Tag Archives: Paw Patrol

Another win for licensed toys as Star Wars, WWE and Super Mario land Smyths’ top toys for Christmas top spots

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WWE, PAW Patrol, Pokemon, and Super Mario have all made the top billing as this week sees the international toy retailer, Smyths Toys, take its turn in listing its top toy predictions for Christmas 2020, pitting some of the world’s biggest and long-lasting toy brands against new launches in the space this year.

Licensed toys have once again featured heavily in the retailer’s top ten picks, with LEGO Super Mario, Star Wars Mandalorian, and Barbie making their appearacne alongside pre-school staple PAW Patrol, and the universally popular Pokemon and LOL Surprise toy brands.

Sinead Byrne, joint head of marketing at Smyths Toys, said: “We are excited to announce our Top 10 Toys for Christmas, and it was a difficult choice again this year. We have some cool characters from L.O.L. Remix and Pokémon to Mario and The Child, as well as our exclusive Wrekkin’ Slambulance, as seen live on WWE last week.

“PAW Patrol has entered the age of dinosaurs, and Barbie’s Princess Adventures are hot to trot. Mix up game night with Monopoly for Sore Losers, Mini Brands Mini Mart shelves are full and ready to go and the Present Pets unboxing experience is sure to delight any child this Christmas.”

The toys all feature in the newly released Smyths Toys catalogue and are available in all stores nationwide. 

Smyths Toys Superstores now trades from over 130 stores across the UK and Ireland. Catering for all ages, the leading toy retailer offers a huge range of toys, video games, bikes and baby products, including all the top brands.

Top Toys 2020 – Click here 

Smyths Toys Superstores Top Toys List:

  • WWE Wrekkin’ Slambulance
  • Pokémon Carry Case 
  • Star Wars Mandalorian The Child Animatronic 
  • L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G. Remix 4-in-1 Plane and Remix dolls 
  • Barbie Princess Adventure Prance & Shimmer Horse
  • Present Pets 
  • LEGO Super Mario Starter Set
  • Monopoly Sore Losers 
  • PAW Patrol Dino Rescue Dino Patroller Motorised Team Vehicle with Chase & T-Rex

  • Mini Brands Mini Mart

Barbie, Star Wars and LEGO Super Mario among leading licenses in Amazon’s top toys for Christmas

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Classic and retro licenses including Barbie, Star Wars, Back to the Future and Super Mario have been billed among the top picks for predicted best-selling toys this Christmas by Amazon UK, proving the might of nostalgia in 2020 as we head into the critical Christmas shopping season.

Amazon.co.uk is betting big on some of the biggest franchises in the world of children’s entertainment this year, listing Mattel’s Barbie, Spin Master’s PAW Patrol, and MGA Entertainment’s LOL Surprise alongside the likes of Star Wars The Mandalorian, Back to the Future, and the innovative new collaboration between LEGO and Nintendo for LEGO Super Mario.

In fact, Amazon points out that Star Wars continues to be among the top searched keywords for toys on its UK platform, and suggests that ‘kids can’t get enough of the Disney+ original series, Star Wars The Mandalorian. It’s to that end that Star Wars The Mandalorian Bounty Hunter Transport Starship has been listed as a potential best-seller this year, available exclusively on Amazon.co.uk.

The Child Animatronic Edition AKA Baby Yoda also takes a top for most lovable character.

Meanwhile, the VTech Kidizoom in red is another Amazon exclusive. A child friendly camera that includes video editing, the HD camera comes with 20 virtual backgrounds, and includes six games.

“We know Christmas is going to be a little different this year, and at Amazon, we are doing everything we can to bring the magic of the festive season to our customers,” said Naman Agarwal, head of vendor management for toys at Amazon.co.uk.

“The joy of being with friends and family, in person or virtually, will be the greatest gift of all, and we’re predicting that the bestselling toys will be those that can bring people together. No matter the celebration, we are making a big effort to deliver smiles and make Christmas extra special.”

