Monthly Archives: April 2018

Ethical Toy Program launches worker voice technology with MicroBenefits

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New programme leverages mobile technology to enable direct feedback from toy factory workers in China.

The Ethical Toy Program is working with MicroBenefits to pilot a large-scale worker voice programme which leverages mobile technology to make the sharing and collection of direct feedback on workplace conditions in the toy supply chain simpler.

This industry pilot will deploy worker voice technology at 50 different toy factories in China.

Frontline manufacturing workers are most affected by conditions at their places of employment, but communicating directly with them at scale can be a challenge. Workplace culture, fear of retribution or poor communication processes can prevent workers from giving direct feedback on their working conditions.

To improve communication, the Ethical Toy Program is using mobile technology to receive insights directly from frontline manufacturing workers.

Mobile devices connected to the internet are ubiquitous in China. Because of the high-rate of existing usage, leveraging mobile technology to create a worker voice platform is an effective way to reach a digital generation of workers.

The Ethical Toy Program has received funding from The Walt Disney Company to pilot worker voice technology at 50 toy factories in China. This pilot will use MicroBenefits’ mobile-based worker voice technology platform to deploy worker surveys in factories, improve communication, strengthen grievance channels, deploy targeted digital learning, and to gather other data on working conditions.

The Ethical Toy Program will use the MicroBenefits platform to support audits by facilitating worker surveys at scale. Workers will be given a Quick Response (QR) Code with five or six questions to answer. This new process will work in the same way as current worker interviews but at much larger scale. Survey data will be used to validate audit findings and strengthen audit integrity.

The Ethical Toy Program will also use the platform to survey workers about their needs and concerns and to gather workers’ insights on specific issues in the workplace. These insights will inform the ongoing development of the Program’s assessments, capability building and worker well-being initiatives.

If you are interested in sponsoring this programme, please contact mark.robertson@ethicaltoyprogram.org. For any factories who would like to participate please contact sarah.ng@ethicaltoyprogram.org.

Isaac Larian ends #SaveToysRUs GoFundMe campaign

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MGA CEO has closed the crowdfunding campaign, stating that all contributions will be returned. 

The GoFundMe campaign, which was launched in March with a fundraising goal of $800m from public donations, drew to a close last night.

In a statement posted on the #SaveToysRUs campaign page, Isaac said: “I’m thankful for the outpouring of support the campaign to Save Toys R Us has received from the community and I’m working behind the scenes to ensure this retailer has a future here in the US. I’ve decided to end the GoFundMe campaign and return all contributions so that I can focus my efforts on saving this American icon. My goal is and always was to preserve Toys R Us and save over 130,000 jobs. The GoFundMe campaign generated worldwide awareness and cast a spotlight on the need for Toys R Us to live on for future generations. I’m happy that Toys R Us Canada, Europe and Asia will all be saved thanks to companies like Fairfax, who have stepped in to fund and grow the international entities. This is excellent news for the toy industry, and inspires me and my investors to continue the fight to save Toys R Us in the US.”

Owner of Connelly’s Toy Shop shaves head for Macmillan

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Pauline Connelly took part in Macmillan Cancer Support’s Brave the Shave event on Saturday morning.

L-R: Pauline before she braved the shave, and sporting her new look in Connelly’s Toy Shop.

Pauline took on the challenge in memory of her mother Eileen Connelly, who passed away from cancer in 2008 aged 72. She decided to mark her mother’s tenth anniversary with the fundraiser and was supported by family, friends and customers alike.

She had her brown hair shaved off in front of a crowd in the shop with many cheering her on. Pauline said she wanted to give something back to the charity, and that she was blown away by people’s generosity with donations both big and small.

Talking about the challenge and her new look, Pauline commented: “It went really well with a good crowd in the shop, and cakes, scones, juice and Prosecco. It only feels funny feeling the breeze above my ears.”

Pauline is still collecting donations but hopes to raise £1,000.

To sponsor Pauline, click here.

ITV Studios Global Entertainment announces Thunderbirds: Beyond the Horizon

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New interactive theatrical event is produced by Limelight Productions and ebp (Emma Brunjes Productions).

ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE), in collaboration with Limelight Productions and ebp (Emma Brunjes Productions), has announced the world premiere of a new live interactive theatrical event, Thunderbirds: Beyond the Horizon. Based on the original series created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, audiences are invited to enter the secret world of International Rescue in this theatrical event created by the teams behind Alice’s Adventures Underground, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, Secret Cinema: Back to The Future and The Game’s Afoot.

