Toys in the News: 6-29-12

By TDmonthly Staff
June 2012

_{SUBMIT your news to TDmonthly.}_{See previous toy industry news.}

_{Toys in the News is updated Mon-Fri at 9:15 am PST}
Domestic toy makers seek clarity over tax structures (India). June 29, 2012 — Faced with stiff competition from China, domestic toy manufacturers want government support...

Hamleys predict top ten toys for Christmas 2012. June 29, 2012 — Now we are officially closer to next Christmas than last, one of...

Toys and 3-D - Do They Play Nice Together? June 29, 2012 — Words have power - just think of the difference a single word can make...

Global Ecology, Sustainability, and Next-Generation Toy Design in the Bamboo Forests of China. June 29, 2012 — Furthering its commitment to eco-conscious education, Otis College of Art and Design partnered with German toymaker Hape to create an international think tank and integrated learning experience...

Superhero toys can't rescue Hasbro. June 28, 2012 — Hasbro may have toys tied into a pair of the summer's most anticipated blockbusters...

Jakks Pacific to buy 4M shares in tender offer. June 28, 2012 — Toy company Jakks Pacific Inc. said Thursday that it plans to spend $80 million...

Video games top tablet activities and revenue, survey says. June 28, 2012 — Tablets continue to emerge as a growing platform for playing video games...

Children's Pajamas Recalled by Ishtex Textile Products Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard. June 28, 2012 — 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 6,000 Gabiano Collection Boys and Girls Pajamas, Sets and Gowns from Ishtex Textile Products Inc., sold at children’s clothing and specialty retailers nationwide and online including at The Pajama Princess in Austin, Texas., Anklebiter’s in Roswell, Ga., Cute As A Button in Tarboro, N.C., Bhumbles in Winder, Ga., and www.bhumbles.com, from February 2010 to December 2011 for between about $20 and $50. Children should stop wearing the recalled sleepwear immediately and consumers should return it for a refund, exchange or store credit.

Creative Kidstuff Celebrates 30 Years. June 28, 2012 — With its expansive store seemingly bursting out of its corner of downtown Linden Hills...

Disney goes evil with new designer collection. June 28, 2012 — The princesses may get most of the attention, but it's the villains that often...

Jakks Triples Forecast for Sales of ‘Brave’ Merchandise. June 27, 2012 — Jakks Pacific Inc. tripled its forecast for sales of merchandise from the Walt Disney Co. film "Brave"...

Using POS Analysis to Reduce Risk and Increase Sales on New Product Launches. June 27, 2012 — When we talk to toy companies about retail analytics, they generally think...

Meetings Explore Toy Safety Legislation and Standards in the EU and U.S. June 27, 2012 — Representatives from the European Commission (EC), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), ASTM International, and...

Toy Industry Foundation Launches "Make a Stand for Kids". June 27, 2012 — The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) announced today the launch of a new program that provides a fun and engaging way for kids, communities and companies to make a stand...

Consumers calling on smartphones for in-store purchasing decisions. June 27, 2012 — A growing number of shoppers are using their smartphones to help them...

Google Said To Unveil Tablet At I/O, Taking Aim At IPad. June 27, 2012 — Google Inc. (GOOG) plans to unveil a $199 tablet co-branded with Taiwan’s Asustek Computer Inc...

Mattel launches mobile site. June 27, 2012 — Toy company Mattel launched its first ever mobile-optimized website on June 26...

Disney Unveils Top Holiday Gifts. June 27, 2012 — Disney Consumer Products released its annual Top 10 list of holiday gifts...

'Lego' Movie Adds Chris Pratt, Will Arnett to Cast. June 27, 2012 — Chris Pratt has been cast as the lead voice in the Lego animated movie...

Patch rounds out leadership team, hires new CFO. June 26, 2012 — Domenic Grisanzio is the newest addition to the leadership team at toy and game manufacturing company Patch Products. With 16 years’ combined experience in finance and management, Grisanzio is well-quipped for his new role as Chief Financial Officer at Patch...

ABC and ESPN Broadcast Hot Wheels(R) World-Record Attempt Live From X Games Los Angeles 2012. June 26, 2012 — On Saturday, June 30, fans around the world will be able to tune-in to ABC and ESPN as Team Hot Wheels™ attempts to set a new world-record racing two vehicles through a six-story double vertical loop at X Games Los Angeles 2012...

CPSC Special Study on Fireworks Incidents. June 26, 2012 — A special study conducted by CPSC staff found that 65 percent of all fireworks injuries in 2011 were sustained during the 30 days surrounding the Independence Day holiday...

‘Toy Hunter’ Comes To Travel Channel. June 26, 2012 — If you didn’t think the business of toy collecting was big, then...

Is Your Child's Toy Making Him Fat? June 26, 2012 — More and more children are falling under the category of being obese...

CE industry expects spending boosts on improved consumer confidence. June 26, 2012 — Consumers are feeling more positive about the overall economy and are growing...

China tops list of best developing markets for e-commerce growth. June 26, 2012 — Large emerging markets with an active online user base and solid infrastructure...

Gaikai streams video games the way Netflix streams movies. June 26, 2012 — When Mike Bemiss was looking for a new video game to buy, he hopped on a site...

