the Bloom Report June 27-July 4 2025

June 27 - July 4, 2025

CLICK HERE - THE BLOOM REPORT 24/7 NEWSFEED

Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!

Ringo Starr Photograph by

Thea Traff. NY Times feature.

Happy Bloomin' July Fourth Friday!

Ringo Starr is turning 85 years old. How can that be? I think a lot of what happened in Ringo’s life has parallels to our industry – especially now. In a NY Times article this week they said he is still musically curious and loves what he is doing. He recently released a country album. Toy and game people are curious and certainly love what they are doing – no one ever really leaves our business and many never retire. Per the article, John, Paul, George and Ringo — none read music. In our industry, we don’t follow ‘sheet music’, we create as we go. Sheila E. said Ringo was a generous collaborator, just as many are in our industry. Alan Hassenfeld once told me he was very happy when his competitors did well, because it made the industry better and stronger. Ringo was intrepid. He spent three years in the hospital as a child, during which time a music teacher gave him a set of drums to keep him occupied. He became one of the greatest drummers of all time, in part because he was selfless and served the song to entertain. Toy people are intrepid and serve play to entertain.

If you have an open position at your company, please send me a link or information. We are posting open positions to our POP Classifieds to help colleagues looking for work full or part time.

Registration is Open for November's POP Week

Connect, pitch and learn at the Inventor Pitch and Innovation Conference
Celebrate innovative colleagues at the TAGIEs
Encourage a creative kid to enter the Young Inventor Challenge
Kick off the holidays by taking a booth at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair! Meet consumers, influencers, media and trade.

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

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Person of the Week - Wild Republic's Vishnu Chandran

My Grandpa and Grandma were and are my Guideposts

Hi Vish, I’ve really enjoyed your posts on LinkedIn—they’re always thoughtful, fun and inspiring. Thank you for sharing your family’s story and your work in our industry with our readers.
I’m the ring‑tailed ringleader who dreams up critters you can cuddle, then rallies factories, forests, and finance so every plush pal pays rent to Mother Earth.

What is it about the Toy and Game Industry that you love?
It’s the only business where “monkeying around” is literally on the org‑chart and laughter is a leading KPI. We regularly use our toys to talk through situations in meetings.

What is your claim to fame?
Being the first to turn recycled plastic bottles into stuffed animal penguins—then letting kids name them.

Greatest win so far?
Witnessing my grandfather receive the Champion of Sustainability award from the Toy Association for his life’s work.

What keeps you up at night?
Wondering whether capybaras need pajamas. Read More...

Person of the Week - SAGA Alliance's Greg Benassar

Empowering Pop Culture and Game Innovators

Hi Greg! We met when you were at BOTI, then you went on to Asmodee in several roles and now you've cofounded Saga Aliiance and acquired Heathside Trading. What is a common thread in all your roles?

I try to turn great ideas into great products—ideally while working with nice people.

What is it about the Toy and Game Industry that you love?

Creativity, passion, and lack of standardization like in other industries where you have proper schools and degrees to obtain to get the job. It makes our industry more diverse and open to change.

What is your claim to fame?

Other people should answ`er that one. I would hope my reputation as an honest and passionate person, treating well people should they mean business or not.

Do you have a mantra that you live by?

"Be yourself; everybody else is already taken." -Oscar Wilde

What has kept you motivated to stay in the toy industry?

I could not see myself doing anything else. It’s more than a job, it’s a lifestyle.

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Name: Palash Bhasin

Location: Issaquah, WA

YIC: 2024 Senior Most Engaging Winner

Invention(s): Ultramons

Where is your invention now?

I ran a kickstarter campaign in 2024 and raised $13,315 USD to get my Ultramons board game and two expansion packs manufactured. I received the shipment from the manufacturer in May of 2025 and I am currently in the process of shipping the orders to the kickstarter backers. I also have the game up for sale at Ultramons.com and will soon make it available for sale on Amazon.com. I will do another round of manufacturing for the game once the existing copies are sold.

Have you invented any other toys or games since your participation in the YIC?

Yes, I am working on a strategy board game, based on the Viking theme.

Are you planning to work or study in a related field (STEM, design, entrepreneurship, toy/game industry, etc.)?

I am currently in 7th grade, middle school. I love designing board games and would like to be an entrepreneur longer term. Read More...

(Note from Mary: It is the 20th Anniversary of the Young Inventor Challenge! We have BIG plans and would love to include you - be a sponsor, a judge or a volunteer. We appreciate all the help we can get to support the next generation of toy people! Contact Ahren Hoffman ahren@peopleofplay.com today.)

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

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Cartoon of the Week: Thank you, Robert Fuhrer, for our cartoon this week!

Memorable Quotes: “I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration." - John Adams, July 3, 1776

Toy Industry Word of Day: 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? Send it to me! Mary

Happiest of Birthdays to our colleagues celebrating birthdays this past week!

Jackson "Butch" Guice RIP

Horst Brandstätter RIP

Ian Hetherington RIP

Frank Brilando RIP

Financial and Legal

California expands its film and TV credit to cover animation. The incentive to keep productions in-state now has US$750 million to allocate, and animated films, series and shorts will be eligible for the first time.

The UK investigates how to better serve young viewers online. A new parliamentary committee inquiry wants to identify the best ways to continue supporting high-quality kids content while digital viewing habits continue to grow.

*** The above posted after tBR started circulating on July 4th ***

Toy Association Leads Efforts to Amend Outdated Stuffed Toy Law in Ohio. The Toy Association is spearheading efforts to amend Ohio’s outdated stuffed toy law, which currently prohibits the use of recycled materials in any stuffed toys manufactured or sold within the state.

