The Woobles, the first learn-to-crochet company to leverage emerging ed-tech tools to successfully teach the art of crocheting to complete beginners, announced today a new licensing agreement with LINE FRIENDS to create a BT21 MEETS The Woobles Collection. The limited-edition kits will bring the BT21 UNIVERSE to life for the first time in the craft category, and are slated for release summer 2023, exclusively on TheWoobles.com.
The Toy Foundation (TTF) has opened the call for nominations for the 24th edition of the Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. The toy industry is now invited to submit their top products and properties, exceptional team members, and outstanding campaigns across 23 categories for the chance to be named best of the best. Additionally, every submission is a display of the industry’s commitment to TTF’s work delivering the benefits of play to children in need.
The global lollipop brand Chupa Chups announces a yummy new license agreement with the South Korea’s leading make-up brand Banila Co to launch ‘Banila Co x Chupa Chups Collaboration’. The new edition enhances the collection by adding the fun and playful personality of Chupa Chups to existing Banila Co products. The range includes several types of ‘Watery Veil Lip Tints & Plumpers’, the ‘Priming Veil Cheek’ and the popular cleansing balm ‘Clean It Zero’. This high-quality make-up line, with a gorgeous and appealing design, will certainly be a big hit with young consumers this summer.
Moose Toys, a leading innovator in the toy industry, announces that industry veteran Hollie Holmes joins the company as vice president global licensing. She will be based out of the company’s US operation in El Segundo, Calif. beginning June 5. In this leadership position, Holmes is responsible for driving the global long-term strategy for the department to maximize growth for Moose’s inbound licensed portfolio of brands and flanker segments. “The opportunity to join Moose and be a part of the thoughtful and strategic global growth of its licensing portfolio presented a not-to-be-missed next step in my career,” said Holmes. “Moose is renowned for innovation with its own brands, as well as taking licensed brands to the next level, and I look forward to continuing to build on successful licensing initiatives.”
JAKKS Pacific, Inc, a top manufacturer of toys and consumer products and its costume division, Disguise, announced a licensing agreement with EA to continue to design, market and manufacture toys, actions figures and costumes for the popular, free-to-play multiplayer game, Apex Legends in North America. Developed by Respawn Entertainment, Apex Legends is an innovative battle royale game that continues to deliver a strategic, ever-evolving, high octane competitive experience to millions of active players around the world.
Totter + Tumble are welcoming four new Morris & Co designs to their collaboration collection for 2023. “Following the repeat sell-out of our first Morris & Co Collection – where timeless interiors + elevated product design were snapped up by parents and carers across the world -I am delighted to announce the launch of our second Morris & Co Collection. This new collection celebrates what William Morris is known best for- his intricate and detailed depictions of British habitats. Drawing on the designs of Strawberry Thief, Willow Boughs, Severn and Chrysanthemum, we’ve created a collection of play mats that showcase Morris & Co’s iconic depiction of birds and foliage which offers a naturalistic and calming atmosphere that can help to create a soothing environment for playtime. – and for adults once the kids are in bed!” – Susie Stubbs, Totter + Tumble, Founder and CEO
Crunchyroll, the global brand offering the ultimate anime experience, is joining forces with Jazwares, a global go-to authority on toys and collectibles, to bring fans an epic cross-category portfolio of fan favorite anime properties. The new venture will kick off with an expansive suite of consumer products celebrating fandom across 18 anime series including Attack on Titan, Chainsaw Man, Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, and Spy x Family.
PlayMonster Group LLC, a leading international toy and game company, has announced the appointment of Bryan Margner as Chief Financial Officer, effective June 1, 2023. With extensive experience in retail, manufacturing, and consumer goods, Margner brings a strong track record of delivering shareholder value to international organizations. He joins PlayMonster after a decade with Instant Brands, where he most recently served as Senior Vice President of Finance and CFO of the North America business unit. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the organization’s commercial and operational aspects of the business, in addition to his CFO role.
Lionheart Fitness Kids has worked with the children of celebrities like Kim and Khloe Kardashian, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Dave Grohl, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Justin Timberlake, and Colin Farrell, just to name a few. Now, Lionheart Fitness Kids is disrupting the children’s fitness and sports education space by combining play and imagination with structured early childhood sports education and self-esteem building tools. Through its Lionheart Coach Certification program, Lionheart Fitness Kids is also creating financial freedom for its certified coaches across the U.S.