Spirit Halloween to hire 40,000 staff for 2023

Spirit Halloween is on the hunt for associates and store managers to join its team this year. With a record number of locations expected to open in 2023, the retailer is looking to hire its largest seasonal workforce yet, with around 40,000 positions available.

Steven Silverstein, ceo of Spirit Halloween, commented: “This will be Spirit’s 40th season of bringing the mystique of Halloween to life and that starts each year with the hiring of our talented and enthusiastic associates and store managers.

“We look forward to welcoming back returning team members and introducing new employees to the Spirit Halloween family as we get ready for a truly unforgettable season.”

Disguise signs multiyear licensing deal for Poppy Playtime

Disguise has partnered with Mob Entertainment for a new multiyear licensing agreement for North America and EMEA for the horror survival game, commencing autumn 2023.

Poppy Playtime is an episodic horror survival game which immerses players in a sinister tale. Players assume the role of a former Playtime Co employee, and as they delve into the shadows of the factory, their only goal is to survive the pursuit of vengeful toys.

Tara Cortner, president and gm of Disguise, commented: “Year after year, Disguise keeps expanding its collection of costumes in this ever-growing genre of episodic horror games. As the popularity of this genre continues to surge, we are thrilled to be a part of it.

“Our passion lies in developing costumes that bring kids, adults and fans into the world of their favourite characters, Poppy Playtime is sure to be a hit this year.”

New research from online party retailer, Party Delights, has highlighted the biggest kids’ party themes, based on sales data, on-site searches and Google search volumes.

Super Mario experienced the most significant uplift in search volume from 2022 to 2023, with an 86% increase in searches. This is largely due to the new movie released in April boosting the brand.

Barbie has also seen a surge in popularity ahead of the highly anticipated film starring Margot Robbie due for release this summer. The film’s release has also impacted social media mentions, with Barbie amassing over 12 million hashtags on Instagram.

Harry Potter has been a popular party theme for almost 30 years now, but the series now appears to have benefitted from a different avenue, with the release of the Hogwarts Legacy, which has proved to be a hit with gamers across the globe, contributing to a 59% uplift in search volume and over 34 million mentions on Instagram.

Batman also benefitted from a video game release with Gotham Knights being released last year, as well as the film at the beginning of 2022. That saw a 29% increase in search volume, as well as gaining the superhero just under 30 million Instagram tags.

Sarah Allsop, creative manager at Party Delights, commented: “It is no surprise to see the likes of Super Mario and Barbie become extremely popular with younger demographics again with the new cinematic releases this year.

“The release of a film featuring an iconic or well-known character always propels them back into the mainstream and from what we can see, that has very much been the case with these franchises.

“Similarly, it’s clear that the release of popular video games is also having this effect as Hogwarts Legacy, in particular, has proved.”

Arsenio Navarro, Mob Entertainment’s director of business development and licensing, added: “Poppy Playtime is a pop culture phenomenon with a massive worldwide following, and, like other influential brands, has captured the imagination of the masses, inspiring fan fiction, cosplay, music videos, dance challenges and hundreds of house of gameplay commentary.

“We are thrilled to add Disguise as an official licensee to bring the Poppy Playtime universe to life for our fans. Get ready to dive into the heart-pounding world of Poppy Playtime and become Huggy Wuggy this Halloween.”

All Poppy Playtime costumes will be widely available at retailers in North American instore and online this autumn.

Below: Poppy Playtime is an episodic horror game with an army of fans.