U.S. Toy Association column supporting the

NEWS The Wonder Year

“Ten decades of creativity, innovation, and determination created The Walt Disney Company you know today— the most enduring and beloved name in entertainment. It’s an awesome responsibility to lead Disney as we begin our second century of telling stories and creating magic that will endure for another 100 years.”

So said Disney supremo Bob Chapek at the D23 event in the autumn of 2022, unveiling a raft of early announcements about plans for the Mouse House’s centenary celebrations taking place this year, 2023.

Never mind that a switch at the top has seen former chief executive Bob Iger returning to the role and Chapek exiting the entertainment giant. The fact that Iger is returning to the company where he played a key part for many years means there is continuity there, and Disney’s plans for its 100th anniversary, entitled Disney 100 Years Of Wonder, mean that the celebrations are going ahead.

The start of the year has seen a raft of announcements from Disney and associated companies and partners, including some toy giants, outlining further its plans for activity throughout the year.

Chief among these was Disney’s own announcement, outlining plans across its consumer product, publishing and games arms.

On the former, its statement said: “The LEGO Group and Disney will celebrate the anniversary across the year by inviting families to share the wonder of storytelling, imagination, and creative play that LEGO Disney has inspired over the 24 years since it launched. Using the ultimate creative medium of the LEGO brick, the two long standing partners will honour fan-favourite Disney moments, capture the magic of exciting new Disney stories and bring friends and families together to dream, build and create with magical new LEGO Disney products and experiences.

“Additionally, fans will be able to celebrate Disney 100 Years of Wonder with an incredible slate of new commemorative collaborations launching throughout 2023. Collections include fashion and accessories brands such as Coach, footwear brands such as Adidas, memorable jewellers like Pandora and toy manufacturers such as Mattel, Hasbro and Funko. To coincide with Disney100 and the Year of the Rabbit, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit has emerged from the vault and has sprung into the pop-culture zeitgeist through a playful and contemporary collection from Givenchy, now available globally in stores and on givenchy.com. Additional worldrenowned licensee collaborations in the home, toy, fashion industries and more will be announced throughout the Disney100 celebration.”

Mattel followed Disney’s announcement with its own, outlining plans for its Disney Princess and Disney Frozen dolls and figures. It follows the inking of a deal between the two companies in 2022 and, as its statement noted: “The line delivers on consumer kids insights on what they want, including more animal friends and sidekicks, reveal innovation, castles, houses and vehicles, hair play and colour change, and expanded storytelling opportunities. Offerings include beloved Disney Princess and Disney Frozen characters accompanied by accessories, such as Rapunzel and Maximus ready to adventure beyond Rapunzel’s Tower. “The Disney dolls line from Mattel will also include unique collector offerings for adult fans that will celebrate the Disney Princess and Disney Frozen characters in a brand-new way with premium offerings to expand every fan’s collection. Together, Mattel and Disney will also bring the Disney Villains out of the shadows with a curated collection of premium dolls, capturing these mischievous characters in a new light.” Meanwhile, also unveiling in January was YuMe Toys, which launched a new surprise capsule collection featuring some of the most instantly recognisable and best loved characters from throughout Disney’s 100-year history. There are 24 standard collectable characters in the first phase, with a further four rare ones included too. Series 1 launches this month, with the second wave due in July.

Characters on offer include Simba, Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, Dory, Snow White, Dumbo, Ariel, Donald Duck, and Elsa. Rare figures in the first wave include Mickey Mouse and Tinkerbell, with Minnie and Buzz Lightyear to follow in the summer. As ever, it features YuMe’s capsules, which transform into a pedestal to house the 2.5in collectable character.

Ken Goodisson, commercial director, EMEA at YuMe Toys, said “To play a pivotal role in our industry, celebrating Disney’s oncein-a-lifetime 100th anniversary milestone, is a real accolade for our award-winning surprise capsule ranges. I think our product development team have done a fantastic job at encapsulating Disney’s 100 years of Wonder through this limited collection that’s simply stunning to play with and display.”

To play a pivotal role in “ our industry, celebrating Disney’s once-in-alifetime 100th anniversary milestone, is a real accolade for our awardwinning surprise capsule ranges Ken Goodisson, commercial director, EMEA at YuMe Toys

“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve with Jerry over so many years. Under Jerry’s management, the toy safety team’s work has gone from strength to strength. I speak for all the team at the BTHA who work with Jerry in congratulating him on this very well-deserved honour, and I know I also speak for the Association’s members and our partners in product safety elsewhere’’

Roland Earl, director general of the BTHA

Burnie earns OBE

Toy safety expert Jerry Burnie has been awarded an OBE for services to businesss and consumers in the New Year Honours list.