Trump Teases Deal to Sell TikTok to ‘Very Wealthy People’. The president made this announcement during a FOX News interview Sunday (June 29), saying a “group of very wealthy people” was set to purchase the U.S. operations of the social media platform away from China-based owner ByteDance.

Low-income broadband fund can keep running, says Supreme Court. The Supreme Court ruled that the funding mechanism behind a key broadband subsidy program for schools and underserved areas can continue operating.

Canada drops Big Tech tax to appease Trump. On Sunday, the Canadian government announced that it will no longer implement the Digital Services Tax as it works to reach a trade deal with the US by July 21st.

Supreme Court limits judges' power to halt Trump's birthright citizenship order. The high court did not take up the underlying issue of whether President Donald Trump's order ending automatic birthright citizenship was constitutional.

Senate drops plan to ban state AI laws. Legislators agreed by a margin of 99 to 1 to drop the controversial proposal during a protracted fight over the omnibus budget bill, which is still under debate.

Diamond Seeks to Take and Sell Consignment Inventory; Another Major Departure. There was a significant development affecting publisher clients of Diamond Comic Distributors and another major departure.

Microsoft is laying off as many as 9,000 employees. Microsoft confirmed that it’s laying off as many as 9,100 employees, or about four percent of its workforce, in yet another round of cuts this year, reports the Seattle Times.

Powell confirms that the Fed would have cut by now were it not for tariffs. The U.S. central bank would likely have begun cutting interest rates again if not for the plan to enact higher levies on imports, the Fed chief said.

Trump calls for US central bank head to quit immediately. He also included a link to a news article about a US federal housing regulator calling for Mr Powell to be investigated over his testimony about renovations to the central bank's Washington headquarters.

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Financial Reporting, Tariffs

A 90-day pause on Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs plan is about to expire on Wed, which could upend US trading relationships with the rest of the world. But the uncertainty of the last few months has already forced several companies to rethink their supply lines in radical ways.

"I'm inclined to stand up when my company is in genuine peril," says Rick Woldenberg, who is the CEO of educational toy firm Learning Resources.

Nick Harman, Co- creator of "Randimals" toys explains tariff shipping impacts on CNN - he fears tariffs' devastiation on holiday inventory.

*** The above posted after July 4th when tBR circulated ***

Bloomberg Podcast: A "$600 billion tax bill." That's how Learning Resources CEO Rick Woldenberg describes the impact of tariffs on American businesses. President Trump insists foreign countries and companies pay the tariffs. Woldenberg, head of a family-owned business that sells popular kids toys at Target and on Amazon, calls it a "plain old untruth" – he pays it, and ultimately, so do American consumers.

Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D -VA) introduced this year’s latest (and not so greatest) toy: Tariff Bear. Although he is cute and cuddly, Tariff Bear costs three times the amount of a regular stuffed bear. Why? Because President Trump’s onslaught of tariffs has raised the prices of children’s toys across the country, even though he promised to lower costs.

Nike Shifts Production and Raises Prices to Mitigate $1 Billion Tariff Cost. Nike said Thursday (June 26) that the new U.S. tariffs currently in place will cost the company about $1 billion.

States are bracing for a possible trade war. Some more than others. Increases in tariffs would affect U.S. states in different ways. States that rely on exports or imports of goods are the most vulnerable.

Deep inside U.S. economy, more sticker prices start going up due to tariffs, and inventory is headed down. Inside retail and manufacturing, there's a widespread move to adjust prices higher due to tariffs.

Trump shrugs off July tariff deadline: 'We can do whatever we want'. Trump's answer appeared to correspond to the date when his reciprocal tariffs on many nations are set to return to their initial levels.

China's manufacturing activity contracts for a third month amid deflation woes. Chinese manufacturers have been grappling with a deepening price war.

China warns countries not to sign US trade deals at its expense. China has again warned that its interests must not be used as bargaining chips as countries scramble to make deals with the US.

UK-US tariff deal begins but still no news on steel. The deal will give the UK motor industry preferential treatment and cut aerospace tariffs to zero.

Lego posts strong profits and record sales in UK. The Lego Group has reported record sales in the UK for the seventh year in a row and is also set to move to a new London headquarters in 2027.

Amazon Prices on Chinese Products Reportedly Exceeding Inflation. Analysis found that price increases for those goods sped up starting in May, a sign that U.S. tariffs are starting to hit consumers.

Auto Industry ‘Party Is Over’ as Tariffs Dampen Car Sales. While shoppers scrambled to purchase new vehicles ahead of U.S. tariffs during the spring, that momentum has since faded.

A bare-bones deal is Europe's best hope in trade talks with the U.S., sources say. The U.S. and EU are down to the wire to strike a so-far elusive trade agreement by early July.

Trump announces Vietnam trade deal, 20% tariff on its imports to U.S.. Vietnam, whose exports to the U.S. reportedly comprised 30% of its gross domestic product last year, is vulnerable to Trump's tariffs.

Trump threatens Japan with tariff up to 35% as deadline looms. It would be well above the 24% tariff imposed on Japan as part of the so-called "Liberation Day" in April.

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

Toy Industry’s Premier Player, Elizabeth Werner joined us to talk summer toy trends.

Move over Labubus. Skullpandas are here! Kunal Bahl hints at next big trend.

Younger Americans Have Spent 25% Less On Video Games This Year Than Last

Rick Derr: Toy trends: the blind box global trend is driven by...

Toy prices jumped a staggering 2.2% between April and May 2025—the biggest monthly spike on record, according to the latest Consumer Price Index from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s 22 times the national inflation rate.

The Best Video Games of 2025 So Far. From riveting text-based adventures to blockbusters with artsy vibes, the first half of 2025 has been a powerhouse for gaming

By toy or tea, some China retailers still see US as path to profit. On a Sunday afternoon in lower Manhattan, a small shop inside the Oculus, stands out for the bustling crowd thronging its space.

Global Labubu craze reflects China’s creative and consumption ambitions. Who could have predicted the rise of Labubu, which has gained cult status globally after capturing hearts in China?

VIDEO BRIEF: Toys for grown-ups, inside China’s $15 billion collectible toy boom. Last year alone, collectors worldwide spent nearly 2 billion US dollars on blind boxes from POP MART.

Exclusive: Dean Weller on the toy industry. Dean Weller discusses his passion for the toy and media industries.

Spotlighting Big Ideas in Play: Why Global Toy Professionals Should Take the Stage at Toy Fair University. Toy Fair University delivers programming curated to fuel business strategy and out-of-the-box thinking.

Labubu’s rise reflects hitmaker ability of China’s digital ecosystem. The global frenzy around China’s Labubu is often hailed as a triumph of Chinese soft power.

Few retail leaders are confident in their current AI capabilities, EY finds. The majority of industry executives say innovation requires analytics and AI, but it’s early days for these investments.

Toyjobs has been the dominant recruiting

Stories, Comments, and Advice

Mom Sees Son Playing With Toy Animals—Then Realizes What's Really Happening. Hannah Wakeman, from the West Midlands region of England, took to her TikTok channel, @cleaningwithhan_, to share a glimpse of the special game she discovered her 10-year-old son playing.

Tiny Chef broke the internet. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll have seen Tiny Chef’s viral cancellation video which landed last week. Even my brother brought it up with me, and he has zero professional connection to kids media. Check it out below; make sure to watch through to the gut punch ending:

*** The above posted after tBR started circulating on July 4th ***

John Baulch, Toy World - Independent’s Day… it’s the Friday Blog! The hot weather is back with a vengeance – so much so that Greggs has issued a profit warning, as people don’t seem to fancy consuming pies or sausage rolls in this heat (to be fair, I can’t say I blame them).

Toy World - For this month’s Letter from America, Learning Express Toys’ Rick Derr takes a look at what the summer has in store for the toy industry. As the lyrics to Taylor Swift’s Cruel Summer go: “‘It’s cool’, that’s what I tell ’em; No rules in breakable heaven; But ooh, whoa-oh; It’s a cruel summer with you”.

James Zahn: Red, White, and Bruised. As the U.S. toy industry takes a much-needed breather for the Fourth of July, the shadow of President Donald J. Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day” tariffs continues to loom.

What the U.S.-Vietnam trade deal tells us about the future of tariffs. Pressure for trade deals is mounting as the temporary reduction of Trump's reciprocal tariffs is set to end in a matter of days.

Move over, video—Audi adds in-car gaming. The automaker has joined AirConsole's existing partners BMW and Volkswagen on a mission to enhance family drives and road trips with more interactive entertainment.

A bumbling game of robot soccer was a breakthrough for embodied AI. The soccer tournament was played by AI-powered robots in Beijing on Saturday. China is investing tens of billions of dollars to extend its lead in next-gen robotics.

World-first: Humanoid robots to race, play soccer, dance at China’s robo sports games. The event will feature 19 competitions, including track and field, gymnastics, and scenario-based tasks like drug sorting and concierge services.

Consumers Feel Happier but Still Worry About Inflation. The University of Michigan’s June Consumer Sentiment Index, released Friday (June 27), recorded a 16% surge from May, marking its first increase in six months. The rise reflects a broad-based improvement across various facets of the economy.

From Childhood Classics to Global Comebacks: Inside Wildbrain’s Bold Vision. Jasen Wright, Vice President and Head, North America at WildBrain CPLG, shares valuable insights into their evolving brand portfolio.

Bowling for Nobels. How a centuries-old math puzzle helped us see inside the human brain.

How Target is tackling back-to-school marketing with dual campaigns. Two new efforts feature tactics like influencer marketing as the big-box store prioritizes promoting value and an on-trend product assortment.

China student’s graduation Labubu sparks debate as academic pinches toy’s tassel. A student at China’s prestigious Tsinghua University took her Labubu toy to her graduation ceremony, placing the school’s vice-president in an awkward position.

Exclusive: Making educational marketing Super. Aaron Lipman, founding director of creative kids’ marketing agency Super., tells Toy World readers how the company can help toy companies connect with kids and families in educational settings.

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History and Nostalgia

Rare 1979 Hulk stretch toy to auction for up to £5,000. Excalibur Auctions said the figure is one of only 30 known examples of the original Hulk stretch toy from 1979 that still exist today.

*** The above posted after July 4th when tBR circulated ***

Toru Iwatani, the creator of Pac-Man. Toru Iwatani left an indelible mark on gaming history with the creation of Pac-Man. Here are 8 interesting facts about the visionary behind the iconic arcade classic.

The Mangler from Mego (1975). The toy’s main housing was manufactured from green plastic and resembled a combination of a military tank and a Zamboni. It sat atop a continuous track and was manually pushed along.

Down on the Farm from Hasbro (1966). Released by Hasbro in 1966, Down on the Farm was a spin-and-move board game in which players raced to be the first to complete a series of pre-defined chores.

Lego’s latest buildable arcade machine is packed full of fun hidden details. At 468-pieces it’s no where near as elaborate as Lego’s buildable Pac-Man machine, but this 6-inch tall Arcade Machine set will only set you back $39.99 when it launches on August 1st, 2025.

R-R-R-Raw Power from Ideal Toy Company (1976). “Your bike can have the cycle sound…”

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Licensing and Entertainment

Last week, Disney announced that a live-action Lilo & Stitch 2 is in development. In reaction to this announcement, Nigel Cook, vice president, Brand Commercialisation and Retail, Disney Consumer Products, explained how the franchise is positioned for long-term cultural relevance and commercial success.

Paw Patrol’s Skye posed for photos this week at Waterloo Station, before boarding her South Western Railway train to Chessington World of Adventures to oversee a new development at the theme park. Skye’s visit comes as Chessington World of Adventures unveils five brand new Paw Patrol-themed hotel rooms, the first and only Paw Patrol accommodation in the UK.

Disney has signed a new deal with Charter Communications to bring back eight of its linear channels (including Disney Jr, Disney XD, Nat Geo Wild and BabyTV) to the Spectrum lineup. The networks were originally pulled in late 2023 amid a dispute between the cable company and the Mouse House.

Mattel is relaunching one of its most popular ‘80s playsets in anticipation of the June 5, 2026 theatrical release of Masters of the Universe. Next month, consumers can expect the highly anticipated return of the Fright Zone playset.

Toys “R” Us plays a pivotal role in Roofman, the newly announced true crime film starring Channing Tatum and directed by Oscar nominee Derek Cianfrance. The movie is based on the real-life story of Jeffrey Manchester, a nonviolent serial robber who broke into dozens of McDonald’s restaurants through the roof — and who, after escaping prison, famously hid for months inside a North Carolina Toys “R” Us.

Hasbro Pulse has announced the release of six brand-new action figures in its Studio Series lineup, bringing to life some of the most iconic and anticipated characters from the Transformers cinematic universe. These meticulously crafted collectibles deliver premium detailing, faithful film-inspired designs and intricate conversions that will excite fans and collectors alike.

Toikido has partnered with viral VR sensation Jmancurly to develop and launch an official global merchandise range inspired by the creator’s fast-growing universe

DC x Sonic JAKKS product line now available to preorder. The new collection from JAKKS Pacific was developed in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products and SEGA of America.

Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair x Sonic collaboration announced. Hasbro’s Wizards of the Coast and SEGA announced today a Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair x Sonic the Hedgehog collaboration featuring three distinct Secret Lair drops inspired by the Sonic universe.

The first Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle trailer kicks off a trilogy in epic fashion. After revolutionizing the anime industry with one of the most popular first seasons in the genre’s history and the highest-grossing anime movie of all time, Demon Slayer is ready for the beginning of the end.

Ryan Gosling plays a very reluctant astronaut in Project Hail Mary trailer. Project Hail Mary, an adaptation of the science fiction novel of the same name from The Martian writer Andy Weir, is set to be released on March 20, 2026, but Amazon MGM Studios has already shared a full trailer for the film.

Wow! Stuff’s Dolores Deluxe Puppetronic wows at Jurassic World Rebirth premiere. Dolores, a true-to-Universe life-sized replica Aquilops, inspired by the new film, stunned onlookers with her realism and character-driven movement, capturing the spirit of Jurassic World in toy form like never before.

Mischief Meets Monopoly with Monopoly Deal: Disney Stitch Edition. In this fast-paced card game, between 2-5 players will race to collect familiar items from Stitch’s world like his spacesuit, a surfboard, and Lilo’s favorite record.

Paddington Heads on Summer Holiday in the ‘Crayola Create and Play+’ App. Players ages 4 and up can unlock exciting daily activities like crafting trains, decorating double-decker buses, designing suitcases, exploring castles, coloring Paddington-themed pages, and more.

CJ ENM goes all in on AI. The studio behind Rainbow Ruby and Robot Trains made a splash at a local event today in one of its Seoul offices by announcing its ambitions to become what chief strategy officer Shin Keun-sup calls a “global AI studio”.

China’s young parents are reshaping kids media. With more Chinese children learning English from cartoons, Bilibili explains why recent parenting trends could help pave the way for growth in international co-pros.

Taiwan’s kids channel PTS XS launches co-development program. The fledgling broadcaster is pairing South Korean prodcos with Taiwanese studios to co-produce two animated series that will be introduced at a November pitching event.

Smiffys signs licensing deal for Dragon Ball Z. Smiffys is stepping into the world of anime with Dragon Ball Z. In collaboration with Toei Animation Europe and Reemsborko, Smiffys will launch a Dragon Ball Z costume collection later this year.

The Entertainer set to lead Care Bears product expansion. Bulldog Licensing and Cloudco Entertainment have announced a new multi-year partnership that will bring Care Bears into a broader range of categories, developed by Addo Play, through The Entertainer.

MGA’s Miniverse and Universal launch new Jurassic World Rebirth-inspired dinosaur collectibles. MGA Entertainment has announced a collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences, for a new collection from the popular mini collectible brand MGA’s Miniverse Make It Mini Dinosaurs.

Surge Brands to Lead Global Licensing for Whirly Pop. The partnership is set to drive the brand’s expansion into a variety of new consumer categories, including toys, apparel, accessories, home goods, and more.

Yankees Expand Mo Willems Collaboration with The Pigeon Keychain Giveaway and New Merch. The Yankees will host Mo Willems Day at Yankee Stadium, Sunday, July 13, presented by Hidden Pigeon Company and FOCO.

‘Jurassic World Rebirth: Titan Taskforce’ Stop-Motion Series Debuts July 11. Universal Products & Experiences is bringing dinosaurs back into action with Jurassic World Rebirth: Titan Taskforce, a new stop-motion YouTube special premiering July 11.

Lion Forge signs a first-look pact with Oware. Former BBC development exec Edward Barnieh’s new London-based agency Oware has entered into a first-look deal with Lion Forge Entertainment, the studio behind the hit animated series Iyanu.

Marvel Comics Return to Newsstands. Marvel Comics returns to newsstands with Marvel Comics: The Fantastic Four, a bookazine created and distributed in collaboration with Dotdash Meredith and set for release on July 4, just ahead of opening weekend for Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Vin Diesel Says Paul Walker’s Character May Return for ‘Fast & Furious’ Finale, Having Dom and Brian Reunite. Fast & Furious franchise star Vin Diesel attended Paul Walker‘s brother Cody Walker’s automotive festival, Fuel Fest, and gave updates on what fans can expect for the 11th Fast film.

Netflix to Add NASA+ as It Launches Into Live Streaming Feeds. The U.S. space agency and streaming giant will link up later this summer, with NASA+ becoming the first live feed from an outside programmer to be integrated into Netflix.

Matt Reeves Finally Completes ‘The Batman 2’ Script. DC fans finally got some good news on the future of the highly anticipated “The Batman” sequel. Writer-director Matt Reeves shared a photo of the completed script after several delays.

Box Office: ‘F1’ Revs to $144 Million Globally, ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Nears $950 Million Milestone. Brad Pitt’s original racing drama “F1” drove to the top of the box office charts, collecting a sizable $88.4 million internationally and $144 million globally in its opening weekend.

‘The Cat In The Hat’ Trailer: First Look At Warner Bros’ Animated Adaptation Starring Bill Hader. Warner Bros. Pictures Animation has unveiled the first trailer for its first full-length feature, The Cat in the Hat, an animated adaptation of the classic Dr. Seuss story starring Bill Hader.

Jon Watts Changed Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s ‘Spider-Man’ Returns in ‘No Way Home’ Because of Reddit Sleuths. The director recounted how fans on the discussion platform forced him to shift how the two former franchise leads were introduced in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man universe.

Neil Patrick Harris to Host Netflix Game Show ‘What’s in the Box’ (EXCLUSIVE). Neil Patrick Harris will host a new game show for Netflix titled “What’s in the Box,” which the streamer describes as a “massive guessing game” where each decision could lead to “life-changing rewards.”

Amazon to shut down Freevee streaming TV service in August. The service, called Freevee, launched in 2019 underneath IMDb, the film and TV site Amazon bought in 1998. It offered a stable of free, ad-supported video, including original series and some Prime Video content, primarily through an app.

Marvel’s Black Panther spin-off Eyes of Wakanda gets a first-look teaser and a new, delayed release date. Marvel Animation’s upcoming Black Panther anthology series Eyes of Wakanda just premiered its first-look teaser trailer, and announced a new release date: August 27.

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People of Play

Crayola’s now-CEO leaned in to automation when everyone else was offshoring and now he’s reaping the rewards. Pete Ruggiero, at the time an operations executive, thought the children’s art supply maker could be more efficient by staying close to home.

Pam Mastrota is executive director at The Toy Foundation. In this edition of The Friday Five, Pam talks about the organization’s Toy Chest and Play Fund initiatives, and shares observations about the changing needs of vulnerable communities.

Tim Rice comes back to kids movies for The Land of Sometimes. The legendary songwriter returns after 25 years to score this upcoming CG-animated feature. His secret to writing hits? Making sure the music connects to the characters.

*** The above posted after tBR started circulating on July 4th ***

Jeremy Padawer - Had the opportunity to talk the cultural and emotional impact of Squishmallows with CBS Saturday Morning - it was such a kindhearted and thoughtful piece, quite fitting for our beloved Squishmallows! Here’s a quick clip!

How I Got Here: Emily Auriemma, Carve Communiations. Don't laugh, but when I was in elementary school I wanted to be a professional bull rider...which is quite comical because I'm absolutely terrified of even riding a horse! So I'm not entirely sure where that dream came from.

Designer Tim Walsh discusses turning A Daily Cloud into an award-winning board game. How did the Instagram account A Daily Cloud became a board game? Inventor Tim Walsh tells all.

"Take Up Space": Dianne Lauble on Mentorship, Creativity, and Courage. Dianne shares how she stumbled into toy design with a creepy Pinocchio sketch, how she learned to invent on demand, and what she’s learned about collaboration, confidence, and trusting your gut.

Moose Toys appoints Ben Krenz as new global GM for Games. Ben brings over a decade of industry expertise from Target USA, where he held senior commercial leadership roles, most recently overseeing the full Boys’ Toys business and previously led the retailer’s Games and Puzzles team.

Joel Bradley promoted to president of Atomic Cartoons. In his new role, Bradley will spearhead business development, hunt for technologies to further improve Atomic’s animation pipeline, and oversee close to 1,000 production staffers.

The LEGO Group Names Fredrik Loving as SVP and Global Head of LEGO Game. The leadership move underscores the company’s continued focus on building its presence in the digital gaming space and delivering world-class interactive play experiences.

Labubu doll creator and Pop Mart CEO Wang Ning becomes China’s youngest billionaire; How much is his net worth?. From humble sketchbook doodles to multimillion-dollar auctions, Labubu has taken the world by storm, making Pop Mart CEO Wang Ning the youngest billionaire in China.

Influential Rare game designer Gregg Mayles leaves company after 35 years. It is being reported with today’s brutal Microsoft news that Rare’s influential game designer Gregg Mayles has parted ways with Rare after being with the British developer for over 35 years.

YuMe Toys Bolsters Executive Team to Drive Global Growth. The company has appointed Paul Fish as Head of The Americas, Ben Ibarra as Director of Sales for the Americas, and Michelle Phillips Jones as Global Marketing Director.

Companies and Brands

Marshmallow Madness will bring all of the controlled-chaos family fun to game night! Compete to see who can eat the most mini marshmallows in one turn — all with very tiny, very silly fake hands.

Mattel named to Newsweek's America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families 2025. For working parents across America, the ability of a company to respect and support their needs is a vital factor in determining where they choose to grow their career.

Inside the multi-billion dollar Squishmallow craze. Plush toys have exploded in popularity over the past couple of years with fans of all ages. The global market for stuffed animals and plush toys is worth more than $11 billion and sales are expected to keep growing.

Crayola has launched Creative Acts of Color, a vibrant, year‑long global campaign designed to inspire creativity in both children and adults. The centerpiece of the initiative is a rolling open call encouraging participants to submit artwork that celebrates imagination and self‑expression.

McDonald’s Goes McMini with New Happy Meal Toys. Starting July 1, families will unwrap their Happy Meals to find one of 21 Lil McDonald’s toys. These pocket-sized toys allow kids to take a little piece of the Golden Arches home, from a teeny register and mini fries to an itty-bitty Boo Bucket.

Global lifestyle brand Miniso opened the doors to two new international locations this month. The immersive flagship stores, located in South Korea and China, underscore the company’s continued investment in interest-driven, IP-fuelled expansion.

Squishmallows Happy Meal campaign to launch in the UK. Available in all restaurants nationwide from Wednesday, 2nd July, each Happy Meal will come with a Squishmallows plush toy or a Little People, Big Dreams Book.

2025 marks a milestone year for Spirograph as the iconic brand is commemorating its 60th anniversary. First introduced in 1965, Spirograph has made it possible for aspiring artists of all ages to create beautifully intricate designs. By blending geometry with creativity, children explore mathematical principles while experimenting with colour, symmetry and motion to create works of art.

Google Launches Virtual Try-on App Featuring AI-Generated Videos. The new Doppl app from Google Labs builds on the capabilities of the AI Mode virtual try-on feature launched in May by Google Shopping, adding the ability to turn static images into artificial intelligence-generated videos.

LeapFrog introduces LeapMove. Children can transform their living room into a learning zone with LeapMove, LeapFrog’s brand-new motion-sensing TV console that converts everyday play into an active, educational adventure.

New data-led specialist agency, Storytime Media, officially launches. Storytime Media offers its clients media strategy, planning and buying across all paid media in the UK and internationally, as well as digital content production and management.

Heathside and Kaleidos Creative announce distribution partnership for Europe. The partnership with Heathside will bring Kaleidos Creative’s collectible toys and blind boxes to an entirely new continent for the company.

Chuck E. Cheese Launches Chuck’s Arcade. The company aims to refresh the experience of going to an arcade, bringing the latest in arcade gaming along with the well-loved classics like Donkey Kong, Mortal Kombat, Ms. Pac-Man, and Galaga.

TeeTurtle’s Cloudheads Are Ready for All the Cuddles. Cloudheads come in four original character forms: Miso the Shiba Inu, Comet the Sloth, Honeybean the Calico Cat, and Nimbus the Cloud Bunny. Each new character comes with their own charming personality.

Creations are Endless with Wonder Factory Never Dry Dough & Sand. MGA Entertainment‘s Wonder Factory Never Dry Dough and Sand are new compounds that offer hours of imaginative play. Each never dries and is gluten free. The best part? The single packs start at just $2.97!

Gamegenic Raises Prices Approximately 15%. This price increase follows in lock-step with what Fantasy Flight Games and Atomic Mass Games each announced over the course of the last two weeks, which indicates that this may be an ongoing trend with how Asmodee studios plan on handling tariffs.

Alliance Entertainment Announces Two Exclusive Distribution Agreements. Alliance Entertainment, moving to expand into collectible merchandise after hiring seven former Diamond Comic Distributors staffers, has announced two exclusive distribution agreements with makers of licensed collectibles.

Legend Story Buys Savage Feats Production Company. Savage Feats is the production company that streams Flesh & Blood TCG's World Championships, Pro Tour, and World Premiere events. The company has been a LSS partner since 2023, and was founded by Ethan Van Sant and Nathan Dollman.

Diamond Shuts Down ComicSuite and Pullbox. Although there has undoubtedly been substantial migration to other POS and advance ordering tools since Diamond filed for bankruptcy, there are likely hundreds of retailers that rely on the two pieces of software to run operations in their stores.

Hasbro Strikes New Multi-Year Casino Licensing Partnerships. After a comprehensive review and market evaluation, Hasbro has selected Aristocrat Technologies, Evolution, Galaxy Gaming, and Bally’s as its newest partners in casino licensing.

@Mattel Celebrates “Girl Power” With Collectibles From Monster High® and Hot Wheels® Mario Kart, Set to Debut at San Diego Comic-Con #SDCC. Mattel Creations returns to San Diego Comic-Con with a fierce trio of products that spotlight bold female icons across beloved franchises.

ChizSix to Lead Marketing for Clixo’s Nationwide Target Launch. ChizSix Marketing & Media has been named Agency of Record for Clixo, the award-winning magnetic play system known for its flexible, open-ended construction and STEAM-aligned learning benefits.

Dora Hits 25-Year Milestone, Celebrates with Spin Master. Dora and her sidekick Boots have been immersing families in Spanish on Nickelodeon for two and a half decades now. Naturally, they are celebrating with play.

Maestro Media Strikes Exclusive Distro Deal with Asmodee. Asmodee will become Maestro's exclusive distributor for all English-language products in the U.S., United Arab Emirates, and South Africa.

A Bloom in Building Toys: The LEGO Group Reveals Two LEGO Botanicals Sets. Consumers can add nature-themed pieces to displays with two upcoming sets: LEGO Botanicals Hibiscus Flower and LEGO Botanicals Mini Bonsai Trees.

University Games and John Hansen: The Circle Completes. Bob Moog of University Games, and John Hansen III of the John N. Hansen Company announced a global distribution agreement granting University Games exclusive worldwide rights to distribute the complete Hansen product line.

Nike’s Debut Lego Brick Playset Sells Out In Minutes, Strengthening Nike’s Youth Appeal. Two industry giants, Nike and LEGO, release their first co-branded LEGO playset with a Nike x LEGO sneaker to drop in August as the multi-year partnership gears up.

Lego's Next Mario Kart Sets Include Wario, Toadette, And The Piranha Plant Power-Up. Mario Kart is always relevant, but right now it's more relevant than ever thanks to Mario Kart World launching alongside the Nintendo Switch 2.

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Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development

Nintendo revealed the Super Mario Odyssey team made Donkey Kong Bananza. It’s been nearly eight years since Super Mario Odyssey, and now we know what that team has been up to, as Nintendo has officially revealed that the developers of Donkey Kong Bananza are the same team that made Odyssey.

Myst developer Cyan Worlds is making more layoffs. It's unclear how many people were laid off this time around, but the spreadsheet shared by the company now includes the names of 14 employees who are all currently seeking new jobs.

Nintendo is about to alter the price of the original Switch in Canada. That means the Nintendo Switch OLED Model, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite will all be handed new price tags alongside console accessories and software. The Switch 2 won't be impacted by the move.

Logitech confirms all its webcams work with Nintendo Switch 2, save one. If you want to get started with GameChat and have a spare Logitech webcam lying around then you are in luck as the company has informed The Verge that all of its range of webcams work on the Nintendo Switch 2 console.

Sonic Team boss says remakes of the Sonic Adventure games not happening. Sadly it seems as though they are not on the cards as Sonic Team boss Takashi Iizuka says that the workload would be extensive for that particular project.

Nintendo consulted with publishers on Switch 2 Game-Key Cards. Nintendo talked with third party publishers about the controversial Game Key-Cards before the system launched to work out a solution to deliver a cost effective way of delivering software.

The Rogue Prince of Persia has been rated for Nintendo Switch in Australia. It would appear as though the Nintendo Switch will play host to the previously PC only The Rogue Prince of Persia as the game has been rated for the platform in Australia.

Former Nintendo veteran says he felt “constant sense of inferiority” due to high talent level. Takaya Imamura has posted on social media about his time at the company and said that the level of the talent working there led to him having a “constant sense of inferiority” despite his own natural skill.

Disney Speedstorm is getting a Nintendo Switch 2 update. In a surprising turn of events the colourful free-to-play racer Disney Speedstorm is receiving a Nintendo Switch 2 update bringing higher resolution visuals and faster frame rates.

Bloomberg: Nintendo stopped Amazon US sales as third-party sellers were offering games lower than advertised rates. A new Bloomberg report explains what the recent issues were between the two companies which saw Amazon.com miss out on the launch of the popular Nintendo Switch 2.

SEGA president: “Nintendo has been playing an amazing role” with games and hardware. The Game Business website has published an exclusive interview with Shuji Utsumi, CEO of SEGA America and SEGA Europe, and the COO and President of SEGA Corporation.

Outright Games’ ‘The Grinch: Christmas Adventures’ Expands with New Festive Edition. Players can experience the wonders of Who-ville and the grouchiness of the Grinch in this festive edition developed by Casual Brothers.

The Peanuts Gang Joins Mattel’s ‘UNO! Mobile’ App. Mattel, its gaming development studio, Mattel163, and NetEase are teaming up to bring the iconic Peanuts characters into the UNO! Mobile experience.

Blizzard is winding down support for its Warcraft mobile game. Microsoft’s layoff of roughly 9,000 employees is continuing to have downstream effects at the company’s subsidiaries. As many as 100 developers at Blizzard have been impacted.

Subnautica developer Unknown Worlds loses leadership team. Parent company Krafton confirmed that Unknown Worlds CEO Ted Gill, Subnautica game director Charlie Cleveland, and technical director Max McGuire have all exited the studio "effective immediately."

Everwild Has Reportedly Been Canceled Amid Widespread Xbox Layoffs. As expected, Xbox has been hit with widespread layoffs today, with some outlets claiming as many as 9,000 employees across multiple departments and studios have been affected.

Report: Return to Moria developer Free Range Games lays off 80 people. The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria developer Free Range Games has reportedly laid off the entire development team of an unannounced game, which totaled around 80 employees.

Fallout 76 Developer Cancels 'Blackbird' MMORPG. Zenimax Online, developer of The Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76, has been working on an unannounced MMORPG—codenamed Blackbird—since 2018. It would appear this project has now been cancelled.

Xbox closes The Initiative and cancels its Perfect Dark reboot. Game Developer has confirmed the closure of The Initiative. According to an email sent to employees by Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios.

Highlighted Press Releases

($100/week/press release in this highlighted section and on newsletter sent Friday)

MAKE MUSIC COUNT: THE BEST WAY TO MAKE MATH LESSONS MUSIC TO CHILDREN’S EARS
The Make Music Count App and Keyboard Kits Demystify Math and Frame it in a Fun and Relevant Cultural Context. Atlanta, GA (July 10, 2025) – Math! The scariest school subject for many kids, but a critical one to understand. Some children would do anything to avoid math class, and it’s no wonder. In many public schools, a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching math, based on repetition, lectures and sheer memorization fails to connect with so many kids. We all have our own aptitudes, learning styles and cultural backgrounds which make this approach...

*** The above posted after tBRF circulated on July 4th ***

KIDSTUFF PUBLIC RELATIONS IS CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS IN JULY WITH SIGNING OF SEVEN CLIENTS
Two Hands Are Needed To Count Out Newest Roster: Cocosmile Cups, EyeConnect Crafts, Igloo Books, JoPat Games, Kandico, Make Music Count & Seaper Powers. What do families want this season? A mix of music, movies, crafts, collectibles, cups, board games and books are having their moment with kids and with KidStuff Public Relations. Seven incredible kid-friendly companies have signed with the storied PR agency headed by Lisa Orman, named twice as a Wonder Woman by Women In Toys (WIT) and one of the industry’s top thought leaders on kids’ stuff.

Safety and Counterfeiting

Here’s how Character.AI’s new CEO plans to address fears around kids’ use of chatbots. Character.AI has also received tough questions about safety from lawmakers, and one advocacy group said earlier this year that AI companion apps should not be used by kids under 18. Even for adult users, experts have raised alarms about people forming potentially harmful attachments to AI characters.

Lafufu? Australian consumer watchdog warns of fake Labubu toys online. The soaring global popularity of Labubu has prompted Australia to sound a warning over knock-off toys flooding online platforms as scammers try to exploit the frenzy fuelled by social media and celebrity endorsements.

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

2025 ANZ EXCELLENCE AWARDS - 11TH NOVEMBER, CROWN CASINO, MELBOURNE. After a number of years, the Licensing International ANZ Excellence Awards are back—revamped, re-energised, and ready to spotlight the very best in brand licensing across Australia and New Zealand.

A new Comic-Con Museum exhibit, “20 Years of Kawaii and Chaos,” explores the lifestyle brand tokidoki’s journey from a small startup, featuring artwork from Simone Legno, to a collaborative multimillion dollar company.

More than 300 people donned inflatable dinosaur costumes and took to the track at Emerald Downs in Washington for the annual T-Rex World Championship Races.

*** The above posted after tBR circulated on July 4th ***

Asmodee, in collaboration with Kosmos, has unveiled the success of Catan: Connect the World — a bold, worldwide celebration of connection, strategy and the timeless magic of tabletop play. Inspired by players, Asmodee has been crafting and taking to market immersive, shared experiences for over 30 years and shows no sign of stopping.

Autumn Fair is calling on independent retailers across the country to make their voices heard as part of its Retail Makeover Mission – a new campaign in partnership with SaveTheHighStreet.org to spotlight the urgent challenges facing Britain’s high streets.

Have you booked your booth at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair? Only 4 months away! Thousands of holiday shoppers will be making their wishlists and buying your toys and games - if you are there! You’ll connect with consumers in hands-on, interactive ways, sell directly from your booth, and capture trade, influencers and media attention that drives excitement beyond the show floor.

We’re proud to announce a powerful collaboration between the United Inventors Association (UIA), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the Int'l Federation of Inventors’ Associations (IFIA) for this year’s Silicon Valley International Invention Festival (SVIIF) — taking place August 8–10, 2025, in Santa Clara, CA. Whether you're a garage tinkerer or a seasoned entrepreneur, this is your..

Designer Toy Art Festival Brings Independent Toy Culture to Philadelphia, Assembly Required brings a celebration of street art, pop culture, and figural storytelling to the festival.

Save the Date: Summer Credit Meeting on July 30. The Toy Association will hold a Summer Credit meeting on Wednesday, July 30, open exclusively to qualified finance, credit, and operations professionals of manufacturer member companies.

Secure Your Booth Space for Toy Fair® ’26. As the countdown to Toy Fair® begins, The Toy Association has announced that general exhibitor applications are now open for the iconic event, taking place February 14 to 17, 2026 at the Javits Center in New York City.

Preshow Noël to return for 25th edition. The 25th edition of Preshow Noël Jouets & Jeux and Fan Zone by Preshow will bring together over 400 buyers for exclusive meetings with around 140 French and international exhibitors from November 17th-21st 2025 in Deauville.

Play Creators Awards 2025 winners revealed. Mojo Nation has detailed the winners of this year’s Play Creators Awards. The Play Creators Awards celebrates designers and inventors in the toy and game community that have excelled over the last 12 months.

BRANDmate Becomes BRANDmania as Licensing Event Moves to Essen. The name change, prompted by trademark requirements, comes as the event completes its successful relocation to Zeche Zollverein in Essen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that welcomed nearly 900 attendees on June 25-26.

'Disney Lorcana's' First World Champion Crowned. After two days of competition, the Grand Finals came down to Dinh Khang Pham and Edmond Chiu battling it out for the trophy and a special 1/1 Golden Mickey Mouse - Brave Little Tailor card.

Funko Fundays 2025 In-Store Experience Was Just As Bananas As Ever. The annual in-person event, typically held during San Diego Comic-Con, is the ultimate Funko fan experience, and perhaps more importantly, a chance to get hold of some extremely rare and outrageously expensive Funko Pops.

Shanghai Welcomes Peppa Pig: Hasbro Brings Largest Peppa Pig Theme Park to China. The upcoming attraction will be the world’s largest Peppa Pig-themed park, with five zones featuring immersive rides, shows, retail shopping, and dining experiences.

Kidult Toy Awards Returns with New Categories, Celebrity Judges, and a Focus on Fandom. The Kidult Toy Awards are back for 2025, building on last year’s successful debut and celebrating the growing kidult category — a super segment that now accounts for 30% of toy sales, according to Circana.

Content agenda revealed for Autumn Fair 2025. This year’s show recognises the pressures facing independent retailers, from rising costs and evolving customer behaviours to the demands of digital transformation, and has responded with a new programme of more than 30 short, high-impact sessions.

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

Jim Shooter, who began his career in the comics industry at the age of 14 and later became Editor-in-Chief of Marvel Comics, died on June 30, 2025, of esophageal cancer.

Arrangements confirmed for funeral of Peter Brown. Following the passing of Peter last week, details of his funeral service have been provided as his family and friends come together to celebrate his life.

Peter Brown. Toy industry stalwart Peter Brown sadly passed away peacefully on 24th June, following a long illness. John Baulch, publisher of Toy World, said: “The word ‘legend’ is bandied around a lot these days, but Peter truly was a legend in the toy community and will be missed by his many friends and colleagues. His legacy and fantastic contribution to the toy industry over his illustrious career will live on.”

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