PlayCon 2018 to Be Held in San Francisco
The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced the dates and location for the next iteration of PlayCon, TIA’s International Conference of Play Professionals. The next PlayCon will take place May 7-9, 2018, at the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco, Calif. The event was moved to provide attendees with a variety of hotel options and walkable experiences to round out the conference’s energetic atmosphere. After taking a hiatus in 2017, the conference will become a biannual event.
PlayCon 2018 will feature presentations and interactive workshops on the latest trends in technology, digital content, retail, and other areas to provide participants in the business of play with cutting-edge research and intelligence. It has already been confirmed that Jeremy Gutsche, founder of TrendHunter.com, will be a keynote speaker at the conference, sharing global insights and trends related to the toy and play industries.
The conference’s new leadership board will facilitate the happenings at PlayCon 2018. The board’s six members now include:
- Jane Ritson-Parsons, PlayCon Chair, Group Executive, Global Marketing Organization, Hasbro, Inc.
- Kathleen Campisano, Vice President, GMM of Toys, Games, Hobby & Collectibles, Barnes & Noble Inc.
- Sharon Hartley, Vice President, Global “R” Brands, Toys “R” Us
- Lourdes Arocho, Vice President, Toys and Hardlines, NBCUniversal, Inc.
- Jennifer Sullivan, President, memBrain, LLC
- Rachel Barry, Vice President, Marketing and Publicity, DK
More information about the conference will be announced in early 2017 at www.ToyAssociation.org/PlayCon.
Miraculous—Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir Expands in the U.S.
ZAG expands its broadcast reach in the U.S. with a new Netflix deal for its animated action-comedy series, Miraculous—Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir. On Tuesday, Netflix debuted the first episode of Season 2 with the Miraculous—Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir Christmas Special, a special premiere for the American market.
Additionally, Netflix has acquired the U.S. SVOD rights to seasons 1-3 of Zag’s Miraculous Ladybug episodes, where the full Season 1 will premiere on February 14, 2017, and Season 2 is expected to launch in June 2017.
TTPM Holiday Picks
There are just a few shopping days left before Christmas and it’s not too late to choose the best toys for the kids in your life. TTPM makes it easy with this holiday toy list. For the latest on toys, tots, pets, and more, visit TTPM.com.