Blog - Page 35 of 1503 - The Toy Book

Spin Master’s GUND Launches New Collection of Disney Plush

Spin Master’s GUND is partnering up with Disney for a full collection of new plush.

GUND is no stranger to the world of licensed plush, with offerings featuring family entertainment favorites such as its Sesame Street plush collection, PAW Patrol plush collection, and more. Now, the Spin Master brand is bringing Disney characters to its growing portfolio of plush.

Disney GUND 15-inch Toothpick – Pluto ($25) | Source: GUND

Disney GUND 15-inch Toothpick – Marie ($25) | Source: GUND

Disney GUND 12.5-inch Oh So Snuggly – Eeyore ($30) | Source: GUND

Disney GUND 12.5-inch Oh So Snuggly – Kanga & Roo ($30) | Source: GUND

The Disney GUND 15-inch Toothpick plush characters have exaggerated proportions, with lanky bodies, arms, and legs. GUND is offering Pluto, Figaro, Patch, Marie, and Tigger as Toothpick plush. Oh So Snuggly 12.5-inch plush characters are soft and under-stuffed to create a blanket-like plush friend. GUND’s Disney collection includes Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Kanga and Roo as Oh So Snuggly options. The Kanga and Roo is a two-for-one plush, with a 5-inch removable Roo that fits in Kanga’s pocket.

Disney GUND 10-inch Knit Pooh & Piglet ($35) | Source: GUND

Disney GUND 6-inch Winnie the Pooh Playset ($35) | Source: GUND

There’s even more for fans of Winnie the Pooh here. The collection includes a knit-patterned 10-inch Pooh and Piglet. It also includes the 6-inch Winnie the Pooh Playset. This plush playset features Pooh’s Hunny pot as a carrying case, as well as Winnie the Pooh as a rattle, Tigger as a squeaker, and Piglet as a crinkle.

The Disney GUND Collection is available on Amazon as well as at select specialty retailers starting today. More information about GUND’s variety of plush products can be found on the brand’s official website.

Build-A-Bear Celebrates Hello Kitty’s 50th Anniversary with New Plush, Store

This year, Sanrio hasn’t held back as it celebrates its most iconic character’s birthday with new toys, merchandise, and other collaborations. The party continues with the launch of a new 50th Anniversary Hello Kitty plush gift set from Build-A-Bear Workshop.

The 50th Anniversary Hello Kitty plush has a mix of blue, pink, and purple with sparkly accents; white eyes; and white whiskers. In place of her iconic bow, fans will find a plush 50. It is available on its own or bundled with the pink Hello Kitty birthday dress and cupcake. If kids want more Sanrio, Build-A-Bear has an existing Hello Kitty and Friends plush collection featuring Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, and more.

We are excited to expand our Build-A-Bear collection with the launch of this special 50th Anniversary Hello Kitty plush, bringing fans a unique collectible that they can cherish for years to come. As our partnership with Build-A-Bear continues to grow and evolve, we are looking forward to introducing new products and activations that inspire playfulness, fun, and creating memorable moments together.

Jill Koch, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Brand Management at Sanrio

“We are delighted to collaborate with Sanrio on the first-ever Hello Kitty and Friends inspired Build-A-Bear Workshop location, especially as we celebrate the remarkable 50th anniversary of this beloved character,” said Anjali Khosla, Vice President of Brand Management of Build-A-Bear Workshop. “Beyond this milestone moment, the timing is also supportive of the strategic expansion of our global retail footprint as well as the purposeful extension of our addressable market to include teens and adults – which is also a key consumer for Hello Kitty and Friends.”

Build-A-Bear will also cut the ribbon on the first-ever Build-A-Bear x Hello Kitty and Friends Workshop at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles. The store will feature special events and exclusive products, including make-your-own versions of fan-favorite Sanrio characters. The Los Angeles location will open ahead of the official anniversary in November.

The LEGO Group Rocks Earnings Season with 14% Sales Growth

The LEGO Group, one of the few privately held major toy companies to disclose earnings, had a phenomenal first half of the year marked by double-digit gains.

