As love filled the air this Valentine’s season, one iconic brand stole the hearts of consumers nationwide. Sweethearts, the original conversation hearts, saw sales of its candy and licensed products win hearts at retail. A beloved Valentine’s staple, 2024 saw the expansion of the Sweethearts licensed program to include kids and adult apparel and accessories, sleepwear, jewelry, beauty, collectibles, plush, toys, gifts, home décor and pet toys with strong retail placement and sell-throughs.

Cuesta Licensing is thrilled to announce that they have entered into a licensing agreement with Franco Manufacturing, a leading provider of preschool bedding. NightBuddies brand of illumination and heating technologies for children’s products is a match made in heaven to provide children with more comfort. This partnership will allow Napa Valley Toys LLC to incorporate these innovative features into their line of preschool entertainment character bedding, creating an immersive and safe night-time experience for kids.

At last we will have revenge. Ravensburger, acclaimed publisher behind award-winning board games and high-quality toys and puzzles, has announced details of its first two-player expandalone in the Star Wars​ ​Villainous​ line: the Star Wars ​Villainous: Revenge at Last ​game. Featuring the ruthlessly ambitious Sith lord Darth Maul and fiercely formidable Commander of the First Order Captain Phasma, Star Wars Villainous: Revenge at Last game will be available for pre-order on June 24, 2024, and on sale ​​​​​​at Target beginning July 21, 2024.

The Op Games has announced its popular title Blank Slate has received Circana’s Toy Industry Award for #1 Selling Toy in the United States in the Family Word/Other Games category. The awards recognize the best-selling and top selling toys, properties, and manufacturers across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Europe, according to Circana’s Retail Tracking Service. “We are honored that Blank Slate is recognized as one of Circana’s top selling games,” said Eric Brendel, VP of Sales at The Op Games. “We recognize our retailer partners who have helped The Op Games reach this great achievement and we also appreciate all the consumers who have played and shared the fun and laughter of playing Blank Slate.”

Playmates Toys revealed a new line of Mutations Mix ‘N Match Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures, designed after the highly-anticipated upcoming Paramount+ animated series Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Taking cues from the series premise that a fearsome new foe emerges in New York City, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles must lend a hand to their allies – literally! These toys enable fans to swap out heads and limbs between each of the collectible figures to create unique mutants. The mutation variations are endless, with hundreds of possible combinations.