Club Mocchi- Mocchi- Kirby
News
TOMY International Launches Limited-Edition Club Mocchi- Mocchi- Giant Plush Featuring Kirby

TOMY International is offering a limited-edition Club Mocchi- Mocchi- Giant Kirby plush, available to pre-order on their newly launched website, TOMY+. Featured in the popular Suya Suya, peacefully sleeping style, the Giant Kirby plush will include the signature, unique Club Mocchi- Mocchi- squishy texture that is super soft to the touch, as well as highly detailed embroidered elements. The Giant Kirby plush will measure 28 inches wide, 35 inches long, 14 inches tall and will weigh approximately 5 pounds. This will be a limited-edition run with only 1,500 pieces available.

TOMY Fat Brain Logo Jeff Jackson
News
TOMY International’s Fat Brain Toys Appoints Jeff Jackson as Executive Vice President

TOMY International announced that Jeff Jackson will be joining Fat Brain Toys as Executive Vice President effective immediately. Building upon their success, Jeff will be working alongside founders Mark and Karen Carson to further their vision for growing the Fat Brain brand. Jeff Jackson joins Fat Brain Toys as a seasoned executive in the toy industry. He has over 25 years of progressive commercial leadership experience in eCommerce, marketing, sales, and strategic brand development. Jackson held several leadership positions during his tenure at Hasbro, where he successfully helped reimagine and grow some of the world’s top toy and entertainment brands. He also served as Senior Vice President of Global Amazon and eCommerce, leading the commercial team’s digital transformation. Before joining Fat Brain Toys, Jackson was the General Manager of Hasbro Canada.

VIC Veterinary Innovation council
News
Veterinary Innovation Council (VIC) Launches New Resources to Help Provide Veterinary Care to Underserved Communities

The Veterinary Innovation Council (VIC) has announced the launch of new resources to address the nationwide problem of access to veterinary care and new comprehensive services to help veterinarians reach underserved patients. Formed in 2015 by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), VIC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the field of veterinary medicine through innovation, education, and advocacy.

Paperblanks Cartoon Saloon
Licensing News
Cartoon Saloon Brand Development Signs Premium Stationary Deal with Paperblanks

Cartoon Saloon, a world renowned animation studio with five Academy Award and two Golden Globe nominations and many award wins including BAFTA and Emmy announces a licensing deal with leading premium stationery suppler Paperblanks, based on its Irish Folklore Trilogy, Academy Award-nominated features WolfWalkers, Song of the Sea and The Secret of Kells. The new Irish Folklore Trilogy range will be developed by Paperblanks in close partnership with Cartoon Saloon. The range will comprise of Journals, Book Marks, Canvas Bags and Puzzles and will be distributed through Paperblanks global distribution network with additional details to be announced.

LA Fall Preview
Events News
Global Companies Join The Toy Association’s LA Fall Preview

Momentum is building for The Toy Association’s LA Fall Preview, with nearly 70 percent of available showroom space already sold. Taking place at 2250 East Imperial highway in El Segundo, in the heart of the LA “toy district,” the marketplace will welcome Hasbro, LEGO Systems, Inc, Crazy Aaron’s, Elenco, Horizon Group USA, and more as the toy industry gathers for preview activity in the fall, including a dedicated Toy Association market week from September 9 to 13.

Piggy Builders
Entertainment News
Xilam Animation Assembles European Broadcasters for ‘Piggy Builders’

Academy Award-nominated French animation studio Xilam Animation has secured a wave of European public broadcast partners for its upcoming CG preschool proprietary series Piggy Builders, with France Télévisions(France), BBC (UK) and ZDF (Germany) on board as commissioning broadcasters. The 52 x 11’ series was first pitched by Xilam Animation at Cartoon Forum in 2021 and is now set to be delivered in Q3 2025 with Romain Villemaine as the director (Ricky Zoom, Maya the Bee, Valiant). The first episodes will be release at the upcoming MIPCOM (October 2024).

Toca Boca Days
News
Toca Boca Is Entering the Multiplayer Universe with the Release of Toca Boca Days

Spin Master’s Toca Boca studio, with its commitment to self-expression and inclusivity in gaming, is entering the multiplayer domain with Toca Boca Days digital game, being released this year beginning this summer. This strategic expansion caters to the evolving needs of kids and tweens by providing an emotionally rewarding and safe multiplayer environment. Over the past decade, Toca Boca studio has been at the forefront of innovative gaming, emphasizing play, self-expression and creativity with more than 60 million monthly active users and awards like Apple’s 2021 iPhone App of the Year. The introduction of Toca Boca Days digital game marks the studios strategic entry into the realm of multiplayer online gaming, a popular and growing gaming category for tweens worldwide.

Jeff Koons Popped!
News
Clever Noodle Partners with Renowned Artist Jeff Koons to Launch Innovative Reading Game ‘Popped!’

Clever Noodle, an award-winning startup dedicated to creating engaging educational games, has announced the launch of its phonics-based game, Popped!, in collaboration with world-acclaimed artist Jeff Koons. The dynamic and immersive game is designed to make learning to read an enjoyable adventure, with Koons’ iconic Balloon Dog serving as the game’s visual centerpiece. “Popped!” was co-developed with national literacy experts to make sure it helps equip children with essential reading skills – while fostering a love for learning and art. It leverages the science of reading, an evidence-based approach that addresses the complex process of how children’s brains learn to read and write.

deadmau5
News
deadmau5 Drops Toy Line Of Collectable Keychains with TOYMAK3RS to Celebrate 25th Anniversary ‘retro5pective’ Shows

The Horde can delve into the world of deadmau5 like never before with the launch of his toy line with TOYMAK3RS, set to debut at retro5pective—an homage to 25 years of his musical legacy. This ultra-limited, exclusive collectable keychain collection features six unique clip-on plush toys, each granting access to digital VIP experiences using cutting-edge technology that transcends traditional music memorabilia. The toys are available exclusively at deadmau5’ ‘retrospective’ shows in Los Angeles now, May 2 & 3 in New York City, and online while supplies last at www.mau5hop.com.