Say hello to the Original Toobimals, a sensory toobed plush toy. Specialty toy retailers will be on the hunt at ASTRA’s Marketplace for the perfect products to stretch limited 4th quarter budgets while delighting young customers, and a look-see at Booth 1823 will have them not only stretching but popping, pushing, pulling and smiling.
Retailers looking for something fresh and full of delight will be sticking around Booth 1731 at ASTRA as Komarc Games unveils StickiKubes ($9.99) and Finger Topz ($14.99) plus showcases a half dozen best seller boxed toys and games. All are in stock and ready for childhood exploration. Specialty retailers have always had a keen eye for finding the perfect product for their customers. ASTRA’s Marketplace is this summer’s not-to-be-missed specialty toy show.
Leading global toy companies, the LEGO Group and Hasbro, Incorporated (NASDAQ: HAS) unite for the first time to bring the iconic Transformers Autobot, Optimus Prime, to life in LEGO form – complete with alt mode. The new LEGO Transformers Optimus Prime set is a tribute to the heroic Autobot leader with over 1,500 detailed LEGO pieces. Once assembled, the figure features 19 points of articulation that allow fans to convert from robot to truck alt mode and back again. This is one of the first times a LEGO set has been able to convert between two models, without the need to rebuild.
Cloud b, the world’s leading brand of award-winning products and accessories that help parents and children sleep better, celebrates its 20th year, marking a milestone anniversary in 2022 and unveiling a new logo with a more contemporary design that appeals to today’s consumer. What started off as a simple idea, to give the gift of sleep to newborn babies and their families, has become a tried-and-true staple and a most-trusted sleep solution for millions. From the classic award-winning products like the iconic Tranquil Turtle to the soothing Sleep Sheep, Cloud b’s legacy lineup continues to be praised today by parents, celebrities, and the industry alike.
Spin Master Corporation, a leading global children’s entertainment company, has opened applications for the Spin Master Future of Play Scholarship Program supporting the education and career advancement of individuals from underrepresented communities in the fields of each of the company’s creative centers: toys, entertainment and digital games. Launched in June 2022, Spin Master’s Scholarship Program provides financial aid as well as mentorship and the potential for an internship with the company.
Spotlight Licensing has been appointed by Gaumont to launch and manage the global merchandise licensing program for Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles (which debuted on Netflix April 28th). 2022 may be the Year of the Tiger but it is also shaping up to be a big year for the rabbits of the highly anticipated Netflix animated kids series Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles and long-running and award-winning Stan Sakai comic book series Usagi Yojimbo that inspired it.
Mattel, Incorporated announced that it is partnering with HBO Max and Cartoon Network on a pair of new live-action American Girl specials based on the hit doll and book line. The first special, American Girl: Corinne Tan (wt), focuses on the brand’s 2022 Girl of the Year of the same name. Produced by MarVista Entertainment, a Fox Entertainment Company, American Girl: Corinne Tan will premiere this December on Cartoon Network and the following day on HBO Max. A second American Girl special will follow in 2023.
Silvergate Media is joining forces with Tencent Video to bring its new animated series The Creature Cases to China. Silvergate will also partner with Tencent Video on a full consumer products roll-out in China from 2023, to be led by toys and publishing. The Creature Cases is an action, comedy and detective series animated by TeamTo that follows the adventures of a unique detective duo who specialize in solving animal mysteries. The first series, launched on Netflix on April 12th, 2022, is soon to be released on Tencent Video, which will significantly expand the broadcast reach to families across China.
WEBTOON, the world’s largest digital comics platform, has appointed brand management company Surge Licensing as the exclusive North American licensing agent for the platform. Genuine Entertainment’s Joe LeFavi was instrumental in developing the partnership and will continue to collaborate with WEBTOON and Surge as a strategic advisor in the endeavor.