Hasbro and the G.I. JOE Brand Return to New Orleans for 19th Annual G.I. JOE Convention. June 26, 2012 — The G.I. JOE Convention also known as 'GIJoeCon', hosted by the G.I. JOE Collectors' Club and Hasbro, Inc., returns to New Orleans for its 19th annual celebration...

'Trolls' dolls join dubiously popular toy- and game-based movie craze. June 26, 2012 — It’s a face-in-palm moment of cinematic scale. Last week, Dreamworks announced that...

European Pushchairs and Prams Standard (EN 1888:2012) Revised. June 26, 2012 — The national standards organizations of EU Member States have 6 months under CEN/CENELEC rules to absorb the new standard into their national legislations...

NYIGF's Baby & Child Relocated and Changes Date Plan. June 26, 2012 — To increase category synergy between related product divisions, Baby & Child at the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®) will move to a new location...

Study reveals modern girls prefer video games. June 25, 2012 — Computer games have replaced dolls as the top toy for girls for the first time...

"Get Out There and Explore" With The Magic School Bus DVDs Relaunching this September. June 25, 2012 — Scholastic Media and New Video have announced that "THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS: THE COMPLETE SERIES" will be released on September 7th. The set includes all 52 episodes of the show, including 30 which have never been available for purchase...

Kurio to Come Loaded with Top Apps. June 25, 2012 — InspirationWorks has teamed with leading app developers to preload the new Kurio...

Mattel Honors Founders at Renaming and Dedication of Design Center at Company's Headquarters. June 25, 2012 — At a ceremony earlier today at its Southern California headquarters, Mattel, Inc. renamed and dedicated its design center the Handler Team Center in honor of founders Ruth and Elliot Handler...

'Brave' proves summer movie toys not just for boys. June 25, 2012 — In a summer in theaters dominated by superhero and action movie fare...

Analysis: How the 3DS XL update could boost Nintendo handheld sales. June 25, 2012 — The new Nintendo 3DS XL is the latest in what has become...

Hape Announces Two Winners for Trip to China Exclusive to ASTRA Retailers. June 22, 2012 — Hape, a leading worldwide toy manufacturer, has announced the winners of their trip to China for ASTRA retailers...

Wildflower to Rep Two Classic Books. June 22, 2012 — The Wildflower Group has been appointed to represent two classic children’s properties...

Fitch: Rough going for consumer product cos. June 22, 2012 — Credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings said Thursday that consumer product makers' ratings...

High income or low, consumers still concerned about price. June 22, 2012 — A new report from Acosta Sales and Marketing reveals that consumers at all income levels ...

Kids' cereals are healthier, ads aren't: report. June 22, 2012 — U.S. food companies are making breakfast cereal for children healthier...

The Nine “No-Nos” of Patent Licensing: Are You Committing a No-No? June 22, 2012 — I’m going to spend a fair amount of time in upcoming posts...

Gameloft and Hasbro Ink Digital Gaming Alliance. June 22, 2012 — Gameloft®, a leading global publisher of digital and social games today announced that it has signed a worldwide strategic licensing deal with Hasbro, Inc...

Retail Theft Decreased In 2011, According To Preliminary National Retail Security Survey Findings. June 22, 2012 — Though retail theft rates in 2011 decreased, recent survey data finds retailers are still grappling with a multi-billion dollar problem...

Gymboree looks for savings with LogicSource. June 22, 2012 — Improved procurement processes at Gymboree are being eyed as a means for...

Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Children’s Products Winners. June 21, 2012 — The report of winning toys for Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Children’s Products for 2012 is now available to parents, teachers and others interested in play and toys on Dr. Toy’s Guide...

Reading Rainbow Get Digital Update. June 21, 2012 — “Reading Rainbow,” the PBS children’s series that aired for more than 20 years...

MGA's insurers sue for cut of lawyers' fee award in Bratz mess. June 21, 2012 — Last August, a court ordered Mattel to reimburse MGA more than $100 million...

Why China Doesn't Like Barbie, Best Buy or DIY. June 21, 2012 — In March 2009, iconic American toy manufacturer Mattel opened its flagship Barbie store...

Toy Company Funtastic to Raise $25 Million. June 21, 2012 — The company would immediately repay $15 million in debt once the funds were raised...

Five Tips for Safe Summer Play from the Toy Industry Association. June 21, 2012 — Summer is here and kids of all ages are hitting beaches, parks and backyards...

Clive Thompson on 3-D Printing’s Legal Morass. June 21, 2012 — Last winter, Thomas Valenty bought a MakerBot — an inexpensive 3-D printer...

Big names in video games can mean big flops. June 21, 2012 — As a person who loves both video game and summer movies, every year...

LeapFrog LeapPad 2 and Leapster GS Explorer hands-on. June 21, 2012 — If you've got little ones of your own, you're probably familiar with LeapFrog's...

Today's Toddlers Embrace Touch-Screen Technology...just like their parents. June 20, 2012 — Touch-screen technology is everywhere and it comes as no surprise that today's children are practically born digital...

Mums now prefer handing over smartphones to comfort crying babies. June 20, 2012 — Mothers, who traditionally turned to a toy or dummy to pacify a troublesome child...

LIMA Names International Licensing Excellence Awards Winners. June 20, 2012 — Rovio Entertainment Ltd.’s Angry Birds won International Licensing Excellence Awards in the categories...

