Toy & Game International Excellence Awards - the TAGIEs
Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
Happy Bloomin' Friday!
I am tremendously honored to learn that I am one of the Toy Industry Hall of Fame’s 2023 Inductees. This is very meaningful and I’m humbled that my work has made such an impact. My congratulations go out to Ronnen Harary, Anton Rabie, and Ben Varadi, co-founders of Spin Master, who will also be inducted this year. Inductees no longer with us include the late John McLoughlin, founder of board game company McLoughlin Brothers; the late Rose O'Neill, creator of Kewpie dolls; the late David Ring, founder of Larami Corporation; and the late John Lloyd Wright, inventor of Lincoln Logs.
A hearty Welcome Back from ASTRA to all who participated! Jenna, Sunny and I had a fantastic week, furthering POP initiatives in every conceivable way. Everyone I met with was super positive and congrats to Gwen Ottenberg and her daughter for winning the Toy Sync Battle and the ASTRA Play Awards winners!
Thank you for reading the Bloom Report here or on the Bloom Report 24/7 News Feed!
Mary
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“I seriously look forward to each Friday to learn most every update + more in the Industry. Priceless info! Thank you” -Michael Kohner, The Michael Kohner Corporation
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"TBR is required reading for: inventors, manufacturers, retailers, marketers, suppliers, absolutely everyone!" - Robert Fuhrer, Founder, NEXTOY
Industry Commentary - Richard Highfield
How Essential are Toy Fairs to REAL Toy Buyers?
Toys and Games are sold all year round with a vast peak in the November and December period. Yet toy stores, toy departments and on-line stockists operate for 52 weeks and need sales and margin to continue. Sales are tough to achieve, but margins even tougher. Just look at some of the recent failures.
How delightful the big brands of Lego, Hasbro, Mattel and the hottest new TV, movie or social media favourites appear. To be credible every outlet needs them and they drive customers to you. But at what cost?
Margins vary from business to business, but each has staff and occupation costs. Constantly rising too. So let’s say your business needs a certain percentage return on sales. Will you get that with the brand leaders and competitively priced ‘in fashion’ winners? Of course not! You need to think outside the box and shop around to widen your consumer offering. You will need a wide assortment of higher margin products and they are available. You will need a great selection of product choices to suit all age groups too.
Toy sources are various. Who and where you purchase from is your choice. Following the crowd to best selling, yet low margin ranges will be a recipe for disaster. See past issues of The Bloom Report for the evidence.
Currently there is much discussion about international toy fairs. When? Where? But forgetting Why? READ MORE...
Industry Commentary - Mathew Rosario
The Effects Virtual Reality Will Have On Video Games.
As technology advances, video games have evolved from simple pixelated games to immersive open-world experiences. Accompanying this evolution is a transformation in storytelling, branching out to film, television, and interactive encounters. Now, the industry is on the brink of an even greater shift - the rise of Virtual Reality. This discussion explores the immense potential of VR in revolutionizing digital gaming and storytelling, creating a new market and changing how we engage with entertainment.
The evolution of digital experiences and storytelling has been a fascinating journey. Initially, video games were basic and limited to a few pixels on a screen. Meanwhile, storytelling was mostly confined to books, theater, and oral traditions. But as technology advanced, both mediums underwent significant transformations. Video games became complex with three-dimensional worlds, intricate storylines, and opportunities for shared experiences. Narrative outlets also expanded to include film and television, providing visual and auditory spectacles unmatched by traditional forms of storytelling. The ever-changing landscape of technology continues to drive innovation, as we approach the dawn of the Virtual Reality (VR) era, ushering in yet another wave of transformation.
Cartoon Lovers, Lexophiles & People in Need of a Smile!
Thank you Bob Fuhrer for the cartoon this week!
Brain Teasers from Ivan Moscovich's, The Big Book of Brain Games.
Last Week's Q: How many penny coins can you drop into a shot glass full to the brim of water?
Last Week's A: Probably a lot more than you realise! Water has a high surface tension, meaning that it behaves as if it has a flexible skin on then surface: when filled with coins, the surface bulges up disconcertingly high. I managed 10 pennies in this glass, filmed below. (Do watch the clip, it is strangely riveting.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-ZoTwz4W-0
This Week's Q: Marble and glass. Can you lift a marble off a table using only a wine glass? (Hitting the marble in any way is not allowed, as this might break the glass.)
Quote of the Week: I know we're different, but deep inside us / We're not that different at all. “You’ll Be in My Heart,” "Tarzan"
Lexophile Lovers: When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U.C.L.A. - Thank you, Jerry Cleary for sending in!
Have a cartoon, quote or a joke to share with your colleagues? Send it to me! Mary
Financial and Legal
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Disney must face a New Jersey toy creator's lawsuit that claimed the co. violated her trademark rights with its character Lots-o'-Huggin' Bear from the blockbuster 2010 film "Toy Story 3." The justices threw out a lower court's ruling that Disney was protected against the lawsuit from Randice-Lisa Altschul's Diece-Lisa Industries by the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment...
Webbed Sphere, Inc. will launch a line of games under the Mayfair Games trademark and shield logo, the company announced. Mayfair ceased operations after selling its assets, including a controlling interest in Lookout Games, to Asmodee Group in 2018. With the trademarks abandoned, Webbed Sphere filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to register and begin using the marks for hobby game products.
Microsoft on Thursday will try to gain clearance to complete a $69 billion takeover of video game maker Activision Blizzard in a legal showdown with U.S. regulators that will reshape a pastime that’s bigger than the movie and music industries combined. The battle will pit Microsoft’s ambition to expand its video game imprint beyond its Xbox console against the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s bid to block...
UPS workers vote to strike, setting stage for biggest walkout since 1959. Members of the Teamsters union, which represents about 340,000 workers at the package delivery company, voted overwhelmingly on Friday to strike if no agreement is reached with UPS by the time the current contract expires on July 31. Some 97% of voting members approved a strike, although the voting turnout was not immediately known.
***The above posted after June 16th***
Amazon criticized for ramping up sellers fees and advertising costs. A new report has accused Amazon of exploiting a ‘captive clientele’, with data showing substantial increases in the fees sellers must pay to use the platform. Amazon has been strongly criticised by researchers from the Amsterdam-based Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations, also known as Somo, following the publication of a report ...
