May 11, 2023 - aNb Media, Inc.

ICTI Ethical Toy Program IETP Family Friendly Factory Program

Thirty Thousand Children to Benefit as IETP Family-Friendly Factory Program Expands to Vietnam and Mexico

ICTI Ethical Toy Program (IETP) proudly unveils plans to support 30,000 children by expanding its Family-Friendly Factory program (FFF) outside of China for the first time. Having secured funding from key partners, the FFF program prepares for operations to begin in Vietnam later this year and Mexico in 2024. IETP is now inviting more brands to assist with funding or knowledge partnerships. The Family-Friendly Spaces (FFS) program was originally launched in China in 2016, to support ‘left behind children’ – children whose parents migrate domestically to major cities for work but are unable to bring their children to live with them. In China, there are an estimated 31 million ‘left behind children’.

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WildBrain Promotes Josh Scherba to President and CEO

WildBrain Ltd (“WildBrain” or the “Company”) (TSX: WILD), a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, has promoted Josh Scherba to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer. Scherba has also been appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors. Under the Company’s succession plan, Scherba replaces Eric Ellenbogen who has stepped down as CEO and Vice Chair. Additionally, Jim Fielding, Chief Marketing and Brands Officer, has been appointed as Strategic Advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors.

KIDZ BOP & Audible Develop First-Ever KIDZ BOP Audiobook Series, Available May 2023

KIDZ BOP, the #1 music brand for kids, has teamed up with Audible, the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, to develop the brand’s first-ever original audio series, KIDZ BOP Never Stop: The Tour Bus Adventures. All eight-episodes will be available exclusively on Audible beginning May 25, 2023. In KIDZ BOP Never Stop: The Tour Bus Adventures, you’ll meet Giavanni, Cami, Egan, and Knowledge from The KIDZ BOP Kids. They take listeners along for their musical adventures, including a battle-of-the-bands competition on a cruise ship and an epic surprise party. In between their live performances and crazy road trips, these kids experience tough moments too. Each episode is inspired by an original KIDZ BOP song and includes an exciting dance break to sing and dance along.

Top Trends Coming out of the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas

ABC Kids Expo, the organizers of North America’s premier juvenile products gathering, just wrapped their 2023 show in Las Vegas, where thousands of new products from strollers to car seats to items you didn’t know you needed, but now after seeing them, can’t live without, were featured. The ABC Kids Expo team scoured the floor to find the top trends in the industry. “The innovation level of our industry is at an all time high,” said Aaron Pederson, President, All Baby & Child, ABC Kids Expo. “From the materials being used to new spins on classic products to tech forward solutions, we’re seeing companies, both big and small, really developing products that are going to be a huge asset to both parents and kids alike. It’s an exciting time in the industry and we can’t wait to see what comes next.”

New Episodes of ‘Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series’ Coming Soon to Netflix in the U.S.

The Pokémon Company International announced that the third batch of episodes for Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, the globally popular Pokémon animated series, will premiere June 23, 2023, exclusively on Netflix in the U.S. With this new release, Trainers will be able to witness Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu achieving the goal of being crowned Champion of the Pokémon World Coronation Series after 25 seasons of countless battles and challenging quests.

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Yoto Partners with Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial to Expand Library with New Spanish Titles

Yoto, the interactive audio platform for kids and creator of the critically acclaimed and award-winning Yoto Player and Yoto Mini, has announced its growing partnership with Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial, expanding its Spanish content to include ten new titles. To align with customer demand and diversify its content library, Yoto’s Spanish digital cards are largely offered in Latin American Spanish. Some are also available in Castilian Spanish.

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University Games Names Daniel Fox Briarpatch Product Manager

University Games has announced Daniel Fox as Division Manager for its Briarpatch product business. In his new role, Daniel Fox will be responsible for the management of the current University Games’ Briarpatch catalog of games and puzzles for children and preschoolers, as well as continued product development for the company’s successful I SPY, Pete the Cat, The World of Eric Carle, and Richard Scarry lines. Fox will work out of the Kansas City and San Francisco offices and report directly to Craig Hendrickson, University Games’ SVP Product Development.

Little Kids, Inc Has a Bubble-Filled Summer Line-Up with Balloobles, Fubbles, Bluey, and More

Expect to hear the word Balloobles this season as kids delight in this inflatable bubble machine from Little Kids Inc that blows continuous streams of bubbles featuring favorite friends like Bluey, Minnie, Paw Patrol or Spider-Man! This huge inflatable can be played two ways – handheld, using the bubble tube handle – or tabletop, for the perfect centerpiece at your next party using the Amazon-exclusive bubble base. Whether you choose Spider-Man, Minnie, Bluey or Paw Patrol, every Ballooble inflates to over 15” tall.

WildBrain Greenlights Season 3 and Inks New International Distribution Deals for Seasons 1 and 2 of ‘Ruby and the Well’

WildBrain Television is pleased to announce it has greenlit a third season of the hit, magical family drama Ruby and the Well (8×60’), which is now filming in Toronto. The new season is scheduled to deliver this summer and will premiere in Canada on Family Channel in fall 2023. In Season 3, Ruby emerges from the challenges of the previous season and doubles down on her commitment to being a well keeper. After all, granting wishes is who she is. But as the well heaps on more and more demands and Ruby holds herself to ever-higher standards, something’s got to give. First, it’s school and friends, but when she lets down her family big time, she can’t ignore the problem any longer. Doing it all may prove to be too tricky a balancing act, even for Ruby.