Industry News

Boss Fight Studio has partnered with Paramount to create the first-ever fully articulated Garfield action figures. The deal was brokered by FanGirl Consulting & Brand Management, LLC.

As part of its 2024 Play Creators Festival, Mojo Nation announced the winners of its annual Play Creators Awards, which celebrates the achievements of the global toy and game designer community across nine categories.

As part of its commitment to create more inclusive play experiences, Mattel announced 80 percent of its global games portfolio will be colorblind accessible by the end of the year and 90 percent in 2025. This shift will include UNO, Phase 10, DOS, Blokus, and Tumblin’ Monkeys games, among others.

Spin Master announced the appointment of Caroline Tyre as vice president of global content distribution. Tyre will lead the execution of business strategies for the global distribution of Spin Master Entertainment’s current and future entertainment slates, including PAW Patrol, Unicorn Academy, and Vida the Vet, to maximize audience reach and revenue.

Moose Toys revealed its all-new MrBeast Lab toy line, co-created with YouTuber and philanthropist, MrBeast, AKA Jimmy Donaldson. The line will be available in the U.S. in July, and additional global markets through the fall.

The world’s first The Gameroom Powered by Hasbro opens June 26 in the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, NJ. The 41,500 square-foot entertainment center for all ages features arcade games, attractions, retail, and full-service dining, anchored by iconic Hasbro brands including Battleship, Candy Land, G.I. Joe, Trivial Pursuit, Clue, Monopoly, Transformers, and more.

Toys "R" Us Studios, the entertainment production arm of the global toy brand, and the Emmy-nominated creative agency Native Foreign premiered The Origin of Toys "R" Us brand film during the 2024 Cannes Lions Festival. It is the first brand film created using OpenAI's Sora, a text-to-video tool.

Learning Resources announced actor David Henrie (Wizards of Waverly Place) has joined the brand's Playfluencer movement to help educate families about the value of play for children's development.

The California State Legislature has recognized Mattel for its dedication to creating play experiences that bring joy and enrichment to children’s lives as part of proclaiming June 11, 2024 as International Day of Play in California. Mattel is also supporting the day with co-branded promotions at Target, a donation from the Mattel Children’s Foundation, and events at company locations from coast to coast.

The California State Legislature has recognized Mattel for its dedication to creating play experiences that bring joy and enrichment to children’s lives as part of proclaiming June 11, 2024 as International Day of Play in California. Mattel is also supporting the day with co-branded promotions at Target, a donation from the Mattel Children’s Foundation, and events at company locations from coast to coast.

The City of Boston is celebrating the first International Day of Play on Tuesday, June 11 at City Hall Plaza. The family-friendly event, supported by the LEGO Group, LEGO Foundation, Right to Play, and more, is free and open to the public. The day will be filled with sports, biking, board games, bubbles, ping pong, arts and crafts, dance and music, and more fun play opportunities.

Greg Ahearn, president & CEO of The Toy Association, joined Tampa Bay's Morning Blend this morning to talk about the first-ever International Day of Play, The Toy Foundation’s industry donations to 75,000 kids nationwide, and all the ways for families and communities can get involved. For more information & play ideas for kids of all ages, visit thegeniusofplay.org.

Chuck E. Cheese will offer 30 minutes of free playtime around the world on the first-ever International Day of Play in partnership with Right To Play. Families can use a coupon to enjoy their free playtime at participating locations.

In celebration of the first-ever International Day of Play, Learning Resources is raising awareness of the benefits of learning through play with the kickoff of its Playfluencer Movement.

The Toy Association is celebrating the first-ever International Day of Play today by uniting the toy community through its Toy Foundation to donate tens of thousands of brand-new toys and games, worth close to $900,000, that will bring the power of play to nearly 75,000 children in need across the country.

The first 11 guests in participating Build-A-Bear Workshops on June 11 will receive a free Lil Cub teddy bear — and to continue the celebration, every guest can purchase a Lil Cub for $11 in stores and online. Build-A-Bear Workshop is also proud to announce the donation of 11,000 reading buddy teddy bears to spread joy and comfort to kids and classrooms in need.

In honor of International Day of Play, Miniland is launching the “Together We Play” campaign, encouraging the importance of play, particularly as it relates to social-emotional learning (SEL) and preparing kids for back-to-school.

Ahead of International Day of Play, Fun In Motion Toys is hosting a special Glow Party on Hollywood Beach on Monday, June 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. Toy lovers are invited to come out and play with the company's products, such as Wandini, a magic LED levitation wand. The event is FREE and open to all ages.

Hootenanny Games signed a licensing agreement with Sour Patch Kids to introduce a special edition of its best-selling game, SIXEM.