January 2024 - Page 3 of 10

Mattel Films, ShadowMachine, Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions and Anthony Ramos Break New Ground with Bob the Builder Animated Film

Mattel, Inc (NASDAQ: MAT), ShadowMachine, Nuyorican Productions, and Anthony Ramos announced plans to develop an animated, feature-length film based on Bob the Builder, the long-running and beloved animated children’s series. Imagined as an inventive international story for today’s audiences, the film will star Grammy-winning and Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor and recording artist Anthony Ramos (Hamilton, In the Heights), who also produces alongside Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico of the Academy Award-winning animation and production studio, ShadowMachine (Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, BoJack Horseman). Jennifer Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, and Benny Medina for Nuyorican Productions (The Mother, Shotgun Wedding, Hustlers, Marry Me) have also joined to co-produce. Felipe Vargas (Rosario, Loteria) is attached to write. Bob the Builder is overseen by Kevin McKeon, Ivan Sanchez, and Arturo Thur De Koós for Mattel and Natalie Haack Flores for Nuyorican.

Moose Toys and MrBeast Join Forces for Highly Anticipated New Launch of 2024

Moose Toys, an innovative leader in the toy industry, has announced an exclusive partnership with MrBeast (aka Jimmy Donaldson), avid philanthropist and massive digital creator, to co-create an entirely new brand. Destined to be a category disruptor, this new line for fans and kidults is an enticingly collectible action figure range overlayed with incredible, never-before-seen innovation. The co-created line represents MrBeast’s new line of figural merch and is slated for a Fall ’24 launch. The extensive line is packed with his signature panther character designs that will appeal to fans of all ages.

Littlest Pet Shop Experience on Roblox Smashes Expectations with Over 2 Million Visits in First Month

Littlest Pet Shop (LPS), one of the most well-known collectible toy brands in history, has relaunched globally, with product hitting shelves this month. In anticipation of its retail debut, Littlest Pet Shop is already enchanting fans with over 2 million unique visits of the brand’s new digital experience on the global immersive platform for communication and connection, Roblox. A collaborative project between Master Toy licensee, Basic Fun!, a top global marketer of toys, Hasbro, Inc, a leading toy and game company, and Suit Up Games, a recognized Roblox development studio, the experience is designed to bring the brand’s engaging world of lovable pets to life in the digital realm for today’s kids and kidults alike.

Updated Site Plans Approved for Crayola Experience and NERF Action Xperience in Pigeon Forge,TN

The Pigeon Forge Planning Commission approved the updated façade signage for the development of two renowned family-friendly attractions, Crayola Experience and NERF Action Xperience, set to open at 2046 Parkway in the fall of 2024. These eagerly anticipated additions promise an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages, further solidifying Pigeon Forge as a premier destination for entertainment and family fun.

KIDZ BOP and Live Nation Extend Partnership with Three-Year North American Tour Deal

KIDZ BOP, the #1 kids’ music brand, and Live Nation, announce an extended partnership with a new three-year North American tour deal. As part of the deal, KIDZ BOP is also announcing its all-new tour, KIDZ BOP LIVE 2024. On the heels of last year’s successful 60+ date run and sold out shows across North America, the ultimate pop concert for kids is returning by popular demand to Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, and more. The new deal solidifies KIDZ BOP as a can’t miss annual family concert event. KIDZ BOP partnered with Red Light Management, the largest independent management company in the world, to represent the KIDZ BOP tour. KIDZ BOP LIVE 2024 is sponsored by Spin Master’s new fantasy-adventure children’s series, Unicorn Academy™, streaming now on Netflix. Presales begin Monday, January 22, including Citi and Spotify, with the general onsale starting Friday, January 26. For tour dates and ticket information, visit KIDZBOP.com and LiveNation.com.

CloudCo Entertainment and Sanrio Team Up: Hello Kitty and Friends Embrance the Wonderful World of Care Bears and Care-A-Lot

Care Bears, the cherished and iconic brand under Cloudco Entertainment, celebrated for its message of sharing and caring, has joined forces with the globally renowned lifestyle brand Sanrio and its beloved Hello Kitty and Friends franchise. This enchanting collaboration seamlessly merges the worlds of Hello Kitty and her supercute friends with the heartwarming universe of Care-A-Lot, giving rise to an extraordinary union that will captivate fans of all ages. Launching in early Spring 2024, this special collection marks an exciting crossover between Care Bears and Hello Kitty. Together, they unveil a captivating array of themed items. This magical assortment promotes self-expression, inviting everyone to embrace adventure alongside their treasured Care Bears and Hello Kitty and Friends characters.

People of Play Announces 22nd Annual Line-up of Inventor, Innovation and Playful Events

Gear up for a week of innovation and fun, because People of Play (POP) is announcing a lineup of blockbuster events for both the trade as well as kids and their families this November. POP Week events bring together consumers, families, inventors, manufacturers, retailers, educators, hobbyists, social media influencers and the media – at the beginning of the holiday season – to play, celebrate, discover, support and promote the creation of toys and games.

‘Twilight Daycare: The Show’ Debuts in Roblox with Record Numbers

Wind Sun Sky Entertainment (WSS), the innovative IP animation studio, and Gamefam, the leading metaverse game developer, publisher and strategist, teamed up to produce a genre-defining, immersive scripted comedy series based on the massive hit Roblox experience Twilight Daycare (over 2 billion lifetime visits) – marking the first-ever animated series produced fully in Roblox. Debuting last July during an exclusive 5-day in-game window, Twilight Daycare: The Show debuted centered around a first-of-its-kind interactive roleplay experience. engaging 1.6 million viewers. Based on the overwhelmingly positive response, WSS and Gamefam are releasing five additional episodes of the show, every other week starting on Friday, January 19, 2024.

Cepia Appoints Josh Ganet as CCO Amid Strategic Expansion

In a strategic move to bolster its leadership team, Cepia Toys, a renowned leader in the toy industry, announces the appointment of Josh Ganet as its new Chief Commercial Officer. This announcement comes shortly after the addition of Leslie Peck as Head of Sales, North America, marking a significant strengthening of the company’s commercial strategy. Ganet’s role will be pivotal in leading global sales and development, particularly as the company gears up for the 15th anniversary relaunch of Zhu Zhu Pets with ‘Zhu Zhu Aquarium’ and the introduction of the highly anticipated ‘Decora Girlz’ line of fashion dolls this spring.