With the announcement Feb. 22 that the Toy Association is changing New York Toy Fair from the traditional February to September 2023 and retiring its Dallas Show during the fall, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) is querying its members about their needs to fill the void the Toy Fair change brings.
Inspired by rubber hose animation styles used in cartoons during the 1930s, all of the franchise’s favorite characters and moments are now captured together with a limited edition 1 ft. Cuphead Revealed figure, in the latest collaboration between King Features and Youtooz. The company turning nostalgia and internet culture into amazing products that people love only made a limited run of 500 figures. The Youtooz Cuphead Revealed figure retails at $120 USD and is available for preorder on February 25th.
PlayMonster and Hasbro partner again in 2022 to reveal sensational new ways to Koosh, with Koosh Flix Stix! Drawing from lacrosse, one of the fastest growing sports in America, the Koosh Flix Stix is inspired by the fast-flowing game where two teams scoop, pass, and shoot a ball as they move across a field. Now families can enjoy a new twist on this game with the Easy to Catch, Hard to Put Down Koosh Ball and Koosh Flix Stix! Perfect for hours of outdoor fun, families can test their skills and go head-to-head. Each set comes with 2 Flix Stix and 1 Koosh Ball, and will retail for $24.99, available at retailers in Fall 2022.
A new line of collectible wrestling action figures comprised of legends of the sport from the past six decades will soon be launched under the PowerTown brand, according to company founders Steve Rosenthal and Greg Gagne. The brand, with the tagline ‘Where Wrestling Lives On’, has signed more than 150 wrestling personalities including many that have never been issued as limited edition action figures. These will soon be available to collectors and enthusiasts for purchase.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) and Disguise, Inc. have announced a new line of toys and costumes launching in Spring 2022 in celebration of Paramount Pictures’ feature film, Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The new line of merchandise from JAKKS is set to include action figures, playsets, vehicles, plush toys and other collectibles just in time for the film’s international release. Disguise, the costume division of JAKKS Pacific, will also be designing and manufacturing costumes and accessories inspired by characters from Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which will be available to fans this Fall.
Cyber Group Studios (CGS), a leading producer and distributor of animated series for children and families worldwide, has named three industry veterans to lead its production, development, and R&D in response to the strong business growth now at an historical high with 10 series in production and 10 more in development this year.
Schleich USA (pronounced Sh-like), the world’s leading manufacturer of animal characters and playsets, has announced that 2021 was its strongest year of growth to date. With 20% YOY growth globally and 39% in the North American market, growth in the US and Canada outpaced the brand’s core German market. Brand growth also outpaced the US toy industry, which grew 13% in 2021. Schleich USA attributes this growth in part to an emphasis on engaging consumer marketing backed by deep retail support.
The Toy Association has announced the election of three new members and eight term renewals to its Board of Directors, including the election of Aaron Muderick, founder & president of Crazy Aaron’s Puttyworld, as Chair. The announcement was made during The Toy Association’s Annual General Meeting, which was held virtually and open to all members.
Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s media organization behind multiple Emmy-winning PBS KIDS series, including Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, has received grants from the Richard King Mellon Foundation and Heinz Family Foundation. The combined funding totals $350,000 to support onscreen programming and community outreach initiatives for its newest hit series, Alma’s Way and Donkey Hodie, which launched in 2021 on PBS KIDS.