Antibacterials in Personal-Care Products Linked to Allergy Risk in Children. June 20, 2012 — Exposure to common antibacterial chemicals and preservatives found in soap, toothpaste, mouthwash...

Children's Place loses COO. June 20, 2012 — Eric Bauer, COO of The Children's Place Retail Stores, has left the company...

Big Idea Preps for VeggieTales' 20th. June 20, 2012 — Big Idea Entertainment is expanding their base of licensee partners for its VeggieTales brand...

Hasbro Signs Home Deal. June 20, 2012 — Character World has signed a deal with Hasbro Brand Licensing to produce...

Gillibrand: Halt Sale of High-Powered Toy Magnets. June 20, 2012 — Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand wants to curb the number of cases of kids gulping...

'Roominate,' Dollhouse-Like Toy, Intended To Boost Girls' Interest In Technology. June 20, 2012 — This isn't your average pretty, pink dollhouse; this toy is meant to get girls...

CJ Products Donates Nearly $400,000 in Plush Toys to the Toy Industry Foundation’s Summer Toy Drive. June 20, 2012 — The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF), a nonprofit organization that brings joy, comfort, and learning to millions of children in need through toys and play, applauds the generosity of CJ Products for their recent donation of $399,800 in plush toys...

ToyDesignCon 2012 Launches This Weekend in Rochester. June 20, 2012 — It isn’t too late to register for ToyDesignCon 2012 (June 24-26), a two-day conference in Rochester, NY...

Dr. Toy picks the top 10 classic toys of 2012. June 19, 2012 — Her top 10 choices for 2012 include clever puzzles, challenging building kits and fun toddler cars...

Two Scramble Squares Puzzles Honored as Dr. Toy's Best Vacation Children's Product Award Winners 2012. June 19, 2012 — b. dazzle, inc. of Redondo Beach, California, has announced that two (2) of its Scramble Squares® 9-piece educational brain teaser puzzles for all ages have been honored by The Institute for Childhood Resources in San Francisco as "Dr. Toy's Best Vacation Children’s Products for 2012.” The two honored Scramble Squares® puzzles are “Ice Cream, You Scream” and “Sea Shells.”

LeapFrog Announces LeapPad 2™ And Leapster GS™. June 19, 2012 — LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. today announced two new platforms: LeapPad2, the next generation of the #1 kid's learning tablet LeapPad(TM), and LeapsterGS, the ultimate learning video game system...

LeapFrog banking on new devices to bounce back. June 19, 2012 — "You know the difference between this and an iPad," asks John Barbour...

President’s Letter – June 19, 2012: "No Man is an Island". June 19, 2012 — Last week, TIA staff was present at two important events for our industry...

Is the Best Android Tablet Available Made for Kids? June 19, 2012 — If you’ve been considering investing in a tablet for your child, you’ve got lots of options...

Prescriptions for ADHD Drugs Increasing, Says New FDA Research. June 19, 2012 — The number of children who received prescriptions for drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder...

Single Dads By Choice: More Men Going It Alone. June 19, 2012 — B.J. Holt always wanted to be a dad. As he approached 40...

Microsoft unveils Surface tablet to rival iPad. June 19, 2012 — Upending one of the world's most successful business strategies over the past three decade...

Can video games save Europe? June 19, 2012 — A leading Greek economist has joined a game company, hoping virtual economies can shed light...

Australia finally approves R18+ rating for video games. June 19, 2012 — Australians will soon be able to purchase mature video games with legislation...

CBS Gets 'Draw Something' Game Show. June 19, 2012 — CBS has won the rights to adapt the popular mobile game "Draw Something"...

Toys on the Edge: Playthings That Straddle the Digital/Physical Divide. June 19, 2012 — If the dot-com boom a decade ago was about putting the world...

Safari Ltd.® Honored by Creative Child Awards Program. June 19, 2012 — Safari Ltd.®, manufacturer and worldwide distributor of authentic handpainted replica collections, received three awards from Creative Child Magazine’s Creative Child Awards Program under the Creative Adventures with Collectibles category on Monday, June 11...

ASTRA Marketplace & Academy a Success, According to Pres. Kathleen McHugh. June 18, 2012 — In an interview with TDmonthly Magazine, ASTRA president Kathleen McHugh said that 1000 retailers showed up to this years marketplace — and they were writing lots of orders for the 4th quarter. Stay tuned for our in-depth interview with McHugh.

Vaccinations: Parents Put More Kids on ‘Shot-Limiting’ Schedules. June 18, 2012 — More and more parents in Oregon are choosing alternative vaccination schedules for their children...

Oaktree ends talks over standstill pact with Jakks. June 18, 2012 — Private equity firm Oaktree Capital Management LP ended talks over a standstill pact with Pokemon...

Toys R Us loses marketing chief to LeapFrog. June 18, 2012 — Educational toymaker LeapFrog Enterprises Inc named Toys R Us executive Greg Ahearn as its chief marketing officer.

In This Tokyo Toy Heaven, Kids Are Not Allowed. June 18, 2012 — "Toique" is a new Tokyo space that offers a place to play with toys...

Christmas in June for VTech educational toys. June 18, 2012 — Educational toy manufacturer VTech Tuesday (June 12) unveiled new toy product being released this fall...

