Welcome to Your Weekly News Brief!
Happy Bloomin’ Friday!
It’s Toy Fair Season!
Chris Byrne shares an enthusiastic report from the Hong Kong Toy Fair this past week. Up next is Toy Fair London, including the always-special UK Inventor Dinner—both of which I’m sadly missing this year. I can’t wait to hear all the stories (especially John Baulch’s!). I am looking forward to seeing many of you soon at Spielwarenmesse Nuremberg and, of course, at Toy Fair New York.
Have you secured your ticket to Connolly’s POP Pub Night? Reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, celebrate the end of Toy Fair Season AND support and empower the next generation of toy people!
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Onward and Upward,
Mary and the POP Team
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Nick Hayes Talks, Early Obsessions, How He Got into the Industy and Key Skills for Success in the Business
Hi Nick! Thank you for taking time to share a bit about yourself and what do you do in our industry?
I currently have two jobs in the toy industry. First and foremost I am a Product Design Manager on the Games Design team at Mattel. We do all the gameplay and toy design for Mattel’s tabletop games – UNO, Pictionary, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Kerplunk, Magic 8-Ball, etc.
I am also a Senior Lecturer at Otis College of Art and Design. I teach a course there on Game Design and Game Theory to seniors in the Toy Design department.
Were you obsessed with any toys, games or objects as a kid?
I was obsessed with video games. Sure I enjoyed riding bikes, posing action figures, shooting BB guns, and building forts, but I was obsessed with video games.
The Nintendo Entertainment System was the first and final nail in the coffin for me. It was all I could think about. I would spend my days at school drawing choose-your-own-adventure-style games in notebooks, imagining I was playing them on the NES. I would sometimes bring a controller to school in my backpack, shove my hands in during class, and press the buttons and d-pad while the teacher gave lessons.
Yes, it did affect my grades. READ MORE
John Osher shares the secrets on how to make millions by recognizing opportunities
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: “And now let us believe in a long year that is given to us, new, untouched, full of things that have never been.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
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 this past week

The deal brings Thinking Putty and more into Goliath’s portfolio.
The retailer saw stores trading up by +3.5% across the nine weeks to 3rd January, even though consumers were said to be trading down slightly.
The Chapter 11 reorganization period for Diamond Comic Distributors has come to a close and final fee applications are due soon.
The reasoning behind this drop is thought to be due to the increasing cost of RAM, potential increases in hardware costs to consumers, trade tariffs, and reports that the console struggled more than expected during the all-important Christmas shopping season.
Ellison's Paramount is suing for greater financial disclosures to Warner Bros. shareholders.
The industry-first $7 billion-plus worldwide Pay-1 deal guarantees the latter’s movies will stream on the OTT service around the globe following their full theatrical and home entertainment windows.
Toys offering emotional value for young people took centre stage at the 52nd HKTDC Hong Kong Toys and Games Fair's new "Pop and Play" pavilion, which has brought together about 150 famous local and international IPs.
Understanding the Shifts in Design, Purpose, and Buying Behavior
Children, as ever, have strong opinions on just about everything, especially toys.
Adults have taken over from kids as the most important age segment in the toy industry.
Jack in the Box released a new rival of Labubu. Its limited-edition Jibbis have taken internet by storm.
Check out some upcoming thoughts on where the industry may be heading in 2026.
Why Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales is chill about A.I.
Season 8 of The Playground Podcast kicks off with two conversations about changing retail environments.
A plush toy horse designed as a cheerful Chinese New Year mascot has galloped into unexpected popularity — with an ironic twist.
In this month’s Letter from America, Rick evaluates how 2025 has gone for Learning Express, including which categories have performed well and the strategies that have worked for the retailer during the year.
Check out this break down of Learning Express Toys' Meta/Facebook audience snapshot for the end of 2025.
"I wanted a real horse and the My Little Pony was the next best thing."
2025 tested Kroeger Marketing in ways Grant wouldn’t wish on any business or team. Read his takeaways and thoughts on how to apply them.
Tim Walsh, toy designer with The Playmakers and author of “Timeless Toys,” talks about the origins of Play-Doh.
Released in 1976 from Marx, Mystery Maze was advertised as “the inscrutable game of skill and luck.”
Several years before Shrinky Dinks hit the scene, Wham-O unveiled Shrink Machine, a creative toy that allowed children to create “shrinkies” out of plastic.
The LEGO Group and The Pokémon Company International reveal the LEGO Pokémon Collection, featuring three new sets.
Consumers can expect the new toys to hit shelves soon.
Mattel adds a new Honda collection to its Mattel Brick Shop Hot Wheels line, with new cars featuring functional access points, interchangeable wheel covers and more.
Sky Castle is taking crafting to the next level with a new series of licensed Sticki Rolls products inspired by 'Minecraft.'
