Spotlight on TIA Members

November 29, 2016 | This month’s Toy Industry Association (TIA) “Member Spotlight” includes updates from Build-A-Bear Workshop, Wild Republic, Jazwares, Mattel, and Bluefin.

Build-A-Bear Donates to Boys & Girls Clubs of America this Holiday Season
Build-A-Bear Workshop and the Build-A-Bear Foundation have partnered with Boys & Girls Clubs of America this holiday season for its Merry Mission charitable program, which kicked off in mid-November. Guests who visited Build-A-Bear Workshop stores between November 11-13 were able to make stuffed bears at no charge to donate to local Boys & Girls Clubs. Build-A-Bear also hosted a separate event where shoppers could visit a local workshop to sign a paper garland link. For every link signed, the Build-A-Bear Foundation donated $1 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. In addition, through December 31, shoppers can also make a donation to the charity. 

Wild Republic Partners with Project Night Night to Help Homeless Children
Wild Republic has partnered with the non-profit organization, Project Night Night, for the second year in a row, to benefit children in homeless shelters. From November 15th through December 14th, shoppers who spend $35 or more on www.WildRepublic.com receive a free gift and free shipping and Wild Republic will donate a stuffed animal to Project Night Night. The organization provides more than 25,000 care packages for children at homeless shelters, which include a blanket, stuffed animal and a book, offering comfort and security to children who may be going through a difficult time with their families. Last year the company donated nearly 1,000 stuffed animals and is expecting to donate even more this year.

Jazwares Appointed “Miffy and Friends” Master Toy Licensee
Jazwares has been named the North American master toy partner for Merci’s preschool animation brand Miffy and Friends. The company plans to offer figures, vehicles, playsets, and plush at a range of price points, with the first products to be available at retail in the fall 2017. In October, Nick Jr. premiered a new TV series featuring the brand’s characters, “Miffy’s Adventures Big and Small,” while classic Miffy and Friends airs on Nickelodeon’s NOGGIN, a video subscription service for preschoolers. Both shows are based on the book series from author and illustrator Dick Bruna, which have sold more than 85 million copies and are currently published in more than 50 languages.

Mattel Unveils One-of-a-Kind Barbie Doll in Honor of Model Ashley Graham
Mattel revealed a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll in honor of Ashley Graham, the plus-size model and body activist, at the Glamour Women of the Year Live Summit held in mid-November in Los Angeles. Graham was also named a 2016 Glamour Woman of the Year. Barbie is celebrating Graham for “pushing boundaries within fashion and for promoting a message of body positivity, self-acceptance and female empowerment,” according to Mattel’s press release. Earlier this year, Barbie expanded their Fashionistas doll line by introducing three new body types – tall, curvy and petite, seven skin tones, 24 hairstyles and countless on-trend fashions and accessories. Graham is the latest Barbie “Shero,” or female hero, inspiring girls by breaking boundaries and expanding possibilities for women everywhere, joining Ava DuVernay, Emmy Rossum, Eva Chen, Gabby Douglas, Misty Copeland, and Zendaya.

Bluefin Opens Pre-Orders for Tamashii Nations S.H.Figuarts Iron Man Mark VI and Hall of Armor Set
Bluefin is now taking pre-orders for Tamashii Nations’ new release of S.H.Figuarts Iron Man Mark VI and Hall of Armor Set, which will be exclusively sold in the U.S. market. The Iron Man Mark VI release also launches Tamashii Nation’s Hall of Armor product line that allows fans to re-create Tony Stark's one-of-a-kind home workshop with movie-accurate details and features, including LED light-up functions both inside and outside the chambers. It has a suggested retail price of $119.99 and will be available at retail in April 2017.

Want to be included in next month’s Member Spotlight? Email lchartorynsky@toyassociation.org with company news and include “Member Spotlight” in the subject line.