Spin Master launches toy and game recycling scheme with TerraCycle in the US and Australia

The global toy company, Spin Master has partnered with the international recycling organisation, TerraCycle to launch its own toys and games recycling scheme across the US and Australia.

Through the Spin Master Recycling Programme, consumers will now be able to send in Spin Master toys and games to TerraCycle to be recycled for free. Consumers will simply have to sign up to the TerraCycle programme page and post their used toys using the prepaid shipping label provided.

Once collected, the Spin Master toys will be cleaned and melted into hard plastic that can be remolded to make new recycled products, such as park benches and picnic tables.

“As a global company that creates innovative toys and games that inspire magical play experiences, we recognize the need to help preserve our environment for the benefit of the children we entertain today and for generations to come,” said Tammy Smitham, Spin Master’s VP of communications and corporate citizenship. “Our program with TerraCycle gives our well-loved toys a reimagined future while also reducing our impact on the environment.”

TerraCycle CEO and founder, Tom Szaky, added: “The Spin Master Recycling Program is a perfect chance to engage the next generation through sustainability in a fun and approachable way.

“This program makes it easy to show your children that recycling and the environment don’t have to be relegated to the classroom – kids can grow into responsible environmental citizens with every toy they outgrow and recycle with their parent’s help.”

In addition to diverting waste from landfills, Spin Master has made other environmental commitments including streamlining manufacturing processes to prioritize recovery and recycling, alongside goals to reduce plastic packaging and offset self-generated carbon emissions annually.

More information on Spin Master’s CSR Strategy and initiatives aimed at protecting the environment are available at https://www.spinmaster.com/en-US/corporate/corporate-social-responsibility.

The Spin Master Recycling Program is open to any interested individual, school, office, or community organization in the United States. For more information on TerraCycle’s recycling programs, visit www.terracycle.com. All Spin Master toys and games are eligible with the exception of the Kinetic Sand brand.

Spin Master acquires Rubik’s Brand in move that strengthens its Games & Puzzles portfolio

The global children’s entertainment company, Spin Master, has reached an agreement to acquire the London-based Rubik’s Brand Ltd, owner of the world famous Rubik’s Cube.

Invented by Ernő Rubik in 1974 and launched globally in 1980, the Rubik’s Cube became a worldwide  craze,selling hundreds of millions of units, and has inspired and challenged both young and old ever since. As a STEM-accredited puzzle, the Rubik’s Cube supports brain development and cognitive skills by allowing  children and adults to use their creativity, while developing and encouraging intelligence.

“The Rubik’s Cube is an iconic puzzle that has permeated pop culture and captivated fans for more than 40 years,” said Elizabeth LoVecchio, Spin Master’s vice president marketing, games. “We are excited for the opportunity to put our marquee innovation on the entire Rubik’s portfolio and expand distribution  through our global footprint.”

Erno Rubik, said: “It is really exciting that Spin Master will continue the legacy of the Rubik’s Cube and fulfill my vision of  nurturing smarter, future generations through play. We chose Spin Master because of  their long-term lens and character.”

Spin Master has been strengthening its position within the games category through acquisitions of new titles and innovative partnerships and collaborations. The Games & Puzzles category is one of the fastest growing super categories in 2020 with families spending more time at home.

Today, Spin Master is the third largest games company in the United States.

“There are many growth opportunities for Spin Master with the Rubik’s brand as we transition to a  blended model of direct sales in combination with existing partners globally,” said Anton Rabie, Spin  Master’s chairman and co-CEO. “Our games division has continuously grown over the past decade and is  a cornerstone of Spin Master’s diversified portfolio. The addition of the legendary Rubik’s Cube to our  roster of games is a historic moment and we are honored to continue the legacy.”

The acquisition of Rubik’s Brand Ltd marks Spin Master’s 22nd acquisition since the company was founded  in 1994 and 12th since its initial public offering in 2015. The transaction is expected to close on January 4,  2021.

Rubik’s launches first official app to teach players to solve the Rubik’s Cube

The world famous puzzle brand, Rubik’s has produced the first official app that uses mobile technology and artificial intelligence to track a real 3D Rubik’s Cube and teach its user how to solve it in real-time. The app also features audio and visual clues to help solve the real-life puzzle.

The concept has been billed as an example of augmented reality giving real play value and user experience. The app comes with a choice of learning to solve the Cube in either the simplest way possible, which is called the Rubik’s method, or the fastest way, which typically takes just 20 moves.

The new Rubik’s Official App is initially available only on iOS and includes games with a virtual Cube, so users can learn and have fun simply by swiping a finger. They can select their choice of game from Rubik’s Mini (2×2) or the original Rubik’s Cube (3×3), to the more challenging Rubik’s Master (4×4) or the Rubik’s Professor (5×5).

