Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Hasbro Inc. announced some sad news today, revealing the company's longtime Chair and CEO Brian D. Goldner has passed away after a years-long battle with cancer. Just one day earlier, Goldner himself announced that he was taking a medical leave of absence from Hasbro, but that news was followed up today as Hasbro announced its widely … [Read more...] about Breaking News: Visionary Hasbro CEO Passes Away After Lengthy Battle With Cancer
Toys and Games
Schitt’s Creek Gets a ‘Monopoly’ on Board Games
Just like the Rose Family, you can now go down market in your real estate dreams, as The Op Games has released a Schitt's Creek edition of Hasbro's Monopoly game. Licensed from Hasbro for sales in North America, MONOPOLY: Schitt's Creek is based on the Emmy Award-winning comedy series about a wealthy family who lose their fortune, and are forced to move to a town that family … [Read more...] about Schitt’s Creek Gets a ‘Monopoly’ on Board Games
Opinion: LEGO Profits Highlight Its Success As A Pandemic Leader
By Utku Tansel Global Toy News LEGO’s global sales increased by 43% to hit £2.6bn in the first six months of 2021 while profits rose by a whopping 140% during the same period. The company announced that its sales were up by more than 10% across all markets while online sales rose by 50%. The company plans to open a further 120 new LEGO shops, including 80 in China alone … [Read more...] about Opinion: LEGO Profits Highlight Its Success As A Pandemic Leader
WowWee Dreams Big With Barbie Dream Playhouse
The innovative play company WowWee, best known for its groundbreaking robots, has launched a new pop-up Barbie Dream House, in partnership with Mattel. WowWee launched with the introduction of its Robosapien toy robot in 2004, revolutionizing the way people interact with robotic companions or toys, but the company has also developed other lines of consumer entertainment … [Read more...] about WowWee Dreams Big With Barbie Dream Playhouse
PhatMojo Selected As Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Toy Partner
Konami Cross Media NY has named PhatMojo, as the new Master Toy licensee for the Yu-Gi-Oh! brand. Jennifer Coleman, Vice President of Licensing and Marketing says the arrangement will see Los Angeles-based PhatMojo producing a full range of Yu-Gi-Oh! toys at different price points, including: playsets, action figures, plush toys, and role-play items. The initial launch of the … [Read more...] about PhatMojo Selected As Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Toy Partner
McFarlane Releases Toys Based on Nickelodeon’s Avatar Series
McFarlane Toys has released the first line of a brand new collection of Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender action figures, launching exclusively at Walmart. "Avatar: The Last Airbender animation brings a visual depth of expression and emotion to its characters, making it one of the most beloved animated shows of all time," said Todd McFarlane, CEO of McFarlane Toys. "We … [Read more...] about McFarlane Releases Toys Based on Nickelodeon’s Avatar Series
Amazon Changing the Game With Do, Re & Mi Licensing Deal
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The global play company Jazwares announced this week the release of its exclusive Do, Re & Mi product line, licensed from the Amazon original series. And while The Licensing Letter writes about product releases on a daily basis, the deal on the Do, Re & Mi warrants some special attention by readers, as it signifies a coming sea change … [Read more...] about Amazon Changing the Game With Do, Re & Mi Licensing Deal
Happier Happy Meals, As McDonald’s Reduces Use of Plastics
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The world's leading fast food chain McDonald's is making sustainable changes to its Happy Meal toys, which will impact licensors. McDonald's pledged Tuesday to "significantly" reduce the use of plastics in its Happy Meal toys worldwide. The move follows a similar program launched only in the United Kingdom after McDonald's faced a wave of … [Read more...] about Happier Happy Meals, As McDonald’s Reduces Use of Plastics
Amazon Unveils Top Toy List For Xmas 2021
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Amazon made a list, checked it twice, and issued its top toy list for the holidays, which you can buy online whether you're naughty or nice. Amazon says its Toys We Love list is the longest its ever compiled, and it includes more than 70 family-friendly products that are found exclusively on Amazon. Many of those are new entrants in the toy … [Read more...] about Amazon Unveils Top Toy List For Xmas 2021
National Toy Hall of Fame Names 12 Toy Finalists, Including ‘Sand’
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The Strong National Museum of Play announced Thursday the 12 finalists for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame. Weirdly, the list of top toys includes sand. Like the kind you find at the beach. The full list of finalists include American Girl dolls, the game Battleship, the game of billiards, Cabbage Patch Kids, the Fisher-Price Corn … [Read more...] about National Toy Hall of Fame Names 12 Toy Finalists, Including ‘Sand’