May 2024 - Page 3 of 15 - aNb Media, Inc.

Nex Expands Leadership Team and Advisory Board to Focus on Retail Growth and Brand Partnerships

Nex, the motion technology company behind the award-winning active play system, Nex Playground, announced the growth of its leadership team and advisory board, appointing Tom Kang as President and Stephen Saiz as Vice President of Publishing. Tom joins Nex after leading Immersive Commerce at Walmart as Vice President, General Manager and Officer. Prior to that, Tom held senior leadership positions at Amazon Games, Amazon Web Services and Disney Interactive, as well as multiple startups as CEO. At Nex, Tom will oversee strategy, finance, corporate and business development, and international expansion. As the former Head of Publishing at Walmart and the Head of Growth and Partnerships at Amazon Games, Stephen will oversee all of Nex’s publishing and go-to-market (GTM) efforts.

Events News

Friendly Unofficial Networking (F.U.N.) Events Boasts More Fun Events for Las Vegas Licensing Expo 2024

Once again, Friendly Unofficial Networking (F.U.N.) launched a series of informal networking events in Las Vegas to complement the Licensing Expo 2024 trade show. The week of Licensing Expo 2024 F.U.N. events kicked off on Sunday Night, May 19, at The Golden Tiki for a F.U.N. Tiki Night sponsored by GeekiTikis. The evening included unique tropical drink specials, themed drinkware, and a tiki mug raffle.

Jada Toys Takes the Lead as Title Sponsor at 2024 Los Angeles Fuelfest

Jada Toys, renowned worldwide for its meticulously crafted die-cast collectibles, proudly presents FuelFest, on June 1st in Los Angeles, California, at Irwindale Speedway. This partnership marks a significant milestone as Jada Toys steps in as the official title sponsor of this iconic event for the very first time. Featuring live performances by acclaimed rapper Xzibit, FuelFest promises an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

Little Grubbers Debuts the Holy Grail of Spoons – A Revolutionary 3-in-1 Tool

Mealtime mayhem is a thing of the past with the arrival of the Little Grubbers spoon, a revolutionary 3-in-1 feeding tool designed to empower babies and bring the joy back to mealtimes for parents. This innovative product, developed by a Pediatric Feeding Specialist and Occupational Therapist with a passion for child development, is poised to become an essential weapon in every parent’s mealtime arsenal.

New Board Game Partner and TV Reboot in the Works for Beloved 80’s Game Show ‘Talk About’

Breaking news ahead of National Game Show Day from the inaugural Quiz Show Expo is that the beloved 80’s and 90’s hit family game show ‘Talk About’, created by multi-Emmy-nominated game show phenom, Mark Maxwell-Smith, is readying a worldwide comeback. Maxwell-Smith announces a new Board Game Partner and plans for a TV Show relaunch. While details of a new Talk About TV Game Show Reboot are still under wraps, Maxwell-Smith has signed a comprehensive licensing agreement with Toyetic Brands, founded by longtime Toy Industry and Tabletop Game innovator, Dan Rowen, to develop an extensive line of party games based on the Talk About property. The Talk About deal, which includes board games, card games and mobile game apps, was negotiated by global licensing agent Genna Rosenberg from GennComm ImaGENNation.

First Touring Interactive Minecraft Experience Set to Open in Dallas September 20, 2024

Block your calendars! For the first time ever, the Minecraft community will have their chance to experience a real-world, immersive, interactive Minecraft adventure. To celebrate Minecraft’s 15th anniversary, Experience MOD and Mojang Studios announced Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue,which is set to debut in Dallas on September 20, 2024, giving longtime Minecrafters, players and non-players alike, and families of all ages their first chance to be heroes in a real-life, in-person Minecraft quest. Dallas is just the first stop; Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue will tour to additional cities around the world to be announced at a later date.

News

The Toy Association Advocates for Uniform Packaging Regulations in California

The Toy Association’s Erin Raden, senior director of state government affairs, met with legislators and other stakeholders in Sacramento in support of the Association’s advocacy and regulatory work on several priorities, including extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs and emerging packaging policies. The meetings were part of Ameripen’s Legislative Fly-In, which took place May 13 to 15.

Character Arts and Ruz USA to Release All-New Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Plush Collection

Character Arts, LLC, the exclusive licensor for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and all of the iconic characters from the beloved television special of the same name, announced that it has entered into an expanded licensing partnership with Ruz USA. Under the new agreement, Ruz, a Rudolph licensee since 2016 for a broad variety of consumer products that was expanded to include ornaments in 2022, will create and distribute a brand-new range of Rudolph plush products set to hit shelves for the 2025 holiday season, including standard and animatronic plush.

Spin Master Launches Punirunes, An Unexpectedly Squishy Digital Pet

Spin Master Corp, a leading global children’s entertainment company, unveils today plans to distribute Punirunes, a squishy digital pet that has captivated fans of Japanese anime culture. First brought to market in 2021 by Japanese toy company Takara Tomy, Spin Master will expand distribution to more global markets as fervent fandom brings anime culture to the forefront.