Companies, Brands . . .

Nickelodeon lines up trio of movies  SpringHill and Genius Entertainment are producing Fantasy Football, while Nick and Awesomeness adapt Hush Hush and prep a Blue's Clues movie. To kick things off, Nick and Awesomeness Films are planning to start production on an original live-action feature film called Fantasy Football in early 2022. 

Basic Fun’s Tiny TV Classics Are a Boxy Blast from the Past, in Collectible Form. The days of the CRT TV are lost upon the younger generations, but they’re making their way back into kids’ and adults’ collectible cases through Tiny TVs from Basic Fun! The 1.5-by-3 inch, Tiny TVs are real-working sets that feature famous scenes and quotes from iconic shows and movies.

Mattel makes its toys more diverse, launches new Naomi Osaka Barbie dolls. Four-time Grand Slam singles champion Naomi Osaka now has her own line of Barbie dolls. The 23-year-old world No. 2 tennis player, who has used her position to call attention to issues of police violence and racial inequality, became a part of Mattel's push to make its iconic toy line more diverse with dolls based on different role models and professions.

Moose Toys introduces Scruff-a-Luv Cutie Cuts. The plush pets can be given a full salon make-over, including being shaved and trimmed with a kid-safe accessory that works and feels like real clippers. The new Scruff-a-Luvs Cutie Cuts is said to be a first-of-its-kind plush and gives kids the fun experience of pretending to be a real dog groomer. 

Just Play - going solo. Independent US toy company Just Play has announced the creation of its 1st European subsidiary, which will open officially on 1st Jan 2022. Toy World met with David Allmark, executive advisor, and Anna Chapman, VP marketing EMEA at Just Play’s stunning new office in Henley on Thames, to find out why the timing is right for this step and how the European business strategy is set to extend the US success.

Safari Ltd. announced plans July 9 to open its first retail store, ToyTopia, in St. Johns County. The Nocatee Town Center store is planned to open in January, but that could be moved up in time for the holiday season. The store will encourage children to explore and interact with toys off the shelves. Nocatee residents Alexandre Pariente, CEO, and Christina Pariente lead Safari Programs, which operates Safari Ltd.  

(the above posted after tBR sent on July 9th)

FLASHBACK: NEWLY DISCOVERED VIDEO GOES INSIDE HASBRO’S 1987 FRENCH TOY FAIR PRESENTATION. An unlisted video showcasing  the Hasbro booth at a 1987 French Toy Fair was uploaded to YouTube on July 20, 2012. Until earlier this week, the video only had a handful of views before it started making the toy industry rounds. This video time capsule features demos of then-new products from Hasbro’s....

It’s Hollywood Barbie’s Moment (and She’s Bringing Her Friends). Margot Robbie as Barbie, Daniel Kaluuya reimagining Barney, plots based on Uno and View-Master: Mattel, in the throes of a financial comeback, has 13 films in the works. Under Mr. Kreiz, who has overseen a stunning financial turnaround at the company since becoming its fourth chief executive in four years in 2018, Mattel has moved to turn its toys into...

UK retailer Mamas & Papas eyes licensing and franchising among global growth plans.  The British nursery and children’s wear retailer, Mamas & Papas is eyeing international growth, having signed a slate of new overseas partnerships across central and eastern Europe. The move, according to the firm, arrives amid a surge in international demand for British heritage brands like the Yorkshire-based Mamas & Papas …

VTech Debuts New Kidi Tech Collection with Smart Watches, Print Cameras, and More. Modern tech is going mini this year for VTech’s 2021 Kidi Tech collection. Following on-trend features — from messaging apps to instant print cameras — this collection aims to upgrade previous VTech models while introducing new products to its kid-friendly electronic ecosystem.

Mattel Unleashes Full Trailer for Masters of the Universe: Revelation Part 1. The full trailer follows last month’s teaser and gives audiences a better look at the plot of the new animated series from showrunner Kevin Smith (Clerks). Revelation premieres July 23 on Netflix with a five-part first season that is considered a direct continuation of the original series and toy line from the 1980s.

HEXBUG, Wind Sun Sky Forge Alliance for Junkbots Webseries, Roblox Expansion. The world of Junkbots is expanding to becoming a multiplatform effort spanning toys, a CGI web series, and a dedicated universe within Roblox. HEXBUG teamed up with Wind Sun Sky (WSS) to craft new content in support of the second season of Junkbots toys that will hit stores in the weeks ahead led by the all-new environment-based...

Moose Brings Hybrid Direct Distribution Model to Canada. Starting this fall, Moose Toys will distribute directly in Canada for a selection of brands including Bluey and Akedo - Ultimate Gaming Warriors.  All lines will be available at major retailers throughout Canada. While it handles distribution for a selection of curated brands, Moose’s existing relationships with distribution partners Imports Dragon and Red Planet...

Barry & Jason Games and Entertainment has introduced Anchorman: The Game – Improper Teleprompter, a party game for ages 17+ Players can assume the roles of the characters from the movie — including Ron Burgundy, Veronica Corningstone, Brick Tamland, and more — as they compete by sabotaging other anchors’ news stories with magnetic words and phrases to make them laugh while reading the news.

BBC puts out call for animated concepts. Ignite will provide development funding for up to 20 concepts from new UK creators and indie prodcos, as well as BBC in-house production talent. The BBC is launching an initiative to find and develop new animated series within the UK, as well as provide support and opportunities for existing and emerging talent. 

No holds barred at MGA. Toy World spoke to Neil Bandtock, managing director of MGA Entertainment’s UK & Ireland operation, as the company celebrates increasing its market share. MGA reports strong sales across all its brands. The company is currently focused not only on ensuring a healthy end to the spring/summer period, but also on delivering a healthy start to autumn/winter.