Microsoft-Activision: US judge temporarily blocks $69bn deal. A judge has granted a request by US regulators to temporarily block Microsoft's $69bn (£56bn) takeover of Activision Blizzard. The court says the temporary restraining order "is necessary to maintain the status quo while the complaint is pending". The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says the deal could "substantially lessen competition" in the sector.
Amazon cracks down on fake reviews with AI. Amazon says it is using the latest in artificial intelligence (AI) to crack down on fake reviews and identify comments that aren't genuine. The tech giant has been grappling with fake review "brokers", which are a huge problem for its shopping site. Amazon has invested in machine learning models that analyze thousands of data points to help it detect the fraudulent behaviour.
Embracer Group CEO announces layoffs. Dark Horse and Asmodee parent enters restructuring program. Embracer Group CEO Lars Wingefors announced that they will be entering a restructuring program, which will include layoffs across their company. Embracer Group is the owner of Asmodee, Dark Horse, and Gearbox Entertainment, among other studios.
Subway Surfers studio Kiloo Games lays off staff before July closure. Danish developer Kiloo Games is closing down. On LinkedIn, design director Thomas Frøhlich says the studio's 100-person staff was "served with a warning about termination by the end of the month." "I’m grateful for all the great people I’ve met along the way, either internally or in collaborations with other studios," wrote Frøhlich.
JouéClub takes over La Grande Récré stores and employees. JouéClub has been formally appointed to take over most of La Grande Récre’s 140 stores and more than 1,000 employees, saving the French toy chain from liquidation. In April, French company, Ludendo Entreprises – parent company of La Grande Récré – began liquidation proceedings, but the business has now been rescued.
Disney Lorcana studio slams allegations of ‘stolen’ TCG as “baseless claims”. The studio behind Disney Lorcana, Ravensburger, has responded to the allegations levied against it by Upper Deck Entertainment that it “stole and copied” the upcoming TCG. The allegations were first made earlier this week, after Upper Deck – the publisher best-known for the Legendary series of deckbuilding games – confirmed that the company...
Ravensburger expands response to Upper Deck suit. Ravensburger has issued a new statement with an additional response to the suit Upper Deck filed on Wednesday seeking to halt the release of Disney Lorcana TCG, confirming its plans for an August launch.The new statement comes from Ravensburger North America Senior Communications Director Lisa Krueger.
US inflation at lowest since 2021 as fuel prices fall. Prices for eggs, petrol and furniture dropped in the US last month, helping to slash inflation to less than half of its peak a year ago. Inflation, the rate at which prices rise, was 4% over the 12 months to the end of May, the Labor Department said. That was down from 4.9% in April and marked the 11th month in a row that price increases have eased.
Pay rise surprise leads to forecasts of higher UK interest rates. UK wages have risen at their fastest rate in 20 years, excluding the pandemic, raising expectations that UK interest rates will have to rise. Regular pay excluding bonuses increased by 7.2% in the three months to April, although it still lags behind inflation - the rate at which prices rise.
The UK government unveils a US$63-billion creative industry growth plan. The UK government has some very ambitious plans in play for its creative sector. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has outlined several new strategies to grow the GDP value contributed by these domestic industries by US$63 billion and add a million more jobs by 2030.
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Financial Reporting
Geek Showbiz Round Up: The Flash disappointed in its first weekend, opening to a $55.1 million domestic three-day gross, well under Warners’ $70-$75 million expectations, according to Deadline. The decision to keep star Ezra Miller, who’s had a tough year, off the press circuit and the second tier character were likely factors depressing the gross. Weekend grosses for other geek films included $$29.5 million for the first weekend of Pixar’s Elementals, $27.8 million for the third weekend of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and $20 million for the second weekend of Transformers: Rise of the Beast.
***The above posted after June 16th***
IDW Publishing lost around $200,000 on declining sales in its fiscal Q2 ended April 30, 2023, IDW Publishing sales were $1.9 million, down from $2.3 million in the year ago quarter, a decline the company attributed to a difference in sales to Scholastic.
“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” kicked off at the international box office with $110 million from 68 markets, including a decent $40 million start in China.
Trends, Market Research, and State of the Industry
MAY 2023 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 KIDS GRAPHIC NOVELS
MAY 2023 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 AUTHOR, MANGA, SUPERHERO GRAPHIC NOVELS Instagram Comics, BL Manga, and the DC Pride Anthology Make the Charts
***The above posted after June 16th***
Toy sales in Japan top ¥1 trillion for the first time, led by foreign tourists
MAY 2023 CIRCANA BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 ADULT GRAPHIC NOVELS
Booker & Middleton on Action Figures & Collectibles - what’s selling, which companies are getting the category right, and where it could become even stronger.
Licensing Expo: The 2023 state of licensing Q&A. The Toy Book brings together a panel of licensing agents, manufacturers, and IP owners for a roundtable Q&A covering the trends and challenges shaping the business.
Unity report shows sharp decline of in-app mobile spending during 2022's end.
The evolution of licensed products in specialty.
Changing the game: Licensed video game toys are leveling up this year.
Infant Toys – changing with the times.
Top Webtoon graphic novel franchises - Spring 2023.
Precise TV unveils latest family consumption study. YouTube dominates family viewership with 86% of US kids aged 2-12 enjoying the platform.
Stories, Comments, and Advice
'Spider-verse' filmmakers were so wowed by a 14-yr-old's Lego trailer remake, they hired him. “It blew us all away, including some of the best animators in the world," producer Phil Miller told the New York Times. At just 14 years old, Preston Mutanga recreated the trailer for "Across the Spider-verse" using Legos and shared his creation on social media in January of 2023. He tagged the producers of the film and wrote, "I ...
Concerns over missing Titanic sub piloted by video game controller, ‘improvised’ parts. An extensive search and rescue operation continues Tuesday to locate a submersible that went missing during a mission to view the Titanic shipwreck, but many have become concerned with the seemingly improvised construction of the vessel.
AI in the Toy Industry: Changing the Way Kids Play. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been transforming various industries, and the toy industry is no exception. As technology continues to advance, AI is changing the way kids play, learn, and interact with their toys. From smart dolls that can hold conversations to robots that teach coding, AI-powered toys are revolutionizing the market and providing children with a new level of...
Why girl-driven media still matters. The entertainment landscape might be shifting (slowly) away from traditional gender binaries, but content that provides a nuanced reflection of the female experience is still critical for kids to see, say buyers and producers. In a world that’s been trending away from binary codes, where does girl-centric content fit in?
