By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Following an enforced gap of three years, the Spielwarenmesse trade fair has resumed its place as an international networking event for the toy industry. The Spielwarenmesse trade fair is owned and operated by the trade event organizer and marketing services company, Spielwarenmesse eG. The business-to-business trade fair is intended … [Read more...] about Crowds Come Back to Nuremberg as Spielwarenmesse Toy Fair Returns
Toys and Games
Disney Partners With Board Game Developer Libellud
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The French board game developer Libellud has partnered with Disney for a licensed game expansion to their Dixit franchise. A part of the Asmodee Group, Libellud is known for developing original game franchises such as Dixit, Loony Quest, Mysterium and Dice Forge. The original Dixit card game was created by Jean-Louis Roubira in 2008 and … [Read more...] about Disney Partners With Board Game Developer Libellud
North American Toy Revenue Flatlined in 2022
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief A report from NPD Group shows growth in the North American toy sector has stalled, after two record breaking years. “After three record-breaking years for the toy industry, 2022 was a challenging year. U.S. consumers were forced to endure significant economic headwinds stemming from inflation and adverse macroeconomic factors,” said … [Read more...] about North American Toy Revenue Flatlined in 2022
Mattel Issues Chelsea Doll Supporting Kids With Scoliosis
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The Barbie brand has released a new doll for the Chelsea character line that is designed to increase representation of scoliosis. The new Chelsea doll features curvature in the spine and a removable back brace. With over 100,000 children diagnosed with scoliosis each year in the US, the new doll is intended to normalize the use of back … [Read more...] about Mattel Issues Chelsea Doll Supporting Kids With Scoliosis
Miraculous Characters to Appear in PLAYMOBIL Toys
The animation studio ZAG and the Horst Brandstätter Group have joined forces to develop PLAYMOBIL toys for the popular Miraculous – Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir franchise. The launch is planned for 2024 and will feature Ladybug, Cat Noir, and their cast of heroes and villains in various playsets and seasonal toys. The toy range will have the iconic look and feel of … [Read more...] about Miraculous Characters to Appear in PLAYMOBIL Toys
Toy Industry Shocker: Hasbro to Lay Off 1,000 Employees
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief US toy and entertainment company Hasbro announced Jan. 26 that it would be restructuring, laying off 15% of its workforce. The news rocked Wall Street analysts, as Hasbro shares dropped sharply in overnight trading after the late day announcement Thursday, and continued its fall on Friday. Hasbro primarily blamed the decline in … [Read more...] about Toy Industry Shocker: Hasbro to Lay Off 1,000 Employees
Sustainability: Moose Toys Sets Net Zero Goal For 2040
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The Moose Toys company recently announced its commitment to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2040. The Australian toy company has set several long and short term sustainability targets that are in line with the international Paris Agreement. These goals will be verified by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) … [Read more...] about Sustainability: Moose Toys Sets Net Zero Goal For 2040
Licensing Law: Black Eyed Peas Suing MGA Over Pooping Unicorn Song
Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief As a journalist, you never think you're going to write a sentence like "The Black Eyed Peas are suing a toy company over a pooping unicorn toy," but such is life. When I saw the news that BMG Rights Management has filed a suit against MGA over their Poopsie Slime Surprise: Dancing Unicorn toy, I had to double check to make sure someone … [Read more...] about Licensing Law: Black Eyed Peas Suing MGA Over Pooping Unicorn Song
Dungeons & Dragons Faces Fan Backlash Over Leaked Licensing Agreement
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Hasbro’s hugely successful Wizards of the Coast faced a fan revolt this week over its new licensing rules. At one point, as Games Radar reported, so many fans cancelled their subscriptions to the online hub D&D Beyond that it apparently caused the site to crash. So, what touched off this fury among the Dungeons & Dragons … [Read more...] about Dungeons & Dragons Faces Fan Backlash Over Leaked Licensing Agreement
Chefclub Signs Five New Licenses For Cooking Themed Toys
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter The food-themed content studio Chefclub has secured five new toy distribution partnerships with White Knight Toys, Autruche, Hutter Trade, JPM Toys, and CMC Global. The companies will be the exclusive domestic licensing agents for Chefclub’s line of kid-focused cooking utensils in their respective regions. White Knight Toys will be … [Read more...] about Chefclub Signs Five New Licenses For Cooking Themed Toys