October 23, 2026
Mattel added a director from its largest shareholder as a report said another investor is weighing a proxy fight, JAKKS Pacific grew third-quarter sales 20%, and LEGO signed Daft Punk and a new Ducati Technic motorcycle. Plus Domino's Minecraft pizza boxes, new data on the squishy and kidult booms, Blokees' 900-product showing in Shanghai and a 10th-anniversary Mechs vs. Minions.
Mattel Puts an EdgePoint Partner on Its Board as Semafor Reports Southeastern Is Weighing a Proxy Fight
Mattel said on Oct. 21 that it signed a cooperation agreement with EdgePoint Investment Group, which owns about 18% of the company, and appointed EdgePoint partner Lee Matheson to its board. Mattel says the agreement includes customary voting, standstill and confidentiality provisions and will be filed with the SEC. "We welcome Lee to Mattel's Board," said Chairman and CEO Roger Lynch, calling EdgePoint the company's "longstanding and largest shareholder."
The same day, Semafor reported that another big holder, Southeastern Asset Management, is preparing a possible proxy fight to push Mattel toward a sale, citing people familiar with the matter. Semafor said Southeastern's plans could change and no decision has been made, and that under Mattel's bylaws an investor can generally nominate only two directors. It also reported that Ariel Investments has told other investors change is needed. Mattel told Semafor it engages with all shareholders and declined further comment. Mattel reports third-quarter results on Nov. 5.
JAKKS Pacific Grows Q3 Sales 20% to $254.2 Million as Dolls, Role-Play and Dress-Up Jump 29%
JAKKS Pacific reported third-quarter net sales of $254.2 million on Oct. 22, up 20% from a year earlier. Toys and consumer products rose 23% to $192.0 million and costumes rose 13% to $62.2 million. Dolls, role-play and dress-up sales climbed 29% to $119 million, and action play and collectibles rose 19% to $63 million. North America sales were $209 million, up 28%, while international sales fell 4% to $45 million. Net income attributable to common stockholders was $29.9 million, or $2.48 per diluted share, up from $19.9 million, or $1.74, a year ago.
"Having successfully navigated the high tariff turmoil, we are driving our business forward," said Chairman and CEO Stephen Berman, pointing to the 2027 line it recently showed the trade.
Source: JAKKS Pacific
LEGO and Daft Punk Announce a Partnership, Starting With a Fan-Designed Concert Set
The LEGO Group and Daft Punk announced a partnership on Oct. 22 covering products, content and experiences. First up, LEGO is putting the Daft Punk Concert, a LEGO Ideas fan design that recreates the pyramid stage from the duo's 2007 Alive tour, into development as an official set. It was designed by Luxembourg-based fan Patrick Harboun and won LEGO Ideas' Music to Our Ears challenge in 2020. LEGO says current images show the fan model, not the final product, and it has not announced a price or release date.
"Like the LEGO brand, Daft Punk inspires generations through creativity, innovation and a deep connection with fans," said Julia Goldin, the LEGO Group's chief product and marketing officer, who called the deal "just the beginning of a bigger journey."
Source: The LEGO Group
LEGO Technic Adds a 457-Piece Ducati Desmo450 MX Factory Motocross Bike (42238)
Ducati and the LEGO Group announced on Oct. 23 a new LEGO Technic set of the Desmo450 MX Factory, the race-ready version of Ducati's first motocross bike. The 457-piece model for ages 10 and up has working steering, front and rear suspension, and an engine mechanism driven by a chain connected to the rear axle, according to Ducati. It is the brands' second Technic collaboration, after the Panigale V4 R in 2020. Ducati lists the set at 49.99 euros; in the U.S. it is $49.95 on Amazon, sold by Amazon.com.
Pros: Working steering and suspension for under $50; a licensed Ducati model that suits motocross fans 10 and up.
Cons: At 457 pieces it is a quick build for experienced Technic fans; motocross may appeal less to kids who want a street bike.
Source: Ducati
Domino's Puts Minecraft Dungeons II Characters on Six Collectible Pizza Boxes Starting Oct. 26
Domino's says its tie-in with Minecraft Dungeons II is the game's first-ever brand partnership. Starting Oct. 26, customers who buy a Domino, the chain's new made-for-one pizza, get one of six collectible boxes featuring Corrupted Creeper, Prime Enchanter, Valorie, Zombie, Pig and Creeper, while supplies last. Domino's Rewards members who order a Domino online unlock one of three random in-game items: a Domino's Skin, a Slice Slayer Cape or a Cheesy Cube Pet. From Oct. 26 to Nov. 4, Domino's is also giving away 2,000 game tokens a day, 20,000 in all.
Source: Domino's Pizza via PR Newswire
Squishies Go From $24 Million to $280 Million: A Florida Fidget Shop Shows the Craze Up Close
Business Observer profiled Faith Bench, a former Manatee County math teacher whose Fidget Toys Plus store near Sarasota opens Friday through Sunday and is usually sold out by the end of the weekend. Known as "Mrs. Bench," she has 6.7 million TikTok followers and nearly 2.9 million YouTube subscribers and pioneered "fidget trading," in-person swapping of sensory toys. The paper cited Circana data showing U.S. squishy sales through August rose to $280 million from $24 million a year earlier. Most of her items sell for about $2 to $8, and NeeDoh and Ja-Ru squishies are among the best sellers.
Source: Business Observer
Kidults: 65% of U.S. Adults Spent $100 or More on Play for Themselves, Harris Poll Finds
CNBC Make It reported on Oct. 23 that in a Harris Poll survey of 2,158 U.S. adults, 65% said they spent $100 or more on playful products or activities for themselves between June 2025 and June 2026, and 13% spent $500 or more. CNBC also cited Circana data showing adult-only households accounted for 55% of U.S. toy sales in the first half of 2026, "slightly outpacing households with children." "Adults are now the single largest contributor to toy industry growth," PwC's Ali Furman told CNBC.
Source: CNBC
Blokees Shows More Than 900 Products at the China Toy Expo, Including Its First Mega Man HERO10 Figures
Assembly-figure maker Blokees showed more than 900 products at the 2026 China Toy Expo in Shanghai, Oct. 21-23. More than 30 hero figures made their debut, including Mega Man HERO10 Series 1, along with model kits from 13 licenses such as Transformers, Naruto, Hatsune Miku and Pokémon. Its BLOKEES WHEELS line showed Transformers C05 and CT04 in full color for the first time.
Source: Blokees via PR Newswire
Mechs vs. Minions Returns for Its 10th Anniversary With a £74.99 Bandle City Edition
Hachette Boardgames UK is bringing back Riot Games' cooperative League of Legends campaign game Mechs vs. Minions for its 10th anniversary, releasing in November. It comes in three versions: a £74.99 Bandle City Edition with new art, acrylic standees and built-in storage that Hachette says is ready to play in under 15 minutes; the £199.99 Classic Edition with 106 miniatures; and a £39.99 set of unpainted miniatures. Pre-orders are through Hachette Boardgames UK and its retail partners; no U.S. release has been announced.
Pros: A cheaper, faster-to-set-up way into a cooperative campaign game; works with the classic minis.
Cons: U.K. pre-order only for now; the Classic Edition costs nearly £200.
Source: Hachette Boardgames UK
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