gulf 2E, players take on the roles of shrimp boat captains who are fishing the Gulf of Mexico near South Louisiana. This game utilizes thematic action selection mechanics as players attempt to operate a fishing boat ...

Sambro teams up with Cosatto on new plush and infant range. Sambro International is to team up with baby brand Cosatto on a new range of products including plush and infant toys for distribution into the UK & Eire, Benelux region, Germany and Poland. The tie-up is just one example of how Sambro is growing since its acquisition by private equity group Elysian in 2016, and these new developments are highlighted ...

Acamar Films grows reach of preschool hit Bing with new Amazon Alexa Skill, Bing Time. Acamar Films is extending the reach of its multi-award-winning preschool series Bing with the launch of a new interactive Amazon Alexa Skill, Bing Time. Developed in partnership with voice design agency Voxly Digital, Bing Time aims to bring together new script writing, high production values and technical innovation to deliver...

Pandasaurus Games announces 'Trek 12 - Himilaya'. Pandasaurus Games announced Trek 12- Himilaya, a roll-and-write adventure game, for release in November. In this game, players attempt to traverse the peaks of the Himalayas on a expedition with their friends. Players roll two dice, then simultaneously decide how to use the result on their player sheet to make it across the mountain. 

Konami announces 'The Grand Creators' for 'Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG'. Konami Digital Entertainment announced The Grand Creators, a new booster set for Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, which will hit stores on December 3. The Grand Creators adds three new strategies to Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, and features an Inzektors Spell Card that won the 2020 Create-A-Card Project as well as an Xyz Monster that repels evil. 

​