Blog - Page 57 of 1508 - The Toy Book

PlayMonster, Diverse Marketing Partner to Expand Retail Reach

PlayMonster is partnering with wholesale representative group Diverse Marketing.

Known for its wide array of toy and game brands, PlayMonster has entered into a three-year open-ended agreement with Diverse Marketing and Diverse Brands. Under the new arrangement, Diverse Marketing will represent PlayMonster across most of the company’s retail accounts.

Pigs on Trampolines | Source: PlayMonster

Colorforms Travel Play Set: Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood | Source: PlayMonster

Five Crowns | Source: PlayMonster

The Diverse Marketing partnership aims to improve service for PlayMonster partners across mass retail, specialty toy, and independent retailers. Combining efforts, the two companies will streamline representation and enhance PlayMonster’s retail presence.

PlayMonster has a full portfolio of games, toys, activity books, and more. The company has several licensed offerings, such as the Bluey–themed Original Spirograph Jr., a Disney Trivia game, and more. Other PlayMonster brands and products include Pigs on Trampolines, Farkle, Colorforms, Five Crowns, Fashion Plates, and more.

Diverse Marketing has showrooms in Dallas, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and Seattle.

PlayMonster plans to expand its portfolio of offerings throughout the year, with new products across categories such as games, crafts, and activities.

Forecast: The Insights Family’s 2024 Report Reveals Emerging Industry Trends

The Insights Family has released its Industry Impact 2024 Report.

With the advisement of more than 100 industry experts and data from more than 3 million families across 22 markets, the study includes comprehensive information about challenges, trends, and opportunities in the kids’ and family markets.

Highlights from this year’s report include a high number of industry professionals identifying budget constraints as an obstacle; an increase in teens planning their futures; and a push for localized strategies, with 72% of industry professionals recognizing the challenge of engaging kids.

What is so interesting in this report, is that we have taken not only the views of the professionals but also provided examples of our own data as context to demonstrate why organizations need to continually adapt their strategies as this generation moves faster than any in history.

Nick Richardson, Founder of The Insights Family

Overall, the report indicates ever-changing market dynamics, with media fragmentation and other trends highlighting the need for organizational adaptability. The report indicates 26% of industry experts acknowledged organizational rigidity as a barrier to adapting to market conditions. Concerns about the industry’s uncertain future also played a part in this year’s report, with 84% of professionals expressing uncertainty about how their organization will operate in the future and the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.

Nick Richardson, The Insights Family’s Founder, will also be hosting a webinar on July 18 to discuss the report’s findings with industry experts including including Ian Wickham of Licensing Link, Danielle Davies of Meon Media, and Tristan Brooks, Managing Partner of Havas Media. Registration for the webinar is available online now.

The Industry Impact 2024 Report is available to download for free now on the official webpage.

Bandai Namco to Launch Second Gundam Base Mobile Tour

Bandai Namco Toys & Collectibles America (BNTCA) has revealed the tour dates and locations for the 2024 Gundam Base Mobile Tour. This marks the second Gundam Base Mobile Tour to travel within the U.S.

The tour begins on Aug. 7 and ends on Oct. 27. Families and collectors can participate in free GUNPLA workshops, access exclusive model kits, take fun family photos with Gundam, play video games, participate in a VR experience, and more. Event-exclusive figures will also be available.

Families can expect various stations at the tour. | Source: BNTCA

Tour locations include Illinois, Ohio, New York, Virginia, Georgia, Colorado, Washington, Nebraska, and more. The full schedule is available at gundam.info. The event will start between 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and end between 5 p.m.-6 p.m.

The Gundam Base Mobile Tour will arrive at each town in a unique truck and trailer that features the giant robot. Certain GUNPLA model kits and event exclusives will be available online following the tour as well. Visit gundam.info for more information.

MGA Entertainment Reveals Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings Miniverse Make It Mini Collections

Two iconic fantasy franchises are going miniature.

MGA Entertainment is partnering with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products for new collections featuring fan-favorite fantasy brands. The newest Miniverse Make It Mini lines will feature Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, both launching July 21.

The new line includes potions inspired by the Harry Potter movies. | Source: MGA Entertainment

The Miniverse Make It Mini Potions collection includes miniature replicas of items and artifacts found in the Harry Potter films. From Wolfsbane to Polyjuice, potion-makers can now create their own collectibles. Each surprise ball-shaped capsule contains everything needed to make potions. Once the potions have cured in UV or daylight, they are ready for display. There are 15 different styles of potions, with 12 core styles and three rare, limited-edition items.