Toy battle building. June 18, 2012 — A battle could be shaping up in the construction toy aisles as Canadian toy maker...

Adapt or die: why IT innovation matters more than ever. June 18, 2012 — The retail industry has long been chastised for not moving fast enough...

Hot Wheels(R) Goes Vertical at X Games Los Angeles 2012 with Six-Story Double Driver Loop World-Record Attempt. June 18, 2012 — On Saturday, June 30, Hot Wheels strives for another world record with a gravity-defying, two-driver double vertical loop attempt at X Games Los Angeles 2012, according to a press release.

LEGO® Education BuildToExpress Transforms the Learning Process and Offers Educators ‘A LEGO Way to Teach’. June 18, 2012 — LEGO® Education today announced LEGO Education BuildToExpress, a new approach to learning that utilizes traditional LEGO bricks with a facilitative teaching process across many subject areas and enables students to develop a deeper understanding of what they are learning through reflection and dialogue, according to a press release.

Hape Launches Summer Toy Collection. June 18, 2012 — Leading toy manufacturer Hape North America, has announced in a press release a Sneak Peak of its summer introductions. The early introduction and shipping of 18 new products made of FSC-certified wood from sustainable forests includes toddler Push & Pull toys, Early Explorer developmental toys, Playfully Delicious pretend food and an entire range of Happy Doll Furniture.

Designer's love for toys changes his life. June 18, 2012 — It's curious how enthusiasts come by their obsessions. A Japanese sock doll...

The Spelling Bee Game Becomes 10th Charity Company! June 15, 2012 — The Spelling Bee Game just signed on to TDmonthly's "2012:A Year of Charity" giveaway promotion. That makes ten companies giving away a total of 1025 educational products to local school systems and children's charities across the nations. Specialty retailers are currently competing for a chance to give away hundreds of toys to their community. Enter now! Contest ends June 22.

E-Books vs. Printed Books: Some New Findings. June 15, 2012 — A new study by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop...

New Mexico Standard Restricts Heavy Metals in Products for Children. June 16, 2012 — To enhance environmental health by limiting the bioavailability of heavy metals in toys and school supplies, the Mexican Ministry of Health has published a new official standard...

Meet Moboto: the Talking iPhone Toy. June 15, 2012 — Ever wish your iPhone dock was just a little more interactive?...

“First 100 Days” Interview with Søren Torp Laursen, Chair of TIA. June 15, 2012 — Søren Torp Laursen is president of LEGO Systems, Inc., the North American division...

Big-box shoppers wonder if concerns are heard. June 16, 2012 — A study of big-box retail consumers, released Thursday, found that only two in five consumers...

2012 Tokyo Toy Show: New Toys + News. June 14, 2012 — The Tokyo Toy Show opened today (June 14th) with an explosive, record-breaking display of 10,000 "stick bombs"...
Strollers Recalled by Kolcraft Due to Fingertip Amputation and Laceration Hazards. June 14, 2012 — 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 36,000 in the United States and 270 in Canada Contours Options three- and four-wheeled strollers from Kolcraft Enterprises Inc., sold at juvenile product specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Target.com and ToysRUs.com from January 2006 and June 2012 for between $150 and $160. A child or consumer’s finger can become caught in the opening formed when locking and unlocking the hinge mechanism which is used to adjust the handlebars on the strollers. This presents an amputation and laceration hazard to children and the adults handling the stroller. Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact the company to receive a free repair kit.

Toy News from Licensing Expo Show Floor. June 14, 2012 — Warner Bros. Consumer Products revealed for the first-time ever, three costumes from the much-anticipated theatrical film, Man of Steel...

Saban Brands and Mattel Partner to Produce Power Rangers Hot Wheels Cars. June 14, 2012 — Saban Brands and Mattel have partnered to produce a line of Power Rangers inspired Hot Wheels vehicles, targeted for release in 2013...

Toy firm a model of success. June 14, 2012 — Somewhere in southern China, there is a site where people build more than 100 helicopters...

Scholastic Media Launches the Magic School Bus®: Oceans LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game. June 14, 2012 — Scholastic Media, a division of Scholastic Inc., today announced a new addition to its global children’s science franchise, The Magic School Bus®, with the release of THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS: OCEANS for LeapFrog’s LeapPad™ and Leapster Explorer™...

Round 5 Corporation Secures Exclusive Toy License From ZeptoLab® For Award-Winning Video Game Franchise Cut The Rope®. June 14, 2012 — Canadian toy manufacturer Round 5 Corporation (Round 5) in partnership with licensing agents Studio Licensing Inc and Established Brands Inc., announces multi-year exclusive licensing agreement to manufacture and produce certain categories of toys under the popular Cut The Rope brand.

Want To Make A Hit Toy Like Air Swimmers? Engineer The Video Before The Product. June 14, 2012 — Air Swimmers was one of the hottest toys in the U.S. last year...
Marvel Superheroes Invade Club Penguin. June 13, 2012 — Disney’s Club Penguin is celebrating its first ever collaboration with Marvel superheroes in an online event...

Mattel Signs on for Star Trek Models. June 13, 2012 — In anticipation of 2013’s upcoming Star Trek movie, Mattel will once again create a line...

