Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
Another (Not so) Happy Bloomin' Friday!
The tariffs are affecting each one of us in numerous different ways. Let’s keep sharing our stories through our networks, detailing how much damage is being done to our businesses, our careers, and our livelihoods. Coming together to document and detail how tariffs impact every part of our industry is powerful.
Most importantly, share your personal story with your elected officials— that’s what truly moves the needle. Our Senators and Congressional Reps should hear from us in every state and district. www.congress.gov/members
And don’t stop there—send your story to local news outlets, too. The more voices we amplify, the stronger our impact.
Thank you for reading the Bloom Report here or on the Bloom Report 24/7 News Feed! Please support our work by advertising and/or setting up a POP profile.
Mary and the POP Team
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Person of the Week - Design Edge's Matt Nuccio
The Art of Logo Design
Hey Matt!
It was great seeing you at the NY Toy Fair last month! I’m sure you noticed that signage for both POP and the CHITAG Fair was everywhere. We received a ton of positive feedback on how smoothly we transitioned our brand from the Chicago Toy & Game Group to People of Play. The logos were so visually aligned that people immediately recognized them as part of the same family.
The POP logo and name have been incredibly well received—people love them! We’ve decided to retain the CHITAG Fair logo for our consumer-facing events, since it’s more challenging to build familiarity with new branding among general audiences. It couldn’t feel more right. What’s also great is how easily both logos adapt to highlight specific events or initiatives—adding banners or extensions is seamless.
Would you be open to walking us through your creative process—starting with our original logo and then the evolution to the POP branding? We’d love to highlight the design journey and your role in it.
Hey Mary,
It was great seeing you at the NY Toy Fair! I definitely noticed the POP and CHITAG signage throughout the show, it was incredibly rewarding to see the branding out in full force and so well received.
I’m thrilled to hear how positive the feedback has been. From day one, we understood that this rebrand wasn’t about reinventing the wheel, it was about evolving an already loved identity into something broader, bolder, and more future-facing. READ MORE...
President’s Letter: Supporting Our Industry Through Uncertainty — Important Updates on Toy Fair® 2026 Exhibitor Renewal & 2025 LA Fall Preview
During these increasingly challenging times, your resilience as toymakers, creators, and innovators is inspiring as we all try to keep moving forward. Over the course of the last few weeks, I have spoken to many of you personally, and as your Association, we exist to stand with you — not just through our aggressive advocacy to find any way to exempt toys from tariffs, but also through tangible decisions that will help to support your business and the broader industry.
Given the economic uncertainty and constantly shifting policies of global tariffs, we recognize that business planning is getting more difficult by the day, making commitments to important, but less immediate, opportunities harder. With this in mind, we want to inform you of two important adjustments we’re making to provide more time and require less early commitment to help support your business during what we all hope is a short-term tough situation:
1. Toy Fair® 2026 Renewal Period Postponed & Deposit Reduced
2. New Opportunity for Limited Temporary Showrooms at The New Toy Building
Learning Resources and hand2mind filed a lawsuit challenging the President’s asserted authority to impose tariffs on imports under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”).
On Wednesday, Learning Resources and hand2mind filed a lawsuit challenging the President’s asserted authority to impose tariffs on imports under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”). These tariffs have had a devastating effect on our companies and threaten our ability to serve our customers and help children learn and grow.
We are fourth generation family-owned companies based in Vernon Hills, Illinois with about 500 employees, operating under the mission: We Bring Learning to Life. Our products are used by millions of schools and families in more than 100 countries around the world.
With the current tariff policy in place, our products will quickly become too expensive for schools and families to afford. That’s why we’ve chosen to assert our rights in court and stand up for our employees and the communities, schools and families who rely on us as a partner in education.
Elana Woldenberg Ruffman's daily series helps people understand the implications of the tariffs using her family's 100+ year old company as an example. This is her first post earlier this week
The Toy Foundation™ Reveals Strategic Rebrand of Two Programs
The Toy Foundation™ (TTF), the unifying force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry to benefit all children in need, is proud to announce a strategic rebrand of its two key programs: The Toy Bank and Play Grants are now renamed Toy Chest and Play Fund, respectively. Featuring new program names, redesigned logos, and refined messaging, the rebrand reflects the toy industry’s shared commitment to deliver the power of play to children in greatest need.
Toy Chest: Delivering Toys in Times of Need
Toy Chest is the toy industry’s signature donation program. It is the only program of its kind across the industry that brings together companies of all sizes to contribute toys, games, books, and other playthings. TTF then distributes these donations to children through a robust network of vetted non-profit partners in the U.S. and around the globe. By harnessing the industry’s collective strength, Toy Chest delivers the joy and extraordinary benefits of play to children in need on a scale unmatched by any other organization.
Cartoon Lovers, Lexophiles & People in Need of a Smile!
Cartoon of the Week: Thank you Frank Mills for posting this cartoon to our Toy, Game and Play Innovator Linkedin group this week!
Memorable Quotes: "The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” -ALICE WALKER
Toy Industry Word of Day: 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? Send it to me! Mary
Happiest of Birthdays to colleagues celebrating birthdays this past week!
Bill Maisch
Financial and Legal
Learning Resources and hand2mind filed a lawsuit challenging the President’s asserted authority to impose tariffs on imports under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”). These tariffs have had a devastating effect on our companies and threaten our ability to serve our customers and help children learn and grow.
We Are Suing the President. We are joining a lawsuit that will challenge the unchecked authority of the executive branch to impose tariffs. We will not stand idly by while our livelihoods–and the livelihoods of thousands of small business owners and contractors in the US, along with the customers whose pursuit of happiness we hold dear–are treated like pawns in a political game.
