Arcade1Up has announced three new additions to the company’s senior leadership team to support its growth, expanded product offerings and global expansion. Tom Lyons, Adriana Vila Soto and Chris Cardenas have been hired as Chief Marketing Officer, SVP, Marketing and Strategic Partnerships, and Vice President of Sales respectively, rounding out the senior team for the leader in at-home retro arcade game entertainment.
Mattel, Incorporated has announced that it has entered into a multi-year agreement with SpaceX to create and market products that inspire children and collectors alike to tap into their inner space explorer. In 2023, Mattel will begin releasing SpaceX-inspired toys under its iconic Matchbox property. Simultaneously, astro-inspired collectibles will start to debut on Mattel Creations, Mattel’s collaboration and direct-to-consumer platform.
Hasbro, Incorporated, a global play and entertainment company, has unveiled an all-new NERF product innovation ahead of San Diego Comic-Con International with the NERF Pro Gelfire Mythic Full Auto Blaster, which is available to pre-order starting July 19 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET at Hasbro Pulse, Walmart, Target and Amazon. The blaster fires hydrated super absorbent polymer rounds, using patented technology exclusive to NERF. With a suggested retail price of $79.99 and for ages 14 years & up, the product is expected to be on shelves by November 1, 2022.
Award-winning global independent animation studio ZAG has announced the appointment of Luca Bonecchi, formerly an executive with Entertainment One, to the position of Head of Consumer Products, Europe (excluding Germany and France). The announcement was made by Julian Zag, EVP Global Operations and Head of Consumer Products, to whom Bonecchi reports.
My-my, how the world has changed since I came of age in the late ’80s, early ‘90s. Back then, I thought we had it all with 57 channels of cable television, a wireless phone in the kitchen, and my Walkman clipped on my hip. Cutting-edge technology was compact discs and the Nintendo NES. There were juggernaut toy brands like Cabbage Patch Kids, Transformers, Laser Tag, and Rubik’s. The toy retail landscape was represented by chains like Toys R Us, Kay-Bee Toys, Childs World, and Zany Brainy. It took hundreds of thousands of dollars to launch a toy brand and a large staff of salespeople around the nation to land the distribution channels. However, much like the cassette tape in my Walkman, it is all antiquated now.
Novel Entertainment is teaming up with social enterprise Madlug to support the company’s mission to raise awareness of the value and worth of care experienced children, while helping them make their way with dignity. Under the collaboration, Novel Entertainment has donated its Horrid Henry brand to enable Madlug to create a backpack featuring the popular children’s entertainment property.
Mattel, Incorporated has announced that its all-new animated children’s series Deepa & Anoop will debut on Netflix on August 16, 2022. Created by acclaimed Bollywood animator Munjal Shroff (Shortcut Safari), accomplished writer Lisa Goldman (Dragon Tales), and award-winning producer Heather Kenyon (Doki Adventures), Deepa & Anoop is Mattel Television’s first original series based on original intellectual property.
PlayVital has announced that its extensive line of premium products is now available for gamers around the world that seek the best video game accessories to improve their gaming life. Gaming is not just a hobby, it is a lifestyle. With a wide range of options for Nintendo Switch, PS5/PS4, Xbox and Steam Deck, PlayVital is poised to be a major force in the gaming industry.
Mighty Jaxx, an award-winning future culture company announced an exclusive collectible in their new collection for Netflix’s Stranger Things 4, now streaming globally on Netflix. Mighty Jaxx’s Stranger Things 4 collection will tie in with the adventures of these characters who traverse between the human world and the Upside Down. Mighty Jaxx has released the first figure of the collection, this season’s newest villain Vecna, globally.