TIKTOK AND YOUTUBE KEY TO REACHING THE U.S. HISPANIC AUDIENCE. The U.S. Hispanic market is a key focus for many entertainment companies. With a population of 62.6 million as of July 2021, Hispanics are the largest racial or ethnic minority in the States. Yet treating this diverse group as homogenous for strategic purposes will backfire immediately. There are many nuances to consider, including primary...
What Is The Meaning Of Humpty Dumpty? Inside The Origins Of The Popular Nursery Rhyme, From Rude Slang Words To King Richard III. The meaning of Humpty Dumpty has remained mysterious for centuries, but there are some possible historical explanations for the nursery rhyme.
Most people learned this popular nursery rhyme as children: Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall/Humpty Dumpty had a great fall/All the king’s...
What Disney Theme Parks Tell Us About Ourselves. An American History Museum exhibition looks at how the resorts have changed over time to reflect a broader image of what it means to be American. When the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History asked patrons for family photos taken at Disney theme parks last February, more than 30,000 shots came in. After a week and a half, staff had to shut submissions...
***The above posted after tBR started sending on June 16th***
John Baulch, Toy World - How does it feel…it’s the Vegas Blog! While you have been sweltering back in the tropical heat of the UK, I have spent this week navigating the (fiercely air-conditioned) halls of Mandalay Bay in downtown Las Vegas, where Licensing Expo has been taking place. It’s been another successful trade show which reinforces the fact that events are getting back to their pre-pandemic ‘buzzy’ best.
The Model Rockets That Carried Us to the Stars. Inspired by the space race, we defined ourselves by our choice of miniature machines. For me, the Space Age began on the weed-choked field behind North School in Glencoe, Ill., in 1976. That’s where Mr. Irmis, who drove a VW microbus and taught us science, math and sex ed, convened the elementary-school model rocket club on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Lifelong love for Meccano connects collectors at museum. 'What happens is that people like us put away our childhood toys, and years and years later, you kind of get bit again,' says enthusiast. Meccano, a construction system mostly made for use by children, comes in many different sets that include metal pieces, wheels and gears, which can then be connected together with nuts and bolts, all with the goal of constructing...
POP QUIZ WITH WENDY SMOLEN: THE 2023 LICENSING & ENTERTAINMENT ISSUE. Great minds think alike — and such is the beauty of a successful licensing partnership. After perusing all the dream partnerships featured in The Toy Book’s 2023 Licensing & Entertainment Issue, see how your mind syncs with these brilliant collaborations.
Spanish game store ups offer for 'Magic: The Gathering' The One Ring to over $2 million. A Spanish game store has topped Dave and Adams' $1 million dollar offer on The One Ring 001/001 (see "First Million Dollar Card") by doubling it. Not only did Gremio de Dragones more than double the offer, they added in a trip, a stay, and delicious Valencian paella, which is one of the famous versions of Spain's national dish. .
The power of play for aging populations. How Toys and Games Keep Elders Sharp. June marks Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and as more adults turn to play to de-stress and have fun, this month is the perfect opportunity to explore the developmental benefits of play for the elderly and those with cognitive impairments. “Be Authentic” was one of the top toy trends announced by...
A Pokémon card drawn by a second-grader just sold for a record-breaking $25,000. A Pokémon card illustrated by a second-grader sold for over $25,000 this past weekend, setting a new record for a card featuring Pikachu pre-evolution Pichu. The Spikey-Eared Pichu card was originally created for a contest held in a dozen children’s magazines across Japan by publishing company Shogakukan in 2009. .
What decreased birthrates means for the toy industry. In looking at global birthrates, Richard Gottlieb finds that only one developed country in the world has more births than deaths. A country needs a fertility rate of 2.1 to maintain its population; the US, for example, has a fertility rate of 1.64. The only reason the US has population growth is due to immigration.
Barbie, Transformers, and Hollywood’s rocky history of toy brand movies. Hollywood is always looking for the next big source of entertainment. Right now, it seems that video game adaptations are finally on the verge of legitimacy due to the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie and HBO’s The Last of Us. Before that, it was superhero movies. And on and on it goes.
History and Nostalgia
The origin of playing cards is highly debated: some scholars think they were developed in China in the 9th century, while others believe they were developed alongside tile games like dominos or mahjong. Still others think that playing cards originated as “play money” for early gambling games. However, the earliest confirmed record of playing cards appears in a German manuscript from 1377.
Don’t Bug Me from Hasbro. Released in 1971 by Hasbro, the Don’t Bug Me game challenged players’ coordination, reflexes, and determination to rid themselves of a swarm of bugs before an opponent beat them to it. The round plastic net was set up between two players. Each player had five red bugs — plastic discs with arms — and a launcher that was used to flip the bugs towards the net.
Sew Easy from Romper Room. Romper Room released Sew Easy in 1980. The toy was marketed as “the sewing machine made especially for the very young.” Sew Easy came complete with a manually-operated sewing machine and accessories such as yarn, buttons, templates, and embellishments so children could create their own craft projects with minimal adult supervision.
The Hollywood Squares TV Game from Ideal. Released in 1974 by the Ideal Toy Company, The Hollywood Squares TV Game is modeled after the game show of the same name, which originally aired on NBC from 1966-1981. Prominently displayed on the box is a photo of Peter Marshall, who was the original host of the television version throughout its entire first run.
Licensing and Entertainment
Margot Robbie Takes AD Inside the Barbie Dreamhouse. Barbie’s Dreamhouse is no place for the bashful. “There are no walls and no doors,” says Greta Gerwig via email. “Dreamhouses assume that you never have anything you wish was private—there is no place to hide.” That layered domestic metaphor has proved rich fodder for the filmmaker, whose live-action homage to the iconic Mattel doll hits theaters July 21.
A Pajama-Clad Ryan Reynolds Reads You Bedtime Stories in His First Original Series for Fubo. Reynolds’ Maximum Effort production company announced the June 20 launch of Maximum Effort Channel on Fubo, which will feature the debut of the partnership’s first original show: “Bedtime Stories With Ryan.” According to the description of the 15-episode series, Reynolds “reads new and classic bedtime stories in an...
Toy World talks to Jack Sturman, Collector & Hobby channel brand manager at Bandai, to get the latest on the Action Figure market. Bandai’s Collector segment, encompassing all things manga, anime and pop-culture, is surging – thanks to changing perceptions among customers and end consumers alike. Jack tells Toy World what is driving sales for Bandai, which licences are coming to the forefront and how...
