aNb Media, Author at aNb Media, Inc.

JAKKS Pacific and Authentic Brands Group Announce Long-Term Multi-Brand Agreement for Toys and Products

JAKKS Pacific, Inc (NASDAQ: JAKK), a world-leading toy and consumer products manufacturer, announced a long-term agreement with Authentic Brands Group (Authentic), a global brand development, marketing and entertainment platform. Through the agreement, JAKKS Pacific will design, manufacture and distribute an extensive range of innovative products inspired by Authentic’s portfolio of iconic brands. This includes Forever 21, Juicy Couture, Element, Roxy, Quiksilver, Prince and Sports Illustrated. The new products are planned to roll out in-store and online at key specialty and mass retailers across North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, commencing in 2024.

Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls Dolls Launch to Inspire Young Girls in STEAM

Gayle Keller, the author of the international bestselling book, Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead, has announced the launch of her line of dolls, Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls. On a mission to bring female empowerment to young girls, the Theodora S.T.E.A.M. Girls line features five diverse dolls that each possess a special superpower designed to help young girls discover their own strengths. As a former software sales executive, Keller experienced first-hand the inequalities and difficulties as a woman in STEAM. As a mother of two daughters, this troubled her and fueled her determination to uncover the root causes behind the gender gap in STEAM careers. Keller’s mission is to reshape the landscape of STEAM and instill in young girls the confidence needed to achieve their dreams.

Sesame Workshop Expands Emotional Well-being Initiative with New Emotional Literacy Resources

Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit behind Sesame Street, announced a variety of multimedia offerings and free resources, deepening their multi-year commitment to the emotional well-being of children and their families. Focusing on emotional literacy and the connection between mind and body, new videos, articles, digital interactive game, and digital storybook share different ways children and families can take care of their feelings and overall health. “More than ever, young children need a strong foundation and support system to help them manage their big feelings and bolster their emotional well-being,” said Sherrie Westin, President, Sesame Workshop. “By addressing children’s unique needs and supporting the caring adults in their lives, we can connect minds, bodies, and hearts.”

Nickelodeon Cooks Up Second Season of the ‘Tiny Chef Show’ with Brand-New Holiday-Themed Specials

Nickelodeon is serving up seconds with the renewal of the Annie Award-winning The Tiny Chef Show, starring culinary social media sensation Tiny Chef. Produced in association with Imagine Television and Nickelodeon Animation, season two (22 half-hour episodes) will follow Chef as he embarks on all-new herbivorous adventures and cooks up a fresh assortment of plant-based recipes and bite-sized meals in his tree-stump home. From preparing tea for the Queen Bee, trying his hand at magic and facing his ultimate fear of chopping onions, Chef’s kitchen is the place to be. The new season will commence with two brand-new holiday-themed specials: “Fwendsgiving,” premiering Monday, Nov. 20 at 11:30 a.m. (ET/PT); and “Tiny Chef’s Marvelous Mish Mesh Special,” on Monday, Dec. 4 at 11:30 a.m. (ET/PT).

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Hasbro Announces New ‘NERF Action-Xperience’ Openings in China Beginning in 2025

Kingsmen Creatives Ltd (“Kingsmen”), a leading creator of experiences, announced that Kingsmen Xperience, Inc, (“Kingsmen Xperience”) its United States location-based entertainment focused subsidiary, and Max-Matching Entertainments Co, Ltd. (“Max-Matching Entertainments”), one of the largest investors, developers, and operators of location-based entertainment in China with rapid expansion across Asia, have formed a strategic partnership to bring the globally popular NERF Action Xperience family entertainment centers, under license by leading toy and game company Hasbro, to China beginning in 2025. Under the partnership, Kingsmen Xperience will manage the intellectual property and licensor relations, and lead design and development. Max-Matching Entertainments will identify the locations and destination venues, develop the properties, and provide best-in-class operations and facilities management. The permanent NERF Action Xperience indoor family entertainment centers are planned to open first in Beijing, followed by other locations throughout China.

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JAKKS reports Third Quarter Financial Results – YTD Gross Margin of 32+% highest level since 2011

“Although we have seen activity at retail slowing, our business continued to perform well throughout the third quarter. Retail sell-through at our Top 3 accounts in the US were down low single digits on a year-to-date basis, while our inventory at those accounts is down over 20% year-over-year” said Stephen Berman, CEO of JAKKS Pacific.

Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures Fast Channel to Launch in November

Hasbro Entertainment announced that the upcoming FAST channel Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures will launch three original series the week of November 13th on the free ad-supported (FAST) Channel available on Amazon Freevee and Plex with more platforms to be added. Dungeons & Dragons: Adventures will include “Faster, Purple Worm! Kill! Kill!” “Encounter Party,” and “Heroes’ Feast.” Viewers can tune into new episodes for each series twice weekly; see the schedule below. The channel will also run a preview week of legacy Dungeons & Dragons content beginning November 8th.

YuMe Toys Welcomes Ryan Kravontka as Global Marketing Director

YuMe Toys (part of Maxx Group), a shining star in the world of toys and collectibles since 2017, is thrilled to announce the arrival of a marketing maverick, Ryan Kravontka, who takes the helm as Global Marketing Director. With a remarkable career spanning entertainment and media, Ryan is poised to bring a fresh perspective and a wealth of invaluable experience to propel YuMe’s growth well into 2024 and beyond. Ryan Kravontka, formerly the Senior Director of Business Development and Strategy at the prestigious creative agency XX Artists (now part of Media.Monks), is a seasoned expert in crafting innovative solutions and global marketing strategies.

Kids Preferred Collaborates with Sesame Workshop to Bring Sesame Street Infant Toys to Families

American toy manufacturer Kids Preferred is collaborating with Sesame Workshop, the global impact nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, on a new line of infant toys for families. After wrapping up a successful exhibit at NY Toy Fair 2023 last week, Larry Presser, President & Chief Revenue Officer, announced this week the toy and gift manufacturer will create five Sesame Street licensed product lines: Infant Plush, Infant Developmental Toys, Soft Books, Jack in the Boxes and Wooden Toys.