Month: April 2024

JAKKS Pacific, Inc (NASDAQ: JAKK), leading toy and consumer products manufacturer, announces a new partnership with Epic Story Media (Epic) to launch a robust content and licensing program around their new IP, Wild Manes. Wild Manes is a whimsical world of horses, food, friends, flair and fun, galloping onto the scene in Summer 2024. Epic is set to produce and globally distribute the brand’s animated series. The short form series is developed and produced by Epic Story Media, animated with its 2D studio, Loomi Animation. The series has been written by Shelia Rogerson, led by creative producer, Cheryl Hassen and directed by Tahir Rana. Forty fun-filled 5-minute episodes will run on YouTube Kids and other OTT platforms this summer.

Amazon MGM Studios has announced a multifaceted licensing program for the upcoming, post-apocalyptic series, Fallout, which is exclusively premiering on Prime Video on April 11th and is based on the best-selling global video game franchise. Fifteen licensing partners across categories including apparel, accessories, collectibles, beverage, and more are part of the launch for the merchandising program, along with an Amazon storefront where visitors can indulge their Fallout fandom. The robust line-up will help form the foundation for the evolving Fallout franchise where fans of the series can continue to enjoy the characters and storylines once they finish their binge of the initial season. The licensing program is inspired by the new storylines and characters from the upcoming Prime Video series.

MGA Entertainment (MGA), one of the largest and fastest growing privately held toy companies in the world, has announced it is launching a new shopping destination for its brands, The MGA Shop. While MGA products will still be available at major retailers, the new site brings convenience and added benefits to its beloved and award-winning portfolio of brands, including L.O.L. Surprise!, Little Tikes, MGA’s Miniverse, Bratz, Rainbow High. The new site will also offer online-only exclusives and limited-quantity merchandise, early access to the newest products before they hit store shelves, special deals only available on the site, and free shipping for orders $50 or more. MGA is also launching a new MGA Rewards program that gives consumers redeemable for future purchases.

In celebration of National Self-Care Day April 5th, Purpose Toys, the largest African American-owned, internationally distributed, culture-driven toy company in the nation (and leader of Natural Hair texture dolls and accessories for kids), makes wellness and self-care an integral part of play. Naturalistas are the world’s first full line of fashion dolls to honor the culture and nuance of Natural Hair. Carried internationally and across major retail outlets, Naturalistas were created to celebrate children with coily, curly, loc’d, and naturally textured hair.

Hasbro Inc, a leading toy and game company, announced today a special cinema experience to celebrate four decades of the Transformers franchise with Till All Are One: Transformers 40th Anniversary Event. Honoring the brand’s legacy in bringing continuous action and adventure to fans of all ages, the theatrical event will provide limited screenings of episodes from the classic 1984 animated series “The Transformers.” Screenings will be available in select cinemas across the US, UK and Mexico, along with select territories in Europe, Latin America and Asia starting on Wednesday, May 15. Tickets for the Transformers 40th Anniversary Event will go on sale at Transformers40thCinemaEvent.com on Wednesday, April 10 at 9.30am Local Time.

The Pokémon Company International has announced that the original animated series, Pokémon: Path to the Peak, has been nominated for Best Animation (Series & Channels) in the Video category in the prestigious 28th Annual Webby Awards. Pokémon: Path to the Peak follows Ava and her partner Pokémon, Oddish, on their journey to rise to the top of competitive Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) play. Featuring the bestselling Pokémon TCG in a first-of-its-kind way, the series invites viewers to explore the worlds of casual and competitive Pokémon play in a charming, animated format.