Panini has revealed the Official Sticker Collection for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Featuring all 32 nations competing to lift the coveted trophy, this new sticker collection from Panini will give collectors and fans an exciting lead-up to the action-packed tournament. Celebrating the women’s game, this vibrant and jam-packed sticker collection features 580 stickers to collect including 68 special stickers, some...
Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Launches Vital Hero Batman! Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc, in collaboration with Warner Bros Discovery Global Consumer Products, is officially releasing the second wave of the wearable active band, Vital Hero. With similar features to the Digimon collection, the latest version will be centered around DC’s fan favorite Super Hero, Batman.
Spin Master has announced a raft of int'l broadcasting partners for its new animated series, Vida the Vet, set to debut this October. Vida the Vet follows 10-yr-old Vida, an animal doctor who nurtures the woodland creatures who live outside her home. Whether there’s a fox with a sprained paw, a turtle with an itchy toe or a tiger with an aching tooth, Vida is the vet for the job. With quick thinking, a doctor’s intuition...
***The above posted after tBR published on June 16th***
Disney-owned Hulu and NBCUniversal streamer Peacock are looking to scare up some more young viewers with a new series from DreamWorks Animation and horror master Eli Roth. Fright Krewe is DreamWorks’ first scary show for older kids (pre-teens), and it revolves around a group of misfit teens who have to save New Orleans from a demonic threat. They soon find out, though, that building lasting...
Super Impulse’s Poptaters get a second wave of figures. Hasbro Potato Heads are getting even more character combinations! Super Impulse, the company behind the World’s Smallest brand, is releasing a second wave of Poptaters. We’ve already mentioned this new series of figures that takes the well-known Hasbro Potato Head and mashes it together with pop culture favorites.
With licensing a key mainstay of its overall business growth strategy, Zuru unveils Snackles, a new range of cute and collectible plush featuring some of the world’s hottest licensed snack brands. The award-winning toy manufacturer has collaborated with new partners and licences, tapping into the expanding plush trend to develop a line-up of super-soft velour characters featuring a real moulded mini replica snack.
Brand-new trailer celebrating Pixar Animation Studios’ “Carl’s Date.” Opening June 16 in front of Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental,” the marks a return to the studio’s tradition of pairing its feature films with animated shorts on the big screen. Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® Award winner Bob Peterson and produced by Kim Collins, “Carl’s Date” goes home with Carl Fredricksen and his lovable...
CoComelon, the popular pre-school entertainment franchise, continues to grow through spin-offs, consumer products, music and experiences. Moonbug, part of Candle Media, has announced a series of expansion plans for its biggest global franchise, CoComelon. Building on a 35% growth year-on-year in YouTube subscribers, the franchise is launching a series of consumer product initiatives, expanding its live events...
Disney and Pixar have unveiled the first teaser for Elio, the 28th animated feature from Pixar Animation, at the same time announcing that Jameela Jamil (Poker Face) and Brad Garrett (High Desert) have joined its voice cast. The actors join an ensemble led by up-and-comer Yonas Kibreab that also includes America Ferrera, as previously announced.
Konami Cross Media debuts latest Yu-Gi-Oh! partnerships. Konami Cross Media is updating its list of Yu-Gi-Oh! collaborations. The company is debuting new partnerships with TOMY International, Heathside Trading, and Trade Invaders to extend the Yu-Gi-Oh! brand across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Mattel announces licensing partnerships ahead of ‘Barbie’ film. Ahead of the theatrical release of “Barbie” on July 21, Mattel has announced several of its licensing partners for the film. Mattel will collaborate with key consumer, merchandise and retail brands for launches leading up to the release, including Spirit Halloween Superstores for costumes – Spirit Halloween’s 16 “Barbie” costumes...
Hasbro signs with Sony and sets up Peppa’s first podcast. Listen to this! Hasbro is tapping into the growing popularity of audio content for kids and families in two new deals with Sony Music Publishing and Amazon’s audio storytelling platform, Audible. First up, the toyco has signed a global agreement with Sony Music Publishing to represent its entire portfolio of kids and family brands, including Peppa Pig, Transformers...
The House of Mouse announced new renewals and greenlights, marking its centennial anniversary with a 75-minute presentation called “The Next 100.” The Disney presentation is always a hot ticket at Annecy, and this Tuesday’s event was no exception, with big queues lining up to hear the studio’s big news.
Mediawan Kids & Family , in collaboration with La Succession Saint Exupery-d’Agay, has selected Licensing Works! to manage the merchandise licensing for its new animated television series, The Little Prince and Friends. This groundbreaking preschool series featuring all-new adventures based on the beloved characters from the timeless masterpiece and best-selling novel ever published is produced by ...
Just Play releases Disney Doorables series 10 to celebrate Disney100. Disney100 continues with even more new products, this time with a series of Disney Doorables from Just Play. Disney Doorables are collectible figures, each a stylized version of a Disney character that stands a little over an inch tall. At least five figures are found in each mystery box package, with some including rare bonus figures.
Avatar 3 and Avengers: The Kang Dynasty pushed back by Disney. Disney fans will have to wait a little longer for some of the top blockbusters after the company announced a reshuffle of its release calendar. On the list are many of its eagerly awaited instalments of Marvel, Star Wars, and Avatar movies, US media report.
Extended global partnership unveiled by PlayMonster and Hasbro for iconic Spirograph brand. PlayMonster Group, a leading international toy and game company, and Hasbro Inc., a toy and game company, have announced that PlayMonster will continue to support the Spirograph brand as part of their global growth strategy aimed at bringing the beloved spiral designing toy to even more aspiring artists worldwide.
Mattel announces Simon & Schuster as sales and distribution partner for Mattel Press Imprint, American Girl Publishing. Mattel, Inc has entered into a sales and distribution agreement with Simon & Schuster, Inc. Under the agreement, Simon & Schuster will handle sales and distribution of the Mattel Press Imprint and the American Girl Publishing Imprint to the United States and Canada beginning July 1, 2023.
The Loyal Subjects partners with WildBrain on a new line of fashion dolls, plush dolls, collectibles, playsets, and more! The Loyal Subjects have partnered with WildBrain in featuring one of pop culture’s most loveable, adorable, irresistibly scented, wholesome, and fantastically delectable brands, Strawberry Shortcake! Per Strawberry Shortcake’s mission statement; “It all started with postcards…”
Asmodee announces Phil-Walker Harding's 'Spellbook'. Asmodee announced SpellBook, a new fantasy strategy game by Space Cowboys, for release into retail on September 29, 2023. This fantasy game is designed by Phil-Walker Harding who also did Barenpark, Lllamaland, and Sushi Go!. In this new game, players take on the roles of wizards who are gathering for the Annual Grand Rite.
