2024 - aNb Media, Inc.

Ultra Pro Welcomes Tabletop Games Industry Veteran Richard Dracass as New Director of Entertainment

Ultra PRO International LLC (“Ultra PRO”), a leading designer and manufacturer of top-quality products since 1952, is proud to welcome gaming industry veteran Richard Dracass to the team as its new Director of Entertainment. With over 20 years of experience in the gaming industry spanning all levels of the supply chain, Dracass brings a wealth of expertise in brand leadership, innovative marketing strategies and community engagement. In his new role, Dracass will drive business development and growth strategies for Ultra PRO’s entertainment division.

Reminder: Submit Your Nominations for the 2025 Toy Industry Hall of Fame

The deadline is approaching for the toy community to submit their nominations for the 2025 Toy Industry Hall of Fame, the highest honor bestowed upon individuals in the industry. Nominations may be submitted online through Friday, June 7. Consideration for the Hall of Fame is open to living individuals who have made outstanding contributions and/or provided impactful service to the toy industry and The Toy Association throughout their careers. Candidates may be nominated by any stakeholder in the toy industry (Toy Association membership is not required); however, voting to select the 2025 inductees is restricted to members only. Detailed nomination criteria and information about the selection process is available here.

PBS KIDS New Summer Content Begins Rolling Out June 3

Summer is just around the corner and PBS KIDS is heating up with a fresh batch of brand-new content for kids and families! From fresh episodes of fan favorites Work It Out Wombats! and Lyla In The Loop, plus a can’t-miss Juneteenth-themed episode of the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy-nominated Molly of Denali, and so much more.

Major Stores and Top Buying Groups are Heading to Dallas Market Center for June Markets

Many of the top multi-location retailers and buying groups, representing billions of dollars in purchasing power, will attend the June Markets in Dallas including Apparel & Accessories (June 11-14), Total Home & Gift Market (June 19-25), and Lightovation (June 19-22). Retailers and buying groups are coming to Dallas Market Center to discover the newest items across gift, home, lighting, apparel, and accessories from permanent and temporary exhibitors.

New Jumbo Plush Promises Big Fun at Douglas

Go big or go home when it comes to plush at Douglas Company! The plush toy maker and lifestyle gift creator is adding Jumbo plush to its lineup! Talk about a full wrap around hug, these beauties are big on cuddle time. Designed for ages 3 and up, Douglas’ newest Jumbo Animals will hit store shelves in early September. Douglas products are sold at specialty gift and toy stores in the USA and Canada.

Entry Deadline Extended for The Licensing Awards 2024

The deadline for entries into The Licensing Awards 2024 has been extended to Thursday 6 June. The decision to extend the deadline came about after several requests from companies for more time following last week’s Licensing Expo. There will be no further extensions. All of the award categories – including those for licensed products, licensed properties, retail, marketing, honorary achievement, plus the awards for sustainability, international retail and licensed live events -can now be entered, for free, via the website.

Crunchyroll And Fall Guys Launch Adorable ‘Bananya’ Collab

Crunchyroll is going bananas with a new Bananya collaboration heading to the hit free-to-play battle royale game Fall Guys on May 23. Players can expect a variety of delightfully fun and interactive cosmetics available in the Fall Guys Store, including two Bananya costumes, one celebration as well as one emote, helping fans worldwide customize their Fall Guys experience for maximum cuteness.

Atari Acquires Intellivision Brand

Atari, one of the world’s most iconic consumer brands and interactive entertainment producers, announced that it has purchased the Intellivision brand and certain games from Intellivision Entertainment LLC. Intellivision Entertainment LLC will rebrand and continue its business of developing and distributing the Amico brand game console with a license from Atari to continue to distribute new versions of the Intellivision games on the Amico console. Atari will seek to expand digital and physical distribution of legacy Intellivision games, potentially create new games, and explore brand and licensing opportunities as part of a long-term plan to create value from the Intellivision properties.

Hasbro Launches New Arschmallows Party Card Game 

Hasbro is thrilled to team up with DENKRIESEN to introduce Germany’s breakout marshmallow bottoms-themed game, Arschmallows, to North America! Available on Amazon, this cheeky, new card game features a squishy collection of marshmallow friends that are sure to leave everyone cracking up. Players can combine strategy and memory with toasty marshmallow bottoms for the perfect roast… but be careful not to get burnt!