Wham-O products will be on full display at Ultimate Frisbee Association (UFA) events thanks to the upcoming introduction of Wham-O Kids Zones. The Wham-O Kids Zones will highlight new items such as Slip ‘N Slide Air and Trac-Ball II, among other products.
These activations will occur at select games for the UFA teams the Philadelphia Phoenix, the Minnesota Wind Chill, the Dallas Legion, and the Madison Radicals. All team locations will be home to a Wham-O Kids Zone in 2025.
The UFA was established in 2012 as the American Ultimate Disc League, and features 24 Ultimate Frisbee sports teams across the country. The brand Sports Dimension (SDI) is the exclusive licensee of Wham-O brands, which includes Frisbee, and partnered with the American Ultimate Disc League to rebrand as UFA in January.
The UFA Championship Weekend will feature a Wham-O Kids Zone. | Source: UFA
To learn more about the upcoming activations, which will be a feature of the UFA Championship Weekend in Salt Lake City on Aug. 23-24, visit the Watch UFA website.
Family-owned toy and game company Goliath has revealed the Power Saber, a new toy saber that will debut at retail later this month. The Power Saber automatically extends fully and retracts, making it the first toy saber with this feature. The launch accompanies Goliath’s desire to grow in the global toy and game industry.
Goliath’s Power Saber automatically extends and retracts. | Source: Goliath
The Power Saber ($59.99) will be available in two colors — red and green — and is designed for kids ages 6 and up. It extends to 90 centimeters and features motion-based SFX, such as an in-hilt LED and flash-on clash features. The toy saber can withstand active play, and kids can utilize the belt clip between battles or display the saber on the included stand.
“As we continue to execute our strategy to become a toy powerhouse, we are beyond excited to launch Power Saber,” says Brian Weiss, President of Goliath North America, Global Head of Toys. “Having a saber with the ability to fully extend and retract is an innovation that is truly magical and has been impossible until now. After multiple patents and years of development, we are ready to share the most innovative saber technology and unite the saber world — enjoy!”
The Power Saber will be available at retailers including Amazon, Walmart, and Target on July 21. Additionally, it will debut at an exclusive party hosted by Den of Geeks ahead of Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) on July 25.
Amazon is upping its game this summer with the launch of a new, immersive shopping experience for consumers searching for the best in video gaming.
The Gaming Zone 3D Showcase is a virtual shopping realm that features a variety of brands and fandoms, including the leader in at-home arcade machines, Arcade1Up.
For its Deluxe Edition of NBA Jam, Arcade1Up created a 5-foot-tall cabinet including three classic games: NBA Jam, NBA Jam Tournament Edition, and NBA Hang Time. The machine boasts a slimmer, space-saving design, a light-up marquee, 3D faux molded coin doors, dynamic dual speakers, a 17-inch BOE color monitor, and built-in Wi-Fi supporting online multiplayer for up to four players.
The collaboration between Arcade1Up and Amazon sets the stage for a new era of interactive shopping experiences, blending cutting-edge technology with a passion for nostalgic gaming. Consumers can look forward to exploring the Amazon Gaming Zone 3D Showcase for a range of Arcade1Up products, including the highly sought-after collection of Deluxe arcade machines, Infinity Game Table, and other classics. With this pioneering approach to retail, Arcade1Up continues to expand the gaming landscape for fans worldwide."
Learning Express Toys & Giftsheld its 25th Annual Convention and Toy Expo at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa in Tucson, Arizona from June 23-26. The event brought together store owners and toy vendors from across the country to network and celebrate the toy industry.
The event also offers an opportunity for both vendors and store owners to collaborate on best practices to promote new toys while exploring the current industry trends. Highlights from the convention include vendor showcases, motivational and informational seminars, activities and events designed to foster networking relationships between vendors, business owners, and other industry people, and an awards ceremony honoring the achievements and innovations of the community.