Property Profile: Welcome to Barbieland. Greta Gerwig’s Barbie: The Movie finally hits theaters on July 21. While many things about Mattel’s big-screen moment are still under wraps, the movie about the iconic fashion doll is already making waves across social media and beyond. Mattel and Warner Bros. are using the small screen to promote Barbie’s big-screen turn.
Property Profile: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — mayhem in the toy aisle. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are back in action with a new movie and tons of toys. Evolution has been at the heart of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise since its debut in 1984. Perhaps “mutation” is a more appropriate word to describe how the brand, rooted in the tale of four anthropomorphic turtle brothers — Leonardo...
Deplaneta Entertainment inks deal with Mediawan Kids & Family. DeAPlaneta Entertainment has inked a deal with Mediawan Kids & Family to be the company’s master licensing agent. DeAPlaneta Entertainment will develop Mediawan Kids & Family’s intellectual properties (IP) across the world, excluding China.The first three properties included in the deal are Karters, The Three, and Witch Detectives.
ZAG partners with Lankybox for ‘Miraculous: Tales Of Ladybug And Cat Noir’ Collaboration. Animation studio ZAG is continuing to expand the reach of the Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir series, partnering with YouTube channel LankyBox to develop plush, apparel, and home decor.
The Smurfs continue to look forward to more partnerships in 2024. This year marks The Smurfs’ 65th anniversary, and the brand has been celebrating with collaborations, events, clothing lines, NFT collections and much more. Most recently, The Smurfs partnered with luxury Italian house, Armani. The collection features T-shirts, jerseys, tracksuits and caps made from sustainable material.
Sony Pictures Consumer Products celebrates vast slate of content at Licensing Expo 2023. Sony Pictures Consumer Products returns to Licensing Expo 2023 to celebrate an unparalleled roster of new content from classic and cherished IPs such as Ghostbusters and Gran Turismo, and new IPs with continually growing followings such as Cobra Kai, The Boys and Gen V. In celebration, the consumer product division will unveil...
Funko and Blockbuster launch nostalgic-leaning product line, Rewind. Funko, Inc, in partnership with ‘90s retail giant Blockbuster, announced the debut of its retro entertainment product line, Rewind, focused on delivering nostalgia directly to consumers through collectibles and packaging fashioned around the iconic Blockbuster design.
WildBrain CPLG stirs up a cauldron of new partnerships for Moose Toys’ Magic Mixies Mixlings. WildBrain CPLG, one of the world’s leading entertainment, sport and brand licensing agencies, has secured its first wave of licensees in the US and Canada for Moose Toys’ mega hit and sell-out success, Magic Mixies. These partnerships build on the global success of Moose Toys’ core toy program...
Disguise signs multi-year licensing agreement for Poppy Playtime. The new multi-year licensing agreement will cover EMEA and North America for Poppy Playtime, from autumn this year. The agreement gives Disguise the rights to design, develop and manufacture costumes and costume accessories for the horror survival game, Poppy Playtime, commencing this autumn. Poppy Playtime, developed by...
Trailer drops for Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie. The new trailer for Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie heralds the movie’s release this autumn and is accompanied by a new poster and images. Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies and Spin Master Entertainment have released the trailer for the upcoming follow-up to 2021’s Paw Patrol: The Movie. In the new film, members of The Paw Patrol swap their badges for capes...
Disney's Pixar seeks return of box office magic with 'Elemental'. When Pixar Animation Studios releases its 27th feature film in theaters on Friday, the pioneering studio behind blockbuster movies such as "Toy Story," "Cars" and "Finding Nemo" will be under pressure to demonstrate it has not lost its Midas touch. The stakes are high for "Elemental," a tale of overcoming outward differences.
Rubies teams up with Warner Bros. and DC for The Flash collection. Rubies has released a licensed costume collection in the US for Warner Bros. Pictures’ upcoming film The Flash, in cinemas 14th June. The new collection, officially licensed from Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products and DC, includes costumes for adults and children at a variety of price points inspired by The Flash, Batman and Supergirl...
EPIC STORY MEDIA BRINGS GROWING PORTFOLIO OF ENTERTAINMENT PROPERTIES TO LICENSING EXPO. Epic Story Media will be acting as the licensing and merchandising agent for Studio 100 as well as Cheeky Little’s preschool property Vegesaurs, an animated series that follows Ginger the Tricarrotops as she explores Vegesaur Valley. The company has also entered into a partnership to act as licensing agent for...
Jazwares expands Squishmallows consumer products program and grows as a preeminent global lifestyle brand. Jazwares, one of the world’s fastest-growing toy companies, is squishing in all the fun at this year’s Licensing Expo Las Vegas with its sensational lifestyle property, Squishmallows. As the #1 plush property in the U.S. and second best-selling toy brand overall...
People of Play
Southern California resident smashes Rubik's Cube world record with 3.13-second solve. Max Park spent about 10 seconds studying the jumbled Rubik's Cube in front of him at the Pride in Long Beach World Cube Assn. competition last weekend. With a deep breath, steady hands and just 3.13 seconds, the 21-yr-old solved the colorful mind game with 43 quintillion possible combinations, aligning each side perfectly by color.
Eddy Goldfarb has a new book out! It's Going to Be A BIG DAY. 101 100-Word Stories by a 101-Year-Old. Eddy is best known for inventing the Yakity-Yak ("chattering") Teeth, Stompers, KerPlunk, Vac-U-Form, Bubble Fun, and more than 800 classic toys over his 80-year career as an independent toy inventor.
Toy Hub Trivia: Dougal Grimes. Dougal sits down with the Toy Hub to answer some tough questions involving the toy industry.
***The above posted after tBR started sending June 16th***
Jazwares expands licensing team with two new hires, Karen Eggleston and Kim Bell - Karen Eggleston, a licensing, brand management, and marketing veteran with nearly 20 yrs of industry experience has joined Jazwares as VPof Licensing & Consumer Products, NA, while industry veteran Kim Bell joins as Sr Director, Licensing.
“Arthur” series creator Marc Brown jumps back into children’s programming with “Hop,” a new preschool animated series greenlit at Max. Following last year’s momentous finale of the beloved “Arthur” series, creator Marc Brown is beginning his next chapter in the world of children’s television with “Hop,” a new preschool animated series greenlit today by Max.
