Bricks & Minifigs and Santoki Launch Nationwide LEGO MOC Clock Building Contest

Bricks & Minifigs and Santoki are partnering on a new nationwide building contest centered around a customizable LEGO MOC Wall Clock.

“As Bricks & Minifigs continues to expand nationally and deepen our direct relationship with LEGO, we are thrilled to bring fun collaborations with Santoki and other official partners directly to consumers in our stores,” shares Ammon McNeff, CEO of Bricks & Minifigs. “We love seeing local communities come together in our stores to participate in events, and this contest creates an exciting opportunity for customers to showcase their creativity while enjoying a family-friendly experience.” 

Running through July 14, the promotion will take place at more than 240 Bricks & Minifigs franchise locations across the U.S. The contest encourages LEGO fans of all ages to visit participating stores, build personalized clock designs using LEGO elements, and submit photos of their finished creations through an online entry portal.

“Our partnership with Bricks & Minifigs was a natural fit for this launch,” said Beth Muehlenkamp, VP of Product & Marketing at Santoki. “Bricks & Minifigs is widely known for its bins of bulk bricks, which create the perfect opportunity for customers to personalize a MOC clock that is entirely unique to their vision. The MOC Wall Clock is where creative expression meets timekeeping, as fans can create again and again for the theme that best fits their room or mood. This is the first-ever national contest we have done, and we are excited to see the unmatched creativity of Bricks & Minifigs customers come to life.”

The customizable MOC Wall Clock is part of Santoki’s new LEGO Time by IQHK product line and will be available at Bricks & Minifigs and LEGO Store locations during the promotional period.

Entries will be judged on creativity, functionality, and overall LEGO clock design. Ten finalists will advance to a public voting round hosted on Santoki’s social media channels, where fans can help determine the winners. Participants are encouraged to share their creations on social media using the hashtag #SantokiMOCClock.

The grand-prize winner will receive a $550 Bricks & Minifigs gift card, while additional prizes and promotional items will be awarded to finalists and top finishers. According to the companies, the total prize pool exceeds $1,000.

Read the contest rules at santoki.com/pages/clockcontestrules

Meet The Toy Book Team at Licensing Expo!

The Adventure Media & Events team will be present at Licensing Expo with new issues of The Toy Book and The Pop Insider set to debut on May 19. Visit us at Booth No. F106 to grab The Toy Book‘s 2026 Licensing & Entertainment Issue (featuring The Licensing Book supplement), and the spring edition of The Pop Insider. Both issues are now in production. To book your space in our new issues, please contact Jackie Breyer, James Devin, or Stephanie Katz.


LEGO MOC CLOCK

Builders can make their own custom, functional timepiece using LEGO bricks and minifigures.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.99
  • Age:
  • 8+

Buy Now

The Toy Book participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

The LEGO Group Appoints Beiersdorf CEO Vincent Warnery to Board

The LEGO Group added another global consumer products executive to its leadership ranks.

The company appointed Vincent Warnery to the LEGO A/S Board of Directors effective May 12. Warnery currently serves as CEO of Beiersdorf AG, the parent company behind brands including NIVEA, Eucerin, and La Prairie.

Warnery brings more than three decades of experience across the consumer goods sector, including leadership positions at Procter & Gamble, Sanofi, and L’Oréal. According to The LEGO Group, his background includes brand development, digital transformation, sustainability initiatives, and experience working within family-owned businesses.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Vincent Warnery as a Member of the Board,” said Thomas Kirk Kristiansen, Chair of the LEGO A/S Board of Directors. “Vincent brings operational experience and a strong understanding of how to create long-term brand value within family-owned businesses.”

The appointment comes as Fiona Dawson and Ilkka Paananen step down from the Board following the company’s annual general assembly. Dawson joined the Board in 2020, while Paananen, CEO and co-founder of Supercell, joined in 2024.

Kristiansen credited Dawson with contributing to strategic priorities, including sustainability and digital initiatives, while noting Paananen’s experience in gaming and consumer insights.

