Global Merchandising Services, an independently owned and operated award-winning music, celebrity, and lifestyle merchandising company with offices in London and Los Angeles, is expanding its team with the appointment of former Universal Music Group’s Epic Rights/Bravado executive Lisa Streff as SVP of Licensing & Brand Development for North America.
Leading premium children’s apparel brand, Hanna Andersson, has announced that Mike Frazzini, who previously served as Technology Chief of Staff for leading floral and gift marketplace FTD, has joined the company as Chief Technology Officer. Frazzini will spearhead all technological advancements as the company continues to grow over the next several years.
The Toy Association Inc, the business trade association representing a wide array of manufacturers, retailers, licensors, and others involved in the youth entertainment industry, announced that Greg Ahearn will join as President & CEO on June 1. Ahearn will be responsible for leading the next chapter of the Association as it continues to evolve and best serve its close to 900 members, as well as the needs of the entire industry. He will have oversight of the key objectives, which include industry trade shows and events, regulatory affairs and representation, toy safety and ethics initiatives, member education, as well as consumer outreach to champion the importance of play. The role also extends to partnership with The Toy Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the organization.
Old World Christmas, the premier brand of Christmas ornaments in the country, has announced multiple new licensing partnerships for the creation of blown glass ornaments. The Beach Boys, Pink Floyd, The Who, Polaroid, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and Elf on the Shelf will each have a line of delicately hand-painted, hand-glittered ornaments created to capture the spirit of the brands to be released in 2025. “Whether it’s the concert you saw, the toy your child played with that year or the music that brought family together, memories are being captured through our ornaments,” said Neal Applefeld, President & CEO, Old World Christmas. “Continuing to add to our licensing portfolio allows us to continue to bring those memories to life so that people have the best Christmas tree every year.
Toikido, is thrilled to be teaming up with UEFA to bring the excitement of UEFA Euro 2024 to its popular Roblox game, Piñata Smashlings. The collaboration introduces official mascot Albärt and the Euro 2024 Football Island to the incredible world of Piñata Smashlings as a special event from May 15th through to July 14th, offering an immersive stadium experience filled with football-themed games, piñatas, treasures and the chance to level up and earn in-game currency.
A coalition group organized by the California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber), of which The Toy Association is a member, submitted comments to the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) regarding California’s SB 54, the largest comprehensive packaging EPR (extended producer responsibility) program in the country. As part of the coalition, the Association is providing the toy industry’s perspective throughout the rulemaking process for the proposal.
Ferrero North America brands Keebler and Kinder Joy are celebrating the theatrical release of Illumination’s bold new chapter of Gru and the Minions mayhem, Despicable Me 4, with two limited-edition products, Keebler Despicable Me 4 Rocky Road Fudge Stripes and Kinder Joy Despicable Me 4 Eggs. Beginning May 1, fans everywhere can shop these limited-edition products at retailers nationwide. Illumination’s Despicable Me 4 arrives in theaters everywhere July 3, 2024.
The Lumistella Company, home to the world’s most beloved Christmas brands, will showcase its new Santaverse—the enchanted world of Santa Claus—at this year’s Licensing Expo (May 21st—23rd, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas). The company will unveil new characters, exciting releases including a family cookbook, a middle-grades novel featuring the origin story of Santa, new offerings in the digital gaming space, and a preview of its 20th Anniversary initiatives for its premier brand, The Elf on the Shelf in 2025.
Heathside Trading Ltd has entered into a Licensing Agreement with Ubisoft to develop, market and sell officially a range of blind packed licensed Rabbids toys and collectibles through selected retail partners. The agreement was brokered by Kirsty Guthrie (KJG Ltd) for Heathside Ltd and Tinderbox, the specialist digital division of Beanstalk. The Rabbids are a mysterious breed of whacky creatures that seek constant fun throughout different worlds and dimensions. They are playful, curious, cheeky and unpredictable. Rabbids love their freedom, making creative inventions and doing unexpected antics wherever their chaotic path leads them.