People of Play​

Emmy-nominated producer Sidney Clifton has joined Mattel in a new head of animation role that she started in yesterday. Clifton previously worked for 3.5 yrs at The Jim Henson Co. as a producer and SVP of animation and mixed media. And before that, she collaborated with Henson on Apple TV+ toon Harriet the Spy and animated series Lena!, based on author Karen Katz’s picture book The Colors of Us. 

*** The above posted after April 5th ***

TCG Toys takes on new VP of Global Sales amid 25th Anniversary. TCG Toys has named Lindsay Karbum as its new Vice President of Global Sales as the Toronto-based company celebrates its 25th anniversary. In this role, Karbum will focus on driving TCG’s key products, including Sure-Lox puzzles, Imaginmats playmates, and FleXfigs collectibles. Karbum previously led the sales team at Relatable (formerly What Do You Meme?)...

BBC Studios has promoted Murilo Hinojosa to the role of VP, Consumer Products & Commercial Partnerships, Latin America. Hinojosa first came to BBC Studios in 2021, and worked at the co. to grow the Bluey brand within Mexico and Latin America overall. Boasting more than 50 licensing deals secured, Hinojosa acquired new territorial agents and managed brand developments in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Argentina... 

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Skybound builds management team with hires, promotion. Skybound has expanded its management team with 5 new hires. Ben Abernathy has joined as Executive Editor; Blake Kobashigawa as Senior Director, Business Development. Alex Hargett is new Director, Brand, Editorial. Arune Singh has been promoted to VP, Brand, Editorial; Chris Paulson as EVP and General Manager of Games Publishing; Jeff Chaiken as SVP...

Square Enix adds Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director and Octopath Traveler producer to executive staff. Square Enix has added five new members to its executive officer ranks that help dictate the company's direction and the games it makes. Among those inducted are Naoki Hamaguchi, who directed Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Tomoya Asano, producer on the Octopath Traveler games, was also promoted. 

Warner Bros. Discovery names Vikram Sharma Group VP, Head of Consumer Products, APAC. Sharma has worked at the co. for 5 yrs.  Sharma will report to Robert Oberschelp, Head of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, and part of the company’s Revenue & Strategy division helmed by Chief Revenue & Strategy Officer, Bruce Campbell.

Authentic Brands Group appoints Lim Mi-Kyoung as SVP, Head of Australia and New Zealand. Authentic Brands Group (Authentic), has appointed Lim Mi-Kyoung as SVP, Head of Australia and New Zealand. In her new role, Mi-Kyoung will oversee Authentic’s regional expansion, focusing on brand development and driving long-term growth.

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The Laugh Factory Taps David Fuhrer as President; Makes a Play for TikTok. We’re close enough to April 1 that I get wary of any “news” that appears to be from out of nowhere, so when this hit my inbox I reached out to verify it myself: Blue Square Innovations Founder David Fuhrer has joined the legendary Laugh Factory as President. The prolific inventor and entrepreneur behind the licensing of more than 300 toys, games, and other products is jumping into the new gig with eyes on a real big catch: TikTok.

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Companies and Brands​

Scrabble’s new board game lets everyone win—and Gen Z is going to love it. Mattel says the new version of the beloved word game will be less competitive, as younger players care less about winning. Scrabble is one of the oldest board games around. The beloved word game was invented in 1938, and it’s still played today—whether online or on coffee tables. But according to Mattel, the makers of Scrabble, the game...

¡Vámonos! Dora Is Back for a New Round of Exploring. Boots, Map, Swiper and Backpack all return too, in a new “Dora” that includes a lot more Latin music and Spanish language. Yet unlike the doll of last year’s blockbuster movie, the next pop-culture star who’s about to re-emerge isn’t a statuesque blonde in stiletto heels. She’s a pint-size Latina with sturdy sneakers and a trusty backpack. Welcome back, Dora.

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SEGA of America is taking some of the spotlight away from Sonic the Hedgehog to launch a new marketing campaign focusing on his arch rival Shadow. The Fearless: Year of Shadow celebration kicks off this month as SEGA partners with the MotoGP motorsports championship to design and tour a new Shadow-themed motorcycle throughout the year. Decked out in the character’s iconic red and black colors...

