Industry News

CloudCo Announces Multiple Licensing Deals to Celebrate Care Bears’ 40th Anniversary!

Cloudco Entertainment, owner of the beloved heritage brand, Care Bears, announces a wave of new deals as the loveable, huggable bears spread sharing and caring across Care-a-Lot, and beyond. New consumer product deals will start launching at the start of 2022, and throughout the year, as the brand celebrates its 40th Anniversary with collaborations spanning across multiple categories including fashion, accessories, homeware, cosmetics, games, cra s, seasonal, travel, and the metaverse.

Mattel and Disney Announce Multi-Year Global Licensing Agreement for Disney Princess and Disney Frozen Franchises

Mattel, Inc. has announced a multi-year global licensing agreement for the Disney Princess and Frozen franchises. Mattel will have the global licensing rights to develop lines of toys for Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing, including fashion dolls, small dolls, and gures. e collection is expected to launch at retailers around the globe at the beginning of 2023. e new licensing arrangement builds on the existing licensing relationship between Mattel and Disney for Pixar Animation Studio’s Toy Story and Cars franchises, and the recently announced global licensing agreement for Lightyear.

PlayMonster Takes Off in 2022 with Signifi cant Capital Injection and New CEO Tim Kilpin

PlayMonster launches into 2022 with fresh capital from global private markets rms Adams Street Partners and H.I.G Capital, and promotes tenured industry leader Tim Kilpin and former PlayMonster President to the role of CEO. is signi cant capital investment and leadership change symbolizes PlayMonster’s latest chapter as a top international toy and game company, and sets the foundation for continued growth and innovation in 2022 and beyond.

MGA Sweeps NPD Results with Five #1 Selling Toys

NPD Group Inc. recognized ve MGA Entertainment products as #1 Selling Toys in their 2021 report. MGA Entertainment is the fastest growing and largest privately held toy company in the US and has continued to design and manufacture top-selling toys in categories, securing its spot as number one. “#1 across ve categories speaks volumes to the quality and versatility of our product o erings. We are proud that four of our brands have been recognized as top-sellers in this year’s NPD report and look forward to another exciting year of innovation ahead,” says CEO & Founder of MGA, Isaac Larian.

Hape Launches New Specialty Division “Uniche Collective”

Hape, a leader in designing and manufacturing high quality baby and children’s wooden toys made from sustainable materials, has launched a new division and separate company called Uniche Collective: Unique + Niche = Uniche! Uniche will be headed by long-time Hape veteran, Cassidy Smith, the former vice president of sales and marketing for Hape International Inc. Uniche is a collective of brands speci cally designed for the toy gi catalog and museum markets. Uniche will initially o er ve brands: Trido magnetic art; Korko eco-friendly building blocks made of cork; Kruselings dolls; Senger organic cuddly toys using natural materials perfect for babies; and Fair & Green artisanal, handcra ed wooden toys.

Just Play Creates New Division, Just Play Entertainment & Gaming

Just Play, a leading global consumer products company behind several best-selling toy lines including Blue’s Clues & You!, CoComelon, Disney Doorables, and Slinky, has announced the launch of a new Entertainment & Gaming division focused on the creation of new and original IP through content and gaming. Stone Newman has been appointed as the company’s inaugural Chief Content O cer. Newman will oversee the creation of original content to be distributed across a broad range of platforms where kids consume media today. e new division will also serve as an internal creative resource to be utilized to support the existing Just Play business through the creation of compelling content and partnerships.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises Promotes Susan Brandt to President and CEO

Dr. Seuss Enterprises has announced that Susan Brandt, an entertainment industry veteran who has been leading the company for more than two decades, has been promoted to president and CEO. Brandt, who was previously president of the company, will continue to lead the charge around the beloved entertainment property and oversee the worldwide operations. During her tenure, Susan Brandt has put a focus on nding new and innovative ways to connect with fans. e Dr. Seuss brand has expanded from books to include lms, television, stage productions, theme parks, digital games, exhibitions, licensed products, and more while maintaining the integrity of the beloved Dr. Seuss stories and characters. Under Brandt’s stewardship, 2021 was the highest revenue year in the company’s history.

WarnerMedia Appoints Nitin Chawla as Head of Finance, Strategy, Planning & Global Operations

WarnerMedia announced that industry veteran Nitin Chawla has been named Head of Finance, Strategy, Planning and Global Operations for WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences. Chawla, who started January 18, reports to Pam Li ord, President, WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences, and Jessica Holscott, Head of Finance for WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group. Chawla joins as long time Warner Bros. executive and current Executive Vice President of Finance and Operations for WarnerMedia Global Brands and Experiences, Nairi Gardiner, is retiring a er a successful 30-year career at the Studio.

ToyFest West 2022 Moves Forward! WITHRA Board Approves In-Person Show

e Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association (WITHRA) Board of Directors met January 20 and voted to move forward with ToyFest West 2022. President Lawrence Nissen said, “ ere are many things to look forward to this coming March 9-11, 2022. One being, WITHRA will celebrate its Diamond Anniversary, 60 years of producing the nest toy show in the West! Another is that exhibitors are purchasing more booth space to prepare for the retailers, new and old who are registered for the show.” ToyFest West 2022 has relocated to e Expo’s South Hall at World Market Center Las Vegas, a newly opened, purpose-built trade show facility in downtown Las Vegas. As an added bene t, ToyFest West attendees will have access to some cross-over gi and accessory lines presented in World Market Center Las Vegas permanent showrooms.