Latest Company News & Highlights

March 29, 2024 | Take a look below for a roundup of the latest news and product launches from a variety of companies, including Spin Master, Ravensburger, Mattel, and more.

MLB Superstar Aaron Judge to Guest Star on PAW Patrol Spin-Off ‘Rubble & Crew’
Aaron Judge, captain of the New York Yankees, will appear in an upcoming episode of the preschool series Rubble & Crew, produced by Spin Master Entertainment. The MLB sports star and dog dad will voice himself in the animated series, donning his signature New York Yankees uniform. The episode is set to air this summer on Nickelodeon in the U.S. and Corus' Treehouse and STACKTV in Canada.

Hasbro Announces Changes to Board of Directors
Frank Gibeau, president of Zynga, Darin Harris, CEO of Jack in the Box Inc., and Owen Mahoney, former president and CEO of Nexon Co. Ltd., have been appointed to Hasbro's Board of Directors. The company also announced that Tracy Leinbach, Linda Zecher Higgins, and Michael Burns will retire from the board, and Alan Hassenfeld will be stepping away from his role as emeritus chairman.

Mattel Launches Autism-Friendly Hot Wheels Collection
Mattel has introduced Hot Wheels Flippin Fast die-cast, a new vehicle designed to encourage an open-ended play experience, ahead of Autism Acceptance Month in April. The Flippin Fast die-cast has a fidget toy-inspired design that allows kids to enjoy the wide range of motion from a Hot Wheels car as they roll it forward, backward, and flip it upside down. The company partnered with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a nonprofit advocacy organization run by individuals on the autism spectrum, to validate the design and compatibility of the Flippin Fast die-cast to ensure it delivers an experience that meets the unique needs of all Hot Wheels fans, including those who may benefit from an open-ended, soothing, and sensory play experience.

MINISO Opens New Times Square Pop-Up
MINISO opened a new pop-up location in Times Square, New York, the brand's second location in the iconic shopping district. The new pop-up — filled with plush, toys, and lifestyle products with collaborations with Sanrio, Snoopy, Winnie the Pooh, Minions, and more — will be open for a year.

Sunlight Entertainment & Pocket.watch Announce 'Ryan's World The Movie: Titan Universe Adventure’
Pocket.watch and Sunlight Entertainment will release a feature film based on the Ryan’s World brand, Ryan's World the Movie: Titan Universe Adventure, in 2,100 theaters nationwide in the U.S. on August 16. This marks the first wide theatrical release from a digital content creator.

Ravensburger to Distribute Othello in the U.S. & Canada
Beginning August 1, Ravensburger will take on distribution of the classic strategy game Othello to hobby and specialty stores nationwide. While the classic gameplay remains, the company issued a new update to the title — the rulebook will be printed in color for the first time in the game’s history.

Want to be included in a future news roundup? Email The Toy Association’s Maddie Michalik with your company news.