December 2023 - Page 3 of 7

Kenneth Cole Launches Exclusive Collaboration with Sesame Workshop in Support of Mental Health

To close out the brand’s landmark 40th Anniversary year, Kenneth Cole is excited to announce a special collaboration with Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young children and families. Under the overarching concept of “here for you on sunny days, and cloudy ones, too”, the unisex capsule collection for kids and adults embodies the personalities of beloved Sesame Street characters, voicing care for the mental well-being of yourself and others. The hoodies and t-shirts feature classic graphics, supportive phrases, and playful imagery such as “It’s OK to be Grouchy,” “Share Cookies, Share Kindness,” and “Elmo Has Sad Days Too.” The white canvas sneakers are designed by acclaimed footwear designer Alexander John Studios and come in four colorways, each with accents and embellishments tied to Oscar the Grouch (green), Cookie Monster (blue), Elmo (red) and Count von Count (purple).

Heathside Trading to Launch Godzilla Line

Heathside Trading Limited has established an agreement with Toho International Inc to become a licensee for Godzilla. The agreement was brokered by Rocket Licensing and KJG Limited. The Godzilla licensed line, which will launch spring 2024 through selected retail partners, as well as direct-to-consumer through MasterReplicas.com, will include 3D Keychains, Squishes, Mini Stickees and Slime based on the Godzilla library.

Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards (B&LLAs) 2024 Open for Entries

Entries for the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2024 are now officially open – with the event returning to the Royal Lancaster London on Thursday 25 April 2024. Now in its ninth year, the 2024 B&LLAs gives the brand and lifestyle licensing and retail sector an opportunity to be recognized and rewarded separately to the massive character and entertainment licensing sector covered by The Licensing Awards.

Cepia Toys Announces Leslie Peck as New Head of Sales for North America

Cepia Toys, a renowned leader in the toy industry, is excited to welcome Leslie Peck as the new Head of Sales for North America. Peck, with her extensive 15-year background in both retail and manufacturing sectors, is set to bring a wealth of experience and insights to the St. Louis-based company. Starting her career in toy merchandising at Walmart, Leslie Peck has risen through the ranks, holding senior sales positions at Hasbro Toys before her recent tenure in a significant sales leadership role at Moose Toys. Now based in Bentonville, Arkansas, Peck’s role as a mother to three daughters uniquely positions her to understand the evolving consumer trends and preferences in the toy market.

MGA Entertainment Wins at the Cash Register Globally with Fast Selling Toys for Holiday 2023

With only 10 days left before Christmas, MGA Entertainment (MGA), one of the largest and fastest growing privately held toy and entertainment companies in the world, continues its strong position in the global toy market this holiday season. With Rainbow High the top fashion doll around the world and MGA’s Miniverse, the No. 1 item in miscellaneous toys, both in November, according to Circana, the company is expecting to sell out of several items globally prior to Christmas including its L.O.L. Surprise! Magic Flyers, Rainbow High Color & Create dolls, and MGA’s Miniverse Make It Mini Food Holiday Theme Collection. In addition, this week MGA’s Miniverse Make it Mini Food was granted a patent for its “make it” component, protecting the brand from counterfeit versions of the highly popular collectible line.

Kids First Secures New International Broadcasters for Hit Animated Show ‘Hello Kitty: Super Style!’

Paris-based international distributor Kids First has secured a host of new global broadcast partners for Hello Kitty: Super Style!, an original 3D animated children’s program based on Sanrio’s pop culture icon Hello Kitty. Hello Kitty: Super Style! has been picked up by WildBrain TV/ Télémagino (French-speaking Canada); RTVE/Clan (Spain); MBC (Pan Middle East), and ETISALAT /E-Junior (U.A.E.). ABC Frontier in Japan has also secured additional deal with Youku (China).

WildBrain Television Greenlights Season 2 of ‘The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy’

WildBrain Television, one of Canada’s most-loved kids’ and family broadcast networks, has greenlit production on more fabulous fun with season two of the beloved preschool series, The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy. Created and produced by Lopii Productions for kids aged 3-6 and their families, the new season is scheduled to deliver in summer 2024. The series is produced with the financial participation of the Canadian Media Fund Pilot Program for Racialized Communities, as well as the Shaw Rocket Fund. Seasons one and two of The Fabulous Show with Fay and Fluffy are distributed by Sinking Ship Entertainment.

Zigazoo Kids Polls Reveal Their Favorite TOTY Awards Toys Before the Holidays

Zigazoo Kids, the world’s largest social network for kids, has unleashed a playful revolution ahead of the Holidays: kid-polled stats spotlighting their favorite toys among the Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY Awards) finalists! The trailblazing platform leveraged its new market intelligence solution, polling kids on Zigazoo to share their preferences on this year’s standout toys based on TOTY Awards panelist picks for 2023.

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Cra-Z-Art Celebrates 100 Years of its Roseart Brand

Cra-Z-Art, a prime manufacturer in the U.S.A and leader in trendy toy, activity, art and school supply products, is proud to celebrate the 100th year of its RoseArt brand. RoseArt was founded in 1923 by Isador Rosen and eventually led by Lawrence and Jeffrey Rosen, the third generation of the family. The company developed from a small supplier of toys and puzzles to one of America’s largest toy manufacturers. One of the company’s earliest successful products was the “Big Apple” game developed in 1925, propelling the company to new heights. “Popeye Pipe Toss” soon followed, developed in 1931, and became one of the company’s most famous products during this era, selling over one million units. After a near disastrous fire in 1985 that almost destroyed the company, the Rosens rebuilt the company, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, into an empire. An important and celebratory milestone occurred in 2021 when Cra-Z-Art and Chairman Lawrence Rosen purchased RoseArt back from Mattel, reuniting the classic brand with the Rosen family who originally founded the company.