Moose Toys’ Gui Gui slime brand enters 2026 with new licensing collabs, featuring Netflix’s ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ and more.
The new Make It Mini collection features tiny menu items.
The line includes toys, apparel, a book, and a mobile app that will be available starting on February 19th.
This season isn't even afraid of showing an otter riding on the back of a vulture equipped with machine guns, a duo that fans of the franchise will recognize as the cute-but-lethal Mr. 13 and Miss Friday.
Palworld, the monster-collecting survival hit from Pocketpair that's ostensibly "Pokémon with guns," is officially expanding beyond video games onto tabletops in another move that echoes the broader Pokémon franchise.
The partnership will focus on securing innovative new licensing opportunities for Meccano across categories including Apparel, Stationery and more.
Topps launched the collection with a special event in London, led by Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and football content creator Big John.
The Tattoo Zoo range will be available to UK retailers from autumn/winter 2026 and will be showcased on Click’s new, larger location at the London Toy Fair.
This extension of Paladone’s global footprint marks an important milestone, advancing the company’s growth as a leading force in licensed merchandise.
Trends UK has confirmed that it will bring the Stor brand to the UK from late spring, bringing families’ favourite brands to the homewares department.
This new agreement will see the development of premium and officially licensed construction sets from Meccano, designed for adult fans and experienced builders.
The new collaboration launches at London Toy Fair 2026 and marks a key milestone in Topbright’s expansion strategy.
Warrior Cats is officially roaring into retail with a variety of surprise-box collectibles from Bonkers Toys.
Independent U.K. publisher PlayPunk is partnering with Hachette Boardgames U.K. to distribute its two flagship board games.
Since his debut in 1991, Sonic has defined generations with his signature speed, attitude, and style, expanding far beyond his innovative video game origins.
The Lego Group and Asmodee have released The Lego Ninjago, their third board game collaboration created for cooperative family play.
Smart Toys & Games has been appointed as the exclusive distributor of Hape Toys across the UK and Ireland, further strengthening its presence within the pre-school sector.
The new line launches online and at specialty retailers this August.
The company develops a multi-format publishing program that spans both live-action and animation.
This leadership transition supports brand expansion, licensing, and partnerships in the Americas.
Louie has more than 25 years of strategic global leadership experience across consumer products, licensing, entertainment, and digital commerce.
Geoff Sheffield and Lisa Hollidge both expand their roles, while Brian Proctor, Heather Robbins and Sarah Cannon depart The Entertainer senior team.
Reed Duchscher is the latest member of Funko's Board, bringing his experience as the founder and CEO of Night to the team.
Sam will step into the role of Member Support and Retail Recruitment manager, bringing 18 years of experience to the Toymaster team.
Penny will be representing leading toy brands like Mojo Fun and Peers Hardy through her new venture, PH Sales Solutions.
Meet Andy, Bri, Celeste, and Cam, the visionary mavens and founders of Ladies of D&D, a San Diego-based collective of women who play tabletop RPGs with a passion for community, inclusiveness, friendship, and Dungeons & Dragons.
Designed for kids aged three to six, the new Tonies Backpack holds their Toniebox, Tonies, headphones and more.
Autistic Barbie has been created with guidance from the autistic community to represent some of the ways autistic people may experience, process and communicate about the world around them.
This deal expands SuperAwesome's mission to engage with Generation Alpha and Gen Z audiences.
IMC Toys' Breakeez Macaron series expands playtime experiences with oozy slime, new unboxing surprises, and adorable collectibles.
Maped Helix and Juratoys UK will officially merge from this month, operating under the name Helix Trading with no disruption to services.
Shout About! has announced the launch of a new social-led marketplace designed to help toy brands sell more product in a market where traditional retail routes are under pressure.
The fourteenth edition of My Haven will be Christmas Cabin, a 1000-piece jigsaw designed by Essex-based artist Steve Read. Ravensburger’s best-selling My Haven adult puzzle series delivers a festive spin for the first time this year.
One Love's new soft toy and bag charm collection features an assortment of characters with soft, huggable designs and eco-friendly materials, available via KidAntics.
AMS Media has launched the new service which sits alongside its existing full-service planning and buying solutions for advertisers within the Toy and Gaming marketplace.
The new range of Palm Puppetronics features a collection of palm-sized characters designed for deeper character assortments and enhanced collectability.
Aurora World and Banaghan & Company will work in partnership with Proud Penguin to provide logistical and operational support across the UK and Ireland.
Generation Media Spain is a new joint venture in partnership with local agency Hexagon Publicidad, marking a significant step in the company’s international growth strategy.
The publishing arm of Mattel Inc. is teaming with million-selling novelist Alex Aster on a Barbie young adult novel in which the iconic doll embarks on a journey across “treacherous, magical lands.”