Chinese factories seek to expand their business outside the US following Trump Tariffs. One third of clients for Lau’s Kam Pin Industrial are from the U.S. One U.S. client said they would keep buying materials from Lau for an ongoing project because they couldn’t find another supplier, but they will need to reconsider whether to source from him for the next project.
Indian toy exporters see golden opportunity as US hikes tariff on China. According to GMI Research, the United States' toy market size touched USD 42.8 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach USD 56.9 billion in 2032.
Reports: CFPB Laying Off 90% of Staff. According to the Politico report, CFPB Director Russ Vought wrote in a notice to the affected employees that the cuts are “necessary to restructure the Bureau’s operations to better reflect the agency’s priorities and mission.”
Capital One and Discover merger approved by Federal Reserve. Capital One Financial's application to acquire Discover Financial Services has officially been approved by the Federal Reserve the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
China vows retaliation against countries that follow U.S. calls to isolate Beijing. China warned it will retaliate against countries that cooperate with the U.S. in ways that compromise Beijing’s interests, as the trade war between the world’s two largest economies threatens to embroil other nations.
Chicago Fed's Goolsbee says Fed independence is 'critically important' for its inflation fight. Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago President Austan Goolsbee on Monday urged against reducing the central bank’s independence as President Donald Trump amped up criticism of Chair Jerome Powell.
Revised Diamond Liabilities, Plus Fees, Costs Bring Challenges. An upward revision of the Diamond Comic Distributors liabilities at the time of their Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, an increase in their bank debt, and the accumulating fees and costs of the bankruptcy, are adding challenges to the bankruptcy’s goal of paying 100% of what’s owed to the unsecured creditors.
Elon Musk says he’ll step back from DOGE starting in May. Musk said next month he would continue to “spend a day or two” each week on DOGE matters “probably for the remainder of the president’s term,” but would spend the bulk of his time focused on his electric car company.
Trump says he has 'no intention' of firing Fed Chair Powell. The comment represents a dramatic shift for Trump, who has recently ramped up his rhetoric against Powell and declined to rule out the possibility of taking the unprecedented step of firing him.
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Financial Reporting, Tariffs
Last week we had to implement the first wave of price increases across a broad swath of our product catalog to cover tariff costs already incurred. We don't feel good about playing the middleman in what is nothing more than a TAX on U.S. businesses and consumers. Rather than sit in quiet paralysis, Fat Brain Toys has begun displaying the specific tariff impact to every shopper on our website.
White House launches attack on 'hostile' Amazon over tariffs while marking Trump’s 100 days. It follows reports suggesting the online retailer will soon show consumers how much the president's tariffs are adding to the cost of its products
Donald Trump Is Already Ruining Christmas. Santa’s helpers are freaking out that steep tariffs on Chinese imports will prevent toys, trees, and decorations from arriving in the US on time for the December holiday. While children are told stories about elves and reindeer, the truth is that hundreds of thousands of people work year-round to make sure Christmas feels magical.
Trump’s Tariffs Prompt Wave of Lawsuits as States and Businesses Fight Back. Somewhere along a roughly 7,500-mile journey that begins in Shenzhen, China, there are 19 shipments bound for Rick Woldenberg, the chief executive of Learning Resources, an educational toy company in Vernon Hills, Ill. Eventually, the containers of puzzle cards, child binoculars and other products will reach a port in the U.S., and Mr. Woldenber...
*** The above posted after tBR circulated April 25th ***
Hasbro kicked off the 2025 earnings season with a burst of momentum, reporting a 17% revenue increase in Q1 fueled by a 46% surge in its Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming segment. The company reported operating profit of $171 million, or a 19.2% margin, while adjusted operating profit jumped $74 million to $222 million with a 25.1% margin — up 5.5 points year-over-year, driven by revenue growth...
The Toy Book catches up with Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks for more insight into the company’s Q1 2025 earnings and outlook. The Toy Book: Amid a great start to the year, what was the biggest surprise in Q1?
Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz says there should be ‘zero tariffs’ on toys. Ynon Kreiz said the company behind Barbie and Hot Wheels supports the Toy Association’s position that toys should be subject to 0% duties.
Toy Association Member Survey Reveals Alarming Impact of 145% Tariffs. The Toy Association™ conducted a member-wide survey to assess the impact of the 145% tariffs on toy imports from China.
What I love about the Toy and Baby Industries is how we all work together. From Inventors, Manufacturers, Sales Reps, Marketing Professionals, Fulfillment & Warehousers, and of course, our beloved Retailers. With such a strong community, we stand up for one another. We use our voices, big and small, to amplify what we need to succeed.
The White House has put itself and the country in a bad situation but doesn’t realize it yet. Around April 10th China to USA trade shut down. It takes ~30 days for containers to go from China to LA.
CMON announces layoffs, pauses future game development and new crowdfunding due to US tariffs. Board game crowdfunding giant CMON is laying off staff and halting new game development and campaign launches due to the ongoing unpredictability in US tariffs.
Retailers ‘Uncharacteristically Blunt’ in Telling Customers Tariffs Will Raise Prices. This marks a change from retailers’ traditional communication strategy when it comes to rising prices.
On TikTok, Chinese Manufacturers Open a New Line in the Trade War. Videos on the social media app, filmed at factories in China, urge viewers to buy luxury goods directly, as tariffs drive up prices. Americans are receptive.
Trump's continued steep tariffs on China to impact small businesses, consumers in Chicago. Local business owners are speaking out about how much that will cost both the companies and consumers.