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Disney+ to expand password-sharing crackdown in June. Following in Netflix’s footsteps, the streamer will implement new measures in select markets to start, laying the groundwork for a worldwide rollout by fall. The crackdown has been in the works and on people’s lips for some time. Last August, Iger acknowledged that password-sharing among Disney+ subscribers was “significant” during the company’s Q3 earnings call.

MGA Entertainment has announced it is launching a new shopping destination for its brands, The MGA Shop. While MGA products will still be available at major retailers, the new site brings convenience and added benefits to its beloved and award-winning portfolio of brands, including L.O.L. Surprise!, Little Tikes, MGA’s Miniverse, Bratz, Rainbow High. The new site will also offer online-only exclusives and limited...

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*** The above posted after tBR ran on April 5th ***

Build-A-Bear opened a Workshop location earlier this week at Windsor Royal Station, in Windsor, UK. The new store offers the signature Build-A-Bear Make-Your-Own experience, which includes stuffing plush animals, a heart ceremony, personalized birth certificates, and an assortment of products that appeal to all ages. 

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Hasbro CEO on the future of 'Dungeons & Dragons' after 50th anniversary. “Dungeons & Dragons” turns 50 this year, and its owners plan to make games like it the core of their business. “If you look at ‘Dungeons & Dragons,’ if you look at our board games, more people are playing these games than ever before,” says Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks. “Our satisfaction rates, the happiness that players have, are higher than ever.”

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LEGO launches long-term initiatives for Autism Acceptance Month. The LEGO Group, LEGO House and the Lego Foundation have announced a range of long-term initiatives to support and celebrate neurodivergent children and adults and mark the start of World Autism Acceptance Month. Colette Burke, chief commercial officer at the Lego Group, said: “We know the Lego System in Play is enjoyed by neurodivergent fans...

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Do they still make pinball machines? They do, in a huge new factory near O’Hare — with most selling to the 1 percent. Due west of O’Hare International Airport, there is a neighborhood — formally, part of Elk Grove Village — that isn’t much of a neighborhood. It’s warehouses, drab gray offices. A company of 500 employees here makes one of Chicago’s greatest exports: pinball. Seth Davis is planning to erect a great big sign...

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Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America has added new Ultraman figures and blind box items to its portfolio ahead of the Ultraman: Rising premiere. The new animated film will debut on Netflix on June 14, and customers can preorder products from the new collection now. 

Bandai’s Ultraman lineup includes the 5-inch Ultraman Sofvi Series, articulated 6-inch Ultraman Action Figures, 12-inch figures...

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Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company Commemorates 30 Years of Unmatched Creativity and Quality. BHTB has delivered custom and licensed toys, gifts, and plush items for everyone seeking the cuddliest, softest, squishiest toys on the planet since its establishment in 1994. "We've remained dedicated to bringing joy to children and collectors for over 30 years. We collaborate with leading companies and studios to...

LEGO stores to become KultureCity Inclusive Certified this month. The LEGO Group is celebrating Autism Acceptance Month with several initiatives, including sensory inclusive certification from the KultureCity nonprofit. All LEGO stores within the U.S. and Canada will receive KultureCity certification this month. Once certified and supplied with sensory bags, the stores will have signage...

Bene Buddies encourage positive behaviors with fun rewards system. With these plush, kids can practice kindness, pet care, conservation, and more. Bene World’s plush collection, Bene Buddies, offers parents a new reward system to enforce social-emotional learning (SEL) and other positive behaviors. Bene Buddies come with a plush, a storybook lesson, and reward tokens. 

Desi Dolls pop up in Selfridges. A Desi Doll branded expanded pop up is underway within Selfridges FAO Schwarz toy department to coincide with Ramadan and Eid. The Desi Doll brand is currently featured in the main toy promotion area in Selfridges in London, Manchester and Birmingham and founder, Farzana Rahman, says it is making quite an impact. 

Top capsule-toy maker Bandai bets on huge market outside Japan. Bandai, the Japanese toymaker that’s enjoying a growth spurt for anime characters, collectible cat figurines and other miniature goods sold in plastic capsules, will open more stores abroad to capitalize on the boom. More than 80 new outlets are planned for Asia, Europe and the U.S. starting this month, with a focus on North America, the company said. 