Taking place at brand new venue The Buzz, performances will begin 7th November 2018. The Buzz is the first venue of its kind, and is being specifically built for immersive theatre at Mercato Metropolitano in Borough, SE1. In addition to the live interactive theatre show, there will be retail and dining offerings for visitors, creating a fully immersive entertainment destination.

Exclusive pre-sale ticket access is available from yesterday for those following @BeyondThunderbirds on social channels, with tickets on general sale from Friday 27th April.

Trudi Hayward, SVP global head of merchandise at ITVS GE, commented: “This is an exciting new iteration of the Thunderbirds brand that will allow visitors to actually be immersed in the secret world of International Rescue, and we know that the experts at Limelight Productions and ebp will bring that world to life in incredible and remarkable ways through this interactive theatrical experience.”

IMC Toys announces new Play Fun games

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IMC Toys is introducing new additions to its popular Play Fun range of family games.

New releases for autumn/winter 2018 include Truth Detector. Players select a question from the card and pick a friend or family member to interrogate. The interrogated players must put their fingers on the detector – if they’re lying the machine will let the player know, but if it’s not sure and flashes amber the player must ask them the question again. If the machine catches someone lying a siren sounds and the red bulb flashes. If a player tells a lie and gets caught by the Truth Detector they lose a life. The winner is the last person left with life cards.

Plumber Clash is a game that brings friends and families together to clear the blocked pipe. Using skill and speed, players must pump the plunger as fast as they can to unblock the pipe. The suspense builds as players try to rotate the pipe towards their opponent. The player who doesn’t get splashed wins.

The latest games will join the successful game Boom Ball, which launched in 2017.

The new additions to the IMC games portfolio will be supported with strong media investment with over 800 TVRs planned in for October to December. In addition to a media campaign, the range will be supported with a strong digital campaign, as well as being present at experiential consumer events. Influencer marketing will also be central for game launches.

Character Group releases latest half-year results

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Revenue in the period was £50.5m, against £61.5m in the comparable 2017 period (FY2017: £115.3m).

The Group is reporting a profit before tax for the period of £4.5m, down on the comparative period in 2017 (HY2017: £7.1m; FY2017: £13.4m). Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were £2.0m (HY2017: £ 7.9m; FY2017: £14.8m).

Gross profit margin in the period amounted to 35.2%, compared to 32.2% in the same 2017 period, and 32.6% for the August 2017 financial year. The improvement in margin reflects the change in mix, with a greater percentage of revenues being derived from UK sales and a lesser amount from the lower margin FOB sales.

A statement from the company reads: “Although trading in the first half was lower when compared to 2017, we believe that in view of the sector disruption and upheaval, Character delivered a very solid performance in what has been a very turbulent time at the retail level.”

“We continue to have great strength and depth across our brands and a wide range of long-term customers and suppliers; potential concentration risk is well diversified.”

Leading in-house ranges include Peppa Pig, Stretch, Teletubbies and Scooby Doo and exclusive, third-party lines including Little Live Pets and Mashems – all continue to trade well. Core ranges will be strengthened as innovative product extensions are added.

Character also continues to add new ranges, such as the new line up of Pokémon products, to be launched at retail this summer, and a collection of new craze items, including Soft and Slo memory foam toys, Make Your Own Slime, Cup Cake Cuties and Mine iT.

Impulse buying at the right price point is a growing trend and Character has successfully tapped into this category with new craze lines being sourced and introduced regularly.

The statement continues: “Listings and support from our customers for our 2018 ranges have been very positive and many share our optimism for the prospects for our lines and sales in the coming Christmas season. Therefore, we are confident that the performance of our core ranges, together with new introductions, will result in further growth in demand for our products, in the calendar year ahead.”

“The directors remain optimistic that the business will see a return to its previous growth pattern during the second half of this financial year and this will be fully reflected and significantly strengthen the trading results for the financial year ending 31st August 2019.”

Dantoy launches Bio toy range

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Danish toy maker has invested in developing products made of bioplastics due to customer demand.

Dantoy, which has a 15,000 m² factory in Hobro, northern Denmark, has been manufacturing toys for more than 50 years, and has exported them to 50 countries. Following consumer demand, the company has released its new Bio range, features toys made from bioplastic derived from sugarcane ethanol.

The new range offers role-play sets, including the Bio Dining Set and the Bio Coffee/Tea Dining Set, as well as the Bio Sand Set for outdoor play on the beach, and the Bio Dump Truck and the Bio Front Loader Tractor. All products come in recyclable cardboard packaging.