Following the changes, the LEGO A/S Board will consist of seven members, including five independent non-executive directors.

The updated Board structure also reflects organizational changes introduced earlier this year tied to LEGO Holding A/S and LEGO Digital Play Holding A/S.

Licensing Expo: Universal Expands ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ Franchise Push

Universal Products & Experiences (UP&E) is leaning further into How to Train Your Dragon following the breakout success of the franchise’s live-action relaunch.

At Licensing Expo, the company is spotlighting a broad expansion strategy tied to the property, following the 2025 live-action film, which grossed more than $636 million worldwide, marking the franchise’s strongest domestic theatrical performance.

Written, produced, and directed by Dean DeBlois, the architect behind the original animated trilogy, the film helped reconnect longtime fans with the world of Berk while introducing the franchise to a new audience.

UP&E is now extending that momentum across consumer products, gaming, and location-based entertainment.

A major centerpiece is How to Train Your Dragon — Isle of Berk at Universal Epic Universe, where the franchise anchors one of the park’s immersive themed lands. The experience includes attractions, live entertainment, themed food offerings, character interactions, and brand-tied retail.

The company said merchandise tied to the land has delivered strong performance since launch.

Beyond the Parks business, the franchise continues expanding through gaming partnerships and licensed merchandise spanning toys, apparel, collectibles, publishing, and collaborations. Spin Master leads the toy line, while The LEGO Group remains part of the broader consumer products strategy.

“How to Train Your Dragon has always inspired deep, emotional fandom,” said Rafa Macias, Executive Vice President, Global Consumer Products & Games at Universal Products & Experiences. Universal is already building toward the next chapter. How to Train Your Dragon 2 is scheduled to hit theaters in June 2027, with Cate Blanchett returning as Valka alongside the returning creative team.

Visit Universal Products & Experiences in Booth No. U188

Licensing Expo 2026

 ‘Masha and the Bear’ Creator Launches New Studio, Plans Feature Film

Oleg Kuzovkov is taking Masha and the Bear into a new era.

The creator of the globally recognized animated franchise launched Studio MiM following the expiration of his exclusive licensing agreement with Animaccord. The new company will oversee future development of the property, including a feature-length film already in pre-production.

According to the company, the film will mark the first in a planned series of animated theatrical releases built around a rebooted vision of the characters. Studio MiM expects to complete the production pipeline for the first movie by the end of 2028.

“I’m truly touched by this opportunity to expand the world of Masha and the Bear to its first long-form feature,” Kuzovkov said.

Studio MiM said it plans to combine modern production technology with the handcrafted 3D animation style and character-driven storytelling that helped establish the original series.

Originally launched in 2009, Masha and the Bear became one of the most successful family entertainment properties in digital media. The series built a global audience through streaming and YouTube, where one episode surpassed 4.6 billion views, making it one of the platform’s most-watched non-music videos.

Kuzovkov originally assembled the creative team behind the series, including composer Vasily Bogatirev and sound engineer Boris Kutnevich, who also voices Bear.

The franchise has earned global recognition over the years, including a Guinness World Record and a Kidscreen Award for Best Animation.

Ahead of Licensing Expo, the company is meeting with interested partners. Email licensing@mimanimation.com for information.

KidultCon Heads to London as the U.K. Market Keeps Growing

The “kidult” market is getting a new event in the UK.

KidultCon will make its debut Oct. 13–14 at Leake Street Arches in London, bringing together gaming, collectibles, retro culture, music, and immersive entertainment in a setting designed around social, real-world play.

Led by Toyologist Peter Jenkinson, KidultCon plans to carry the momentum of The Kidults brand launch in 2024 and its inaugural awards program last year into the live events space.

The organizers cite collaborations such as Crayola and Clinique, Pokémon and Le Creuset, and fashion partnerships tied to collector culture as prime examples of how brands increasingly connect with consumers through fandom and cultural identity.

Major toymakers, including Hasbro, Mattel, and The LEGO Group, have expanded adult-focused product lines in recent years, helping fuel continued growth in the category.

