Tagie Awards Logo 2023 Nominations Voting Winners 2024 Lifetime
Events News
Nominations for the 2023 Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards are Open!

Now entering its 16th year, the TAGIE Awards, presented by People of Play (POP), will once again honor the best and brightest innovators, designers, retailers, suppliers, PR and marketers in the toy and game industry for 2023. Each year, the TAGIEs bring together the many communities that make up the larger industry of play, including professionals and fans from all over the world. The TAGIEs are part of POP Week. This important recognition, honoring contribution, innovation, and spirit of community is the very heart of POP.

Super Mario Bros Movie JAKKS Figures
Licensing News
JAKKS Pacific Unveils Exciting New Bowser and Donkey Kong Toys Inspired by Nintendo + Illumination’s the Super Mario Bros Movie

JAKKS Pacific, Inc is excited to announce new officially licensed toys inspired by The Super Mario Bros Movie are coming soon to retailers in North America, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa. JAKKS is excited to introduce Wave 2 of The Super Mario Bros. Movie 5” Figure Series (pictured above)! This collection showcases iconic characters Tanooki Mario, Kamek, Peach and Cat Mario. Each figure is crafted with premium details, lifelike acrylic eyes and boasts impressive articulation with 8-16 points of movement. Every character comes with its own movie-specific accessory! Each figure is sold separately at $19.99. Available at Target in the US and other retailers globally starting in July.

Justice League dark
News
Cryptozoic, Warner Bros Discovery, and DC Announce Kickstarter for DC Deck-Building Game: Justice League Dark

Cryptozoic Entertainment, leading creator of tabletop games, trading cards, and collectibles, in collaboration with Warner Bros Discovery Global Consumer Products and DC, today announced the launch of the Kickstarter campaign for DC Deck-Building Game: Justice League Dark. Following last year’s successful DC Deck-Building Game 10th Anniversary Kickstarter, which earned over $1 million, this new campaign features the latest major release in the popular series: a base set based on DC’s Justice League Dark comic books. In addition, fans can pledge for DC Deck-Building Game: Rivals – Shazam! vs. Black Adam, a two-player title featuring the iconic rivals. There are also several additional items and exclusives for fans to preorder, including two expansions for DC Deck-Building Game: Rebirth, an expansion based on the Legion of Doom, playmats, and card sleeves.

Plan Toys Astra
News
PlanToys Named Winner of the 2023 ASTRA Excellence Awards for Manufacturer of the Year

ASTRA, American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, announced that PlanToys, the global leader in sustainable toy manufacturing, has been named the winner of the 2023 ASTRA Excellence Awards for Manufacturer of the Year. The award program is the only one designed to recognize and honor outstanding contributions made by members of the specialty toy industry. 

OOLY Kids for Peace
News
Create Kindness! OOLY and Kids For Peace Join Forces

OOLY, the whimsical and colorful arts, crafts and school supply brand, introduces their partnership with global non-profit, Kids For Peace. Together, this dynamic duo is on a mission to create a world where kids are free to explore their imaginations, express their feelings, and spread positivity wherever they go. The partnership includes the launch of OOLY’s Create Kindness Packs, fun and educational art supply kits packed with a variety of colorful tools for children to create, which will be available July 2023. At its core, OOLY and Kids for Peace make a positively uplifting duo for creativity and kindness. By encouraging kids to use their imaginations to promote inclusivity, kindness, and positivity, OOLY and Kids For Peace are inspiring and empowering a new generation of peace builders. 

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Lovevery
Licensing News
Fred Rogers Productions and Lovevery Collaborate on ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood’ Digital Content Sponsorship

 Fred Rogers Productions has secured a sponsorship agreement for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood with Lovevery, the global childhood development brand supporting families with their subscription early learning program. The deal marks a first-of-its kind, digital-only sponsorship for the iconic children’s media organization trusted for its content geared toward inspiring a lifetime of learning. The collaboration will include custom-branded Lovevery pre-roll (video) that will precede the fan favorite series on PBS KIDS streaming platforms, including the pbskids.org video player and the free PBS KIDS Video app, as well as recognition on the PBS KIDS YouTube channel, beginning July 2023.

Sesame Street Bulldog
Licensing News
Bulldog Announces New Deals for Sesame Street’s Grown-up Fans

Bulldog Licensing, the leading licensing agency, which represents Sesame Street in the UK on behalf of non-profit organization Sesame Workshop, has announced the imminent arrival at retail of two new ranges to build on the brand’s significant presence across UK retail and which underline the enormous appeal of the brand to the fast-growing adult market. TruffleShuffle, a leading name in exclusive retro t-shirts, men’s, women’s and unisex clothing, cool gifts and accessories, and Pawprint Family, which supplies patches and pins of fan-favorite characters, have both announced new Sesame Street collections for adults.

Schylling Logo
News You're Hired
Schylling Inc Appoints Vincent Santore as its Newest SVP of Sales

Schylling Inc is pleased to announce the appointment of toy industry veteran, Vincent Santore, as the company’s Senior Vice President of Sales. As an established leader of sales, Santore brings over 32 years of experience, rooted in his focus on transformational growth and forward-thinking management.  In his new role, Santore will work closely with the organization and its stakeholders to embolden its sales team’s direction and continued team development, while pursuing compelling new business opportunities and strategic partnerships on behalf of Schylling Inc. and its roster of acclaimed brands. 

Playview Chiz Six
Licensing News
Playview Selects ChizSix to Help Keep All Future Possibilities of Play in Sight

Playview Brands, a leading toy company with a keen eye for the future of fun, is broadening its vision with an array of brands and licenses, including leading properties NERF, Minecraft, and the upcoming one-of-a-kind service, MyHeroMail. Playview has proudly selected ChizSix Marketing & Media as its Agency of Record (AOR) to ensure its ever-growing portfolio stays in the foreground.  Playview Brands has prided itself on giving children of all ages the pieces for limitless fun with their BUNKR Battlezones brand, which transforms NERF-play by allowing blaster fans to customize their very own battlefield, KI Puzzles, and Enigma Art Puzzles. Expanding their vision with new brands and licenses this year, Playview has tapped ChizSix to help unveil what’s coming next down the pipeline.