The app will also allow users to keep track of their solving times and allow them to share the information digitally.

Christoph Bettin, the CEO for Rubik’s Brand, said: “The Cube has fascinated fans for four decades and I’m the first to admit that the puzzle can be challenging. Research supports the view that solving a Cube links brilliantly with the teaching of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), and this high-tech app captures this, while creating fun and excitement.”

Rubik’s brand sees ‘phenomenal growth’ in digital uptake throughout the world’s lockdown period

The Rubik’s brand has reported a ‘phenomenal growth’ in digital engagement from its community of Rubik’s Cube fans and followers of the brand extension, driven, it states, by the circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown measures taken across the globe.

It’s during the brand’s 40th anniversary that it has ramped up its digital and social measures in a move to counter the momentary pause placed on face to face meetings and gatherings, a cornerstone of the Rubik’s brand. The company even jumped on the chance to develop a social campaign to educate people how to solve a Rubik’s Cube while engaging with the brand from home.

The brand’s website now includes downloadable and mobile-friendly solution guides, while the YouTube channel features videos to suit all skill levels.

Several Rubik’s ambassadors including Keaton Ellis from the USA and Jack Cai from Australia have been recruited to inspire and teach people all about the solve, and each Friday they broadcast to the Rubik’s social Channel’s subscribers and followers, with the hashtag #FastFriday.

Christoph Bettin, the Rubik’s Brand CEO, said: “We quickly learned at the start of the lockdown that solving interest was at an all-time high by those choosing to occupy their time with learning a new skill. Very quickly, the term #CubeAtHome was seen by over 17 million people on the TikTok channel, and this spread to other social media platforms with #AdventureEveryTurn hitting 2.1 million views in just one month.

“We amplified social channel interest with a new campaign called ‘Adventure Every Turn’, which encouraged cube fans to view solution guides and enjoy the challenge of unravelling a scrambled cube.”

The Rubik’s Cube – invented by Professor Erno Rubik – started out life as a means to teach his architectural students. 40 years on and it has evolved into the world’s most successful single toy. To date, nearly half a billion Rubik’s Cubes have been sold, and in 2020 over 20 million Rubik’s product are expected to be sold globally.

Along the way, Rubik’s has formed several partnerships to create new and unique Rubik’s themed products outside of games and puzzles, including its Etch-A-Sketch partnership with Spin Master, The OP, Perplexus, DeKryptic and Marvin’s Magic.

Bettin concluded: “Face to face events are on hold for reasons of safety and social distancing, but we’ve seen a phenomenal growth in digital engagement. This change in circumstance has seen a massive growth of interest in puzzles and games, together with a yearning for nostalgia.

“The ’80s is now a decade admired even by those too young to experience it the first time around. We will continue to celebrate during our anniversary year, when events that were hitherto ‘in person’ may well be adapted to online experiences. You cannot beat the power of face to face gatherings, but we look forward to providing exciting interactive alternatives.”

 

The Smiley Company forges new partnership for Rubik’s Cube in Spin Master collaboration

Spin Master is teaming up with the world-famous Rubik’s Cube to launch a new range of Perplexus Puzzles with a twist, in a new deal brokered by The Smiley Company, the master licensee for Rubik’s.

Together the pair will develop a co-branded Rubik’s x Perplexus range, which will feature a 3D ball-in-a-maze puzzle and labyrinth toy. By twisting and turning the cube, players attempt to manoeuvre a small steel ball through an intricate maze made up of a number of steps along narrow tracks.

The result – according to Spin Master – creates the ultimate Rubik’s Cube puzzle and maze, ‘adding in another level of fun and making the Cube even more challenging than ever before.’

“Collaborating with such an iconic toy like Rubik’s Cube is a unique opportunity to expand the fun and challenge of the Perplexus play experience,” said Elizabeth LoVecchio, VP marketing for Spin Master Games.

“Perplexus is already captivating minds, both young and old, and we are excited to work together with The Smiley Company to expand the popular line and further push the boundaries of fun and innovation.”

Lori Heiss-Tiplady, VP brand strategy at The Smiley Company, added: “Perplexus has become famous for its ingenious sculptural designs and various levels of challenge. These values are perfectly aligned with those that have made the Rubik’s Cube the best-selling toy in history.

“We are committed to extending the brain-boosting credentials of the Rubik’s brand by partnering with world-class companies, like Spin Master, who share our goal of nurturing smarter future generations through products that help learning, boost intelligence and evolve Rubik’s STEM accreditation status.”

The range of new games is currently in development with the first product set for launch in summer 2020, and additional toys earmarked to roll out soon after.