Tag Archives: toys

Hasbro is scaling down its classic gaming titles in Mini Puzzles partnership with YWow Brands

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YWow Brands, a toy company specialising in novelty puzzles and games, has landed a new partnership with Hasbro to develop an assortment of five collectable Mini Puzzles based on its popular Hasbro Gaming titles.

Monopoly, Monopoly Junior, Cluedo, Operation, and Trivial Pursuit all feature in the new range of Mini Puzzles, each designed to resemble a miniature version of the iconic games, enabling gaming fans across the world to experience their favourite titles in a new way.

YWow Brands has quickly become a recognisable name in the Mini and Supersized licensed puzzles arena,  and today boasts a range of global licensing partners across its portfolio. YWow products are currently being shipped to more than 40 markets around the world and are sold in various toy and department stores.

“Some Mini Puzzles are highly sought after in the puzzle market and are catching the attention of internet users due to their massive viral potential. YWOW is revolutionizing the puzzle industry, opening doors to endless possibilities by combining popular brands with puzzles, ‘puzzlizing’ any brand or product loved by all ages,” read a statement from the company.

YWow’s collaboration with Hasbro aims to ‘bring home the fun for all families and all children, globally’.

The 24-piece puzzles will be available in most major markets as unique collectibles starting this year.

Tonies lands slew of award wins as it enjoys ‘exponential growth in the UK’ through 2021

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A period of exponential growth here in the UK for the children’s audio platform, Tonies has been compounded with a slew of awards wins and recognition from across the parents media space.

The popular storytelling and music playing Toniebox and its line up of Tonies figures, spanning some of the biggest IP in the preschool space, including The Gruffalo, Peppa Pig, Disney and more, has so far racked up no fewer than six awards, with more still on the horizon.

Tonies won big at the recent Loved By Parents awards, where it took home a total of three accolades. Its Toniebox and cast of Tonies figures secured a Gold award win in the Loved By Parents’ Best Educational Toy 2021 and took home the Platinum in the Best Muscial Toy 2021 category. The winning streak was rounded out with the Loved By Parents Recommended Tried and Tested accreditation.

Meanwhile, the team also took the Gold award at UKMums.TV Baby and Pre-school Awards 2021, as well as the Dadsnet Toy Awards 2021. The firm’s triumphant run was then completed when it secured the Platinum award in Loved By Children’s Best Electronic Toys for three to six year olds this year.

Pinky Laing, PR and partnerships manager at Tonies, told Licensing.biz: “We are thrilled to have won so many incredible awards already this year. We are growing exponentially in the UK and these awards not only mean so much to us as a business but also show the industry is really supporting us and our big plans for the rest of the year.

“Watch this space for more exciting Tonies projects and hopefully more awards to come.”

Completing the firm’s run of success here in the UK for now, and it has also been given the full accreditation of the Good Play Guide which has championed the team’s recently launched Sleep Tonies for their role in helping parents and children establish a ‘soothing bedtime routine.’

“Our testers found that after a few days, children began to associate the bedtime story with going to sleep, often falling asleep before the end,” commented the Good Play Guide team.

Tonies lands slew of award wins as it enjoys ‘exponential growth in the UK’ through 2021

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A period of exponential growth here in the UK for the children’s audio platform, Tonies has been compounded with a slew of awards wins and recognition from across the parents media space.

The popular storytelling and music playing Toniebox and its line up of Tonies figures, spanning some of the biggest IP in the preschool space, including The Gruffalo, Peppa Pig, Disney and more, has so far racked up no fewer than six awards, with more still on the horizon.

Tonies won big at the recent Loved By Parents awards, where it took home a total of three accolades. Its Toniebox and cast of Tonies figures secured a Gold award win in the Loved By Parents’ Best Educational Toy 2021 and took home the Platinum in the Best Muscial Toy 2021 category. The winning streak was rounded out with the Loved By Parents Recommended Tried and Tested accreditation.

Meanwhile, the team also took the Gold award at UKMums.TV Baby and Pre-school Awards 2021, as well as the Dadsnet Toy Awards 2021. The firm’s triumphant run was then completed when it secured the Platinum award in Loved By Children’s Best Electronic Toys for three to six year olds this year.

Pinky Laing, PR and partnerships manager at Tonies, told Licensing.biz: “We are thrilled to have won so many incredible awards already this year. We are growing exponentially in the UK and these awards not only mean so much to us as a business but also show the industry is really supporting us and our big plans for the rest of the year.

