Award-winning global independent animation studio ZAG has signed a new agreement with McDonalds for a Miraculous Happy Meal Program that will span 40 European countries, including Spain, Italy, Germany, and Austria, and will feature a line of sustainable premiums. The announcement was made today by Julian Zag, EVP Global Operations and Head of ZAG Play.
MGA Entertainment (MGA), one of the largest and fastest growing privately held toy and entertainment companies in the world, and Daewon Media, a South Korean cultural content company specializing in character and animation related media, announced that they have signed a multi-year, worldwide agreement for MGA to develop, produce, and distribute a new video series based on the hit series from Daewon, Armored Saurus, that mixes visual effects (VFX) and live action. In addition to distribution rights (outside of South Korea, Japan, and China), the deal includes toy and merchandising rights. The global launch of the newly re-imagined Armored Saurus brand, content, and MGA product is projected for 2024 in North America, Latin America, and Europe.
Mighty Jaxx, an award-winning future culture company, is spreading positivity with the release of the B. Smiley (50th Anniversary Edition) collectible as part of The Smiley Company’s 50th-anniversary celebration.
The 2022 Pokémon World Championships are in full swing, with Trainers from all over the world competing in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, Pokémon GO, Pokkén Tournament DX, and Pokémon UNITE at ExCeL London. Before the event, President and CEO of The Pokémon Company Tsunekazu Ishihara welcomed attendees to the excitement of Worlds and shared special news about Pokémon Masters EX and Pokémon UNITE.
Miniland USA, Toy of the Year 2022 Finalists and makers of social emotional learning toys, including their award-winning Dolls with Down syndrome, has launched a powerful new initiative called Together We Play to encourage acceptance and inclusion among young children.
Healthy Roots Dolls, a rising black-owned toy startup, is making heads turn with the expansion of their Curlfriends line following the popularity of their first doll Zoe. Along with her two Curlfriends, Gaïana and Marisol, the trio was just named as a Finalist in the “Oscars” of the toy industry, in the Doll of the Year category by The Toy Association. Polls are now open to vote for the girls with the curls in the toy aisle. Vote for Healthy Roots Dolls here, today: https://toyawards.org/toyaward/custom/DollToy.aspx
There has always been something special about bubbles. Parent toy company Little Kids Incorporated, the number one bubble manufacturer in the U.S., is blasting triumphant fluffy foam at its headquarters as its newest outdoor product, Föm Mania Fömilator nabs a spot on the Toy Of The Year 2022 ballot. Votes can be cast at https://toyawards.org/toyaward/custom/OutdoorToy.aspx.
Moose Toys, an innovative leader in the toy industry, celebrates five Toy of the Year 2022 (TOTY) Awards nominations in four categories:
Magic Mixies Magical Crystal Ball for Creative Toy of the Year
Magic Mixies Magic Mixlings for Collectible of the Year
Heroes of Goo Jit Zu Goo Shifters for Action Figure of the Year
Dance & Play Bluey and Little Live Pets Mama Surprise for Plush Toy of the Year
Cupixel, an experience start-up that brings the joy of creating art to everyone, announced that the company secured $5M in seed funding led by JOANN (NASDAQ:JOAN). The Cupixel app harnesses state-of-the-art AR and AI technologies and pairs it with innovative content, premium art materials, interactive tools, and live or on-demand artist-led experiences, enabling people to easily create striking works of art. People who have never before made art can create spectacular paintings and drawings in limitless styles, with limitless subjects, choosing from an extensive gallery of images and fonts. Cupixel offers people a creative outlet and all the benefits that go with that—wellbeing, mindfulness, and joy. The Cupixel app is available on Google Play and the App Store for $12.99/month, and Cupixel offers a limited experience to users for free.