King Features Syndicate, a unit of Hearst and home to some of the world’s most popular entertainment characters, has promoted Carla Silva to Senior Vice President, General Manager, and Head of Global Licensing. Silva, a seasoned veteran in the consumer products licensing industry and an expert in brand development, brings over two decades of invaluable experience and expertise into her expanded role.
The Toy Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Toy Association, is proud to announce $380,000 has been awarded to 20 children’s hospitals and health systems that serve under-resourced communities, as part of its 2024 Childrens Hospital Play Grants program. More than 240,000 children in need will benefit from this initiative, which funds innovative play therapy projects proven to significantly improve care, wellbeing, and treatment outcomes of hospitalized children.
Squishier things are coming! Jazwares, one of the world’s leading toy companies, has announced a Squishmallows x Stranger Things collaboration based on the original series blockbuster from Netflix. Announced as part of Jazwares’ Squishmallows Day celebrations, the collection is set to begin rolling out globally in summer 2024. Leveraging Squishmallows’ signature soft and vibrant styles, the Squishmallows x Stranger Things squad will build on each brand’s pop culture appeal for the ultimate sci-fi collaboration. Ranging from 3.5 inches to 10 inches in size, beloved characters from the show will soon be available as ultra-soft Squishmallows. The anticipated squad will be released in celebration of the final season of Stranger Things.
In celebration of National Reading Month, Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street, released new resources to help foster children’s love of reading and their connection with the parents and caregivers who read to, and with, them. These resources are made possible with generous support from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) which works to enhance literacy and education across the country.
Global sports brand PUMA and Jazwares, a global leader in toys and licensing have unveiled the PUMA x Squishmallows collection inspired by everyone’s favorite ultra-soft plush. PUMA styles meet the world’s most popular plush personalities in this new colorful collection that’s perfect for any day full of fun. The PUMA x Squishmallows collection features various footwear styles for all ages inspired by Cam, Lola, and Winston as well as apparel pieces for the little ones including tees, hoodies, and shorts featuring your favorite Squishmallows characters.
Mattel, Inc (NASDAQ: MAT) announced its kickoff to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Barbie and over six decades of breaking down boundaries and inspiring girls through storytelling, encouraging them to be confident, daring, brave and legendary. Since the brand’s inception, Barbie has helped girls explore their limitless potential through different roles and narratives – from encouraging self-expression through dress-up to playing out any of her 250+ careers.
GennComm ImaGENNation, the product development and licensing division of GennComm LLC, has announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued the Company’s latest patent on their novel fiber-in-slime furry compound innovation, which makes slime products furry, hairy, or ultra stretchy. This is the fifth issued US Patent for tactile and sensory products in GennComm’s IP portfolio, which includes four relating to squishy memory foam used in plush toys. GennComm’s patented technologies were all invented in-house by Jeremy Brian Medwed, who serves as Director of Innovation at GennComm’s ImaGENNation division.
The fabled windows of FAO Schwarz at Rockefeller Center were aglow with vibrant hues as the iconic retailer unveiled the delightful Decora Girlz doll line, a new creation from the toy innovators at Cepia, LLC. Decora Girlz has officially taken over New York City’s most famous toy store with a jaw-dropping Decora Girlz window display for all of Rockefeller Center to enjoy, giving spectators a sneak peek of what’s inside. The immersive shopping experience begins with a dedicated Decora Girlz feature shop, displaying the complete collection of five-inch Decora Girlz collectibles and eleven-inch Decora Fashion Girlz, as well as the Decora Girlz Sticker Store Playset. Not only will FAO Schwarz be the first place to find eleven-inch Decora Fashion Girlz Sweetie and Luna characters, but they’ll be offering sweet surprises each weekend in March including a chance to win a Decora Girlz Influencer Box as seen on TikTok!
Just Play, a leading global toy company, has announced the acquisition of Tara Toy, the #1 manufacturer of licensed arts and crafts products sold at major retailers in the US. Tara Toy has grown their business over the past fifty years with a robust portfolio of licensed arts and crafts, activities, toys, and more. They hold top tier licenses including Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Nickelodeon, LOL, Barbie, and Hot Wheels. With this acquisition, Just Play will take a strategic step further into these same categories at retailers worldwide beginning in Fall 2024. Geoffrey Greenberg, Just Play’s Co-CEO stated, “It’s an honor for us to carry on the incredible legacy that Bruce and the Tara Toy team have built over the last nearly 50 years. Just Play and Tara Toy are synergistic in many important ways – licensing and retail partners look to us to deliver quality value and speed to market. We are looking forward to welcoming the team from Tara Toy into the Just Play family, seamlessly integrating operational processes and our brand portfolios.”