Amazon’s full list of top toys for Christmas 2020 is:

The Barbie Fresh ‘n’ Fun Food Truck – Mattel


LOL Surprise OMG Remix Plane – MGA Entertainment


LOL Surprise OMG Remix Honeylicious Fashion Doll – MGA Entertainment


Squeakee Interactive Balloon Dog – Moose Toys


Uno Showdown – Mattle Games


KidiZoom Studio – VTech


Star Wars The Mandalorian Bounty Hunter Transport Starship – LEGO


Star Wars The Child Animatronic Edition – Hasbro


Back to the Future DeLorean Toy – Playmobil


PAW Patrol Dino Rescure Dino Patroller Motorised Team Vehicle with Exclusive Chase and T-Rex Figures – Spin Master


Present Pets – Spin Master


Super Mario Adventures Starter Course Interactive Figure and Buildable Game – LEGO

ViacomCBS turns up its podcast activity with SpongeBob Squarepants, PAW Patrol and Catfish

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ViacomCBS has dialed up its podcasting activity with a raft of new series based on its hit children’s and adult entertainment roster, including SpongeBob Squarepants, PAW Patrol, and Catfish. The firm has said that it is ‘accelerating its momentum on the audio space’ with a robust new line up.

The news has arrived the same week that ViacomCBS revealed it was developing a new version of Yo! MTV Raps and more audio spin-offs of The Daily Show. These follow a new deal it has struck with iHeartMedia, Deadline reports.

New shows include in its audio line-up include those from its Nickelodeon arm, SpongeBob BingePants: The Rewatch, an Avatar / Korra Airbender Universe podcast, and a PAW Patrol podcast. The Catfish podcast will come from MTV in partnership with podcast producer Wondery, the company behind Dirty John and Dr Death.

“Powered by an expansive portfolio of leading brands and iconic IP, ViacomCBS is accelerating its fortified momentum in the podcasting space,” said Domenic DiMeglio, EVP, head of operations and chief marketing officer for ViacomCBS Digital. “With a robust slate of new and returning series, we are building from an incredible foundation to super serve our global audiences wherever they choose to listen.”

PAW Patrol, Star Wars and LEGO Nintendo among Argos’ top 12 Toys for Christmas 2020 picks

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Argos has revealed its top 12 toys for Christmas 2020 in anticipation of the Christmas toy shopping season and a nation that ‘has rekindled its love for toys,’ through more time spent at home throughout lockdown. Among the top toys, PAW Patrol, Star Wars, and LEGO’s Super Mario collection all feature.

With less than 200 days to go until December 25th, the British store predicts LEGO Lamborghini, Baby Yoda and a pooping flamingo to be among its top sellers this Christmas, while this season will see consumers tap into nostalgia-fuelled shopping driven by the lockdown and time spent at home.

According to research carried out by Argos, more than a fifth of parents plan to gift their child something that conjures memories of their own childhood this year. It goes some way to explain why the likes of Star Wars and LEGO’s Nintendo Super Mario range are among the predicted top sellers for 2020.

Juliet Ward, head of toy buying at Argos, said: “With so much time spent inside during lockdown, the nation has rekindled its love for toys, turning to them now more than ever to keep themselves entertained during what has been a difficult time for many.

‘This year’s top toys list offers a huge variety of new products, ranging from toys inspired by the biggest TV and gaming franchises to bizarre – but crucially, fun – pooping animals.

‘When we craft the list of our top toy predictions for the year, we always try to accurately gauge the “toy crazes” that are set to make thousands of wish lists.

‘This year it’s heartening to see so many toys that will encourage families to spend time together, whether that’s putting together a LEGO Lamborghini or reminiscing over the Mario games of the 80s and 90s.”

An animatronic doll of The Child from The Mandalorian – affectionately known as Baby Yoda – is expected to be one of this year’s biggest hits, joined by the LEGO Adventures with Mario Starter Course, enabling fans to recreate the iconic platform game in brick form.

As Argos’ research goes on to suggest that 40 per cent of parents are set to purchase more toys that encourage active and imaginative play this year, the retailer is firmly tapping into the trend with its Little Live Pets Gotta Go Flamingo that tells kids when it has to sit on its potty. Joining it is the Poopsie Dancing Unicorn.

Familiar faces come in the form of new toys from LOL Surprise and PAW Patrol. Spin Master’s PAW Patrol Dino Rescue Dino Patroller is joined by the LOL Surprise OMG Fashion Dolls Series 3.

The £350 LEGO Technic Lamborghini denotes a desire for the high-end toy lines this year, while the £60 KidiZoom Studio reflects the youth’s lean in to the world of TikTok and YouTube. The list is rounded out with the Hatchimals Pixies Crystal Flyers, and Laser Battle Hunters, promoting active play.