Located beneath Waterloo Station, Leake Street Arches recently underwent a major renovation, transforming the underground space into an entertainment destination anchored by social gaming and hospitality concepts.

While the term “kidult” has become contentious for some within the industry and consumer spaces, it’s still a global buzzword that brands and fans latch onto.

For more information about the event, contact peter@the-kidults.com.

Mattel Adds Live-Action ‘Moana’ Dolls to Disney Portfolio

Mattel is expanding its Moana collection with four new dolls inspired by the upcoming live-action film. This weekend, the company will launch Disney’s Moana Fashion Doll, Maui Fashion Doll, Moana Singing Fashion Doll, and Moana Collector Doll at Target.

Designed for kids ages 3 and up, the company’s new fashion dolls feature the likeness of Catherine Laga’aia (Moana) and Dwayne Johnson (Maui). The Moana doll includes the character’s anklets, a flower hair clip, a necklace, and an orange villager outfit, while the Maui Fashion Doll showcases the live-action character’s tattoos, shark tooth necklace, bracelets, and fish hook.

Kids can sing along to “How Far I’ll Go” while playing with the Disney’s Moana Singing Fashion Doll. The doll, which comes with Moana’s oar and Heart of Te Fiti necklace, plays a 30-second clip from the song when kids press the torso button.

Adult fans and young collectors can also add Mattel‘s Disney’s Moana Collector Doll to their display. The detailed doll, which comes on a doll stand, is dressed in the clothing Moana wears during the Taupou ceremony. It features a red-feathered headdress, textured woven fabric, grassy fringe, colorful tassels, arm accessories, and a necklace. Collectors will notice that the doll’s bare feet are dusted with sand and that she carries the conch shell.

The collection will be available in stores and online at target.com May 17, with additional retailers to follow May 30. To learn more about the company, visit mattel.com.

Shimmer the Glowworm Partners with Becker Associates, Anjar Co. for New Licensing Program

The lifestyle and entertainment brand Shimmer the Glowworm has recently selected Becker Associates and Anjar Co. for licensing representation. Developed by Shelby Herman, the IP became popular through GIPHY posts, where it has more than 40 million organic views.

The brand features Shimmer, a cartoon glowworm, who encourages families to showcase their glow and identify it in others. The Shimmer World features additional glowworms as well as different creatures, such as Ollie, Kiki, and Scout. Each character has its own personality and lives in a unique part of the universe, including burrows, meadows, and more.

Shimmer the Glowworm reaches audiences in several languages, including English, Japanese, and Spanish. Social media users employ more than 350 GIFs and stickers featuring the Shimmer World to express their emotions and communicate.

@shimmertheglowworm

a childrens book that needs to be added to every bookshelf and every library #books #kidsbooks #kidslit #childrensbooks #booktok

♬ cafe – Runa-Girl8215
Shimmer the Glowworm continues her adventures in picture books. | Source: TikTok

Families can discover more about the Shimmer World through seven original songs, six animated YouTube episodes, and a live show. While stickers and plush are currently available online, the team is open to licensing opportunities across numerous categories, including apparel, toys, book publishing, digital media, live entertainment, and more.

“Shimmer the Glowworm is a fully built world with original music, animated episodes, published books, a live stage musical, and a philosophy that resonates across generations,” Patti Becker, CEO & Founder of Becker Associates LLC, says. “The organic traction this brand has achieved independently is a powerful signal. We are proud to bring Shimmer to the global licensing marketplace in time for the Licensing Expo.”

Herman adds, “One tiny glow can change everything. Watching GenZ find her on their own — in three languages — told me the world was ready for Shimmer.”

To learn more about the Shimmer World, visit shimmertheglowworm.com. Companies can contact Patti Becker at pbecker@beckerassociates.com or visit Licensing Expo to discuss licensing opportunities.

Meet The Toy Book Team at Licensing Expo!

