- Hand2mind has signed a deal with Walmart to distribute Numberblocks toys in more than 2,000 stores across the US. More than a dozen products, including building blocks and a counting set based on the British animated series produced by Alpha Blocks and Blue Zoo, will hit shelves starting next month.
- In its first-ever licensing deal, KandyToys has set up a partnership with Mattel to create a range of baby products including play tents, sensory toys (like a ball pit) and plush featuring the Fisher-Price brand. KandyToys plans to unveil its line at the Toymaster May Show in the UK (May 20 to 22) before they hit retail shelves.
- Wyncor, an 18-month-old toy company based in Miami, has signed deals with French retailers La Grande Récré, Monoprix and Amazon for its new Kwaaks! collectible brand. Launching in June, these plush ducks will be distributed by Jactal (Europe), ACD (the US) and Prune Danish (for Amazon). In other Wyncor news, private equity firm Alcaster has made a multi-million investment to help the toyco set up an office in Barcelona. Wyncor is behind the Miraball collectible toys, which has licensing deals with TMNT, SpongeBob SquarePants, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir and Dungeons & Dragons will be introduced later this year.
- VME Kids has picked up 2D-animated preschool series StoryZoo Adventures: Instruments (pictured, 10 x 13 minutes) from Dutch studio StoryZoo to air in the US. A dubbed version of the musical toon will launch on the Spanish-language broadcaster in May, teaching kids about musical instruments from around the world.
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