the Bloom Report Mar 15-22 2024

March 15 - 22, 2024

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Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!

Happy Bloomin' Friday!

Whenever Tom Rushton and I are asked to share our best advice, we start by encouraging people to attend every networking event they can. Whether you're a seasoned player or a fresh face in the industry, such events promise to spark creativity, forge connections, and level-up your network! All are welcome to our upcoming POP events (see below). Click here for more networking opportunities.

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Mary

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Women of TOMY: Partners in Play - An interview with Julie Gwaltney, Sr Director of Toys in the US, and

Mary Wood, MD of TOMY International in the UK

Hi Mary and Julie! Thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions. Let’s start with your partnership. This month is Women’s History Month. How do women at TOMY support each other in the workplace?

Julie: We are fortunate to have a strong network of women within TOMY across all offices. Everyone is great about sharing ideas and information, which creates a truly collaborative atmosphere. TOMY is also a proud sponsor of WiT (Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment), offering our team members access to female leaders across the industry through mentorship programs, networking events, and amazing educational programming.

Mary: In Europe, we have a really good balance of both men and women across the business and in senior and middle management positions. We haven’t had to actively favor women over men as our culture proactively encourages inclusivity, and we are lucky to be able to pull from a considerable talent pool across our key markets.

At our Japan headquarters, thinking around careers for women in the company has moved forward and there are goals in place to redress the imbalance. Last year in Tokyo, I had the opportunity to meet some of our very talented, successful female outside board members who lead a mentoring program to encourage women in that region to expect more, believe in themselves, and expand their skills. I always feel extremely humbled by the positive reaction I receive when visiting our headquarters in Japan. The company continues to show what’s possible for women at TOMY, as evidenced by the management position I have achieved, as well as those of other female colleagues. Read More...

Toy Association's Andy Keimach: What I'm Hearing!

What are the Benefits of Becoming a Member?

I’m often asked how The Toy Association works on behalf of the industry. Not everyone is aware of the work we do to support and protect individual companies, the entire membership, and the industry at large. From tackling new legislation that could negatively impact your business, promoting members’ products in the media, delivering an extensive array of year-round educational resources, and meeting the evolving needs of toy sellers and buyers through our world-class marketplace events, our dedicated team works daily to support the toy industry and foster growth.

In this week’s column, I’d like to introduce Ken Ebeling, The Toy Association’s EVP of strategic development and member services. Whether you are a current member of The Toy Association interested in diving more deeply into the benefits we offer, or you’re considering joining as a member but want to know how we can serve you, please read the Q&A below with Ken.

In terms of advocacy, what did The Toy Association accomplish in 2023 on behalf of members?

Ken Ebeling: Last year, our government advocacy was crucial, helping not just members of the Association but the industry as a whole. Our Global Government & Regulatory Affairs team pushed for the reintroduction of the SHOP SAFE Act, which holds online selling platforms accountable for any harmful counterfeit goods sold on their sites; made significant progress to ensure consistency across state EPR (extender producer responsibility) programs by tracking and preventing proposals that would have been harmful to industry; and pushed back on more than 400 pieces of priority legislation directly impacting the toy industry. Our work extended well beyond U.S. borders, with our team representing the North American toy industry across the EU, the Gulf region, and other key markets; meeting with government bodies to push for global standards alignment and improved regulations for toys; and collaborating with 20 national toy associations on critical issues impacting toys. Read More...

Person of the Week: Scottie Friedland

From Dunking Dreams to Toy Store Schemes: An Epic Career Tale

I'm a Swiss Army Knife on steroids for those who don't know me. I'm so busy that I sometimes feel like I'm living my life fast-forward. I don't do downtime, I don't do lazy, and I don't do boring. I'm like a superhero without the spandex suit and the catchy theme song.

My journey started when I graduated from Indiana University with a sports marketing and management degree. I was eager to conquer the sports industry, but little did I know what life had in store for me. I started working for the Chicago Sky (read with my very clear Chicago Accent), a professional women's basketball team, but I needed a better fit. Maybe it was because I couldn't dunk; who knows?

Next, I landed a job at a gym that trained professional athletes during the off-season. I even got to work with NFL offensive and defensive linemen, which was a great experience. But then I decided to explore a new career path and worked as an office manager for a law firm. It was a good gig, but I realized I missed the sports world.

That's when I joined my father's accounting firm as a small business accountant and consultant. It was an excellent opportunity to combine my experience in sports marketing and management with my newfound skills in client relations. But then, something magical happened. My father's client, Timeless Toys, was looking for new owners, and I jumped at the chance to own a toy store. Who wouldn't want to play with toys all day? Read More...

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

Cartoons of the Week: Thank you Graeme Thomson for this week's cartoon.

Lexophile Lovers: "I’m writing a book about reverse psychology. Do not read it!" Thank you, Jerry Cleary, for sharing with our readers!

Memorable Quotes:

"We didn't know how to run a business, but we had dreams and talent." - Ruth Handler

Toy Industry Word of Day: Gating submitted by Jim Symonds. 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 with your colleagues? Send it to me! Mary

Financial and Legal

Star Wars mastermind George Lucas — Disney’s largest individual shareholder — has come out with a statement supporting Disney’s board and CEO Bob Iger, urging Mouse House investors to reject bids by two activist investor groups to take seats on the media company’s board. “Creating magic is not for amateurs,” Lucas said in a statement released Tuesday. “When I sold Lucasfilm just over a decade ago, I was...

Fed holds interest rates steady but signals cuts ahead. The US central bank has left its key interest rate unchanged again, while it looks for more evidence that inflation is coming under control. The decision kept the target range for the Federal Reserve's influential rate in the range of 5.25%-5.5%, the highest in more than two decades.

US accuses Apple of monopolising smartphone market. The US has filed a landmark lawsuit against Apple which accuses the tech giant of monopolising the smartphone market and crushing competition. In the lawsuit, the justice department alleges the company used its control of the iPhone to illegally limit competitors and consumer options.

The Entertainer owned Poly Toys begins liquidation procedure. With around 30 stores across Spain, Poly Toys has said the business is no longer viable and announced the dismissal of all staff. The Entertainer acquired Poly Toys (Poly Juguetes) in 2018 from an administrator, adding to its growing international footprint and aiming, at the time, to regain the 5% Spanish market share that Poly previously had.

