The Licensing Letter

STEM/Steam Toys

Spin Master Completes $950 Million Purchase of Melissa and Doug

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Spin Master isn't going back to the future, but instead opted to go forward into the past, in its acquisition of US toy maker Melissa & Doug. The celebrated toyco is known for its focus on classic toys, such as crafts, pretend play, and the wooden toys that Melissa & Doug are famed for. In a world where the metaverse, video … [Read more...] about Spin Master Completes $950 Million Purchase of Melissa and Doug

Spin Master’s Billion Dollar Deal to Buy Melissa & Doug

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Spin Master has agreed to acquire Melissa & Doug in a move designed to bolster its presence in early childhood play. The Canadian toy and production company has grown to become one of the largest toy companies in the world, and this week offered $950 million to buy out US-based Melissa & Doug. Spin Master says the acquisition … [Read more...] about Spin Master’s Billion Dollar Deal to Buy Melissa & Doug

Who’s News: LEGO Appoints New Chief Sustainability Officer

By Rob Hutchins Editor, Products of Change The LEGO Group has appointed a chief sustainability officer in the form of Annette Stube, the current executive vice president and head of sustainability at Stora Enso. Stube will take up the new role with the Danish toymaker from January 1, 2024 when she will report to CEO Niels B Christiansen and take on responsibility for … [Read more...] about Who’s News: LEGO Appoints New Chief Sustainability Officer

Earthbound Brokers Deal for Little Tykes x Girl Scouts Cookie Booth

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief When you have little tikes selling Girl Scout cookies at a booth, doesn't it just make sense to have an actual Little Tikes cookie booth? Well, apparently the Girl Scouts of the USA thought so. The Little Tikes Company has partnered with Girl Scouts of the USA to introduce the Little Tikes 2-in-1 Girl Scout Cookie Booth … [Read more...] about Earthbound Brokers Deal for Little Tykes x Girl Scouts Cookie Booth

LEGO Partners With Blind Advocacy Organizations To Launch LEGO Braille Bricks Set

By Allison WatkinsonTLL ReporterThe LEGO Group is launching a LEGO Braille Bricks set in partnership with World Blind Union and Be My Eyes.Developed and tested in close collaboration with blind organizations from around the world, the LEGO Braille Bricks Play with Braille set includes 287 bricks in white, yellow, green, red and blue. The studs on each brick are arranged to … [Read more...] about LEGO Partners With Blind Advocacy Organizations To Launch LEGO Braille Bricks Set

Walmart Releases Its Influential Top Toys List For 2023

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The world's largest retail chain, Walmart, has unveiled 55 products on its highly anticipated Top Toys List for 2023. It's a great list for parents and anyone else shopping for kids (or kidults for that matter), but it's also an important list for licensing professionals looking for intel on what will be the hot toy properties for the … [Read more...] about Walmart Releases Its Influential Top Toys List For 2023

Toy Association Names Top STEAM Toys for Smart Kids

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The Toy Association has released its Back to School STEAM Toy Shopping List, which features 25 officially accredited STEAM toys. "As families across the U.S. get ready for another back-to-school season, our list offers parents a well-vetted guide that will help kids flourish this academic year and build skills through engaging, … [Read more...] about Toy Association Names Top STEAM Toys for Smart Kids

Legends of Learning Launches Angry Birds-Themed Educational Games with Rovio Entertainment

By Allison WatkinsonTLL ReporterRovio Entertainment has entered a licensing partnership with Legends of Learning for a series of Angry Birds educational games.Rovio Entertainment is a global company that specializes in creating, developing and publishing mobile games. Rovio is best known for its Angry Birds entertainment franchise which was initially released as a mobile game … [Read more...] about Legends of Learning Launches Angry Birds-Themed Educational Games with Rovio Entertainment

Upexi to Launch Disney-Branded Version of Its Tytan Tile STEM Toys

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Upexi Inc. has signed a licensing agreement with The Walt Disney Company for its children's STEM toy brand, Tytan Tiles. The Tytan Tiles toy brand includes non-toxic magnetic tiles in multiple shapes and sizes that snap together as building blocks. For the agreement, Upexi will be responsible for developing and launching Tytan Tiles … [Read more...] about Upexi to Launch Disney-Branded Version of Its Tytan Tile STEM Toys