TDmonthly Magazine!
June 2013 | Vol. XII - No. 6


Tools:


Toys in the News: 6-28-13


SUBMIT your news to TDmonthly.
See previous toy industry news.


Toys in the News is updated Mon-Fri at 9:15 am PST

Jeff Bunker: The Man Behind The 'Disney Infinity' Toy Design. June 28, 2013
— A big part of the positivity around Skylanders was the artisan talents...

An Online Toy Company Turns to Facebook for Design Ideas. June 28, 2013 — Toy companies like Lego have experimented here and there with crowdsourcing...

Google Takes Aim At Gaming Market With New Android Video Game Console. June 28, 2013 — Google Inc. is developing a video game console based on its Android operating system, according

Kid Brands Announces Change in Director Nominee Slate. June 28, 2013 — Kid Brands, Inc. (NYSE: KID) today announced that Mr. Hugh Rovit, who is one of six current members of the Company's Board of Directors...

Toy retailer owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway gets brainy. June 28, 2013 — Oriental Trading Company, a direct retailer of value-priced party supplies, arts and crafts, toys, novelties...

Hasbro Receives Environmental Merit Award by U.S. EPA. June 27, 2013
— Hasbro, Inc. (NAS: HAS) was selected today as a recipient of an Environmental Merit Award...

The Past And Future Of America's Biggest Retailers. June 27, 2013 — It's an anniversary that most Americans can celebrate — the birthday of the big-box store...

OUYA: Fun for Hackers, But Not Ready for Retail. June 27, 2013 — The $99 OUYA game console hit store shelves Tuesday, months after a mega-successful Kickstarter...

Activision Explains the ‘Winning Strategy’ of Skylanders. June 27, 2013 — Skylanders has been an unbelievable success. It’s been less than two years since the launch of Skylanders...

Fred & Friends Recalls Baby Rattles Due to Choking Hazard. June 27, 2013 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a recall of 47,500 “Buff Baby” baby rattles from Easy Aces, Inc. d/b/a Fred & Friends. The rattle’s end cap can separate, releasing small parts, posing a choking hazard to small children. Consumers should immediately take these rattles away from young children and contact Fred & Friends to receive a full refund.  

Mattel Fights 'He-Man' Comic Book Author Over Franchise Rights. June 26, 2013
— As Sony is reportedly working on a movie reboot of the classic 1980s...

Toy company makes donation to Levine Children's Hospital. June 26, 2013 — A German toy company that recently moved their headquarters to Charlotte is already doing good in the community...

Toy industry vs. Internet discounting: no time for play. June 25, 2013
— Low-price Internet retailers are the scourge of many specialty industries these days, including toys...

Toy Industry Hall of Fame to Locate at Toy HOF. June 25, 2013 — The great minds of the toy industry will be honored alongside the famous...

LeapFrog Announces New Kids Tablet, LeapPad Ultra. June 25, 2013 — Have you ever given a kid your iPad only to have them drop it...

A play-by-play account of Lego's decline and resurrection. June 24, 2013
— Walk around the original Legoland in the tiny Danish town of Billund, and it is...

3D-Printed Toy, Bug Poo Take Research Art Awards. June 24, 2013 — Typically, you have to crack open the candy shell of a Kinder Surprise egg to find out what kind of toy surprise...

The Kendama: Can A Wooden Toy Be A Viral Sensation? June 24, 2013 — At a time when young people of all ages are focused on electronics and apps, the popularity of the kendama...

Some online retailers opening real stores. June 24, 2013 — For a growing number of Internet retailers, offline is the new online...

NRF Welcomes FTC Investigation Of Patent Litigation Abuse. June 21, 2013
The National Retail Federation welcomed today’s announcement that the Federal Trade Commission plans to investigate “patent trolls”...

From Classic Toys To New Twists, Kids Go Back To Blocks. June 21, 2013 — I visited Toy Fair in New York City hunting for ideas for our summer series about kids' culture...

Amazon Builds Out Kindle Content for Kids. June 21, 2013 — Amazon  has added more new content from Disney, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, and Electronic Arts to its Kindle FreeTime Unlimited...

'Invizimals' Challenges 'Skylanders' With TV Show And Panini Cards. June 21, 2013 — The PSP franchise Invizimals had been somewhat out gunned by the rise in the toy-meets-video-game genre...

Tokyo toy show enthralls kids. June 21, 2013 — A toy helicopter created from cannibalized smartphones was among the main attractions at a huge toy show in Tokyo yesterday...

LIMA honors the year’s top licensed properties and products. June 20, 2013
With more than US$1 billion in retail sales under its wing, Activision’s Skylanders...

