INDUSTRY UPDATE Mattel has sold more than 6 billion individual Hot Wheels cars during its 50year history. Mattel also entered a worldwide licensing agreement with National Geographic to create a new Barbie product line and content centered around exploration, science, conservation, and research. The new products will be available at retailers nationwide this fall. »
MOOSE TOYS ENTERS PARTNERSHIP WITH ASMODEE
Moose Toys entered into a strategic partnership with Asmodee in France, following its acquisition of the Scruff-a-Luvs brand and UK-based Worlds Apart last fall. The agreement enables Moose to expand the reach of new and existing brands in the region. Initially, the focus will include the Fortnite, Wrapples, and Treasure X brands. The partnership will not have any impact on Moose Toys’ current distributors or its existing portfolios. »
TRU GEOFFREYMOBILE SOLD AT AUCTION
Created as a parade vehicle that debuted on Nov. 28, 1980, at the National Rod, Custom, and Van Show at the New York Coliseum, the Geoffreymobile served as a family ride for Geoffrey the Giraffe, his wife Gigi, son Geoffrey Jr., and daughter Baby Gee. Robert Teel of Teel Auctions purchased the Geoffreymobile last summer, and it sold at auction this month, complete with its original trailer, for between $50,000 and $200,000. »
POCKET.WATCH EXPANDS RYAN’S WORLD INTO GLOBAL LIFESTYLE BRAND
Following last year’s foray into toys, pocket.watch unveiled plans to turn Ryan’s World—based on the kid-host of YouTube channel Ryan ToysReview—into “a true global lifestyle franchise.” The expansion of Ryan’s World is anchored by new partnerships and licensees, including Just Play, Jada Toys, Kids Preferred, American Greetings, and Zak Designs. pocket.watch will extend Ryan World’s beyond toys and introduce new categories, including sleepwear, backpacks, lunch kits and accessories, Halloween costumes, party goods, social expressions, hydration, and furniture. Additionally, pocket.watch is working alongside Accessory Innovations, Komar Kids, High Point, Handcraft, Fun World, Sun-Staches, Idea Nuova, Far Out Toys, Walmart, and others to create a range of Ryan’s World apparel, back to school items, home goods, accessories, seasonal toys, and wheel goods. »
RETAIL SHIPMENTS LEVEL OFF, BUT INDUSTRY TARIFF CONCERNS REMAIN
Following a months-long rush that saw retail shipments at major ports rise to record levels in an effort to beat increasing tariffs on goods from China, things have leveled off—for now. Data from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates’ Global Port Tracker shows shipments normalizing, with decreases expected in the months ahead. Still, concerns for the toy industry loom on the horizon.
Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of The Toy Association, says “the core issue now for toys is the potential escalation of the third tranche of tariffs from 10 percent to 25 percent on March 1.” »
HASBRO ANNOUNCES NEW POWER RANGERS GAME, MONOPOLY MOVIE
Hasbro and Lionsgate partnered with nWay, the developer and publisher behind the mobile game Power Rangers: Legacy Wars, for a new cross-platform fighting game, Power Rangers: Battle for the Grid. The game will be available for digital download on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch in April, with a PC release later this year. Also, nearly four years after its initial announcement, Hasbro and Lionsgate will reportedly bring Monopoly to life as a live-action film starring Kevin Hart (Jumanji, The Upside). Deadline reports that Hart’s Ride Along collaborator Tim Story (Shaft, Fantastic Four) will helm the project. »
PLAYMOBIL JOINS WILDBRAIN YOUTUBE NETWORK
Playmobil appointed WildBrain to exclusively manage its YouTube content. The two-year agreement includes 15 short, animated videos featuring Playmobil figures. The videos will debut on a variety of channels in the WildBrain network in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, German, and Portuguese. » STAY CONNECTED!
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toybook.com | FEBRUARY 2019 | THE TOY BOOK
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