The Adventure Media & Events team will be present at Licensing Expo with new issues of The Toy Book and The Pop Insider set to debut May 19. Visit us at Booth No. F106 to grab The Toy Book‘s 2026 Licensing & Entertainment Issue (featuring The Licensing Book supplement), and the spring edition of The Pop Insider. Both issues are now in production. To book your space in our new issues, please contact Jackie BreyerJames Devin, or Stephanie Katz.

Excitement Builds for Horizon Group USA’s Minecraft Activity Kits

Horizon Group USA is entering creative mode with Mojang Studios to craft a new line of licensed activity kits inspired by the hit video game Minecraft

Debuting this summer, the collection marks Horizon’s official entry into the realm of fandom, offering new opportunities for players to express their creativity sans servers. Upcoming products include Minecraft-inspired slimes and compounds, STEM dig kits, and other immersive, hands-on crafts and activities that bring the game into the real world. The licensed line will be available at mass retailers across the U.S., including Amazon and Walmart. 

“Fandom fuels the energy of creativity,” said Evan Buzzerio, Partner and CCO of Horizon Group. “Our partnership with Minecraft unlocks our passion for Minecraft’s most beloved digital elements and brings them into the physical world, providing more ways to interact with the Minecraft universe through tactile, creative play and learning.”

The new Minecraft products will start spawning at mass retailers this summer. For more information about Horizon Group and its other licensed products, visit horizongroupusa.com

Meet The Toy Book Team at Licensing Expo!

The Adventure Media & Events team will be present at Licensing Expo with new issues of The Toy Book and The Pop Insider set to debut May 19. Visit us at Booth No. F106 to grab The Toy Book‘s 2026 Licensing & Entertainment Issue (featuring The Licensing Book supplement), and the spring edition of The Pop Insider. Both issues are now in production. To book your space in our new issues, please contact Jackie BreyerJames Devin, or Stephanie Katz.

Funko Unleashes New Bluey Pop! Vinyl Figures

Who let the dogs out? Funko and BBC Studios. Together, the companies are launching a licensed Bluey collection that transforms fan-favorite pups into Pop! vinyl figures.

The line features classic characters and moments from the preschool series, such as Bandit with his Unicorse hand puppet, Chili in her Queen getup, and Bingo snuggled up with Floppy Bunny from the episode “Sleepytime.” The entire collection is available for preorder now, as well as exclusives at select retailers, such as Pop! Muffin Flamingo Queen. Inspired by the episode “The Sleepover,” this wild, wide-awake wrangler is only available at Entertainment Earth while supplies last. 

As the star of the show, Bluey is available in three different formats. Fans can unleash their silly side with a classic Funko Pop!, or grab a jumbo, 10-inch-tall Bluey for extra Aussie awesomeness. For even more warm and fuzzies, add Pop! Bluey Jumping to the family. Only available online, this furry flocked figure flies through the air, taking kids’ toy boxes to new heights. 

Kids can also play pretend with Pop! versions of Granny Rita, Granny Janet, and Granny Gladys — Bluey, Bingo, and Muffin’s geriatric alter-egos from the episode “Grannies.” Granny Janet and Granny Rita are also available as a dentured duo on Amazon, while an exclusive flocked Granny Gladys retires on BoxLunch

Unbox the best day ever with the Bluey Mini Mystery collectibles. | Source: Funko

Rounding out the collection is a new line of Bluey-themed Mystery Minis. Inside each surprise box, kids will discover one of 12 lovable pups, each standing 3 inches tall and striking an adorable pose. Fans can chase their favorite characters like Bluey, Bingo, Muffin, Chloe, Socks, and more, or try to collect the whole herd.

The Pop! Bluey collection is available for pre-order now on Funko’s website, Entertainment Earth, BoxLunch, and select retailers, with shipping slated for July. To browse the entire lineup, visit funko.com

Meet The Toy Book Team at Licensing Expo!

