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Cry Babies Reveals First NA Collaboration with Disney Featuring Favorite Disney Characters

IMC Toys, the company known globally for its Cry Babies line of nurturing dolls that’s been a top seller since 2018, is set to bring some of the most beloved children’s cartoon characters to life with an all-new collaboration. Coming in Spring of 2024, for the first time, top drivers in the baby dolls category will be given a magical makeover as the dolls will be dressed up in all new outfits as Disney inspired characters. Cry Babies Tiny Cuddles will feature Disney’s Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Stitch, Daisy Duck and Winnie the Pooh pajamas.

Sugarfina Makes Childhood Dreams Come True with Candy Land Collaboration

Luxury candy brand, Sugarfina, has collaborated with Hasbro, a leading toy and game company, to make a sweet new version of the iconic Candy Land board game. Complete with gourmet candies from the fancy candy maker, the Candy Land x Sugarfina Candy Board Game is a keepsake collector’s item you’ll enjoy long after the candy is gone. The exclusive release features the Candy Land x Sugarfina Candy Board Game, a limited-edition game board filled with playing cards, game pieces, and of course, candy!

Events News

People of Play Announce Winners of the 2023 Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards

Almost 350 attendees from 20 countries gathered to honor the winners of People of Play (POP)’s 2023 Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards . Sponsors included Disney, Oxford Games, Mattel, The Michael Kohner Corporation, Hasbro, Longshore, Spin Master, ASTRA, Nextoy, Super Impulse, Backdrop.com, Baby Paper, Jazwares, Peggy Brown Creative and Barry & Jason Entertainment. Jill Barad, former CEO and Chairman of Mattel, and Rouben Terzian, Co-Founder of BMT Big Monster Toy were honored for Lifetime Achievement Award – presented by Jeffrey Breslow, co-founder BMT.

Etta Loves x Keith Haring Launches New Sensory Collection for Babies and Toddlers

The Etta Loves x Keith Haring Bath Toy Collection merges the joyful, energetic art of Keith Haring with Etta Loves’ expertise in creating products that engage and delight babies and toddlers. The three bath toys in the collection are meticulously crafted to be safe, soft, and visually stimulating, ensuring that every bath time becomes an educational and sensory experience for children. The bath toys focus on Haring’s iconic Baby, Dog and Heart artworks and come in a beautiful, co-branded box. Babies’ will love the look and feel of the natural rubber, and they’re as good for chewing as they are for water play. They can also be used for teething purposes as they are 100% natural rubber and hole free.

Wild Child Animation Appoints Joyce Miller as Consultant Advisor

Leading independent animation studio Wild Child Animation is further expanding its business and slate of IP, appointing production executive and animation producer Joyce Miller as Consultant Advisor. Joyce is working alongside Wild Child’s Co-founders Sueann Rochester and Ken Anderson and the executive team on business development (primarily US/North American focused) as well as using her experience as a producer and senior production executive to refine Wild Child’s production process. She will also be working with Wild Child’s Head of Development Martha MacDiarmid, on the development slate, forging relationships with co-production partners and broadcasters internationally.

FAO Schwarz Dazzles and Delights with Exclusive In-Store Experiences for Holiday Shoppers

FAO Schwarz, New York City’s most iconic toy store, unveils their dazzling holiday happenings, inspiring families and kids of all ages to embrace the wonder and awe of the holiday season. Surrounded by the festive Rockefeller Center, FAO Schwarz plays host to the ultimate holiday shopping destination, where shopping is actually full of fun and play! Unwrapping the magic of the holiday season, FAO Schwarz is packed with one-of-a-kind customer experiences, making a visit to the Rockefeller Center flagship store a must-do holiday tradition.

News You're Hired

StickTogether Names Bill Benda as Its New Consumer National Sales Manager

StickTogether Products has named toy industry veteran Bill Benda as its new consumer national sales manager. In this role, Benda will help grow the footprint of the company’s recently-launched Puzzle Face in brick-and-mortar and online stores nationwide. The one-of-kind Puzzle Face innovation allows young and old alike to create an unlimited number of different faces – their face, a friend’s face, a famous face from history – all with one 300-piece puzzle that can be assembled and reassembled again and again. “Puzzle Face is truly a remarkable – and magical – innovation that makes an ideal gift for any home, classroom, or office,” said Sylvia Stein, president of StickTogether Products. “As we work to bring Puzzle Face to more stores and consumers nationwide, we know that Bill’s leadership and experience in the industry will be invaluable. We are thrilled to have him join our team.”

News

ZipString Now Available at Over 4,000 Walmart Stores

Following its successful debut at Toy Fair, ZipString (www.zipstring.com) has now gone from startup to upstart to industry player with its viral hit product now being sold at over 4000 Walmart stores across the country. “Less than two years ago, we turned an idea, starting in my Dad’s basement, to a Shark Tank appearance, to hand-building and shipping thousands of units to our growing army of fans,” noted co-founders Austin Hillam and Stephen Fazio, “all of which attracted the attention of the legendary Dude Perfect group, leading to a national stage tour and viral video sensation with millions of hits.”

Toy Safety Awareness Month Kicks Off

Toy Safety Awareness Month has kicked off, with the goal of helping parents, grandparents, and other caregivers keep little ones safe this holiday season. From the importance of avoiding recalled and counterfeit products, to advice for keeping kids safe when playing with Internet-connected toys, families are being advised of some simple steps they can take to ensure children’s safety. Toy Safety Awareness Month takes place each November and is sponsored by PlaySafe.org, The Toy Association’s trusted safety resource for parents. “Play is our business – and keeping kids safe while they play is the number one priority for The Toy Association and our members all year long,” said Joan Lawrence, The Toy Association’s “Toy Safety Mom” and senior vice president of standards and regulatory affairs. “With the holidays around the corner, toys are top-of-mind for many families, which makes it the perfect opportunity to remind consumers about how to choose safe and appropriate toys and ensure a child’s safety once the gifts are unwrapped.”