The mini magic doesn’t stop there. MGA Entertainment is also launching a new The Lord of the Rings mini collection. Each ball-shaped capsule includes everything needed to make a miniature replica armory inspired by the movies, with 15 different styles to collect.

The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter Miniverse Make It Mini Collections are designed with kidult collectors in mind. Both will launch July 21. The new lines join other Warner Bros. Discovery products from MGA Entertainment, including collectibles inspired by Elf and Wonka.

Wow! Stuff to Bring WWE Toys and Novelties to Market Starting Fall 2024

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), notorious for being choosy with licensing deals, has partnered with Wow! Stuff to introduce new products beginning in autumn 2024. The deal was brokered by WWE’s licensing agency, IMG.

The first product to hit retailers will be a Thumb Wars line, in which recognizable WWE stars will be rendered as “thumb caps” for kids and collectors to stage thumb wars. There will also be a Thumb Wrestling ring. Thumb Wars will come as blind two-packs, and are slated to hit an as-yet-unspecified mass retailer. The price point for the new products will range from about $5 to about $25.

“The WWE brand’s ‘always on’ presence and exciting storylines have kept it at the forefront of family entertainment for years,” says Kenny McAndrew, Director of Licensing at Wow! Stuff. “With this new collection, we wanted something on-brand and in-universe for WWE and our research said it’s time that thumb wars became a branded gameplay.”

WWE is known for being selective with its licensing deals, which Mattel has historically dominated. For information on WWE’s licensing partnerships and opportunities, visit the IMG website.

Paramount, Skydance Media Merge to Form New Paramount

Signing off on the definitive agreement, Paramount and Skydance Media are joining to form New Paramount.

The agreement will take place through a two-step transaction. It includes the acquisition of National Amusements, which holds the controlling share stake in Paramount, and a subsequent merger of Skydance and Paramount Global.

We are committed to energizing the business and bolstering Paramount with contemporary technology, new leadership, and a creative discipline that aims to enrich generations to come.

David Ellison, Founder and CEO of Skydance

New Paramount aims to expand Paramount’s existing presence as a media enterprise, focusing on technological advancements across entertainment platforms such as animation, gaming, film, sports, and more. The management team will be led by David Ellison (Founder and CEO of Skydance) as Chairman and CEO; and Jeff Shell (Chairman of RedBird Sports & Media and former CEO of NBCUniversal) as President.

The two companies have partnered previously several times in the past 15 years. Paramount brings to the merger its numerous IPs and extensive experience in the entertainment industry. Skydance will provide investment opportunities, two in-house game developer studios, a partnership with the NFL, and more.

As one of the iconic media brands and libraries in Hollywood, Paramount has the IP foundation to ensure longevity through this evolution — but it will require a new generation of visionary leadership together with experienced operational management to navigate this next phase.

Gerry Cardinale, Founder and Managing Partner of RedBird Capital

National Amusements has agreed to sell to Skydance for $2.4 billion, offering full control over Paramount’s Class A shares. Skydance Investment Group expects to own 70% of the equity of New Paramount following the full transaction.

Skydance Investment Group, led by the Ellison Family and Redbird Capital Partners, will additionally invest up to $6 billion to offer Class A stockholders other than National Amusements an election to receive in the merger $23 cash per share or 1.5333 shares of Class B stock of New Paramount; offer Class B stockholders other than National Amusements an election to receive in the merger $15 cash per share or one share of Class B stock of New Paramount, subject to proration if Class B elections exceed $4.3 billion in the aggregate; and use the remainder to pay down any debt and re-capitalize the balance sheet of New Paramount.

“Our hope is that the Skydance transaction will enable Paramount’s continued success in this rapidly changing environment,” says Shari Redstone, Chair of Paramount Global and Chair, President, and CEO of National Amusements. “As a longtime production partner to Paramount, Skydance knows Paramount well and has a clear strategic vision and the resources to take it to its next stage of growth.”

The transaction agreement includes a 45-day go-shop period in which the Special Committee of Paramount’s Board of Directors can seek other acquisition proposals. Skydance and Paramount held a meeting this morning to discuss the transaction with security analysts, with a listen-only webcast of the meeting available online now.

Wyncor to Launch Miraball Line at Carrefour Stores in Europe

Recently launched toy company Wyncor has inked an agreement with Carrefour to see its Miraball brand in stores across Europe this September.

