WIGGITY BANG GAMES SELLS QUELF & QUELF JR. TO SPIN MASTER LTD. October 31, 2011 — Wiggity Bang Games, LLC, creators of award-winning family board and card games, announced today that Spin Master Ltd. has exercised a licensing agreement purchase option to acquire the popular party games, Quelf and Quelf Jr., according to a press release.
ASTRA AND CANADIAN RETAILERS SET TO PROMOTE ADVANTAGES OF SPECIALTY TOYS ON NEIGHBORHOOD TOY STORE DAY. October 31, 2011 — Hundreds of independent toy retailers in the United States and Canada will celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day on Saturday, November 12, 2011, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) announced today.
Batman: Arkham City Week One Sales Top 4.6 Million. October 26, 2011 — Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced that Batman: Arkham City(TM), the critically acclaimed videogame developed by Rocksteady Studios, has shipped more than 4.6 million units worldwide since its October 18 North American launch...
CPSC Provides Three Steps to a Safe Halloween Celebration. October 25, 2011 — From a fall resulting in a dislocated shoulder, to an open flame resulting in second degree burns, each year CPSC receives reports of injuries involving Halloween-related costumes, décor, and lighting. These incidents are preventable. Using CPSC's three-step safety check (pdf), consumers can ensure that their fright night fun is not haunted by Halloween injuries.
Target faces New Pricing Pressure. October 24, 2011 — Target is facing new holiday pricing pressure as Walmart announced the launch of its Christmas price guarantee. CPSC Adopts Independent Third Party Testing and Certification Rules for Children’s Products. October 21, 2011 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to approve (3-2) new independent third party product testing rules for domestic manufacturers, importers and private labelers. These firms will be required to test and certify that their children’s products comply with U.S. product safety standards as required by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. In order to meet this requirement for children’s products, the Commission adopted a framework regarding third party periodic testing to ensure continued compliance.
Target Recall Children’s Frog Masks Due to Suffocation Hazard. October 21, 2011 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product: About 3,400 Children’s Frog Masks, sold exclusively at Target stores nationwide from August 2011 through September 2011 for about $1. The plush frog masks lack proper ventilation. When secured in place across a child’s face, it presents a suffocation hazard to the child. Consumers should immediately take masks from young children and return the product to any Target store for a full refund.
Guidecraft Recalls Twist ‘n Sort Toys Due to Choking Hazard. October 20, 2011 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product: About 760 Twist and Sort Toys from Guidecraft Inc., sold at specialty toy stores and gift shops nationwide, catalogs and online from September 2009 through November 2010 for about $20. The small pegs on three of the four posts can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys from children and contact Guidecraft to receive a replacement or another product of equal value.
LittleLife Baby Carriers Recalled by Lifemarque Due to Fall Hazard. October 20, 2011 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product: About 40 in the United States and 10 in Canada LittleLife Discoverer Child Carriers, imported by Rock Gear Distribution, sold at outdoor stores nationwide, Champaign Surplus in Champaign, Ill., Skinny Skis in Jackson, Wy. , Base Camp stores in Montana, and online at www.amazon.com, www.skinnyskis.com, www.thebasecamp.com, and www.MadAthlete.com from January 2011 through July 2011 for about $200. The carriers were sold without bolts that attach the carrier’s main frame to the metal stand. Missing bolts cause the carrier to disconnect from the stand and fall backwards, posing a fall hazard to a child in the carrier. Consumers should immediately stop using the carriers and check to make sure there are two bolts on each side where the carrier’s main frame attaches to the metal stand. If the bolts are missing, contact LittleLife for a free replacement product.
CPSC and Meijer Re-announce Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds Recall; Strangulation Hazard Posed. October 19, 2011 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product: About 3,200 (240,000 originally recalled in March 2010) “Innovations” and “At Home with Meijer” Roman shades and roll-up blinds from Meijer (Manufactured by Whole Space Industries LTD), sold at discount retailers, dollar stores, flea markets and other retail liquidators nationwide from March 2010 through September 2011 at various prices. Originally the products were sold at Meijer stores between January 2004 and December 2009 for about $40 before being recalled. Consumers should immediately stop using the Roman shades and the roll-up blinds and contact the Window Covering Safety Council for a free repair kit at (800) 506-4636 anytime or visit www.windowcoverings.org. Consumers can also return the products to any Meijer store for a full refund. Hasbro Partners with Universal Cycles. October 19, 2011 — Hasbro signed with Universal Cycles for Nerf-branded skates, bikes, helmets and other accessories. Mattel toys With Hit Purchase Plan. October 18, 2011 — U.S. toy giant Mattel is close to a £500 million ($786 million) deal to buy Hit Entertainment...
