The Licensing Letter

Traditional Toys/Games

ZAG to Unveil New Ghostforce Toy Line At ABRIN Expo

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter ZAG has partnered with Novabrink and Xalingo to unveil new licensed Ghostforce toys at the ABRIN expo in Brazil. The ABRIN expo is the largest business-to-business event in the Latin American toy sector. The event hosts an average of 140 exhibitors and 13,000 visitors. ABRIN 2023 takes place from March 5 to 8, 2023. “ABRIN is such an … [Read more...] about ZAG to Unveil New Ghostforce Toy Line At ABRIN Expo

Hasbro Bringing ‘Ageless’ Fun For Older Adults and Families

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Ageless Innovation has partnered with Hasbro to create new gaming experiences for older adults and their families. Ageless Innovation is a toy manufacturing company that specializes in developing products intended to provide companionship and fun to the aging adult population. The company will be the first Hasbro licensee to focus … [Read more...] about Hasbro Bringing ‘Ageless’ Fun For Older Adults and Families

Crowds Come Back to Nuremberg as Spielwarenmesse Toy Fair Returns

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Following an enforced gap of three years, the Spielwarenmesse trade fair has resumed its place as an international networking event for the toy industry. The Spielwarenmesse trade fair is owned and operated by the trade event organizer and marketing services company, Spielwarenmesse eG. The business-to-business trade fair is intended … [Read more...] about Crowds Come Back to Nuremberg as Spielwarenmesse Toy Fair Returns

North American Toy Revenue Flatlined in 2022

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief A report from NPD Group shows growth in the North American toy sector has stalled, after two record breaking years. “After three record-breaking years for the toy industry, 2022 was a challenging year. U.S. consumers were forced to endure significant economic headwinds stemming from inflation and adverse macroeconomic factors,” said … [Read more...] about North American Toy Revenue Flatlined in 2022

Mattel Issues Chelsea Doll Supporting Kids With Scoliosis

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The Barbie brand has released a new doll for the Chelsea character line that is designed to increase representation of scoliosis. The new Chelsea doll features curvature in the spine and a removable back brace. With over 100,000 children diagnosed with scoliosis each year in the US, the new doll is intended to normalize the use of back … [Read more...] about Mattel Issues Chelsea Doll Supporting Kids With Scoliosis

Miraculous Characters to Appear in PLAYMOBIL Toys

The animation studio ZAG and the Horst Brandstätter Group have joined forces to develop PLAYMOBIL toys for the popular Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir franchise. The launch is planned for 2024 and will feature Ladybug, Cat Noir, and their cast of heroes and villains in various playsets and seasonal toys. The toy range will have the iconic look and feel of … [Read more...] about Miraculous Characters to Appear in PLAYMOBIL Toys

Toy Industry Shocker: Hasbro to Lay Off 1,000 Employees

By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief US toy and entertainment company Hasbro announced Jan. 26 that it would be restructuring, laying off 15% of its workforce. The news rocked Wall Street analysts, as Hasbro shares dropped sharply in overnight trading after the late day announcement Thursday, and continued its fall on Friday. Hasbro primarily blamed the decline in … [Read more...] about Toy Industry Shocker: Hasbro to Lay Off 1,000 Employees

Licensing Law: Black Eyed Peas Suing MGA Over Pooping Unicorn Song

Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief As a journalist, you never think you're going to write a sentence like "The Black Eyed Peas are suing a toy company over a pooping unicorn toy," but such is life. When I saw the news that BMG Rights Management has filed a suit against MGA over their Poopsie Slime Surprise: Dancing Unicorn toy, I had to double check to make sure someone … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Black Eyed Peas Suing MGA Over Pooping Unicorn Song

Chefclub Signs Five New Licenses For Cooking Themed Toys

By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The food-themed content studio Chefclub has secured five new toy distribution partnerships with­­ White Knight Toys, Autruche, Hutter Trade, JPM Toys, and CMC Global. The companies will be the exclusive domestic licensing agents for Chefclub’s line of kid-focused cooking utensils in their respective regions. White Knight Toys will be … [Read more...] about Chefclub Signs Five New Licenses For Cooking Themed Toys