The Toy Book - 2016 NY TOY FAIR EDITION

INDUSTRY UPDATE
MATTEL EXPANDS BARBIE
FASHIONISTAS LINE WITH
THREE NEW BODY TYPES
Mattel added three new body types to
its Barbie Fashionistas line—tall, curvy, and
petite—as well as a variety of skin tones,
hairstyles, and outfits.
This year, the line will feature dolls with
four body types (the original sculpt and
three new ones), seven skin tones, 22 eye
colors, 24 hairstyles, and on-trend fashions
and accessories. The original line, which
released last year, included 23 dolls with a
variety of skin tones, hair colors, and articulated
ankles that allow the dolls to wear
flats as well as heels.
The new dolls will be on shelf at major
retail stores worldwide in the spring. »
TOY INDUSTRY GROWS
NEARLY 7 PERCENT IN 2015
U.S. toy sales grew 6.7 percent in 2015,
according to retail sales data from The NPD
Group, generating $19.4 billion and marking
one of the strongest performances the industry
has seen in years.
Nine of the 11 super-categories posted
gains in 2015. Games/Puzzles and Vehicles
grew the fastest at 10.8 percent and 9.7
percent, respectively, followed by Building
Sets and Outdoor & Sports Toys. Outdoor &
Sports Toys and Dolls had the largest dollar
gains followed by Building Sets and Infant/
Toddler/Preschool Toys. The Star Wars brand
was the No. 1 absolute dollar growth contributor
to three of the super-categories: Action
Figures, Vehicles, and All Other Toys.
Turn to page 56 for more details. »
CHIZCOMM CHALLENGES
TOY INDUSTRY TO
#GETCHIZZYWITHIT
ChizComm Ltd. will return to the North
American International Toy Fair with its
first-ever promotion to win one month of
free public relations and marketing services.
Participants must submit a photo or video of
them “Getting Chizzy With It” via Facebook,
Twitter, or Instagram using the hashtag
#GetChizzyWithIt and tagging @ChizComm
for a chance to win. The deadline is March
15 at midnight, and the only requirements
are fun and creativity. For details, visit Chiz-
Comm’s YouTube page at ChizCommLTD. »
Barbie Fashionistas, from Mattel
WBCP SIGNS LICENSEES FOR
BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN
OF JUSTICE
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP)
signed new licensees for a global licensing
and merchandising
program for
the upcoming
film Batman
v Superman:
Dawn of Justice,
releasing in theaters
on March 25.
Mattel will unveil a full toy line,
including action figures, vehicles, play sets,
and collectible figures; The Lego Group will
launch construction sets; and Rubie’s Costume
Co. will introduce a new line of costumes
and accessories for kid and adult fans.
Other licensees include Funko for stylized
collectible figures; Thinkway Toys for a
role-play line; Jakks Pacific for Batman and
Superman collectible figures; Tonner Dolls
for detailed fashion dolls; Bandai America
for poseable figure model kits; Spin Master
for remote control Batmobiles; and Buffalo
Games for adult puzzles.
In addition, Sideshow Collectibles will
launch detailed statues; The Noble Collection
will introduce prop replicas; NECA will
launch an 18-inch figure; Soap Studios will
launch replicas of the Batmobile; and Hot
Toys, Kotobukiya, SquareEnix, Medicom
Toy, Prime 1 Studio, and Union Creative will
launch collectibles. »
Batmobile and Multiverse Superman, from Mattel
32 THE TOY BOOK | FEBRUARY 2016 | TOYBOOK.COM