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The Hess Corp. unveiled the latest addition to its Hess Toy Truck range — a holiday tradition since 1964.

The launch of the 2019 Hess Tow Truck Rescue Team marks the first time a pair of tow trucks were added to the collection. The feature-packed set includes a large, heavy-duty tow truck with a smaller, light-duty tow truck riding on its back. The larger truck is a big rig flatbed carrier that transforms into a heavy-duty wrecker. It features two different towing options, including an extending tow arm and a wheel-lift tow bar, which extends from beneath the rear bumper.

Presented in the classic Hess green-and-white color scheme, this set includes realistic digital sounds and more than 60 bright LED lights powered by included Energizer batteries.

Heavy-Duty Tow Truck features:

• Transforms from flatbed carrier into an integrated tow truck;
• Two distinct tow features: a two-tier extending tow lift with a jointed swing-out tow arm and a pull-out t-style wheel lift tow bar;
• Three button-activated realistic sounds: engine run, horn, and backup alert;
• Pull-out ramp with realistic hydraulic sound;
• 45 lights that work in flash or steady mode;
• Chrome-look accents;
• and includes three pre-installed Energizer AA batteries

Light-Duty Tow Truck features:

• Three-tier telescoping tow arm with swing-out tow hook;
• Rev-up, push friction motor;
• 21 lights that work in steady mode;
• Chrome-look accents;
• and includes three pre-installed Energizer A76 batteries

The set is available exclusively at hesstoytruck.com while supplies last.

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Related: Read a first-look review at the Toy Insider.

At Toy Fair Dallas last month, one of the exciting new products showcased by Flybar Inc. was the Kiwi Baby Swing.

Part of the expanded Swurfer collection, the Kiwi offers a fresh design that brings a mix of safety, style, and comfort to the baby swing category. Just as the original Swurfer reinvented the classic tree swing by combining elements of swings and board sports, the Kiwi reinvents the baby swing with premium materials, including a mildew-resistant EVA foam liner and soft, braided rope that’s gentle on little hands. Designed for babies ages 6 months to 4 years, the Kiwi can be hung almost anywhere, including trees, existing swing sets, under a porch, and even indoors.

“We diligently and meticulously worked at expanding the Swurfer collection and when it came to developing the Kiwi, we just wanted to create the cutest, comfiest and safest baby swing on the planet. The initial response has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Swurfer inventor and general manager Rob Bertschy.

The ergonomic shell design cradles a child comfortably while the UV-resistant-fabric, three-point harness keeps them safely and snugly strapped in.

The Kiwi Baby Swing is available in three colors — Clearwater Blue, Swurfer Green, and Pastel Pink — now from the official website and at select specialty retailers.

Many current LEGO fans may not know it, but when master carpenter Ole Kirk Kristiansen started making toys, the first offerings from LEGO were handcrafted from wood. It wasn’t until wood became scarce in the aftermath of World War II that Kristiansen turned his attention to plastics, eventually birthing the famous bricks that spawned an empire.

Tapping into a lineage that includes both wood and plastic toys, the LEGO Group and Room Copenhagen are introducing LEGO Originals, a new range of products “dedicated to fans who love a bit of LEGO nostalgia and playful interior design.”

Unveiled today at the LEGO Originals Pop Up Store and Gallery in Covent Garden, London, the LEGO Originals Wooden Minifigure is an upscaled 5:1 version of the classic minifigure that kids of all ages have been playing with since it first debuted in 1978.  The 7-inch, handcrafted Wooden Minifigure comes in a premium gift box packed alongside a selection of LEGO bricks and a 28-page booklet that celebrates the legacy of the minifigure while showcasing the development of the wooden model.

“I have always been committed to making the nicest and most robust objects, and just like other carpenters I believe the best type of advertising is when the product promotes itself,” said Kristiansen in 1950. “Our purpose is to produce a really good, solid and finely crafted piece of work, and ensure LEGO products always be known for their exceptional quality.”

The Wooden Minifigure is handcrafted from FSC-certified oak, with adjustable yellow plastic hands just like today’s LEGO minifigures. Its release comes on the 60th anniversary of the last LEGO product to be manufactured using a combination of wood and plastic — the 1130 Bedford Firetruck from 1959.

It is expected that the LEGO Original Wooden Minifigure will be viewed as a blank canvas ripe for customization by designers and artists around the globe.

The LEGO Originals Wooden Minifigure is available to purchase this weekend at the pop-up store, and will be available to LEGO VIP members through LEGO.com beginning Nov. 3. Global orders for the general public will accepted beginning Nov. 8 while supplies last.

Funko delivered a Halloween treat to investors with the release of its third quarter earnings.

Following a 22% sales increase in the first quarter and a 38% increase in the second quarter, the Washington-based company made famous by its ever-growing selection of Pop! Vinyl figures has exceeded expectations once again. The strong results are being fueled by growth across all brands and categories both in the U.S. and internationally.

