Toy & Game International Excellence Awards - the TAGIEs

Companies . . . 

Hasbro mixes My Little Pony with other iconic toy brands for retro figures. Hasbro has mixed this iconic toy horse brand with some of its other classic toys. The result? Some retro-style ponies that are must-haves for toy lovers. Hasbro Pulse has launched two new retro My Little Pony collectible figures, one inspired by Twister and the other inspired by Lite Brite.

Asmodee sees ‘huge increase in demand’ for In for a Penny board game as TV’s Ant and Dec play over Instagram. Asmodee UK is reporting a ‘huge increase in demand’ for its licensed family board game In for a Penny, after the title took centre stage in an Instagram video posted by TV presenters Ant and Dec showcased the gameplay to their some 4.2 million viewers earlier this week.

LEGO reignites Jeep partnership to unveil the LEGO Technic Jeep Wrangler. The LEGO Group has reignited a licensing partnership with Jeep to launch the latest LEGO Technic model, the one-of-a-kind Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, designed to emulate the look, design and off-road capabilities of the real-life vehicle.

LEGO’s Collectible minifigure Series 21 arrives with an Aztec warrior, centaur, more. LEGO is taking the wraps off its latest roster of collectible minifigures with 12 new characters. As one of its most diverse selections yet, this time around, fans will be able to expand their collections with everything from a centaur archer to beekeeper, Aztec warrior, violinist, and more.

Mastermind Toys Play Preview Invites Toymakers, Inventors to Pitch New Products. With the annual Toy Fair season shifting out of winter due to the continued COVID-19 pandemic, retailers and toymakers alike continue to evolve the manner in which new products are being brought to market, and that means getting creative. Canada's Mastermind Toys is throwing open the doors for all toymakers, inventors, and distributors...

The Entertainer re-introduces its Christmas Quiet Hours at stores across the UK In a move to make Christmas shopping accessible for everyone, The Entertainer has re-introduced its Christmas Quiet Hours, an initiative that will take place every day throughout December across its 171 UK stores. The campaign aims to create a calmer shopping environment for autistic people and for any shoppers who find the hustle...

Barbie celebrates Britain’s youngest Olympian, 12-year-old skateboarder and surfer Sky Brown. The 12 year old professional skateboarder and surfer, Sky Brown, has been unveiled as the latest Barbie Role Model as the iconic fashion doll brand revealed its new, one-of-a-kind doll created in her likeness. Toy maker Mattel chose to immortalize the young sportswoman to highlight the boundaries that she has already...

Logic games and puzzles are on the rise as Smart Toys & Games sees sales double over 2020. Robert Hutchins 2 hours ago Highlight, Media & PR 288 Views. The puzzle and logic game specialist, Smart Toys and Games is ushering in a new era for the gaming market, having seen sales double over the course of 2020 for its portfolio of cognitive-thinking games and puzzles. 

‘STEM toys will have an invaluable role to play in a post-pandemic world’, says Osmo CEO. With the likelihood that schools and universities will begin to ‘adopt a more hybrid model’ of offline and online learning in the coming months, experts in the educational toy sector have suggested that a post-pandemic world will see a greater value placed on STEM toys and STEM learning. 

Funko launches first original toy range The Snapsies line features heads and bodies that kids can mix and match, and comes after a difficult financial year for the toyco, which usually relies on licensing. Everything is clicking into place for Funko, which is launching its first original toys after experiencing massive success with kids of all ages through its POP! figure ranges.

Exclusive: Gary and Duncan Grant on The Entertainer’s partnership projects. Founder and executive chairman Gary Grant, and deputy chairman Duncan Grant, tell readers about the retailer's latest partnerships in this article, written before yesterday's Debenhams news. In October, The Entertainer announced that it was entering into an exclusive trial partnership with Asda to take over the running of the grocer’s...

Lego's super-expensive new set already sold out - despite having no Cyber Monday deal. At the same time as the official Lego Black Friday deals kicked off on November 27, the brand released its eye-wateringly-expensive new set, and despite the lack of any Black Friday or Cyber Monday Lego deal on it, the kit has sold out. This new set is the Lego Creator Colosseum, and that set will cost you a knee-shaking $549.99.

Hasbro teams up with World Taekwondo Federation for PJ Masks Campaign. Hasbro has announced a multi-territory partnership that will see PJ Masks join forces with the World Taekwondo Federation for a new partnership designed to engage children around the world in taekwondo via an engaging collaborative campaign.

Haba set for growth in UK market. The German-based toy manufacturer plans to build on its presence in the UK toy market by officially appointing Amaroni as the British sales distributor for Haba toys and games from the end of 2020 onwards. Over the last year, Amaroni has been the UK sales agent for Haba and will now take the next steps towards further business growth.

Micro launches new ECO range of children’s scooters made from recycled fishing nets. The international toy company Micro Mobility and its Micro Kickboard business has sourced materials from the maritime industry for the launch of its latest range of children’s scooters constructed from recycled fishing nets. Headquartered in Switzerland, Micro Mobility has launched several pro-environmental projects since setting...

Lion Rampant Imports reveals 'The Ghosts of Castle Turnwall' for North American trade. Lion Rampant Imports revealed that they will release The Ghosts of Castle TurnWall into North American retail in January 2021. The Ghosts of Castle TurnWall is a family board game by Zoch Verlag that won the 2019 innoSPIEL award for using magnets to create the illusion that ghosts in the game move through walls.

Modiphius Entertainment reveals two new 'Star Trek Adventures Klingon Empire' accessories. Modiphius Entertainment revealed Star Trek Adventures Klingon Empire Gamemaster Toolkit and Dice Set, for use with the Star Trek Adventures RPG, to release in February 2021. The Toolkit comes with all of reference tools a GM would need to run a game.

Force of Will, Inc. announces 'The Magic Stone War - Zero'. Force of Will, Inc. announced The Magic Stone War - Zero, a new set for Force of Will Trading Card Game, for release into retail on February 26, 2021. This set will feature the six sages of the past series appearing as rulers as well as a reappearance of the Cthulhu.

Kids Table Board Games unveils 'Fossilis'. Kids Table Board Games unveiled Fossilis, a paleontology board game, for release in December. In Fossilis, players assume the roles of paleontologists trying to uncover fossils from a tile 3D dig site.

STEAM toy maker Twin Science and its mission to shape the way manufacturers and consumers view toys. The STEAM toy and construction kit specialist, Twin Science, has outlined its mission to shape the way both toy makers and consumers view toys by acting to ‘connect humanitarian values with 21st Century education.’ It’s part of the firm’s central message of making toys that empower children, regardless of...

“The empowerment movement and consumer expectation around it will only increase”, says Mattel. Mattel has underlined its commitment to being ‘a more purpose driven’ toy company and brand through the continued roll-out of toys and dolls that reinforce positive messages of empowerment among children. The global toy maker has solidified its position amid insight that indicates empowerment....

PLUS-PLUS BOKS ARE A NEW WAY FOR ADULTS TO PLAY. Over the past few years, a growing market for play experiences geared toward adults has emerged and the latest offering from Plus-Plus aims to build upon that. Boks (“box” in Danish) is a new construction set based around a wooden platform that both holds Plus-Plus’ unique, plus-shaped building pieces and serves as a building platform.