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.
We need more teeth! The LEGO Group and Universal Brand Development have announced exciting new Jurassic World sets inspired by the upcoming theatrical release – Jurassic World Dominion – set to hit theatres in June 2022, from Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. Continuing to build out the portfolio for Jurassic World fans globally, the newest sets, featuring the largest assortment of dinosaurs than ever before in LEGO® brick form, also include fan favorite characters like Owen, Claire, Ian Malcolm, Dr. Ellie Sattler and more. Each set offers a chance for fans to dive into their very own prehistoric world, with endless creativity, storytelling and adventure for all.
Western Toy & Hobby Representative Association will kick off their next ToyFest since 2020 during the week of March 7th, 2022. While this year’s show will be a departure from the format of previous years, with representatives showing in both showrooms as well as temporary booth spaces, many traditions will be the same. On the evening of March 9th, toy industry colleagues will celebrate the lifetime (to date) achievements of these toy industry veterans, partners Marlene and Charles Gabris, Stephanie Sala, and Brian Turtle, all of whom will be inducted into the WTHRA Hall of Fame. Additionally, toy retailer, Thinker Toys in Morgan Hill & Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA will be recognized as the WTHRA Retailer of the Year. The event will take place outdoors at a rooftop reception on the SkyView Terrace of the World Market Center Las Vegas (WMCLV) beginning at 6:00 p.m. All show participants are invited and encouraged to attend, to celebrate and congratulate these individuals while enjoying toy related camaraderie.
With the pandemic continuing to impact play & family lifestyles and U.S. toy sales experiencing another year of double-digit growth, The Toy Association has unveiled the top toy trends that are expected to drive consumer spending on toys in 2022. The announcement was made during The Toy Association’s Toy Trends Briefing, which can now be viewed online.
Toy history was made on February 18, 2022 when The Toy Foundation unveiled the winners for the prestigious 22nd annual Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY) during a virtual event attended by play professionals and toy fans from around the world.
Playmates Toys and Paramount Consumer Products have revealed a first look of the action figures from the Paramount+ animated series Star Trek: Prodigy. Star Trek: Prodigy follows a motley crew of young aliens who must figure out how to work together while navigating a greater galaxy, in search for a better future. These six young outcasts know nothing about the ship they have commandeered – a first in the history of the Star Trek franchise – but over the course of their adventures together, they will each be introduced to Starfleet and the ideals it represents. Produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio and CBS Studios, Star Trek: Prodigy is currently available to stream exclusively on Paramount+ and will debut on Nickelodeon in the U.S. later this year.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. [NASDAQ: JAKK] has reported financial results for the fourth quarter, ended December 31, 2021.
Fourth Quarter 2021:
-Net sales were $188.0 million compared to $128.3 million last year; a 47% increaseGross margin of 26.6%, negatively impacted by a 950+ basis-point increase in ocean and inbound freight expenses
Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) announced that it has entered into a multiyear global licensing agreement with Paramount Consumer Products for Nickelodeon’s animated preschool pirate adventure series, Santiago of the Seas. Through this agreement, Mattel has the licensing rights to create a full line of toys based on the property, which will be produced under the Fisher-Price brand, including dolls, figures, play sets, vehicles, role play, plush, ride-ons and more, expected to launch at retailers worldwide in 2022.
Dart Zone, the leading and preferred dart and blaster brand in the pro blaster community, is calling all blaster enthusiasts (14 years and older) to test their mettle on the battlefield of the Dart Zone Pro Tournament and be named the reigning Champion in this emerging sport. The winning team will take home the $10,000 grand prize and ultimate bragging rights as rulers of the foam dart world.