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Zigazoon Kids Daymond John TOTY
Entertainment News
Zigazoo Kids Marks Their 100th Celebrity Reading with Shark Tank’s Daymond John

Zigazoo Kids, the world’s largest kid-safe social media platform for Generation Alpha that has prominent investors including Jimmy Kimmel, Serena Williams, Charli and Dixie D’Amelio and the NBA, is marking a major milestone for its Celebrity Reads literacy program. As the 100th celebrity to make a special visit to the platform to read a book to Zigazoo users, Shark Tank personality, entrepreneur, and investor Daymond John will read his recently released children’s book, Little Daymond Learns to Earn (Random House Children’s Books). Zigazoo Kids initially launched the Celebrity Reads program in July 2021 with the purpose of encouraging kids to read, especially during summer months when kids are out of school and don’t have as much opportunity to hone their reading skills. Since launch, a number of popular celebrities have participated in the program including Kristin Chenoweth, Karamo Brown, Elizabeth Olsen, Camila McConaughey, Kel Mitchell, Holly Robinson Peete, Bethany Hamilton, Diane Kruger, and Max Greenfield.

Lil Wish Lanterns Surprise!
News
Intersell Launches New Edition of Inspiring Children’s Toy ‘Lil Wish Lanterns Surprise!’

Intersell, New Jersey-based toy creators, are excited to announce the launch of their newest product, Lil Wish Lanterns Surprise! This exciting new toy incites anticipation to reveal which magical Wishimal comes with your lantern! Lil Wish Lanterns Surprise! starter packs include a uniquely-designed lantern. Once the surprise Wishimal is revealed, it is placed inside the lantern. Then pull the charm to make the magic happen! They are compatible with all of the Wishimals and have two light modes: wishing mode and nightlight mode. The lanterns also have an auto shut-off feature

TTPM Most Wanted 2023
Events News
TTPM Kicks off the Holiday Season with the 2023 Most Wanted List

TTPM, the leading video product reviewer for toys, baby gear & pet gear, unveiled their Most Wanted List of the hottest toys for the 2023 holiday season at their annual TTPM 2023 Holiday Showcase event, held in New York City. The list is divided into four categories to select the hottest products in Entertainment, Learning and Active Play, Role Play, and Specialty Trailblazers. “We put this list together as we do every year, testing and playing with hundreds of toys to determine which ones deserve a spot on our Most Wanted list,” said Jim Silver, CEO of TTPM. “This year’s list highlights toys based on entertainment properties and those that encourage both learning and active play and role play and imaginative play. We’ve also expanded our list, identifying ten toys that are specialty trailblazers that consumers may not be aware of. Our goal is to help parents find the right toy for their child and this year’s list is a perfect place to start.”

Jurassic World Alive Mattel
Licensing News
Jurassic World Alive Collaborates with Mattel

Blockbuster geo-location and AR-based mobile game Jurassic World Alive and Mattel have partnered for an in-game collaboration featuring Mattel’s Jurassic Park ’93 Classic Action Figure Collection starring the iconic hero, the T. rex, as originally seen 30 years ago in the epic 1993 Jurassic Park film from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. Jurassic World Alive players can now digitally collect the famous Mattel T. rex action figure in-game, tapping into the nostalgic memories of the toys inspired by the classic film. Downloaded over 33 million times and played for over 2.3 billion minutes, Jurassic World Alive is based on the world’s most recognized and iconic film franchises, Jurassic World. The game continues to mark new milestones as a category leader and is celebrating with new partnerships and giveaways sure to be enjoyed by Jurassic World fans worldwide.

POP MART
News
POP MART Announces Opening of First Permanent US Store at American Dream Mall in NJ

POP MART, the renowned designer toy and entertainment brand that has taken Asia by storm, is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated grand opening of its first permanent location in the United States. Following the successful operation of over 400 stores, 2000 Robo Shops, and a vast network of distributors across 84 countries and regions, POP MART is expanding its presence in the United States with a permanent location in the prestigious American Dream mall in New Jersey. Known for iconic designer toy characters like Molly, Hirono, The Monsters, SKULLPANDA and many others, POP MART has gained a devoted following worldwide. With the opening of its first permanent store in the US, fans and collectors will now have the opportunity to immerse themselves in an unparalleled retail experience, featuring an extensive range of exclusive releases, limited editions, and unexpected collaborations.

Toy Association Logo Toy Fair 2023 Clamour Holiday 2022 trends Good Play Guide Blue Plate Trends 2024 Board Tips webinar California
Events News
14th Annual Blue Plate Media Lounge at New York Toy Fair on Monday, October 2, 2023

The 14th Annual Blue Plate Media Lounge, at New York Toy Fair, sponsored by Blue Plate Media Services, in association with Toy Association, will be available free to all Toy Association exhibitors and Show attendees, on Monday, October 2nd, Room 1D05, at New York Toy Fair. This highly anticipated educational lounge, commemorating its consecutive 14th Year, will provide a series of timely, informative Media Intelligence Sessions in Room 1D05, lower level Javits, from 9AM – 4PM.

Hasbro Women Innovators of Play
Events News
Hasbro Announces Women Innovators of Play Challenge

Hasbro, Inc, a leading toy and game company, has announced the Hasbro Women Innovators of Play Challenge, which is open September 12 to October 12. Hasbro is searching for the next great woman-led mass market toy or game; submitted ideas will be judged on innovation, fun factor and playability, design and aesthetics, mass marketability, and manufacturability. Those who submit toys or games to the Challenge must either be an individual who identifies as a woman or leads a team (maximum of five people) and identify as a woman. “We were blown away by the support and excitement for Hasbro’s Women Innovators of Play event – and now Hasbro is taking this initiative to the next level with our Challenge, which is open to women across 11 countries,” said Tanya Thompson, Senior Director, Inventor Relations and Innovation at Hasbro. “We know that incredible women innovators are out there and can’t wait to see the submitted toys and games.”

TOMY NAPPA
Events News
TOMY International Recognized for two 2023 National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA)

TOMY International was recently recognized by the National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA) for two of their new 2023 lines, Bebé Fuerte and Build-A-Buddy. As one of the longest running award programs in the country, NAPPA is recognized as a reliable source of information for parents and professionals seeking the best products for their children and families. Bebé Fuerte, which launched earlier this month at Walmart and independent toy stores, was created and designed by Robin Arzón, VP of Fitness Programming and Head Instructor at Peloton. Designed from a fresh, colorful palette inspired by Arzón’s Cuban-Puerto Rican roots, and the rich heritage of LatinX culture, the line features Spanish words and phrases and is presented in bilingual packaging. Build-A-Buddy, which launched with a single John Deere Tractor over 6 years ago, has been expanded in 2023 to include five items in the line from multiple licenses including, John Deere, Batman and Transformers. Nearly all items have received STEAM Accreditation by the Toy Association, in conjunction with Dr. Gummer’s Good Play Guide in the Technology and Engineering categories.

IMC toys Dinobytes
News
IMC Toys Expands Category Offerings with an All-New Dinobytes

IMC Toys, the company known for the popular Cry Babies nurturing dolls, is venturing outside of the doll category and broadening its consumer base with the all-new brand Dinobytes.Dinobytes is a fun and easy game with a classic battling play pattern that kids love! Ready for action straight out of the packaging, the goal is to knock your opponent’s helmet off and be declared the winner!