Latest news with #Hasbro
West Australian
a day ago
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Ben Harvey: A cuddly WA invention will work wonders for worried kids
I never had a teddy bear as a child. Does that make me a survivor? I had a pretty impressive stuffed Snoopy but he was quite angular and not very soft, so ill-suited to snuggling. My brother Oliver had a stuffed monkey, which he imaginatively called Monkey. As was the style with toys and cartoons back in the day, monkey had a shirt but no pants. Our sister had several teddies, which Oliver and I considered (and still consider, if we're being honest) proof she was (and is) loved more than us. Georgina also had an array of Cabbage Patch dolls, which we took great delight in hanging from the ceiling fan in her bedroom. Can you imagine what would happen if a kid did that today? The Department of Child Protection would be onto the parents in a flash as part of a wide-ranging investigation into a hate crime. As you can see from the picture below, Monkey and Snoopy are still around. Snoop (that's his name, and yes I know that's only marginally more imaginative than Monkey) is still in mint condition because he lived at the foot of the bed. Monkey is a bit worse for wear because he spent most of his life wedged under Oliver's armpit. His neck was clearly a weak point because after a few years the stuffing started leaking, like a fluff-filled carotid artery had ruptured. We stitched him back together but then he looked like Frankenstein, hence the bandage. I don't know where the Cabbage Patch dolls ended up. They're probably stowed somewhere at Mum's house next to My Pretty Ponies, Alf dolls and other Hasbro relics from the 1980s. If someone had seen fit to give me a teddy in the 1970s when I was growing up (seriously, after re-reading that last sentence I really think I'm allowed to call myself a survivor*) then it would no doubt have been a pretty stock-standard bear-shaped, fabric-wrapped ball of stuffing. We had low expectations of a teddy bear back then so if it didn't poke my eye out like Snoopy's tail did then I would have been happy. Fast-forward a half a century or so and toy animals are very different beasts. They move, make noises and physically interact with their owners. Some are Bluetooth-enabled to ensure a constant life-like presence. They're furry companions that are almost like real animals. We had those kinds of things when I was young. We called them 'pets'. This could be repressed rage from my bear-deprived childhood speaking but I think teddy bears that try to be human are a complete waste of money which a parent could have used more wisely at Dan Murphy's. The bear in the picture is not a waste of money because it's not just a teddy; it's a cleverly disguised psychological tool. Louise Mansell invented Tedology (love that name!) after realising the humble teddy could be a delivery mechanism for mini psychology sessions when kids are a bit overwhelmed by life. In creating Tedology, Louise brought to bear (sorry) 15 years of experience as a clinical psychologist. The toy's functionality extends from the relatively simple (it's weighted differently, its crinkly ears make a pleasing sound when they are squeezed, and different-textured paws invite a child to soothe themselves by rubbing them) to advanced (each squeeze activates one of 10 guided audio activities designed to help a kid manage their feelings). The latest prototype (it's not on sale just yet) was unveiled in Perth on Friday at an event called Future by Design. Future by Design was created by one-time chief information officer for the WA Government, Marion Burchell, who wanted to 'empower individuals, communities, and organisations to actively shape the future through knowledge, innovation, and intentional collaboration'. I have no idea what any of that means but it sounds very exciting and I quite like the idea of designing the future instead of just passively waiting for it to happen. And if a fluffy, intelligent teddy bear is in that future alongside a garrotted monkey, a lynched Cabbage Patch Doll and uncomfortably rigid Snoopy, then all the better. *Plus I was ginger — surely that qualifies me for some kind of government compensation package?