Toy sector saw sales rise 3.4% in '11 (Japan). June 13, 2012 — The domestic toy market logged ¥692.1 billion in sales in fiscal 2011, up 3.4 percent...

Think-a-lot Toys Introduces Think-ets Party Games Edition. June 13, 2012 — Sometimes you just need something silly to do with your friends. But if you added thinking games to the silliness, you might build your brain cells as well as your social networks...

Consumer Spending Slows In May, Though Retailers Remain Cautiously Optimistic. June 13, 2012 — After a surprisingly strong first quarter, consumers in May took a more practical approach to their spending...

Seattle-Based Wonder Forge™ Secures $1.75 Million to Fund Growth. June 13, 2012 — Wonder Forge™, one of Washington State’s fastest growing private companies1 and a stand-out in the U.S. toy and game market, has recently raised $1.75 million to finance a projected 86% domestic growth and 49% international growth in 2012...

Retail container imports expected to rise 4.8% in June. June 13, 2012 — Import cargo volume at the nation’s major retail container ports is expected to increase 4.8%...

More than 7 in 10 US teens jobless in summer. June 13, 2012 — Once a rite of passage to adulthood, summer jobs for teens are disappearing...

The World's Top 100 Most Valuable Brands. June 13, 2012 — The 2012 BrandZ report on the Top 100 most valuable brands, from Milward Brown Optimor, shows that aggregate value...

Established Brands Gets Fancy Nancy. June 13, 2012 — Established Brands has received the rights to Fancy Nancy, the New York Times bestselling children’s book series...

Penguin Announces Children's Deals. June 13, 2012 — The Penguin Group has announced a series of new deals for its children’s division...

E3 2012: Skylanders Giants preview. June 13, 2012 — Activision detail new characters Crusher and Bouncer for sequel to popular toy/video game...

Beamz Interactive, Inc. and PlayAbility Toys Announce Partnership To Pursue Special Needs & Therapy Markets. June 13, 2012 — Beamz Interactive, an interactive music and gaming product company, and PlayAbility Toys, a developer and marketer of toys and other products for children and adults with special needs, today announced a partnership to develop and market special needs and music therapy products based on the Beamz laser controller technology...

Mattel's Monster High(R) Brand to Promote Tween-Esteem Through Pro-Social Back-to-School Program at Walmart. June 13, 2012 — This July, when girls head to Walmart to do their back-to-school shopping, they will be greeted by a new member of Mattel's Monster High® brand, the popular tween franchise centered on the teenage children of famous monsters. Emily-Anne Rigal, 18 year-old founder of non-profit WeStopHate.org, joins the Monster High® student body to spread the word of tween esteem in a pro-social program with the retailer, according to a press release.
JAKKS Pacific Named Master Toy Licensee for DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD. June 12, 2012 — Leading U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc. JAKK +0.71% today announced that it has been appointed North American Master Toy Licensee for DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD, an exciting new multi-platform animated series inspired by the enduring legacy of children's television pioneer Fred Rogers...

ASTM Toy Safety Standard F963-11 in Effect as of June 12, 2012. June 12, 2012 — ASTM F963-11, Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety became effective under federal law on June 12, 2012, replacing the 2008 version of the standard...

Race to the Top for China's Toy Manufacturers. June 12, 2012 — On June 12, a new toy safety standard came into effect in the United States of America...

GUND® Signs Licensing Deal for UGLYDOLL® Plush. June 12, 2012 — GUND®, maker of the world's most huggable plush, announced today it has signed a licensing deal with Pretty Ugly™, LLC to make UGLYDOLL® branded plush characters. GUND, the plush division of Enesco LLC, will begin selling and shipping UGLYDOLL plush products to current and new retail customers worldwide this summer, while Pretty Ugly, LLC will focus its efforts on expanding licensing programs across multiple product categories for the UGLYDOLL brand...

Herotainment Signs Carlin West Agency to Drive its Herotopia™ Brand and Secure Strategic Licensing Partners. June 12, 2012 — Herotainment, LLC, a children’s media company that develops empowering interactive content for kids, announce today in a press release that is has signed Carlin West Agency LLC (CWA), a creative shop of brand custodians, marketers and licensing strategists, to further develop its Herotopia™ brand and serve as licensing agent for North America.

Strong Ratings Boost Redakai Sales. June 12, 2012 — TV ratings for Zodiak Kids’ and Spin Master’s kid’s series, “Redakai” have...

TIA President Carter Keithley Elected Chair of NYSAE. June 12, 2012 — Toy Industry Association (TIA) President Carter Keithley was elected Chair of the Board of the New York Society of Association Executives...

Sprout launches licensing business with deals for plush, DVDs. June 12, 2012 — This summer, 24-hour preschool channel Sprout is launching a licensing and merchandising business...

Gamewright Reveals Big News about a Teeny Game. June 12, 2012 — Gamewright announced in a press release the latest addition to its 2012 lineup. IOTA, the great big game in the teeny-weeny tin, is to make its debut under the Gamewright brand at the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy, taking place from June 10-13 in Baltimore, MD.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products Lights Up Licensing International Expo 2012 With Major Content Support For Entertainment Licensing Portfolio. June 12, 2012 — With an impressive marquee line-up--anchored by three tent-pole films, and highlighted by pop-classic favorites, diverse animated fare and the global expansion of its themed entertainment business...

