Companies, Brands . . .  

Disney Branded TV puts Hailey On It  Produced by Disney Television Animation, the newly greenlit comedy-adventure series is created and exec produced by Devin Bunje and Nick Stanton. The comedy-adventure centers around a risk-averse hero who’s tasked with saving the world by completing every item on a long list of challenging tasks.

Funko Takes Steps Toward Sustainability with How2Recycle.  The massive success of Funko‘s Pop! Vinyl figures equals a lot of packaging. Now, in an effort to move toward a more sustainable future, Funko has joined How2Recycle to show its fans how to properly dispose of the outer cardboard boxes that many of its products come packed in.

The Toy Book’s Get List Connects Retailers and Manufacturers with In-Stock, Fast-Ship Toys and Games!  In an effort to connect retailers to manufacturers to keep shelves stocked — especially amid trade show cancellations — the Toy Book introduces The Get List, a curated list of in-stock products that retailers can get fast from U.S. warehouses. Browse the list early and often to see the latest products...

Hasbro partners with LeVar Burton on new game show   The Reading Rainbow and Star Trek: TNG star will host a new series based on the toyco's popular Trivial Pursuit board game. LBE’s namesake, actor LeVar Burton (Star Trek: The Next Generation), will host and serve as executive producer on the series, which is currently in development at eOne. 

Stampede Ventures, UTA launch HappyNest  Headed by former MGA exec Sadaf Cohen Muncy, the incubator will provide creators with development funding and help them maintain control of their IPs. As prodcos and creators debate how much IP ownership is enough, LA-based companies Stampede Ventures and United Talent Agency have launched an indie animation incubator to help artists maintain creative ...

Sesame launches special to celebrate API community   See Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special will also introduce Korean American Muppet Ji-Young when it premieres on November 25. This new one-off celebrates the diversity of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities, and will premiere on Nov 25 across platforms including Cartoonito on HBO Max, PBS KIDS, and Sesame’s YouTube, Facebook and Instagram channels.

Roblox launches US$10-million edu-game fund   Three projects have already received support from the Roblox Community Fund, designed to bolster the platform's STEM-focused educational content. Among the first RCF funding recipients are non-profit robotics community FIRST and educational game developer Filament Games, which are partnering on a new virtual robotics title based on Filament’s sandbox game RoboCo.

Nickelodeon orders 2 new shows   The kidcaster is doubling down on comedy and adventure with its first Intergalactic Shorts Program series order and a book adaptation. Nickelodeon has given the greenlight to two new animated series, Rock, Paper, Scissors and Max & the Midknights. Nickelodeon Animation Studio will produce both series. No release date or episode length for the projects have been announced yet.

Hasbro launches Learn with Peppa preschool program.  The early education initiative will kick off with an app in 2022, before expanding with an 80-title publishing range and plans for interactive experiences. Developed in house and set to launch in 2022, the learning app is designed for kids ages three to five, and will feature educational activities with a focus on reading, writing, exploration and creativity.

Mattel rolled into The LA Auto Show to drop the curtain on the new Barbie Extra Convertible. The life-sized version of the vehicle from Barbie designer Judy Choi was created by Mattel‘s vehicle team. The unveiling was timed to the launch of the toy version which is available at Walmart this holiday season.

Universal continues Jurassic World legacy ahead of 22 movie release   Following another colossal year for the franchise, Universal has readied a T.Rex sized footprint for Jurassic World Dominion. “The new film is about as big as it gets for the franchise which continues to deliver after almost three decades,” said Paul Bufton, VP of EMEA NBCUniversal Brand Development.

Suppliers and consumers react with shock as Amazon UK stops Visa credit purchases.   The online retailer Amazon will stop accepting payments made on Visa credit cards in Jan., citing 'high fees'. It has been noted that while it’s dispute with Visa goes back some months, Amazon has a much closer relationship with Mastercard: in 2017 it launched the Amazon Platinum Mastercard, which offers customers rewards and...

Asda trial partnership with The Entertainer to end in 22   Asda suppliers have been notified that the trial of The Entertainer aisles, which started a year ago, will be winding down over the next few months. Following a successful trial partnership between The Entertainer and Asda to manage toy departments within Asda stores, it has been agreed that the concept will not roll out any further.

Simba Smoby to launch B-Kind dolls in the UK   An eco-conscious doll line designed to promote kindness, B-Kind has been well-received among consumers in the US and is now arriving at UK retailers. Built around compassion and kindness, Jada Toys’ B-Kind collection is making its US autumn/winter debut online and on-shelf exclusively at Walmart.

FAO Schwarz (UK) launches on M&S.com and in selected stores   Initially in 20 stores, the FAO Schwarz bespoke offering has been launched by 'Brands at M&S' in time for the festive season. The M&S store openings are the first time the heritage toy brand has been available on local UK high streets, with locations from Cardiff to Cheltenham included in the store roll out.