Mattel Reports Third Quarter 2011 Financial Results. October 17, 2011 — Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) today reported 2011 third quarter financial results. For the quarter, the company reported net income of $300.8 million, or $0.86 per share, compared to last year's third quarter net income of $283.3 million, or $0.77 per share.
ASTRA Marketplace Exhibit Space to be Biggest Ever in 2012. October 17, 2011 — (ASTRA) announced today that the number of exhibitor booths for its 2012 Marketplace & Academy will be nearly 20% more than the number available for the 2011 event. It will be the biggest exhibit hall ASTRA has ever offered its Marketplace & Academy attendees according to a press release. JAKKS Pacific Completes Acquisition of Moose Mountain Toymakers. October 17, 2011 — JAKKS Pacific, Inc. JAKK +1.28% announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Hong Kong-based Moose Mountain Toymakers Limited ("Moose Mountain").
Henry Gordy Agrees to $1,100,000 Civil Penalty For Failure to Report Children’s Toy Dart Gun Sets. October 14, 2011 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Henry Gordy International, Inc. (Henry Gordy), of Plainfield, N.J., has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $1,100,000. The penalty agreement has been provisionally accepted by the Commission (5–0). The settlement resolves CPSC staff’s allegations that Henry Gordy knowingly failed to report the safety defect and hazard with the “Auto Fire Target Set” immediately to CPSC, as required by federal law. CPSC staff also alleges that the firm made a material misrepresentation to CPSC staff in the course of staff’s investigation into the target sets. NRF Releases Crowd Management Guidelines As Holiday Season Approaches. October 14, 2011 — The biggest event of all happens to be two months long, and retailers spend months preparing for it: the holiday season...
WTHRA Show Renamed “ToyFest West." October 14, 2011 — A new name and a new festive game plan bring ToyFest West: The Buyers’ Playground (formerly known as the Western States Toy & Hobby Show) to the Long Beach Convention Center in California March 24-27. ToyFest West will offer a playground of buying activity featuring over 650 Exhibitors showcasing their products in a relaxed festive environment, according to a press release.
International Megastar goes Gaga over Goo Goo. October 14, 2011 — Global kids website Moshi Monsters today reveals that its plans to release a music single from one of its most popular characters Lady Goo Goo have been scuppered as Lady Gaga takes out a court injunction to prevent the release...during a hearing at the New Rolls Building in London on Monday 10th October, an injunction was granted preventing Mind Candy from: "promoting, advertising, selling, distributing or otherwise making available to the public The Moshi Dance OR any musical work or video which purports to be performed by a character by the name of Lady Goo Goo, or which otherwise uses the name Lady Goo Goo or any variant thereon," according to a press release.
Hasbro, Inc. Announces It is on Track to Further Reduce Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Based on Company's Stated Long-Term Goals. October 14, 2011 — Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS), announced today that it is on track to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) a further 10 percent for the time period 2008-2012, building upon earlier U.S. reductions of more than 43 percent from 2000-2007. The Company's decision to report its latest progress through the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) is an extension of its voluntary disclosure efforts through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Leaders Program. Monstrous Licensing Program Revealed as Moshi Monsters Signs 100th Partner. October 13,2011 — Ahead of Brand Licensing Europe next week, Mind Candy announces a monster licensing program for global kids hit Moshi Monsters, with over 40 UK licensees on board, another 60 signed internationally and six recent hires bolstering the global licensing team. Mind Candy's Head of Global Licensing, Darran Garnham has grown the team from two to nine people, and increased its partner line-up from 9 to over 100 since January 2011, according to a press release.
Justin Bieber Tops Survey of Kids’ Interests. October 12, 2011 — Last month, The NPD Group asked, “What would the kids you know say is the hottest new thing these days? It might be a celebrity, movie, TV show, toy, game, hobby, sport, website, brand, or retail store"...
