By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Big news in the toy industry as the founders of Jazwares, Judd and Laura Zebersky, announched they are stepping down from their leadership roles. Judd Zebersky is the founder and CEO at Jazwares, while wife Laura is the company's president. After nearly three decades building Jazwares into a top-tier global toy company, the couple … [Read more...] about Founders Judd and Laura Zebersky Step Down As Leadership of Jazwares
Plush
Care Bears Venture Into the Upside Down in Unlikely Stranger Things Tie-In
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief In a crossover few would have predicted—and perhaps even fewer would have conceived of—Cloudco Entertainment’s Care Bears are heading into the Upside Down. Cloudco has partnered with Netflix’s Stranger Things and global toy company Basic Fun! for a limited-edition plush collection that merges one of entertainment’s most relentlessly … [Read more...] about Care Bears Venture Into the Upside Down in Unlikely Stranger Things Tie-In
Kids Preferred and Toho Stomp into Toy Aisle with Godzilla Plush
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Kids Preferred has signed a licensing agreement with Toho International to produce a line of Godzilla plush and soft toys. Per the terms of the partnership, Kids Preferred will develop a collection of stylized plush and soft toys based on characters and creatures from the kaiju franchise. The company plans to draw from Toho's expansive … [Read more...] about Kids Preferred and Toho Stomp into Toy Aisle with Godzilla Plush
Build-A-Bear and Sanrio Build New Hello Kitty and Friends Workshops
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Build-A-Bear Workshop and Sanrio are expanding their Hello Kitty and Friends partnership to bring licensed experiences to new retail locations nationwide. The new locations are set to open at the American Dream shopping center in New Jersey and Mall of America in Minnesota beginning in early 2026. Each licensed Workshop offers a selection … [Read more...] about Build-A-Bear and Sanrio Build New Hello Kitty and Friends Workshops
Jazwares Brings Kpop Demon Hunters to Licensed Plush
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Jazwares has partnered with Netflix to create Squishmallows and BumBumz plush inspired by licensed characters from KPop Demon Hunters. The licensed Jazwares collection will include a wide range of plush that features heroes, villains and sidekicks from the Netflix Original film. “KPop Demon Hunters has taken the world by storm, and we're … [Read more...] about Jazwares Brings Kpop Demon Hunters to Licensed Plush
Teddy Mountain and Hello Einstein Team Up for Plush Toys
By Allison Watkinson TLL Reporter Teddy Mountain has signed a global merchandising agreement with Hello Einstein Studios to create and distribute licensed Baby Einstein plush toys. Operating for close to three decades, Baby Einstein is an educational entertainment franchise for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. The franchise is designed to encourage curiosity, discovery … [Read more...] about Teddy Mountain and Hello Einstein Team Up for Plush Toys
Sony Has Big Screen Plans as Labubu Dolls Head to Hollywood
TLL Staff The Hollywood Reporter just broke the news that Sony Pictures has signed a deal to bring the wildly popular Labubu collectible toys to the big screen. According to the exclusive story in THR, Sony has secured the screen rights to the Labubu brand and intends to develop a feature film that could eventually launch a franchise. The project is in its earliest stages: No … [Read more...] about Sony Has Big Screen Plans as Labubu Dolls Head to Hollywood
Jazwares’ New Squishmallow Raising Funds for American Cancer Society
TLL Staff Jazwares is turning play into purpose with the debut of “Stephamos,” a limited-edition Squishmallows plush designed to raise funds — and spirits — for the American Cancer Society (ACS). The newest addition to the $4 billion Squishmallows empire, Stephamos is a blue-and-yellow phoenix symbolizing hope, care, and renewal. Available now for pre-order online, 100% of … [Read more...] about Jazwares’ New Squishmallow Raising Funds for American Cancer Society
Wyncor to Release ‘Kwaaks!’ Plush for Peppa Pig, Transformers and My Little Pony
TLL Staff Toy company Wyncor has entered into a new licensing agreement with Hasbro to create a special Kwaaks! plush range inspired by three of Hasbro’s most enduring franchises. Under the agreement, Wyncor will produce and distribute new plush toys based on Peppa Pig, Transformers, and My Little Pony. The new collection is scheduled to hit shelves early next year, with … [Read more...] about Wyncor to Release ‘Kwaaks!’ Plush for Peppa Pig, Transformers and My Little Pony
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’