MAGNA-TILES Downhill Duo Set Wins Preschool Toy of the Year at 2023 Toy of the Year Awards

MAGNA-TILES, has rolled into victory, winning Preschool Toy of the Year for their Downhill Duo magnetic building set at the Toy Foundation’s 2023 Toy of the Year Awards. The winners of the 2023 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards were unveiled by The Toy Foundation at the Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards on Friday, September 29th at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. The product category winners were determined by votes from Toy Association members, toy retailers, media and consumers. The awards celebration kicked off Toy Fair week, taking place from Saturday, September 30 through October 3, 2023, in which MAGNA-TILES will showcase their award-winning portfolio of magnetic construction toys.

Moose Toys’ Social Media Sensation Cookeez Makery Sees Retail Sell-Out

Moose Toys, a leading product and marketing innovator in the toy industry, marks its first appearance back at North American International Toy Fair with the display of its most sought-after holiday toys, including TOTY finalist and social media sensation Cookeez Makery. The latest release from Moose to mirror the smashing success of Magic Mixies, Cookeez Makery launched in July and has flown off shelves, requiring air freighting to keep up with growing retail demand. Cookeez Makery solidifies Moose’s domination in the new era of toy design by perfectly blending traditional play patterns with never-before-seen tech features designed to ignite multiple senses.

Moose Toys Appoints Jeff Hurst SVP North American Sales

Moose Toys, a leading innovator in the toy industry, today announced industry veteran Jeff Hurst joins the company as senior vice president, North American sales. He will be based out of the company’s U.S. operation in El Segundo, Calif., beginning in October. In this leadership position, Hurst is responsible for defining, leading and driving the execution of the North American strategic sales plan and annual goals for emerging and established markets. “I found this opportunity with Moose irresistible. My team and I are not just selling toys, we are selling Moose innovation and that is what ultimately attracted me to the company and this role,” said Hurst. “With their wildly creative original brands and impressive licensing portfolio, the stage is set for Moose’s next level growth. I look forward to expanding Moose’s already world-class sales team and contributing to the company’s continued success.”

Alan Hassenfeld and Hassenfeld Family Foundation Donate $1 Million to Purpose-Driven Charities for Hasbro’s 100th

To commemorate 100 years of delivering the wonder of storytelling and the exhilaration of play to audiences across the globe, Hasbro has announced that Alan Hassenfeld and The Hassenfeld Family Foundation will donate $1 million to four purposeful charities benefiting kids and families everywhere: Games for Change, Hasbro Children’s Hospital, One Tree Planted and Toys for Tots. Hasbro is empowering its passionate fan base to choose how the $1M donation will be distributed. Beginning September 22 at the fan-favorite virtual event, Hasbro Pulse Con 2023, and running until November 30, fans can vote for one of the four charities to donate to through each purchase they make on HasbroPulse.com.

14th Annual Blue Plate Media Lounge at New York Toy Fair on Monday, October 2, 2023

The 14th Annual Blue Plate Media Lounge, at New York Toy Fair, sponsored by Blue Plate Media Services, in association with Toy Association, will be available free to all Toy Association exhibitors and Show attendees, on Monday, October 2nd, Room 1D05, at New York Toy Fair. This highly anticipated educational lounge, commemorating its consecutive 14th Year, will provide a series of timely, informative Media Intelligence Sessions in Room 1D05, lower level Javits, from 9AM – 4PM.

Moose Toys Unleashes Beast Lab, a First-of-its-Kind Experiment-Based Playset

Moose Toys, a leading innovator in the toy industry, combines several of its signature play patterns — multi-layered creative playsets, action figures and storytelling — in this year’s hottest holiday toy, Beast Lab. From start to finish, this first-of-its-kind interactive playset engages kids in an experiment-based process as they create their own beast: a jaw-some shark-inspired electronic action figure to save the world. Beast Lab will be available at major retailers nationwide online Sept. 1 and in-store Oct. 1. Prior to launch, Beast Lab has already received early toy industry buzz with a Creative Toy of the Year nomination from The Toy Foundation.

PlanToys Cheese and Charcuterie Board Wins 2023 ASTRA Play Awards for the Eco Category

ASTRA, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, announced at ASTRA Marketplace & Academy in Columbus, OH, that PlanToys, the global leader in sustainable toy manufacturing, has won the Eco category for the ASTRA Play Awards with their Cheese & Charcuterie Board set. The award program is one of the few award programs in the industry that has toy retailers do all the voting to select its winners based on criteria including toy newness, uniqueness, availability, and significance to the industry.

Moose Toys Enters Doll Category with Magic Mixies Pixlings and Launches Magic Mixies Magic Lamp

Moose Toys, a leading innovator in the toy industry, continues to expand the universe of its global sales phenom, Magic Mixies. The toy maker predicts Magic Mixies will top holiday wish lists for the third consecutive year, as it takes the “real magic” experience to the next level with two new products, including an entrance into a new category: dolls. First is Magic Mixies Magic Lamp with a wish-granting Genie Mixie, and next is the Magic Mixies Pixlings, a trio of dolls that kids magically create inside a potion bottle.

PlanToys Named Winner of the 2023 ASTRA Excellence Awards for Manufacturer of the Year

ASTRA, American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, announced that PlanToys, the global leader in sustainable toy manufacturing, has been named the winner of the 2023 ASTRA Excellence Awards for Manufacturer of the Year. The award program is the only one designed to recognize and honor outstanding contributions made by members of the specialty toy industry.