“Watch this space for more exciting Tonies projects and hopefully more awards to come.”

Completing the firm’s run of success here in the UK for now, and it has also been given the full accreditation of the Good Play Guide which has championed the team’s recently launched Sleep Tonies for their role in helping parents and children establish a ‘soothing bedtime routine.’

“Our testers found that after a few days, children began to associate the bedtime story with going to sleep, often falling asleep before the end,” commented the Good Play Guide team.

LEGO unveils the LEGO Star Wars Republic Gunship in latest Ultimate Collector’s line up

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A new LEGO Star Wars Republic Gunship construction set has become the latest addition to the LEGO Group’s Ultimate Collector’s line-up, having triumphed in the public vote via the company’s LEGO Ideas platform.

The Republic Gunship rose supreme when LEGO invited fans to vote on the top three requested sets across the fan engagement and creativity platform, securing an impressive 30,000 votes, accounting for 58 per cent of all votes cast.

Inspired by Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and featured in the animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the new set weighs in at 3,292 pieces and includes LEGO Star Wars minifigures of Jedi Master Mace Windu, and a Clone Trooper Commander.

The challenge of creating the Star Wars Republic Gunship in LEGO brick form was given to designer, Hans Schlömer who used his experience – including designing the UCS Millennium Falcon and UCS A-wing – to complete the task.

To date, the LEGO Group has developed around 150 LEGO Star Wars sets inspired by the prequel trilogy films (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith), with this set being the third UCS prequel-themed build.

Others in the line up have included Darth Maul and Obi-Wan’s Jedi Starfighter.

The Gunship’s large free-swinging doors on both sides are some of the largest moving parts ever created in a LEGO Star Wars build and the set is completely open beyond the nose portion. Given the size of the LEGO Star Wars ship, a supportive LEGO Technic frame has been incorporated, hidden by the exterior panels and allowing Clone Troopers to load for their next mission via lift arms on the passenger compartment doors.

Jens Kronvold Frederiksen, creative lead of LEGO Star Wars at the LEGO Group, said: “Our fans are always coming up with concepts and ideas for the LEGO Star Wars range – so it was great to give them the opportunity to let their voices be heard and choose the next UCS set.

“There is always an enormous responsibility to deliver a quality design, and the set that Hans has crafted is a triumph, particularly the size. We knew our fans would want to display this model but we didn’t want to compromise on the scale versus the ability to exhibit it. I can’t wait to see how the fans incorporate the set into their Star Wars collections.”

The LEGO Star Wars Republic Gunship set will be available starting on August 1, 2021 via LEGO Stores and LEGO.com and will retail for the recommended price of £329.

LEGO unveils the LEGO Star Wars Republic Gunship in latest Ultimate Collector’s line up

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A new LEGO Star Wars Republic Gunship construction set has become the latest addition to the LEGO Group’s Ultimate Collector’s line-up, having triumphed in the public vote via the company’s LEGO Ideas platform.

The Republic Gunship rose supreme when LEGO invited fans to vote on the top three requested sets across the fan engagement and creativity platform, securing an impressive 30,000 votes, accounting for 58 per cent of all votes cast.

Inspired by Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and featured in the animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the new set weighs in at 3,292 pieces and includes LEGO Star Wars minifigures of Jedi Master Mace Windu, and a Clone Trooper Commander.

The challenge of creating the Star Wars Republic Gunship in LEGO brick form was given to designer, Hans Schlömer who used his experience – including designing the UCS Millennium Falcon and UCS A-wing – to complete the task.

To date, the LEGO Group has developed around 150 LEGO Star Wars sets inspired by the prequel trilogy films (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith), with this set being the third UCS prequel-themed build.

Others in the line up have included Darth Maul and Obi-Wan’s Jedi Starfighter.

The Gunship’s large free-swinging doors on both sides are some of the largest moving parts ever created in a LEGO Star Wars build and the set is completely open beyond the nose portion. Given the size of the LEGO Star Wars ship, a supportive LEGO Technic frame has been incorporated, hidden by the exterior panels and allowing Clone Troopers to load for their next mission via lift arms on the passenger compartment doors.

Jens Kronvold Frederiksen, creative lead of LEGO Star Wars at the LEGO Group, said: “Our fans are always coming up with concepts and ideas for the LEGO Star Wars range – so it was great to give them the opportunity to let their voices be heard and choose the next UCS set.