The Banquet Award winners include Douglas Co. and Hot Focus for Spotlight; Fat Brain Toys’ AirToobz for Toy of the Year; Thames & Kosmos for Vendor of the Year; and Ninja Silent Basketball from Flashsales for Innovation.
Winners of the Sales Awards include Jazwares for first place, LEGO for second, and Epoch Everlasting Play for third, followed by the Increase Awards winners: Kawaii, U.S. Toy Co., Mavi Bandz, Douglas Co., and Epoch Everlasting Play.
For Best Marketing Programs, the winners of the Spring Craft Sale Vendors were OOLY, Faber Castell, Make it Real, and U.S. Toy Co. Honorable mentions were awarded to U.S. Toy Co.’s Bunny Buffet Bucket Promotion and Schylling for its Buy Two Get One Free Needoh Promotion. The Direct Deal Program awards were awarded to All Sports Marketing, Dm Merchandising, Mavi, iPlay, iLearn, iScream, and Salus Brands.
Product Awards winners include:
Make it Real’s Mini Pottery Studio (Arts & Crafts)
Schylling’s Needoh Nice Cube (Party Favors)
Jazwares’ Squishmallows (Plush)
Fat Brain Toys’ Air Toobz (Preschool)
Thames and Kosmos’ Hydraulic Boxing Bots and Night Vision Goggles (Science)
HST’s Dino Stunt Car (Transit)
iScream’s Icee Machine (Tween 7+)
Speks’ Magnet Balls (Teen 13+)
Peter Pauper Press’ Color by Sticker Books (Books)
Thin Air Brands’ Trampoline Pong (Action/Skill Sports)
Epoch Everlasting Play’s Fun Time Tractor (Toddler)
Leading Edge’s Fast Push Game (Games)
Smart Noggin’s Light Up Noggin Stick (Infant)
Smart Toys & Games’ Smart Max Exclusive Set (Construction)
“This event underscores the strength and dedication of our franchise community,” says Lauren Derse, CEO of Learning Express Toys & Gifts. “It was a time to come together, learn from each other, and continue to inspire the joy of play in children and families everywhere.”
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit behind the Sesame Street series, has named Sherrie Westin as its CEO. Westin previously served as the organization’s President, and started acting as Interim CEO this past February.
Westin has served as President of Sesame Workshop since 2021, and has had an impressive 26-year history working with the nonprofit organization. In her prior work as President, she focused on early learning through media as well as targeted social impact and research initiatives.
After an extensive CEO search, the Sesame Workshop Board of Trustees unanimously selected Sherrie Westin, who has proven herself to be deeply knowledgeable, tireless in her efforts on behalf of children and families, and passionately committed to our mission.
— Gaby Sulzberger, Chair of the Sesame Workshop Board of Trustees
Before her time at Sesame Workshop, Westin held leadership positions across the sectors of media, nonprofit, and public service, including serving as Assistant to the President for Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs for President George H.W. Bush.
“Sesame Workshop’s mission is to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder — and no one has done more to advance that mission than Sherrie Westin, a seasoned leader with both proven experience and an unwavering dedication to uplifting the lives of children,” says Joan Ganz Cooney, creator of Sesame Street and Sesame Workshop Co-Founder.
Westin will be the first woman to lead Sesame Workshop since its co-founder. “Carrying on Joan Ganz Cooney’s legacy is both humbling and inspiring, and I’m honored to work with Gaby, the Trustees, and my colleagues to make sure that Sesame Street can continue to help children thrive for the next 55 years and beyond,” says Westin.
Women in Toys, Licensing, and Entertainment (WiT) has unveiled its list of finalists for this year’s Wonder Women Awards, which will coincide with the LA Fall Toy Preview this year.
This year’s awards feature categories including Advocate for Change, Brand Excellence, Brand Franchise, Commercial Sales, Designer/Inventor – Corporate, Designer/Inventor – Small Business/Entrepreneur, Digital Innovator, Digital Storyteller, Inbound Licensing, Licensing Agent/Agency, Marketing, Mentor of the Year, PR Excellence, Rising Leader <500 Employees, Rising Leader >500 Employees, Small Business Owner of the Year, Sustainability Excellence, Unsung Hero <500 Employees, and Unsung Hero >500 Employees. This year’s Wonder Women Awards theme is “Celebrating Wonder Women Everywhere.”
