January 2022 - Page 4 of 11

MGA Sweeps NPD Results with Five #1 Selling Toys

MGA Entertainment is the fastest growing and largest privately held toy company in the US and has continued to design and manufacture top-selling toys in categories, securing its spot as number one. “#1 across five categories speaks volumes to the quality and versatility of our product offerings. We are proud that four of our brands have been recognized as top-sellers in this year’s NPD report and look forward to another exciting year of innovation ahead,” says CEO & Founder of MGA, Isaac Larian.

The Insights Family Releases Its ‘2022 Toy Report: TheYear of STEM,’ with London Toy Fair

The Insights Family has just released its 2022 Toy Report: The Year of STEM, as a special exclusive for London Toy Fair, the UK’s largest dedicated toy, games and hobby trade show, which takes place at Olympia, London. The Insights Family has been a partner of the BTHA since 2017, the year the company was founded. The report identifies the rising popularity of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) amongst kids and parents which The Insights Family are tracking in their data and explores how this has impacted the attitudes, behaviors and consumption patterns of families.

iQIYI and WildBrain Greenlight Jonny Jetboy from Keith Chapman

iQIYI, an innovative market-leading online entertainment service in China, and WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, have signed a partnership to create Jonny Jetboy. This new action-packed kids’ series from Keith Chapman, creator of such smash hits as PAW Patrol and Bob the Builder, is set to be produced by iQIYI, in collaboration with WildBrain as its supervisor, and the animation production will be done by China’s WingSing Animation Studio. The creative brains behind the show include Chapman and Michael Vogel, who serve as Executive Producers, and Jinming Lu from WingSing Animation Studio. Vogel is one of the creative forces behind My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and WildBrain’s new Strawberry Shortcake series, Berry in the Big City. Jinming Lu is chief director for China’s renowned animation project GG Bond. The 40 x 11’ series is targeted at kids aged 4-7 and is currently in production with delivery slated to begin in 2023.

Playmates Reveals Initial 2022 Lineup of Star Trek Figures

Some of the most iconic characters in the Star Trek universe are among the toys featured in the summer 2022 launch of Playmates Toys’ all-new collection of Star Trek action figures and accessories. Playmates marks its much-anticipated return, after a 12-year absence, as the global licensee across action figures, vehicles, ships and role play for all ViacomCBS Star Trek Properties.

Bulldog Signs Licensing Agreement with Wow! Stuff for Odo

Leading licensing agency, Bulldog, has agreed terms on a deal with Wow! Stuff to become the first licensee for the ‘boundary breaking’ 2.5D animated series, Odo. Odo was created by Sixteen South Originals and co-produced with Letko. In the new Master Toy global deal, Wow! Stuff will create a comprehensive range of toys including plush, dolls, figures and accessories, role-play toys, play sets, track sets, construction toys and bath toys.

A James Bond Teddy Bear Joins the Steiff Family

2022 sees the launch of the first James Bond bear by German toymakers Steiff, the company that invented the Teddy Bear. Just 1,962 handcrafted collector’s bears will be made in a numbered series to mark the date of Dr. No’s cinematic release in 1962. Dressed in a tailored black cotton dinner jacket, white buttoned shirt, and black bow tie, the bear channels Bond’s effortless style, complete with black mohair legs and a 60th Anniversary embroidery on one foot. He features a gold-plated Steiff button in ear, bearing his individual number, and will come with a numbered certificate of authenticity within a special James Bond presentation box.

News You're Hired

9 Story Media Group Appoints Katrina Hitz-Tough as SVP, Franchise Strategy & Marketing

9 Story Media Group has announced the appointment of Katrina Hitz-Tough to the newly created position of SVP, Franchise Strategy & Marketing. Hitz-Tough will lead 9 Story’s recently established Franchise Management division to drive growth for select IP in 9 Story’s expanding portfolio of exciting kids’ properties, including the groundbreaking animated series Karma’s World (Netflix), the up-and-coming Ladybird Lu (HBO Max) and the evergreen toy-based property Colorforms. Reporting to Natalie Osborne, 9 Story’s Chief Strategy Officer, Hitz-Tough is tasked with leading the new Franchise division with the goal of extending key 9 Story IP beyond the screen. She will be working closely with 9 Story’s in-house Consumer Products division, led by Co-VPs Kristin Lecour and Kyra Halperin, as well as the company’s Marketing, Digital, Interactive, Production, Distribution and Research teams.

Genius Brands Superhero Kindergarten China

Genius Brands Launches ‘Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten’ Across China

Genius Brands International “Genius Brands” (NASDAQ: GNUS) has announced the launch of season one of its flagship animated children’s series, Stan Lee’s Superhero Kindergarten, Executive Produced by and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, on Alibaba Group’s (NYSE:BABA) video streaming platform, Youku, starting March 2022, which is one of the top three streaming platforms in the Mainland China territory. Additionally, the acclaimed series will be available via the Tudou and Kumiao apps.

Disney Channel Hit ‘Big City Greens’ to get Fourth Season and Movie Musical

The Houghton brothers — Chris and Shane — creators and executive producers of the animated comedy Big City Greens, Disney’s #1 show, will join the echelon of format-leaping creative talent as their popular series spins off a movie musical for Disney Channel and Disney+. Big City Greens also received a fourth season order from Disney Channel, tallying more than 100 episodes for the Daytime Emmy-winning and Annie Award-nominated comedy. The announcement was made by Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, a content engine for Disney+ and Disney Channels.