Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
Happy Bloomin' Friday!
It is Labor Day weekend and while most of us think of it as the unofficial end of summer, at its heart it's a celebration of the people behind the work. That seems especially fitting for this week's Bloom Report.
Our two feature interviews introduce you to people at different points in their toy industry journeys. Anthony Elder, founder of Stimeez, entered our industry after his nephews' autism diagnoses opened his eyes to the world of sensory play. He said he didn't have all the answers, so he found people who did—and built something better because of them. Anthony begins his interview wondering when he officially gets to say he's “in” the toy industry. Well, Anthony registered today to exhibit at our Chicago Toy & Game Fair, so we'd say it's official. Welcome to the toy industry!
And then there's Liam O'Malley, one of the people behind the Bloom Report you are reading right now. This week marks one year since Liam took over its weekly production—taking the many links and stories we collect and turning them into the Bloom Report that lands in your inbox. His favorite project? The Bloom Report, which he calls “this massive pillar of history for the industry.” His mantra is “If you stop learning, you stop living,” which feels right at home in an industry built on curiosity, creativity and new ideas.
Two different stories, but the same reminder: nothing worthwhile gets built alone. Behind every toy, every event—and yes, every Bloom Report—are people bringing their talents, curiosity and hard work to make it happen.
Thank you to all the people behind the play!
Mary
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Anthony Elder Talks Building Stimeez, The Design Process, and Making Toys That Address Kids' Needs
Hi Anthony, thank you for exhibiting at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair this year and taking time to share your story with us. What do you do in our industry?
I’m still wondering at what point I officially get to say I’m “in” the toy industry. Does somebody send me a badge?
Until then, I’m the founder and creative director of Stimeez, a character-driven inclusive play universe shaped by neurodivergent needs. I spend my days somewhere between character design, product development, packaging, manufacturing, marketing, fundraising, sales, and asking people with much more toy experience than me an exhausting number of questions.
Why and how did you get into the toy and game industry?
I’m a designer and creative director by trade. I’ve spent my career building brand worlds for others across agency settings, in-house, and with my own independent practice. READ MORE
Liam O'Malley Talks Working on the Bloom Report, Collecting Toys, and Innovation in the Toy Industry
Hey Liam, hard to believe it’s been a year you became part of the Bloom Report team! For starters, why don’t you share what you do in our industry?
I currently work as the Content & Digital Communications Specialist at the Toy Association. That means I handle setting up emails, web designs/updates and a variety of other tasks on the backend that help move things along. The work many of our readers will know me from is handling production on the Bloom Report, which I have been honored to work on for over a year now.
Why and how did you get into the toy and game industry?
I believe the best way to describe it is a hobby turned passion, and a stroke of luck.
When I was in my late 20s I was helping care for my grandma and so I stayed close to home and watched a lot of comics, manga, anime, video games. I got interested in trying to get some figures from those series and was blown away by how far the industry had come. READ MORE
Cartoon Lovers, Lexophiles & People in Need of a Smile!
Cartoon of the Week: Another wonderful cartoon submitted this week!
Do you have a cartoon, quote or a joke to share? Send it to Mary.
Memorable Quotes: “Empathy is the most radical of human emotions.” — GLORIA STEINEM
Toy Industry Word of Day: If you can think of a toy/game industry word not in our POPDictionary, add it and we will connect it to you POP profile, feature it here in an upcoming week and on POP's homepage!

Happiest of Birthdays to our colleagues celebrating birthdays the past week
| Michael Kristula Dougal Grimes Azhelle Wade Race Paul Caroline Hartley Bill Celeste Rick Goren |
Steve Rad Reyn Guyer Barbara Jane Frenger Mike Wood Gwen Austin Ron Stuart |
The deal hands the board game publishing and distribution giant control of a flip-and-write series which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies since Benoit Turpin's breakout design Welcome To Your Perfect Home was released in 2018.
Sony could be eligible to pay settlement money to PlayStation users due to anti-competitive conduct, as the company has allegedly attempted to create a monopoly on digital PlayStation games.
The company said it now expects $500 million to $525 million in annual sales, down from its previous guidance of $530 million to $550 million.
Higher import duties, tougher safety standards and government support have helped Indian manufacturers claw back a share of India’s toy market, where cheap imports, particularly from China, once held a dominant position.
The financial impact from the incident is estimated at $25 million.
Regulators say the e-commerce giant forced more than a million advertisers to pay more than they should have. The company denies the claims.
The discount retailer says it now expects sales of $5.63 billion to $5.71 billion for the year, up from its forecast from June for $5.4 billion to $5.48 billion.
Toy experts at Argos have unveiled their annual predictions for the toys set to dominate letters to Father Christmas this year.
2027 is packed with new ways to build, collect, play, create, and connect.