Czech Games Edition announced that they have acquired Oriens Karton, a board game and puzzle factory in the Czech Republic. The factory, co-founded by Ludofact in 2004, is located 30 minutes away from CGE's Prague office, and will allow the company the luxury of local manufacturing of their products. This will help them have better quality control as well as faster turn-around times on orders. It also cuts down...

Tencent acquires game studios from TikTok maker ByteDance. Two developers have joined Tencent's ranks following a deal with ByteDance. Per Reuters, the two teams have formed a single entity dubbed "Saluosi." At present, it sounds as though both studios will still work on their respective projects, an action game and an anime title.

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Financial Reporting

GameStop sales declined nearly 20% in the holiday quarter, which missed expectations by $260 million. The sales decline, from $2.2 billion in the Nov through Jan quarter was much sharper than declines in previous quarter; sales were down only 9.1% in the co’s fiscal Q3

*** The above posted after March 22nd ***

Stonemaier Games sales were $16.7 million in 2023, down around 19% from the company’s $20.7 million sales in 2022, and off 32% from $24.7 million in sales in 2021.

Box Office: ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Triumphs Again as Mark Wahlberg’s ‘Arthur the King’ Limps to $7.5 Million Debut

Audio platform Pocket FM bags $103M in funding as it eyes global expansion. India-based audio platform Pocket FM has secured $103 million in Series D funding led by Lightspeed Ventures, with participation from Stepstone Group.

Neopets saw rapid growth for 2023. The almost 25-year-old legendary virtual pet game Neopets is delighted to present a strong 2023 business performance, following its transition into an independent entity known as World of Neopia, Inc

Another sensational year for Pokémon Trading Card Game. Pokémon maintained its position as the No. 1 property in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and also achieved its highest-ever annual position in the UK, Germany and Italy, according to figures recorded by Circana.

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

Gamers spend 25% more time watching streaming TV than non-gamers do, according to a new report from Samsung Ads. The study, unveiled at IAB PlayFronts, found that gamers are open to ads and are constantly transitioning between playing games and watching streaming entertainment.

*** The above posted after March 22nd ***

Kids titles shine in Circana’s publishing bestsellers report. Children's book sales in the US were up by 3.3 million units last month, driven by a mix of classic Dr. Seuss titles, seasonal works and a Taylor Swift picture book.

More than 50% of Netflix’s 2024 content spend is projected to come from outside the US. Dubit's David Kleeman breaks down why kids media players should follow this culturally diverse lead.

REPORT: 52% of UK retailers will stock more licensed products this year. A new survey reveals that these sales account for more than 50% of annual revenue at a quarter of the region's major and specialty retailers.

Egg-cellent economics: NRF survey shows Easter spending to hit $22.4 billion. The number represents the second highest in the survey’s history, following last year’s record $24 billion.

New Steam accredited toy list from The Toy Association 0ffers 25 engaging toys for kids. . With 62 percent of U.S. parents now considering how their toy purchases can help foster key STEAM concepts, this list features a variety of hands-on building sets as well as imagination-fueled activity sets that invite kids to explore …

Toyjobs has been the dominant recruiting

Stories, Comments, and Advice

Burbank residents recently saw a blast from the past - A vintage Toys "R" Us sign was spotted at an old Kmart store on San Fernando Blvd. Locals posted about the sign on social media. Some were wondering if the iconic company, which closed the last of its stores in 2021, was making a comeback. A worker at the location told Eyewitness News it's simply a bit of movie magic, and that it is part of a film set.

*** The above posted after tBR ran on March 22nd ***

John Baulch, Toy World - Some might say … it’s the Friday Blog! As UK retail continues to gently tick over as we head towards Easter (and I appreciate it might be said that I am being quite generous there), the biggest toy retail story of the week comes from Spain, where the specialist toy retail chain Poly Juguetes has sadly started the liquidation process and announced the dismissal of its entire cohort of staff.

Steve Reece, the Toy Journal - Is Harry Potter The 'New Star Wars' For Toy Licensing? I was talking to an old time Toy industry guy at Toy Fair this year, and we were discussing Licensing in the toy business. He jokingly asked me this question: "Is Harry Potter The 'New Star Wars' For Toy Licensing". So let me answer that provocative question clearly – Harry Potter and Star Wars are very different properties in many ways...

Lunchables has taken the rise of visual generative artificial intelligence to highlight the seemingly limitless imagination of children, and its latest campaign is pitting what it calls “Kid Intelligence” (KI) versus AI, asking youngsters to submit their food-inspired creations for a chance to win a series of prizes.

The Millennium Falcon has landed on a 50p coin in the latest collectable Star Wars series from the Royal Mint. The coin depicts a silhouette of the fictional starship and the Rebel Alliance Starbird symbol, which is revealed when it tilts in the light. It is one of a series of coins dedicated to the vehicles featured in the Star Wars films.

In London, “competitive socializing” transforms pubs into stock exchanges, golf courses and cricket fields for those looking for more elaborate drinking games. These activities build on Britain’s strong tradition of pub games: weekly pub quizzes and, in centuries past, more old-fashioned competitions like Skittles and shove ha’penny. Most pubs today have little more than a dart board and a pool table.

Do you have a giant toy or game and looking for a home? Here you go... This Small Town in Illinois Is Filled with the World’s Largest Kitsch. Casey, Illinois contains 12 of the “World’s Largest Things” and a bunch of other “Big Things.” The World’s Largest Golf Tee, 56-foot-tall rocking chair, World’s Largest Mailbox—clocking in at 5,743.41 cubic feet—is also a technically functional mailbox that visitors...

Transforming the drinking bird toy into a power generator. Leveraging the whimsical drinking bird toy as their muse, scientists from Hong Kong and Guangzhou, China, have ingeniously engineered a generator that taps into the power of water evaporation to produce electricity. Consequently, this innovative approach to renewable energy solutions transforms a familiar childhood novelty into a device capable...

Kermit the Frog honored in new fossil find. A 270-million-year-old fossil that sheds light on the murky origins of amphibians has been named after Kermit - the world's most famous frog. Scientists found the fossilized skull in a collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. They say it's a new species of proto-amphibian and have named it Kermitops gratus because it bears a likeness to the iconic Muppet.

