Building on the success of its long-standing scholarship program, Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) continues to develop women leaders with the launch of the new 2024 WiT Foundation Scholarship, an application-based scholarship open to female students. The revamped 2024 program is designed to reach more women than ever before. It will support students who are pursuing undergraduate degrees in industry-related fields. The scholarship includes a financial award of $5,000, a oneyear WiT membership, career-focused programming, enrollment in WiT’s Ruth Handler Mentorship Program, access to internship and job postings, and more. Award recipients will also be invited to attend WiT’s Wonder Women Awards Gala in Los Angeles on September 13, 2024, where they will be recognized alongside industry professionals.

Throughout the first quarter of this year, employees from TOMY International offices across the US, UK, Europe and Australia volunteered days of service – inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr, National Day of Service and inclusivity ambitions overall. The company has a long history of gathering teams together to support the community and take part in important observances. Across ten offices from Dyersville, Iowa to Exeter in the UK, TOMY International supported causes close to the heart of its employees. In addition to their time, they also provided a monetary donation to each of the charities, as well as other worthy causes, including The Toy Foundation in the US and Toy Trust and Children in Need Day in the UK. In total, TOMY International donated $75,000.

Retailers and specialty toy buyers are taking a road trip to St. Louis in June for ASTRA’s Marketplace & Academy. They call it a “big toy family reunion” featuring the best and brightest in products, ideas and connections. One connection not to miss is the Rehkemper family business, Top Secret Toys, at Booth 2927. As inventors, the Rehkempers’ firm created GigaPets back in the 90’s and is excited to unveil the newest addition to the modern collection with the most advanced GigaPet yet, Bit Bunnies. This remarkable GigaPet is just one of the many Top Secret Toys to be unveiled at Marketplace.

Miniland, award-winning creator of educational toys and games, has officially launched its latest initiative to promote its position as innovators in inclusive toys: Innovators in Inclusion. This campaign aims to promote Miniland’s role in paving the way for inclusivity in toys, encouraging tolerance, diversity, positive self-esteem, respect and kindness.

When it comes to prehistoric times, magic and fantastical creatures Douglas Company has all the charm. The plush toy maker and lifestyle gift creator establishes the future from the past in their latest Softs inductees. Four new dinos from prehistoric times, a mystical dragon and, everybody’s favorite, three new unicorns will join the Softs line-up.

KidStuff Public Relations continues to pop the champagne corks as its 30th Anniversary year has more good news to share. Four toymakers have signed with the storied PR agency headed by Lisa Orman, named twice as a Wonder Woman by Women In Toys (WIT) as one of the industry’s top thought leaders on kids’ stuff. As of April 2024, KidStuff PR is the Agency of Record for Fun In Motion Toys, Top Secret Toys, MEAVIA and Purpose Toys. Each toy company adds something truly special to the Toy Aisle. Childhood and young adulthood is all about play and these four toymakers make sure all ages, all ethnicities and all abilities are seen and included.