News

Sweethearts Valentine's
News
Sweethearts Branded Products Sweeten Valentine’s Day Sales

As love filled the air this Valentine’s season, one iconic brand stole the hearts of consumers nationwide. Sweethearts, the original conversation hearts, saw sales of its candy and licensed products win hearts at retail. A beloved Valentine’s staple, 2024 saw the expansion of the Sweethearts licensed program to include kids and adult apparel and accessories, sleepwear, jewelry, beauty, collectibles, plush, toys, gifts, home décor and pet toys with strong retail placement and sell-throughs.

NightBuddies Cuesta Licensing Franco Manufacturing
News
Cuesta Licensing Secures Partnership with Franco Manufacturing for NightBuddies

Cuesta Licensing is thrilled to announce that they have entered into a licensing agreement with Franco Manufacturing, a leading provider of preschool bedding. NightBuddies brand of illumination and heating technologies for children’s products is a match made in heaven to provide children with more comfort. This partnership will allow Napa Valley Toys LLC to incorporate these innovative features into their line of preschool entertainment character bedding, creating an immersive and safe night-time experience for kids.

Star Wars Villainous Revenge at last
News
Ravensburger Announces New ‘Star Wars Villainous: Revenge at Last’ Game

At last we will have revenge. Ravensburger, acclaimed publisher behind award-winning board games and high-quality toys and puzzles, has announced details of its first two-player expandalone in the Star Wars​ ​Villainous​ line: the Star Wars ​Villainous: Revenge at Last ​game. Featuring the ruthlessly ambitious Sith lord Darth Maul and fiercely formidable Commander of the First Order Captain Phasma, Star Wars Villainous: Revenge at Last game will be available for pre-order on June 24, 2024, and on sale ​​​​​​at Target beginning July 21, 2024.

Mix the Magic Bulldog
Licensing News
Innovative Toymaker Moose Toys’ Magic Mixies Retail Phenomenon and Hit Show Attracts Two Additional Licensees Through Bulldog Licensing

Bulldog Licensing, one of the licensing industry’s leading agencies, has announced two new partners for the phenomenally successful Magic Mixies property from innovative toymaker Moose Toys. William Lamb Group, a major name in footwear for over 130 years and an expert in design-to-delivery production, is planning a range of footwear, bags, purses and accessories for the Magic Mixies brand. Launching initially with a retail exclusive bag in spring 2024, the full range of products will be in development later in the year.

Blank Slate
News
Blank Slate Game Wins Circana’s Toy Industry Award

The Op Games has announced its popular title Blank Slate has received Circana’s Toy Industry Award for #1 Selling Toy in the United States in the Family Word/Other Games category. The awards recognize the best-selling and top selling toys, properties, and manufacturers across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Europe, according to Circana’s Retail Tracking Service. “We are honored that Blank Slate is recognized as one of Circana’s top selling games,” said Eric Brendel, VP of Sales at The Op Games. “We recognize our retailer partners who have helped The Op Games reach this great achievement and we also appreciate all the consumers who have played and shared the fun and laughter of playing Blank Slate.”

Peppa Pig duplo lego
Licensing News
New LEGO DUPLO Peppa Pig Sets Revealed

The LEGO Group is thrilled to reveal the brand-new LEGO DUPLO Peppa Pig sets in collaboration with leading toy and game company Hasbro. Inspired by everyone’s favorite pig, toddlers can immerse themselves into the colorful world of Peppa Pig through LEGO DUPLO sets coming this summer. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Peppa Pig and it’s the perfect occasion for the new LEGO DUPLO Peppa Pig sets to spark imagination and inspire fun play opportunities where toddlers can develop their fine motor skills. The new sets combine the building adventure of LEGO DUPLO play with colourful settings, iconic characters, and storytelling from the popular preschool animated series.

Mix n match teenage mutant ninja turtles playmates
News
Playmates Toys’ New Mutations Mix N’ Match Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figures Announced

Playmates Toys revealed a new line of Mutations Mix ‘N Match Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures, designed after the highly-anticipated upcoming Paramount+ animated series Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Taking cues from the series premise that a fearsome new foe emerges in New York City, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles must lend a hand to their allies – literally! These toys enable fans to swap out heads and limbs between each of the collectible figures to create unique mutants. The mutation variations are endless, with hundreds of possible combinations.

WiT Women in Toys Wonder Awards 2024 scholarship
Events News
WiT Wonder Women Awards Moves to Los Angeles in 2024 on Friday, September 13th

Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) is thrilled to announce that the prestigious 2024 Wonder Women Awards Gala will be hosted in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world. Timed to coincide with LA Fall Toy Previews, the Wonder Women Awards celebrates the remarkable achievements of women executives, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who are propelling the toy, consumer products, licensing, and entertainment industries forward.

Gabby's Dollhouse app
Entertainment News
Neon Wild and Universal Join Forces to Let Fans Become Part of Their Own Gabby’s Dollhouse Stories

Neon Wild, in collaboration with Universal Products & Experiences, announced that kids can now join Gabby and her adorable kitty friends from DreamWorks Animation’s hit Netflix series Gabby’s Dollhouse in animated adventure stories for the first time in the easy-to-use story app available on iOS and Android. “Gabby Dollhouse’s focus on building a growth mindset aligns perfectly with our mission to empower any child anywhere in the world to see themselves as a hero,” said Matt Weckel, Neon Wild CEO & Co-Founder. “Being huge fans of the series, we’ve created an experience that speaks directly to core fans who are seeking even more ways to engage with the Gabby Cats.”