People of Play (POP) is excited to share the extraordinary speakers for its inaugural quarterly educational webinar series targeting industry marketing and PR pros. The event is Thursday April 21st from 1pmET -4pmET. Topics have been vetted from both agency and brand viewpoint. The session will end with networking in the virtual POP Pub. Here is the lineup!
Woman-owned and mother-run lifestyle brand eeBoo has a new tool to help children feel safe and have fun while they learn, in the form of Conversation Cards. Over the last two years, toy aisles have continued to shift as a result of the evolving challenges young children face. These Conversation Cards allow children to connect, feel safe, and find a new normal. We are especially excited that they help children develop empathy and an ability to recognize and read social and emotional cues.
Bravado, leading merchandise and brand management company for Universal Music Group (UMG’s) , announced that veteran industry executive and Epic Rights co-founder, Jesper Poulsen has been named general manager. Poulsen joins Bravado’s executive management team and will play an integral role in continuing to develop the company’s global merchandise strategy in the ever-changing landscape of the music and fashion industries. He will oversee day-to-day operations of both Bravado and Epic Rights. Poulsen is based in Los Angeles and reports to Bravado’s president, Matt Young.
KIDZ BOP, the #1 music brand for kids, is back on the road this summer with a brand-new tour, KIDZ BOP LIVE 2022. In partnership with Live Nation, KIDZ BOP will bring its highly-anticipated pop concert for kids (and their parents!) to 28 cities across the U.S., kicking off in Stamford, CT on July 19. Back by popular demand, the KIDZ BOP Kids will return to iconic venues like Hollywood Bowl, Jones Beach Theater, PNC Bank Arts Center, and Red Rocks Amphitheatre, with additional stops in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and more. Tickets go on sale starting Friday, April 22 at 10am local time. For tour dates and ticket information, visit www.KIDZBOP.com and Ticketmaster.com.
Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street, and Discovery Education, a worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, K-12 digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place, announced the creation of a new Sesame Workshop-branded early learner channel designed to meet the needs of children from PreK to grade 2. Consistent with Discovery Education’s solutions for schools, the channel will include high-quality video content today’s students know and love, as well as lesson plans and educator resources; interactive games and activities for kids; and family partnership supports—all focused on a whole-child approach.
Spin Master Corp (TSX: TOY), a leading global children’s entertainment company has teamed up with Kingston University in London, expanding its Toy Invention Program into Europe. Commencing September 2022, the one-year course series will be offered through Kingston University’s School of Arts faculty and aims to inspire and nurture future generations of toy inventors.
It’s not easy being green, but game manufacturer Big Potato is making positive Earth-friendly changes through its “Green Tatos” corporate initiative and turning game night greener with games like Snakesss and Herd Mentality.
Top toy manufacturer MGA has launched a new line of rival characters for the students of their lauded Rainbow High series of dolls; say hello to Shadow High! There is a new school in town ready to disrupt the Rainbow and demand a double take. Feelings of a nostalgic high school rivalry, anyone?
Multi-brand toy company TCG Toys is bringing back the hugely successful and bendable 90s heritage action figure line, Bend-Ems, to retail shelves this Fall. For the die-hard collector and new fans, Series 1 will feature top licenses and characters to collect, including Sonic the Hedgehog, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, and SpongeBob SquarePants, with more to come!