Learning Resource's Rick Woldenberg shares his thoughts on tariffs in this NBC news segment. Concerns rise over economy after Jerome Powell remarks in Chicago. The stock market reacted to comments made by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell in Chicago amid tariffs from the Trump administration.
Grant Lyon shares how the tariffs affect the board game business.
Tariffs against China threaten the booming board game industry. “People are losing their jobs, publishers are already closing,” said Sam Bryant of Runaway Parade Games. “Containers full of games that were bound for the U.S. market are now sitting in warehouses in China.”
Part of the Learning Resources group, which includes Educational Insights, Hand2Mind's Elana Ruffman talks about the tariffs and how they are affecting her family's business in a Tik Tok series.
Christmas is in the crosshairs as toy industry faces brunt of China tariffs. Toy industry officials are warning U.S. consumers to expect higher prices and fewer choices this year — including for the holidays — because of Trump’s tariffs.
Tariff Could Bring ‘Notable Markdowns’ to Growth Forecasts Worldwide. A wave of new economic surveys and projections this week will illustrate the impact of America’s tariff campaign.
Temu Reportedly Cuts Back on Paid Ads After Tariff Price Hikes. Last week, popular eCommerce retailers Shein and Temu announced plans for tariff-related price hikes.
Trade war puts US on ‘precipice’ of recession: Moody’s chief economist. The U.S. economy will likely begin to shrink “unless policy takes a very sharp turn here pretty quickly,”.
Trump Tariffs Are Attacking the U.S. Trade Deficit—Does It Need Fixing? As Trump’s global trade war carries on, it raises the question: is a trade deficit necessarily a bad thing for the economy?
Canadian small businesses are taking Trump's tariffs personally. Canadian national pride has sparked resistance and inspired action from small businesses.
Trump tariffs could lead to a summer drop-off in economic activity after an 'artificially high' start, Chicago Fed chief says. A short-term economic bump from tariffs may be followed by a drop-off.
Caught At The Sharp End Of Tariffs, Shein And Temu Warn Of Price Hikes. Tariffs, sales surges, price hikes, slashed ad spend and the go-ahead for a long-awaited IPO amid trade chaos.
Trump Tariffs To Put Retail Supply Chains To The Test. Only 22% of retail CFOs report having a healthy inventory level. With imports to drop through year end, the stage is set for a supply chain crisis.
Investors Expect Secondhand Stores to Profit as Tariffs Challenge Retailers. Investors reportedly expect new U.S. tariffs to be good for sellers of secondhand goods.
Greater than Games a Victim of Tariffs. The news broke first in a Facebook post by Greater Than Games Creative Director Darrell Louder.
Rolling for Initiative -- Economics Lessons from Ferris Bueller. This week, Thorne looks at the movie version of the history of tariffs, and more publisher reactions.
Online board game seller Boardlandia shuts down after tariffs add “unsustainable burden” to company’s existing challenges. Online board game retailer Boardlandia has become the latest tabletop-related victim of the skyrocketing US tariffs on Chinese imports.
Wingspan publisher Stonemaier Games is suing President Trump after China tariffs threaten tabletop industry. Stonemaier says it is facing an upcoming $1.5m bill under the new tariff regime.
‘Extraordinary Power Grab’: Illinois Toy Company Challenges Trump Tariffs in Court. LEARNING RESOURCES, INC. et al v. TRUMP et al, alleges that the President and members of his administration have overstepped their legal bounds in “an extraordinary Executive Branch power grab.”
Funko to Host 2025 First Quarter Financial Results Conference Call on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The conference call will be webcast and can be accessed on the investor relations section of the Funko website.
Walmart, Target And Home Depot CEOs Meet With President Trump To Talk Tariffs. Three top retail leaders met at the White House to discuss tariffs, and their impact on consumer prices.
Business already are trying to pass tariff cost onto customers, Fed report says. Businesses dealing with tariffs are looking for ways to pass increasing costs onto consumers, according to the Beige Book report.
As Donald Trump’s tariffs hit US allies hard, will China make inroads?. Donald Trump’s second term as US president has been defined by his determination to upend the established order on nearly all fronts.
Dozen states sue Trump in bid to block new tariffs. The lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade argues that Trump cannot use the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs.
Tariffs will harm us all, European officials warn — with more work needed to reach a trade deal. European officials say they're optimistic a trade deal can be reached with President Donald Trump.
China says no ongoing trade talks with the U.S., calls for canceling 'unilateral' tariffs. U.S. President Donald Trump this week indicated that there might be an easing in tensions with China.
Confidence in Trump's handling of the U.S. economy plummets, new polls show. Americans' views of President Donald Trump's ability to handle the economy gave him an edge during the 2024 election.
Hasbro forecasts as much as $300 million impact if China tariffs don't come down. Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks said the company will be forced to raise prices and warned of potential job losses as the company tries to absorb costs.
GTS Distribution Suspends 'Top 5 Board Game Preorders' Due to Tariff Situation. The distributor made this announcement on their website for the week of April 21, 2025.
The Backroom: Talking tariffs with Supply Chain Dive. Trade policy is ever-evolving, and hitting the retail industry especially hard. Phil Neuffer talks about covering the issue and where things stand today.
Trends, Lists, Market Research, and State of the Industry
The Best Board Games - Wirecutter's List
Found on celebrity bags and in viral videos: The toy fashionistas are loving. Celebrity endorsements, unboxing videos and their ability to stir up nostalgia are all contributing factors to Labubu’s success.
Games and Puzzles Market is Going To Boom | Hasbro, LEGO, Mattel. The Games and Puzzles Market has been fragmented based on the productivity of several companies.
