Author: James Zahn

Diamond Select Toys Introduces Star Wars Select Action Figure Range

Diamond Select Toys Introduces Star Wars Select Action Figure Range

Posted by | Oct 23, 2020 | ,

Following a few weeks of leaks on social media, a new line of Star Wars action figures has been officially revealed. Diamond Select Toys launched its Star Wars Select series of 7-inch scale action figures exclusively at shopDisney, Disney Store, and Disney Parks locations. The new range features premium deco and 16 points of articulation. In terms of scale, the new collection is compatible with Diamond’s long-running Marvel Select range. At launch, two figures are available: the Sith Lord Darth Maul and the infamous bounty hunter Boba Fett. Each figure includes multiple accessories, including weapons, interchangeable hands, and special...

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Sam’s Club Debuts Shoppable Virtual Experience Based on ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’

Sam’s Club Debuts Shoppable Virtual Experience Based on ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’

Posted by | Oct 23, 2020 | ,

It was 1989 when Clark W. Griswold (Chevy Chase) famously took a ride on high-speed sled that ended in a Walmart parking lot in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Later, Clark and Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) would shop the store, complete with a purchase of Sam Walton’s Ol’ Roy dog food. Now, 31 years later, Sam’s Club is getting in on the Griswold family action. For the holiday season, Sam’s Club partnered with Warner Bros. and Obsess to create the Christmas Vacation Virtual Shopping Experience. The Griswold’s famous home in the Chicago suburbs has been reimagined as a 360-degree virtual...

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Walmart 2020 Top-Rated by Kids Toy Awards Come to FOX

Walmart 2020 Top-Rated by Kids Toy Awards Come to FOX

Posted by | Oct 23, 2020 | ,

This Sunday, Walmart’s first-ever nationally broadcast toy award show is hitting screens across the country. DJ Khaled and Meghan Trainor are hosting the retailer’s 2020 Top Rated by Kids Toy Awards Show, airing Sunday, Oct. 25 on FOX immediately following the NFL (estimated to be around 4:30 p.m. ET). Additionally, the show will be streamed live across Walmart social platforms, including YouTube with co-host Collins Key, Instagram and Facebook with co-host Laurie Hernandez, and TikTok with co-hosts WeWearCute. Walmart recently unveiled its annual Top Rated by Kids Toy List featuring a fantastic selection of toys for many interests, including a wide assortment...

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Mattel Crushes Estimates for Pandemic-Fueled Q3 Earnings Boom

Mattel Crushes Estimates for Pandemic-Fueled Q3 Earnings Boom

Posted by | Oct 23, 2020 | ,

Mattel Inc. had a surprisingly good third quarter, rebounding from a rocky first half of the year and crushing analysts’ estimates. The El Segundo-based toymaker reported a sales increase of 13% in North America paired with an 8% increase in international markets. Overall, sales for the quarter rose 10%. Year-to-date sales — which were down 15% in the first six months of the year — made gains and are now down just 2% for the first nine months of the year. Adjusted earnings per share hit $0.95 versus an expected $0.39 amid strong sales and continued cost-cutting measures. “This...

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TOMY, Electronic Arts Partner for Plants Vs. Zombies Club Mocchi Mocchi Plush

TOMY, Electronic Arts Partner for Plants Vs. Zombies Club Mocchi Mocchi Plush

Posted by | Oct 22, 2020 | ,

The art of garden warfare is coming home in a soft new form. Retail Monster brokered a new deal between TOMY International and Electronic Arts (EA) for a new line of plush inspired by characters from the video game, Plants vs. Zombies. The new collection of super-soft, squeezable, huggable plush is being developed under TOMY’s Club Mocchi- Mocchi- brand. “Plants vs. Zombies is a wildly popular video game franchise and we’re thrilled to be the licensed partner that gets to bring its characters to life in plush,” says Morgan Weyl, director of global brands at TOMY. “Many of Club...

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Luki Labs to Reveal New STEM Toys at the Toy Insider’s Holiday of Play

Luki Labs to Reveal New STEM Toys at the Toy Insider’s Holiday of Play

Posted by | Oct 21, 2020 | ,

Luki Lab, the direct-to-consumer division of Strottman International, is launching new toys at the Toy Insider‘s Holiday of Play @ Home. Gujo Adventure and Pinxies are STEM-authenticated creative building brands that are designed to inspire “epic adventures and imaginative exploration.” Additionally, the company will debut its new game, Clawsome! “The best way to teach is to make whatever you teach fun,” says Didier Pietri, president and CEO, Strottman International. “With Gujo Adventure, Pinxies, and Clawsome!, kids will have lots of fun while problem-solving, enhancing their creativity, and developing motor skills. We want to offer toys that deliver more than...

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Back to the Future Day Brings New Toys from Playmobil, Mattel, Funko, Hasbro, More

Back to the Future Day Brings New Toys from Playmobil, Mattel, Funko, Hasbro, More

Posted by | Oct 21, 2020 | , , ,

Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment are celebrating the annual “Back to the Future Day” holiday with a massive lineup of new products that honor 35 years of the cinematic franchise. Launched alongside a host of fan-created content and the new 4K Ultra HD release of Back to the Future: The Ultimate Trilogy, the new product assortment includes toys and collectibles from licensees including Playmobil, Mattel, Hasbro, Funko, Jada Toys, Super7, NECA, and others. The promotion is anchored with a dedicated Amazon storefront with exclusive products spread across retail partners including Walmart, Target, and more. “Very few franchises in Hollywood...

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Hasbro’s eOne Takes Charge for ‘Power Rangers’ Reinvention

Hasbro’s eOne Takes Charge for ‘Power Rangers’ Reinvention

Posted by | Oct 21, 2020 | ,

The Power Rangers are on the cusp of yet another reinvention for both film and television. Hasbro‘s entertainment studio, Entertainment One (eOne) hired producer/director Jonathan Entwistle (Netflix’s I Am Not Okay With This) to lead the development of new Power Rangers projects across both formats. “This is an unbelievable opportunity to deliver new Power Rangers to both new and existing generations of awaiting and adoring fans,” Entwistle says. “We’ll bring the spirit of analog into the future, harnessing the action and storytelling that made this brand a success. I’m looking forward to working with the teams at eOne and...

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The Toy Association Highlights the Real Problems Behind Fake Toys

The Toy Association Highlights the Real Problems Behind Fake Toys

Posted by | Oct 20, 2020 |

With the holiday shopping season upon us, The Toy Association is sending out a reminder that fake toys are a real problem. From counterfeits and bootlegs to knockoffs and imitations, the fugazis are everywhere, and what was once a back alley operation has gone high tech: fakes are hiding in plain sight on digital marketplaces. New data from a survey conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of The Toy Association says that 83% of parents say their kids receive toys from family members and other gift-givers who may have purchased them from unverified sellers. A more alarming statistic is...

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Toys ‘R’ Us Canada Unveils 2020 Top Holiday Toy List

Toys ‘R’ Us Canada Unveils 2020 Top Holiday Toy List

Posted by | Oct 20, 2020 | ,

Toys “R” Us Canada is the latest retailer to unveil its Top Toy List for the 2020 holiday season. The annual list is curated by the buyers at Canada’s largest specialty toy retailer with picks for kids of all ages across a variety of categories. “With double-digit growth in the Canadian toy market, play has never been more important to Canadian families,” says Vic Bertrand, president & CEO of Toys “R” Us Canada. “The holidays are the ultimate family bonding time, and this Top Toy List will help bring smiles and laughter to families this holiday [season].” Toys “R”...

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