Blog - Page 59 of 1503 - The Toy Book

European Entertainment Company DeAPlaneta Taps Gianluca Ferrara for Kids & Family Division

DeAPlaneta Entertainment has secured Gianluca Ferrara as Head of Italy and International Head of Toys, a new position created within the company’s Kids & Family Division.

The Spain-based company is known to acquire, produce, merchandise, and distribute both Spanish and international films and TV series. Its Kids & Family Division has facilitated the release and distribution of titles in the Miraculous Ladybug franchise, Pucca, Smurfs, and more.

Miraculous and Pucca are among the titles licensed and distributed by the company. | Source: DeAPlaneta

Ferrara’s resume includes stints in the marketing and sales department of Giochi Preziosi Group, an Italian toy and media company, as well as experience working with Bandai Toys in Italy.

“We are really happy to integrate into the DeAPlaneta Kids & Family team such an experienced professional as Gianluca,” says Antonella Ceraso, International Consumer Product Director at DeAPlaneta Entertainment. “His successful trajectory in the Marketing and Sales departments of prestigious international brands in the children’s and family market such as Giochi Preziosi or Bandai, make him a valuable addition for the expansion and internationalization of our company.”

The newly appointed Ferrara adds: “DeAPlaneta Entertainment is a company with a remarkable history, a great brand portfolio and a clear vision of the future with many exciting new projects in progress. Together, we will continue to expand the business, building extraordinary experiences and inspiring our audiences and customers.”

ASTRA Shares Marketplace & Academy Holiday Trends

The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) has produced a list of notable trends that emerged from the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy, which concluded last week in St. Louis, Missouri.

“Marketplace and Academy brings together the entire industry, from manufacturers to small retail owners,” says Sue Warfield, President of ASTRA. “As they walked the show floor, along with our team, they pointed out trends and innovations that we think are going to drive the wishlists this holiday season.”

The first notable trend is that toymakers are getting creative at bath time. This includes bath-centric and water-based art and craft materials. Social-emotional learning (SEL) and inclusivity is another top trend, which involves expanding the arena of feelings-based toys, including sensory products. Impulse items, such as popping toys and slime, also continue to display a robust performance.

Teethers are getting upgrades, ASTRA also notes, with several producers adding multiple play patterns to previously one-note teething products.

Squishy plush of all sizes continues to dominate that category, notes ASTRA, and in the art materials category, foil appears to be the hot new medium. Toys that fly, mini activity boards, kawaii-style cuteness, and expanded VR offerings are among the other current trends ASTRA predicts will top holiday wish lists this year.

For more information on ASTRA and its reporting on toy industry trends, visit the nonprofit’s website.

Upper Deck Unveils Action-Packed DC Trading Cards

Upper Deck is diving right into the action and launching a new collection of trading cards featuring fan-favorite DC superheroes and supervillains. The collection features art of superheroes including Batman, Superman, Supergirl, and Wonder Woman along with supervillains like Lex Luthor and the Joker.

“DC’s fandom and history run deep, and we’re excited to expand those storylines and immortalize those life-changing moments of the great Super Heroes we all grew up admiring,” says Jason Masherah, President of Upper Deck. “Here at Upper Deck, we only create the best collectibles and games for fans across the globe, and we look forward to working with the Warner Bros. Discovery team to extend their vision to our products.”

The DC Annual trading cards feature DC Comics covers. | Source: Upper Deck

The DC Annual trading cards feature DC Comics covers. | Source: Upper Deck

Fans can officially start their Upper Deck x DC collection with an e-Pack exclusive featuring Superman. This card will only be available for a few more days at upperdeckepack.com and may even come with a bonus card.

Upper Deck is also planning to launch new trading cards and tabletop games as a part of its collaboration with DC. The collection will start launching this winter with DC Annual, Skybox Metal Universe Batman, Fleer Ultra Superman, DC Unbound, and DC Masterpieces.

LEGO Launches LEGO Icons Transformers Bumblebee Set

LEGO is continuing its trend of catering to kidults, this time with a new Transformers set featuring the fan-favorite character Bumblebee.

LEGO markets a selection of its products as both fun for kids and a relaxing hobby option for adult fans. Now, a new licensed set joins LEGO’s adult collection: the LEGO Icons Transformers Bumblebee set. The set comes just in time for Hasbro‘s celebration of the Transformers brand’s 40th anniversary this year.