Baby Toys Market: Global Trends, Segmentation, and Future Outlook. The baby toys market encompasses a diverse range of playthings designed specifically for infants and toddlers from birth up to 36 months of age.
Vietnam Toys Market is Booming and Predicted to Hit USD 1,000 Million by 2033. Key trends include increasing demand for educational and interactive toys, with major players emphasizing eco-friendly materials and digital integration to enhance learning experiences.
Stories, Comments, and Advice
Tariff Strategy Letter. As we are well aware, the current tariff policy implemented over the last few months by the Trump Administration has generated quite a bit of turmoil in our global economy and manufacturing landscape. It’s characterized by a high degree of uncertainty and is very much an evolving situation. This letter is written to outline what we’ve been working on to mitigate the financial implications of this situation.
ROLLING FOR INITIATIVE -- PRICES GOING UP AND COMPANIES SCALING DOWN. Column by Scott Thorne. First RPG books may be exempted due to an exemption for printed materials in the tariff declaration. Then, customs rulings on the nature of roleplaying books back in 1989 and 1991 classified them as games rather than books and thus subject to a higher tariff amount. As I noted in the column, a later ruling by the...
How Two Kids Made Their Own Crossword. An interview with two siblings who constructed a 15x15 puzzle all by themselves. One of my responsibilities as a puzzle editor at The New York Times is to create mini crosswords that run in The New York Times for Kids, a monthly section in the Sunday paper just for — you guessed it — kids. But this month, we did something a little different...
*** The above posted after April 25th when tBR circulated ***
John Baulch, Toy World - Community spirit … it’s the Friday Blog! We have reached the end of another week of uncertainty and confusion surrounding the China tariff situation. There was a glimmer of hope midweek after Trump was quoted as saying “tariffs on China will be negotiated much lower.” This pronouncement came the day after meeting representatives from Walmart, Target and Amazon...
New York City’s Hottest Hangout Is a 500-Person Board Game Night. At Richard Ye’s enormous monthly gatherings, where people play Exploding Kittens, Hues and Cues, and mahjong, New Yorkers find real-life connections and a little free fun.
OpenAI CEO and tech billionaire Sam Altman recently admitted that people politely saying "please" and "thank you" to their AI chatbots is costing him bigtime. When one poster on X-formerly-Twitter wondered aloud "how much money OpenAI has lost in electricity costs from people saying 'please' and 'thank you' to their models," Altman chimed in, saying it's "tens of millions of dollars well spent."
Over 900 People Play Monopoly Together, Set World Record In Tribute To Dead GirlAlegra Vasiliou, a six-year-old who died from brain cancer in 2017, loved playing Monopoly with her parents.
A former Nickelodeon Movies SVP gives brands a seat at The Kids’ Table. Michael Sammaciccia has assembled a team of writers, producers and creative executives to work with brands on creating content that will resonate with kids and maximize revenue.
Board Game Club embraces mindfulness to launch 2025 events. Board Game Club’s first grown-up games night of the year will take place on Wednesday 21st May at London’s Century Club – and it’s kicking things off with a mindful twist.
Hot Toys, Cool Prices: The Toy Insider’s Summer Picks Bring the Heat. This guide was curated to help consumers navigate recent economic uncertainty, offering toys that deliver all kinds of fun on a budget.
History and Nostalgia
Vintage Toy Restoration – Major Morgan from Playskool. Major Morgan was a musical toy released by Playskool in 1979. The toy was designed in the likeness of a marching band major with an electronic keypad on the torso.
Mighty Men & Monster Maker from TOMY. Released in 1979 from TOMY, Mighty Men & Monster Maker allowed children to create their own unique "super-guys" and monsters using interchangeable plates, paper, and coloured pencils.
Relive The Nostalgia With These Five Great 80s Board Games. It’s definitely not confirmation bias to say the 80s were the best decade for pop culture. So take a look at these totally rad 80s board games!
Licensing and Entertainment
Hasbro has announced exciting news from the Peppa Pig brand – Mummy Pig is expecting a girl. A first-ever for Hasbro, the highly anticipated gender reveal was depicted in an exclusive episode of Peppa Pig Tales on Walmart, and announced at the Peppa Pig Store at Battersea Power Station in London.
‘Game Changer’ Is a Fun and Unpredictable Game Show. Now in its seventh season, the show puts its comedian contestants through a weird and wide-ranging variety of funny and endearing challenges.
*** the above posted after April 25th when tBR circulated ***
Tim Allen talks about Toy Story 5, says ’its a lot about Jessie’ and "Tom Hanks and I do -- Woody and I do realign. And there's an unbelievable opening scene with Buzz Lightyears. I can give you that, but I can't give you much more."
Hasbro and the NFL Team Up for Transformers Converting NFL Helmets. The initial lineup includes four 5.5-inch figures themed to popular NFL teams: the Dallas Cowboys Starblitz, Pittsburgh Steelers Steelsmash, Green Bay Packers Tundra Prime and Kansas City Chiefs KC-59.
Disney Debuts New ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Merch Ahead of Live-Action Remake. More than two decades after the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios feature, Disney Consumer Products offers a sneak peek at the latest lineup of toys, clothing, accessories and more.
@Hasbro Extends Long-Running Strategic Relationship with Disney Consumer Products for Premier #StarWars and #Marvel Franchises. This extension furthers Hasbro’s strategic merchandising relationship with Disney Consumer Products.
Lego has unveiled additions to its Fortnite range, including Peely & Sparkplug’s Camp, Durrr Burger Restaurant, Klombo and Mecha Team Leader. Fortnite. The new sets will allow builders to recreate even more of their favourite characters and moments from Lego Fortnite Odyssey and Fortnite.
