Spin Master Acquires Global Rights for Hedbanz, Launches New App

Spin Master, which acquired the rights to Hedbanz for the U.S. and Mexico in 2011, has acquired the full international IP rights for the brand.

Hedbanz and its quick question game of “What Am I” has been a staple of the Spin Master Games portfolio in recent years, and with the acquisition of the global IP, the Toronto-based company has the ability to expand the brand in territories around the world. The acquisition accompanies the launch of the all-new Hedbanz app, which is available now for iOS and Android.

Spin Master Games is now the No. 2 game maker in the U.S., with market share bolstered by recent acquisitions.

“The timing of this strategic acquisition for our powerhouse brand Hedbanz, is serendipitous,” says Anton Rabie, co-founder and co-CEO, Spin Master. “With the opening of our new Long Island City office and the addition of many talented games industry experts to our team, we are creating an epicenter for Spin Master Games. We’re working hard to bring adults, kids, and families the best game experience.”

The Hedbanz app features face filters that turn players’ faces into the card on their head. It’s an interactive element that can be added to the classic board game, which is available at retailers everywhere.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.