ICTI Ethical Toy Program Logo
News
IETP Announces Global Ambition to Support 30,000 Children Through 100 Childcare Facilities by the End of 2025

The ICTI Ethical Toy Program (IETP) has announced their global ambition to support 30,000 children through 100 Family-Friendly Spaces by the end of 2025. IETP launched their Family-Friendly Spaces initiative in China in 2016, to support “left behind children”, children whose parents had migrated domestically to major cities for work and were unable to bring them to live with them. It is understood that around 23 million children are separated from their parents in Mainland China. IETP’s independent research shows childcare as one of the leading reasons workers leave their factory jobs; Family-Friendly Spaces are specifically designed to support the childcare needs of working parents; Creating safe, secure, and well-equipped childcare facilities at factories or in the local communities for children to learn and play while their parents focus on work without the worry of childcare.

ASTRA Neighborhood Toy Store Month
Events News
American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) Celebrates 13th Annual Neighborhood Toy Store Month

During November 2022, hundreds of retailers across the United States will be celebrating Neighborhood Toy Store Month, an expanded version of Neighborhood Toy Store Day. Spearheaded by the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), the month-long event asks shoppers to remember the neighborhood toy stores in their communities as they kick off the holiday shopping season. Aligned with Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday, participating retailers offer shoppers discounts, special events and hands-on experiences with children’s toys throughout the month.

Chizsix
Licensing News
Harold and Jennifer Chizick Reveal Bold New Venture for 2023: ChizSix Marketing & Media

Harold and Jennifer Chizick proudly announce their exciting new company venture: ChizSix Marketing & Media. ChizSix is a full-service agency that brings a modern and playful approach to integrated brand marketing that resonates with North American families and consumers. This new company signals an evolution for the founders, who have been respected leaders in the marketing and media industry for over 20 years. President and CEO, Harold Chizick is a veteran in the kids and toy sector. He has championed success with leading global organizations and brands through innovative marketing, digital and social media, licensing, and promotional strategies. Jennifer Chizick, Chief Operating Officer, brings a proven track-record as entrepreneur and company leader, including leading the acquisition, growth, and sale of their former company in 2021. Chief Marketing Officer, Talya Gaborieau rounds-out the executive roster with experience in corporate, agency and entrepreneurial ventures spanning various industries, and bringing a strength in data-driven strategies and modern consumer insights.

Monster Jam Guinness
Events News
Monster Jam and Spin Master Set Guinness World Record Title for Largest display of Monster Truck Toys

Monster Jam, the larger-than-life sport that leaves fans on the edge of their seats, has etched itself in the history books yet again alongside leading global children’s entertainment company Spin Master, its global toy partner. Together, the pair set the Guinness World Record for the largest display of monster truck toys, 10,005. Guinness World Records, the global authority in record-breaking, validated the official title at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, October 29, 2022. Following the stunt, all the trucks will be donated to a children’s charity organization.

flunch Chefclub
Licensing News
ChefClub and Flunch Restaurant Chain Launch Nationwide Promotion with the Chefclub Brand

Chefclub, Europe’s leading food-themed content studio, and flunch, one of France’s largest restaurant chains and preferred family restaurant, have launched a broad-ranging promotion at 160 eateries across the country. The family-oriented promotion offers entertainment for both kids and adults, starting with 350,000 Halloween-themed activity booklets for kids featuring the mascots of both companies: Chefclub Friends, (from the Chefclub Kids channel) and Flunchy (from flunch). The booklet contains 12 pages of games and activities, two recipes (one sweet and one savory with anti-waste tips), and a comic strip featuring Chefclub Friends and Flunchy illustrated in the Chefclub style. The booklet will be distributed for free to families with children from October 22nd to November 13th in the flunch restaurants.

BST XN Turtles Loyal subjects
Licensing News
The Loyal Subjects Delivers Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles BST AXN Figures and Collectibles of 2022 for the Holidays

The Loyal Subjects, a collectible company known for selling millions of action figures and collectibles, has expanded their popular BST AXN (pronounced Best Action) lineup just in time for the holidays. The latest BST AXN launch expands on the success of Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles property and is sure to captivate multi-generational fans. BST AXN is the ultimate action figure mashup, representing everything from anime, action/adventure, Sci-Fi, entertainment, and nostalgic characters. These 1:15 scale Action Figures are hyper-poseable and have 31 to 33 points of articulation using a modern armature system. Collectors will find killer paint details, super character likeness, interchangeable hands, multiple accessories, and great sculpt details, bringing the characters closer to life.

People's Play Awards Voting TTPM Winners
Events News
The Toy Authority Opens Voting for the People’s Play Awards and Calls on Consumers to Choose Winner

The Toy Authority, the leader in short form video focused on toys, announced that voting is now open for the People’s Play Awards. Comprised of 17 categories, finalists were independently selected by top industry experts. Calling on the most important audience, The Toy Authority is now asking consumers to choose their favorites in each category, creating the ultimate list for this holiday season. “Over the last decade, toy award programs have become pay to play, making it hard to know if a product is truly the best or if the fee paid for the award. For those who don’t pay to enter these award programs, their products don’t get nominated or seen by consumers. The People’s Play Awards are fee-free, to allow for a fair playing field.” said Jim Silver, CEO of TTPM. “We have reviewed every toy and picked the toys that consumers are going to want the most.”

Licensing International Rising star 2022
Licensing News
Licensing International Announces 2022 Rising Star Award Recipients

Licensing International is pleased to announce that six licensing professionals will receive the 2022 Rising Star Award. For the last ten years, Rising Stars from around the world have been nominated by their peers and recognized for their contributions to, and passion for, the global brand licensing industry. “We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the talented young professionals who will become the future leaders of our global brand licensing community,” said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. “Licensing International would also like to say a huge thank you to our Rising Stars committee members, who have the difficult task of selecting among the best of the best.”

Curious Kingdom Playper
News
Planet-Friendly Toy Brand Playper Launches Curious Kingdom Playset

Playper, a sustainability-driven toy company, announces the launch of the Curious Kingdom playset, introducing an innovative new play experience that combines classic building play and educational, digital learning experiences for the first time with a plastic-free playset. Built with PlayperBoard , an eco-friendly, 100% plastic-free material that contains no toxic materials or dyes, the Curious Kingdom playset not only opens a world of imaginative playtime with fun, engaging characters and stories, but it brings them to life through a magical AR experience. The corresponding, free Curious Kingdom app, available on the App Store or on Google Play, unlocks even more fun and excitement through fun learning games and activities, animated episodes with interactive stories, music, and hidden surprises that are specific to the Curious Kingdom playset.