TLL Staff A holiday staple is getting a bold new twist this year, as Cookies United and Cheez-It unveiled the Cheez-It Holiday House Kit, a limited-edition take on the traditional gingerbread house. The kit replaces gingerbread walls with cheese-flavored cookies and includes Cheez-It crackers, candies and icing for decorating. Cookies United, a bakery company known for … [Read more...] about Cheez-It Creates a Savory Twist on the Gingerbread House
North America
AI Firm Anthropic Pays $1.5 Billion in Largest Ever Copyright Settlement
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The artificial intelligence developer Anthropic has agreed to pay $1.5 billion to settle claims that it downloaded millions of pirated books to train its large language models (LLMs). Attorneys and legal experts say the settlement is the largest copyright settlement in U.S. history, even though one important aspect of the plaintiff's case … [Read more...] about AI Firm Anthropic Pays $1.5 Billion in Largest Ever Copyright Settlement
Hasbro, Disney Expand Play-Doh Collaboration With Mickey Mouse Playsets
TLL Staff Hasbro and Disney Consumer Products are expanding their partnership to introduce a new line of Play-Doh playsets inspired by Disney characters. The debut collection centers on Disney Jr.’s Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, a series that has been a fixture for pre-school audiences. The new playsets, available now on Amazon, are designed to encourage early cognitive growth and … [Read more...] about Hasbro, Disney Expand Play-Doh Collaboration With Mickey Mouse Playsets
Toy Association Opens ‘Toy Building’ As New Hub For The Industry
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The Toy Association just held the grand opening of the Toy Building, a new complex in El Segundo’s growing “Toy District” that will serve as a hub for manufacturers, licensors and buyers worldwide. The facility brings together leading global toy companies, mid-sized manufacturers and startups in a single location, offering private showrooms … [Read more...] about Toy Association Opens ‘Toy Building’ As New Hub For The Industry
Jazz Hands Are Back in RWS Global Collab With Verdon Fosse Legacy
At right, a scene from RWS Global's product 'Chicago: The Musical. Photo credit: Jeremy Daniel. By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief RWS Global is staging new productions that highlight the work of Broadway legends Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon. The Verdon Fosse Legacy, the organization dedicated to preserving the work of Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon, has partnered with RWS Global … [Read more...] about Jazz Hands Are Back in RWS Global Collab With Verdon Fosse Legacy
Who’s News: Sesame Workshop Names Kendall Hubert EVP of Revenue and Philanthropy
TLL Staff Sesame Workshop has appointed Kendall Hubert as executive vice president of revenue and philanthropy and chief development officer, the non-profit announced Monday. Hubert will be responsible for driving revenue growth, expanding philanthropic development and leading fundraising efforts for the organization, which produces the long-running children’s program Sesame … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Sesame Workshop Names Kendall Hubert EVP of Revenue and Philanthropy
Teddy Mountain Plush Toys Coming For ‘Piney: The Lonesome Pine’
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Teddy Mountain has signed a licensing deal with Haylett Entertainment to create plush toys inspired by the animated holiday special Piney: The Lonesome Pine. Teddy Mountain, a global supplier of do-it-yourself plush products, will produce and distribute both fully stuffed and DIY versions of Piney characters, which will be available to … [Read more...] about Teddy Mountain Plush Toys Coming For ‘Piney: The Lonesome Pine’
Color Me Mine Offers Pottery Painting for Young Fans of Gabby’s Dollhouse
TLL Staff Color Me Mine is offering themed pottery-painting activities and events at its studios, in a collaboration with the upcoming Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie. The animated DreamWorks Animation release premieres on September 26, and the nation-wide Color Me Mine event will continue through the end of October. The partnership brings characters and themes from the popular … [Read more...] about Color Me Mine Offers Pottery Painting for Young Fans of Gabby’s Dollhouse
Nex and Bluey Create Gaming Experience to Keep Kids Active
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Nex and Bluey have come up with a solution for parents concerned their kids are getting too much screen time, and not enough active play. Nex, maker of the Nex Playground active play system, is partnering with BBC Studios to create a new interactive game experience based on the animated series Bluey. The game, which will debut in October, … [Read more...] about Nex and Bluey Create Gaming Experience to Keep Kids Active
Fanta Putting Horror Icons on Soda Cans for Halloween
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief This Halloween, some of cinema’s most infamous villains won’t just be lurking in theaters and haunted houses; they’ll be staring back from soda cans. Fanta announced Tuesday it is partnering with Universal Pictures and Blumhouse to launch a global Halloween campaign featuring five horror icons. They include Chucky from the “Child’s Play” … [Read more...] about Fanta Putting Horror Icons on Soda Cans for Halloween