Faber-Castell adds exec with creativity credentials. June 20, 2013 — Art suppliers and writing instrument supplier Faber-Castell USA named Delanie West...

Jakks Pacific courts Spanish-speaking consumers. June 20, 2013 — Leading U.S. toymaker Jakks Pacific has expanded its licensing agreement with Televisa...

Mattel to Expand Licensing Deals. June 20, 2013 — Mattel Inc. on Tuesday announced a series of new or extended licensing agreements for properties...

Hasbro Builds on MY LITTLE PONY Brand Growth Catering to Fans Worldwide. June 20, 2013 — Hasbro, Inc. today announced that its global licensing program supporting the popular MY LITTLE PONY brand will touch every major category

National Retail Federation Recognizes 'Heroes Of Main Street'. June 20, 2013 — The National Retail Federation today, in conjunction with National Small Business Week, recognized a bipartisan group...

Strollers Recalled by Kolcraft Due to Projectile Hazard. June 20, 2013 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a recall of about 96,000( in U.S., and about 510 in Canada) Jeep Liberty Strollers from Kolcraft, sold at Burlington Coat Factory, Sears and Toys R Us nationwide, online and at other mass market and independent juvenile specialty stores from June 2010 through June 2013 for between $150 and $180. The inner tube of the tire on the stroller can rupture causing the wheel rim to fracture and fly off as a projectile, posing a risk of bodily injury and property damage. Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact the company to receive free replacement wheels.

LeapFrog Enterprises is getting ready to jump. June 19, 2013
— When it comes to parenting and spending on educational toys there is no such thing...

From kiosks to smartphones, tech-savvy shoppers driving big changes in retail. June 19, 2013 — In the new retail frontier, 12-foot kiosks replace full-sized stores, smartphones are daily shopping companions...

BeBeLove Recalls Baby Bath Seats Due to Drowning Hazard. June 19, 2013 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has announced a recall of about 5,600 Baby Bath Seats from BeBeLove, sold at Amazon.com, Diapers.com, Overstock.com and other online retailers from May 2011 through November 2012 for between $19 and $30. The bath seats can tip over, posing a risk of drowning to babies. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled bath seats and contact BeBeLove for a full refund.

Hot Wheels® Enters Into Licensing Partnership With Toy State®. June 19, 2013 — Hot Wheels® announced today a new licensing partnership with Toy State®, a leading manufacturer of licensed and highly stylized lights and sound toy vehicles...

Tokyo Toy Show 2013 – Japanese Toys are Serious Business. June 19, 2013 — The International Tokyo Toy Fair was held at Tokyo Big Sight on was held from June 13th to 16th...

Nickelodeon Announces Cartwheel Kids As Master Toy Licensee For Hit, Reimagined CG-Animated Preschool Series, Peter Rabbit. June 19, 2013 — Nickelodeon today announced a multi-year master toy license agreement for Cartwheel Kids to manufacture, distribute and market a line of toys and products based on the hit, reimagined CG-animated preschool series, Peter Rabbit...

Mattel's Licensing Strategy Is One Of Its Strengths. June 18, 2013
Licensing has become an integral part of toy marketing. According to the NPD Group...

Hasbro flocks together with Angry Birds creator. June 18, 2013 — Hasbro will be developing toys and physical games based on the globally popular Angry Birds...

National Retail Federation To Support Small Business Week Through Digital, Research Initiatives. June 18, 2013 — The National Retail Federation, in support of the Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week, will promote retail entrepreneurship...

Mattel Brands and Fisher-Price Transform Licensing Approach for Global Growth, Creating Category Statements with Evergreen Brands and New Franchises. June 18, 2013 — Mattel® Brands and Fisher-Price® are transforming their licensing approach to stay better connected to consumers worldwide by creating a new global structure...

Disney's 'Infinity' Is a Toy Box Like No Other. June 18, 2013 — When I was a child I used to love to play with all my toys at once...

US video game retail sales fall 25 percent in May. June 18, 2013 — U.S. retail sales of video games, hardware and accessories declined 25 percent in May...

‘Star Wars,’ Marvel to Boost Disney’s Already Dominant Licensing Biz. June 18, 2013 — When it comes to licensing, Disney is the undisputed king of the castle...

Toys "R" Us first quarter loss widens to $111 million. June 17, 2013
Toys "R" Us reported a loss of $111 million for its first quarter, widening by 85 percent the $60 million loss from the comparable period last year...

Fat Brain Toy Co. launches new toy: Squigz. June 17, 2013 — Fat Brain Toys’ latest toy, “Squigz,” which the Elkhorn company playfully describes as “fun little suckers,” will be on the shelves...