Fanattik completes major recruitment drive. Appts have been made across a variety of the co.’s departments, bolstering Fanattik’s team as demand for its licensed pop culture collectibles grows. Fanattik, the award-winning UK-based pop culture company and merchandise partner has completed its latest recruitment drive. Greta Timms – accounts controller, Simon Coleman – UK warehouse manager, Paul Massey...
Gibsons announces new marketing manager. Gemma Briant, formerly of Coiledspring Games, joins the Gibsons team as marketing manager to help drive forward the company’s ambitious plans. Gibsons has welcomed Gemma Briant as marketing manager, where she’ll be heading up the marketing team to help the family-owned games and puzzles company with its ambitious plans.
Cartamundi appoints new sales director. Cartamundi Entertainment UK has appointed Nigel Kay as its new sales director. In line with a series of strategic appointments within the company, industry specialist Nigel will be joining the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of playing cards and board games as Cartamundi continues to grow across Europe.
Live at Licensing Expo: A Conversation with Josh Silverman, chief franchise officer and global head, consumer products, Mattel. A lot is happening with Mattel, from the “Barbie” movie to the relaunch of “Barney” to the unprecedented collaboration with Hasbro. Like many in the licensing space, Mattel attended Licensing Expo 2023 in Las Vegas to continue to build on its many successes of 2023.
Toy Legend, Jay Horowitz Re-Issues Rare 007 Attache Case. We recently had the pleasure of catching up toy legend Jay Horowitz on his latest release, the James Bond Secret Agent 0078 Attache Case. For those note familiar with Jay, he's third generation "toy man" that owns the largest independent collection of classic toy brands and original molds from the 19502-1980s.
Companies and Brands
SmartGames invites consumers to ‘Travel Smart’ this summer. SmartGames has unveiled three new games perfect for the travel season: Plug & Play Ball, IQ Twins and Pole Position. The team at SmartGames, a worldwide leader in multi-level logic games, has unveiled three new and exciting games perfect for travel season. Plug & Play Ball, IQ Twins and Pole Position are sure to keep the whole family amused and occupied...
Yeti Snowbrawl from Lethal Chicken Games and Big Discoveries combines the action of a snowball fight with the strategy required to win a board game. Kids that love the Camping with Sasquatch Card Game won’t want to miss this! Players must take on the roles of Yetis in a huge snowball fight. Each player gets a Yeti Lair tray and a stack of snowballs, with the goal of stacking 10.
Electronic Arts is splitting itself apart into two separate divisions. As part of its next business strategy, what was once EA Games is now EA Entertainment and EA Sports. Per CEO Andrew Wilson, this move will "further empower our creative teams so that we might realize our strategic vision. [...] These steps will accelerate our business, drive growth, and deliver long-term value for our people, our players and our communities."
Kidicraft has announced the appointment of A.B. Gee to service UK retailers exclusively from 16th June 2023, with its Nostalgia, Hornby, Airfix, Corgi and Ye Olde Shoppe Brands. These brands have expanded significantly since 2020, and new designs and further brands are expected to be launched before the end of this year.
Scholastic is looking to get kids hooked on its latest book release by driving them to Roblox first. The NY-based publisher is launching Justin Weinberger’s tween novel Zombie Season on Sept. 5, and teasing the book with its first-ever Roblox game in August. In the book, a group of kids has to contend with a seasonal zombie invasion that happens every summer. One year, the zombies seem faster, stronger and smarter...
***The above posted after tBR started sending on June 16th***
15th June saw two BBC Breakfast segments dedicated to all things Barbie, with Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, Toy World’s Rachael Simpson-Jones and a Barbie collector all given screentime. With just weeks to go until the release of one of the most hotly-anticipated films of 2023 – Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie – BBC Breakfast, the BBC’s flagship morning news show, ran an in-depth segment on the brand, and the wider doll...
10 Minutes With … Hasbro at Licensing Expo. License Global speaks with Claire Gilchrist, vice president North America & Pacific, licensed consumer products, Hasbro about some of Harbso’s recent fashion collaborations and what has been showcasing at Licensing Expo 2023. As we celebrate Hasbro’s centennial anniversary year and continue to navigate the global economic uncertainty resulting from post-pandemic forces...
Amazon and Disney announced that “Hey Disney!,” the new voice assistant built on Alexa technology, is officially available in the U.S. for most voice-activated Echo devices. Hey Disney! marks the first time that an Alexa Custom Assistant (ACA) has launched on Echo devices inside customers’ homes. ACA allows companies to customize Alexa’s technology so it’s specific to their brand and supports their in-house tech.
Educational Insights launches Tiktok shop. Educational Insights has launched its first TikTok in-app toy shop. Over the past year, Educational Insights’ 3D puzzle Kanoodle has gained more than one billion views on TikTok, making it the perfect brand to launch a TikTok shop. “On TikTok, Kanoodle has become a source of entertainment and community,” says Lisa Guili, General Manager of Educational Insights.
Monopoly Scrabble mashes together the two board game classics in one Frankensteinian tabletop crossover. Monopoly Scrabble - or Monopoly Scrabble, as co-publishers Hasbro and Winning Moves would prefer you call this particular exercise in corporate IP leverage - combines the real estate-trading...
Toys R Us to open in further WHSmith locations this weekend. Following the opening of the York Toys R Us shop-in-shop last week, two further locations are set to commence trading on Saturday. Eight more WHSmith shop-in-shop locations are slated to open this summer in the UK, and Toys R Us has confirmed that branches in Oxford and Cheltenham will be the next to open their doors to customers...
Celebrating 100 years of Warner Bros. With new toys and collectibles. It’s been 71 years since Gene Kelly danced onto the big screen in Singing in the Rain, and 22 years since the magical world of Harry Potter flew into theaters to kick off one of the most profitable movie franchises in history. And it’s been 100 years since Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack Warner officially founded a movie studio that would go on to produce some ...
HASBRO TO RELEASE 100TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF MONOPOLY. The twist on the classic board game features a board highlighting 90 notable brands in Hasbro’s history, new tokens, unique house and hotel designs, and collectible packaging. The brands featured include Hasbro favorites such as Potato Head, Play-Doh, Tonka, My Little Pony, and more.
New 'G.I. Joe Deck-Building Game' campaign expansion incoming. Renegade Game Studios will release Raise the Flagg, a campaign expansion for G.I. JOE Deck-Building Game, which will hit retail in October 2023. In this new expansion, players set sail on the U.S.S. Flagg with Admiral Keel-Haul and Shipwreck. On the high seas, the JOE team will battle Cobra to keep the world safe through multiple missions.