The gong, announced by the BTHA, where Burnie is head of compliance and a long-standing consultant, relates to his work on toy safety.

As well as owning and manging his own toy safety consultancy, Independent Quality Solutions, he has worked as lead toy safety consultant for the Association for many years, heading up its toy safety advisory service for 150 members. He is also chair of the BTHA’s technical and sustainability committees.

In its announcement, the BTHA outlined his invaluable work, noting: “Jerry’s career in product safety has spanned several decades and during this time he has been influential in guiding the toy industry, government departments, standards committees, and enforcement authorities on product safety to protect both businesses and consumers. Jerry has been instrumental in developing many tools and initiatives to help businesses to understand and practically comply with technical regulations including: an extensive list of guidance documents; the creation of Toyograph, a chemical risk assessment tool unique to the toy industry; and setting up the BTHA’s Primary Authority Partnership. Jerry has also trained hundreds of trading standards officers across the UK to help them identify non-compliant and unsafe toys that put children at risk of harm.”

Commenting on the honour, Burnie said: “Receiving news of this award has been a totally unexpected and amazing experience. It has only been possible due to the high level of importance placed on toy safety by the BTHA, as well as their support for and confidence in my work, for which I will always be extremely grateful.”

Rubies marches across Europe

Rubies has added two new senior members to its team as the company continues to ramp up its operations across Europe. The appointments follow on from its recent acquisition of a new central European warehouse and continued expansion across Europe and the Nordics.

Lisbeth Hagen Lisbeth Hagen Skadhauge has

Skadhauge joined as senior account manager for the Nordics, with Arjan Driessen welcomed on board as head of sales for Benelux. They will be responsible for the company’s sales and distribution across central and northern Europe, building on and extending relationships with customers and licensors. Skadhauge will be based in Rubies’ Copenhagen office, reporting to head Arjan of sales for the Nordics region, Ian Driessen MacCrimmon. She boasts experience at both Disney and Funko. Driessen will be based in Rubies’ Venio office in the Netherlands, reporting to commercial director Graham Gardiner. Driessen has worked with a number of retailers across the continent while at Playgro.

Graham Gardiner, commercial director - UK, Central, Eastern and Northern Europe, said: “As our European market demand continues to grow at an extraordinary rate, we are happy to welcome on board two specialists within the region who will be able to match that business requirement with exuberance and a passion for customer relationship management and development. Both Lisbeth and Arjan bring with them years of experience in market analysis and sales growth and are a perfect fit for team Rubies.”

Simba’s new appointments

Simba Smoby has bolstered its marketing team for the New Year with two major appointments.

The two new hires come as Mayur Pattni exits the company after six years as marketing manager.

Ben Hogg has joined as head of marketing, overseeing the wider marketing team at Simba Smoby as well as looking after key brands such as Jada and Majorette. He boasts some 12 years’ experience in the toy industry, first at Asmodee and most recently at Vivid.

And in the second appointment, Sophie Bryan has joined as brand manager. She will oversee the plush category as well as Smoby and Aquaplay brands. She was previously at Bic as a product manager for the stationery giant.

Martin Whitaker, MD at Simba Smoby Toys UK, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Sophie and Ben to the team, who join at an exciting time for the business. Our brand portfolio is stronger than ever, and with Sophie and Ben now on board, the team is in the best possible position heading into 2023.

“Sadly we also say goodbye to Mayur Pattni next month, whose work as marketing manager over the past six years has certainly laid the foundations and will stand the new team in good stead. We wish him all the best for his next role.” Ben Hogg Sophie Bryan

Brands line up for retailers

The Brands & Retail UK Winter Conference event has added to its line-up for its winter 2023 conference event.

Among the brands added to the slate presenting to retailers are NBC Universal, IMG and Retail Monster.

The list of those presenting at the event, due to take place at the Wellcome Collection Museum on January 18 and 19 are TeamGB, NBC Universal, Boat Rocker, Futurum Kids, Penguin Ventures, Retail Monster, Start Licensing (Aardman), The Point. 1888, DeA Planeta, SEGA, Mattel, Acamar Films, Jazwares, IMG, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Moonbug, Activision Blizzard, ZAG (Bulldog Licensing), and LMI and DSM – Digital Sports Mgmt.