Disguise, Inc, world leader in costume design and manufacturing, has announced a new multi-year contract with MGA Entertainment (MGA), one of the largest and fastest growing toy and entertainment companies in the world, to design, manufacture and distribute costumes and dress up accessories across the globe for MGA’s hottest brands including L.O.L. Surprise!, Rainbow High, Little Tikes, and Bratz.
WHP Global, the parent company of Toys”R”Us, announced a new partnership with leading travel retailer Duty Free Americas to open the first-ever Toys”R”Us airport store at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), the world’s second busiest airport. The Toys”R”Us store will be located in Terminal A, and is slated to open in time for Holiday 2023. Rendering of Toys”R”Us Airport Store coming to Terminal A at Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport. “We are excited that WHP Global selected us to introduce a new retail concept to the travel industry,” said Jerome Falic, CEO of Duty Free Americas. “Toys”R”Us is a globally recognized brand beloved by millions of families, and we are confident that the store at DFW will become a must-visit destination for travelers.”
Tamagotchi is coming to the Las Vegas Licensing Expo from May 23-25, 2023, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV and has big plans to expand the franchise in the North American market even further, allowing fans to engage with the Tamagotchi brand like never before. With over $90 million in sales worldwide, Tamagotchi is a globally loved and recognized brand with fans all over the world and will now be bringing the brand to excited fans in new product categories across apparel, accessories, stationery, food and more.
Fast-growing entertainment company Toikido announced the appointment of industry veteran Darryl Lai as its new Managing Director for the Americas. This strategic move establishes Toikido USA. Lai will report to Will Ochoa, the company’s Chief Commercial Officer. Founded in 2020, London-based Toikido has experienced rapid success since its inception, already selling nearly 20 million products, across 75 countries in more than 100,000 stores.
People of Play, the visionary force behind premier toy and game industry events, curator of the dynamic POP platform, and trusted purveyor of industry news through the esteemed Bloom Report, proudly announces the appointment of Jenna Stirling as Executive Director. “Jenna is like that mythical unicorn on our team, with a treasure trove of experience in the toy industry and a mind bursting with ideas,” said Mary Couzin, the president of Chicago Toy and Game Group dba POP. “We are fortunate to be bringing her on board as we continue to rock our events, level up the POP platform, ignite sparks with Play in Education initiatives, and be the biggest cheerleaders for every tribe in the toy and game industry. It’s all about building an amazing community, making connections, and unleashing the incredible power of play!”
ICTI Ethical Toy Program (IETP) proudly unveils plans to support 30,000 children by expanding its Family-Friendly Factory program (FFF) outside of China for the first time. Having secured funding from key partners, the FFF program prepares for operations to begin in Vietnam later this year and Mexico in 2024. IETP is now inviting more brands to assist with funding or knowledge partnerships. The Family-Friendly Spaces (FFS) program was originally launched in China in 2016, to support ‘left behind children’ – children whose parents migrate domestically to major cities for work but are unable to bring their children to live with them. In China, there are an estimated 31 million ‘left behind children’.
WildBrain Ltd (“WildBrain” or the “Company”) (TSX: WILD), a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, has promoted Josh Scherba to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer. Scherba has also been appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors. Under the Company’s succession plan, Scherba replaces Eric Ellenbogen who has stepped down as CEO and Vice Chair. Additionally, Jim Fielding, Chief Marketing and Brands Officer, has been appointed as Strategic Advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors.
KIDZ BOP, the #1 music brand for kids, has teamed up with Audible, the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, to develop the brand’s first-ever original audio series, KIDZ BOP Never Stop: The Tour Bus Adventures. All eight-episodes will be available exclusively on Audible beginning May 25, 2023. In KIDZ BOP Never Stop: The Tour Bus Adventures, you’ll meet Giavanni, Cami, Egan, and Knowledge from The KIDZ BOP Kids. They take listeners along for their musical adventures, including a battle-of-the-bands competition on a cruise ship and an epic surprise party. In between their live performances and crazy road trips, these kids experience tough moments too. Each episode is inspired by an original KIDZ BOP song and includes an exciting dance break to sing and dance along.
ABC Kids Expo, the organizers of North America’s premier juvenile products gathering, just wrapped their 2023 show in Las Vegas, where thousands of new products from strollers to car seats to items you didn’t know you needed, but now after seeing them, can’t live without, were featured. The ABC Kids Expo team scoured the floor to find the top trends in the industry. “The innovation level of our industry is at an all time high,” said Aaron Pederson, President, All Baby & Child, ABC Kids Expo. “From the materials being used to new spins on classic products to tech forward solutions, we’re seeing companies, both big and small, really developing products that are going to be a huge asset to both parents and kids alike. It’s an exciting time in the industry and we can’t wait to see what comes next.”