Toy Association Highlights for 2021 and 2022 Outlook – by Steve Pasierb

2021’s Relentless Focus – The Toy Association pushed back on threats to your companies through advocacy in major cities, state capitols, throughout Washington, DC, and in dozens of capitols around the world. Our blend of pro-business, pro-safety, pro-child activism stopped misguided new regulations or legislation that did not add to product safety, while our fight against trade barriers and unwise policies helped further protect the business of toys.

PMI Wins the Gem with Brawl Stars Toy Line

PMI, a leading gaming-sector toy manufacturer and distributor, in an agreement with Supercell, makers of the highly popular Brawl Stars brand, and LINE FRIENDS, a global consumer products licensing partner for theBrawl Stars brand, will release a multi-territory, highly detailed Brawl Stars toy line that will include collectibles, action figures, plush, stampers and more.

Schylling Debuts Newly Designed Showroom at Atlanta Gift Show

Just in time to celebrate the new year, Schylling Inc., an award-winning toy company known for standout brands LAVA® and NeeDoh®, is debuting their newly designed showroom at the Atlanta Gift Show this month. Starting this week, buyers, media, and industry professionals can visit the new Schylling showroom at the Atlanta Market to source a number of their timeless and classic toy and gift lines.

Jazwares Names Jeremy Padawer Chief Brand Officer

Jazwares, a global leader in toys and licensing, has announced that Jeremy Padawer joins the c-suite as Chief Brand Officer, effective immediately. Padawer is a toy industry veteran with deep expertise in brand development across multiple toy categories including collectibles, as well as an experienced executive in e-commerce and animated content. Padawer has been instrumental in Jazwares’ growth since joining the company in 2019 when Jazwares acquired Wicked Cool Toys. In this newly created role prioritizing brand and growth strategies, Padawer will be responsible for the company’s global brand building, design, marketing, and communications across all business units.

Care Bears: Unlock the Magic Sets New Broadcaster and Toy Deals in China and France

Cloudco Entertainment, owner of iconic entertainment property Care Bears™, has launched its new Care Bears: Unlock The Magic animated series on China’s CCTV14 public broadcasting network and French free-to-air television channel, Gulli. These content launches come in tandem with new toy deals in both territories that will support the new TV series as well as the Care Bears’ forthcoming 40th anniversary in 2022.

Pull&Bear Launches the Smurfs Clothing Collection

Young fashion chain belonging to the Inditex group: Pull&Bear, has signed a Direct-to-Retail agreement with DeAPlaneta Entertainment for the global launch of The Smurfs collection, featuring the iconic little blue characters loved by several generations. 

Moose & Hinkler Donate 10,000 Gifts to Children in Need

Moose Toys, one of Australia’s leading toy companies and Hinkler, an independent publisher famous for books, crafts, puzzles and games are both based in Melbourne and between them they are donating almost 10,000 toys and books to beneficiaries, including the Monash Children’s Hospital, Eat Up, Igniting Change, Katalyst Foundation, Mirabel Foundation, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Toy Drive.