Wicked Cool Toys Announces Hong Kong Partner, Wicked Cool Toys Factory and Expansive Manufacturing Capabilities. June 17, 2013 — Wicked Cool Toys announces seasoned Hong Kong toy manufacturer Thomas Poon as their new partner and President of Wicked Cool (HK) Limited...

Local Fisher Price boss attracted by joy of toy business. June 17, 2013 — Geoff Walker, the new executive vice president of the Fisher-Price Global Brands Team in East Aurora...

Rembert Explains America: A Terrifying, Beautiful Day at the National Toy Hall of Fame. June 17, 2013 — An "authentic" Rochester experience this was not. Driving into the upstate New York town...

The Toy Story at E3: Why Videogame Makers Are Also Pushing Physical Toys This Year. June 14, 2013
In theory, E3 is about the virtual stuff: The games and gaming-related services...

The toys are back in town – Tokyo plays host to fair. June 14, 2013 — Where else would you find the world’s weirdest, wildest toy show but in Japan...

Tablets, smartphones steal scene at Tokyo toy show. June 14, 2013 — A toy helicopter created from cannibalised smartphones was among the main attractions...

Lego people are right to be angry – they have to live with Barbie. June 14, 2013 — So Lego faces are getting angrier – but parents should be more concerned about gender stereotyping in their children's toys...

Employment and Retail Sales Record Recent Gains. June 14, 2013 — Economists were encouraged by reports on Thursday that applications last week for unemployment...

Retail Sales Up Nearly 5 Percent From Last Year. June 13, 2013
Improved consumer confidence and spending helped drive retail sales in May. According to...

Retail sales, jobs data show underlying economic strength. June 13, 2013 — Retail sales rose more than expected in May and first-time applications for jobless...

In the Search for Success: The Toy Industry Is No Fun. June 13, 2013 — I've always dreamed of becoming successful by creating characters for books, games, and movies...

Stride Rite Recalls Girl’s Sandals Due to Choking Hazard. June 13, 2013 — The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of about 7,500 “Joanna” Girl’s Sandals from Stride Rite, sold at Stride Rite stores and other department stores nationwide and online at striderite.com and various online retailers from December 2011 through May 2013 for between $30 and $42. The metal flower on the shoe can detach, posing a choking hazard.

Hasbro Or Mattel: Which Toy Maker Is The Better Dividend Play? June 13, 2013 — There are certain things in life you are just going to have...

Total U.S. Shopper Traffic in Retail Stores and Malls for May 2013. June 12, 2013
Shopper activity had a healthy gain last month. Retail foot traffic increased 9% in May...

Dokidoki! PreCure, Kyoryuger, Kamen Rider Wizard Win Japan Toy Award 2013. June 12, 2013 — The Japan Toy Association announced the winners of the sixth annual Japan Toy Award...

Is Taking Hasbro Talent a Win for LeapFrog? June 12, 2013 — LeapFrog has just hired Ken Adams as its new SVP of sales, a move that at first glance looks excellent...

LeapFrog (LF) Names Ken Adams VP of Sales. June 11, 2013
LeapFrog Enterprises announced that Ken Adams has joined the company as senior vice president of sales...

Retailer's lawsuit challenges credit card industry. June 11, 2013 — A Nashville retailer's ongoing lawsuit against credit card giant Visa could have...

No Tie-Ins. No Touch Screens. No Apps. June 10, 2013
— After 25 years, Melissa & Doug sticks with the basics...

Let Toys Be Toys Compares 1970s Toy Catalogue To Toy Marketing Today. June 10, 2013 — Walk into any toy store and you'll notice a considerable amount of pink...

Teaching Architecture with Kids' Toys. June 10, 2013 — There’s plenty of talk about all the new, cool kids’ technology toys...

Former Dow Chemical VP named to doll company board. June 10, 2013 — One World Holdings has appointed Wilma Delaney, former VP of federal, state and provincial...

LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra shows off its insides at the FCC. June 7, 2013
If you've got kids, or just like pretending you still are one on weekends...

Hasbro Comic-Con exclusives star Marvel, 'Jem', 'Pony'. June 7, 2013 — Lines are inevitably part of every San Diego Comic-Con attendee's convention experience...

Retail Industry Adds 28,000 Jobs In May. June 7, 2013 — The National Retail Federation issued the following statements on employment numbers released today by the Labor Department...

Ecommerce: Retail Friend or Foe? June 6, 2013
The Internet, has it turned out to be friend or foe of retail...

Disney Infinity: Lone Ranger Play Set Announced. June 6, 2013 — The Lone Ranger has been announced as the fifth play set for Disney Infinity...