Paddington the Musical to premiere at the Savoy Theatre in London. Opening on 1st November, priority booking for Paddington the Musical starts on 13th May, with public booking opening on 15th May.
WildBrain on How Nostalgia and Innovation Drives Franchise Expansion. Erin Morris, vice president, global franchise strategy and retail, discusses how the company is leveraging nostalgia, digital growth and strategic partnerships to expand the global footprint of brands like “Strawberry Shortcake.”
Paramount and Rubies sign multi-brand licensing agreement. New costumes and accessories based on Paw Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar: The Last Airbender and Dora will launch across the UK and EMEA.
A Look into Sanrio’s Presence in Digital Games and Collectible Toys. Sanrio Inc.’s chief operating officer discusses how Hello Kitty has maintained success in games and toys, overcomes brand challenges in the digital space, the brand’s partners in the collectible toy space and its upcoming initiatives.
Hasbro Expands The Galaxy of ‘Star Wars’ Merch with New Action Figures. Hasbro revealed new items for its The Black Series and The Vintage Collection product lines. Consumers can celebrate the Star Wars saga with products inspired by the franchise’s films, series, and video games.
Care Bears Pop-Up Store Debuts in Malaysia. PLAY Interactive has announced the arrival of Care Bears in Malaysia, bringing the beloved, nostalgic brand to life with the first Care Bears Pop- Up Store, set to launch in the second quarter of 2025.
First look at The Mandalorian & Grogu screened at Star Wars Celebration. Hot on the heels of the announcement that Star Wars: Starfighter is heading to theaters in 2027, Lucasfilm turned the spotlight to the next film in the Star Wars franchise: The Mandalorian & Grogu.
Darth Maul is getting his own Star Wars animated series. Over 25 years ago, Darth Maul was killed off in his first appearance in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. However, Maul’s popularity eventually led to his return in the Star Wars animated series The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels.
Alpha Toys Debuts ‘Super Wings’ Toys Following Release of Show’s Eighth Season. The series, which is streaming on YouTube and Amazon Prime, takes kids on adventures with transforming airplanes through engaging 11-minute episodes.
American Mensa announced that for the first time ever, they are allowing brands at Licensing Expo 2025 the chance to win a free Mensa license. The SMART CHOICE Think Tank is an elevator-pitch style competition to take place over the course of the show – occurring Tue, May 20 – Thu, May 22 in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
Nikko Toys Strikes Multi-Year Licensing Deal with Shelby. The collection will include various scales of R/C and non-R/C vehicles with light and sound features. The first previews for trade partners are scheduled for this August, with the first wave of products shipping in June of next year.
‘Ne Zha 2’ English Dub Sets Sights on Global Market: ‘The Returns Could be Enormous’. Chinese animation blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” continues to shatter records as distributors prepare an English-dubbed version with “well-known” voice talent.
Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s ‘Sinners’ Takes Box Office Crown With Solid $45 Million. Boosted by stellar reviews and Coogler and Jordan’s popularity, “Sinners” collected a solid $45.6 million from 3,308 North American theaters.
Ernie Hudson Taking Over Carl Weathers’ Voice Role Of Combat Carl In ‘Toy Story 5’. Prior to his passing due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, pro football player turned actor Weathers voiced Combat Carl in two projects.
New Super7 x Godzilla FUN! FUN! Collectible. Super7 just revealed its latest terrifyingly cute Toho FUN! FUN! figure, based on the 2001 film, Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack!
A live-action Toys “R” Us film is in the works at Story Kitchen. The producers behind Sonic the Hedgehog's live-action film franchise are working with TRU Studios to develop a new adventure pic that leverages the toy retailer's 70-year history.
‘Wednesday’ Season 2 Teaser Trailer and Premiere Dates Released by Netflix. Netflix has released the first trailer (below) for its highly anticipated second season of the goth-horror-comedy hit, which stars Jenna Ortega as the morbidly inclined Wednesday Addams.
Andy Serkis ‘Animal Farm’ Animated Film Casts Seth Rogen, Glenn Close, Woody Harrelson and More in Voice Roles. Andy Serkis has assembled an all-star voice cast for his animated adaptation of George Orwell’s classic novel “Animal Farm.”
Craft Buddy launches first Harry Potter Crystal Art Sticker Album. Developed in collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery, this new product combines the wonder of Hogwarts with the joy of crafting and offers a collectible experience.
‘Sonic The Hedgehog 3’ At No. 10 Gets Deadline’s 2024 Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament Off To A Fast Start. Deadline’s Most Valuable Blockbuster tournament has returned, and as you’ll see from the most profitable films of 2024, a movie’s game doesn’t end at the box office.
‘Rock Paper Scissors’ Gets 2-Season Renewal At Nickelodeon. Both seasons will each consist of 10 episodes, and continue to follow the wacky shenanigans and nonsensical adventures of the titular characters.
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People of Play
Build-A-Bear’s CEO started her career working at a McDonald’s drive-thru. Now she leads a $486 million toy empire. From former V.P. Kamala Harris to playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda to pop icon Pink, an estimated one in eight Americans have worked at McDonald’s in their lifetime, according to the fast-food chain. And Build-a-Bear Workshop chief executive Sharon Price John is part of that figure.
Tomy Europe announces key organisational changes. As part of Tomy's ongoing efforts to streamline its brand and establish a more coordinated sales approach across EU markets, Mary Wood has been promoted to managing director - Europe. Additionally, with the upcoming retirement of Kingsley Matthews, Sales director UK, Ireland & DE, Emilia Hogan is appointed as VP Sales-EMEA.