Spin Master updates financial outlook for 2020 following coronavirus pandemic

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The global entertainment company, Spin Master – the home of brands including the popular PAW Patrol and Bakugan franchise – is to withdraw its 2020 outlook in connection to projected product sales, stating that the potential impact of the developing COVID-19 situation on the firm is as yet unquantifiable.

The firm previously provided a 2020 outlook on March 4th this year, but, as the global coronavirus pandemic continues to deepen, will issue no further guidance in the near term due to the uncertainty surrounding it.

It is anticipated that the spread of COVID-19 and global measures to contain it, will have an impact on the company, however it is challenging to quantify the potential magnitude of such impact at this time. Spin Master is regularly assessing the situation and remains in contact with its customers and suppliers to assess any impacts and risks. It will provide a further update when it reports Q1 2020 results on May 6, 2020.

The 2020 outlook provided by Spin Master on March 4, 2020 reflected the information available to the Company at that time. This information included factory capacity in China, Vietnam and India, labour return rates, tooling availability, raw material and component availability, the ability to shift production between various geographies and products and customer acceptance of modified delivery dates.

Since that time, production levels have increased significantly and are approaching normal levels. However, due to the current market disruptions and heightened uncertainty caused by the spread of COVID-19 in global customer markets, the company is withdrawing such guidance.

“Since early March we have seen a substantial improvement in our Asian supply chain, particularly in China, as expected. However, the disruption we are now seeing in key customer markets resulting from the impact of COVID-19 is significant and we are withdrawing our fiscal 2020 guidance statement as a result thereof,” said Mark Segal, Spin Master’s executive vice president and chief financial officer.

“Our balance sheet remains strong, with cash on hand and committed credit lines available, which provides us with significant financial flexibility. Spin Master is known for its resiliency and entrepreneurial spirit. We believe in our ability to withstand any issues and continue to succeed.”

PAW Patrol is bounding onto the big screen with its first animated movie in 2021

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PAW Patrol is bounding onto the big screen with the launch of the first animated feature film produced by Spin Master Entertainment in association with Nickelodeon Movies.

The film will be distributed by Paramount Pictures and is slated to hit theatres by August next year.

The movie will be directed by Cal Brunker (Escape from Planet Earth), with Spin Master Entertainment’s EVP Jennifer Dodge producing. Ronnen Harary, co-CEO of Spin Master, will executive produce along with the company’s EVP of strategic partnership and franchise development Adam Beder.

PAW Patrol The Movie is set to be the first of multiple feature films in the works by Spin Master’s entertainment division.

PAW Patrol first launched in 2013 and now airs in 30 languages in more than 160 countries. The series was Spin Master’s first original pre-school property and went on to become a ratings smash. For years PAW Patrol was also a driving force behind sales for the company’s pre-school and girls segment (up seven per cent to US$493 million in fiscal 2017 and up five per cent to US$517.5 million in fiscal 2018).

LEGO and PAW Patrol launch new audio content across Spotify, Amazon Music and more

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LEGO is launching a library of new audio content across the biggest music and audio streaming platforms of today, including Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, Apple music, and Deezer.

The new content will take the form of a series of audio plays set within LEGO’s worlds of LEGO Ninjago, LEGO Friends, and LEGO City. Each will give children the chance to listen to exciting new adventures based on the popular toy lines.

The LEGO content will be joined by a series of audio plays based on the hit PAW Patrol series.

The audio plays are aimed at children aged four to ten and allow the listener to enjoy the stories of the TV-episodes with the original voices, but with the added benefit of a narrator guiding the child through each scene.

‘The audio plays are a great incentive to encourage parents to have the headphones at the ready to reduce screen time but still keep the family entertained,’ read a statement from the firm behind the development of the audio plays, Universum Film, GmbH.

‘The captivating audio plays follow the missions of PAW Patrol six heroic puppies and their leader Ryder, the colourful adventures in Heartlake City with LEGO Friends, the exciting world of LEGO Ninjago, and the modern metropolis of LEGO City; perfect for school runs, play dates, family trips and bedtime.’

The launch arrives following studies that, according to Universum, reveal that comprehension, vocabulary, reading speed, and motivation are all positively impacted by audio content.