LEGO reported a 13% increase in revenue, reaching $4.64 billion USD (DKK $31.0 billion), for the first half of the year, driven by strong consumer sales and an expanding market share. Consumer sales grew 14%, fueled by high demand for the company’s diverse portfolio. The company outperformed the broader toy market, gaining market share.

We are very pleased with our strong performance in the first half. We delivered double-digit growth on the top- and bottom-line and made significant progress on increasing the amount of sustainable materials used in our products. Our portfolio continues to be relevant for all ages and interests, and this is driving significant demand across markets. We used our solid financial foundation to further increase spending on strategic initiatives which will support growth now and in the future to enable us to bring learning through play to even more children.”

— Niels B Christiansen, CEO

Looking closer at the numbers, operating profit surged by 26% to $1.21 billion USD (DKK 8.1 billion), supported by robust top-line growth, despite increased spending on strategic initiatives as planned. Net profit also rose by 16%, totaling $897 million USD (DKK 6.0 billion).

Free cash flow reached $449 million USD (DKK 3.0 billion), bolstered by the company’s strong performance. Investments continued in the construction of new factories and the expansion of existing facilities and offices.

In its sustainability efforts, LEGO reported that 30% of all resin purchased in the first half was certified mass balance, translating to an estimated average of 22% renewable and recycled materials used in the production of LEGO bricks.

Much of its success can be attributed to the fact that LEGO constantly reshapes itself to adapt to evolving consumer preferences and business needs. Its owned retail business, including physical stores and e-commerce, continues to grow, and that footprint powers brand awareness that results in sales for other retailers. Additionally, the company attracts new customers of all ages by offering innovative themes that work outside of the building and construction aisle, including high-end vehicle models, and botanicals.

The Insights Family Welcomes Crunchyroll and Roald Dahl to Client Roster, New Executives

The Insights Family is seeing new opportunities with a growing client roster and additions to the executive team, following a significant investment from BFG.

Based out of Manchester, The Insights Family specializes in kids, teens, parents, and family market intelligence. The company has brought on anime big Crunchyroll with plans to expand its reach across markets. It’s also joined up with The Roald Dahl Story Co., the copyrights manager of Roald Dahl’s large portfolio of work.

Our decision to establish teams in London and New York stems from our commitment to better serve the US and UK markets, seize on emerging opportunities, and strengthen our relationships with existing clients.

Tom Williams, CEO of The Insights Family

Helping lead The Insights Family’s new expansions are two new executive team members: Joe Timson, appointed as Executive Vice President of Revenue, and Greg Dagger, as Vice President of Customer Success. Each brings industry experience as The Insights Family strengthens its presence in both London and New York.

I’m excited to have joined The Insights Family at such a pivotal point in our growth journey and I’m relishing the opportunity to build out the team in London to keep us close to our core licensing and media communities.

Joe Timson, Executive Vice President of Revenue of The Insights Family

Timson brings experience in the worlds of tech, sales, customer success, and more, including work with GWI, Zappi, MediaProbe, Kantar, and Loops. Dagger also brings impressive experience, with 12 years of market research work at YouGov.

The Insights Family will be at this year’s Brand Licensing Europe in London from Sept. 24-26. Those interested in meeting with the team can visit Booth No. D218 or book a meeting on the company’s official website.

25 Things to Do and See at Brand Licensing Europe’s 25th Show

Just under a month from now, manufacturers, retailers, and some of the biggest brands in the world will head to London for Brand Licensing Europe’s (BLE) 25th-anniversary show. From Sept. 24-26, the ExCeL will feature more than 250 exhibitors — including more than 50 first-timers — representing thousands of brands.

“For 25 years, thousands upon thousands of new brand licensing partnerships, deals, and products have started at BLE during meetings, networking moments, opportunistic hellos, and show floor browsing,” says Ella Haynes, BLE Event Director. “It’s THE annual event for European retailers and manufacturers to rub shoulders with the world’s biggest brand owners and discover what’s new, be inspired, and learn how to expand their brands, businesses, and careers, and I’m looking forward to everyone coming together and helping us celebrate 25 years of BLE and the extraordinary evolution of an extraordinary industry.”