*** The above posted after tBR circulation April 25th ***
Spin Master Announces CFO Transition. Spin Master Corp. announced that Jonathan Roiter will join Spin Master as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, May 2025. Roiter joins Spin Master having most recently served as CFO for Softchoice.
Discord names former Activision Blizzard and King exec as its new CEO. It's a notable shift for the voice, video, and text communication platform, which is utilized by over 200 million monthly active users—including a litany of video game developers and communities.
Wow! Stuff growth leads to new hire. Wow! Stuff has announced the appointment of Sophie Hogg as its new senior National Account manager, highlighting its commitment to investing in the very best sales talent and strengthening its retail partnerships.
David Levine is consulting for Israeli streamer Izzy. Izzy, a streaming service that specializes in Israeli-produced content, has tapped David Levine (pictured) as a consultant to help strategically broaden its offering.
Aurora World Makes Key Shifts in Leadership. Aurora World, Inc., a global leader in the plush and gift industry, has granted two significant promotions within its leadership. Michael Kessler will become Executive Vice President, and Tony Sayles will become Senior Vice President of Sales.
Meet Zach Gracia. "I didn’t wake up one day with a stylus in hand and a job offer from Disney. This journey has been anything but linear, and definitely not without a few detours, plot twists, and late-night existential crises."
Companies and Brands
‘Ready to wait all night': Dozens line up on Michigan Avenue for rare, viral toy. The line, in front of Pop Mart on Michigan Avenue, is all for the rare collectible toy called a "Labubu"
*** The above posted tBR started circulating on April 25th ***
Walmart is planning a US$6-billion expansion in Mexico. The global mass retailer’s 2025 investment in the region is triple last year’s US$2-billion spend, and it will go directly towards opening new stores and two additional distribution centers in Tlaxcala and Bajio.
Bratz Continues Its Social Media Virality with the Release of Alwayz Bratz Season Two and New Official CapCut Branded Effect (PR). The second season follows the girls as they begin filming, offering a fun, meta-filled narrative packed with insider reality TV references.
Asmodee’s ‘The Power of Play’ campaign with Imagination Gaming hits 1m milestone. This milestone celebrates the growing impact of board games in classrooms, libraries, care homes and community centres nationwide.
Fanatics Live brings collector commerce platform to the UK. With a focus on football, F1 and UFC, Fanatics Live brings the energy of live sport directly to devices through the excitement, suspense and shared experience of tuning into live-streamed content.
Sam’s Club Bets On AI To Eliminate Receipt Checks And Enhance Retail. Sam's Club announces an expansion of its AI-powered "Just Go" technology, designed to streamline the exit process and enhance customer convenience.
Ghost Galaxy Reveals New 'KeyForge' Set. Prophetic Visions is the ninth KeyForge set to hit the market (see "'KeyForge' Sets to Retail"). This new set contains cards that revolve around foresight and scrying, introducing Prophecy cards as an entirely new card type.
Asmodee Will Release 'Pergola'. In this game, players will assume the roles of cheerful gardeners intent on constructing their dream garden. They will have to place flowers to attract insects and small animals to their budding oasis.
TeeTurtle’s Sanrio Scented Cupcake Plushies Are Baked with Love. Families can add a sprinkle of Sanrio sweetness to their lives with the latest plush line from TeeTurtle. Hello Kitty and her friends received a delicious makeover with the new Sanrio Scented Cupcake Reversible Plushie Collection.
Yoonique’s LaBabies Line Adds Anime Adorableness to Kids’ Plush Collections. Kids love watching anime for its larger-than-life action and characters. This spring, they can bring a piece of the magic home with an anime-zing new line of collectible plushies!
Moonbug launches a year-long digital ad campaign for parents. CoComelon Can Help is designed to help families recognize the popular entertainment brand as a support tool that makes parenting a little easier, says Moonbug's Katelynn Heil.
Zuru expands global presence with new Polish office and showroom. This new location is a significant step in business development in Poland and Central Eastern Europe and demonstrates Zuru’s commitment to the region and its importance.
The Lego Group announces launch of new Lego Botanicals and Lego Art sets. Lego Botanicals is expanding its product portfolio, with the introduction of the Lego Botanicals Petite Sunny Bouquet, available from 1st May 2025, and the Lego Botanicals Happy Plants, available from 1st June 2025.
Hobbycraft to close a number of locations. According to sources, the proposal states that nine of the arts & crafts chain’s shops will be closed, and that 18 more might follow, but only if negotiations with landlords over rent cuts are unsuccessful.
The Entertainer expands Tesco partnership to over 2,000 Tesco Express stores. The Entertainer has announced that it is to introduce a selection of its key toy lines to over 2,000 Tesco Express stores, reinforcing its successful partnership with the UK’s biggest supermarket.
Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development
Nintendo Switch 2 fans crash Target, Best Buy websites during pre-orders after delay over tariffs. The Nintendo Switch 2 pre-sale caused massive online outages for retail stores as they struggled to keep up with the demand of eager gamers following a delayed sale due to...
Fortnite is getting a Star Wars battle pass with Darth Jar Jar. The news was appropriately revealed at Star Wars Celebration in Japan. As with most Fortnite seasons, this one had been heavily rumored in the runup.
Game Boy clone maker Anbernic suspends all shipments to US. Anbernic, which makes excellent and controversial Nintendo Game Boy clones, is already suspending US shipments indefinitely.
Nintendo Switch has been the dominant player this year at physical retail. The Game Business reports that in Europe physical Nintendo Switch game sales remain extremely healthy. Sales of new Nintendo Switch games are still around 80%.