Dantoy has invested in new machinery to make itself competitive. The manufacturer currently has seven products made of bioplastics and plans to expand the product line.

To find out more, please contact Marck Andre Højbjerg Matthiasen, Dantoy CEO. marck@dantoy.dk

Toys R Us Canada auction scrapped with Fairfax as the only bidder

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Toys R Us’ Canadian operations have found a safety net months after the retailer’s demise in the US and overseas.

Documents filed in a Richmond, VA bankruptcy court have revealed the retailer will be cancelling an auction for its 82 Canadian stores and instead seeking approval to sell them to Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings, which is involved in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and investment management.

The auction was triggered by a recent $300m stalking horse offer Fairfax made that allowed others to make competing bids for the Canadian operations until Monday at 10am EST, but court filings showed no bidders other than Fairfax registered an offer.

Fairfax’s successful bid signals an end to the uncertainty that has followed the beleaguered company’s Canadian arm. Among those most upset by the company’s demise was Isaac Larian. He, along with investors he refused to identify, made a bid for the retailer’s Canadian operations, which are run separate from its US dealings, outside of the now-cancelled auction in March, calling Toys R Us’ Canadian arm a “good business.”

When rumours suggesting Isaac’s bid had been rejected started circulating last week, he at first said it was “disappointing,” but as more details about Fairfax’s bid emerged, he appeared to have taken on a new outlook.

“As long as Toys R Us and jobs are saved, I’m happy. That’s what #SaveToysRUs was and is about,” he said in a statement. In regards to Toys R Us USA, the fight to save it is just beginning.”

Fairfax has not said whether it will vie for the US operations, but the business, owned by billionaire Prem Watsa, has been on a recent spending spree.

In February, it acquired part of infrastructure services company Carillion Canada, which filed for bankruptcy protection in January, and in November, it increased its stake in Torstar media company, which holds an investment in The Canadian Press as part of a joint agreement with a subsidiary of the Globe and Mail and the parent company of Montreal’s La Presse.

Get involved in our June issue

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Everything you need to know about the June issue of Toy World, and how retailers can get involved in this month’s Talking Shop feature.

This issue will include comprehensive category features on action figures and boys collectibles, infant toys, wheeled toys, and arts & crafts.

Regular features such as Talking Shop, Viewpoint, and Allegedly will also be included.

This month, we are looking to speak to independent retailers while at Toymaster and the Independent Toy and Gift Show for our June Talking Shop feature. If you would like to be a part of this free of charge opportunity, and can spare 10-20 minutes of your time to talk to either Rachael or Casey at either of these events, please get in touch using the emails provided below.

This feature is a great way to engage with the wider toy community. Click here to see our April Talking Shop feature.

The deadline for editorial in Toy World will be the 2nd May, and the deadline for adverts will be the 14th May.

For further information regarding editorial opportunities contact Rachael Simpson, deputy editor, rachael@toyworldmag.co.uk, or Casey Goodman, editorial assistant, casey@toyworldmag.co.uk.

To find out more about advertising opportunities, contact Mark Austin, sales director, mark@toyworldmag.co.uk.

Ben & Holly to air in China on VOD platform iQIYI

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Entertainment One has launched the acclaimed pre-school property Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom in China.

Entertainment One (eOne) has shared details of a major partnership with iQIYI that will see its Emmy and BAFTA award-winning pre-school property, Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, launch in China on a leading VOD platform and at retail in 2018.

Series 1 of Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom will be accessible on one of China’s largest internet video streaming services, iQIYI, from early May. iQIYI will also manage licensing rights for the property in the region spearheaded by a publishing launch in summer/autumn, followed by a hard launch spanning multiple categories later in 2018.

Claire Ellis, VP licensing – Asia at eOne Family & Brands, commented: “We’re extremely excited to be bringing Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom to audiences across China in 2018. The growing expansion of Peppa Pig in China is testament to the huge potential this territory represents and we look forward to harnessing the local expertise of the team at iQIYI to make this property a success throughout the region.”

Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom won an International Emmy Award in 2014 for Best Pre-School Series, and currently airs in over 130 countries with licensing programmes established in the UK, the US and Canada, Brazil and Mexico.

Wu Gang, vice president at iQIYI sales department, added: “We’re thrilled to be bringing Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom to families across China. This critically acclaimed series is a great example of the high quality children’s programming that is embraced by Chinese audiences, and we look forward to finding licensing partners that can create opportunities for fans to interact with the brand beyond the TV show.”