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
toy licensing
Spin Master Goes High Tech With Acquisition of HEXBUG
by Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Spin Master has reached a licensing agreement with Innovation First International to acquire the company's robotic toy brand HEXBUG. Innovation First International is a privately-held corporation that manufactures and produces robotic products for the consumer, education, and business-to-business markets. "At Spin Master we are … [Read more...] about Spin Master Goes High Tech With Acquisition of HEXBUG
Spielwarenmesse Toy Business Forum To Be Held Feb. 1-5
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter At the start of February, the Spielwarenmesse will present the latest trends, products and topics for the industry at the Toy Business Forum. The 2023 Toy Business Forum will 18 international speakers and 21 presentations focusing on industry trends, retail, digitalisation, the metaverse, sustainability, and diversity. The presentations … [Read more...] about Spielwarenmesse Toy Business Forum To Be Held Feb. 1-5
Arcade1Up Literally Adds Some Risk To Your Gaming Life
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Arcade1Up and Hasbro have teamed up to add the classic strategy game Risk to Arcade1Up's Infinity Game Table. The Infinity Game Table is a hybrid touchscreen board game table that combines digital and tabletop experiences. Risk joins close to 100 other licensed games for the device, including Scrabble, Chutes & Ladders, Clue, and … [Read more...] about Arcade1Up Literally Adds Some Risk To Your Gaming Life
Toy Association Names Top STEAM Toys for 2022
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The Toy Association has unveiled its Holiday 2022 STEAM Toy Guide, which includes 30 officially accredited STEAM-based toys. The STEAM Toy Guide features hands-on toys and activities that engage kids in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Each toy on the list has passed a strict product evaluation process to earn an official … [Read more...] about Toy Association Names Top STEAM Toys for 2022
Toy Licensing: PhatMojo Appoints Mix Licensing For Global Representation
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter PhatMojo has appointed Mix Licensing Group to grow their licensing portfolio and form new master toy partnerships. Mix Licensing will be responsible for evaluating brands in the categories of entertainment, gaming, pop-culture and more to expand PhatMojo’s master toy programs and maximize retail impact. “It is exciting to work with such … [Read more...] about Toy Licensing: PhatMojo Appoints Mix Licensing For Global Representation
The NHL and Kool Karz Playground Partner on Zamboni Ride-On Toy
By Allison WatkinsonTLL ReporterThe NHL and The Zamboni Company have partnered with Kool Karz Playground to launch the world’s first electric Zamboni ride-on toy. After many years in development, the co-branded Kool Karz NHL Zamboni Ride-On Toy has been officially released in time for the 2022-23 NHL season. “This product has been decades in the making,” said Paula Coony, Brand … [Read more...] about The NHL and Kool Karz Playground Partner on Zamboni Ride-On Toy
BunMo Lands First-Ever Licensing Deal With TheSoul
The SoulPublishing and BunMo have unveiled a line of toys from their multi-product deal between the digital-first studio and the digital-first toy company. The product line includes 5-Minute Crafts and 123 GO! branded fidget, magnet and sensory toys which are available starting this week on the BunMo Amazon store. TheSoul Publishing is an award-winning digital studio that … [Read more...] about BunMo Lands First-Ever Licensing Deal With TheSoul
Strong Growth in Global Toy Revenue in 2021 to End in 2022
NDP Report Points to Coming Decline Due to Inflation, and Underlines Importance of Licensing to Toy Industry By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The toy industry had its best year in a decade in 2021, as people turned to play during dark economic and political times. That's the conclusion of The NPD Group’s latest global toys report, which says the global toy market surged to … [Read more...] about Strong Growth in Global Toy Revenue in 2021 to End in 2022
Licensing International Excellence Awards Honor Innovation
The winners of the 2022 Licensing International Excellence Awards were announced Thursday at Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. The awards honor innovation in the way brands use licensing to further their goals, how licensees develop products, how licensees distribute products, and how retailers spotlight licenses on their shelves. “It’s inspiring to see the quality of work … [Read more...] about Licensing International Excellence Awards Honor Innovation