Voting Now Open for the 2023 Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards

Finalists for the prestigious 2023 TAGIE Awards have been announced by People of Play (POP). The TAGIEs, now in its 16th year, honor the most innovative inventors, designers, suppliers, retailers, marketers and PR teams in the toy and game industry. Public voting starts Thursday, September 21 and ends on October 20, 2023. Visit the TAGIE Awards 2023 Finalist page to learn about the finalists and cast your vote. Winners in nine categories will receive their TAGIE Awards 2023 trophies on November 3, 2023, in front of a live audience of their peers at Joe’s Live Concert Venue.

WiT Announces Honorees for the 2023 Wonder Women Awards

Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT), the preeminent nonprofit trade organization dedicated to the advancement and advocacy of women, has announced the distinguished honorees of its 2023 Wonder Women Awards. These remarkable women will be honored at the WiT Wonder Women Awards Gala, set to take place on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers in New York City. The in-person event honors and celebrates the extraordinary women executives, entrepreneurs and changemakers who are driving the toy, consumer products, licensing and entertainment industries forward.

Global Wellness Icon Robin Arzón Launches New Bilingual Toy Line Bebé Fuerte

TOMY International’s Bebé Fuerte, a new infant toy line created and designed by Robin Arzón, VP of Fitness Programming and Head Instructor at Peloton, has arrived at Walmart and independent toy stores across the United States. The New York Times bestselling author of children’s books Strong Mama, and its follow-up, Strong Baby, has brought her core belief in the power of movement for all ages to bear on the new line. Bebé Fuerte launches with seven signature products, designed from a fresh, colorful palette inspired by Arzón’s Cuban-Puerto Rican roots and the rich heritage of LatinX culture. Some of the toys feature Spanish words and phrases that parents can share as they play with baby. The product is presented in bilingual packaging.

WIT Announces 2023 Wonder Women Awards Finalists

Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT) proudly reveals the highly anticipated slate of finalists for the prestigious 2023 Wonder Women Awards. This esteemed recognition honors outstanding female executives, thought leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers, whose exceptional accomplishments have made a profound impact on the toy, licensing and entertainment industries.

The Licensing Awards: The 2023 Finalists in Full

The Licensing Awards has once again attracted a phenomenal number of entries and nominations for 2023 across all the categories. Some 3,500 products were entered across the 11 Product awards categories, with the finalists being arrived at by some 250 retail buyers across the whole gamut of licensed and consumer products. These included executives from Tesco, Asda, Marks & Spencer, TruffleShuffle, My 1st Years, Card Factory, FatFace, Moonpig, TJ Morris, Next, Paultons Park, DFS, Character.com, The Works, HMV, The Entertainer, Fraser Group, Ted Baker, Vanilla Underground, Lakeland, Morrisons, JoJo Maman Bébé, Home Bargains, Sainsbury’s, Specsavers and B&M Stores.

Konami Cross Media NY Awards Latest Yu-Gi-Oh! Toy and Gaming Licenses

Konami Cross Media NY, Inc, which manages the Yu-Gi-Oh! licensing rights outside of Asia, announced partnership agreements with TOMY International, Inc, Heathside Trading, Ltd, and Trade Invaders. The agreements will bring new Yu-Gi-Oh! product lines in the toy and game licensing categories, extending the brand’s visibility and availability throughout Europe. The announcement was made at Licensing Expo ‘23 by Jennifer Coleman, Vice President of Licensing and Marketing, Konami Cross Media NY.

eeBoo Prepares for Back-to-School with Helpful and Educational New Products

Environmentally conscious, woman owned, and mother run toys and goods company eeBoo understands that back-to-school preparation can never happen too soon. For 2023, eeBoo has curated a host of helpful and educational products for different age groups to make this school year a happy and healthy one. 

The 20th Annual Chicago Toy & Game Fair ‘CHITAG’ Resumes In-Person Event on December 10 & 11, 2022

On December 10th and 11th the 2022 Holiday Chicago Toy & Gift Fair (CHITAG), North America’s largest toy & game fair open to the public, will be resuming their annual in-person event after a 2-year hiatus due to COVID. This marks the 20th year for CHITAG, which will take place at a new venue this year: the Donald J. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont (5555 N River Rd Rosemont, IL 60018).    As one of the only toy and game fairs open to the public, thousands of families expected to attend will experience immersive events, interactive exhibits and activities for all ages. This year’s highlights include a Gel Blaster Activation, craft and build at the Spaghetteez booth, fan favorite the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, Giant Jenga games, the Beer and Board Game Garden is back, plus magicians and characters including Greg Heffley from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, sports mascots, and booths with the hottest holiday toys and games from industry leading companies. 

Emmy Award-Winning Writer/Producer Craig Gerber Extends Overall Development Deal With Disney Branded Television

Emmy Award winner Craig Gerber, the creative force behind Disney’s acclaimed series Sofia the First, Elena of Avalor and its newest hit Firebuds, has extended his overall development deal with Disney Branded Television. Gerber also wrote the television movie that launched Disney’s first little girl princess, Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess, which debuted 10 years ago (Nov. 18, 2012) and remains TV’s #1 cable telecast of all time among Girls 2-5.