The LEGO Bumblebee figure can easily convert to vehicle mode. | Source: LEGO

The new set is 950 pieces and comes together for a LEGO version of a 1980s Bumblebee action figure. The LEGO figure has articulated joints, an ion blaster, and a jetpack. True to the Transformers brand, it can also convert into vehicle mode. The set additionally includes a display plaque, perfect for collectors.

The Bumblebee set is the same scale as LEGO’s previously launched LEGO Icons Transformers Optimus Prime set so the two can be displayed together. The Optimus Prime set is 1508 pieces and also comes with a display plaque.

The new LEGO Icons Transformers Bumblebee set will be available to LEGO Insiders on July 1 and to the public in LEGO stores on July 4 for $89.99.

The Gameroom Powered by Hasbro to Open at American Dream Mall

The Gameroom Powered by Hasbro is opening at the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey later this month. The licensed destination is a 41,500-square-foot entertainment center with arcade games, attractions, retail offerings, and dining featuring beloved Hasbro brands.

The G.I. Joe Battle Station offers themed laser tag battles. | Source: American Dream

The Gameroom will feature G.I. Joe, Battleship, Candy Land, Trivial Pursuit, Clue, Monopoly, Transformers, and more. Fans can gear up and join a laser tag battle between COBRA and G.I. Joe at the G.I. Joe Battle Station. Gamers can compete for high scores in the Ultimate Rollergames, and try a full variety of arcade offerings in the Arcade Reimagined.

At the end of the day, we’re in the business of play, and we strive to deliver gaming experiences that are fun to play, fun to watch, and fun to share for our multi-generational fanbase. That’s exactly what we’ve created with The Gameroom.

— Matt Proulx, Senior Vice President of Global Experiences, Partnerships and Music at Hasbro

For food, the Candy Land Shake Bar has treats inspired by the classic board game. Beyond sweet treats, Gameroom Eats is a full-service restaurant featuring fan-favorite games. Kids can order off the Hungry Hungry Kiddos menu while adults enjoy a drink at the Game Bar.

American Dream is no stranger to licensed entertainment. The more than 3-million-square-foot destination’s other offerings include the DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, and more.

“This is a can’t-miss destination, captivating guests of all ages with an unforgettable experience where nostalgia meets joy,” says Bryan Gaus, Senior Vice President and General Manager of American Dream.

The Gameroom Powered by Hasbro will open to the public on June 26. More information about the new entertainment center is available on the official webpage.

Skybound Tabletop Releases Contrabanter Game

Skybound Tabletop has a new game making its way to shelves across the country. The company recently launched preorders for its licensed Invincible: The Hero-Building Game. Now, the team-based conversation game Contrabanter is available online as well as in local game stores.

Contrabanter asks players to sneak secret words into conversation. | Source: Skybound Tabletop

Contrabanter has players team up to sneak secret words into conversations, without getting noticed. Each turn, an opponent will ask a question or use a prompt card to start the talking. Then, the word-smuggling team will have 90 seconds to get their words in the discussion. The opposing team will need to pay close attention to see if they can guess which words were the smuggled ones.

Teams get points for succeeding at sneaking words in, as well as correctly identifying the secret words. Whichever team has the most points at the end of three rounds of play is declared the winner.

The game is designed by Phil Gross and features art from Curt Merlo. It comes with 141 secret word cards, nine guess cards, and 20 optional prompt cards.

Contrabanter is designed for ages 10 and up and is available online and at local game stores for $19.99. The game will also expand to other retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million over the next few weeks. Other Skybound Tabletop offerings include Pirate Tails, Kiss the Goblin, and No Context.

Bedtime Buddies: Douglas Launches Holiday-Themed PJ Crew and PJ Pals Plush

New holiday plush from Douglas is on the way!

Known for its wide variety of plush, Douglas has everything from beloved animals to mythical creatures. The company is getting ready for another wave of releases with some additions to its PJ Crew and PJ Pals lines.

The Douglas chocolate lab plush dogs both have holiday pajamas. | Source: Douglas

Two new additions to the PJ Crew line are here for the holidays, both chocolate labs. The 7-inch puppy and 11-inch dog each have on a pail blue onesie with a holiday pattern featuring Santa, a snowman, a Christmas tree, and more. The pajama onesie is removable, so kids can get their plush ready for bed with them.

