The educational toy and literature company Highlights is kicking off its 75th year with the appointment of The-M-Zone as its North American licensing agent. The-M-Zone will pursue licensees and partnerships that will deliver content, product and experiences that engage, delight and foster joyful learning. “Partnering with The-M-Zone comes at an opportune time when children’s … [Read more...] about Highlights Names M-Zone As North American Agent
Toys and Games
LEGO Named World’s Most Popular Kids Entertainment Brand
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief According to a sweeping new report on brands for children, LEGO is now the most popular kids’ entertainment brand in the world, followed by Disney, Marvel, Barbie, and with Paw Patrol rounding out the Top 5. The data comes via a report from Brand Trends, in which mothers provided answers to a survey on behalf of their children, from ages 0 … [Read more...] about LEGO Named World’s Most Popular Kids Entertainment Brand
Mattel TV Announces Two New Barbie Specials
Mattel has said it will be greatly increasing its film and television production efforts in 2021, and the company this week announced the launch of two new animated Barbie specials for streamers and broadcasters this spring. The first of the two specials is “Barbie & Chelsea The Lost Birthday,” the first dedicated television movie featuring Barbie’s younger sister Chelsea … [Read more...] about Mattel TV Announces Two New Barbie Specials
Hasbro Not Toying Around With Gina Carano
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Talk about a rough week at the office. Toy giant Hasbro says it will no longer produce any toys featuring former Mandalorian star Gina Carano, who plays the part of the popular character Cara Dune. Carano was fired from her role in the hit Disney+ series after posting a series of controversial social media messages, she was dropped by her … [Read more...] about Hasbro Not Toying Around With Gina Carano
Thinker-Tinker To Launch Trolls Music Stars
Thinker-Tinker, Inc., an innovative kid’s tech startup, has entered into a potentially lucrative deal with Dreamworks Animation to produce a line of interactive, collectible plush toys inspired by the studio's popular Trolls franchise. The young toy company is now launching Trolls Music Stars, which are toys that interact with a companion mobile app, on the crowdfunding … [Read more...] about Thinker-Tinker To Launch Trolls Music Stars
A Tale of Two Toymakers Influences Their Content Goals
Hasbro Restructuring Eone, Mattel Creating More Content By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The toy industry enjoyed a surprisingly strong year in 2020, despite and partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that doesn't mean toymakers haven't faced serious challenges in their operations. Despite the strong year for toy sales overall, Hasbro has seen a drop in their share … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Toymakers Influences Their Content Goals
Disney/Pixar Release Nascar Products for #CarsWeek
Disney and Pixar’s Cars Week is back, leading up to this year’s Daytona 500 on Feb. 14, with all new products and activations inspired by popular real-life NASCAR drivers and iconic Disney and Pixar’s Cars characters. Disney says its classic Cars characters like Lightning McQueen, Jackson Storm, Mater, Luigi and Guido have been "NASCAR-ified," and some of the most notable … [Read more...] about Disney/Pixar Release Nascar Products for #CarsWeek
Jazwares Tag Teams With UFC For New Collectibles Line
Global toy company Jazwares, and UFC, the world's premier mixed martial arts organization, are teaming up again to bring the world of UFC and mixed martial arts a new line of UFC action figures and role play collectibles. The new line of collectibles is already available for preorder now from Ringside Collectibles. The new wave of collectible figures includes Conor McGregor, … [Read more...] about Jazwares Tag Teams With UFC For New Collectibles Line
LEGO Deal With SEGA Results in ‘Super Sonic’ Collection
Video gaming's most iconic speedster is now coming to a box of LEGO near you, as LEGO Ideas announced it is releasing a line of products for Sonic the Hedgehog. Even more interesting, the partnership is happening because of a concept design submitted by a 24-year-old LEGO superfan in the UK, Viv Grannel. LEGO says Grannel, also a passionate Sonic fan, created her design as a … [Read more...] about LEGO Deal With SEGA Results in ‘Super Sonic’ Collection
Mattel Developing ‘Heist’ Movie Based on Uno Game
Toy giant Mattel has been putting a lot of oomph behind its popular UNO game for its 50th Anniversary, and is topping off the program with a live action motion picture. Mattel Films will produce the project alongside Grammy-nominated rapper Lil Yachty. In addition, Quality Control’s Kevin “Coach K” Lee, Pierre “P” Thomas and Brian Sher will produce for Quality Films. Marcy … [Read more...] about Mattel Developing ‘Heist’ Movie Based on Uno Game