We’ve seen how quickly things go viral before, from cultural phenomena such as ‘girl math’ to Labubus, so what makes the resurgence of interest in a toy many of us remember from our childhoods feel different?
Discover the toy trends dominating August 2026 — from back-to-school Arts & Crafts to viral sensory toys on TikTok. See what retailers are stocking.
For the September issue of Toy World, Circana’s Rory Partis examines the Infant/Toddler & Pre-school category.
With over 450 toys, games, collectibles and gifts, this year's A.B.Gee Christmas Catalogue is packed with an impressive line-up of leading brands.
For many board game designers, signing a game with a publisher is a key step on the path to getting it made. But licensing contracts can be intimidating. So what should designers know before signing? What’s typical in the industry?
The September issue of Toy World landed on desks over last weekend and the early part of this week (unlike some other titles, we prefer not to put the issue online a week or two before anyone will see the print edition, because that would be cheating...).
From LA to London, the industry packs its bags for a fall season loaded with previews, partnerships, and plenty of face time.
Everyone defines “fun” a little differently, and ideally the place we live should match our personal interests and favorite ways to spend free time.
Inside The Toy Association's work in Washington, where advocacy, education, and industry engagement are helping shape what comes next for toys.
"I’ve been intrigued lately with conversations I’ve been having with people dealing with AI in customer service. It’s a challenge. My virtual ears perked up particularly when I read that New Orleans, Seattle, and Atlanta, to name three, are using AI to answer 911 calls."
A growing number of people are rediscovering their love of plastic bricks in later life and boosting the Danish company’s bottom line.
A Q&A with First Round Capital's Arielle Jackson on the "founders-as-content-creators" trend, if press attracts investors, and why "AI-powered" isn't a brand position.
Something essential has been missing from the national conversation about what it will take to improve and sustain early childhood education.
Laura Bornfreund on how schools, families and policymakers can transform kindergarten to better support young children.
Calling all Tamagotchi parents! The days of small, wearable, digital pets are back. Meet Peekimo, an adorable interactive, digital pet that responds to both voice and touch with more than 100 different reactions.
While the origins of Yahtzee and its inspirations date back to at least 1938 with the dice game Yacht, the present-day and commercial version of Yahtzee was patented by Edwin Lowe in 1956.
The San Diego toy store chain supplies San Diego’s children — and schools and charities — with trending and classic toys and games.
New York Times Games is excited to introduce bonus puzzles, an exciting new offering available to Games and All Access subscribers.
Clarity Estate Liquidation recently listed a massive fire sale as Phil Tippett was closing his animation studio in Berkeley.
If you're a gaming history buff, then you likely know all about the landmark 1983 Universal case in which Nintendo had to defend the right to keep using Donkey Kong.
"The Transformers: The Movie" shocked kids in 1986. Forty years later, its characters, soundtrack, and emotional legacy power a broad new anniversary push.
Released by Kohner in 1968, Headache featured the company’s signature Pop-O-Matic bubble in a game that emphasized direct pursuit rather than a traditional race to the finish.
Corgi celebrates 60 years of Batman with a 1:50-scale Red Wheels Batmobile, recreating one of the company’s rarest die-cast releases.
Funko is launching new Bitty Pop! Stages for the hit Netflix animated movie musical, *KPop Demon Hunters*, featuring HUNTR/X singers Rumi, Mira and Zoey.
The official Pokemon channel has released the first teaser trailer for the intriguing new series, which is a collaboration between The Pokemon Company and Aardman
The Pokemon Company has unveiled a new movie which is based on the popular Pokemon Trading Card Game which is titled, Pokemon: Wild Card.
In celebration of one of the most beloved anime franchises, Burger King is launching a limited-time Dragon Ball Super menu packed with bold flavors and immersive packaging designed to delight guests of all ages.
Hasbro and Fathom Entertainment are bringing back The Transformers: The Movie for the animated film's 40th anniversary this month, which arrives at a bittersweet time for Transformers fans.
Panini brings speed and nostalgia through a collection of trading cards inspired by SEGA’s Sonic the Hedgehog.
Usagyuuun!, Piyomaru, SugarCubs, and Betakkuma will anchor a new toy and consumer products program across North America and EMEA beginning in 2027.
Bikini Bottom and the Grand Line are officially on a collision course at McDonald’s with a mash-up series of Happy Meal toys.
The toy industry’s fall travel season is about to kick into high gear, and The Toy Book’s latest issue is packed for the trip.
25 years of magic brings spellbinding partnerships and licensed merchandise.
YouTuber Hank Green is launching a new content platform, ClockwiseTV. The platform features ad-free, curated videos from STEAM creators.
It was announced in 2023 that the streamer was working with writer Gary Dauberman and James Wan’s Atomic Monster to develop a live-action version of the beloved Disney animated series, which aired from 1994 to 1997.
