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Joe Ruffner Named Executive Director of Right Angle Entertainment

Right Angle Entertainment has announced veteran live entertainment industry executive Joe Ruffner has been promoted to executive director. His responsibilities will entail the oversight and management of Right Angle Entertainment’s touring productions, as well as adding his expertise to the rapid and strategic growth of the company. Right Angle Entertainment was founded in 2014 by Alison Spiriti and Justin Sudds and produces and/or manages the North American tours and experiences for Wheel of Fortune Live!, Hasbro’s Clue a Walking Mystery, The Price is Right Live!, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, The Simon & Garfunkel Story, The Psychology of Serial Killers, The Life and Music of George Michael, Ghosts: Do You Believe? and many more.

People of Play Young Inventor Challenge 17th Annual 18th

People of Play Announce the Winners of the 18th Annual Young Inventor Challenge

Catastrophe of Hairballs, Hike the Spike, and Blanket Kingdom were among the top place finishers at People of Play’s 18th Annual Young Inventor Challenge (YIC) held in 2023 on November 4th at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair. The YIC is a yearly competition where students between the ages of 6 and 18 have the opportunity to create an original play product and pitch it to professional toy and game inventors for a chance to win big prizes. Past winners have seen their entries licensed, manufactured, and sold in both specialty toy stores and in major retailers including Target and Amazon. Leading up to the Young Inventor Challenge in November, regional events are hosted at independent toy stores, day camps, and summer school programs to inspire and engage kids to create toys and games to be judged in the annual competition.

Pikachu Empire State Pokemon Day Lights 2024

US Premiere of ‘Pokémon Horizons: The Series’ Celebrated with World-Famous Tower Lights on Pokémon Day 2024

In celebration of Pokémon Day 2024 and the upcoming U.S. premiere of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, The Pokémon Company International (TPCi), in collaboration with longstanding charitable partner The Toy Foundation, has teamed up with New York’s iconic Empire State Building to illuminate its world-famous tower lights the evening of Feb. 27, 2024. The renowned landmark will light up New York’s skyline in blue and yellow, inspired by the highly recognizable Pokémon logo, between sunset and 2 a.m. EST.

New Pickle Everything Card Game Launches From Toy and Game Industry Veterans Jeffrey Breslow, Frank Adler

Pickle Everything Games, created by co-founder toy and game industry veterans Jeffrey Breslow and Frank Adler, has introduced a new card game called Pickle Everything, where words meet fun and pickles rule, allowing families and friends to compete against one another in a new, fast-paced and hilarious way. Pickle Everything is now available for purchase for just $9.99 on Amazon and PickleEverything.games. Together, the partners of Pickle Everything Games have a combined 65 years of toy development experience. Breslow was a founding partner of Big Monster Toys, a role that would lead to his induction in the Toy Manufacturers Hall of Fame in 1988. Games such as Guesstures, Masterpiece, and Ants in the Pants were among the many that he was instrumental in developing. Adler, a seasoned expert in the toy and game industry, was the former president of Uncle Milton, where he took the company from its Ant Farm product line roots to its award-winning Star Wars Science and In My Room brands, which included a full range of Disney Princess and Frozen product lines.

Bluey Takes Over Bunnings with a ‘For Real Life’ Hammerbarn Transformation

A new collaboration between two Australian icons has officially launched, as home and lifestyle retailer Bunnings reveals their Bluey Hammerbarn transformation – Wackadoo! Bluey, the globally recognized animated TV series and homegrown favorite, will take over the exterior signage of six Bunnings stores around Australia and one store in New Zealand with a Hammerbarn rebrand this month – inspired by the popular Bluey ‘Hammerbarn’ episode from Season 2 of Bluey.

TFE/TFE Licensing, February 2024

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News

Mattel Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2023 Financial Results

Mattel, Inc (NASDAQ: MAT) has reported fourth quarter and full year 2023 financial results. Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO of Mattel, said: “2023 was a milestone year for Mattel. We extended our leadership in our key toy categories and gained significant share overall, achieved extraordinary success with the Barbie movie, and further strengthened our financial position.” Mr. Kreiz continued: “Execution on our toy strategy was strong and we made meaningful progress in entertainment across film, television, digital and publishing. We ended 2023 with the strongest balance sheet we have had in years, putting us in an excellent position to execute our strategy to grow Mattel’s IP-driven toy business and expand our entertainment offering. As we look to 2024, we believe we are very well positioned competitively and will continue to outpace the industry and gain market share.”

Mattel - Disney Dolls Tiana Ariel Cinderella

American Girl Reveals New Tiana, Ariel, and Cinderella Dolls

At long last, two iconic brands — best known for inspirational characters, rich storytelling, and memorable experiences — have come together to make dreams come true for Disney and American Girl fans. American Girl has unveiled the first wave of the multi-year collaboration celebrating beloved characters, Disney’s Ariel, Cinderella and Tiana. Inspired by Disney’s animated classics, each 18-inch princess doll arrives in her signature dress, and fans can also purchase additional outfits and accessories!

Molang Partners with PlaybyPlay for Plush deal in Europe and Latin America

Millimages, one of the oldest independent animation studios and IP developers in Europe, is pleased to announce that its flagship brand Molang has partnered with PlaybyPlay for plush toys in Europe and Latin America. PlaybyPlay, a brand by Famosa, part of the Giochi Preziosi international toy group, will manufacture and distribute a wide range of plush in different sizes scheduled to be on the market in Xmas 2024. The first items from the plush collection were exclusively unveiled at the Nuremberg Toy Fair; attended by both Millimages and PlaybyPlay.