Women from all areas of the toy industry were nominated for WiT’s Wonder Women Awards. | Source: WiT
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate this year’s outstanding finalists,” says Wonder Women Co-Chairs Ehi Oviasu-Kahn and Nancy Molenda. “Each nominee embodies a commitment to teamwork, innovative thinking, and visionary leadership, reflecting the spirit of excellence that drives the WiT community and advances our industry.”
Voting will be open to all WiT members from July 15-Aug. 2. Winners will be announced at the Wonder Women Awards Gala on Friday, Sept. 13 at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
The finalists include:
ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE
Alena Niu, Mattel
Genna Rosenberg, GennComm, GoodWorksXGennComm, and GennComm ImaGENNation
Kendra Vaughan, Exploding Kittens
Lissa Alberto-Calma, The LEGO Group
BRAND EXCELLENCE
Alicia Crespin, Mattel
Chelsea Stevens, ZURU
The Furby Development Team, Hasbro
Logan Stone, Moose Toys
Melissa Martyn, Universal Products & Experiences
Sara DeWitt, PBS Kids
Sarah Melnick, The LEGO Group
BRAND FRANCHISE
Aimee London, Mattel
Alyse D’Antuono, Hasbro
Anna Songco Adamian, Crunchyroll
Annie Chen, Paramount
Birgitte Bülow, Bezzerwizzer Studio, Asmodee
Christine Tran, Amazon
Divya Dalal, Disney Consumer Products
Karen Eggleston, Jazwares
Katie Pullen, Universal Products & Experiences
Michelle Fode, Disney Consumer Products
Trish Garrett, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America
COMMERCIAL SALES
Amazon Hasbro Commercial Sales Team, Hasbro
Elizabeth Kong and Kelly Bloom, Jazwares
Fiona Hardie, Amazon
Karen Neyen, TOMY International
Kelly Harrison, The LEGO Group
Kylie Whitehead, Toysmith
Michelle Hoffman, Moose Toys
Pamela Velarde, Mattel
Sindy Gouilloud Arrais, ZURU France
DESIGNER/INVENTOR – CORPORATE
Anthea Rodgers, Jazwares
Carol Mertz, Exploding Kittens
Chandra Hicks, Mattel
Claudia D. Sandoval, Melissa & Doug
Danwei Lando, Paramount
Jessica Livingston, Spin Master
Julie Borchert, Universal Products & Services
Melissa Jones, Hasbro
Pat Chiang, Just Play
Shaun Shishido, Disney Parks, Experiences, & Products
Tori Salvaggio, Moose Toys
Wendy Huang, ZURU
DESIGNER/INVENTOR – SMALL BUSINESS / ENTREPRENEUR
Anquisha Crutcher, To Grandma’s House I Go
Donna Fasano, The Owl & The Hourglass Word Game Puzzles
Gayle Keller, Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls
Natalie Delaney-John, That Sound Game
Natalie Sabri, Dough Parlour
Sally Connolly, Napa Valley Toys USA
Wendy Bryan Lazar, I Heart Guts Original Plush Organs
DIGITAL INNOVATOR
Aimee Garbett, The LEGO Group
Lauren Bath, EXG Pro
Lilly Briger, Mattel
Linda E. Hansel, TOMY International
Monika Sharma, Paramount
Olesia Aulova, ZURU
Sarah Braun, Amazon
DIGITAL STORYTELLER
Alana Blumenstein, KidsRead2Kids
Amanda Cioletti, Informa Markets
Cushla Henry, ZURU
Juliana Scaff Fontanella, The LEGO Group
Liz Maglione, Mattel
Mia Khoury, Hasbro
INBOUND LICENSING
Alison Carroll, Mattel
Dana Koc, Just Play
Jessica Vivolo, Jazwares
Kyle Harrison, ZURU
Laura Henderson, Spin Master
Rebecca Aghakhan Shepard, Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro
LICENSING AGENT / AGENCY
Andi Scher, Mix Licensing Group