Moomin will be ramping up its offerings to fans throughout North America.  King Features Syndicate recently signed a deal with California clothing and accessories brand, Just Peachy, building on Moomin’s licensing program. Just Peachy will manufacture a line of Moomin-branded apparel, accessories, and novelty items — including hoodies, sweatshirts, bags, and woven throw blankets.

Hasbro will expand its line of Beyblade toys, inspired by the upcoming Beyblade Burst QuadDrive series premiering next month.  Season six of ADK Emotions NY Inc.’s Beyblade Burst series, Beyblade Burst QuadDrive debuts on Disney XD and DisneyNOW on December 4, 2021. It consists of 26 episodes that are 22 minutes each.  Among the new toys based on the series, Hasbro introduced the Beyblade Burst QuadDrive ...

Big G Creative announced that they will have seven titles included in Walgreens' first ever games endcaps, one of which is their upcoming Hangry game that releases in mid-November.  Big G will have a total of seven games featured in this new endcap:  Bluffaneer, Bob Ross: Happy Little Accidents, Kraft Heinz Variety Game Pack, Mega Mouth, Bye, Felicia!, their recently released No Filter, and Hangry. Hangry and No Filter...

(the above posted after November 16th)

UNO Championship Series Vegas Invitational Tournament Gets Wild.  Tonight, the 50th anniversary celebration of UNO enters a new phase as esports superstar Tyler “Ninja” Blevins gets wild as host of the special event that will crown the first-ever UNO World Champion. The event will stream live from the HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas inside the Luxor Hotel & Casino.

Toys “R” US Launches NFT Collection.  Toys “R” Us is entering the blockchain, introducing a collection of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) featuring mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe. The digital collectibles become available for fans to purchase starting November 13. WHP, the Toys “R” Us parent company, partnered with NFT platform Ethernity to launch the collection on the digital marketplace Opensea.

YWOW Brands Officially Launches in the U.S.  Following early success and fast growth in international markets, YWOW Games has evolved into YWOW Brands for its official launch into the U.S. market. The company behind a large range of eco-friendly, officially licensed puzzles launched in 2018. Over the past year, YWOW Brands has grown to distribute its products in more than 50 markets around the world...

Big G Creative Launches 2 New Titles: Hangry and No Filter.  Families looking to revamp game night traditions can look for two new titles from Big G Creative that launched exclusively at Walgreens this week. Designed as an icebreaker game, No Filter is the ideal get-to-know-you game, while Hangry is an action-packed, food-themed card game

Mattel Television and Nickelodeon start production on the Monster High movie musical in Vancouver this month.  Monster High (working title) is a live-action television movie — based on Mattel’s franchise of the same name — anticipated to premiere on Nickelodeon in 2022. Additionally, a Monster High animated series will debut on Nickelodeon next year. 

Hasbro to Debut Live Holiday Shopping Event.  Hasbro Holiday Shopping Live will be broadcast November 12, offering consumers a showcase of Hasbro’s toys and brands for the holiday season.Consumers will be able to browse and purchase toys and games directly on the Hasbro Microsite. “We’ve planned a dynamic shopping experience that combines the fun of live video and the convenience of mobile shopping....

YouTube has announced the creator lineup for its first live shopping event next week, as it lays out a larger vision for on-platform shopping, which is being shaped by new global managing director for YouTube Shopping Bridget Dolan. YouTube’s first event touting its ecommerce tools, the Holiday Stream & Shop, kicks off on Nov. 15. During the weeklong event, creators will be selling new products at special discounts ...

Exploding Kittens has announced the relaunch of popular, fast-paced card game, Happy Salmon, recently acquired from North Star Games.

Designed by Quentin Weir and game developer Ken Gruhl, who has since joined the Exploding Kittens team as a senior game designer, the company has re-released Happy Salmon with an Exploding Kittens twist, featuring completely new artwork and an updated look.

Over the Rainbow – 50 years of Rainbow Designs.  Rainbow Designs’ MD Anthony Temple chats to Sam Giltrow about the evergreen appeal of the company’s classic characters and what lies ahead.  It’s been a big year for Rainbow Designs as the company celebrates its half century. Looking back on his achievements since acquiring the company, Anthony says probably his biggest was transforming the business model...

Jada Toys and Kindness.org to spread kindness with new partnership. The partnership will kick off with an Instagram Live event all about the importance of kids and kindness on Thursday 11th November. Jada Toys’ B-Kind doll line. Jada Toys, a global toy manufacturer and maker of the B-Kind doll line, and Kindness.org, a research-led non-profit dedicated to educating and inspiring people to choose to be kind....