What is Gundam? How the Japanese robot anime morphed into toys, games and more. In 1979, novelist and anime creator Yoshiyuki Tomino brought cutting-edge aerospace technology to TV audiences in 1979 with Mobile Suit Gundam. It offered a robot sci-fi depiction of conflicts in outer space with hundreds of soon-to-be classic protagonists and antagonists.

How Temu is shaking up the world of online shopping. A record 123 million Americans tuned into this year's Super Bowl. But as well as getting the nation's biggest sporting event, a blockbuster halftime performance and several camera cutaways of Taylor Swift in the crowd, they also got six 30-second commercials for Temu - a Chinese-owned e-commerce company. The shopping giant has been criticized by politicians...

History and Nostalgia

Jack Straws from Parker Brothers (1974). Released in 1974, Jack Straws was Parker Brothers’ version of the iconic dexterity game, which dates back to the 1800s. To start a game, one player held all the “straws” loosely in one hand about two inches above the playing surface. With their fist positioned horizontally to the table, they dropped the objects into a pile.

Chocolot Candy Maker from Mattel (1979). Released by Mattel in 1979, the Chocolot Candy Maker let kids play chocolatier with a miniaturized electric confection maker. The toy was constructed of a yellow plastic base that housed the heating element. A decorative white plastic lattice sign topped the unit. The base offered functions in addition to housing the heating element.

Columbus Toy & Game Show brings people a blast from the past. This year's Columbus Toy & Game Show is a wrap. Hundreds of people stopped at the show for a trip to the past. Organizers say attendees browsed thousands of different games from the 1950s up until now. They tell us this game show has been around since before E-Bay was created, giving people a chance to have some fun.

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Licensing and Entertainment

ThinkFun Sesame Street Zingo!, the most recent addition to the award-winning and best-selling Zingo! line, is now available for purchase on Amazon. Beloved by parents, kids, teachers and speech therapists alike, Zingo! brings fast-paced excitement and learning to the classic game of Bingo. Now with a Sesame Street twist, Sesame Street Zingo! introduces a new Cookie Monster Zinger – the Zingo! tile dispenser...

Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) is partnering with Japan-based Toei Animation and Bird Studio to construct the world’s first Dragon Ball theme park in Riyadh. QIC will break ground on the project later this year. The park will cover more than 500,000 square meters and feature more than 30 attractions that recreate scenes from the iconic anime and manga series.

Dan Gemeinhart’s middle-grade novel The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise is the latest kids book making a leap from page to screen. Henry Holt and Co. published this acclaimed title in 2019, and LA’s Walden Media—which is behind the Netflix book-based series The Baby-Sitters Club—quietly optioned it that same year. Now the screen adaptation is ramping up, with New York-based indie Killer Films...

Q&A: Scholastic & 9 Story aim for 360-degree franchise building with new investment. First up is a CG-animated take on The Magic School Bus while a Sixteen Souls adaptation kickstarts a live action development push. Since news of Scholastic’s US$186 million investment in 9 Story broke, SVP & GM of Scholastic Entertainment Caitlin Friedman and 9 Story Media Group’s chief strategy officer, Natalie Osborne, have been...

Lion Forge Entertainment (Hair Love) has secured the rights to adapt Canadian author Sarah Mlynowski’s popular tween book series Best Wishes. The St. Louis-based prodco is looking to develop multiple live-action films for streamers/platforms based on this NYT bestselling book series. Scholastic Press has so far released three Best Wishes titles since 2022, and a fourth is due out this November.

*** The above posted after March 22ndwhen tBR circulated ***

Goliath Games to solve the Murdle. The murder-mystery puzzle game, Murdle, has announced that Goliath Games will become its Global Board Game partner. MurdleMurdle, created by G.T Karber, has fast become a best selling murder-mystery puzzle game. With more than half a million books sold last Christmas and more books set to launch in both 2024 and 2025, Goliath Games has been confirmed as the Global Board Game...

Today, on National BEYBLADE DAY, also known as 3-2-1 Day, ADK Emotions NY Inc. and T-Licensing Inc. revealed the global launch of BEYBLADE X. After a successful premiere in Asian territories in 2023, BEYBLADE X will showcase new animation and exclusive experiences for BEYBLADE fans. Hasbro Inc., a long-standing partner, will release Generation 4 products worldwide later this year.

Mattel plants its theme park flag in Kansas City. Mattel and Arizona-based Epic Resort Destinations are building on their existing partnership and breaking ground later this year on a new theme park featuring the toyco’s brands. The second Mattel Adventure Park is set to open its gates in 2026 as part of a new resort destination in Bonner Springs, Kansas.

LEGO and Wizards of the Coast announce first-ever 'Dungeons & Dragons' LEGO set. LEGO and Wizards of the Coast announced the release of LEGO Ideas Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale, the first D&D-branded LEGO set. The 3,745-piece set was designed by Lucas Bolt and co-developed by a team at WotC.

Paramount Game Studios is joining a growing crowd of toycos and studios launching games in Roblox, bringing its first Avatar: The Last Airbender title to the platform this summer. The game lets players create element-controlling avatars and then battle it out against other users on the platform. Texas-based Looty Games developed the RPG with backing from the Roblox Creator Fund, which supports multiplayer games...

‘X-Men ’97’ and ‘The Animated Series’ Creators — Then and Now — Talk Revival, Playing With ‘Disney Money’ and Morph’s Nonbinary Backlash. “What the hell’s a mutant?” Over 30 yrs ago, Canadian voice actor Cal Dodd auditioned for Project X, an animated show at the now-defunct Fox Kids – a children’s programming block known in the ‘90s for Saturday morning cartoons. He was up for a character called Wolverine...

New streamer TF1+ is going international. The ad-supported platform, which only launched domestically in January, is set to expand across Europe this year and then head to French-speaking countries worldwide. When TF1+ launched domestically in January, it featured roughly 50 kids brands, including ZAG’s Miraculous and the Naruto anime franchise. Some of the platform’s most popular kids series today...

GKIDS has secured the North American distribution rights to the movie catalogue of Japanese director Mamoru Hosoda. GKIDS—which primarily specializes in indie animation—is on a mission to bolster the reach of its anime titles in the North American market with new theatrical and home entertainment releases.

See-Saw Films has just announced plans to make multiple live-action films based on Michael Ende’s classic 1979 novel The Neverending Story in partnership with a production shingle set up in the German author’s name. This story revolves around a young boy who gets immersed in a book about heroes trying to save Fantastica and its ruler from a mysterious force (known as The Nothing).

