Latest News

Astra New Logo Winners Trends 2023 2024
Events News
American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) Announces 2023 ASTRA Play Award Winners

The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), has officially announced the winners of its coveted ASTRA Play Awards at their annual Marketplace & Academy event in Columbus, OH. The renowned program is the only one of its kind where independent and neighborhood specialty toy retailers vote to select the products that promote happy and healthy play in childhood and beyond! This year, 14 winners were chosen across a wide range of categories.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Konami
Licensing News
Konami Cross Media NY Awards Latest Yu-Gi-Oh! Toy and Gaming Licenses

Konami Cross Media NY, Inc, which manages the Yu-Gi-Oh! licensing rights outside of Asia, announced partnership agreements with TOMY International, Inc, Heathside Trading, Ltd, and Trade Invaders. The agreements will bring new Yu-Gi-Oh! product lines in the toy and game licensing categories, extending the brand’s visibility and availability throughout Europe. The announcement was made at Licensing Expo ‘23 by Jennifer Coleman, Vice President of Licensing and Marketing, Konami Cross Media NY.

Epic Story Media Licensing Expo
Entertainment Licensing News
Epic Story Media Unveils Latest Entertainment Slate at Licensing Expo

Epic Story Media, the renowned creator-driven kids franchise company, showcased the company’s growing catalog of new entertainment properties at Licensing Expo, giving attendees a sneak peek of upcoming launches with a celebratory media mixer led by founder Ken Faier. Epic has solidified itself as a leader in producing and representing quality brands for children, and now industry professionals will get a firsthand look at the imaginative new worlds coming down the pipeline.

WMG Yoto
Entertainment News
Yoto Announces New Partnership with Warner Music Group

Yoto, the audio platform for kids behind the critically acclaimed and award-winning screen-free Yoto Player and Yoto Mini, has struck a deal with Warner Music Group (WMG), one of the world’s largest music companies.  Their collaboration will see music from some of WMG’s legendary roster of artists available on a portable audio player that is home to a host of amazing children’s music and entertainment brands. Inspired by Montessori principles of education, Yoto is the brainchild of digital music pioneers Ben Drury and Filip Denker, who created a device that enables young children to access the best kids’ audio, without being exposed to ads, unsuitable content or racking up too much screen time. 

Vital Hero Batman
News
Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Launches Vital Hero Batman!

Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America Inc, in collaboration with Warner Bros Discovery Global Consumer Products, is officially releasing the second wave of the wearable active band, Vital Hero. With similar features to the Digimon collection, the latest version will be centered around DC’s fan favorite Super Hero, Batman. Featuring a full-color LED display screen and built-in vital activity monitor, DC’s Caped Crusader will now be a playable character compelling the user to complete exercise duties of walking, sprinting, jumping, and more. Each of the missions and daily activities strengthen your digital Super Hero, making him more powerful and adept at fighting for justice, which provides endless fun in solo play or with friends. Children and parents will especially love the entertainment quality of the band through fitness.

Hasbro Logo Licensing Expo 2023 BLE Brand Licensing Europe McFarlane Layoffs 2024 Q4
Licensing News
Hasbro Bolsters Licensed Consumer Products Slate Across Its Powerhouse Brands for 2023 Las Vegas Licensing Expo

Hasbro, Inc, a toy and game company, will return to Las Vegas Licensing Expo on June 13-15, 2023, to celebrate its 100th year and showcase fresh products and collaborations across its extraordinary portfolio of brands, including Transformers, My Little Pony, Peppa Pig, Dungeons & Dragons, NERF, Monopoly and more. On the show floor at booth #G170, Licensing Expo’s Fashion Showroom and beyond, Hasbro is presenting its licensing lineup including first looks at brand-new consumer products collections.

Wildbrain Loyal Subjects Strawberry Shortcake
Licensing News
The Loyal Subjects and Wildbrain Partner on a New Line of Strawberry Shortcake Toys

The Loyal Subjects Toy (TLS Toy), a prominent collectibles/toy brand well-known the world round for high quality-best in class products, extraordinary detail, and diehard fans is delighted to announce a new licensing partnership with Wildbrain, featuring one of pop culture’s most loveable, adorable, irresistibly scented, wholesome, and fantastically delectable brands, Strawberry Shortcake!

ASTRA Intersell
Events News
Intersell Debuts at 2023 ASTRA

Intersell, the New Jersey-based brand behind the wildly successful KickerBall showcased at ASTRA in booth #951 in Columbus OH, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Released in 2018 KickerBall has helped soccer fans and athletes master their skill with its unique and revolutionary design and aerodynamic materials. The special panels channel air in ways a standard soccer ball can’t, allowing the KickerBall to swerve, bend and curve with ease. With an impressive celebrity fan base including some of the world’s greatest soccer players, Kickerball has sold over 2 million units globally, amassed over 1 billion views on YouTube and nearly 100 million on TikTok.