The Adventure Media & Events team will be present at Licensing Expo with new issues of The Toy Book and The Pop Insider set to debut May 19. Visit us at Booth No. F106 to grab The Toy Book‘s 2026 Licensing & Entertainment Issue (featuring The Licensing Book supplement), and the spring edition of The Pop Insider. Both issues are now in production. To book your space in our new issues, please contact Jackie BreyerJames Devin, or Stephanie Katz.


POP! BLUEY COLLECTION

This Pop! Bluey collection is for real life. | Source: Funko/The Toy Book

"Sleepytime" comes to shelves with this Pop! Bingo figure. | Source: Funko/The Toy Book

Collect Chili from the episode "Queens." | Source: Funko/The Toy Book

Bluey is for all ages — even grannies. | Source: Funko/The Toy Book

Don't slip on the beans. | Source: Funko/The Toy Book

Don't sleep on this Entertainment Earth exclusive. | Source: Funko/The Toy Book

This jumbo Pop! Bluey stands 10 inches tall. | Source: Funko/The Toy Book

These Pop! figures recreate Bluey, Bingo, and Muffin's alter-egos from the episode "Grannies." | Source: Funko/The Toy Book

There are three versions of Bluey to collect. | Source: Funko/The Toy Book

This Pop! Bandit figure is inspired by the episode "Unicorse." | Source: Funko/The Toy Book

Cheese and crackers! Fans can collect Pops! of all their favorite pups from the preschool series, including Bandit, Chilli, Bluey, Bingo, Muffin, and their "Grannies" alter-egos. With everything from classic vinyl figures and jumbo Pops! to exclusive flocked designs and Mini Mystery collectibles, this line is for real life.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $6.99-39.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Book participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

BBC Studios, Moose Toys Renew ‘Bluey’ Licensing Agreement

The Heeler family continues to stay with Moose Toys as the company renews its  global licensing partnership with BBC Studios. As a global toy partner, Moose Toys will support the next phase of Bluey, ensuring the preschool series remains one of the world’s leading family brands.

The renewal follows the successes of Moose’s Bluey range, which includes the Bluey Supermarket playset. This toy is a 2026 Licensing International Excellence Award finalist and the 2026 TOTY Awards’ Playset of the Year. The agreement also succeeds the series’ popularity, with Bluey being the most-streamed title in the U.S. in 2025. 

Moose continues Bluey’s momentum with a fall product line featuring BBC Studios’ “Playdates with Friends” theme. The line’s standout item is the Bluey’s Light & Surprise Heeler House, a playset featuring five stories, 12 play areas, and interactive elements. The collection also includes the Bluey Sleepover Figure 4-Pack set and the Bluey’s Cruise Ship playset. Moose will reveal more information on its fall line later this year.

“Moose Toys is an outstanding partner in building an innovative toy and games program that reflects the authenticity, creativity, and emotional heart of Bluey,” says Suzy Raia, EVP of Global Consumer Products at BBC Studios. “As Bluey enters an exciting new chapter, including its first feature-length movie, this renewal provides a strong foundation to continue growing with toys that genuinely connect with families worldwide.”

For more information about Moose’s Bluey range, visit moosetoys.com/bluey

Meet The Toy Book Team at Licensing Expo!

The Adventure Media & Events team will be present at Licensing Expo with new issues of The Toy Book and The Pop Insider set to debut May 19. Visit us at Booth No. F106 to grab The Toy Book‘s 2026 Licensing & Entertainment Issue (featuring The Licensing Booksupplement), and the spring edition of The Pop Insider. Both issues are now in production. To book your space in our new issues, please contact Jackie BreyerJames Devin, or Stephanie Katz.


BLUEY SUPERMARKET PLAYSET

This playset features three stories, four play areas, special sounds from the show, 15 play pieces, and exclusive Bluey and Bingo figures.

Product Facts

  • MSRP:
  • $49.99
  • Age:
  • 3+

Buy Now

The Toy Book participates in affiliate programs that may generate revenue for the site when a purchase is made through the links below.

Battery Requirements

Energizer is the official battery partner of The Toy Book.
  • Type:
  • AAA
  • Quantity:
  • 3
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