Wyncor established itself this past January and has since continued development on several product offerings, including patented toys such as Miraball. Wyncor has already established a variety of licensing partners for Miraball, including Spin Master’s PAW Patrol, Hasbro’s Transformers, Paramount’s SpongeBob Squarepants, and more. The toy line had its retail debut last fall, and will now see itself expanding into European markets.

As a new toy company with a mission to offer speed and flexibility to retailers and partners, best-in-class product development for alignment with partners’ IP content, and premium quality and innovative products to consumers, we couldn’t be more excited that our first patented product, the Miraball, has been an astounding success.

— Julian Jacob, CEO, Wyncor

The Miraball line of toys are surprise pack collectibles in a compact sphere, a little less than 3 inches in diameter. Kids can open the sphere to reveal a hidden expanding plush charm, as well as a metal charm ball and a sticker.

Carrefour Group has several stores across Europe that will offer Miraball products. Coinciding with the launch, a month-long TV advertising campaign will run three times daily during weekends on TF1.

Miraball has already seen success in U.S. locations such as Target, Fred Meyer, and Meijer. The brand will debut in European Carrefour stores this September.

McFarlane, SEGA Ink Licensing Deal for ‘Persona 3 Reload’ Action Figures

McFarlane Toys has signed on with SEGA to develop action figures inspired by the Persona 3 Reload video game.

The new 7-inch-tall articulated figures will feature characters from Persona 3 Reload. They’ll join other collectibles McFarlane Toys offers that feature popular video games, including Diablo IV, the Mortal Kombat series, Batman: Arkham City, and more.

Persona 3 Reload launched this past February. | Source: Atlus

Persona 3 Reload, a remake of the popular 2006 release Persona 3, launched in February. It was developed by Atlus’ internal P-Studio division and published by Atlus and SEGA. The Persona series overall is known for its combination of social simulation and traditional role-playing game elements. Persona 3 Reload is no exception, as players step into the role of a transfer student who finds friends and discovers new powers within the Dark Hour.

“We’ve been lucky enough over the past 30 years of McFarlane Toys to be able to partner with some awesome companies and this is no different,” says Todd McFarlane, Founder and CEO of McFarlane Toys. “We are excited to add SEGA and Atlus to our ever-growing roster of gaming licenses. These figures are going to be super cool, and we can’t wait for fans to see them!”

The Persona 3 Reload action figures from McFarlane will launch next year, both online and at select retailers. McFarlane expects to open preorders as the launch date gets closer.

The LEGO Group Selects Publicis One as its New Global Media Agency

Following an 18-month pitch — which included incumbent agency Initiative — The LEGO Group has appointed Publicis One as its new global media agency. The new agency will focus on strengthening The LEGO Group’s current connection to families and builders, as well as the company’s stance on the importance of play.

Publicis One, which is powered by Starcom, will navigate the evolving digital landscape while exploring new and authentic ways to engage with its audiences, as seen through The LEGO Group’s prior campaigns like Rebuild the World and Play Unstoppable.

“We were impressed with Publicis One’s depth and breadth of expertise — as well as their aligned cultural values,” says Julia Goldin, The LEGO Group’s Chief Product & Marketing Officer. “We look forward to working together to further enhance our ecosystem, leveraging their insights and capabilities to create engaging and meaningful experiences for our audiences. Together, we aim to inspire children and families globally, nurturing creativity and fostering learning through play.”

The new agency, which will start onboarding this month, will also work with Initiative for three months to ensure a smooth transition and maintain a strong brand presence.

“We would like to thank the team at Initiative/IPG for a great seven years. They have been with us every step of the way as we significantly grew the business, launched our first global brand campaign, and reached more children than ever before. We are grateful for their support and collaboration,” Goldin says.

For more information about The LEGO Group’s branding, visit lego.com.

Outright Games Unveils New Transformers Racing Game

A new Transformers video game is headed to screens this fall.

Transformers: Galactic Trials is a racing adventure game that creates play experiences based on Transformers vehicle and robot modes. After Nemesis Prime steals the Prime Relics, the Autobots and Decepticons must roll out on an adventure to recover the relics. Players can take on the roles of Autobots or Decepticons, including Bumblebee, Megatron, Elita-1, and Optimus Prime to race through circuits and fight other robots.

The game features two game modes: Single-Player mode, which features progression through levels, and Arcade Mode, which features multiplayer races, track design, and specialized tournaments.