Bulldog Licensing has announced two new partners for the phenomenally successful Magic Mixies property from Moose Toys. William Lamb Group, a major name in footwear for over 130 years and an expert in design-to-delivery production, is planning a range of footwear, bags, purses and accessories for the Magic Mixies brand. Launching initially with a retail exclusive bag in spring 2024, the full range of products will be...

Fan-favorite super heroes assemble in LEGO brick form in ‘Lego Marvel Avengers: Code Red’ special coming to Marvel HQ! Marvel fans and LEGO enthusiasts, assemble! On March 18, LEGO® Marvel Avengers: Code Red will be available for fans to watch globally on the Marvel HQ YouTube Channel. Originally released on Disney+, this premium 44-minute special follows Marvel super heroes in an action-packed...

Sambro signs multi-year contract with Moose Toys. Under the three-year contract, Sambro will support the expansion of the Magic Mixies universe with a new range of products. Sambrocontract has announced a new contract which will see it deliver a range of new products to support the growing licensee portfolio of Magic Mixies, from Moose Toys. Under the three-year contract, Sambro will support...

Farscape festivities: Plastic Meatball, Jim Henson Co. craft cosmic licensing collaboration. Following a successful trip to Frogtown Hollow, Plastic Meatball and The Jim Henson Co. are teaming up for another licensing adventure. Under a new licensing pact, Plastic Meatball will develop an extensive range of consumer products to mark the 25th anniversary of the beloved sci-fi series, Farscape.

Bill Hader to Star as The Cat in the Hat in first film from the Newly Reimagined Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Dr. Seuss Enterprises have locked in an all-star comedic cast for their upcoming feature film ...

Next-Gen Licensing: Negosh unveils revamped platform for global partnerships. Jazwares, Striker Entertainment, Mob Games, and many others are already using the platform to strike deals. Negosh, the online licensing marketplace that launched as BIP last year, is carrying its rebrand further into the future with plans to revolutionize how licensors and licensees connect and strike deals.

Trailblazing tribute: The Queen’s Treasures celebrates ‘Little House on the Prairie’ 50th anniversary. The Queen’s Treasures is headed west with its Little House on the Prairie line of dolls and doll accessories to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the series. The New York toy company secured a license to the classic book series from Family Friendly Productions in 2015. Since then,

Evangelion plush toys of Asuka, Mari, and Rei on the way. Good Smile Company announced that three Evangelion plush toys based on Asuka Shikinami Langley, Mari Makinami, and Rei Ayanami will join its Kuripan line. They’ll show up first in Japan in August 2024, then will debut worldwide in Q1 2025. The site noted there’s as limit of three. Each one will be just under seven inches tall.

Hasbro to unveil new Ghostbusters toys later this month. We’ve got some exciting news for Ghostbusters fans, as Hasbro is gearing up to release more toys, with the unveiling set to take place later this month during Comic-Con International’s WonderCon. As part of this year’s presentations, a schedule listing has Hasbro providing fans with “a first look across its iconic action brands,” listing Ghostbusters as a headliner...

Upper deck drops new golf trading cards. Upper Deck, a worldwide leader in sports and entertainment collectibles, has released Upper Deck Golf, its newest trading card series celebrating golf’s greatest athletes. Upper Deck Golf features golf’s most familiar names, from current and rising superstars, like Viktor Hovland, Max Homa, Brooke Henderson and Collin Morikawa, to legends like Tiger Woods.

Playmates Toys unveils Mix and Match Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures. Playmates Toys is putting a remix on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) playtime. The Mutations Mix ‘N Match Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures are 4.5 inches tall and are inspired by the characters’ appearances in Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which will premiere on Paramount+ this summer.

From Hogwarts to Eternia: Mattel’s UNO Fandom Decks put a stylish spin on game night. The new premium UNO decks feature partnerships with Disney, Star Trek, and more. Mattel is taking full advantage of its popular UNO card game with a slate of decks featuring favorite franchises. Since Mattel acquired UNO in 1992, the toys and games industry big has released a wide variety of twists on the classic card game.

Jazwares Partners with Disney, The Pokémon Co. International for new pet products. The new partnerships will product a range of pet products, such as beds, plush toys, and more. Pet products featuring favorite franchises are coming, thanks to new partnerships with Jazwares Pets. Jazwares, well-known for the Squishmallows plush brand, has inked a deal with Disney and The Pokémon Co. International...

New LEGO DUPLO Peppa Pig sets revealed. The LEGO Group is thrilled to reveal the brand-new LEGO DUPLO Peppa Pig sets in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro. Inspired by everyone’s favorite pig, toddlers can immerse themselves into the colorful world of Peppa Pig through LEGO DUPLO sets coming this summer.

Ravensburger reveals next Disney Lorcana set: Ursula’s Return. Ravensburger has revealed the addition of Ursula’s Return to its Disney Lorcana Trading Card Game line-up along with details about the game’s new global challenge. Ursula’s Return, the fourth set of the Disney Lorcana TCG, introduces new Disney characters and evolved game mechanics while also continuing the story told over the first three sets.

Sesame Street Learn & Play is coming to American Dream. American Dream and Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street, announce the groundbreaking Sesame Street Learn & Play Educational Play Center, a state-of-the-art facility featuring the iconic street, its landmarks, and its characters, set to debut later this year.

Heathside Trading, ITV Studios partner for British TV action figures. This collection features six figures from classic British TV series. Heathside Trading and ITV Studios have inked a licensing agreement to launch a collection of 3.75-inch action figures inspired by classic British TV series. The figures include John Koenig from Space 1999, Ed Straker from UFO, Scott Tracy from Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet from ...

Playmobil partners with Birds Eye for promotion. Playmobil has netted a new partnership with Birds Eye that will see a mini Captain figure given away with every two packs of Mini Fish Fingers bought. Playmobil has announced an exciting new promotional partnership with Birds Eye. From April to June, customers can make the most of the company’s new offer by purchasing two promotional packs...

The Op | USAopoly debuts Monopoly: The Beatles. John, Paul, George, and Ringo are headed to the world of Monopoly. The Op | USAopoly is transforming one of the most famous bands of all time into a new version of Monopoly. Monopoly: The Beatles takes players on a musical adventure through the discography of The Beatles like they’ve never experienced before.

