February 2024 - Page 3 of 11

Gordon Brothers Commits New Capital to Support KidKraft Liquidity & Exploration of Strategic Alternatives

Gordon Brothers, the global asset experts, has committed new capital to support KidKraft Inc’s liquidity and continued exploration of strategic alternatives. KidKraft will continue to service its supply chain partners as it evaluates strategic alternatives with Gordon Brothers’ financing support. “In supporting a market leader like KidKraft, we were able to provide a fast-moving solution that provided stability to the capital structure,” said Kyle C. Shonak, Senior Managing Director, Transaction Team & Head of North America Lending at Gordon Brothers. “Our patient and flexible capital as business cycles unfold puts us at the forefront of innovation and progress, and our partnership will maximize value for all stakeholders and support the future state of the company.”

High-End Toy Platform MOK Expands into North America Through Partnership with Hollywood Studio

Mokeng (MOK), the pinnacle platform for high-end toys and collectible statues, which leads the collectible market in China, has expanded into North America through a strategic partnership with Hollywood Entertainment studio Stars Collective and Hana Investment, and today launched the much anticipated MOK app on Google Play (MOK) and the App Store (MOK Collectibles). Specializing in creating and producing premium statues inspired by popular anime, comic book, and Hollywood IPs, MOK offers a unique and immersive shopping experience.

Licensing Expo Provides First Glance of Closing Program with Emphasized Focus on ‘Shaping the Future’ of Licensing

Licensing Expo (Mandalay Bay Convention Center, May 21-23, 2024), the world’s leading event dedicated to brand licensing, IP extension, partnerships and collaborations, unveils a first preview of the closing content taking place across this year’s campus and curated impactful agenda for the final day of the show. The final day of Licensing Expo opens with AI Futurist Zack Kass, former Head of Go-to-Market for OpenAI, the developers of the pioneering ChatGPT chatbot and previous advisor of brand giants like Coca-Cola and Morgan Stanley. Kass will keynote on the complexities of artificial intelligence, aiding senior leaders to provide foresight and direction to help organizations adapt and thrive alongside rapid advancements in AI (Thursday, May 23). Featured in outlets like Fortune, AdAge and Entrepreneur, amid a surge of proclaimed AI experts, Kass offers experience and pragmatic insights for major organizations looking to build a brighter future with artificial intelligence.

Events News

ToyFest 2024 Entices Toy Industry Professionals with a Fun and Full Conference

Earlier this year, The Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) announced ToyFest’s plans, Hall of Fame recipients, and its participation at The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, March 3 – 5, 2024. The Board of Directors and Slate of Officers have spent many months making plans and exciting changes for the 2024 show. 2023 was the most well attended ToyFest show in the past two decades. Buyers came from all over the United States and beyond. The response was phenomenal, making the 2024 ToyFest all that more sensational to plan.

Sesame Street Collectibles funko, chia pet, super 7

There’s Something For Everyone in the Newest Wave of Multigenerational Sesame Street Fan Collectibles

Whether a lifelong superfan, an adult nostalgic for the wonder of youth, or a kid at heart falling in love with Sesame Street for the first time, fans of all ages will enjoy the newest collaborations between Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind the iconic show, and innovative pop culture creators specializing in collectibles, accessories, toys, and more. From Funko Pop! to fine art, these noteworthy Sesame Street products offer exciting new ways for fans to engage with the beloved brand.

Moonlite Launches New Single Story Packs for Brick and Mortar Retailers

Can a daily story time build proven and lasting intellectual benefits? Yes, say retailers, when it’s Moonlite, known for sparking the early development of imagination and curiosity as it nurtures a love of reading and art. This month retailers can order eight new Moolite Projector Packs packaged as a single or a trio of bedtime stories for in-store purchase exclusively and not to be sold at mymoonlite.com nor Amazon. They will ship to retailers by August 2024.

Industry Outlook

Understanding the Packaging Landscape

People frequently approach me, perplexed by the lackluster performance of intricately designed packaging that they’ve invested in both financially and emotionally. The confusion deepens when major retailers, including Wal-Mart, Target, Barnes and Noble, and even smaller establishments, request a redesign or reject these visually stunning layouts completely. The underlying reason is straightforward – these designs lean more towards being “coffee table books” rather than effective “consumer packaging.”

Moonbug and IMC Toys Announce Strategic Partnership

Moonbug Entertainment, alongside IMC Toys’ dedicated team, will actively engage in the management of key YouTube channels featuring popular series “Cry Babies Magic Tears,” “BFF by Cry Babies,” and “VIP Pets.” This collaboration goes beyond traditional roles, as Moonbug Entertainment will leverage its expertise in digital content management and provide valuable insights to IMC’s YouTube Team. The alliance will also leverage Moonbug’s expertise securing paid media on Moonbug’s and selected channels across YouTube for key IMC properties.

Heathside Trading Signs License Agreement with MOLANG to Produce Toys, Collectables and Gifts

Heathside Trading Ltd has established an agreement with Millimages to become a licensee for Molang in the UK, Europe and USA. The agreement was brokered by Kirsty Guthrie (KJG Ltd) for bRand-Ward Service. The Molang licensed line, which will launch Q3 2024 through selected retail partners will include a variety of toys, collectables and gifts. With over 7M followers across social media, Molang is an international TV, social media, licensing and merchandising phenomenon. It has had huge exposure and engagement worldwide, with 712m views on YouTube Kids and 18m on the adult YouTube channel. In 2023 alone, Molang gained 821k Tik Tok subscribers and 335k on Instagram.