“There is always an enormous responsibility to deliver a quality design, and the set that Hans has crafted is a triumph, particularly the size. We knew our fans would want to display this model but we didn’t want to compromise on the scale versus the ability to exhibit it. I can’t wait to see how the fans incorporate the set into their Star Wars collections.”

The LEGO Star Wars Republic Gunship set will be available starting on August 1, 2021 via LEGO Stores and LEGO.com and will retail for the recommended price of £329.

Playmobil teases major new partnership with classic TV IP The A Team

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Playmobil could be igniting the passions of kidult audiences across the UK once again with another heavy dose of nostalgia. And this time it’s taking the form of The A Team.

Playmobil UK has teased a new partnership in the retro property space, releasing an 11-second snippet via social media this morning, hinting towards a major new project with the A Team IP.

The clip gives very little away, other than an alliance has been formed between the toymaker and the iconic A Team property, although the firm’s choice of hashtags could offer some hint as to what it has up its sleeves.

Playmobil has made a success of tapping into the retro and classic IP space, having launched the wildly popular Back the Future DeLorean and extended play-sets to strong positive reception from a market of nostalgia driven consumers.

Given the popularity of its DeLorean vehicle play-set and its previously launched Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine, and the track record that Playmobil has for converting iconic vehicles from the film and TV space into popular toy lines, it’s certainly not too far fetched to imagine the firm’s A Team partnership resulting in the launch of the iconic A Team van at some point in the near future.

Playmobil has remained tight-lipped about the project, but has stated that two further teaser clips will be released soon.

From the US | Jazwares unveils its Dino Ranch toy, plush, playset and vehicle line-up

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Jazwares has finally unveiled its highly anticipated Dino Ranch toy line, expanding on the dinosaur themed world of play from the popular animated series which has become the number one preschool show on US cable since it launched in January.

Items in the new range from Jazwares will be making their debut at online retailers such as Walmart.com, Target.com, and Amazon this autumn, with additional in-store listings with key retailers across the UK, including Kohls.

The new product range spans plush, assorted figures, feature vehicles, and play-sets, all based on the character, settings and story lines found within the hit CG animated series. Dino Ranch is produced by Industrial Brothers and Boat Rocker Studios and made its US debut in January this year on Disney Junior.

The series follows the Cassidy family as they tackle life in a fantastical “pre-westoric” setting where dinosaurs roam. The working farm is the ultimate playground for the tight-knit family: Ma (Jane), Pa (Bo) and their three adopted kids, Jon, Min and Miguel. Together they are in charge of rounding up, riding and caring for a lively herd of racing, roaring dinosaurs who are also their best friends.

“We’re thrilled to bring the world of Dino Ranch to preschoolers, and the entire team at Jazwares is ready to join the roundup of the ultimate prehistoric meets Wild West toy line,” said Laura Zebersky, president of Jazwares.

“Loveable, colorful, and full of surprises, this new line will transform playtime into a dino-driven world of adventure.”

Kate Schlomann, EVP brand management and content marketing, Boat Rocker Studios said: “We are delighted to see Jazwares innovative toy line finally launch. Jazwares is the perfect partner for Dino Ranch, and have transformed the onscreen characters into a fantastic product range with great play value, allowing kids to build out their very own Dino Ranch world.

“We’ve had lots of requests for toys on our social channels and cannot wait to see how fans react to them.”

The new Dino Ranch product line includes:

  • Dino-Mites Assortment ($3.99 MSRP): Create the ultimate playground with the Dino Ranch Dino-Mite egg blind figures, featuring 12 mighty mini dinosaur toys to collect.
  • Dino Ranchers 2-Pack Assortment ($8.99 MSRP): Bring home the adventure with the Dino Ranch 2-Pack featuring one Dino Rancher (Jon, Min or Miguel), plus their dino sidekick!
  • Dino Ranch 6 Figure Pack ($24.99 MSRP): The Dino Ranch 6 Figure Pack features all three Dino Ranchers along with their respective dino companions!
  • Dino Action Pack Assortment ($12.99 MSRP): Build out your own Dino Ranch with the Dino Ranch Action Pack Assortment, featuring an adorable 5-inch Dino Ranch facade, four 4-inch articulated dino figures, and four connectable fence pieces.
  • Deluxe Dino Pack ($14.99 MSRP): Saddle up and join Biscuit, the T-Rex and Angus, the triceratops at the Dino Ranch! The 5-inch feature dinos are the biggest ones at the Dino Ranch, the ranch and dinosaur sanctuary where Jon, Min, and Miguel live with Ma (Jane) and Pa (Bo!)!
  • Feature Vehicle Assortment ($12.99 MSRP): Ride along with Jon, Min, & Miguel with the Dino Ranch Feature Vehicle Assortment. Each 5” Dino vehicle has a unique feature and includes their Dino Rancher Figure sidekick!
  • Hatchery Playset ($19.99 MSRP): The Dino Ranch Hatchery Adventure Set is the perfect way to expand the Dino Ranch! It includes a light up Dino Egg Incubator, an Exclusive Mini figure, two Dino-Mites, plus six accessories.
  • Clubhouse Playset ($39.99 MSRP): Welcome to the Dino Ranch Clubhouse, the Dino Ranchers’ hangout spot! This large playset is modular and comes with 9 built-in features, as well as one dino rancher figure, two small dinosaurs, and one free wheel vehicle.
  • Plush Assortment ($6.99 MSRP): The Dino Ranch Little Plush Assortment features one of three soft and cuddly dinos. They look like they jumped right out of the show! Get to know Blitz, the lightning-fast velociraptor, Clover, the gentle brontosaurus, and Tango, the mighty triceratops.

UK and US licensing partners line up to celebrate 40 years of Danger Mouse

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Boat Rocker Studios is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its classic and iconic animated series, Danger Mouse with a full roster of licensing partners spanning the UK and US markets, while crossing both the generations and categories through gifting, apparel, collectables, and more.

Tapping into the adult, nostalgia market, as well as the children’s space, licensing partners have been lined up from both sides of the Atlantic with a licensing programme reflective of the cross-generational appeal of the Danger Mouse IP as it celebrates its 40th anniversary milestone this year.

Kate Schlomann, EVP brand management and content marketing, Boat Rocker Studios, said: “Danger Mouse is the world’s greatest secret agent and one of TV’s most iconic animations, packed with action, comedy and drama. The show has achieved incredible global success in both its original incarnation and its thrilling reboot.

“We are delighted to be celebrating its 40th anniversary with an epic range of products which really capture the style and wit of the show.”

Leading the charge in the toy aisle, Funko has signed a worldwide deal to produce a new range of Danger Mouse Classic collectables, including its trademark Pop! stylised vinyl figures and its Vinyl SODA figures of the heroes and villains from the series, including a limited edition Evil Danger Mouse.

Meanwhile, Smiffys will continue to offer its dress-up costumes for both adults and kids. In addition, adult t-shirts will continue to be produced by Trademark Products Limited and further celebratory products will be available later in the year across a wide range of categories, including annuals, novelty, cards and gifting, children’s nightwear and babywear and pet apparel and accessories.

This will all be joined by a new range of adult and children’s Danger Mouse apparel and drinkware, including t-shirts, sweats, hoodies, face wear, socks, and underwear from Bioworld, alongside adult joggers, slippers, bags, and headwear.

Truffle Shuffle, home of cool t-shirts, retro gifts and more, will also be launching a new range of T-shirts and clothing, knitwear, pyjamas, tote bags, mugs, art prints, metal signs, lunchboxes, enamel pins and door mats launching from June 2021 exclusively on TruffleShuffle.com.

The River Group, the UK’s leading independent content innovation agency, will be producing an 84-page Danger Mouse Anniversary Bookazine to launch in October 2021, while Blu Goblin has signed on for a limited-edition anniversary figurine set with proceeds going towards Kids Out Charity.

Over in the US, Redbubble, the leading print-on-demand online marketplace, will be adding Danger Mouse to its extensive range of apparel, accessories and home items.

The Danger Mouse YouTube channel is joining in on the celebrations by showcasing 40 original classic episodes. Fans will have the opportunity to relive some of their hero’s most death-defying and thrilling missions from September 2021.

Both the classic and the new series are widely available to watch on multiple platforms worldwide, including Netflix which holds the global rights for the new Danger Mouse series and also offers the classic seasons.

Originally produced by Cosgrove Hall Films for Thames Television, Danger Mouse ran on ITV from 1981 to 1992 and returned to TV screens with a high-octane 21st-century makeover on CBBC in September 2015.

The rebooted Danger Mouse has proved to be a global hit with 99 new episodes to date over three series.

LEGO and Volkswagen launch latest version of the LEGO VW T2 Camper Van

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The LEGO Group has struck up a partnership with the German car manufacturer Volkswagen to launch the latest version of the ubiquitous LEGO Volkswagen T2 Camper Van, expanding upon its portfolio of cult vehicle LEGO builds.

The new LEGO Volkswagen T2 Camper Van is based on its namesake of the late 1960s and ’70s and succeeds the previous LEGO Creator Expert Volkswagen T1 Camper Van, adding a whole host of new features, including a scaled up build and a new paint colour, sliding doors, as well as the trademark T2 wraparound baywindow front windscreen.

Under the hood, the set also features working steering. The LEGO Volkswagen T2 Camper Van’s detailed camping interior is also fully equipped for the open road, with opening cabinets, fridge, sink and a gas stove with a teapot. The set even comes with a set of folding chairs and a surfboard.

Volkswagen Campers are of course synonymous with customisation, and the LEGO Volkswagen T2 Camper Van set is fully prepared for personalisation, with a sticker set including retro decals and a choice of German or US number plates.

LEGO Designer Sven Franic, said: “The Volkswagen Camper is a rare breed of vehicle that commands affection like few others, and we know the LEGO version will bring a lot of fun to people who’ve been lucky enough to have or go camping in one, or always wanted one.

“Though the Volkswagen Camper is no stranger to our LEGO cars collection, this latest iteration brings even more delights for LEGO builders. The meticulously kitted out interior is sure to charm seasoned campers and adventurers alike, while the eye-catching exterior with pop-up roof is a feat of engineering just like the original.”

The LEGO Volkswagen T2 Camper Van goes on sale on August 1st 2021 from LEGO stores and on LEGO.com at RRP 159.99 EUR / 179.99 USD / 149.99 GBP.

Hexbug builds Junkbots “metaverse” spanning toys, YouTube series, and Roblox story game

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The award winning toy company Hexbug has launched a new project that merges toys with entertainment technology through a new eight part digital series and game on the Roblox platform based on its Junkbots brand.

Developed in partnership with the multimedia company Wind Sun Sky Entertainment, Junkbots aims to ‘converge the best in play, story, entertainment, and technology,’ enabling fans to ‘immerse themselves’ in the Junkbots brand ahead of the launch of season two of the toy line.

The new wave of Junkbots toys will launch with a new environment-based Junkbots Factory Collection of play-sets, while the new eight part series and Roblox game will follow a new adventure that all kicked-off when Junkbot Jack Static received a cryptic radio transmission.

“We are always looking to innovate and the expansion into Roblox and a larger presence on YouTube is a prime example of our forward thinking,” said Tony Norman, co-founder, and CEO, Innovation First International.

“We took our cue directly from kids and delivered an expansive new play experience that spans across multiple platforms that truly immerses them into the Junkbots metaverse through the blend of gaming, play and entertainment.

“Our partnership with multi-platform entertainment company Wind Sun Sky has allowed us to take this to a whole new level.”

The new Junkbots toy line, eight part YouTube series and Roblox story game is all scheduled to land this summer, designed to ‘create a thrilling, multi-platform experience’ for kids. The comedy and adventure series will allow fans the chance to immerse themselves in the Junkbots universe, and join the race to save the city in the multi-chapter Roblox game.

‘All combined, these awesome content extensions are positioned to support and expand the toy line that includes custom codes embedded into the packaging that allow kids to unlock exclusive Roblox swag online,’ read a description from the firm.

“I can proudly say that the Junkbots universe roll out is a rich, engaging and boundary pushing cross-platform narrative experience for fans and future fans of this amazing toy,” said CEO and EP Catherine Winder, WSS.

“Storytelling and world building is our expertise, and the Junkbots web series by our phenomenal team dares to take things a step further cross platform. Fans will laugh and become inspired as they watch in awe, then continue the story on Roblox and with their toys.”

The Junkbots Roblox game offers multiple mini-games within each Mission and dozens of playable set pieces. Players can immerse themselves with a unique “playground experience” where they can come together, socialise, customise their worlds, and explore in between playing story episodes.

Meanwhile, the Junkbots toy line includes multiple sets in the collection – each depicting a unique interactive environment. Season two of the toy line will see 16 new Junkbots to collect, each featuring power modules for light and motion. With an interlocking pipe-building system, kids can deconstruct and reconstruct their play-sets for alternative builds.

Fans will be able to get in on the action as JUNKBOTS launches on Roblox and YouTube in late July 2021 and in-store late August.