Full-throttle fun: Monster Jam continues to captivate families with ‘The Greatest Show On Dirt’. The original Grave Digger debuted in North Carolina in 1982. Who could have predicted it would still be in the hearts of both kids and adults today — more than four decades later? Born as a “mud bogger,” Grave Digger soon evolved into a true “monster truck,” driving at “full throttle” to become synonymous with Monster Jam...
Purpose Toys LATIN unveils Latinistas, world’s first all-Latina fashion dolls at major retailers. Purpose Toys, the nation’s largest and fastest growing culture-driven toy company has announced the historic launch of Purpose Toys LATIN, a cultural-focused division founded with the goal of uplifting and celebrating the Latino community.
Vivid Goliath’s travel-friendly range arrives at WHSmith. Travel versions of Sequence, Floor is Lava Rock Rumble and Red Light, Green Light will be available as consumers prepare for their summer holidays. With the end of the summer term in sight, the countdown is now on to the family summer getaway. Whether they intend to travel by land, air or sea, the annual challenge of keeping the kids entertained...
Quartermaster Direct will release 'Last Resort' into retail. Quartermaster Direct will release Last Resort, a new board game by Braincrack Games, into retail in Q3 2023. In this game, designed by Oliver Brooks with illustrations by Andrew Forster, players build their own space hotel. They will build out the hotel with a variety of cutting edge attractions and amenities to attract guests from all over the galaxy.
Cluedo Conspiracy twists the murder mystery formula with hidden identities and an island resort vibe. Tabletop mainstay Cluedo has announced a new spinoff board game that mixes hidden identity mechanics into the classic murder mystery. Cluedo Conspiracy trades the stuffy manor for beachside bungalows but still asks players to solve for who, where and with what deadly weapon.
'Munchkin Witches' to land at retail. Steve Jackson Games will release Munchkin Witches, a new card game expansion, into retail on June 28, 2023. Grab a broom and beware, evil witches are abound in this new card game expansion. This expansion includes a dozen witch-themed monsters with Items and Curses to match. The expansion works with any Munchkin set.
Asmodee will release 'Champions!' into U.S. retail. Asmodee will release Champions!, a new party game by Repos Production, which will hit retail on June 30, 2023. Champions! is a fast-paced party game where players vote on who will win various duels inspired by hypothetical prompts. Players are offered two fictional or historical characters and duel cards, and they vote on who would win the duel.
Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development
Merge Games has announced a partnership with IMC Toys to bring its beloved toy brand and hit series to life in its first ever videogame: Cry Babies Magic Tears: The Big Game. Making its way to PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, as well as Xbox Series X|S, The Big Game invites young players into an imaginative world where tears provide the magic for an all-new adventure.
StoryToys and Mattel are set to launch the Barbie Color Creations app. Narrated by Barbie ‘Brooklyn’ Roberts, the Barbie Color Creations app showcases characters with different body sizes, skin tones, abilities and backgrounds. The app also features an ever-expanding virtual studio filled with coloring books and design tools. With special design-themed challenges such as ‘Big City Big Dreams’ or ‘You Can Be a Video Game...
Pokémon-inspired video game to be adapted for kids TV. Crema's MMORPG Temtem is getting an animated adaptation, courtesy of Mediawan's Somewhere Animation and Marla Studios. Temtem was released in 2020 on PCs and consoles after a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. By September 2022, it had reached one million total users across all platforms, according to its Kickstarter updates.
Highlighted Press Releases
Safety and Counterfeiting
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of 7.5 million Robo Alive Baby Shark toys due to a risk of impalement, laceration and puncture injuries in children. The problem has been specifically traced to small fins on bath and swim toys. When kids are playing with the toys in a bathtub or wading pool, they slip, fall and sometimes just sit on the shark's hard plastic fin and have suffered...
***the above was posted after June 16th***
FDA is cracking down on 'unauthorized' Lato-Lato toys. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public health warning against the use and purchase of unauthorized lato-lato on Thursday, June 15. Yes, the noisy clackers both kids and adults are playing with nowadays. Lato-lato, or those clacking plastic balls that became a trendy cure for boredom, is classified by the FDA as a toy and childcare article (TCCA) product and must go through a notification process before it is manufactured, promoted, sold, or even used.
Popular kids toy expands in toddler's intestine, requires emergency surgery at Children's Hospital. The toys called 'Water Beads' absorb liquid and grow hundreds of times their original size. That's what happened when a 1-year-old swallowed one, sending her to an Omaha hospital. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has received dozens of reports over the years of kids being hurt by "water beads."
Associations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals
Magic Light Pictures’ Michael Rose receives OBE. Michael’s long career in the British animation industry began in the 1980s, when he ran the cinemas at the Watershed Media Centre and Arnolfini Gallery in Bristol. There he helped stage the British Animation Festivals of 1987 and 1989, and was deputy chair of the Festival until 1995.
THE DIANA JONES AWARD COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES 2023 FINALISTS. Winner to Be Revealed at Gen Con in August. The Diana Jones Award for Excellence is Gaming is awarded to "...a game system or supplement, a magazine, a company, a designer, an event or convention, or any other entity that shows gaing at its absolute zenith."
A three-day toy fair in India will begin on July 8 in the national capital, which is expected to see participation from about 5,000 buyers and industry players from at least 25 countries, the Toy Association of India said on Monday. The industry body said that CEOs of about 20 global sourcing companies, including Walmart and Lego, would also visit the fair.
***The above posted after June 16th***
The Toy Association inducts six legendary trailblazers into Toy Industry Hall of Fame. The Toy Association announced today the six trailblazers who will join the esteemed Hall of Fame: Ronnen Harary, Anton Rabie, & Ben Varadi, co-founders of Spin Master; Mary Couzin, founder & president of CHITAG & People of Play; the late John McLoughlin, founder of board game company McLoughlin Brothers; the late Rose O'Neill, creator of Kewpie dolls; the late David Ring, founder of Larami Corporation; and the late John Lloyd Wright, inventor of Lincoln Logs.
Specialty toy retailers have spoken. See 14 toys they loved this year. The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) have finally announced the winners of its coveted ASTRA Play Awards. First announced at ASTRA’s annual Marketplace & Academy event in Columbus, Ohio, the program brings independent and neighborhood specialty toy retailers together to vote to select the products that...
The 24th edition of the TOTY Awards will unveil the toy, game, and property winners across 17 categories of play, from outdoor and preschool toys to action figures, dolls, plush, and more. The event’s fall timing will give product finalists and winners a promotional boost, driving consumer engagement and media exposure at the start of the critical holiday shopping season thanks to an influencer program, TOTY winner...
Spielwarenmesse eG, best known for the Spielwarenmesse trade show in Nuremberg, Germany, had its first showing at the Tokyo Toy Show this past June 8-11. The company presented the World of Toys Pavilion, with 30 exhibitors from eight different countries coming together to network and introduce their products to the market.
Spielwarenmesse eG has become the latest sponsoring member of the Fair Toys Organisation (FTO). The FTO was set up in 2020 as a multi-stakeholder initiative for the improvement of social and environmental standards in the toy industry’s supply chain. Longstanding exhibitors at the Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg, such as Haba, Heunec, Sigikid and Zapf Creation were among the founding members.
2023 Licensing International Excellence Awards winners unveiled. The winners of the 2023 Licensing International Excellence Awards were unveiled last night in a ceremony that brought together industry executives from around the world to celebrate the best of the global brand licensing industry. The 30 award winners were selected from 201 finalists from across the globe.
Winners of 2023 Loved by Parents Awards crowned. The annual Loved by Parents awards recognize best-in-class products across a number of categories including a wide variety of toys. A number of toy companies have been celebrating in recent days following the announcement of the annual Loved by Parents award winners, a list of which can be found below. W
INDX Toy and Gift Show confirms move to September 2024 date. In response to retailer and supplier feedback, the INDX Toy & Gift show will be moving its usual spring date to September next year. The next show will be held from 3rd-4th September 2024 and is open to all types of retailers. The move to September was agreed by the INDX strategy group, where suppliers and buyers agreed that a move of the date...
Forbes Global 2000, which play and play related companies made the list? Each year, Forbes publishes its Global 2000, a list of the 2,000 largest companies in the world. They base their selections on “sales, profits, assets, and market value.” J.P. Morgan Chase is ranked 1, Alphabet is 7, Microsoft is 9, and Apple is 10. Nothing surprising there, but how did toy and toy-related companies do?
Charlotte Bigham, 16, has been nominated in the Game Concept category at the Young Game Designers awards. She’s been rewarded for her work on High Pressure, a game based on a short story she created in her English class at school. “You play as a scientist in this underwater facility. Earth has been submerged and the aim is to find a plant which will help get rid of the water and make it survivable.
The top games showcased at the UK Games Expo 2023. If you are a tabletop game enthusiast in the United Kingdom, the UK Games Expo is the one event you want to attend. The convention is the largest and most prestigious gaming convention in the UK. Held annually in Birmingham, the event showcases the latest and greatest in games and accessories.
Going full tilt! The popularity of pinball draws thousands of fans to Tacoma every year. With 400 machines, the Greater Tacoma Convention Center becomes the largest arcade in the Northwest! Fans call themselves "pinheads" and thousands pay up to $150 each to get inside the convention center where all games are set to free play.
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
JOHN ROMITA, SR. - Will Eisner Hall of Fame Marvel artist, art director, and character co-creator John Romita Sr. passed away June 12 in his sleep, according to a Tweet by his son, artist John Romita Jr. He was 93. Romita Sr. had a long and illustrious career as a comics artist, beginning in 1949 for Timely Comics, where he met a young Stan Lee. He did work for Atlas and DC Comics, ending up at Marvel in 1965, where he learned by doing pencils over Jack Kirby layouts on Daredevil.
After Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko left Marvel in 1966, Romita began penciling Amazing Spider-Man with #39, redefining the look of the character and helping to establish the look of the Marvel universe. His initial run on the title spanned an almost uninterrupted string of 56 issues and over 50 covers. Romita took over as Marvel art director in 1973, a position he held until the late 1980s. He continued to do covers, story art, and inks, with published work through the 00s.
While at Marvel Comics, Romita co-created characters Mary Jane Watson, the Punisher, and Wolverine.
"He is a legend in the art world and it would be my honor to follow in his footsteps," Romita Jr. said in his post. "He was the greatest man I ever met."
Worldwide Magazines Weekly Top Stories
Added Friday Morning Chicago Time. Check Back for Complete Lists.
Toy Trade Monthly Issues
Adventure Media & Events (US)
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Licensing Expo: The 2023 State of Licensing Q&A (The Toy Book)
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Staff Picks: The Toy Book’s Summer of Fun 2023 (The Toy Book)
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The Toy Association Reveals 2023 Toy Industry Hall of Fame Inductees (The Toy Book)
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Property Profile: Transformers — More Than Meets the Eye (The Toy Book)
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The Friday Five: Licensed Merch for Father’s Day (The Pop Insider)
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Monster Jam Continues to Captivate Families With 'The Greatest Show on Dirt' (The Toy Book)
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Hasbro to Release 100th Anniversary Edition of Monopoly (The Toy Book)
aNb Media (US)
Posts Friday morning.
Toyworld (UK)
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Amazon criticised for ramping up sellers fees and advertising costs
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Disguise signs multi-year licensing agreement for Poppy Playtime
Licensing.biz Powered by Toyworld
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Cry Babies Magic Tears: The Big Game heads to PC and consoles
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Licensing International announces 2023 Hall of Fame inductees
ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture (US)
- New 'D&D Nolzer's Marvelous Miniatures' Character Packs Head to Retail
- Spanish Game Store Ups Offer for 'Magic: The Gathering' The One Ring to Over $2 million
- Embracer Group CEO Announces Layoffs
- Ravensburger Expands Response to Upper Deck Suit
- WizKids Unleashes a New Wave of 'D&D Nolzer's Marvelous Miniatures' Monsters
- Renegade Expands Partnership with Hasbro to Include 'Heroscape'
- 'Pathfinder Deep Cuts' Wave Inbound
- Asmodee Signs with Rep Group
- Rolling for Initiative -- $1 Million Dollars
- Gale Force Nine Launches 'Firefly: The Game - 10th Anniversary Collector's Edition'
Nación Juguetes (Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile & Spain)
Posts Friday morning.
The Bugg Report (Australia)
Video of the Week
This September, a new breed of heroes hits the big screen. Meet the Mighty Pups in our SUPER new trailer for PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie. #PawPatrolMovie
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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
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Publisher: Mary Couzin, Chicago Toy & Game Group, Inc.
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