The toy industry and its adjacent partners are buzzing with news. The Toy Book’s Quick Pulse serves up bite-size nuggets of industry updates to keep you in the know and on the #pulseofplay. Dive into a few of today’s headlines, then check out the homepage of toybook.com for more news daily.
TOYS:
Zigazoo Joins White House AI Education Initiative
Zigazoo, the world’s largest social network for kids, has been selected by the White House as a featured participant in Our Pledge to America’s Youth: Investing in AI Education. Led by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the national initiative brings together companies committed to expanding AI learning opportunities for students nationwide.
“We are honored that the White House has selected Zigazoo as one of the featured companies that are championing AI education in America. The future is an AI world, and it is imperative that American students are equipped with the skills they need to lead in the AI economy. We applaud this White House for making AI education a cornerstone issue in their first year,” said Zak Ringelstein, CEO and Founder of Zigazoo.
Zigazoo will soon unveil a major 2025-26 innovation and partner with public and private organizations to advance AI literacy for Gen Alpha and beyond. More details are available at whitehouse.gov.
PEOPLE:
Relatable Names Will Ochoa Director of International Sales
Relatable has appointed Will Ochoa as Director of International Sales to drive global expansion and strengthen its presence in key markets. Ochoa brings extensive experience from Toikido and ZURU Toys, where he led commercial operations across Europe. In his new role, he will oversee international sales strategy, build cross-market partnerships, and support product rollouts worldwide.
Relatable’s growth has been nothing short of incredible, evolving from a viral game into a global force across multiple categories. I’m incredibly excited to help bring this momentum to new regions and retail channels. My focus will be on building strategic partnerships, deepening relationships with our distributors and retailers, and unlocking new market opportunities as we continue expanding our international footprint.”
— Will Ochoa, Director of International Sales, Relatable
Relatable creates products inspired by social media trends for Gen Z, millennials, and families.
Eolo Toys Names Brenda Elliott VP of Business Development, North America
Eolo Toys has named Brenda Elliott Vice President of Business Development, North America. Elliott brings more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and licensing, with a record of launching award-winning toys and expanding retail partnerships. She will lead new U.S. and Canada growth initiatives, strengthen distributor relationships, and work with regional teams to broaden Eolo’s presence across outdoor, novelty, plush, and electronic pet categories.
I am excited to join the dynamic team at Eolo Toys. Their commitment to creating innovative and engaging toys aligns perfectly with my passion for delivering memorable play experiences to children and families around the world. I look forward to contributing to the company’s vision and success.”
— Brenda Elliott, Vice President of Business Development, North America, Eolo Toys
LICENSING:
First Polly Pocket Café to Open in Monterrey
Timeless Brands and Mattel will open the world’s first Polly Pocket Café this October at Park Point Cumbres in Monterrey, Mexico. Designed to capture the tiny, colorful, and nostalgic world of Polly Pocket, the café will feature immersive décor, pastel hues, and themed menu items, including miniature desserts, sandwiches, and specialty drinks. The destination promises photo-worthy moments, special events, and activities for fans of all ages. Follow @pollypocketcafemx for updates.
GAMES:
Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Ultimate Speed Speeds to Consoles This October
Mattel and GameMill Entertainment will launch Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Ultimate Speed on Oct. 24, 2025, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. Based on the Netflix animated series, the family-friendly racer lets fans play as Coop and friends, tackle 12 over-the-top tracks, face epic boss battles, and build custom courses. Priced at $39.99, the game will also be available in a Digital Deluxe Edition and a Nintendo Switch Limited Edition with a die-cast GT Scorcher.
ENTERTAINMENT:
KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along Event Hits Theaters for One Weekend
Fans of KPop Demon Hunters can soon join Rumi, Mira, and Zoey for a special sing-along screening of the record-breaking Netflix animated film. The event, set for Aug. 23-24 in theaters across the U.S. and Canada, will feature fan-favorite songs from the movie, now the most-watched Netflix animated original of all time. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 6 a.m. PDT / 9 a.m. EDT. Visit SingKPopDemonHunters.com for participating theaters, showtimes, and ticket details.
Additionally, Funko has revealed plans for a range of KPop Demon Hunters Pop! Vinyl Figures. More details to follow.
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