Happy Line Toys is pleased to announce that its award-winning and adorable glow in the dark plush line, Dream Beams, is launching in the US market this season, arriving just in time for the holidays, and is available for sale now on its US Distributor’s website, www.worldrollertoys.com.
Since establishing a dedicated office in Mexico in September 2021, enthusiasm for ZAG’s multiple award-winning flagship brand Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir continues to soar across the region. In response, ZAG is hosting its first brand summit at Teatro Centenario Coyoacan in Mexico City on November 17. In addition to Miraculous, ZAG will present the latest series, Ghostforce, an original comedy-action series for kids and families about high school teens turned superheroes who defend their city from the ghastly ghouls haunting it, and the animated feature Melody, directed by Jeremy Zag and starring the voice talent of singer, songwriter, and actress Katy Perry. The announcement was made by Angela Cortez, Vice President, Licensing, Latin America.
Pressman Toy Corporation, one of the world’s oldest family-owned toy and game companies, is celebrating 100 years of family playtime. Over the past century, Pressman Toy Co has seen great success with many best-selling games, including Rummikub and Mastermind. In addition, Pressman has paved the way for empowering women as leaders, especially for other leading companies within the industry. Founded in 1922, Pressman expanded from classic games in eye-catching red boxes to focus on product licensing, developing and marketing best-selling games. Having started from humble beginnings working in his father’s novelty store, Jack Pressman worked his way to partner at the North American Toy Company, later to become J. Pressman & Company, proving his leadership ability when the company started to experience demand for one of their products, the Zellopiano, an original toy-size hybrid of a xylophone and a piano.
Industry leader Moose Toys is continuing its phenomenal growth in the UK, for the first time entering the Top Ten Toy Manufacturers according to NPD. Currently ranked #9 YTD and #8 in October, the Australian based manufacturer is boasting sales growth well above industry average of +74% YoY. Leading into the festive season, global sensation Magic Mixies Cauldron and the award winning Little Live Pets Mama Surprise have been the clear stand out products at sitting at #3 and #15 in the Total Items respectively according to NPD’s October data.
Grand Prix International (GPI) has launched a new manufacturing program assisting BIPOC and Women-owned toy and game businesses to bring their products to market. The new initiative allows young and growing businesses to accept mass-market retail purchase orders that previously would have been a financial challenge to accept.
Rovio Entertainment, creator of action-based media franchise Angry Birds, and Four Seasons Design, Inc, a San Diego based apparel manufacturer, have announced a new apparel and accessories partnership, in a deal facilitated by Angry Birds’ global licensing agency IMG. The first apparel collection, which is set to launch later this month, will feature original designs by Four Seasons Design, Inc’s veteran creative team around themes such as vintage comic books, retro gaming, and 90’s pastels. All products will be gender neutral and cater to Angry Birds fans of all ages. The collection will be available for purchase online at Amazon, Walmart and through the official Angry Birds site.
“This beautiful toy has been racking up parenting and toy-maker awards, and for good reason,” wrote USA Today’s parenting writer Janelle Randazza about Papaton Kids Shadow Theater. It is now the most awarded shadow theater game of all time and sure to make this year’s must-have gift for the holidays for kids ages 3 and up. Hollywood’s famed Academy Museum of Motion Pictures gift shop – who know a thing or two about storytelling – features the award-winning shadow theater kit on its Kids Section shelves. “It’s a beautifully designed shadow puppet set that’s perfect for developing narrative storytelling skills, and it’s just right for family time,” Randazza summarized in her glowing hottest toys roundup last year. Parenting, Parents’ Choice, Tillywig, PAL Award and The National Parenting Center also gave the remarkable light and shadow show two thumbs up. The industry’s top expert, The Toy Insider, most recently gave it its 2022 Top Summer Toy nod.
A raft of exciting new toy and consumer tech brands will come to the UK and Ireland market in 2023 following a new distribution agreement between Flair GP and leading US toymaker, Skyrocket. Joining forces in time for autumn-winter 2023, Flair will become the exclusive distributor of Skyrocket Toys in the UK and Ireland, drawing on its established retail partnerships to bring multiple new and established properties to market. The portfolio of brands includes category-leading Sky Viper Drones, and award-winning interactive plush, My Fuzzy Friends. Julia Cake, UK Country Manager at Flair, said: “Skyrocket is renowned for some of the most exciting and innovative ranges in the US and we’re delighted to be introducing a number of these properties to our portfolio next year. Our customers will be excited to see brilliant brands such as Sky Viper Drones and My Fuzzy Friends in the line-up, and they can also anticipate a brand-new range that will be sure to catch kids’ attention.”
When newcomer Create A Castle shook up the toy industry by winning the coveted TOTY for “Best Outdoor Toy” in 2020, everyone admired its success in beating out more-established brands as a hot summer toy. But that wasn’t good enough for the fledgling company’s co-founding husband-and-wife team – Kevin and Laurie Lane – who were certain their unique, patented sand castle-building toy had equal potential as a year-round winner if it could be adapted, not only for building snow castles in the winter, but equally for indoor use with different materials.