Study: Kids Comfortable With Digital Downloads of Music, Movies and Apps. October 11, 2011 — Kids and young teens have become increasingly comfortable with downloadable digital content... Jogging Strollers Recalled by B.O.B. Trailers Due to Choking Hazard. October 11, 2011 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product: About 411,700 in the United States and 27,000 in Canada (357,000 units were recalled in February 2011 due to strangulation hazard posed by canopy drawstring) B.O.B.® single and double strollers from B.O.B. Trailers Inc, sold at REI, Babies R' Us and other children's product and sporting goods stores nationwide and Amazon.com between November 1998 and October 2011 for between $280 and $600. The stroller canopy's embroidered logo's backing patch can detach, posing a choking hazard to babies and young children. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers until they remove the embroidery backing patch from the interior of the canopy's logo. Consumers should contact B.O.B. Trailers for instructions on removing the backing. NECA to Bring Back E.T. Toys. October 11, 2011 — The National Entertainment Collectibles Association signed an agreement with Universal Partnerships & Licensing...
eOne Renews with Character Options. October 11, 2011 — Entertainment One Family renewed its deal with Character Options, which will continue... Conde Nast Taps Dawn Ostroff to Launch Entertainment Division. October 11, 2011 — Condé Nast has appointed Dawn Ostroff, the former chief of the CW Network, to head a new division aimed at poducing and distributing original TV and film entertainment, the company announced on Sunday night. Inspirational New UK Deal For ZhuZhu Pets. October 11, 2011 — Lisle International Licensing is delighted to announce an agreement with the award winning licensed consumer electronic company, Inspiration Works that will see a new collection of ZhuZhu Pets electronic toys and gifts for children in 2012, according to a press release.
Babies Show Sense of Fairness, Altruism as Early as 15 Months. October 10, 2011 — A new study presents the first evidence that a basic sense of fairness and altruism appears in infancy. Larry Schur, All Baby & Child, Inc. President, Says Expo Was a Success. October 10, 2011 — President of All Baby & Child, Inc., Larry Schur, sent TDmonthly a statement on this year's ABC Kids Expo.
"Although traffic was off a bit from our highest level ever last year, most exhibitors we have talked with had good shows. Some indicated that the show was the best ever in terms of order writing and quality of buyer attendance. While retailer attendance was down by about 400 stores (mainly from the west coast), there was a significant increase in buyers from the Midwest and East coast. We were very pleased to see that our international buyer attendance was the second highest in the events history, with 62 countries represented. Total event attendance was 12,425 compared to 14,655 last year, but is consistent with prior show years...Exhibitor registration for the 2012 show in Louisville is already underway and we are also happy to report that about 50% of the exhibit space (or 1,700 booths) are already sold out."
ASTRA Announces 2012 Marketplace & Academy Themes and Dates. October 10, 2011 — The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) announced today that the theme of its 2012 Marketplace & Academy is: "GET MORE FROM YOUR STORE: Build Your Business at ASTRA’s Marketplace & Academy." The event will take place in Baltimore, Maryland from June 10 to June 13, 2012, according to a press release.
As Retailers Head Into Holiday Season, Persistently High Unemployment Remains Primary Concern. October 7, 2011 — Following the announcement that U.S. employers added 103,000 jobs in September and that the unemployment... IKEA Recalls Children's Folding Tent Due to Laceration and Puncture Hazards. October 7, 2011 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product: About 58,000 BUSA children’s folding tents, sold at IKEA stores nationwide from August 2011 through September 2011 for about $8. The steel wire frame of the tent can break, producing sharp wire ends that can protrude through the tent fabric, posing a laceration or puncture hazard. Consumers should immediately take it away from children and return it to their nearest IKEA store for a full refund. HSN takes QR to TV. October 7, 2011 — HSN is bringing Quick Response (QR) codes to a new shopping frontier by becoming the first retailer to use them on television.
Canadian Specialty Toy Retailers To Celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day. October 7, 2011 — The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) announced on Wednesday that Neighbourhood Toy Stores of Canada (NETS) will participate in Neighborhood Toy Store Day on Saturday, November 12, 2011, according to a press release.
Yu Wei Recalls Drop-Side Cribs Sold Exclusively at jcpenney Due to Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards. October 6, 2011 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product: About 8,000 Drop-Side Cribs sold at jcpenney.com and in the jcpenney catalog from January 2006 through December 2010 for between $300 and $450. The drop-side rails on the crib can malfunction, detach or unexpectedly fall down, causing part of the drop side to fall out of position. When this happens, a space is created into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged or entrapped, which can lead to strangulation or suffocation. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact Yu Wei to get a free immobilizer kit that will immobilize the drop side.