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Four new Bearabuddies from Bearaby Bring cozy comfort to adults. Bedtime keeps getting better! We already told you about the cuddly cute Bearabuddies from Bearaby. Much like the company’s other products, these weighted stuffed animals are designed to provide relaxation and stress relief to adults. Four new Bearabuddies are now here to help anyone and everyone slip into a stress-free sleep.

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Napa Valley Toys enters licensing agreement with Franco Manufacturing for NightBuddies. Napa Valley Toys USA has partnered with preschool bedding provider Franco Manufacturing for NightBuddies, a collection of illuminated and heated kids toys. Through the partnership, facilitated by Cuesta Licensing, Napa Valley Toys can incorporate NightBuddies features into Franco Manufacturing’s preschool ...

Jazwares Vault launches with limited, exclusive goods for collectors. Jazwares is continuing efforts to expand and attract new customers across various categories, this time with the launch of an online shopping destination designed to offer exclusive and limited products to collectors. The new Jazwares Vault features figures that can’t be found anywhere else, all from fan-favorite brands. 

'The Massive-Verse Fighting Card Game' is headed to retail: Features Image Comics superheroes and villains. Solis Game Studio will release The Massive-Verse Fighting Card Game into retail in Q4 2024. This game was originally announced in 2023 as part of a partnership between Image Comics and Solis Game Studio. 

Renovate neighborhoods in 'Cities'. Devir Games will release Cities, a new city-building game by Steve Finn and Phil Walker-Harding, that will hit stores in August 2024. In Cities, city hall has asked players to renovate one of its neighborhoods. They will need acquire components to build new residences, office buildings, parks, recreational spaces, and new water features to make the neighborhood beautiful again.

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Hasbro announces Wolverine and Deadpool figures part of Deadpool Legacy collection. Hasbro gave fans a look at the upcoming Marvel Legends Series Wolverine and Marvel Legends Series Deadpool! These 2024 Deadpool Legacy Marvel Legends Deadpool and Wolverine figures are based on their appearances in Deadpool 2.

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Czech Games Edition unveils 'Seti: Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence'. Czech Games Edition unveiled SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, a new space exploration board game, that will hit retail in Q4 2024. In this game, designed by Tomas Holek, players will lead a science lab that has been put in charge of finding life beyond the planet Earth.

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Miniso takes over Times Square with new Pop-Up. Miniso’s second NYC location offers customers licensed toys, plush, and more. Times Square has added another Miniso location to its retail offerings. Lifestyle brand Miniso‘s stores offer everything from office supplies to collectibles, and are especially popular for their surprise box products, with the brand celebrating Blind Box Carnvial last year. 

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Reydon Sports’ new product catalogue is biggest yet. The new Reydon Sports catalogue, in conjunction with the company’s B2B portal, offers retailers of all types the opportunity to buy at discounted trade pricing. Reydon Sport’s latest product catalogue for 2024/25 is now available. At just under 500 pages, the new trade catalogue is the company’s biggest edition yet and showcases the full A-Z of Sports...

Bandai UK takes over reins of Breyer equestrian brand. Bandai UK has announced that it has been appointed as UK and ROI distributor for the equestrian toy brand, Breyer. Bandai will be relaunching some of the world’s finest collections of realistic equestrian models, toys and accessories back into the UK, with a primary focus on re-introducing ranges within the Traditional, Freedom Series, Stablemates and Mini ....

Smart Toys and Games brings mindfulness to the masses. SmartGames, a worldwide leader in multi-level logic games, is encouraging families to practise mindfulness through play. Thanks to the brand’s multi award-winning collection of fun and educational puzzle games, board games and fidget toys, all ages – from 1 to 99 – can add a dose of mindful play to everyday. 

A certain coyote and roadrunner from Looney Tunes race across a pair of new MTG cards. Magic: The Gathering’s long awaited wild west set, Outlaws of Thunder Junction is shaping up to be a party of familiar faces, both from within the popular trading card game’s universe and without. Old friends and (sexy) villains don cowboy hats, while plenty of cards make tall tale references, puns and flat-out groan worthy jokes.

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