Ecomdigest Toys Newsletter - 10.03.2024

PLUS: Macys and Toys R Us reveal the hottest toys for 2024

Author

Sophie Bruxner-Randall
October 03, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes

Specialty Bites 🍪

Moana 2 toys are launching on September 30, featuring new dolls, playsets, and accessories from Mattel. Highlights include the Disney Moana American Girl Doll, Moana's Adventure Canoe, and various role-play items. Additional products from LEGO, Funko, and others will be available later this year.

Macys and Toys R Us have unveiled their 2024 Hot Toy List, featuring over 150 toys from popular brands like Barbie, LEGO, and Hot Wheels. Exclusive items include a Geoffrey Christmas Tree Funko POP. The list will be showcased in stores nationwide on September 28, offering interactive experiences for families.

Orchard Toys has redesigned its Map of the World Jigsaw Puzzle for children aged 5-10. The 150-piece puzzle now includes interactive learning content, a giant poster, and downloadable fact sheets. This update aims to enhance educational value and drive additional sales during the holiday season.

The TAGIE Awards finalists have been announced, celebrating innovation in the toy and game industry. Public voting runs from September 25 to October 25, 2024. Winners will be honored on November 8, 2024, at Joes Live Concert Venue. Categories include Toy Innovator, Game Innovator, and Rising Star Innovator.

Fifteen international LEGO fans will showcase their creations at the Masterpiece Gallery in LEGO House, Billund, for a year. The exhibition features diverse and imaginative builds from artists worldwide, inspiring visitors to explore their creativity with LEGO bricks. The gallery opens to the public on September 27.

The toy and game industries face potential disruption as the International Longshoremen's Association and U.S. Maritime Alliance clash over labor issues. With a strike looming, industry leaders urge government intervention to prevent supply chain chaos during the holiday season. The Biden administration is involved but won't invoke the Taft-Hartley Act.

Editor’s Pick 🌟

New guide reveals that Google Discovery is best for ROAS at low spend, whereas Performance Max delivers results at scale. To optimize performance in Google, brands should: 

  • Invest in Performance Max, which comprises ~24% of budget on average and supports increased scale at similar performance. 

  • Leverage Google Discovery for potentially strong ROAS, especially at lower spend levels. 

  • Consider Google Shopping as a middle-ground option, offering good ROAS potential with more scale than Discovery. 

This research was put together by Fospha, EMEA's leading marketing measurement platform. Fospha has $1bn spend under measurement across 150+ of the world's best eCom brands, including Free People and Gymshark. They've assembled a guide of the best Google channels & strategies to lead brands into H2 - you can read this here. 

Performance Platters 🍽️

Brands are leveraging holistic video strategies to engage consumers across multiple platforms, driving full-funnelbusiness outcomes. By utilizing first-party data and diverse video channels, companies like PepsiCo and Lexusachieve significant increases in brand awareness, consideration, and conversions. Amazon Ads exemplifies this approach, offering expansive opportunities for advertisers.

DMEXCO 2024 showcased AI's practical applications, retail media's growth, and the shift to cookieless solutions.Key trends included AI-driven transformation, the rise of retail media, and the importance of first-party data. The event emphasized collaboration, transparency, and the evolving landscape of digital marketing, highlighting innovation and future opportunities.

Brand websites remain crucial for the golden quarter, driving engagement and sales, according to Visualsoft's research. While social media is growing in importance, targeting the right consumers is essential. Newsletters and nostalgic Christmas ads also play significant roles, with nearly half of consumers driven by nostalgia.

Ecomdigest is a Contentive publication in the DTC Ecommerce division