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Little Tikes and Girl Scouts of the USA Announce Partnership to Create Cookie Booth Playset

The Little Tikes Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MGA Entertainment (MGA), one of the largest and fastest-growing, privately held toy and entertainment companies in the world, has entered into a licensing relationship with Girl Scouts of the USA to introduce the Little Tikes 2-in-1 Girl Scout Cookie Booth playset. The playset encourages young kids to expand on essential skills like goal setting and communication while they run their own make-believe business selling toy cookies.

Xilam Animation Ups Safaa Benazzouz to EVP Distribution

Academy Award-nominated French animation studio Xilam Animation has upped Safaa Benazzouz to the position of EVP Distribution, effective 1 September 2023. Previously Deputy EVP Distribution, Benazzouz will replace the company’s outgoing EVP Distribution, Morgann Favennec. In her new role, Benazzouz will lead the worldwide distribution strategies across Xilam’s new and forthcoming productions, including Karate Sheep, Oggy Oggy and Buddybot, and its existing catalogue, which includes Oggy and the Cockroaches, Zig & Sharko, Where’s Chicky? and Athleticus. Additionally, she will be responsible for driving sales across the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, South Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America; and managing the four teams within Xilam’s distribution department: international sales, digital, licensing and marketing. She will continue to be based in Xilam’s head office in Paris and will now report into the company’s Founder and CEO, Marc du Pontavice.

Toy Industry Rebels Build an Invention Studio from Zero to One – Rebel Play

In a bold move to shake up the toy and game industry, Rebel Play has emerged as a new invention studio that promises to break free from the ordinary. Their mission? To challenge industry norms, defy the predictable, and deliver toys and games that spark imagination. At the heart of Rebel Play’s brand is their enigmatic red blobbish mascot, Rebel. This ghostly figure encapsulates the creative spirit within each of us—a symbol of unbridled imagination. “In its purest form, imaginative play is an act of rebellion,” declares Laurie Peterson, one of two founders of Rebel Play and toy industry veteran and former TAGIE Rising Star Toy Inventor of the Year. “You are conjuring up ideas that are not present to the senses. We aim to embody rebellious imagination with our new studio Rebel Play. The trick is finding a balance between delivering the unexpected and being on brand for our toy industry partners.”

Arcade1Up Announces Global Distribution Strategy to Support Growing Business

Arcade1Up has announced a new distribution strategy to support its growth and international business operations in Canada, Australia and European countries. The partnerships with Polyphoto and other local distributors will be driven by Arcade1Up’s premier Deluxe line – a streamlined design that echoes the look of the classic arcade machine, created for the home, while incorporating modern features and technology. In conjunction with the new distribution strategy, Arcade1Up announced four new home arcade machines led by TIME CRISIS Deluxe Arcade Machine – the first at-home arcade experience for the popular shooter arcade game. Additional new titles are Atari 50th Anniversary Deluxe Arcade Machine, GALAGA Deluxe Arcade Machine, and Street Fighter™ II: CE HS-5 Deluxe Arcade Machine – all will be on display in the Polyphoto booth at Gamescom this week (Business Area, Hall 2.2, Booth D-025) and are set for global release later this year.

Playview Brands Welcomes Domenic Bettini as New Director of Business Development

Playview Brands, a leading toy company with a growing portfolio of esteemed brands and licenses, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Domenic Bettini as its new Director of Business Development. With over 20 years of success in growing brand revenues and market share, Bettini will play a pivotal role in driving Playview Brands to new heights. Domenic Bettini’s new role complements Playview Brands’ increasing scope of fun with their NERF license renewal, new partnership with entertainment franchise Minecraft, upcoming My HeroMail, and jigsaw lines, including KI Puzzles. Bettini will spearhead Playview’s efforts to identify and capitalize on new business opportunities for their roster of renowned brands.

Fred Rogers Productions Secures PNC Foundation Support for Alma’s Way

Fred Rogers Productions has been awarded a PNC Foundation grant to support Alma’s Way, its newest PBS KIDS series, through PNC Grow Up Great, the multi-year, bilingual early childhood education initiative that helps children from birth through age 5 develop a passion for learning that lasts a lifetime. The $1.3 million grant from PNC Foundation to Fred Rogers Productions supports the development of Alma’s Way engagement activities as well as ongoing support for “Be My Neighbor Days,” the signature community outreach initiative for Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.

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Falcon’s Beyond Names Toni Caracciolo as Executive Vice President of Marketing and Branding

Falcon’s Beyond Global, LLC, a diversified global entertainment, consumer experience, and technology enterprise that accelerates intellectual property (IP) activations concurrently across physical and digital experiences, announced that it has named Toni Caracciolo as Executive Vice President of Marketing and Branding, reporting to company President Simon Philips. In this newly created position, Caracciolo will advance the strong momentum Falcon’s has established over the past year as the company launched multiple projects, initiatives, and experiences across its three core business units: Falcon’s Creative Group, Falcon’s Beyond Destinations and Falcons Beyond Brands. Her deep travel experience is particularly relevant to the planned future growth of Falcon’s Beyond Destinations. Through this division, earlier this year, Falcon’s opened both Falcon’s Resort by Meliá | All Suites Punta Cana and the adjacent Katmandu Park | Punta Cana, the first theme park of its kind in the Caribbean, together offering a unique “resortainment” hospitality experience. 

Creative Kids Group Launches Product Line with Uplift for ‘Adopt Me’

Creative Kids Group, a leader in the innovation of kids’ toys and arts and crafts, launches a product line with the highly popular online game Adopt Me! The popular pet adoption game with more than 33 million plays will have Creative Kids licensed consumer products grace the shelves as soon as this Fall. Delivered by Uplift Games, Adopt Me has been enjoyed by over 400 million players through the Roblox platform. With more than 300 pets to raise and play with, the Adopt Me experience creates a family-friendly environment where players can build and decorate houses, adopt pets, and create their own fun, social experiences.

The Pokémon Company International Continues its Support of the Toy Foundation with TOTY Awards ’23 Vision Sponsorship

As the toy community approaches an exciting season, The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) has announced its continued support for The Toy Foundation ahead of the highly anticipated Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards by signing on as a Vision Sponsor for the acclaimed event. The company also announced its third annual donation to the Foundation in support of its critical mission to deliver the extraordinary benefits of play to children in need, which aligns with TPCi’s overarching goal of improving the lives of children and supporting social equity. The donation will fold into The Pokémon Company International’s recent pledge to commit a minimum of $25 million USD to philanthropic organizations dedicated to said goals over the next five years, which includes The Toy Foundation as a long-term strategic partner.