‘Sesame Street’ Special on Hunger Introduces New Muppet Character. October 5, 2011 — The familiar address of Sesame Street is about to get a new visitor... U.S. Army Partners with EB Excalibur to Develop U.S. Army Branded Remote Control Land and Air Vehicles. October 5, 2011 — Beanstalk, a leading brand licensing agency and consultancy, today announced a new partnership between its client, U.S. Army, and EB Excalibur, a division of EB Brands, to develop U.S. Army branded remote control land and air vehicles to be featured at J.C. Penney locations and other leading retailers, according to a press release.
JAKKS Pacific's Tollytots(R) Division Seeks To Inspire & Puzzle A New Generation With A Licensing Agreement for Rubik's Early Learning Toys. October 5, 2011 — JAKKS Pacific's JAKK +1.55% Tollytots(R) division has signed a long term agreement with Seven Towns Limited, the owners of Rubik's(R) Cube, to manufacture, distribute and market a line of early learning pre-school toys, named Rubik's Clever Kids(TM), based on this iconic brand and one of the world's top selling puzzles. MEGA Brands Enters Into Multi-Category Licensing Partnership With Moshi Monsters™ Creators Mind Candy. October 4, 2011 — MEGA Brands Inc. (TSX: MB) announced today that it has entered into an exclusive, multi-year international licensing partnership with online games developer and entertainment firm, Mind Candy, to develop creative toys based on the global kids hit Moshi Monsters, according to a press release. The toys will debut in time for the 2011 holiday season.
Shermag Recalls to Repair Drop-Side Cribs Due to Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards. September 30, 2011 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product: About 2,300 (about 800 in Canada) Drop-side cribs from Shermag Inc., sold at The Land of Nod and other baby specialty stores from September 2004 through December 2008 for between $400 and $800. The drop-side rail hardware on the cribs can break or fail, allowing the drop side to detach from the crib. Consumers should stop using these cribs immediately and contact the firm to request a free repair kit that will immobilize the drop-side. In the meantime, parents are urged to find an alternate, safe sleeping environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed depending on the child’s age.
WIGGITY BANG GAMES SELLS QUELF & QUELF JR. TO SPIN MASTER LTD. October 31, 2011 — Wiggity Bang Games, LLC, creators of award-winning family board and card games, announced today that Spin Master Ltd. has exercised a licensing agreement purchase option to acquire the popular party games, Quelf and Quelf Jr., according to a press release.
Mattel Acquires HIT Entertainment. October 24, 2011 — 
Douglas Company Signs Agreement With Me to You. October 19, 2011 — Tatty Teddy is an adorable tattered gray teddy bear with a blue nose that currently has an amazing following in the UK. Douglas Company recently signed a licensing agreement with bestselling British brand Me to You by Carte Blanche Greetings and will be introducing Tatty Teddy to the US market in 2012.
International Megastar goes Gaga over Goo Goo. October 14, 2011 — Global kids website Moshi Monsters today reveals that its plans to release a music single from one of its most popular characters Lady Goo Goo have been scuppered as Lady Gaga takes out a court injunction to prevent the release...during a hearing at the New Rolls Building in London on Monday 10th October, an injunction was granted preventing Mind Candy from: "promoting, advertising, selling, distributing or otherwise making available to the public The Moshi Dance OR any musical work or video which purports to be performed by a character by the name of Lady Goo Goo, or which otherwise uses the name Lady Goo Goo or any variant thereon," according to a press release.
Monstrous Licensing Program Revealed as Moshi Monsters Signs 100th Partner. October 13,2011 — Ahead of Brand Licensing Europe next week, Mind Candy announces a monster licensing program for global kids hit Moshi Monsters, with over 40 UK licensees on board, another 60 signed internationally and six recent hires bolstering the global licensing team. Mind Candy's Head of Global Licensing, Darran Garnham has grown the team from two to nine people, and increased its partner line-up from 9 to over 100 since January 2011, according to a press release.
Inspirational New UK Deal For ZhuZhu Pets. October 11, 2011 — Lisle International Licensing is delighted to announce an agreement with the award winning licensed consumer electronic company, Inspiration Works that will see a new collection of ZhuZhu Pets electronic toys and gifts for children in 2012, according to a press release.
MEGA Brands Enters Into Multi-Category Licensing Partnership With Moshi Monsters™ Creators Mind Candy. October 4, 2011 — MEGA Brands Inc. (TSX: MB) announced today that it has entered into an exclusive, multi-year international licensing partnership with online games developer and entertainment firm, Mind Candy, to develop creative toys based on the global kids hit Moshi Monsters, according to a press release. The toys will debut in time for the 2011 holiday season. 