Geek Tyrant
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
M.A.S.K. Returns With Classic Packaging and Nostalgic Power for 40th Anniversary — GeekTyrant
Last but not least is the Condor, the lime green motorcycle that can turn into a helicopter. It includes Brad Turner, and the sleek black accents on the bike give it an extra cool factor whether it's grounded or airborne. 'Throughout the mid-80s, the M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand) television series wowed audiences with 75 action-packed episodes following the namesake special task force led by Matt Tracker as it battled V.E.N.O.M. (Vicious Evil Network of Mayhem). The Loyal Subjects and Hasbro are celebrating the 40th anniversary of M.A.S.K. with a collectible toy line that captures everything that made M.A.S.K. such a legendary, pop culture-defining franchise.' Jonathan Cathey, CEO and Founder of The Loyal Subjects, added: 'We're so pumped to finally reveal our initial M.A.S.K. collection! We've put a lot of love into making sure these toys stay true to the original while bringing that classic magic into the modern day. Fans are going to love the attention to detail and high quality, including the conversions to battle modes!' Pre-orders go live July 1st on BigBadToyStore, with expanded availability in the U.S. and internationally starting September 2nd. Source: CB
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's Tariffs Trigger Layoffs: Monopoly Maker Hasbro Slashes Jobs — These Companies Are Cutting Too
Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Monopoly maker Hasbro Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) announced that it has cut 3% of jobs amid higher tariffs on imports from China. Here's a list of five other publicly traded companies that have either reduced their workforce or intend to do so due to the impact of tariffs. What Happened: After announcing 900 job cuts in December 2023, the Hasbro management told Reuters that it laid off 150 employees or 3% of its workforce in its latest cost-cutting effort on June 18, 2025. According to its fiscal 2024 annual filing, the company had roughly 4,985 employees globally. The company CEO, Chris Cocks had hinted the same during the first quarter earnings call stating that 'Ultimately, tariffs translate into higher consumer prices, potential job losses as we adjust to absorb increased costs, and reduced profits for our shareholders.' Trending: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing — He had also said during the same call that the expanded rate on imports from China 'is creating volatility and introducing a range of scenarios for how the year could unfold.' Apart from Hasbro, other firms that have reduced their workforce due to tariffs include; Stellantis NV (NYSE:STLA): The automaker announced temporary layoffs of 900 workers across five U.S. facilities due to production pauses at its Canadian and Mexican plants, directly linked to tariffs announced in April 2025. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF): The steelmaker laid off 1,230 workers, with 600 job cuts at its Dearborn, Michigan, plant and 630 at two iron ore mines in Minnesota, citing falling automotive demand due to tariffs on steel and auto imports. United Parcel Service Inc. (NYSE:UPS): UPS announced expected layoffs of approximately 20,000 workers in 2025, citing "current macro-economic uncertainty" and reduced shipping volumes due to tariffs. Volvo ADR (OTC:VLVL): The company plans to lay off 550–800 workers at three U.S. facilities over three months, citing market uncertainty and reduced demand due to tariffs. Deere & Co. (NYSE:DE): The tractor manufacturer laid off 9 workers at its Ankeny, Iowa, facility, as per a Nation of Change report. The company expressed concerns about the impact of tariffs on production It Matters: President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs are on pause till July 9 while the administration is trying to strike deals with its trading partners. Trump declared a sweeping new trade agreement with China via Truth Social following two days of negotiations in London last week, suggesting major concessions from Beijing and lighter U.S. obligations. "Full magnets, and any necessary rare earths, will be supplied, up front, by China," Trump said, adding that the U.S. would reciprocate by allowing Chinese students access to U.S. colleges. The deal includes a significant tariff shift. The U.S. will continue applying tariffs totaling 55% on selected Chinese imports, while China will impose a 10% tariff rate on U.S. goods. Read Next: Maximize saving for your retirement and cut down on taxes: Schedule your free call with a financial advisor to start your financial journey – no cost, no obligation. Arrived Home's Private Credit Fund's has historically paid an annualized dividend yield of 8.1%*, which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with just a $100 minimum. Photo courtesy: Kobby Dagan / This article Trump's Tariffs Trigger Layoffs: Monopoly Maker Hasbro Slashes Jobs — These Companies Are Cutting Too originally appeared on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Trump toy tariffs: Supreme Court won't speed decision on challenge
More: Hasbro layoffs: Toymaker restructures due to tariff struggles and weak demand The company, which makes educational toys, won a court ruling on May 29 that Trump cannot unilaterally impose tariffs using the emergency legal authority he had cited for them. That ruling is currently on hold, leaving the tariffs in place for now. Learning Resources asked the Supreme Court to take the rare step of immediately hearing the case to decide the legality of the tariffs, effectively leapfrogging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Washington, where the case is pending. More: 'Two dolls instead of 30': Trump acknowledges prices will force consumers to cut back More: Second federal court blocks Trump tariffs, this time for Illinois toy importers Two district courts have ruled that Trump's tariffs are not justified under the law he cited for them, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Both of those cases are on appeal. No court has yet backed the sweeping emergency tariff authority Trump has claimed.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Trump tariff challenge: Supreme Court won't speed decision for toy importer
The high court denied a request by a family-owned toy company to expedite a review of their tariff challenge. WASHINGTON − The Supreme Court declined to speed up its consideration of whether to take up a challenge to President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs before lower courts have ruled in the dispute. The high court denied a request by a family-owned toy company, Learning Resources, that filed the challenge against Trump's tariffs to expedite the review of the dispute. More: Hasbro layoffs: Toymaker restructures due to tariff struggles and weak demand The company, which makes educational toys, won a court ruling on May 29 that Trump cannot unilaterally impose tariffs using the emergency legal authority he had cited for them. That ruling is currently on hold, leaving the tariffs in place for now. Learning Resources asked the Supreme Court to take the rare step of immediately hearing the case to decide the legality of the tariffs, effectively leapfrogging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Washington, where the case is pending. More: Second federal court blocks Trump tariffs, this time for Illinois toy importers Two district courts have ruled that Trump's tariffs are not justified under the law he cited for them, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Both of those cases are on appeal. No court has yet backed the sweeping emergency tariff authority Trump has claimed.
