PlayMonster is proud to announce that Sakita Withers has won a 2022 Wonder Woman Award in the Rising Star, Marketing/PR category. This is one of the most prestigious awards for women in the toy industry, and PlayMonster could not be more proud to have one of their own recognized in this way!
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) announces the 2022 Wonder Women Award winners on the first day of Women’s History Month, and as the global organization celebrates its 30-year anniversary. Honoring the brightest women in toys, licensing & entertainment, the WiT Wonder Women Awards is an annual celebration of the industry’s remarkable thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.
Basic Fun!, a leading global producer of toy and consumer products and master toy licensee for TONKA, is launching a year-long celebration for the beloved brand’s 75th Anniversary. Superstar Shaquille O’Neal will kick-off the “Together, We Tonka” campaign with a photo contest, followed by a call-to-action to take a screen-free summer “Tonka Playcation.” The introduction of an exciting collection of new yet nostalgic TONKA vehicles will also honor the brand’s legacy. Licensed by global play and entertainment company, Hasbro, Inc., TONKA has been the standard for high-quality, imagination-powered toy vehicles since 1947 and a rite-of-passage for generations.
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.
Australia’s favorite Blue Heeler pup, Bluey, will be coming to exciting new brands in 2022, as PlayMonster announces a strategic licensing agreement with BBC Studios in 2022. Bluey has won the hearts of families around the world since it first launched in Australia in October 2018, and has quickly become a global hit. Now families in North America can share their love for Bluey with the award-winning license making its debut with Hasbro’s Spirograph and 9 Story Brands’ Colorforms.
PlayMonster launches into 2022 with fresh capital from global private markets firms Adams Street Partners and H.I.G Capital, and promotes tenured industry leader Tim Kilpin and former PlayMonster President to the role of CEO. This significant capital investment and leadership change symbolizes PlayMonster’s latest chapter as a top international toy and game company, and sets the foundation for continued growth and innovation in 2022 and beyond.
Goliath, one of the few remaining, family owned global toy and game companies, announced today that David Norman, President of Goliath North America, retires in March after serving the organization for over a decade. Peter Boutros has stepped in to succeed David Norman as the new President of Goliath, North America.
Addressing the need for talent created by an ever-increasing production pipeline, Lighthouse Studios has appointed long-time animation consultant, Michael Downey, to the newly created position of Talent Management Director for the Kilkenny-based Irish studio. The announcement was made by Lighthouse Studio’s Managing Director, Claire Finn.
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) announces that the in-person event for its Wonder Women Awards, originally set for Sunday, February 20, 2022, will be canceled due to the cancellation of Toy Fair New York and concerns over COVID 19. Instead, the organization will announce winners on March 1, 2022 via press release, and shortly thereafter, will deliver a special “Wonder Women at Home” experience to winners and honorees, with a Tribute Video to follow.