The Lego Group launches new podcast with celebrity guests. At Your Leisure, Lego’s new podcast, asks which hobbies keep the stars entertained, what pastimes they’ve nurtured since childhood, and what they’ve picked up over lockdown. A new podcast from The Lego Group, aimed specifically at adults looking to explore the world of celebrity hobbies, pastimes and passions, is now available to stream from...

Mattel and Spain’s Mondo Toys have signed a multi-year partnership to launch a line of “clean” makeup products for Barbie, including a lipstick, three eyeshadows, a lip gloss, a makeup case and several bags. There was no information at press time on when the line would hit shelves, but Mattel said in a press release that additional products will follow in 2022. The toy giant said that the makeup is vegan, cruelty-free...

Bed Bath & Beyond launched a digital marketplace, where third-party sellers can now list a curated assortment of products in the baby and home categories. The marketplace will be integrated into the retailer’s digital platform. “Marketplace is yet another example of how we continue to redefine our business model,” said Bed Bath and Beyond pres/CEO Mark Tritton. “We are developing new avenues of L-T profitable...

Spin Master to launch BRAVE BUNNIES line of toys. Ukrainian creative production company Glowberry has appointed Spin Master as global master toy licensee for its BRAVE BUNNIES series. Expected to launch in 2022, Spin Master’s preschool toy line will include playsets, figures, plush, games and puzzles. The animated series, created by Glowberry in partnership with Spanish animation studio Anima, tells the story...

LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series AT-AT set is LEGO’s most expensive ever. LEGO has officially unveiled its massive 6,785 piece LEGO Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series AT-AT. Measuring over two feet in height and length, the iconic Imperial Walker from Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back comes with nine minifigures, with room to transport a troop of 40 Snowtroopers, and invades toy stores...

Incredible Novelties rebrands as Incredible Group with three new divisions. After nearly 20 years of growth, Incredible Novelties is rebranding and refocusing as The Incredible Group. The Canadian company will serve as the parent of three new divisions: Incredible Play, Incredible Novelties, and Incredible Incentives.  

Ares Games unveils new edition of 'Nanty Narking'. Ares Games unveiled Nanty Narking Standard Edition, a streamlined version of the original board game, which will release into U.S. retail in November. The Deluxe Edition of Martin Wallace's mystery game is still available in the U.S. (see "'Nanty Narking'"), but for players who want a more affordable version, the Standard Edition is on the way. 

Plaid Hat Games unveils 'Familiar Tales'. Plaid Hat Games unveiled Familiar Tales, a cooperative deck-building game by Jerry Hawthorne, which will release in January 2022. In Familiar Tales, players take on the roles of a wizard’s familiars that have been given the job of saving and raising a princess. The familiars need to find ways of keeping her alive and away from the evil forces that are pursuing her.

Become a master word thief in 'Word Heist'. Gamewright will release Word Heist, a new word guessing game, which will be coming in 2021 to retail stores. In Word Heist, players secretly make a word with the letters displayed in the gallery. They can earn bonuses for using featured letters, and meeting the parameters of the vault. 

Make the perfect blend of tea in 'Chai'. Roxley Games will release Chai, a tea merchant board game, into retail on December 1, 2021. In Chai, players assume the roles of a tea merchants at the market who are trying to win over customers by offering the perfect blend of tea. Players buy and collect ingredients to fill their customers’ orders, and collect coins as they successfully complete them. 

Arcane Wonders unleashes new 'Air, Land, and Sea' standalone game. Arcane Wonders unleashed Air, Land, and Sea: Critters at War, a card game, for release into retail on December 1. This standalone game has the same gameplay as the previous Air, Land, and Sea title. It is a quick card game that plays out in three different theaters of war. 

Libellud announces 'Stella - Dixit Universe'. Libellud announced Stella - Dixit Universe, a new standalone game, for release on December 3. The classic word-image association board game is adding another title to its growing line of games. This version introduces a new press-your-luck mechanic which allows players to interact with one another using their cards. 

Upper Deck unveils new 'Marvel Legendary' expansion. Upper Deck unveiled Messiah Complex, a new expansion for Marvel Legendary, which will release in Q2 2022. This new Marvel Legendary expansion is based on the popular Marvel crossover story arc of the same name (see "'Astonishing X-Men: Second Stage'"). Players join the surviving mutant heroes, post-mutant decimation, and battle new Masterminds and Villains. 

'Pokemon TCG' shoots for the 'Brilliant Stars'. The Pokemon Company International will release Pokemon TCG: Sword & Shield - Brilliant Stars, a new expansion set, on February 25, 2022. This expansion will feature Pokemon VSTAR, which evolve from Pokemon V, and have their own VSTAR Power. VSTAR powers can be used once per game, and its use is noted by flipping a VSTAR marker during the battle.