Jennifer Case, Flynn Collective
Michelle McLaughlin, Brand Activation Consulting
Molly Robbins, USPA Global / U.S. Polo Association
MARKETING
Danni Loe, Flat River Group
Francesca Sonand, ZURU
Holly Dabiew Myhre, Hasbro
Jen Wulfekuhle, TOMY International
Julia Maher, Mattel
Kristina Kronberg, Jazwares
Lucy Bullock, Moose Toys
Mathilde LeBorgne, Informa Markets
Meghan Gamboa, Ageless Innovation
Sarah Milik Dannenbaum, Paramount
Ying Tarantino, The LEGO Group
MENTOR OF THE YEAR
Belinda Gruebner, Moose Toys
Bri Lovett, Wizards of the Coast / Hasbro
Carol Blumenstein, KidsRead2Kids
Coco Chan, ZURU
Dawn Till, Toysmith
Julie Gwaltney, TOMY International
Tiffani Magri, Mattel
PR EXCELLENCE
Crystal Flynn, Hasbro
Molly Quiring, Universal Products & Experiences
Niki Kazakos, Mattel
Tiffany Kayar, Informa Markets North America
Zebra Partners
RISING LEADER <500 EMPLOYEES
Helena Perheentupa, StrateDoo
Jennifer Schubert, Go! Retail Group
Jenny Lorton, Toysmith
Kellee Vopelak, Exploding Kittens
Michelle Weber, Toy’n Around
RISING LEADER >500 EMPLOYEES
Becca Griffin, Hasbro
Megan Startz, Universal Products & Experiences
Mina Azizi, Mattel
Nastya Xu, ZURU
Sasha Bash, Amazon
Sonia Singh, Spin Master
Tereza Koudelkova, The LEGO Group
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER OF THE YEAR
Alondra Carbajal, Blank Tag Co. Stickers
Anita Grant, Hello Hair
Brea Brand, Connetix
Camille Jasson, That Sound Game
Carla Schneider, WubbaNub
Helen Smith, Roo & You
Taylor Herndon, Board to Beers
SUSTAINABILITY EXCELLENCE
Emilie Stinson Nosovic, The LEGO Group
Sofia Dumery, Melissa & Doug
UNSUNG HERO <500 EMPLOYEES
Allie Wachter, Just Play
Carrie Dash, Toysmith
Julie Fenwick, EXG Pro
Kiana Sheldon, Roo & You
Kimberly Carcone, The Toy Association
Morgan Renken, Entertainment Earth
UNSUNG HERO >500 EMPLOYEES
Alice Hines, Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America
In partnership with Paramount, Boss Fight Studio will release a collection of figures inspired by the iconic comic strip character Garfield.
The new collection marks the first fully articulated Garfield action figures. “The world’s laziest cat has conquered comic strips, TV specials, multiple TV series, and movies, but until now, Garfield and his friends have never had their own action figures,” says Andrew Franks, Co-founder and Chief Creative Officer at Boss Fight Studio.
Garfield ($24.99) | Source: Boss Fight Studio
Odie ($24.99) | Source: Boss Fight Studio
Nermal ($24.99) | Source: Boss Fight Studio
Characters in the collection include Garfield, Odie, and Nermal. The Garfield figure features 25 points of articulation and includes a tray of lasagna with a removable piece, swappable expressions, and his teddy bear, Pooky.
The Odie figure features 17 points of articulation and includes a food dish with dog food, a swappable tongue-out mouthpiece, and a swappable wagging-effect tail. Finally, the Nermal figure has 17 points of articulation and includes swappable closed eyes, a ball of yarn, and a box with Nermal inside.
In addition to the new scaled action figures, Boss Fight is also working on a Garfield 1:1 Gigantic Figure. This figure is a life-size version of Garfield designed for home display.
