“Although we have seen activity at retail slowing, our business continued to perform well throughout the third quarter. Retail sell-through at our Top 3 accounts in the US were down low single digits on a year-to-date basis, while our inventory at those accounts is down over 20% year-over-year” said Stephen Berman, CEO of JAKKS Pacific.
Hasbro Entertainment announced that the upcoming FAST channel Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures will launch three original series the week of November 13th on the free ad-supported (FAST) Channel available on Amazon Freevee and Plex with more platforms to be added. Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures will include “Faster, Purple Worm! Kill! Kill!” “Encounter Party,” and “Heroes’ Feast.” Viewers can tune into new episodes for each series twice weekly; see the schedule below. The channel will also run a preview week of legacy Dungeons & Dragons content beginning November 8th.
YuMe Toys (part of Maxx Group), a shining star in the world of toys and collectibles since 2017, is thrilled to announce the arrival of a marketing maverick, Ryan Kravontka, who takes the helm as Global Marketing Director. With a remarkable career spanning entertainment and media, Ryan is poised to bring a fresh perspective and a wealth of invaluable experience to propel YuMe’s growth well into 2024 and beyond. Ryan Kravontka, formerly the Senior Director of Business Development and Strategy at the prestigious creative agency XX Artists (now part of Media.Monks), is a seasoned expert in crafting innovative solutions and global marketing strategies.
American toy manufacturer Kids Preferred is collaborating with Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, on a new line of infant toys for families. After wrapping up a successful exhibit at NY Toy Fair 2023 last week, Larry Presser, President & Chief Revenue Officer, announced this week the toy and gift manufacturer will create five Sesame Street licensed product lines: Infant Plush, Infant Developmental Toys, Soft Books, Jack in the Boxes and Wooden Toys.
Gamefam, the leading metaverse game developer and strategist, and Spin Master, a leading global children’s entertainment company, and Monster Jam has unveiled their second in-game integration within Gamefam’s ever-popular Car Dealership Tycoon. Back by popular demand, this new in-game integration follows up last year’s Car Dealership Tycoon Monster Jam experience which resulted in 124MM total global engagements and 6.6MM monster trucks unlocked.
Hasbro, Inc, a leading toy and game company, announces that it has renewed its long-standing partnership with TOMY Company, T-Licensing Inc and ADK Emotions NY to launch Beyblade X, the next generation of Beyblade products. Following a July debut in Japan, these much-anticipated Generation 4 products will expand the global launch in Fall 2024, coinciding with the brand’s 25th anniversary.
Cloudco Entertainment, the proud owner of the iconic Care Bears property, and Aquifer, an innovative instant animation technology for brands and IPs, are excited to announce their partnership to launch Care Bears Shoutouts, a heartwarming initiative that offers personalized animated video shorts featuring fan-favorite Care Bears characters. Families and friends will have the opportunity to order personalized video messages from Cheer Bear, Wish Bear, Grumpy Bear, and Tenderheart Bear to celebrate birthdays, milestones, friendships, and other special moments. The product will initially be available on the Care Bears Shoutouts website, and are expanding to major e-commerce platforms later in the year.
Nelvana, a world-leading international producer, distributor and licensor of children’s animated and live action content, and Toikido, a London based entertainment company at the cutting edge of digital design and toys, unleash six new Piñata Smashlings shorts on Nelvana’s ‘Keep it Weird’ YouTube channel which are featured on YouTube Kids home page. Produced by Nelvana, and based on the popular Roblox game, the original shorts immerse kids into the enchanting Piñataverse world ahead of the highly anticipated series in development that was announced earlier this year.
Drumroll please! Prepare to be enchanted, as Tutu Du Monde launches its first-ever collaboration with DreamWorks Animation’s blockbuster musical franchise: Trolls. The Tutu Du Monde X Trolls Band Together collection transports fans to a vibrant world of pure happiness and heartwarming hilarity. This collaboration is a match made in dreamland, where the magic of fashion meets the musical stylings of the Trolls universe, capturing the essence of the Trolls’ glimmeringly effervescent spirit, and infusing it with Tutu Du Monde’s trademark edgy style.