When it comes to prehistoric times, magic and fantastical creatures Douglas Company has all the charm. The plush toy maker and lifestyle gift creator establishes the future from the past in their latest Softs inductees. Four new dinos from prehistoric times, a mystical dragon and, everybody’s favorite, three new unicorns will join the Softs line-up.
KidStuff Public Relations continues to pop the champagne corks as its 30th Anniversary year has more good news to share. Four toymakers have signed with the storied PR agency headed by Lisa Orman, named twice as a Wonder Woman by Women In Toys (WIT) as one of the industry’s top thought leaders on kids’ stuff. As of April 2024, KidStuff PR is the Agency of Record for Fun In Motion Toys, Top Secret Toys, MEAVIA and Purpose Toys. Each toy company adds something truly special to the Toy Aisle. Childhood and young adulthood is all about play and these four toymakers make sure all ages, all ethnicities and all abilities are seen and included.
Zoonicorn, the global preschool property already seen in more than 100 countries worldwide, enters Licensing Expo with new licensing deals and expanded streaming content in additional territories. Zoonicorn’s seven-minute episodes are produced by Toonz Entertainment and Zoonicorn, LLC and distributed by Toonz Entertainment. Global licensing for the brand is shared by the two companies and headed by J’net Smith of All Art Licensing.
Elenco’s award-winning Snap Circuits line, a STEAM toy staple for over 20 years, is powering up family game night with its latest innovation: Snap 2 It! Get ready to outsmart, outmaneuver, and outplay your family and friends in the ultimate STEAM-fused battle where brainpower lights up fun! “Snap 2 It isn’t just about winning; it’s about having fun with friends and family while also developing a passion for learning,” said Tim Conlin, Vice President Marketing & Innovation at Elenco Electronics. “Players embark on a quest to outmaneuver their opponents and illuminate their light first, all while delving into the world of circuits and electricity.”
ADK Emotions NY Inc and T-Licensing Inc have revealed that after a successful premiere in Asian territories in 2023, Beyblade X will showcase new animation and exclusive experiences for Beyblade fans globally in 2024. Hasbro Inc, a long-standing partner, will release Generation 4 products worldwide later this year. “This year, we’re especially thrilled to celebrate with the generations of fans, as we kick off our 25th anniversary. With the highly-anticipated U.S. launch of the Beyblade X animation series this summer, Bladers will be ready to battle like never before!” said a representative from ADK Emotions NY.
BBC Studios has promoted Murilo Hinojosa to Vice President, Consumer Products & Commercial Partnerships, Latin America, effective immediately. Hinojosa will continue to oversee and provide strategic licensing planning for the global phenomenon Bluey in Latin America, as well as world-famous brands Doctor Who, Top Gear, Hey Duggee and BBC Studios’ factual umbrella brand BBC Earth, the home of internet-breaking shows such as Blue Planet II, Frozen Planet II and upcoming Blue Planet III.
PMI Kids’ World, a toy company renowned for its mega-popular gaming and licensed collectibles, has signed a worldwide licensing agreement with the iconic gaming phenomenon, Minecraft. This strategic partnership aims to bring a new dimension to the collectibles industry, offering fans an immersive experience through a range of Minecraft-themed impulse, plush, collectibles, and stationery products launching this summer.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc (NASDAQ: JAKK), leading toy and consumer products manufacturer, announces a new partnership with Epic Story Media (Epic) to launch a robust content and licensing program around their new IP, Wild Manes. Wild Manes is a whimsical world of horses, food, friends, flair and fun, galloping onto the scene in Summer 2024. Epic is set to produce and globally distribute the brand’s animated series. The short form series is developed and produced by Epic Story Media, animated with its 2D studio, Loomi Animation. The series has been written by Shelia Rogerson, led by creative producer, Cheryl Hassen and directed by Tahir Rana. Forty fun-filled 5-minute episodes will run on YouTube Kids and other OTT platforms this summer.
The Pokémon Company International has shared further details about the 2024 Pokémon World Championships, which will be held in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, this summer. Pokémon fans who attended the 2024 Pokémon Europe International Championships (EUIC) in London over the weekend, and those who followed the action via the official Pokémon livestream, were delighted to find out that the 2024 Pokémon World Championships will take place from August 16 to 18, 2024, at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. The artwork created especially for the event was also revealed, showing off Pikachu and friends on a snorkeling adventure.