Nintendo’s new amiibo might be getting a price hike. Retailers have increased the price of Street Fighter 6 amiibo from $29.99 to $39.99, while the new Legend of Zelda amiibo have gone from $19.99 to $29.99, as reported earlier by Nintendo Life.
Berserk comes to Sanctuary in Diablo 4 and Diablo Immortal’s first crossover this May. Blizzard revealed more details regarding the crossover event, which is set to launch on May 1 for Diablo Immortal and May 6 for Diablo 4.
EA & Lucasfilm Games Announce Star Wars Zero Company™, a Turn-Based Tactics Game Set in the Clone Wars. Electronic Arts Inc. revealed Star Wars Zero Company™, a single-player turn-based tactics game developed by Bit Reactor with Respawn Entertainment and Lucasfilm Games.
Bethesda officially reveals Oblivion Remastered, available today. Bethesda is making The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered official just days after the game leaked. Oblivion Remastered is a remaster of the nearly 20-year-old game, developed by Virtuous.
Devolver cuts 40 percent of workforce at Reigns developer Nerial. The studio is best known for developing Reigns and more recently The Crush House. The former is one of Devolver's most successful franchises to date, having earned over $20 million in lifetime revenue across five titles.
Japan: Nintendo confirms 2.2 million people applied for the Switch 2 lottery. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has confirmed on X that the Japanese My Nintendo Store lottery to get a Nintendo Switch 2 console has seen 2.2 million people apply.
Huge donation will help The Strong preserve the history of defunct Saints Row developer Volition. The Strong National Museum of Play has received a donation from defunct Saints Row developer Volition that will help preserve almost 30 years of company history.
The Big Con developer Mighty Yell confirms layoffs. A number of major companies made have made sweeping redundancies over the past two years including Microsoft, Sony, Embracer Group, EA, Unity, Meta, Take-Two and more.
Highlighted Press Releases
Miniland, award-winning creator of educational toys and games, is proud to announce the launch of its new anti-bullying campaign, “Together We Stand,” in partnership with Spain’s renowned ANAR Foundation, an organization dedicated to protecting children’s rights. This initiative celebrates the release of Miniland’s new anti-bullying educational games, designed to foster empathy, kindness, and positive social interactions among children. “Together We Stand” underscores Miniland’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and respectful environment for children. For each game purchased, Miniland will donate $1 to ANAR to show their support.
TYTAN MAGNETIC TILES BRING IN DISNEY CHARACTERS KNOWN THE WORLD-OVER. Stitch and Mickey are Just Two Examples From This Crowd-Pleasing Collection. Marshfield, MA (April 22, 2025) – Some toys are so well made and designed, they just ‘click!’ No toy exemplifies this better than Tytan Toys. Constructed for durability and function, Tytan Magnetic Tiles allow kids to create anything they can imagine with a satisfying click as each magnetic tile sticks firmly together. Tytan Magnetic Tiles set themselves apart from the competition with their super sturdy construction. Magnets are unbelievably fun, educational and mesmerizing toys for youngsters...
ALPHA TOYS UNVEILS NEW SUPER WINGS TOYS DUE TO THE SHOW’S EVER-SOARING POPULARITY The World Aircraft Robot and Dizzy Rescue Helicopter Introduces Playsets to Super Wings Playtime in 2025! Fontana, CA (April 18, 2025) – “Things are looking up!” Jett, Dizzy and the rest of the Super Wings crew are staying busy in the midst of their exciting 8th season, now playing on YouTube, Amazon Prime and LG TV. With bigger adventures and more challenging deliveries than ever before, Alpha Toys is keeping the fun going with all new offerings from the Super Wings toy line, including new characters for their 5-inch transforming figure line, playsets, and a combination playset and transforming figure...
Safety and Counterfeiting
All the Recent Toy Recalls That Could Impact Your Kid. It’s always scary to hear about a toy being recalled. Something that is supposed to bring your child joy could hurt them? Something that’s supposed to keep them safe could hurt them?
Associations, Foundations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals
President’s Letter: Supporting Our Industry Through Uncertainty — Important Updates on Toy Fair® 2026 Exhibitor Renewal & 2025 LA Fall Preview. During these increasingly challenging times, your resilience as toymakers, creators, and innovators is inspiring as we all try to keep moving forward.
Talkin’ Toys: ABC Kids Expo 2025 Greets Retail Rockstars with Big Ideas for Little Ones. The trade war continues, but the show must go on! ABC Kids Expo is in the final planning stages for its next event at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, May 21-23, 2025.
The Toy Foundation™ Reveals Strategic Rebrand of Two Programs. The Toy Foundation™ (TTF), the unifying force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry to benefit all children in need, is proud to announce a strategic rebrand of its two key programs: The Toy Bank and Play Grants are now renamed Toy Chest and Play Fund, respectively.
GAMA Membership Announces Results of Board Officer Elections. The Game Manufacturers Association announced the results of their Board Officer elections, which took place on April 17, 2025 at the Board of Directors Meeting.
Unlikely Collaborators has awarded a grant to the National Institute for Play to support the 2025 Professors at Play Playposium, an immersive event dedicated to reclaiming play in higher education.
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
David Strang, founder of Wicked Vision, sadly passed away unexpectedly, on Monday 21st April. Wicked Vision became well known for products like boomerangs, discs, high bounce balls and yo-yos, as David built the company into a global brand centred on active play. In 2024, the brands and intellectual property assets of Wicked were acquired by Eolo Toys, following a challenging period for the company.
Mike Wood, founder of Leapfrog and Smarty Ants to Achieve 3000. After selling his businesses, Mike went back to Oakland, CA schools to teach children how to read, three or four days a week. His passion and dedication to helping kids read is a great loss for our community. Read tributes from colleagues here.
