SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 25, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK), a leading global manufacturer of toys and consumer products, today announced an exciting new partnership with Crunchyroll, the global brand fueling anime fandom, to design, manufacture, market, and sell an all-new extensive line of toys, cosplay, and collectibles based on popular anime properties from Crunchyroll’s library. Under the agreement, JAKKS will become one of the major US manufacturers to bring official Cru ...

New Global Distribution Across Venue Sales, Direct-to-Consumer, and Retail ChannelsSANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK), a leading global manufacturer of toys and consumer products, and COVER Corporation, the Japanese public company behind the globally renowned hololive production, today announced a groundbreaking partnership to create and distribute officially licensed hololive consumer products in North America. Under the agreement, JAKKS Pacific will ...

Core Insights - JAKKS Pacific, Inc. has launched a next-generation cultural platform focused on anime, manga, and digital creators, marking a significant strategic initiative for the company [3][4] - This investment positions JAKKS at the forefront of a rapidly growing segment in global entertainment, aiming for sustained global growth and long-term shareholder value [4][6] Strategic Partnerships and Product Offerings - The platform will involve collaborations with top-tier partners across various sectors, including fandom engagement, licensing, and live entertainment, to create a diverse portfolio of collectibles and products [5][9] - Initial product launches are expected in 2027, with further details on partnerships and product lines to be announced throughout 2026 [10] Market Opportunities - JAKKS identifies a significant opportunity in live-event and influencer merchandising, targeting high-growth markets that have previously lacked premium product offerings [7] - The company aims to enhance consumer engagement and capitalize on record levels of interest in anime and manga [7] Distribution Strategy - A new global distribution infrastructure is being implemented to improve speed-to-market and expand reach across various consumer touchpoints [8] - This multi-layered network will include direct-to-consumer and experiential retail channels [8] Long-term Growth Strategy - The initiative represents a fundamental evolution in JAKKS' growth strategy, focusing on building a durable platform that can outperform traditional product cycles [9] - The company emphasizes its commitment to innovation and operational excellence in expanding its brand leadership [9]

坐落在深圳人才公园旁的INNO100全球创新旗舰店，近期成了孩子们的"新宠"：几个颜色各异的毛绒玩 具"芙崽"正嘟嘟囔囔地用"毛毛语"互相聊天；随着小女孩的一句"灵光一现"，她手中的米色"芙崽"立刻 开启人类语言模式，温柔地问道"你想和我聊点什么呀"；一旁，忽闪着大眼睛的"Ropet"看到小朋友比 出爱心手势，"眼"中也随即冒出一串串跳动的爱心；而小狗造型的"Lonna"则摇着尾巴，撒娇般地向孩 子们讨摸摸头…… 当大模型与传统玩具相遇，那些曾经沉默的塑料、毛绒和糖胶，正被悄然赋予感知与灵性。2025年是 AI玩具元年，从陪伴经济的情感共鸣，到教育场景的深度适配，AI玩具的发展和讨论远超品类本身 ——它既重塑了儿童成长路径与教育实践方向，也在革新家庭互动模式，更在科技伦理的边界地带展开 前瞻性探索。 可"读心"的AI玩具 近来走俏海内外的BubblePal，是一款看起来并不起眼的玩具：形似泡泡的磨砂质地半球，加上可以伸 缩的硅胶挂绳。而这极简设计里，藏着创始人李勇创造这款玩具的初衷。 "妈妈爱我吗？""爸爸为什么不陪我？""云朵为什么是白色的？"在位于深圳前海的深圳跃然创新科技有 限公司总部，李勇告诉半月谈记 ...

Core Insights - The American Girl brand, celebrating its 40th anniversary, faces significant challenges including digital competition and a changing customer base, leading to a decline in annual sales from over $600 million a decade ago to approximately $200 million in 2023 [3][4] - Despite the decline, American Girl has recently shown signs of stabilization with five consecutive quarters of sales growth, although this growth is from a significantly reduced base [4] - Mattel, the parent company, reported fourth-quarter sales of $1.77 billion, which fell short of expectations, leading to a decline in stock value and a lower profit forecast for 2026 [5][6] Company Overview - American Girl's flagship store in Rockefeller Center maintains a nostalgic atmosphere, attracting customers with its iconic doll displays and themed experiences [2][3] - The brand has evolved from its original focus on historical characters to include modernized versions and diverse characters, such as the upcoming "Girl of the Year," Raquel Reyes [9][12] - Emotional connections to the dolls remain strong, with many customers sharing personal stories about how the brand has influenced their lives and values [8][11] Industry Context - The doll industry is experiencing a shift as children increasingly engage in digital play, posing challenges for traditional toy brands like American Girl [3] - The brand's unique approach, which combines storytelling with character development, has fostered generational loyalty and a dedicated customer base [10][11] - American Girl's expansion into various media and retail formats has helped maintain its relevance in a competitive market [9][10]

