By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief It's going to be a bleak holiday season at Hasbro, as the toy giant announced layoffs for 1,100 workers, and closed its office in Providence, RI. Hasbro says it is taking necessary steps stem losses and prepare for a recovery by making a second major workforce reduction. The layoffs now being announced follows a previous round of cuts … [Read more...] about Not So Merry Xmas As Hasbro Announces Massive Layoff
Toys and Games
Who’s News: Steve Pasierb Stepping Down as Toy Association CEO
TLL Staff The Toy Association has announced President and CEO Steve Pasierb is stepping down from his role at the organization in the spring of 2024. His current contract will expire in April, following nearly a decade of leadership with the trade organization. “It has been a distinct honor and privilege to serve in the role of President & CEO of The Toy … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Steve Pasierb Stepping Down as Toy Association CEO
Jazwares Acquires Australian Toy Distribution Company
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Jazwares has acquired the Australian toy distribution company Big Balloon as part of its continued strategy for global expansion."The company’s leadership, combined with the cultural alignment and our mutual passion for brands, made this the natural evolution for both our businesses," said Big Balloon co-founder, Chris Loverso. "As team … [Read more...] about Jazwares Acquires Australian Toy Distribution Company
Hasbro Announces Free Pop-Up Event Based On Its Dedicated Toyland Amazon Store
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Hasbro and Amazon are holding a free experiential holiday pop-up event in NYC featuring Hasbro-owned brands and character IPs. The three-day event will host a variety of activities including a Hasbro product showcase, a Santa Claus letter writing station, a giveaway prize wheel, complimentary snacks and photo ops with Santa Claus and Hasbro … [Read more...] about Hasbro Announces Free Pop-Up Event Based On Its Dedicated Toyland Amazon Store
KESS and SEGA Roll Out New Details For Upcoming Sonic Roll Board Game
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter KessCo and SEGA of America have released new details on an officially licensed Sonic the Hedgehog board game called Sonic Roll.The design of the upcoming Sonic Roll board game was inspired by classic Sonic the Hedgehog titles from the SEGA Genesis era. The Kess design team included a wide range of licensed characters, locations and items from … [Read more...] about KESS and SEGA Roll Out New Details For Upcoming Sonic Roll Board Game
Trade Shows: Get Your Tickets Now For the Spielwarenmesse Toy Fair
TLL Staff Spielwarenmesse, the world’s leading toy fair, has announced that tickets for its upcoming 73rd event trade show are now on sale. The event, which will take place from 30 January to 3 February 2024 in Nuremberg, is the world's largest toy fair, and is expected to attract a large crowd of international toy sector representatives this year under the motto ‘Feel … [Read more...] about Trade Shows: Get Your Tickets Now For the Spielwarenmesse Toy Fair
Experiential Licensing: Hasbro Launches First NAX Entertainment Center in Europe
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Hasbro and Rocafella Leisure have opened a licensed NERF Action Xperience (NAX) center in Manchester’s Trafford Palazzo.The new NAX venue is managed by the Rocafella Leisure entertainment agency under license from Hasbro, Inc.The Rocafella Leisure Group offers location-based brand management services to global IP owners such as commercial … [Read more...] about Experiential Licensing: Hasbro Launches First NAX Entertainment Center in Europe
Teddy Fresh Unveils Exclusive Collaboration with Magic The Gathering
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The Teddy Fresh fashion brand has announced a new licensing collaboration with the fantasy gaming franchise Magic: The Gathering.Magic The Gathering is a long-standing fantasy entertainment franchise that provides multi-media content through tabletop trading card games, licensed consumer goods, digital games, novels, comic books, and more.The … [Read more...] about Teddy Fresh Unveils Exclusive Collaboration with Magic The Gathering
Latest Data Predicts a Not So Merry Xmas For Toys, Retail
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The licensing industry should lower expectations for the coming holiday season, as retail sales fell slightly in October, and toy sales are down overall. The US Commerce Department reported retail sales fell slightly in October by 0.1%. That's not great, but the good news is that economists were expecting a greater decline, based on … [Read more...] about Latest Data Predicts a Not So Merry Xmas For Toys, Retail
Pass Go and Park for Free, Thanks to Monopoly Licensing Deal
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Well, here's a licensing deal we've never seen before. Hasbro's new deal sees it licensing the 'Free Parking' space in its Monopoly game to offer shoppers free parking in real life. As part of Hasbro's new 'All is Fair' Monopoly campaign, the company has signed a deal with parking reservation company SpotHero to offer 1,000 free parking … [Read more...] about Pass Go and Park for Free, Thanks to Monopoly Licensing Deal