Weber Shandwick’s Post

The Toy Association's trend team is continually meeting with toy companies, tracking trends and sharing our insights with the toy community and media. Want to learn more? Check out our website https://lnkd.in/eA_SPZDb and feel free to reach out to me or any member of the trend team to set up appointments for previews or just to talk through what we are seeing. #toytrends #toyassociation

I was ready to rain down fire when I heard the news that Scrabble was going to be rebooted to be less competitive as Gen Z don't like to lose. Worlds gone absolutely mad I thought, as I've grown up to aspire to win and often fail but learn trying. Well, that's not really what Mattel are trying to stamp out here, though many in the media will only pick out the negatives and call a bunch of people snowflakes for meddling with a winning formula and they would be wrong and here is why. Those that know me will back that I'm a fairly reliable source of info when it comes to boardgames (created my own recruitment themed game, it was not good.....) they have since I've become obsessed seen a huge rise in popularity and mainstream adoption and in that have evolved significantly to cater to all tastes be them co-operative, hugely complex euros, deduction and app integration, they really have come a long way and I'd encourage you to scratch the surface of the hobby and get away from Monopoly which is truly a terrible flagbearer as a refence point for what you think boardgames are. So, Mattel are just moving with the times and adapting to an increasingly competitive marketplace, makes sense to me. It's the same in the workplace, which is my entire point here, things have changed significantly in what is considered to be an appropriate, supportive, successful and fun working environment. It's certainly not the same as it was 20 years ago when I got started in a sales role and this is no bad thing. What is bad is to be stuck in the past and not embracing new ideas. You either adapt and survive or you become irrelevant and leave so I've climbed down from my high horse this morning and would like to applaud the new Scrabble even with my dyslexic brain unable to actually win without making up words. https://lnkd.in/ebTSsZzF

Do you ever think to yourself, “I can’t comprehend how large companies are able to find new ways to get their product in the hands of everyone possible?” I often have this thought until I see some new way to reach the masses and I find myself always blown away. The toy and family entertainment company, Mattel, just released that they will be bringing colorblind accessibility to many of their card games. Around 300 million people deal with color blindness around the globe, which hinders those from being able to play many entertainment games. Mattel’s inclusivity effort is also a great way to bring in even higher sales. The company will be creating new additions to games such as Uno, Phase 10, Dos, Blokus, and Tumblin’ Monkeys that will include differention within the game’s cards. This new marketing strategy is a great way to help out those who deal with colorblindness while also bringing in higher revenue. To learn more about the additions, read the article below. Darin W. White

Toymaker Mattel announced plans to make 80% of its game catalog, including popular titles like Uno, Tumblin’ Monkeys, and Blokus, colorblind accessible by the end of 2024, with a goal of reaching 90% by the end of 2025. This initiative also extends to mobile versions of its games by adding symbols, icons, patterns, or tactile clues to help colorblind players. Read more at: https://bit.ly/3W967W0 #ColorblindAccessible #InclusiveGaming #Mattel #AccessibleGames #MiSILC [ALT Text: Photograph of a hand holding a set of Uno playing cards. The cards have braille in the corners. A blue bar is at the bottom with white and yellow text that reads, Uno To Be Colorblind Accessible As Mattel Aims To Adapt 80% Of Its Games, READ MORE!]

In the June 2024 issue of Toy World, Circana’s Rory Partis looked at key trends within the toy markets across Europe, examining how they compare to the market here in the UK. #Europe #sales #trade #trends #comparison #toys #games

Some toy introductions need explaining in more depth early on in my opinion. I believe #punirunes is one of those. So, to make sure our team, franchise and customers “get it” we review it. If you are curious 👀 or want to know how digital products are evolving with sensory experiences, watch this. To some, bizarre, to others brilliant! Kids will decide. 😎 Spin Master Holly Koval #toys #toynews #toyindustry #retail #brickandmortar #games #digitalpets #bff #bitzee #tamagotchi Toy World Magazine The Toy Book

⚡️Tomorrow is the big day! ⚡️ We're all set for the Nuremberg Toy Fair, happening tomorrow. What's on the agenda? Firstly, we'll be showcasing game items categorized for the two halves of 2024. In the first half, you'll find our classic family games, some of which are already available on Amazon. We'll also introduce a few exciting newcomers in the price range of under $30. But that's not all! We'll also unveil some thrilling releases scheduled for the second half of 2024, just in time for Black Friday, Halloween, and Christmas. You'll be able to get your hands on these as early as September this year. For this, we are focusing on the super-popular category of games right now, such as Trick Taking Games. They will be in the price range of up to $20. Furthermore, we are launching a super-cool novelty from our separate brand, Aquatica. We'll be presenting Aquatica Duel, and you can even play it at this exhibition. You can check out the full catalog of games in our catalog: http://surl.li/pxmcs #ToyFair #Gaming #NewReleases

With features on Games and Puzzles, Pre-School Toys and Pocket Money Toys and Collectibles, if you have products in these categories we should be shouting about them in this edition! Feel free to get in touch with me to do so. Last call for the April issue of Toy World There’s still just time to get involved – here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming April issue, plus the all-important deadlines. The April edition of Toy World is set to be another bumper one, and will contain features on some of the market’s most successful and competitive categories: Pre-school, Games & Puzzles and Pocket Money Toys & Collectibles. #toys #toynews #toyindustry #retail #games #puzzles

You know that the Games Security Plan is tighter than a gnat's behind when even Deadpool can't bring in his 6 shooters. Understandably so when millions are gathered in the City of Light in the name of unity, perserverance and hope. I am so enjoying the Games. Are you? #parisolympics #securityplanning #deadpoolloseshisguns

Read an article in the news recently about Mattel® launching a new version of Scrabble®, Scrabble Together. Scrabble Together is designed to be more collaborative and accessible for those who fine word games intimidating. According to the product description, it is “a quick, casual game where players cooperate to complete word challenges”. Scrabble Together is provided with the classic game thus giving purchasers a 2-in-1 game via a double-sided board. The article quoted Brett Smitheram, 2016 world Scrabble champion, who said that the new game “speaks to a trend in younger people who want to avoid competitive games and sense of losing, instead favouring teamwork and collaboration working towards a fun goal together”. As an IP Specialist it was interesting to see how a well-know brand is adapting to cater to changing trends. I am lead to understand that this is the first time since its release in 1948 that a significant change has been made to the classic board. As a side note, I am not a fan of losing but I always felt that competition brought an interesting edge to a game. When it’s competing as a team, the win always seems a little bit sweeter LOL.