January 2023 - Page 9 of 11

Play-Doh, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Consumer Products Partner to Create Iconic Slime Line

Play-Doh, the trusted #1 brand in arts and crafts, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Consumer Products announce their partnership to create the ultimate and iconic Slime for kids and adults. Have the slime of your life with the satisfying sensory experiences of the 2023 product line up including a variety of slime textures, big volume, and customizing kits. Products will be available on January 1, 2023, at most major retailers with prices ranging from $5.99 – $24.99 USD, with the line-up expected to launch in the US, Canada, and Latin America.

Chefclub Acquires Five New Toy Distribution Partners

Chefclub, Europe’s leading food-themed content studio is delighted to announce five new toy distribution partners in the form of White Knight Toys (USA), Autruche (Canada), Hutter Trade (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), JPM Toys (Benelux), and CMC (the Middle East). The companies will be the exclusive domestic agents for Chefclub’s unique line of kids cooking utensils entirely designed to give children independence in the kitchen.

Tomeka Purcell Creates ‘Morgan’ Doll Line and Book Series to Improve Financial Literacy in African American Communities

The disparity in financial literacy is greatest among African Americans. According to the 2022 TIAA Institute-GFLEC Personal Finance Index, African Americans answered 37% of the study’s financial literacy questions correctly, whereas White Americans answered 55% percent of questions correctly. To help change this, Tomeka Purcell created a book series and corresponding dolls to help educate, entertain, and inspire children.

WHP Global and American Dream Set to Mark the US Return of Babies”R”Us with First Flagship Store

WHP Global, a leading brand management firm and owner of Babies”R”Us, announced an exciting new partnership with premiere shopping and entertainment destination American Dream in Bergen County, New Jersey, to bring the beloved Babies”R”Us brand back to customers in the United States with the debut of its first flagship store, which is scheduled to open this summer.

Schleich Announces Global Sustainability Initiative

schleich, a leading international toy manufacturer and supplier of realistic animal figures, has announced a new global initiative with the goal of producing figurines and playsets that are made exclusively of sustainable materials by 2027. To ensure resources are used for as long as possible, schleich is optimizing and certifying all products and packaging in accordance with the Cradle to Cradle sustainability principle through a close collaboration with the renowned consultancy institute and innovation partner EPEA GmbH.

Ravensburger AG Stephane Madi Filip Francke

Ravensburger AG Expands Executive Bench Strength with Filip Francke and Stephane Madi in New Positions

Ravensburger AG, one of the world’s leading makers of toys, puzzles, and games, has announced an expansion to their executive structure. Filip Francke will lead the company’s rapidly growing gaming division as Global Head of Games. His role within Ravensburger AG will expand to focus on all the company’s gaming ventures, including the company’s highly anticipated entry into the billion-dollar trading card game (TCG) market later this year with Disney Lorcana. Concurrently, Stephane Madi, formerly Head of Ravensburger Canada, has been named as CEO of Ravensburger North America, where he will oversee the company’s portfolio and operations in the United States and Canada.

Spin Master to Acquire the HEXBUG Brand and Portfolio of Creative Robotic Technology

Spin Master Corporation, a leading global children’s entertainment company, announced it has reached an agreement to acquire the HEXBUG brand of toys from award-winning toy company, Innovation First International, Inc. First entering the market in 2007, HEXBUG products feature robotic technology with ingenious movement inspired by nature, giving kids a whimsical and imaginative play experience. HEXBUG products appeal to kids’ innate love for remote control and fast-moving creatures that exhibit fascinating life-like behavior. With over 100 different toys that range from buildable playsets to battling robots, HEXBUG products bring fun and excitement to robotics and foster children’s creativity to fuel hours of imaginative playtime.

Super Impulse Brings Fans the “Mashup” They’ve Been Looking For With Poptaters!

Super Impulse, makers of World’s Smallest and the leader in miniature toys and collectibles, creates the ultimate fan mashup by combining the iconic Potato Head from Hasbro with a series of pop culture classics, to create hilarious, fun collectibles called Poptaters. Fans can get their hands on four “mashed” potatoes: KISS Gene Simmons, Transformers Optimus Prime, Bob Ross, and Garbage Pail Kid (GPK) Adam Bomb! Each Poptater includes an authentic Potato Head featuring interchangeable facial and body parts, including one surprise original piece!

Toonz Media Group and ELE Animations Join Forces on Spooky Chase Comedy “Drac and Skeletons”

Global kids and family entertainment major Toonz Media Group has partnered with India’s ELE Animations Pvt Ltd to co-produce Drac and Skeletons, both companies said in a joint statement. Developed and owned by Toonz and ELE, it has an international appeal for kids 4 to 7 years old. The spooky chase comedy series will be produced into a 78×7” animated series in 2D Digital format in two versions— International version in English and Indian version in Hindi.