VTech® Announces New, High-Tech Toys: MobiGo® 2, InnoTab® 2 and Unique-to-its Category InnoTab® 2s. June 12, 2012 — Today VTech Electronics North America, LLC announced that it will roll-out three exciting additions to its ever-expanding, high-quality platform toy line this Fall: NEW MobiGo® 2 Touch Learning System (MobiGo 2), NEW InnoTab® 2 Learning App Tablet (InnoTab 2) and NEW InnoTab® 2s Learning App Tablet (InnoTab 2s).

Nature vs nurture: outcome depends on where you live. June 12, 2012 — Both nature (meaning our genes) and nurture (the environment we grow up in) are known to significantly affect traits...

Kinetic Creatures, with Kickstarter funding, going into production this summer. June 12, 2012 — It took only 12 days for Lucas Ainsworth and Alyssa Hamel to obtain Kickstarter funding...

Mimoco adds Superman, The Flash, Batman "The Dark Knight Rises" Edition, and SDCC Exclusive Bane to DC Comics X MIMOBOT® USB Flash Drive Collection. June 12, 2012 — Mimoco, creator of the MIMOBOT® line of designer USB flash drives and MIMOMICRO® card readers, and Warner Bros. Consumer Products on behalf of DC Entertainment, the world's largest publisher of comic books, introduce the Batman™ "The Dark Knight Rises" Edition, Superman, and The Flash series of MIMOBOT designer USB flash drives, according to a press release.

Sony Pictures Animation Drives TONKA Trucks To The Big Screen. June 11, 2012 — TONKA, the Hasbro brand that for 65 years has stood for its line of toy trucks for children, will bring its TONKA toughness to the big screen in a fully animated motion picture to be produced by Sony Pictures Animation, Hasbro and Happy Madison Productions, according to a press release.

Israel’s Buki Book LTD grants John N. Hansen Company exclusive U.S. distribution rights. June 11, 2012 — John N. Hansen Co., Inc. has been appointed the exclusive U.S. importer/distributor for Buki Books LTD, accordign to a press release. Since 1968 Buki Books activity books, printed in Isreal, have delighted kids at all preschool and elementary levels.

Saban Brands’ Power Rangers Megaforce to Premiere on Nickelodeon in Early 2013. June 11, 2012 — Saban Brands will launch the newest version of Power Rangers with Power Rangers Megaforce. The all new series premieres in 2013. Power Rangers Megaforce will air as Saban Brands celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the Power Rangers franchise. Saban Brands will celebrate with events, surprise appearances and a variety of exciting partnerships throughout 2013, according to a press release.

Toys 'R' Us 1st-Quarter Loss Narrows on Lower Interest Expense, Improved Margins. June 11, 2012 — Toys "R" Us Inc.'s fiscal first-quarter loss narrowed as the toy retailer reported lower interest expense...

Mattel Leverages Powerful Portfolio of Properties and Global Footprint to Grow Toy Brands into Lifestyle Brands. June 11, 2012 — At the 2012 Las Vegas Licensing International Expo, Mattel, Inc. will showcase its powerful portfolio of iconic brands and successful properties.

‘Tis The Season For Hasbro, Mattel, Leapfrog. June 11, 2012 — Only six-plus shopping months until Christmas and visions of sugar plums are already dancing in toy makers' heads

Classic Media Signs New Olivia Partners. June 11, 2012 — Classic Media has announced a full line-up of new consumer products partners...

Parents fear the toy store that never shuts. June 11, 2012 — As parents routinely hand over their iPhones and iPads to keep their children ...

Toy and game expo pulls Sydney crowds. June 11, 2012 — Organisers of Sydney's Toy & Game Expo say a big first-day turnout...

West Lakeland toy inventor is on a fun run. June 11, 2012 — Tony Morley didn't intend to spend most of his adult life tinkering with toys, but that's...

Comic-Con exclusive: Hasbro goes big with Super Helicarrier. June 11, 2012 — Hasbro is bringing the big guns to Comic-Con International with a special edition of a Marvel mainstay...

Here's What You Need To Know From This Year's E3 Gaming Conference. June 8, 2012 — Today wraps up the final day of the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2012...
Toys Needed for Ronald McDonald House “Cowboy Hoedown” Party. June 8, 2012 — Each year, the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) celebrates the start of summer with a party and toy giveaway for pediatric cancer patients...

California Innovations Expands Recall of Freezer Gel Packs Due to Ingestion Hazard. June 8, 2012 — 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 880,000 (about 248,000 units associated with lunch boxes and 55,000 associated with food carriers were previously recalled in January 2012) Ice/Hot and Ice Gel Packs from California Innovations Inc., sold at mass merchandise and warehouse stores, other retailers, distributors and on-line sellers nationwide between July 2007 and December 2008 in items that retailed between $5 and $28. If the packs become damaged, they can leak gel that could contain diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which can cause illness if ingested in large amounts. Consumers should immediately stop using the gel packs and dispose of them according to federal, state and/or local regulations. It is recommended that consumers contact their local waste disposal authority for instructions. Consumers can contact California Innovations to receive a $6 cash refund for large (8.5-inch x 8-inch) Cryofreeze gel packs or a $5 cash refund for all other gel packs.

