NEWS
Photo: Ravensburger AG
Ravensburger invests in board game crowdfunding platform Board game and puzzle publisher Ravensburger is investing ¤4 million ($4.5 million) in the Polish start-up Gamefound. The international board game crowdfunding start-up is the first to receive funding from Ravensburger’s investment programme Next Ventures. “With Gamefound, we are investing in a strong team of founders with industry expertise; a start-up with extremely high potential in our core segment of board games,” said Thomas Bleyer, group director corporate development & new business at Ravensburger AG, who is responsible for the Next Ventures programme. Gamefound was founded in 2019 as a spin-off of the successful board game publisher and crowdfunding expert Awaken Realms. Its specialised services help board game developers interact with their community and transform ideas into games. Ravensburger will work with Gamefound strategically and operationally to support the platform’s successful positioning in the market. “As a leading international game publisher, we can support Gamefound with more than just financial investment - and that is exactly the aim of our Next Ventures programme,” said Thomas. Ravensburger recently launched the corporate programme to fund innovation projects and start-up investments. It funds up to four projects per year with a total amount in the double-digit millions. The goal is to expand internal innovation management and provide support and funding to enable start-up teams to successfully launch new product ideas and services that fit thematically to Ravensburger business sectors.
Toy Trust unveils fundraising event
Flair relaunches Paper FX Flair GP is relaunching craft toy Paper FX, which enables tweens and eco-conscious families to create accessories, gifts, and decorations from old magazines, wrapping paper, posters, junk mail and more. The Paper FX weaving machine recycles and transforms paper or card in minutes. Flair GP country manager Julia Cake said: “When previously launched in 2008, Paper FX took the toy market by storm, and it was confirmed as a DreamToy by the TRA [Toy Retailers Association]. Now, with upcycling and greener issues being even more top of mind, we expect great things for the relaunch. “The brand will be supported with TV advertising, influencer activity and Instagram parents. Our new video from top craft YouTuber Ambi C has already received 185,000 views.’’
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The date for Toy Trust’s 2022 Big Challenge fundraising day has been confirmed for Saturday June 18 and will be based at Oxford Wet N Wild in Wallingford. An alternative triathlon featuring a 5km/10km walk or run or 50km circular cycling event in the Oxfordshire countryside is on offer and, new for 2022 is a dragon boat racing tournament. Dragon boats for up to 10 rowers will be available with entries from full teams, individuals or small groups welcomed. Individuals or smaller groups that wish to enter will be joined to form full boat teams. All boats will feature a drummer and qualified instructor. The day will include a BBQ lunch and refreshments with games and activities available on site - and all participants will receive a commemorative event T-shirt. Funds raised will support the Toy Trust’s nominated UK-based charities, with particular emphasis given to those that work to improve and enhance children’s mental health. Places are available at £100 per person, and teams or individuals can register their interest at www.toytrust. co.uk/big-challenge-2022/. For more information contact Matt Jones at Matt@btha.co.uk.
Smoby extends its ad campaign with key FA Cup games Simba Smoby Toys UK is further extending its major football advertising campaign for the Smoby brand, by adding two FA Cup Draws to the schedule. The move means the awareness drive starts even earlier on Tuesday 1 March. From March through to May, fans at six Premier League games and now two FA Cup games will experience the Smoby Smile LED brand advertising, via pitch-side boards during the match. The action kicks off on March 1, with the FA Cup tie at Peterborough, who will be hosting Premier League leaders Manchester City (ITV). This will be followed the next day with the cup tie at Luton, who will be hosting Chelsea (BBC One). The cup-ties will be followed by a further six Premier League games, including Watford vs. Arsenal on Sunday March 6 (Sky Sports), Brighton vs. Liverpool on Saturday March 12 (BT Sport) and then Burnley vs. Southampton on Saturday March 19 (Sky Sports). Three additional fixtures (dates to be announced) will wrap up the LED advertising campaign at which point, the brand’s own TV campaign will kick in, taking Smoby into homes across the nation.
MGA Entertainment adds new Na! Na! Na! Surprise lines MGA Entertainment is expanding its Na! Na! Na! Surprise collection for S/S with two new ranges. Since the brand’s launch in 2019, it has seen huge success. MGA Entertainment said Na! Na! Na! Surprise was ‘the first ever fashion doll to launch with soft-articulated features and has since become a much-loved doll, for children aged four-plus’. Six new Na! Na! Na! Surprise Sweetest Heart characters are the latest to launch: Valentina Moore, Gisele Goodheart, Eva Evermore, Lily Sarang, Cynthia Sweeta and Maria Buttercup. Each love-themed doll is born on Valentine’s Day and comes in her own shade of red, pink, purple, mint, blue or yellow, wearing a quilted heart dress and bear-shaped beanie. The collection includes messaging details on the outfits like ‘XOXO’, ‘Love You’ and ‘Be Sweet’.
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