BS Toys has joined forces with Icecat to give a global network of retailers and sellers access to comprehensive and consistent product data.
Hornby's 2026 range showcases a selection of model trains and railway collectibles inspired by moments in transport and popular culture.
Playtime PR will work closely with Commotion to support Tickit’s continued growth at retail, helping the brand transition seamlessly from early years settings into the home.
Mattel Creations is revealing iconic new toys and collectibles from fan-favorite brands in its third annual Revealed livestream.
A blogspot collating store closures through a combination of employee reports and GameStop's own store locator claims that 390 stores are confirmed to have shut down, with at least ten more still in the process of being confirmed.
Embark Studios shared the news on Steam and indicated the multiplayer extraction shooter continues to exceed expectations.
The Pokemon franchise shows no sign of declining popularity in The Land of the Rising Sun as it has emerged that the most recent entry Pokemon Legends: Z-A on Nintendo Switch 2 has shifted over one…
The beloved Persona series of video games is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary and all eyes are on Atlus and its plans for the franchise in 2026.
When the weather gets cool and you head inside, a low-key video game is the perfect way to pass the time.
The new president of the video game developer King, which recently underwent two rounds of layoffs at its Barcelona headquarters, says they were unrelated to AI
From studies linking creative activity to healthier brains to platform growth and milestones, industry updates show the power of creative engagement.
The restructuring will result in layoffs, as approximately 55 people are expected to lose their jobs.
Coach and Electronic Arts bring a new in-game designer collection to ‘The Sims 4,’ featuring signature apparel and bags.
News has emerged that multiple new Ecco the Dolphin games are currently in development for unspecified video game consoles.
New releases and announcements span mobile, console, and classic titles.
Toy talent may come from all over the globe, but most brands are eager to make a big splash in the lucrative US market. For international talent looking to have the best help in their corner, take note to swing by Booth #777 at New York Toy Fair to talk shop with Meekins Corp., business specialists who are experts at bringing hot brands and products stateside.
The Toy Association™ is informing members of two recent regulatory developments, including the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) final rule addressing water beads in toys and the European Union’s newly published Toy Safety Regulation,
21 of the top 25 U.S. toy sellers representing the $42 billion U.S. toy industry and more than 1,500 retail outlets from all 50 U.S. states and 55 countries and territories are registered.
A new year brings a new slate of innovative products coming to market, and The Toy Association’s trends team is scouting new-for-2026 toys to highlight in TV and print media opportunities throughout the year.
The Toy Association's “Toy Trends Briefing,” taking place on opening day of Toy Fair®, promises to be a must-see unveiling of the hottest toy trends and consumer shopping insights that will shape the year ahead.
Taking place the evening of Friday, February 13 at Pier Sixty in New York City, the TOTYs will include a record-setting seven Presenting Sponsors, all of which are committed to creating a world where every child has access to play.
For all the changes three decades have wrought, there is still a sense of excitement in the air as the 52nd version of the show produced by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) opened.
Day two of the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, and while there are no official numbers yet, the halls have seemed very busy.
The one consistent issue from manufacturers and buyers was pricing and value. Simply asking to purchase products for a lower price is unfortunately not always a workable solution.
But some buyers also express concerns over use of the technology in toys for children.
The Toy Trust Media Auction is now open for advance bids, and will continue throughout Toy Fair 2026 at Olympia from 20th – 22nd January.
Under the theme ‘New Play for All,’ the fairs are segmented across play, growth, and creativity, drawing major international buyers through over 200 buyer missions from more than 40 countries and regions.
Gen Con is sharing new information about this year’s registration process, including badge registration, pricing, and hotel discounts.
The 59th in-person Australian Toy, Hobby & Licensing Fair is set to light up Melbourne from Sunday 1st to Wednesday 4th March 2026, and it’s gearing up to be an unmissable milestone event.
The Halloween & Costume Association has revealed the winners for its second annual Spooky Awards, which features 11 different categories.
Regrettable Games will officially re-launch at Spielwarenmesse this year with a refreshed brand identity and an all-new slate of party games.
Audiences worldwide can see this brand-new Ladybug and Cat Noir story live in 2027.
Opening a week early on Jan. 5, Goldin’s Pokémon and TGC auction will feature Logan Paul’s Pikachu Illustrator PSA 10.
The 'Dilbert' creator has died at age 68 following a battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He was 68.
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)
Nación Juguetes (Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Chile & Spain)
Global Toy News
The Bugg Report (Australia)
The Toy Universe (Australia)
hobbyDB
BoardGameWire
Toy Store (Italy)
Video of the Week!
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Either post your job openings yourself (so easy!) to our POP Classifieds or send them to us to post for you. We all have colleagues looking now that would benefit.
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