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
toy licensing
YuMe Toys Expands Licensing Portfolio With One Piece, Hello Kitty and Molang Lines for 2026
TLL Staff YuMe Toys announced a slate of new and renewed global licensing agreements for 2026, building on its portfolio of collectible toys tied to major entertainment and lifestyle brands. The company will introduce expanded lines for One Piece and Hello Kitty and debut a new collaboration with Molang, part of an effort to strengthen its reach across anime, … [Read more...] about YuMe Toys Expands Licensing Portfolio With One Piece, Hello Kitty and Molang Lines for 2026
Toy Association Names 2026 Toy Industry Hall of Fame Inductees
TLL Staff The Toy Association has named four inventive visionaries as the 2026 inductees into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame. The new inductees include Melissa and Doug Bernstein, co-founders of the toy company Melissa & Doug; Isaac Larian, founder and CEO of MGA Entertainment; and posthumous honoree Stanley Weston, inventor of the G.I. Joe action figure and founder of … [Read more...] about Toy Association Names 2026 Toy Industry Hall of Fame Inductees
Jazwares Named Master Toy Partner For Miraculous Corp
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The acclaimed toy company Jazwares has just enjoyed a 'Miraculous' boost to its business, thanks to a new licensing deal. Miraculous Corp has just named Jazwares as its exclusive global master toy partner, in a deal that includes the studio's global hit Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir. “At Jazwares, we create toy … [Read more...] about Jazwares Named Master Toy Partner For Miraculous Corp
People of Play Announces Winners of the TAGIE Awards
TLL Staff People of Play, a division of The Toy Association, has revealed the winners of the 18th annual Toy & Game Innovation Excellence (TAGIE) Awards. In addition to the winners in 13 categories, POP also honored Seven Towns CEO Mike Moody and Winning Moves Games game designer Phil Orbanes with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Judy Ellis, founder of the world's first … [Read more...] about People of Play Announces Winners of the TAGIE Awards
People of Play Names Speakers for Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference
TLL Staff People of Play has unveiled the full speaker lineup and agenda for its 2025 Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference. The annual event is one of the most important for People of Play, which is a division of The Toy Association. It brings together professional and aspiring toy inventors, designers, students, and industry leaders for four days of educational … [Read more...] about People of Play Names Speakers for Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference
Spielwarenmesse Invites the World to Come Play in Nuremberg
Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Spielwarenmesse is expecting another big year at the world’s largest annual toy fair as it marks its 75th year of operations. "Feedback from the industry has been extremely positive,” said spokesperson and executive board member Christian Ulrich. “We are seeing enormous interest from exhibitors; the exhibition space is almost fully … [Read more...] about Spielwarenmesse Invites the World to Come Play in Nuremberg
Mattel and Hasbro Named as Toy Licensees for KPop Demon Hunters
By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Netflix is summoning some serious licensing voodoo as it names both Mattel, Inc. and Hasbro, Inc. as global co-master toy licensees for KPop Demon Hunters. The dual partnership marks the first time Netflix has appointed two toy companies to share co-master status on a single property. That likely a sign that the platform is pulling out all … [Read more...] about Mattel and Hasbro Named as Toy Licensees for KPop Demon Hunters
Disney Renews Mattel Deal For Disney Princess and Frozen Dolls
TLL Staff Disney has given Mattel its royal seal of approval, renewing its multi-year global licensing agreement covering the Disney Princess and Frozen franchises. Those two brands are two of the most successful doll lines in the world, even rivalling Mattel's own Barbie franchise, so the renewal is a major—although fully expected—deal for Mattel. Through the agreement, … [Read more...] about Disney Renews Mattel Deal For Disney Princess and Frozen Dolls
Who’s News: Lisa Orman and Lourdes Arocho Join Women in Toys Board
TLL Staff Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) added some horsepower to their board of directors, adding Lisa Orman of KidStuff and Lourdes Arocho from Paramount. Lisa Orman is the founder and president of KidStuff PR, a public relations agency she launched in 1994 as the agency of record for retailer Zany Brainy. For more than 30 years, she has specialized in … [Read more...] about Who’s News: Lisa Orman and Lourdes Arocho Join Women in Toys Board