Funko reported a net sales increase of 26% to $223.3 million in the third quarter of 2019, up from $176.9 million in the third quarter of 2018. Gross profit increased 26%, net income increased to $15.5 million from $7.6 million, income from operations rose 36%, while gross margin decreased 10 basis points to 38.3%.

“More and more people are choosing Funko to be the platform in which they engage with pop culture,” says Funko CEO Brian Mariotti. “We are focused on finding new and innovative ways to connect people to their favorite entertainment through fan experiences as well as digital and physical goods. There continues to be strong global demand for our products as the proliferation of content persists around the world. We are continuing to make the investments needed to capitalize on our expanding growth opportunities in both new and existing markets.”

Sales of its collectible figures lines increased 24% to $176.5 million. The Loungefly brand and other softline products including apparel, bags, and wallets contributed net sales growth of 33% for the quarter.

In addition to a growing retail footprint, this quarter reflects sales from some big events, including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC), where more than 75 exclusive items were sold through two massive booth locations. Harry Potter remained the company’s top licensed property, but contributed just 9% of sales. Mass retail sales are up 65%, but Mariotti notes that mass retail is less than 15% of Funko’s overall business.

This year, the company has been expanding its reach and scope, with construction of a Hollywood flagship store, a Minor League baseball sponsorship, a new collection tracker app, a children’s book series, the acquisition of board game developer Forrest-Pruzan Creative, and a feature film in development at Warner Bros.

Mariotti says that the company is making investments in future growth, and while licensing is a very important piece of Funko’s product mix, in-house IP development is increasingly important. New toy lines based in Funko IP are in the pipeline for the years ahead — “wonderful, distinct toy lines that will be merchandised in a very disruptive way,” Mariotti says. Additionally, the overall product mix is expected to be diverse between evergreen content and trend items, and newer products such as games and advent calendars which continue to grow.

While the overall toy industry is still concerned about the potential enactment of the List 4B tariffs on Dec. 15, they’re just a mild concern for Funko, which produces a very small percentage of its products in China. The company has contingency plans in place and several potential levers to pull.

“If tariffs do go into effect, it’s a one quarter headwind for us. We’ll make the changes and be ready to rock and roll again,” Mariotti says.

Warner Bros. Pictures inked a multi-film deal with UK-based Locksmith Animation.

Under the new agreement, the two companies will co-develop and produce feature-length animated family films to be distributed under the Warner Animation Group/Warner Bros. Pictures umbrella.

Locksmith’s first feature, Ron’s Gone Wrong, is currently in production in London and will be released by Walt Disney Studios next year. The project landed at Disney through its Fox acquisition and was developed as part of an earlier deal between Locksmith and 20th Century Fox.

Locksmith Animation is led by BAFTA Award-winning director, writer, and producer Sarah Smith (Arthur Christmas) and producer Julie Lockhart (the Academy Award-nominated Shaun the Sheep Movie), who serve as co-CEOs. The duo co-founded the company in 2014 alongside Elisabeth Murdoch, who serves as chairman.

“We’re absolutely delighted to become part of the Warner Bros. family with this partnership,” Smith and Lockhart say. “The studio has not only a revered legacy in animation but an outstanding record in bringing contemporary family classics to global audiences. We look forward to working with its visionary leadership team to bring our unique voice and brand to worldwide audiences.”

Smith and Lockhart will collaborate with Allison Abbate, executive vice president of Warner Animation Group, who will “add a fresh voice to complement the studio’s current animation activities.”

“In recent years, animation has become a tremendously important part of our slate, and this deal with Locksmith dovetails perfectly with our forward-going plans,” says Toby Emmerich, chairman of Warner Bros. Pictures Group, and Courtenay Valenti, president of production and development at Warner Bros. Pictures. “We love Sarah and Julie’s sensibilities and work, and look forward to working with them to create titles that will enchant today’s audiences and become classics for future generations of animation lovers.”

The current animated lineup from Warner Animation Group/Warner Bros. Pictures includes next year’s Scooby-Doo reboot, Scoob!, along with Tom & Jerry, and Space Jam 2 slated for 2021.

Spotify just took a big step into the world of family entertainment.

Following a big push into podcasts with the purchase of Anchor FM — which hosts the Adventure Media & Events Podcast Network — the leader in streaming audio is going after kids with the ad-free Spotify Kids app. The company says it’s looking to embrace “the next generation of listeners,” and it’s doing it with a robust content lineup featuring audio from Disney, Nickelodeon, Discovery Kids, BookBeat, and more. Following the beta launch, the curated app will roll out to all markets that offer Spotify Premium Family subscriptions.

“Having a standalone app specifically for younger kids is a new space for Spotify, and we understand the sensitivities around content for children,” says Alex Norström, Spotify’s chief premium business officer. “We are being very deliberate in our launch approach. We’ve started with a beta launch in Ireland, knowing that this initial roll-out phase will yield many learnings from parents, caregivers, and other experts as they begin to interact with the app.”

Norström also says that the company is exploring listening options that go beyond music, including “more stories and audiobooks, and eventually podcasts.”