Retail sales warm up in May amid good weather, stock market surge. June 6, 2013 — Retail sales in May had their best month since January, as warmer weather...

Kids without their smartphones are zombies. And that's a good thing. June 6, 2013 — This week, two of my favourite ZDNet colleagues have written articles about...

Safari Ltd® Announces New Vice President. June 5, 2013 —
Safari Ltd®, family-owned manufacturer and worldwide distributor of museum-quality, educational toys, is pleased to announce the promotion of Christina Pariente to Vice President.

Cuddly toys let your smartphone love you back. June 5, 2013 — We've always thought smartphones needed to be more cuddly. When we all got our very first...

NRF Launches Retail Industry Job Board. June 5, 2013 — The National Retail Federation today announced the launch of Retail Jobs powered by NRF, a unique recruiting and search tool developed for retailers and job seekers...

NRF Welcomes White House Announcement On Patent Litigation Abuse. June 5, 2013 — The National Retail Federation welcomed today’s White House announcement on plans to rein in “patent trolls"...

Concern over angry faces on LEGO mini-figures - expert. June 4, 2013
The number of happy faces on LEGO toy mini-figures is decreasing and the number...

Sales Tax Reform: Offline Retailers Should Be Careful What They Wish for. June 4, 2013 — Consumers have become accustomed to "tax-free" online shopping, but the game is about to change...

ARTS Announces New Additions To Board Of Directors, Newly-Created Executive Committee. June 4, 2013 — The Association for Retail Technology Standards (ARTS), a division of the National Retail Federation, today announced the addition of three new board members...

The Real Reason Amazon Flip-Flopped On Internet Sales Taxes. June 3, 2013
Proponents of the Marketplace Fairness Act claim it’s about fairness to traditional retailers and cash-strapped...

ASUS Teases Android-Powered Batman Toy On Google+ with "WeTransform" Slogan. June 3, 2013 — ASUS has some announcements brewing for Computex in a few days, and they’re teasing...

Sony and Lego Team Up To Put Videogame Tech Into Lego Bricks. June 3, 2013 — In an unlikely partnership, tech giant Sony and toy manufacturer Lego are joining forces...

Tips for Parents to Prevent Summer Brain Drain. June 3, 2013
— Each summer, parents look for ways to combat “summer brain drain,” which...

D.C. Council committee to vote on ‘living wage’ bill for major retailers. May 31, 2013 — A D.C. Council bill that would require some city retailers to pay a higher minimum wage...

Disney Sued for Billions Over 'Pirates of the Caribbean' Films. May 31, 2013 — Royce Mathew, a Florida-based author of supernatural adventure stories, is looking to shine...

Mattel Sends Barbie on a Road Trip to Find a New Home. May 31, 2013 — Barbie's going real-estate shopping. Mattel is kicking off a major North American tour...

Gameloft & Mattel Team-up to Launch 'UNO(TM) & Friends'. May 31, 2013 — It's time for fans of UNO™, the classic family card game, to rejoice...

Monopoly: Forgotten rule could put an end to those drawn-out family games. May 31, 2013 — Thousands of family gatherings have descended into bickering and boredom since Monopoly...







THIS BANNER IS AN AD:






Back to TDmonthly's front page

Advertise on TDmonthly


Related Product Archives

Drone Home Game
By PlayMonster LLC
» More Information

STEM Robot Mouse Coding Activity Set
By LEARNING RESOURCES INC.
» More Information

37 Key Digital Baby Grand Piano
By SCHOENHUT PIANO COMPANY
» More Information


Related Articles
·Toy Industry Adapts to 'Underconsumption Core' Trend
(11/1/2024)
·Toy Companies Diversify Product Lines to Engage New Consumer Segments
(11/1/2024)
·Empowering Play: How the 'Healthy Heroes' Trend is Shaping Child Development in 2025
(11/1/2024)
·Is Electronic Arts wedded to the video game dinosaur – the consoles?
(3/1/2016)
·March Staff Picks
(3/1/2016)
·Hasbro Reports Third Quarter 2020 Financial Results
(10/1/2020)


Also See
·Board Games Controversies Due To Offensive Content
(12/1/2024)
·Vintage Board Games Have Become Highly Sought-After Collectibles, Surpassing The Value Of Your Nikes
(12/1/2024)
·Top Selling This Week 11/13/24
(11/1/2024)
·Top Board Game Hashtags and Market Trends for 2024
(11/1/2024)
·Top Toys This Week 11/21/24
(11/1/2024)
·Catan: The Rise, Reach, and Reckoning of a Modern Classic
(11/1/2024)
















Advertisement: