Toy Industry News for June 2013 — Mattel's Licensing Strategy ...read more toy news from June 2013

Aurora’s award winning Baby Talk line expands for 2013 to include five new themes: My First Purse, My Farm Friends, My Forest Friends (pictured), My Beach House and My First Discovery. Each Baby Talk set includes a "carrier" and four plush pieces to encourage learning and development in children through the associated sights, shapes and sounds.

Aurora’s two new activity dolls feature enough buttons, zippers, knots and Velcro to keep any child happy and busy for hours. The dolls are squeezable soft and their open arms and warm smiles beg for a child’s attention. The precious girl doll has a pretty pink dress with embroidered butterfly while the boy’s yellow shirt features a red car with buttons as tires. (size: 15 inches).

Aurora’s most popular plush animal line, YooHoo & Friends (23 million plus sold), sees an epic expansion for 2013 to include these everyday and holiday themed YooHoo & Friends. Meet Montee™ Moose, Wuskee™ Husky, Jolley™ Reindeer and Genee™ Penguin. Each YooHoo makes a secret sound when squeezed and new hangtags describe the character in detail. Launch date: April 2013.

Aurora will initially release 18 My Little Pony styles with suggested retail prices ranging from $15-$20. Twelve small ponies each with a personalized carrying bag (Aurora’s popular Fancy Pals™ style; size: 6”) and six soft plush ponies (just over 10 inches in size) highlight the line. My Little Pony plush will be available for purchase in both the United States & Canada in Aurora’s retail channel of more than 25,000 specialty stores and gift shops as well as online at http://shop.auroragift.com. For more information, visit http://auroragift.com, email info@auroragift.com or call 888-287-6722.

Aurora's Pop Up Puppets are a fun way to stimulate your child's imagination and help them develop their learning and creative skills. Pop Up Puppets are available in seven styles: Tiger, Black Bear, Lesser Panda, Owl, Raccoon, Giraffe and Panda.

The all new collection includes Wide Eyed Garfield "Sitting" (SRP: $13), Garfield "Floppy" (SRP: $13 and $20) and Garfield "Just Clinging Around" (SRP: $13) featuring suction cups "so you can easily attach Garfield to any glass surface." All Garfield products will include a unique, double-sided "Cattitude" hangtag featuring the classic Garfield cartoon. Garfield will be distributed to specialty shops, gift stores and retailers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand through December 31, 2015.

The luscious, squeezably soft Sherbet Bunny collection is available in four colorful styles including Berry Orange, Cotton Candy, Lime Delight and Berry Raspberry. 14".

"Eye'm sweet, you're sweet, we're all sweet!" Introducing Aurora's all new line, Gumdrops, featuring 12 fun and trendy characters named after the tastiest treats: Peanut Butter Bon Bon, Snickerdoodle, Lolly Pop, Fortune Cookie, Mud Pie, Apple Strudel, Whipped Cream, Popsicle, Caramel, Ginger Snap, Rainbow Jelly Drop and Roly Poly Pudding. Each colorful character includes a custom hang tag and features signature glasses, big eyes and soft, shiny materials.

Millions of Aurora’s Fancy Pals "toy pet carriers" have been sold worldwide. Kids love to take their plush friends on the go. Aurora’s Fancy Pals “Light Up” assortment features this darling pony (removable from its carrier) adorned with a big bow that lights up when squeezed.

Pammee’s popularity is on the rise. She’s cute, she’s trendy and she’s “gaga 4 you” with a perfectly pink oversized bow and pink rhinestone at her heart. Squeeze the 5” and 8” sizes and she’ll give you a smooch. The 16” is here thanks to popular demand for larger pieces.

Aurora’s Sea Sparkles line shimmers and shines its way into 2013 with an expanded offering to include new styles and sizes of the popular mermaid dolls and sea life. The Sea Sparkles collection now includes new 10”, 18”, 38” mermaids plus four 27” mermaids. Each mermaid has long yarn hair and her dress is accented with a shiny jewel (small, medium, large and extra large sizes; SRP: range from $8-$70).

RAGGEDY ANN and RAGGEDY ANDY have been part of our play culture for decades. Aurora is thrilled to work with Hasbro to bring a new generation of children into the fold of this classic and beloved brand with a new line consisting of plush dolls striking the right balance of vintage and modern elements. In addition to the classic rag doll and Fancy Pals(tm) styles, Aurora has released holiday, Valentine's Day and Spring themed versions that make great gifts any time of year. Each is handmade and features exquisite detail including fine facial features and yarn hair with the classic loop style. These are heirloom treasures that can be passed on for generations.

Fine quality, exceptional detail and soft to the touch, Aurora's Miyoni line captures the beauty of nature, featuring the world’s most popular domestic and jungle animals and North American wildlife. The line expands in 2013 with scores of new animals including the release of realistic and naturally sweet "tots". Each highlights the endearing looks and poses of younger animals.

Available in two styles, these "sitting" plush pieces are squeezably soft and bean filled; Princess Honey and Sad Sam don a pink crown and baseball cap, respectively. Launch date: January 2013.

Each snuggle style is begging to be hugged and loved. Honey is highlighted with pink bow and blushing cheeks. Launch date: January 2013.

5" YOOHOO MERMAID ASST. Part of the YooHoo & Friends Wanna Be line, these yoohoo mermaids have colorful fins and tiaras, and play fun sounds when kids sqeeze their bellies.

11" ROXIE'S FRIEND WILLS - MEDIUM features embroidered eyes, super soft plush fabric, and a bow... Meet Wills, Roxie's Friend she met in London.! He shares her exciting lifestyle and loves to travel and have fun adventures.

The beloved ragdolls are backpack. Beautifully made with fine facial features in soft brown tones and yarn hair. Has the traditional embroidered "I Love You" heart on his chest and features plastic button eyes.

The original doll with a heart is back. Beautifully made with fine facial features in soft brown tones and yarn hair with the classic loop style. Has the traditional embroidered "I Love You" heart on her chest and features plastic button eyes.

A beautifully soft and realistic dog. Also comes in a smaller 8" size. Part of the Miyoni collection - plush animals made with superior materials and great attention to detail.

Aurora's newest Fancy Pal lets kids carry their plush pet backpack style. This shimmery backpack with wave like detail comes with a 7" sparkly orange clownfish.