Noah Jupe will be the latest actor to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the “Hamnet” and “A Quiet Place” star tapped to play a top-secret role in “Avengers: Secret Wars.”
A former boy-band member has turned his remixes of classic nursery rhymes into a global touring sensation.
The high-energy tune and video remixes Elmo’s ‘Jumping in Puddles’ and Peppa Pig’s ‘Jumping in Muddy Puddles’.
Central to this celebration of Godzilla's unparalleled seven-decade legacy is a trio of remarkable instruments that capture the ferocity, power, and undeniable cool factor of Japan's most famous cinematic symbol.
Something has shifted in the licensing industry. What was once a decorative, niche category is now one of the sector's most closely watched growth stories, expanding steadily in size, reputation and importance.
Boti Global and Minto's master toy deal encompasses digital character brands Usagyuuun!, Piyomaru, SugarCubs and Betakkuma.
Launched on 1st September, Talking Tom Heroes: Suddenly Super has made its US debut across streaming, toys and gaming.
The Kotomi collectibles range launches with popular properties, with each bear featuring an authentic cosplay design and premium glass eyes.
Final Titan hits UK tabletops this Q4, featuring characters inspired by movies, video games and comic book franchises.
From Jakks Pacific, Disney Darlings encourage nurturing play whilst bringing fan-favourite Disney characters to life.
'Strawberry Shortcake's Bake Shop’ premieres Oct. 16 on YouTube.
A lifetime in the making, Mickey's silhouette serves as the foundation for a new line of premium vinyl collectibles.
Disguise is racing full speed ahead into Halloween with a new lineup of licensed costumes, led Sonic the Hedgehog.
Fast & Furious is turning 25, and Universal Products & Experiences is celebrating like a true Toretto: by going the extra mile.
The new set is part of a series of Batman releases celebrating the 20th anniversary of Lego Batman sets.
Samantha Juneman, Gerardo Leon, and Rahul Lakhwani join the company as Mattel builds out the team supporting its brand-driven growth strategy.
The new Challenge Accepted campaign pairs three global personalities with co-designed 1:64-scale vehicles and a monthlong slate of fan programming.
The Mattel Chairman and CEO will take the stage with Kevin Mayer for a conversation about Hollywood’s evolving franchise business.
The reality is that once a brand becomes successful, people try to knock it off. Counterfeiters steal our products and brands, often using unsafe, untested materials.
The Companies That Win in a Crisis Are the Ones That Were Already Focused on CX
While great toys can be sold forever, providing revenue for those that make and sell it, the patent expires, so the originator of the revenue stream, the inventor, does not get paid.
Craig will join as Group Chief Customer Officer from 7th September, bringing extensive experience of leading customer, marketing and brand transformation.
Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks has taken direct oversight of Wizards of the Coast, the company behind Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, following the departure of Wizards president John Hight.
Mattel Creations has partnered with creative visionary and fashion force, Yoon Ahn, to debut a bespoke Barbie X Yoon Ambush Doll, available exclusively at MattelCreations.com beginning September 4.
From next year, children should spend more time living their lives, not scrolling through other people’s.
Baby born is celebrating more than three decades with a TotFest partnership and the first-ever Baby born Join-In Cinema experience.
Berry and Cherry headline a new Sanrio collection as Build-A-Bear digs deeper into characters with collector appeal.
The October launch blends wildlife photography, fantasy fiction, chase cards, and binder-based collecting into a graphic novel-style TCG format.
The London toy retailer teamed with Cad & The Dandy to create 10 hand-tailored bears, as new shopper research points to the lasting pull of plush.
The retailer is leaning into analog hobbies, spooky stitching, mystery crafts, and group projects as consumers stretch Halloween well beyond October.
Shocking news from Mattel — for the first time ever, Monster High and American Girl are teaming up for a creepy-cute crossover doll.
MGA Entertainment shook up the doll aisle in 2001.
Shaping The Consumer Experience From Physical Shelf to Digital Cart
Inventday's logic-based puzzles invite a moment of peace in a world of distractions.
Brave Toys debuts CONNETIX Pro Build It 4 Ways packs, offering more challenging builds for older kids and advanced builders.
How The Entertainer partnered with Mastercard to bring a personal touch to online toy shopping.
Grab the popcorn and prepare for chaos! In partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, Gemmy is excited to announce that a new batch of animatronic Gremlins have been unleashed at The Home Depot. Available in two notorious styles.
Melissa & Doug's new Cheery Lane collection combines portable play sets, figures and vehicles designed to encourage storytelling.
The company launched “Birthday Like a Boss” in June, a music-video-led push built for Gen Alpha, the audience that asks for the party but does not pay for it.
The North American arrival of Do Not Watch This Show is another strong example of how successful children’s publishing IP can evolve into a much larger entertainment franchise.