Wink Martindale, 91, a rock ‘n’ roll disc jockey and good friend of Elvis Presley who gained fame as the host of such TV game shows as Tic-Tac-Dough, Gambit and High Rollers, died Tuesday in Rancho Mirage, a publicist announced.
Jay North, who starred as the towheaded mischief maker on TV’s “Dennis the Menace” for four seasons starting in 1959, has died. He was 73.
North died Sunday at his home in Lake Butler, Florida, after battling colon cancer, said Laurie Jacobson, a longtime friend, and Bonnie Vent, who was his booking agent. “He had a heart as big as a mountain, loved his friends deeply. He called us frequently and ended every conversation with ‘I love you with all my heart,’” Jacobson wrote in a tribute on Facebook.
Bill Petras, Blizzard veteran and Overwatch art director has passed away. The news was shared by former colleagues on social media, prompting an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, friends, and players.
Robert Trebor, who portrayed the serial killer known as the Son of Sam in a CBS telefilm and the scheming merchant Salmoneus on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and its sister series, Xena: Warrior Princess, has died. He was 71.
Robert McGinnis, Painter and illustrator who created sexy posters for the James Bond franchise as well as numerous other films, magazine illustrations and book covers, died March 10 in Old Greenwich, Conn.
POP Classifieds - Free and Easy
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Either post your job openings yourself (so easy!) to our POP Classifieds or send them to us to post for you. We all have colleagues looking now that would benefit.
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Worldwide Magazines Weekly Top Stories
Some Added Friday Morning Chicago Time. Check Back for Complete Lists.
Toy Trade Monthly Issues
Adventure Media & Events (US)
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Hot Toys, Cool Prices: The Toy Insider’s Summer Picks Bring the Heat (The Toy Book)
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Celebrate Earth Day with 20 Eco-Friendly & Nature-Themed Toys (The Toy Insider)
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25 Pieces of Merch to Secure the ‘Favorite Child’ Title this Mother’s Day (The Pop Insider)
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Hasbro’s Q1 Win Sets the Tone for Toy Industry Resilience (The Toy Book)
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‘Extraordinary Power Grab’: Illinois Toy Company Challenges Trump Tariffs in Court (The Toy Book)
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Ozzy Osbourne’s Legendary Farewell Inspires Monumental Merch (The Toy Book)
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With Spring The LEGO Group Blooms New Botanical Sets (The Toy Book)
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Just Play Reimagines Live-Action ‘Lilo & Stitch’ with Global Toy Line (The Toy Book)
Toyworld (UK)
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The Lego Group announces launch of new Lego Botanicals and Lego Art sets
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The Entertainer expands Tesco partnership to over 2,000 Tesco Express stores
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Zuru expands global presence with new Polish office and showroom
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Airfix introduces new schemes for the Bristol Blenheim Mk.IF set
Licensing.biz Powered by Toyworld
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Just Play announces global toy line for live-action Lilo & Stitch movie
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Craft Buddy launches first Harry Potter Crystal Art Sticker Album
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Solent Group extends Paddington licence with Studiocanal Kids & Family
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Merchantwise secures cross-category retail campaign for A Minecraft Movie
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Mattel and IDW Publishing announce new Monster High comic series
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Lisle Licensing appointed exclusive licensing agent for Parisi brand
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Surge Brands appointed as global licensing agent for Yo Mama’s Foods
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Global Merchandising Services expands Ozzy Osbourne licensing programme
ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture (US)
- Wizards of the Coast Announces Changes to 'Magic: The Gathering' Commander Format
- Greater than Games a Victim of Tariffs
- Five 'Warhammer 40,000' Boxed Sets Hit Preorder
- 'Secret Lair' 'Chaos Vault' Opens to Reveal New 'Magic: The Gathering' Drop Set
- Recent Ruling on RPG Book Tariffs; Stonemaier to Join Lawsuit, Announces Shipping Plans
- Meredith Placko Resigns as CEO of Steve Jackson Games
- Rolling for Initiative -- Economics Lessons from Ferris Bueller
- Paizo Will Release 'Starfinder RPG 2E: Player Character Folio'
- Boardlandia Online Becomes Latest Tariffs Casualty
- 'Magic: The Gathering' Marvel Sets Will Not Go Digital
Nación Juguetes (Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile & Spain)
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LeBron James becomes the first Barbie "Kennbassador" with a unique Ken doll
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PLAYMOBIL and Miraculous celebrate 10 years with a new 2025 toy collection
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Mattel and WWE extend their global partnership to continue leading the action figure market
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New toy safety regulation in the EU: what manufacturers and distributors need to know
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Ozzy Osbourne takes over the toy world in his final farewell
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Transformers x NFL: Hasbro launches collectible action figures
Global Toy News
The Bugg Report (Australia)
The Toy Universe (Australia)
hobbyDB
Toy Store (Italy)
Video of the Week!
Five Nights at Freddy's 2 | Official Teaser
#FNAF2Movie only in theaters this December.
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Thank you for being a reader of the Bloom Report. — Mary and Graeme
Founding Editor and Publisher (1998-2020, Retired): Philip Bloom
We are honored to carry on Phil's 22 year legacy and continue the Bloom Report. Phil has been a mensch
and we've loved working with him. Here is a fun and interesting interview with Phil.
If you would like to reach Phil: philip.bloom100@verizon.net
Publisher: Mary Couzin, Chicago Toy & Game Group, Inc.
Managing Editor: Graeme Thomson
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Not only does the Bloom Report give you all the news you need to know...
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