Tiny Ovens For Tots: A Kitchen Evolution. June 8, 2012 — When curators at the National Building Museum were arranging domestic bric-a-brac for...

Live from E3: Software Takes the Day. June 8, 2012 — This year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo has, thus far, been lacking in exciting hardware news...

BEA 2012: First Day Mood: Strong Traffic, Vexing Questions. June 8, 2012 — An overwhelmingly positive mood, with repeated refrains of strong traffic, was mixed with questions...

Licensing Royalties and Revenues Up 5 Percent in 2011. June 8, 2012 — New study to be released next week at Licensing Expo 2012 shows entertainment properties still the biggest revenue generators in North American licensing...

Studios, TV Shows and Celebrities Roll Out the Red Carpet for Licensed Merchandise. June 8, 2012 — As droves of entertainment brands prepare to convene at the Licensing Expo 2012, held on June 12-14, at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, they have much to celebrate...
Custom car builder claims Hot Wheels stole his truck. June 7, 2012 — California custom car builder ICON has gone public with claims that Mattel...

Toy firm Wow! Stuff launches legal action. June 7, 2012 — Wow! Stuff said it had been forced to take action over its Air Swimmers...

Pixar Planning Two 22-Minute TOY STORY TV Specials for 2013 and 2014. June 7, 2012 — Though the theatrical release of Toy Story 3 was touted as the likely...

NRF Says Regulations Threaten Women’s Ability To Obtain Credit. June 7, 2012 — The National Retail Federation today told a congressional committee that federal regulations enacted last year potentially undermine a generation-old law guaranteeing women the right to obtain credit...

BEA 2012: Big Books for Kids: Surveying the Scene. June 7, 2012 — By all accounts BEA has been an upbeat show, and nowhere was...

One Direction Heads to the U.S. June 7, 2012 — Global Merchandising Services, worldwide merchandising agent for the boy band One Direction...

Dinosaur Train Gathers Steam. June 7, 2012 — The Jim Henson Company is expanding the licensing program for its children’s...
With Skylanders Giants, Activision could dominate toys and video games. June 6, 2012 — Activision Blizzard has an evil plan afoot to rule both toys and video games...

Dads Finally Getting Their Due This Father’s Day, According To NRF Survey. June 6, 2012 — Dad’s loved ones will heed the call of those shiny new golf clubs and hot new electronic gadgets this year...

Agenda and Speakers Details Finalized for Inaugural Toy Design Conference (June 24-26). June 6, 2012 — In just a few short weeks, the Toy Industry Association (TIA) and The Strong...

Spanish Toy Research Institute Launches “Common Iconography” for Toys. June 6, 2012 — The Spanish Toy Research Institute (AIJU) recently announced that it has designed a free, universal iconography for the global toy industry...

Five Tips To Bring A B2B Trade Show to Consumers. June 6, 2012 — B2B doesn’t always have to be just B2B. Sometimes there are things happening...

Bring Back Home Ec. June 6, 2012 — Parents don’t have time to teach kids basic cooking and housekeeping, so schools must do it instead...

Mattel licenses Mia and Me. June 6, 2012 — Italian producer, distributor and licensor Rainbow and its German partner m4e have...

Warner Plans Hobbit Board Game. June 6, 2012 — Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Pressman Toy have announced two new games...
MGA Defends $140M Attorney Fee Award. June 5, 2012 — A recent NLJ story, “Huge Award was Justified by Mattel’s Scorched-Earth Tactics, MGA Argues” reports that MGA Entertainment Inc...

No ordinary Father's Day gift: Pun's Toys co-owner to give kidney to dad and partner. June 5, 2012 — The reflection in the large display window of Pun’s Toy Shop captures the daily hustle and bustle of motorists and pedestrians of Bryn Mawr’s commercial district...

LEGO Re-builds Middle-earth. June 5, 2012 — Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and The LEGO Group have teamed for the new video game “LEGO The Lord of the Rings"...

NRF Report Finds No Retailer Immune To Organized Retail Crime. June 5, 2012 — Growing in severity, number and type, retailers are reporting organized retail crime...

Berenstain Bears Celebrate 50 Years. June 5, 2012 — This year the Berenstain Bears will celebrate their 50th birthday. Since the publication...

E3 video game expo: Sony pumps life into PS Vita, Move controller. June 5, 2012 — Sony Corp. has breathed new life into its handheld Vita and announced...

Sakar & KIDZ BOP Partner To Launch New Line Of Youth Electronics. June 5, 2012 — Sakar International announced today that it has signed a licensing agreement to develop...

Evenflo Recalls Convertible High Chairs Due to Fall Hazard. June 5, 2012 — 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 35,000 convertible high chairs from Evenflo Inc., sold at Toys "R" Us and Walmart stores nationwide and online at Walmart.com and Wayfair.com between December 2011 and June 2012 for about $40. The activity tray on the high chair can unexpectedly detach and allow an unrestrained child to fall, posing a risk of injury to the child. Consumers with the recalled highchairs should immediately contact Evenflo for a replacement tray with installation and use instructions.
Facebook Reviewing Tech to Allow Kids Under 13. June 4, 2012 — Facebook is reportedly pursuing tools that would allow kids under 13 to access...