In developing the app, Spotify consulted with experts at the National Children’s Museum in Washington, D.C., and conducted its own studies and focus groups to gauge feedback from parents.

The voice of LEGO Batman is taking on a new role as host of an unscripted competition series.

Will Arnett (Arrested Development) will host LEGO Masters, premiering on Wednesday, Feb. 5 on Fox. In the new series, LEGO builders will face off in challenges that will test their creativity and skill until one duo is crowned “LEGO Masters.” Arnett, who’s voiced LEGO Batman in three films across the LEGO Movie franchise, will also serve as an executive producer on the series, which is based on the British reality show of the same name.

“It gives me peace of mind to be able to continue building my relationship with the LEGO Group,” Arnett says. “Ultimately, my goal is Danish citizenship.”

Since its UK debut in 2017, LEGO Masters has been adapted in other countries, including Germany and Australia. Teams of two are given an unlimited supply of LEGO bricks as they compete to impress the judges in hopes of advancing to the next round. In the end, the duo with the crown receives a LEGO trophy and a cash prize.

As the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros get ready to settle the score with a World Series winner crowned tonight at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Washington is still feeling the effects of its visit from a shark. Baby Shark.

Last Friday, prior to game 3, the pink fox known as Pinkfong and the official Baby Shark mascot paid a visit to Washington, D.C. to cheer on the Nationals while visiting landmarks, including the Washington Monument and Capitol Hill. During their trip, Pink Fong and Baby Shark handed out officially-licensed WowWee toys to kids of all ages.

This summer, Baby Shark became the unofficial mascot of the Nationals after Gerardo Parra switched his walk-up music to the viral song in honor of his daughter’s love for the unforgettable earworm. Following the switch, the superstitious Parra broke out of a hitting slump and the song stuck. Major League Baseball tells CNBC that it has sold more than $100,000 worth of unofficial Baby Shark products through the MLB Shop since the Nationals adopted the ocean-dwelling mascot.

WowWee’s full range of officially-licensed Baby Shark toys is available in stores now.

Top photo: APImages — Rodney Choice for Pinkfong Baby Shark & WowWee

Dublin-based Arckit is bringing the world of professional sports to its expanding range of architectural model kits.

Arckit Sports Volume 1 and Volume 2 are the first multi-stadium model building kits. Combining sports and architectural building, sports fans can build their own dream arena, including those with a modern angular design (Volume 1) or an elegant curved design (Volume 2). With a host of options available, the Arckit Sports multi-stadium model kits can be customized to represent baseball, basketball, soccer, ice hockey, football, and more.

#WeKnowPlay: Sports and architectural building come together in new stadium model kits from @Arckit.

Full details at The Toy Book —> https://t.co/jEYCCee4Vg pic.twitter.com/fRejQMBO6Y

— The Toy Book (@ToyBook) October 30, 2019

Each kit includes stickers and cards for customization and pieces to build using Arckit’s “open-ended” building system. Additionally, builders can slot their mobile device into the field area to bring the structure to life using downloadable 2D field animations from arckit.com, or by viewing live sporting events.

Kits are available to order now direct from Arckit.

As the merger deal to combine CBS and Viacom continues, the companies are making senior leadership appointments across what will be known as ViacomCBS when the deal formally closes in early December. Today, the companies revealed the executive lineup that will lead revenue lines for ViacomCBS upon closing.

“These appointments mark an important step in the integration of CBS and Viacom,” says Bob Bakish, president and CEO, Viacom, who will serve as president and CEO of ViacomCBS upon close. “The seasoned executives we announced today will capitalize on ViacomCBS’ must-watch programming, iconic library, and franchises, as well as its global production capacity to drive important new distribution, content licensing and advertising opportunities all over the world.”

ViacomCBS’ leaders across revenue lines:

Jo Ann Ross, president and chief advertising revenue officer, CBS, will serve as president and chief advertising revenue officer, ViacomCBS domestic advertising sales.

John Halley, executive vice president and chief operating officer, ad solutions, Viacom, will serve as COO, advertising revenue, and executive vice president, advanced marketing solutions, reporting to Ross.

Ray Hopkins, president of television networks distribution, CBS, will serve as president, U.S. network distribution, ViacomCBS.

Armando Nuñez, president and CEO, CBS Global Distribution Group, and chief content licensing officer, CBS, will serve as chairman, global distribution and chief content licensing officer, ViacomCBS.

Dan Cohen, president of worldwide home entertainment & television distribution, Paramount, will serve as president, global content licensing, ViacomCBS, reporting to Nuñez.

Pam Kaufman, president, Viacom/Nickelodeon Global Consumer Products, will serve as president, global consumer products, ViacomCBS.

David Lynn, president and CEO of Viacom International Media Networks, will oversee the combined company’s international media networks, including Network 10 in Australia.

As a combined company, ViacomCBS will have a portfolio that includes CBS, Showtime, Nickelodeon, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, and Paramount Network in addition to a large IP catalog.