The new Garfield action figures from Boss Fight Studio are available for preorder on the Boss Fight website now, and are expected to release next year. The licensing deal to develop the figures was brokered by FanGirl Consulting & Brand Management.
It’s July, and before the industry checks out for the holiday weekend, it’s time to hit the rewind button and look back at the hottest stories of June 2024, as chosen by you, the readers.
However, in the interest of newness, only stories published in the previous month qualify for an official spot in the Toy Book Top 10 as determined by overall traffic. One point of interest: The majors dominated the headlines in June.
Check out last month’s Top 10 and some hot products below and stay on the #pulseofplay!
The toy industry and the consumers it serves are looking for fresh, new products and that was very clear this past month as five of our new product roundups from recent months drew notable reader attention.
Subscribe today and celebrate 40 years of The Toy Book with a six-issue subscription to North America’s leading trade publication serving the toy industry for just $40.
Ahead of the new film, Mattel has released a collection of Disney Descendants: The Rise of Red toys!
Style is at the forefront of the line of fashion dolls in the collection. Kids can revel in the vibrant locks and supercharged style of Princess Chloe Charming, Red, Bridget, and Uliana dolls, which cost $24.99 each.
There are four fashion dolls in the collection. | Source: Mattel
The collection also includes a Rise of Red doll that actually sings! Kids can press her torso to hear the catchy song “Red” from the film. She also comes with accessories and is articulated at the arms, elbows, wrists, and knees. The Rise of Red singing doll costs $24.99.
The Red doll sings! | Source: Mattel
And kids can cook up some magic with The Sorcerer’s Cookbook play packs! These sets, available for $29.99, come with the fixings to make slime, fizz, and more, with a doll-reveal at the end of the experiments!
RELATED
Check out the collection on the Mattel website now ahead of the film’s July 12 release to unleash the magic and mischief of Disney Descendants: Rise of Red!
Following the news that Basic Fun! is restructuring through a court-supervised process in Delaware, CEO and majority shareholder Jay Foreman got in touch with The Toy Book to share some insight into the situation, what caused it, and the strength of the company looking ahead.
A Note from Jay Foreman:
“Many of those in our industry might be seeing the news about an event taking place around Basic Fun. Like some old houses, some are for knocking down and some have great bones and just need a new roof and some paint. Basic Fun has great bones! We have a solid foundation and we have the means to fix our roof and put a new coat of paint on the walls, not to mention a new game room! We have great people and amazing licensing and vendor partners standing with us as we are poised to have an amazing year led by Littlest Pet Shop and anchor classic lines like Care Bears, Tonka, and Lite-Brite.
As you can imagine for someone who has had a lot of success in this business over many years, having to admit you need to take a step back to take a step forward is humbling for sure.
To be honest, this business has been humbling many of us from the biggest to the smallest and many like us in between. Toys ‘R’ Us going down, COVID-19, and the supply chain brought many to the brink and some beyond. And some recognized when they needed a little help and some adjusting. Basic Fun needed a little adjusting and that is why we initiated a restructuring on Friday. The fact that this process is done through a bankruptcy court is unfortunate when you are not bankrupt and we are not. We are solvent, capitalized, and open for business.
Anyone who does business with me and with our company knows we are as hard-working and dedicated as any in the industry. We tell it like it is, are fast to market, creative, and deliver great products at a great value and we will continue undaunted and uninterrupted.
Many of my friends and colleagues in the business have checked in to see how I’m doing and how the company is doing and I very much appreciate that and thank you. I’m fine and we’re fine. I try to always do the right thing, treat people well, and dedicate myself to my company, partners, and this industry. That’s my brand and the support I’ve been getting is testimony to doing the right thing.
As I said we are not skipping a beat, have fresh capital to deliver our year, to grow, and even to find new businesses to acquire if we find a good fit. I’ll keep those that follow my blog posted on how things are going. I can assure anyone who cares or is interested that this will be not just a good story and outcome but a great one. Watch this space!