White Kitten | Source: Douglas

Golden Retriever | Source: Douglas

Tan Pug | Source: Douglas

There are also three new PJ Pals on the way. A 7-inch white kitten, golden retriever, and tan pug all have on a turquoise onesie with a holiday print featuring candy canes, mitten ornaments, penguins, and stars. Like the PJ Crew, the onesies are removable.

These plush animals join existing Douglas plush with pajamas such as Hattie the Black Lab, Dede the French Bulldog, Edie the Yellow Lab, and more.

The new PJ Crew and PJ Pals plush will be available at specialty gift and toy stores in early September. The plush animals are designed for ages 3 and up.

Relatable, Almost Friday Media Launch Almost Friday Adult Drinking Game

Relatable launched a new adult drinking game, made in partnership with Almost Friday Media, which is known for its social media lifestyle and beer brand Friday Beers.

The Almost Friday game comes at a time when kidults continue to influence the market, as Circana reports that consumers ages 18 and up contributed more than $1.5 billion to the market in the first quarter of 2024. With its growing portfolio of adult party games, Relatable continues to capitalize on the trend.

Almost Friday includes 250 cards and a die. | Source: Relatable

Almost Friday, designed for adults ages 21 and up, comes with 250 cards and features four mini-games with different formats including Rapid Fire, Most Likely Challenges, Trivia, and Horse Racing.

We remain steadfast in our approach to expanding collaborations and partnerships with top brands and talent across the entertainment landscape, and believe this partnership will not only strengthen brand recognition and loyalty among existing fans but also introduce both brands to new audiences.

Tom Emelo, Chief Strategy Officer at Relatable

Relatable was previously known as What Do You Meme?, a name shared with its flagship game. Since expanding further into additional game releases, toys, plush, and more, the company rebranded to reflect its wider offerings.

“Teaming up to create the Almost Friday game is a natural extension of our brand, and we believe this is something that everybody who’s ever laughed at a joke from Friday Beers will truly love,” says Jack Barrett, CEO at Almost Friday Media.

Almost Friday is available now exclusively at Target for $19.99.

Cepia Reaches Kickstarter Funding for Cows vs. Aliens: Invasion Game

Cepia’s latest project on Kickstarter has achieved its fundraising goal.

Cows vs. Aliens: Invasion is a board game that takes kids to Mooberry Farms, where they will play as cows or as aliens. The cows must move around the board and munch on grass, evading the aliens attempting to abduct them to make milkshakes and ice cream until morning. As the game goes on, cows get points for all of the grass eaten while Aliens get points for abducting cows and collecting milkshake tokens. At the end of the game, the player with the most points wins.

Mothership Pledge | Source: Cepia

Invader Pledge | Source: Cepia

There are two pledge levels. The Invader Pledge is available for $40 and features a copy of the game, a Kickstarter-exclusive Cownt Dracmoola bean, two Kickstarter-exclusive grass cards, and four game-exclusive Cows vs. Aliens beans. The Mothership Pledge is available for $100 and features everything in the Invader Pledge along with two more Cows vs. Aliens beans, a Hyper Speed expansion, a Hidden Treasures expansion, and an exclusive 4-pack of Cows vs. Aliens beans.

The Cows vs. Aliens: Invasion Kickstarter campaign is open until Monday, June 17.

LEGO to Release ‘Horizon Adventures’ This Holiday Season

The LEGO Group is unleashing an action adventure game this upcoming holiday season: LEGO Horizon Adventures. Based on Guerilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn and co-developed by Studio Gobo, LEGO Horizon Adventures brings players into the same world, visually recreated in LEGO style. The game is slated for release on PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch.

LEGO Horizon Adventures can be played alone or via local and online co-op on a shared screen, and offers a multitude of customization options. In true LEGO fashion, buildings in the game’s village of Mother’s Heart can be swapped out with special LEGO-themed buildings, and players can unlock fun costumes to wear on their travels.

Players follow Aloy, the hero of this particular story, as she journeys to discover her origins and destiny. Guided by the scientist Elisabet, in the form of a 1000-year-old hologram, Aloy travels across the land to face Helis, the leader of a group of sun worshippers that embrace an Ancient Evil.

Watch the official trailer below:

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