November 2022 - Page 9 of 10

Afro Unicorn Selects Just Play as Master Toy Licensee

Leading global toy company Just Play announced a Master Toy licensing agreement for Afro Unicorn, a brand developed by April Showers, because representation matters. Just Play has worldwide rights to manufacture and distribute products inspired by Afro Unicorn including, but not limited to, Dolls, Figures, Playsets, Collectibles, Role Play, Plush, Activities, Novelties, Construction and collaborations with Just Play-owned Shrinky Dinks. Just Play’s Afro Unicorn products will launch at major retailers by Spring 2024.

Preschool Show ‘Dino Ranch’ Expands with Tricero-tastic Publishing from Scholastic

This fall, Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, and Boat Rocker released the fifth and sixth titles in their publishing program based on the entertainment company’s hit preschool series Dino Ranch, where the Wild West meets prehistoric times. Pterodactyl Attack!, a new 8×8 storybook, and a Level 1 reader titled Home on the Ranch became widely available in September and joined four previously published titles, including a Water Wonder novelty book. The Scholastic publishing program is geared to ages 3 to 8, and combines two kid-favorite themes, dinosaurs and cowboys, for sureto-please stories.

Monster Jam Roars onto Roblox Metaverse for the First Time in Partnership with Spin Master and Gamefam

Monster Jam, the most action-packed motorsports experience for families in the world, announced its foray into the metaverse. Alongside Spin Master, a global children’s entertainment company and Monster Jam’s global toy partner, and leading Roblox developer, Gamefam, the larger-than-life Monster Jam brand roared its way into the leading car game on Roblox for a 4-week integration. The campaign first kicked off on October 28, 2022 and garnered more than 9.3MM global engagements in the first weekend. The Monster Jam integration runs until November 28.

Xilam Animation and Youku Journey into New Season of ‘Lupin’s Tales’

Academy Award-nominated French animation studio Xilam Animation is extending its partnership with Youku, the online video and streaming platform of Alibaba Group, for a new season of the popular preschool 2D and 3D animated series Lupin’s Tales. The new series will also be available on France Télévisions (France). Currently in production, the upcoming season of Lupin’s Tales will consist of 78 x 7’ episodes and is set to launch on Youku and France Télévisions in early 2024.

Events News

Marine Toys for Tots Celebrates its 75th Year as it Kicks Off the 2022 Holiday Campaign

Marine Toys for Tots, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s premiere Community Action Program, announces its 75th Anniversary of supporting children in need across the Nation and the kick-off of the Program’s 2022 holiday campaign. The idea of the Marine Toys for Tots Program began in 1947 at the helm of Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks. Major Hendricks’ wife, Diane, was the inspiration behind the Program after she asked Major Hendricks to deliver some handcrafted dolls to an agency that supported children in need. When Major Hendricks reported back to his wife that he could not find an agency for the handcrafted dolls, Diane encouraged her husband to “start one”!

News

IETP Announces Global Ambition to Support 30,000 Children Through 100 Childcare Facilities by the End of 2025

The ICTI Ethical Toy Program (IETP) has announced their global ambition to support 30,000 children through 100 Family-Friendly Spaces by the end of 2025. IETP launched their Family-Friendly Spaces initiative in China in 2016, to support “left behind children”, children whose parents had migrated domestically to major cities for work and were unable to bring them to live with them. It is understood that around 23 million children are separated from their parents in Mainland China. IETP’s independent research shows childcare as one of the leading reasons workers leave their factory jobs; Family-Friendly Spaces are specifically designed to support the childcare needs of working parents; Creating safe, secure, and well-equipped childcare facilities at factories or in the local communities for children to learn and play while their parents focus on work without the worry of childcare.

American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) Celebrates 13th Annual Neighborhood Toy Store Month

During November 2022, hundreds of retailers across the United States will be celebrating Neighborhood Toy Store Month, an expanded version of Neighborhood Toy Store Day. Spearheaded by the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), the month-long event asks shoppers to remember the neighborhood toy stores in their communities as they kick off the holiday shopping season. Aligned with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, participating retailers offer shoppers discounts, special events and hands-on experiences with children’s toys throughout the month.

Harold and Jennifer Chizick Reveal Bold New Venture for 2023: ChizSix Marketing & Media

Harold and Jennifer Chizick proudly announce their exciting new company venture: ChizSix Marketing & Media. ChizSix is a full-service agency that brings a modern and playful approach to integrated brand marketing that resonates with North American families and consumers. This new company signals an evolution for the founders, who have been respected leaders in the marketing and media industry for over 20 years. President and CEO, Harold Chizick is a veteran in the kids and toy sector. He has championed success with leading global organizations and brands through innovative marketing, digital and social media, licensing, and promotional strategies. Jennifer Chizick, Chief Operating Officer, brings a proven track-record as entrepreneur and company leader, including leading the acquisition, growth, and sale of their former company in 2021. Chief Marketing Officer, Talya Gaborieau rounds-out the executive roster with experience in corporate, agency and entrepreneurial ventures spanning various industries, and bringing a strength in data-driven strategies and modern consumer insights.

Monster Jam and Spin Master Set Guinness World Record Title for Largest display of Monster Truck Toys

Monster Jam, the larger-than-life sport that leaves fans on the edge of their seats, has etched itself in the history books yet again alongside leading global children’s entertainment company Spin Master, its global toy partner. Together, the pair set the Guinness World Record for the largest display of monster truck toys, 10,005. Guinness World Records, the global authority in record-breaking, validated the official title at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, October 29, 2022. Following the stunt, all the trucks will be donated to a children’s charity organization.