PepsiCo is shifting its $1.7 billion global media account to Publicis Groupe, moving one of the industry’s most coveted accounts and dealing a massive blow to incumbent Omnicom.
CONNETIX, the Australian brand of premium magnetic tiles at the heart of open-ended STEAM construction play, is expanding its innovative PRO range with the introduction of the new CONNETIX PRO Build It 4 Ways packs.
New additions to the Playmobil Knights range build on the enduring appeal of the collection, bringing the classic Lion Knights versus Dragon Knights story to life.
Of course you can steal cars in this Bonnie and Clyde story. In the series's first game in 13 years, you can do almost anything else, too.
Acclaimed Japanese developer Level-5 has announced a special showcase event will be happening on 10th September and will feature about an hour of updates across multiple titles.
But that's not all that Square Enix had to reveal about the final chapter in the Final Fantasy 7 remake project.
On August 27, a federal judge upheld Oregon’s Recycling Modernization Act (RMA), ruling that the state’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) law does not violate the U.S. Constitution.
As previously reported in March and June, state legislation addressing AI companion chatbots in toys continues to move forward in New York and California, with several bills nearing final action.
With more kids than ever eager to showcase their original ideas, judges are needed to review submissions, provide feedback, and help inspire the next generation of creators.
The toy industry is taking over Los Angeles during The Toy Association’s LA Fall Preview Market Weeks, taking place September 14 to 25.
The Canadian Toy Association (CTA) will induct toy industry veteran Jeff Hurst into the CTA Hall of Fame and honor Bob Curran, Frank Gorrie, and John Murphy as the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.
The World of Toys Pavilion by Spielwarenmesse Group received a positive response following the Tokyo Toy Show.
NYCC 2026 is once again making room for the professional side of pop culture with an expanded slate of programming for industry insiders.
Far Out Toys debuted its new character-driven pullback racers during the Coke Zero Sugar 400 weekend ahead of a Walmart rollout.
The expanded booth spotlighted Toy Story 5, Star Wars, and Marvel with photo ops and products from major retail and licensing partners.
Pudgy Penguins and OpenSea bring Collector Park to New York, a one-day street festival centered around collecting culture.
The 2026 program will honor standout products, brands, retail programs, and collaborations across nine categories this November.
The LA Card Show (LACS) is heading back to Dodger Stadium Sept. 12, and it’s really stepping up to the plate.
Chuck E. Cheese's fundraiser supports the American Society for Deaf Children. Throughout September, guests can donate at any U.S. location.
The partnership between P.F. Chang’s and Starlight Children’s Foundation is a strong example of how toys can become the centerpiece of a broader cause-marketing campaign.
Dear Game Inventors, We are delighted to invite you to the 5th International Game Inventors Convention which will take place live in Nuremberg as part of Spielwarenmesse 2027.
The world’s largest consumer fair for board games continues to grow: with the addition of Hall 8, SPIEL Essen will showcase across the entire exhibition centre for the first time, setting a new record for exhibition space for the fourth year in a row.
The new system arrives as Spiel prepares for its biggest-ever event from October 22 to 25 this year - with an expansion into all eight main halls at the Messe Essen exhibition centre for the first time expected to see the event challenge its record 220,000 attendance set last year.
Zoggs has donated 900 sensory play items to support children receiving treatment in hospitals across the UK.
Judges Richard Hammond, Dwayne Vance and Nicola Hume Vance crowned the modified Volkswagen Beetle as the seventh winner of Hot Wheels’ Legends Tour UK at CarFest Silverstone.
The Baby Safety Alliance honors Baby Safety Month with an annual campaign. This year's campaign theme is Before You Try, Verify.
At the Tokyo Garden Theater in Japan
Peter’s award-winning career spanned six decades of work in animation, film and broadcast. He gave Optimus Prime his voice and he shaped how millions of people first came to understand courage, sacrifice, and leadership.
Squirrel Girl Co-Creator and Prolific Pulp Writer Who Went from Fan to Pro
Carla Jeffery, who played Bree in the Disney Channel's 2018 movie "Zombies" and several spin-offs, died Sept. 1. She was 33.
Worldwide Magazines Weekly Top Stories
Some stories added Friday afternoon. Check Back for Complete Lists.
Toy Trade Monthly & Special Issues
Adventure Media & Events (US)
Toyworld (UK)
Licensing.biz Powered by Toyworld
ICv2: The Business of Geek Culture (US)
- Wizards of the Coast Announces 'Reality Fracture' Play Booster Shortages
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- New 'Captain America & The Avengers' Character Pack Incoming
- Ize Press Announces 'Solo Leveling: The Board Game'
- GAMA Offers Up More Information on Game Store Day 2026
Global Toy News
The Bugg Report (Australia)
The Toy Universe (Australia)
hobbyDB
Video of the Week
18 Things 1970s Cool Kids Had!
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