ZURU launches new animated series, toy line. Toy manufacturer ZURU has launched a new animation studio, ZURU Studios. The studio’s first animated series, Eggy Wawa, will debut on YouTube this month and the accompanying toy line will feature characters from the series. Through a 120-strong crew of professionals in three countries, ZURU created an animation studio and developed the first series within 18 months.

Prepare for more color, glitter, and friendship in ‘Rainbow High’ Season 5. The new season of Rainbow High is almost here! On March 22, fans of the series can find Season 5, Rainbow World, on the Rainbow High YouTube channel. New dolls inspired by the season are also available. If your little one loves the fashion doll line Rainbow High, they’ll enjoy the new season of the series — based on the same characters...

McFarlane Toys introduces The New Batman Adventures figurines. McFarlane Toys' new line based on the popular The New Batman Adventures series is currently available. McFarlane Toys' official X (formerly Twitter) posted a clip of its founder, Todd McFarlane, showing off The NewBatman Adventures figures.

OnChain Studios partners with NASCAR for digital toy line. OnChain Studios and NASCAR have partnered to create digital toy race cars. The multiyear partnership will feature a line of collectible and playable digital cars that will be showcased and sold on Cryptoys, a new toy company from parent company OnChain Studios.

Bicycle Playing Cards announces Disney-inspired card decks. Bicycle Playing Cards, a bestselling playing card brand, is introducing six new Disney-inspired playing card decks this year in the brand’s commitment to bring the magic of play home to families around the globe. Fans will be able to experience the timeless charm of Donald Duck and the frosty world of “Frozen’s” Arendelle with playing cards available at...

Paramount Game Studios brings Avatar: the Last Airbender to Roblox, launching summer 2024. Paramount Game Studios, part of Paramount, a leading global media, streaming and entertainment company, is bringing a battleground-style experience to the Roblox platform this summer based on Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender franchise.

'Teen Titans' live-action movie; 'Doctor Who' gets a date; 'Crow' trailer; 'Venom 3' title, date change; 'Batman 2' pushed back; Hayao Miyazaki's last film to Max. Awards season is over, time to start over again with a new showbiz round-up! James Gunn and Peter Safran are planning a Teen Titans live-action movie over at DC Studios, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and have tapped Ana Nogueira to write...

Stumble Guys x PMI Toy collection revealed. As was revealed back in February, Switch fans will soon be able to join the fun of “Stumble Guys,” the party battle royale game with 50M+ players every month. That means we’re free to talk about all this Stumble Guys going forward, and today that means sharing some info about a new merch line.

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People of Play

Former Zee Entertainment programming director Kalpana Malviya has joined full-service studio Amazing Animation in Mumbai as executive director of international, with the remit of taking the co. global. Based in NY, Malviya is working to secure clients and sign production partnerships with companies outside of India. Amazing Animation does CG and 2D animation as well as visual effects, with offices in Mumba...

*** The above posted after tBR ran on March 22nd ***

The Playground Podcast: California, NYC & What's Ahead: Andy Keimach of the Toy Association. There are big changes ahead for the Toy Association. After months of work and listening, there’s news about LA in the Fall (and Spring), New York, ongoing advocacy and much more.

Andy Keimach, interim president and CEO of the Toy Association gives us the scoop on what’s happening…and it’s good news.

Learning Resources selects Jon Horn as its VP of Brand Management. Educational toy and game manufacturer Learning Resources has selected Jon Horn to serve as Vice President of Brand Management. Horn will spearhead the development and execution of marketing campaigns and brand strategies across the company’s portfolio of pet and toy brands, including Brightkins, Educational Insights, and Learning Resources.

Pocket.watch appoints a former YouTube exec to its board. YouTube and Disney alum Lauren Glaubach (pictured) has joined the board of directors behind LA-based studio and IP owner pocket.watch. In an advisory capacity, Glaubach will help pocket.watch shape corporate strategy and expand its global reach and roster of kids content creators.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises promotes Nicole Gates, adds Mike Lancaster to legal team. Global kid’s entertainment company Dr. Seuss Enterprises has promoted Nicole Gates from Senior Corporate Counsel to Vice President, Legal and hired Mike Lancaster to serve as Corporate Counsel. Gates will report directly to Susan Brandt, CEO and President of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, and Lancaster will report directly to Gates.

YouTube Gaming head Leo Olebe appointed Xbox's global partnerships VP. Xbox has found a new executive leader in Leo Olebe. The longtime industry veteran will be working as vice president of its global partnerships team. It's a position Olebe is well-suited to. Previously, he held the same position at Facebook, and a similar one as global head for YouTube Gaming until he was laid off with 100 other employees in January.

Activision Blizzard exec Chris Paulson joins Skybound ahead of upcoming game launch. Skybound Games has gained another executive in Chris Paulson, who's been tapped as its executive vice president and general manager of games publishing. Prior to this, Paulson worked as VP of product management for the Diablo games.

Mighty Jaxx has announced the appointment of Matthew Buss as its general manager to drive brand growth, licensing and retail business in the Americas. Based in Los Angeles, Matthew is an accomplished business leader and innovator with a track record in brand development, product innovation and strategic expansion, and has more than 15 years of experience dealing with all major global retailers.

heo Group announced that they have hired Stefan Hansson as their new Creative Director of their Ultimate Guard studio. Hansson officially joined heo Group in December 2023, but his hiring was only recently announced by the company. He comes to heo Group by way of Arcane Tinmen, where he spent 3 years as their Product Manager. He is also a freelance game designer, and a huge fan of Magic: The Gathering.

PlayStation veteran Connie Booth joins EA Entertainment. Connie Booth, a longtime producer for PlayStation, has found a new home at EA. Per IGN, Booth will join EA Entertainment and lead several subsidiaries as Group General Manager. The Entertainment division includes studios such as BioWare, Black Panther developer Cliffhanger Games, and EA Motive. She'll report directly to division president Laura Miele.

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Companies and Brands

Mego, a name steeped in toy industry history, is set to introduce their groundbreaking creation - the 2XL Cobot (companion robot), My2XL | AI Robot for Kids, which elevates interactive family fun to unprecedented heights. The 2XL will be available for purchase on Amazon starting March 25,. The 2XL is being introduced by Mego2, an evolution of Mego Toys, representing the dynamic growth of the co into the AI realm.

*** The above posted after March 22nd ***

TOMY: 100 Years of Fun! Congratulations to our friends at TOMY for achieving this amazing milestone and thank you to our guest writer Todd Coopee for sharing the news! 2024 is Tomy’s 100th anniversary year. Founded in 1924 by Eiichiro Tomiyama, the company cut its teeth manufacturing toy airplanes. This iconic toy company is also credited with being one of the first to employ a factory line assembly system...

“Barbie Bootcamp:” A Look Inside the Mattel Archive That Inspired the Film. As the doll celebrates its 65th anniversary, Mattel execs Lisa McKnight and Kim Culmone look back at what the movie unearthed. “Barbie was created at a time when women couldn’t even have their own bank accts and created by a female entrepreneur, working mom,” McKnight said. “It’s a great reminder when you think about how far we’ve...

University Games Preps Preschoolers With Briarpatch School Readiness Games. Briarpatch from University Games launches its new series of School Readiness games this Spring. The games utilize the company’s Play & Learn System as a fun way for children to develop early learning skills before they enter the classroom. The games use popular themes that are entertaining for kids to have fun while promoting holistic...

Character to bring Sky Castle’s Sticki Rolls to the UK. American toy company Sky Castle Toys is collaborating with Character Options to bring Sticki Rolls, wearable and shareable sticker bracelets, to the UK. Sticki Rolls is an innovative new line of sticker bracelets that Character Options says will revolutionise how kids collect, share and display their favourite stickers.

Spring snuggles: Douglas delivers a flurry of new plush. The plush maker is launching new Sassy Pet Saks, Mini Cats and Dogs, ocean animals, puppies, and DLux plush. With new plush on the way, Douglas has something for everyone this year. Douglas‘ expansive portfolio of plush ranges from classic stuffed animals to mythical creatures.

'Pokemon' invites players to 'Twilight Masquerade'. The Pokemon Company announced the Pokemon Trading Card Game: Scarlet & Violet – Twilight Masquerade Expansion, with a street date of May 24. Twilight Masquerade takes Pokemon originally added to the universe in The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero Part 1: The Teal Mask for the Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet video games and brings...

ToyMonster launches Laboratory Misfits Fugglers. ToyMonster and Addo Play have launched the latest addition to a growing portfolio of Fugglers plush. Fugglers are known for their ugly appearance, a fresh take on the traditionally cute toy category. Each plush monster has a name and description, with personal stories including everything from tripping into vats of acid to being discovered in the dumpster.

LEGO launches Education Eclipse Collection ahead of next month’s eclipse. On April 8, all of the continental U.S. will see a partial solar eclipse, with many people in 12 states witnessing a total solar eclipse. Ahead of the big event, LEGO Education is launching the LEGO Education Eclipse Collection, a set of hands-on activities teachers can use to get kids excited about the eclipse.

Adepticon 2024 News: Games Workshop announces new 'Warhammer 40,000 Kill Team'. Games Workshop announced Termination, a new Warhammer 40,000 Kill Team set, which will head to retail later in 2024. The new Kill Team boxed was announced as part of GW's Adepticon Preview show. It features Leagues of Votann battling it out against Astra Militarum troopers that have been infected by a Genestealer Cult.

Chip Theory Games' 'Wroth' heads to preorder. Chip Theory Games has placed Wroth, a new dice drafting/area control game, onto preorder. In this game, designed and illustrated by Manny Trembley, players choose a faction and battle for control of the island of Wroth. They will need to draft action dice to acquire resources and then deploy troops to attack.

The Mystery Agency launches The Man From Sector Six. The Man From Sector Six game, which has been created by Olivier award-winning writer and director Henry Lewis, brings players a further escape room experience at home. As with the previous puzzles in The Mystery Agency’s award-winning escape room range, The Man From Sector Six includes real padlocks and numerous intriguing real object...

Jilly Doll comes to Toys ‘R’ Us at Macy’s. The Jilly Doll is hitting its first national retailer after launching last summer. Jilly Bing, the company behind the Jilly Doll, is officially launching the doll at select Toys “R” Us at Macy’s locations. Elenor Mak, Founder and CEO of Jilly Bing, designed the Jilly Doll to represent authentic Asian American culture without clichés and stereotypes.

'Monopoly: One Piece' heads to hobby retail. The Op Games will release Monopoly: One Piece, a new version of Monopoly, into hobby retail in April 2024. In this special One Piece-skinned version of the classic real estate game, players rove around the board recruiting characters from the series (buying properties).

Orcs smash 'Warhammer: The Old World' – in metal. Games Workshop has announced a number of model kits for Warhammer: The Old World featuring the forces of the orcs and goblins and their allies, including classic and remastered kits in metal, plastic, and Forge World resin. The centerpiece of the new releases is the Orc & Goblin Tribes Battalion, an army set with 73 miniatures including...

Hamleys opens new flagship store in Rome. Hamleys has partnered with leading toy production and distribution player Giochi Preziosi to open a flagship store in the Rome region. Hamleys has further expanded in Italy with its second flagship Italian store opening in Galleria Alberto Sordi, one of the most iconic locations in the heart of Rome.

Para Bellum announces new 'Conquest 5th anniversary' 'Sorcerer Kings' set. Para Bellum announced Conquest 5th Anniversary: Supercharged Starter Set - Sorcerer Kings, a new miniatures boxed set, that will hit retail on April 5, 2024. The starter set provides a ready-to-play army for Conquest's newest faction, the Sorcerer Kings.

Gnome Hollow tile-laying game is like a meatier version of Carcassonne. A new board game takes the blueprint of Carcassonne and makes a more meatier version of the classic tile-laying title. Gnome Hollow is an upcoming board game that sees two to four players cultivating mushrooms and wild flowers in order to trade with other gnomes.

Red Raven heads for 'Isle of Night'. Red Raven Games has announced Isle of Night, a pocket-sized card game about exploring a mysterious island, set to release in May. The setting for Isle of Night is a mysterious land mass that appears only at night. The players have chosen to explore this benighted place, which is revealed during the game through a deck of cards.

Gama Expo 2024 news: Thames & Kosmos previews 'Dodo'. Thames & Kosmos previewed Dodo, a 3D board game by Frank Bebenroth and Marco Teubner, which will hit U.S. retail in 2024. In this family cooperative game, players race against gravity to save dodo eggs before they roll off of the cliff into the sea.

'Unmatched' combatants suffer the 'Slings and Arrows' of outrageous fortune. Restoration Games will release Slings and Arrows, a new Shakespearian-themed Unmatched set, into retail in June 2024. The new Unmatched set takes place at the Globe Theatre and features some of Shakespeare's most beloved characters. In this game, players can wage tactical combat with The Wayward Sisters...

After seven years, Yu-Gi-Oh! is bringing back its Legendary Decks set featuring Yugi, Kaiba and Joey's cards. Fans of both the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime and its popular trading card game counterpart are eating well this year. Komani, the publisher of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG just announced the return of the Legendary Decks II boxed set, which includes copies of the decks used by Yugi Moto, Joey Wheeler and Seto Kaiba.

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Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development

Monopoly Go spent almost $500 Million on marketing, more than Spider-Man 2's dev budget. Monopoly Go, a multiplayer mobile board game, launched on April 11, 2023. Since then it has made over 2 billion dollars, been downloaded 100+ million times, and become one of the most popular digital games on the planet. But to reach this point, Scopely, the studio behind the hit game, has spent nearly $500 million...

Wyrdsong dev Something Wicked reportedly lays off majority of staff. Mass layoffs have allegedly taken place at Something Wicked Games. Over the weekend, senior animator Eric Webb claimed the studio laid off "most of [our] staff." Programmer Andrew Woloszyn and writer Jessica Sliwinski confirmed they were among those affected.

Tarn Adams decries industry layoffs mandated by 'horrible, greedy people'. The games industry has had countless layoffs and cancelled projects since 2023, and Tarn Adams is not happy about it. At this year's GDC (spotted by PCGamer), the Dwarf Fortress designer was frank in laying the blame for these events at the hands of executives, calling them "bad people."

EA axes Apex Legends developers as part of $125M restructuring effort. Staff at Respawn Entertainment are reporting layoffs, which stem from the reductions announced by parent company EA in late February. Per IGN, 23 people were overall affected. EA is spending $125-$165 million overall to cut 5 percent of its workforce (670 people) across its studios.

PlayStation VR2 production halted until Sony can sell more PSVR2s. According to Bloomberg, Sony needs to sell its unsold stock of PlayStation VR2 headsets so it can make more. Since its February 2023 launch, sales of the VR device have slowed "progressively" with each quarter. In proportion to those declining sales, inventory has gone up throughout Sony's supply chain.

Balatro hits one million copies sold in less than a month, mobile port incoming. Balatro, the popular roguelike deck-builder quickly taking over the world, has now sold over 1 million copies in less than a month. And good news to all you Balatro sickos out there (myself included): the hit card game is getting ported to mobile devices, too.

Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty reaches 5 million players in over a year. Weeks after its first birthday, Team Ninja's Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty has grown to 5 million players. The historical fantasy action-RPG released March 3, 2023 for PlayStation 4 and 5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. By late April, it'd sold 1 million copies and seen 3.8 million players.

Highlighted Press Releases

WATCHITUDE SPRINGS FORWARD WITH EXPANDING DEMAND FROM U.S., EUROPE & MIDDLE EASTERN BUYERS. Slap, Tag’d, Glow And Step Counter Collection of Watches Wowed Retailers In The Opening Weeks Of 2024 From Atlanta & NETS to Spielwarenmesse & ToyFest

New Brunswick, NJ (March 19, 2024) –As buyers finally unpack their suitcases from a whirlwind of coast to coast and global trade shows, they all agree one thing. All the zooms in the world cannot make up for the in-person joy and connections created between buyers and manufacturers. Watchitude Co-Founders and brothers Albert and Dan Hakim attended numerous shows over eight weeks and brought home significant orders from not just U.S. retailers but markets in the Europe Union and the Middle East.

Associations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals

LA Fall Preview Updates: Q&A with The Toy Association’s Kimberly Carcone. As anticipation builds for The Toy Association’s LA Fall Preview this September, Toy News Tuesday editors sat down with Kimberly Carcone, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association™, to catch up on all the news and buzz surrounding the marketplace. How are plans shaping up for the LA Fall Preview? ...

Inaugural Autism in Entertainment Conference provides a pleasant breeze into Autism Acceptance Month. Come April 5, there is a baby breeze blowing through Bel Air, California, home of movie stars, palatial estates, and iconic museums. One of the latter — Skirball Culture Center — provides the setting for the first, small(ish) but mighty Autism in Entertainment Conference and its superstar celebrants.

*** The above posted after tBR ran on March 22nd ***

The Game Developers Choice Awards have arrived and they honored the best of the best in the world of video games from 2023 and Baldur's Gate 3 walked away with Game of the Year. This yr's show had 12 awards and the winners were chosen by industry professionals from around the world. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Baldur's Gate 3 led the way going into the show with 7 nominations ...

The Licensing Awards 2024 are Officially Open for Entries. The 2024 Licensing Awards are now open for entry – with a closing date of Thursday 30 May 2024. All of the award categories – including those for licensed products, licensed properties, retail, marketing, honorary achievement, plus the awards for sustainability, international retail and licensed live events – can now be entered, for free, via the website.

Apex Legends Tournament postponed after players hacked mid-game. A big Apex Legends tournament came to an abrupt end after a handful of pro players were hacked during one of the final matches of the competition. Developer Respawn Entertainment and publisher EA have yet to comment on the situation, leaving folks frustrated with the state of the game and its anti-cheat tech.

Global Pet Expo arrives in Orlando next week. The show runs from March 20-22. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) are gearing up for the Global Pet Expo, which starts next week in Orlando, Florida. The Global Pet Expo’s sold-out show floor will feature more than 1,100 exhibiting companies, including Jazwares, BigMouth, Fetch For Pets, Atomic Bubbles...

From pixels to glory: The Strong’s World Video Game Hall of Fame unveils 2024 finalists: Hundreds of video games were nominated. The Strong’s World Video Game Hall of Fame has unveiled the 12 finalists vying for induction in 2024, promising a trip down memory lane for members of the toy and game industries and gamers of all ages.

Circana Awards Top-Selling Musical Toy to Hape’s Learn With Lights Piano. Hape, the German educational toy brand and wooden toy developer, received Circana’s Toy Industry Performance Award for the Top-Selling Toy in the Musical Instruments category in the U.S. for its Learn With Lights Piano.The annual Toy Industry Performance Awards recognize the best-selling toys, properties, and manufacturers across the...

Safety and Counterfeiting

Business Companion launches new product safety guide. Business Companion has launched a product safety guide in response to a “worrying prevalence” of unsafe goods appearing for sale in the UK. Businesses that manufacture, import or distribute products in the UK are facing ever-increasing complexity in the marketplace and supply chain and unsafe goods are being sold more frequently.

Easter bunny toy is pulled from shelves at Coles because of a hidden danger. Parents are being warned some Easter toys from Coles pose a choking hazard to their little ones, with an urgent recall now in place. Coles recalled its Easter bunny Squeezer Pals and Easter Light Up chicken and bunny toys due to 'faulty stitching' that could lead to young children gaining access to polyester filling, posing a choking hazard.

New health warning issued about the dangers of water bead toys. After years of injury reports and safety advisories, water beads continue to be a serious and growing health hazard for young children, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said on Tuesday. The absorbent polymer beads are often marketed as colorful, slimy, sensory items for kids to play with.

Springfield Fire Department says to keep an eye on your child’s toys with lithium-ion batteries. An overheated lithium-ion battery in a remote-control car caused a recent Springfield house fire. But firefighters say this isn’t the first time they’ve seen this. Within the last six months, the Springfield Fire Department has responded to three house fires caused by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

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

James M. (Jim) Ward, game designer, a member of the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design Hall of Fame for his contributions to Dungeons & Dragons and other games, has passed away, according to a post on his Facebook. He was 72.
Ward was a friend of Gary Gygax from the very early days of Dungeons & Dragons development. He and Rob Kuntz wrote Gods, Demi-Gods & Heroes in 1976 for TSR, which was the first introduction of gods into the game. He also is the creator of Metamorphosis Alpha, the first science fiction RPG, also published by TSR (see "Jim Ward's 'Metamorphosis Alpha'"). He worked at TSR for 20 years in a number of executive positions, and left in 1996.
Ward designed the Dragon Ball Z collectible card game, as well as helping with the Tomb Raider, Wheel of Time and Babylon 5 CCGs. He founded the d20 company Fast Forward Entertainment with Timothy Brown, Lester Smith, John Danovich and Sean Everett (see "Fast Forward Takes Over Campaign"). He later joined Troll Lord Games as a writer and later the editor for Troll Lord's Castles & Crusades magazine, The Crusader Journal (see "Jim Ward Editor of 'Crusader'").
Ward had a series of health issues over the past 15 years. He was diagnosed with a serious neurological disorder in 2010 (see "Jim Ward Fund Requests Donations"), and had a heart attack in 2014 (see "Jim Ward Suffers Heart Attack").
We knew Ward from his time at TSR in the 1980s and 90s, and found him to be a warm, funny man, and a gamer through and through. We last saw him at a Gamehole Con in the late 2010s, and at that point he seemed little the worse for wear and definitely had the same warm heart. Our condolences to his friends and family.

Mutsumi Inomata, a longtime illustrator and character designer for video games, passed away on March 10 at 63 years old. Per her official Twitter, her family held a private funeral, and a cause of death was not disclosed. "It happened so suddenly," wrote her sister. "She still has rough drafts, which I’m sure are still being worked on in heaven. Surrounded by her favorite cats, she’s surely creating more cute, strong-eyed characters."

Born December 23, 1960, Inomata is best known for her work on Bandai Namco's Tales games. Beginning with 1997's Tales of Destiny, she would work as a lead character designer on most mainline entries up to 2016's Tales of Berseria. While at Bandai Namco, she also briefly did character design for the Tekken series with Tekken 5, Tekken 6, and Tekken Tag Tournament 2.

Along with games, Inomata was a character designer or animator for anime. Those series ranged from City Hunter (and its sequel) to Sacred Seven and Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny.

Shigeichi Negishi, the entrepreneur who invented the world’s first karaoke machine, has died aged 100. Negishi, whose 1967 “Sparko Box” prototype is among several devices credited with ushering in Japan’s karaoke craze, died from natural causes in January. His death, which was made public last week, was confirmed to CNN by Shiro Kataoka, managing director of the All-Japan Karaoke Industrialist Association.

Born in 1923, Negishi founded and ran a company that assembled car stereos for automobile manufacturers in northern Tokyo. A regular listener to a singalong radio show broadcast in Japan at the time, he hooked a spare tape deck up to a microphone and mixing circuit so he could hear himself singing over music.

“When I asked the factory engineer, he said, ‘It’s easy,’” Negishi recalled in an account published by the All-Japan Karaoke Industrialist Association, an industry body for Japan’s karaoke operators. “So, I attached a microphone input terminal to the car stereo and created something like the prototype of a jukebox.”

Worldwide Magazines Weekly Top Stories

Added Friday Morning Chicago Time. Check Back for Complete Lists.

Toy Trade Monthly Issues

Adventure Media & Events (US)

aNb Media (US)

Toyworld (UK)

Licensing.biz Powered by Toyworld

ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture (US)

- Wizards of the Coast Announces 'Dungeons & Dragons 50th Anniversary' Play Series
- WizKids Reveals a New 'Encounter in a Box'
- LEGO and Wizards of the Coast Announce First-Ever 'Dungeons & Dragons' LEGO Set
- RIP James M. (Jim) Ward
- Rolling for Initiative -- 'Magic: The Gathering' Riding Off into 'Modern Horizons 3'
- Stonemaier Sales Drop for Second Year in 2023
- Luke Gygax Honor's Father's Legacy with 'The Tomb of Gyzaengaxx'
- Osprey Calls up 'Battalion: War of the Ancients'
- 'Monopoly: One Piece' Heads to Hobby Retail
- Czech Games Edition Acquires Board Games and Puzzles Factory

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

Global Toy News

The Bugg Report (Australia)

The Toy Universe (Australia)

hobbyDB

Casual Game Revolution

News Flash: Cooperative Santorini, The Vale of Eternity, and Square One
A cooperative expansion for Santorini has been announced, Renegade Game Studios has released a new card game, and Boardcubator has a new game in the works.

Video of the Week

Toy Hub Trivia: Kim Vandenbroucke

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Publisher: Mary Couzin, Chicago Toy & Game Group, Inc.

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