June 10 - 17
Welcome to your briefing of the week's news!
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HERE for the whole report, below are highlights.
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Happy Bloomin' Friday!
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Highlighted Headlines this Week
Financial and Legal
- Funko has bought renowned collectibles company Mondo.
- After a profitable Q1, IDW Publishing swung to a loss in its fiscal Q2 ended April 30.
- Five Below Sales Spike 7% in Q1 as Guidance Shifts.
Trends and Market Research
- U.S. Toy Industry sales grew 1% in the first 4 months of 2022, NPD says.
- NPD says 2022 is the year of the movie licensed toy.
- MAY 2022 NPD BOOKSCAN - TOP 20 AUTHOR, SUPERHERO AND MANGA GRAPHIC NOVELS.
Stories, Comments and Advice
- CONNECTING TOY STORES WORLDWIDE.
- NEXT-GEN TOY STORES: A NEW ERA OF SPECIALTY RETAILERS LEAD PLAY INTO THE FUTURE.
- How toy industry leaders can thrive in the supply chain’s new normal.
History and Nostalgia
- Do you ever wonder who first thought of Dice?
- Mickey Mouse Game from Parker Brothers (1976).
- Cotton Magic Paint Set from Lakeside (1967).
Licensing
- Burger King has partnered with Mattel on new, limited-edition Barbie and Hot Wheels toys.
- Sesame Workshop and HiHo Kids announced a collaboration on two new episodes of a fan-favorite HiHo series, Kids Meet.
- A new round of Nickelodeon’s Intergalactic Shorts Program has just launched, and the kidcaster is looking for animated short series concepts from international artists, writers and directors.
People of Play
- Elmo, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch and more of Sesame’s Street’s family-friendly residents are set to take to the stage in the brand’s first off-Broadway musical.
- ThreeSixty Group‘s MerchSource tapped PlayWise Partners to serve as the official public relations agency of record for its FAO Schwarz brand.
- Andy Pence joins Crayola ss VP, experience and location-based entertainment.
Companies and Brands
- Walt Disney Company's Florida Campus Move Delayed to 2026.
- Far Out Toys‘ Glo-Up Girls Season 2 will debut exclusively at Walmart stores in the U.S. this August.
- The LEGO Group is continuing to streamline its supply chain by investing more than $1 billion to build a new factory in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Gaming: Digital, Video, Hardware, and Development
- Xbox CFO expects supply chain issues to continue through 2022. Tim Stuart said that things "could remain rocky," including during the holiday season.
- Mobile game spending predicted to hit $117bn by 2026. Report also says that non-game revenue will continue to outpace consumer game spending on the App Store.
- Embracer CEO says decision to accept $1 billion from Saudi state "not taken lightly".
Associations, Shows, Awards, Events, and Festivals
- ASTRA has unveiled its 2022 Best Toys for Kids winners.
- Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) – has announced a packed schedule of networking, educational and experiential events.
- It’s showtime on the sea: ASTRA sets sail with the Toy Boat.
tBR Person of the Week - Steve Rad, Abacus
We Can Creative Anything We Want!
tBR Highlighted Press Releases
BIG THINGS COME IN MINI SIZES: JUNE 10th! This Summer’s Limited-Production 4-in-one Hess Mini
Collection Toy Trucks Pays Tribute To 1989 Fire Truck, 2008 Truck Front Loader Plus 2012
Helicopter.
tBR 3 Truths and a Lie of the Week - Jamie Emmick
To be part of the game, all you need is a POP Profile with your Fun Facts completed and let us know! We'll do the rest!
tBR Video of the Week
Hidden Role: The Brains Behind your Favorite Games - Matt Leacock
Chicago Toy & Game Group - promoting innovation, creativity &
connectivity throughout the world.
Mary Couzin, President – mcouzin@chitag.com – 847-677-8277
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