September 2022 - Page 10 of 13

Kenneth Morrell Joins Leadership Team at Fun in Motion Toys as VP of Operations

Continuing to grow its leadership team, Fun In Motion Toys announced that Kenneth Morrell has joined the company in the newly created position of Vice President of Operations, stated Kevin Daniels, President. Kenneth Morrell comes to the company from his prior role as Director of Operations/General Manager of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Prior to that, his 30+ years of operations expertise has included management roles at such industry giants as Anheuser-Busch, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Dole Food Company and Revlon. In addition, he has been a college professor teaching MBA-level classes at several different universities.

New Gigantosaurus Toy Line Gets the Magic Touch from Toy Designer Darren Lee Phillipson

Cyber Group Studios, a leading producer and distributor of animated programs for kids and families, best known for its award-winning preschool show Gigantosaurus, will introduce a new line of series-inspired toys from master toy licensee United Smile that is being created by multi-award-winning toy designer Darren Lee Phillipson of design_lead_play_.

NERF Unveils All-New LMTD Star Trek and Retro Blasters at NERF Fest, Launches NERF Island on Roblox

Following this week’s exciting NERF collaboration announcement with mega sci-fi franchise Star Trek, fans were treated to an in-depth look at the NERF LMTD Star Trek Starfleet Type 3 Phaser and Starfleet Type 2 Phaser. The 2-pack is available for pre-order now at Hasbro Pulse and Amazon. The NERF team also revealed the all-new NERF LMTD SHARP92 Blaster, a retro throwback of the NERF Sharp Shooter that debuted in 1992 and was the first NERF blaster to fire the now iconic NERF foam darts, launching a whole new way to blast into adrenaline-pumping outdoor play. The retro blaster is available for pre-order at Hasbro Pulse and Amazon now.

Events News

ToyFest 2023 Plans are Underway!

Earlier this year, The Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) announced the return of ToyFest to The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, February 27 – March 3, 2023. The Board of Directors and Slate of Officers have spent the summer making plans and exciting changes for the 2023 show. ToyFest 2022 was the most well attended ToyFest show in the past two decades. Buyers came from all over the United States and beyond. And the response was phenomenal. ToyFest has always exuded old-school Toy Industry tradition with a gala night that is free to buyers and celebrates independent toy store owners, iconic manufacturers, and top-notch sales reps by inducting them into the Hall of Fame. This event is always packed with old friends reconnecting with industry pals they haven’t seen since the last gathering.

Turnip + Duck Introduces ‘Maddie + Triggs’ at Cartoon Forum

Award-winning writer-led creator studio Turnip + Duck is significantly ramping up activity ahead of Cartoon Forum and MIPCOM, launching brand new animated series Maddie + Triggs (39 x 7’) and expanding its operations with the appointment of Rob Doherty as Head of Content and Laura Canavan-Hayes as Development Executive.

Mighty Jaxx Launches Nyan-licious continuation of their Nyammy Treats Line

Award-winning future culture company Mighty Jaxx has gone back in-house to whip up the continuation of their tasty Nyammy Treats line with the launch of Nyan-licious!

Care Bears Celebrate their 40th Anniversary and Annual Day of Giving “Share Your Care Day” on September 9th

Cloudco Entertainment are celebrating the Care Bears 40th Anniversary and another year of sharing and caring on the brand’s nationally recognized “Share Your Care Day”, a Care Bears-inspired nationally recognized holiday that encourages all Care Bears fans to engage in actions that showcase love, friendship, acceptance, and kindness. Once again, Care Bears will be partnering with Born This Way Foundation to amplify their mission to support youth mental health and work with young people to build a kinder and braver world.

Tonies Teams with Moonbug Entertainment to Introduce CoComelon Characters to the Toniebox

tonies, the company behind the Toniebox, a child’s first screen-free entertainment device designed to promote imagination and learning, and Moonbug Entertainment, the global entertainment company behind the most popular preschool series CoComelon, announced a partnership to bring the world of JJ and all his friends to the Toniebox. The first CoComelon Tonie has officially launched, and will be available wherever Tonies are sold.

Venum & Rovio Team Up to Launch an Exclusive Angry Birds Collection

Venum, the world’s leading manufacturer of combat sports equipment and apparel, have announced its collaboration with Rovio Entertainment Corporation, the creator of Angry Birds, one of the world’s most downloaded mobile games. The collaboration, facilitated by Angry Birds’ global licensing agency IMG, introduces an exclusive line of combat sports and lifestyle products based on the Angry Birds IP.