Sesame launches a new character. Elmo is getting a puppy, inspiring new licensed products and an animated special that will premiere on HBO Max in August.  In the 30-minute special produced in partnership with A Productions (The Numtums), Elmo meets stray puppy Tango, learns how to take care of her, and goes on an adventure to find her a forever home. It will premiere August 5 on HBO Max, and then on PBS KIDS in 2022.

Look who’s 40! - doing things The Entertainer way. Toy World spoke to founder and executive chairman, Gary Grant, to find out how it all began, who helped it happen and where The Entertainer is headed next. Gary and his wife Catherine opened the first The Entertainer store on 5th May 1981, when Gary was the tender age of 22 and, by his own admission, knew absolutely nothing about the toy industry. 

PlayMonster plans to become top ten UK games manufacturer with Playtime PR. PlayMonster has laid out its ambitions to ‘become one of the top ten games manufacturers in the UK’ through investment in its marketing approach and the appointment of Playtime PR. With a growing portfolio of games for all audiences, PlayMonster Games has enlisted the specialist toys and games agency to strengthen its marketing efforts…

Thames & Kosmos | “Tech and gadget toys continue to rise in popularity”. With demand for STEM and science kits still unabating, driven by parents keen to deliver their children an educational alternative to screen time and a lift in interest in all things to do with space exploration among young audiences, Thames & Kosmos is primed for continued growth here in the UK.

PlayShifu to boost Indian manufacturing and help fuel local ‘toyconomy’. The Indian early learning toy company, PlayShifu is boosting its local manufacturing capacity for in-house consumption as well as exports, the latest move from a firm eyeing a new stage of growth following the $17 million its raised in series B funding earlier this year .PlayShifu’s India manufacturing is already exporting to international markets which...

The Insights Family launches IP performance comparison tool the IP Index. The Insights Family has lifted the lid on its latest tool development with the launch of a new platform that allows brands, partners, and retailers to compare the performance of their IP with thousands of others, across various types of media. Called the IP Index, the tool has been launched to provide data to help identify new partners, spot ...

Got a box of LEGO bricks? This amazing app scans them and suggests new builds. If your kids have a box of jumbled Lego bricks in their bedroom, get it out - because an amazing new app will give them tons of new ideas of what to build with them. The Brickit app is the best use of the iPhone’s AR technology I’ve seen yet.

Leapfrog announces new educational toy line-up for fall. Back-to-school season is right around the corner and LeapFrog is ready for action with a new line-up of educational toys for all ages. Launching this fall, the new learning toys will introduce curriculum-based content and foundational skills to kids at an early age to help prepare them for school while engaging their imaginations.

UNO’s 50-year milestone brings anniversary sets, championship series & promotions. The pain of drawing two, four, or more cards should be familiar to many, as friends and family members try their very best to stop you from shouting ‘UNO’ and winning the game. It’s a tradition that has been around for 50 years, and Mattel has gone full out to commemorate that spirit of inclusiveness and competitive fun as UNO hits...

Hexbug, Wind Sun Sky forge alliance for Junkbots webseries, Roblox expansion. The world of Junkbots is expanding to becoming a multiplatform effort spanning toys, a CGI web series, and a dedicated universe within Roblox. HEXBUG teamed up with Wind Sun Sky (WSS) to craft new content in support of the second season of Junkbots toys that will hit stores in the weeks ahead led by the all-new environment-based …

Arcane Wonders brings English edition of 'Furnace' to U.S. retail. Arcane Wonders will release the English edition of Furnace, an engine-building game by Hobby World, to U.S. retail in Q3. In Furnace, players assume the roles of 19th century industrial capitalists building up their corporations. Their goal is to expand their industrial empire by purchasing companies, extracting their resources, and processing them. 

Celebrate ceremoniously with 'Kokopelli'. Queen Games revealed Kokopelli, a card game by Stefan Feld, for release into retail on August 21. In Kokopelli, players try to start and complete ceremonies to gain special boons. Each player starts with a 36-card deck that contains three each of 12 different ceremony cards. They have spaces on their player board for four ceremonies, and players use cards to complete them...

'Machi Koro 2' invites players to build their favorite city again with Pandasaurus Games.  In Machi Koro 2, players will have to contend with new zoning laws that give them a limited budget to begin their new adventures. Buildings are separated into three decks and randomized, with only five cards from each deck showing at a time.  Over three initial building rounds, players will choose their first buildings and pay...

Blizzard and Z-Man combine forces for 'World Of Warcraft: Wrath Of The Lich King'. Blizzard Entertainment and Z-Man Games have announced World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, a Pandemic system board game, which is coming in fall of 2021. This new board game is a Pandemic cooperative game based on the Wrath of the Lich King expansion for World of Warcraft. 

Holiday Cats vs. Pickles collectibles are on the way. The world of Cats vs. Pickles is about to expand again with some seasonal flair. This fall, Cepia LLC is unleashing a limited-edition line of collectible, 4-inch plush Holiday Cats vs. Pickles (CvP) Beans. The new series is primed to be one of this year’s hottest stocking stuffers and will be available to retailers in 12-pack open assortments and 18-piece cases of Mystery Bags. 

Wizards of the Coast anticipates shortfalls In 'Magic: The Gathering' 'Adventures In Forgotten Realms' products. Wizards of the Coast revealed that they are anticipating some shortfalls in the availability of Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Set Boosters and Draft Boosters during the set's release window. This Standard booster set is scheduled for full release on July 23. 

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