Core Insights - The competitive landscape between Hasbro and Mattel is shifting, with Hasbro gaining an edge due to its successful trading card game division, Wizards of the Coast [3][4]. Financial Performance - For fiscal year 2025, Hasbro's revenue increased by 14% to $4.7 billion, while Mattel's net sales decreased by 1% to $5.3 billion [4]. - Hasbro's stock rose approximately 46% over the past year, trading around $100, whereas Mattel's shares fell over 20%, trading at about $17 [5]. Business Segments - Hasbro's Wizards of the Coast division, which includes Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, saw a revenue increase of 45% to $2.1 billion in 2025, contributing significantly to the company's profits [9][12]. - The digital gaming segment of Hasbro also experienced a 6% revenue increase in 2025, driven by the success of "Monopoly Go!" [14]. Market Trends - The overall toy industry in the U.S. saw a 6% increase in total annual dollar sales in 2025, with unit sales rising by 3%, indicating a stable demand despite economic pressures [19][20]. - Mattel's flagship brands, including Barbie and Fisher-Price, are facing sales declines, while its vehicles division reported an 11% increase in gross billings [17]. Future Outlook - Hasbro plans to launch new Magic sets based on popular franchises in 2026, forecasting mid-single-digit growth for its Wizards business [13]. - Mattel is beginning to invest in digital gaming, acquiring full ownership of its Mattel163 joint venture, which could enhance its profit margins over time [15][16].

JAKKS Pacific (NASDAQ: JAKK) published its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 figures just after market close Thursday, and the investor response the following day was extremely positive. Market players piled into the veteran toy company's stock, pushing it to an impressive gain of nearly 24%. Not playing around Across the quarter, JAKKS's net sales were slightly over $127 million. Although this represented a year-over-year decline of 3% for the consumer discretionary company, it handily beat the average a ...

Core Viewpoint - Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is facing a class action lawsuit due to alleged securities fraud, with a deadline for shareholders to file a lead plaintiff motion by April 7, 2026. The lawsuit claims that the company made misleading statements regarding its product development and regulatory prospects, leading to significant stock price declines [1]. Summary by Relevant Sections Company Performance - Inovio's stock price fell by $0.27 (3.1%) to close at $8.44 per share on August 9, 2024, following the announcement of a delay in submitting the Biologics License Application (BLA) for INO-3107 due to manufacturing issues [1]. - On December 29, 2025, the stock price dropped by $0.56 (24.45%) to close at $1.73 per share after the FDA accepted the INO-3107 BLA on a standard review timeline instead of the anticipated accelerated review [1]. Legal Proceedings - The class action lawsuit alleges that Inovio's management made materially false and misleading statements and failed to disclose adverse facts about the company's operations and prospects during the class period from October 10, 2023, to December 26, 2025 [1]. - Specific allegations include deficiencies in the manufacturing of Inovio's CELLECTRA device, the unlikelihood of timely BLA submission, and overstated regulatory and commercial prospects for INO-3107 [1]. Investor Actions - Shareholders who suffered losses during the class period are encouraged to contact Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP to potentially pursue claims under federal securities laws [1].

Company Overview - Learning Resources Inc is a family-owned toy business based in Illinois, founded in 1984, with roots tracing back to a business started by the founder's grandfather over a century ago [8]. Legal Context - The U.S. Supreme Court recently struck down President Trump's tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which had significant implications for importers [2]. - Learning Resources was among the first small businesses to file a lawsuit against these tariffs, initiated in April [3]. Financial Implications - The Supreme Court ruling may entitle Learning Resources and other importers to a share of billions of dollars in refunds, although the specifics of the refund process remain unresolved [3][7]. - Small businesses like Learning Resources represent approximately 97% of U.S. importers, collectively importing goods worth around $868 billion annually, highlighting the economic impact of the tariffs on these businesses [5]. Business Perspective - The CEO of Learning Resources expressed hope that the ruling would prompt a reevaluation of priorities and actions within the business community [4]. - The company views the legal battle not as a political issue but as a matter of financial fairness, emphasizing that the tariffs represent an undue tax burden [6][7].

Core Viewpoint - Pleasant Lake Partners has acquired a roughly 10% stake in Funko and is urging the company to explore strategic alternatives, including a potential sale, to enhance shareholder value [1] Company Overview - Funko is a toymaker known for its pop culture collectibles, including vinyl figurines and bobbleheads [1] - The company has faced challenges with declining toy demand and has reported a revenue decline for the past two years [1] Investor Actions - Pleasant Lake Partners plans to engage with Funko's board and management to discuss ways to boost shareholder value [1] - The investment firm disclosed ownership of approximately 5.5 million shares of Funko [1] - Pleasant Lake is prepared to participate in the sale process and highlighted its experience with take-private transactions [1] Market Performance - Funko's shares dropped nearly 75% last year but saw a 4% increase in premarket trading following the news [1] - As of Thursday's close, Funko had a market capitalization of about $245 million [1]