Former Hasbro employees strike out on their own with CDK Creative Play. June 4, 2012 — Why is it that a toddler’s little hands can spread toys all over...

Toys for Africa coming to city. June 4, 2012 — The African continent’s first international toy and game trade fair will take place...

PlaSmart Inc. Named One of Canada’s Top 200 Fastest-Growing Companies by PROFIT Magazine Fourth Consecutive. June 4, 2012 — PlaSmart Inc., an Ottawa-based global toy distributor that specializes in fun, innovative and engaging products that bring families together, ranked No. 115 on the PROFIT 200 ranking of Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies...

Activision Announces Moshi Game. June 4, 2012 — Mind Candy and Activision Publishing have announced the upcoming release of “Moshi Monsters: Moshlings Theme Park"...

JAKKS Pacific Brings Magical Slugs to Life with a Licensing Agreement for Nerd Corps' New Boys Action Series, SLUGTERRA. June 4, 2012 — U.S. toymaker JAKKS Pacific, Inc. announced today a licensing agreement with Nerd Corps Entertainment, Inc. to manufacture, distribute and market a line of toys based on the animated series, SLUGTERRA...

Hornby faces toy spending squeeze. June 4, 2012 — Profits at toy firm Hornby will be under pressure on Friday as...

Poof-Slinky Inc. Brings Toys of New And Old To The Made In America Store. June 4, 2012 — One of the bestselling US made toys at the Made In America Store comes from Poof-Slinky...

Think-a-lot Toys' Think-ets Game Wins A Parents' Choice Recommended Award. June 4, 2012 — Think-a-lot Toys is pleased to announce that its well known and most popular game, Think-ets, just won a Parents' Choice Recommended Award, according to a press release.
Survey Finds Consumers Using Pinterest To Engage With Retailers More Than Facebook, Twitter. June 1, 2012 — Never before has social media been so attractive to consumers, literally. According to the 2012 Social and Mobile Commerce Study, a joint research project by Shop.org, comScore and The Partnering Group, the visually-appealing social media site Pinterest has become a big player in an even bigger arena, with online U.S. consumers reporting that they already follow an average of 9.3 retail companies on the site, compared to the average 6.9 retailers they follow on Facebook and the 8.5 retailers they track via Twitter. (Learn More About Using Pinterest)

Toys"R"Us and DreamWorks Animation Unveil Global Exclusive "World of Madagascar" Brand. June 1, 2012 — Toys"R"Us and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. today unveiled "World of Madagascar," a new brand featuring toys based on characters from all three Madagascar films, now available exclusively at Toys"R"Us...

An Education on Eco-Friendly Toys. June 1, 2012 — Tired of the plastic parts to cars, creatures, board games and Silly Bandz...

Disney Releases Brave Merchandise. June 1, 2012 — Disney Consumer Products has launched a new range of Brave toys and merchandise...

GameStop expands digital content access to international customers. June 1, 2012 — GameStop customers outside of the United States will soon have access...

Cover Reveal: 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Third Wheel'. June 1, 2012 — During the Bologna Book Fair in March, Amulet Books announced the publication...

Penguin Acquires Moshi Monsters License for U.S. June 1, 2012 — Moshi Monsters, the online virtual world for children licensed by Mind Candy...

Award-Winning Toy Company Funds Kenyan Wildlife Conservation. May 31, 2012 — Safari Ltd.®, manufacturer and worldwide distributor of award-winning replica collections, announced in a press release that they will be expanding their philanthropic efforts to the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Since 1977 the Trust has played a significant role in conserving and supporting wildlife native to Kenya. The Safari Ltd.® donation to the Trust will sponsor the rehabilitation of four orphaned animals for five years - three elephants and one baby rhino. The animals will be reintroduced into their wild Kenyan habitat.

The Avengers' Success Bodes Well For Hasbro. May 31, 2012 — Dividend-growth portfolio holding Hasbro (HAS) reported lackluster first-quarter results in April...

Mega to Create Skylanders Toys. May 31, 2012 — Mega Brands and Activision Publishing have entered a multi-year, global licensing partnership...

Apple Not Interested in Traditional Video Game Business - Chief Executive. May 31, 2012 — Despite the recent success of mobile and social games, "big screen" video games...

Hasbro to Focus on Entertainment. May 31, 2012 — Hasbro Inc. appears all set to boost its Entertainment segment via Hasbro Studios...

How Do Video Games and Modern Military Influence Each Other? May 31, 2012 — Gaming is an ever-growing culture, working it’s way into mainstream platforms...

LeapFrog Partners With Zinkia. May 31, 2012 — LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. and Zinkia Entertainment (Zinkia), brand creator and producer of the hit global multiplatform brand POCOYO, today announced a partnership to bring content from the award-winning animated children's series POCOYO to the LeapPad(TM)...

Hasbro to Focus on Entertainment. May 31, 2012 — Hasbro Inc. appears all set to boost its Entertainment

Smart Toys and Games Acquires Distribution Partner Rex Games. May 31, 2012 — Smart Toys and Games, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Belgian manufacturer Smart nv, creators of SmartGames and the SmartMax® magnetic construction system, has acquired San Francisco-based Rex Games, manufacturer of the award-winning Tangoes® range of products, according to a press release.