By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The entertainment and play company Hasbro has appointed new leadership for its critical Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming division. The role was left vacant with the death of Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner late last year, after a lengthy battle with cancer. That resulted in former Wizards of the Coast president and COO Chris Cocks being … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Hasbro Appoints New Chief Wizards For Gaming Business
Toys and Games
Spielwarenmesse Survey Shows Demand For Sustainable Toys
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief A new survey conducted for Spielwarenmesse shows sustainability will be a key factor for toy makers and licensors in coming years. The world's largest toy fair commissioned research by the Spanish AIJU Technological Institute for Children’s Products and Leisure, which surveyed roughly 2,800 households with children aged 0-11 years. The … [Read more...] about Spielwarenmesse Survey Shows Demand For Sustainable Toys
LEGO, Mattel, Spin Master & Warner Bros. Lead NPD’s Top Toy Awards
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The retail research group The NPD Group named the winners of its 2021 Toy Industry Awards, with LEGO and Mattel topping the list. The awards recognize top selling toys, properties, and manufacturers globally, but also by region in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Europe. The winners are chosen based on data from NPD’s Retail … [Read more...] about LEGO, Mattel, Spin Master & Warner Bros. Lead NPD’s Top Toy Awards
Film Licensing: Hasbro Wins Extended Toymaker License With LucasFilms
Hasbro Inc. has secured one of the Holy Grails of the licensing industry with an extended agreement as Master Toymaker for LucasFilms. The deal covers Hasbro's existing relationship with Star Wars but also adds the lucrative and long-running Indiana Jones franchises to the company's licensing agreement. As a global master toy licensee for both franchises, Hasbro will continue … [Read more...] about Film Licensing: Hasbro Wins Extended Toymaker License With LucasFilms
Toy Licensing: Mattel Working With Netflix on He-Man Feature Film
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Mattel and Netflix have announced the development of a licensed Masters of the Universe live-action motion picture. The film is slated to begin production in the summer of 2022. The Nee brothers will co-direct from a screenplay co-written with David Callaham, while rising star Kyle Allen will star as Prince Adam and his alter-ego, … [Read more...] about Toy Licensing: Mattel Working With Netflix on He-Man Feature Film
Mattel Snags Global Deal For Disney Princess and Frozen
Multi-Category Collection Expected to Arrive at Retailers Worldwide Beginning 2023 Toy giant Mattel has signed a global, multiyear licensing deal for two of Disney's most popular franchises. Under the agreement, Mattel will have the global licensing rights to develop lines of toys for the Disney Princess line and the Frozen franchise. The agreement is with Disney Consumer … [Read more...] about Mattel Snags Global Deal For Disney Princess and Frozen
Who’s News: Susan Brandt Promoted to CEO at Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
Promotion Comes as the Company Wraps Up Its Highest Revenue Year Ever By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Anyone following stories in TLL about Dr. Seuss Enterprises will know the company has been on a tear of lucrative licensing deals. And as revenues have soared, Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced that its president Susan Brandt is also taking on the role of CEO. Brandt is an … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Susan Brandt Promoted to CEO at Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
Phone Home, With Funko’s Board Game Based On E.T. The Extra Terrestrial
Funko Games has unveiled a new board game inspired by E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial for its 2022 lineup. The new game is called E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: Light Years From Home. It will be released across North America and Europe in the summer of 2022. Funko Games came into being in 2019, after Funko Inc. acquired notable board game development studio, Forrest-Pruzan Creative. … [Read more...] about Phone Home, With Funko’s Board Game Based On E.T. The Extra Terrestrial
Wow! Stuff Named Master Toymaker For Kid Series Odo
The toymaker Wow! Stuff has become the first licensee for the boundary breaking 2.5D animated series, Odo. In a deal brokered by Bulldog Licensing, Wow! Stuff won the bid for the heartwarming show that now airs in more than 128 countries. Odo was created by Sixteen South Originals and co-produced with Letko. In the new Master Toy global deal, Wow! Stuff will create a … [Read more...] about Wow! Stuff Named Master Toymaker For Kid Series Odo
Who’s News: Hasbro Names New Senior Director of CP in the UK
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Hasbro kicked off Toy Fair 2022 by announcing the promotion of Sally Carnota to Senior Director of UK Licensed Consumer Products. Carnota will be based out of the Warren Street office in the U.K. and report to Marianne James, Vice President of EMEA & Asia Licensed Consumer Products at Hasbro. “Sally has been integral in expanding … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Hasbro Names New Senior Director of CP in the UK