During the New York Toy Fair 2017, Universal Brand Development (UBD) hosted an preview for toys and products from the company’s film and tel...

During the New York Toy Fair 2017, Universal Brand Development (UBD) hosted an preview for toys and products from the company’s film and television partners including Universal Pictures (The Fate of the Furious, The Mummy), Illumination Entertainment (Despicable Me 3) and DreamWorks Animation (Voltron Legendary Defender, Trolls).

Of course I was there to see it all first.

Note: I attended Toy Fair NY as media. No other compensation was received. Views expressed are always 100% my own.




I confess the very first area I visited was the Voltron Legendary Defender. Come on. I HAD to see the new lion action figures from master toy licensee, Playmates Toys! Ironically my son beat me to the table and started playing with the lions and Voltron mega figure first. *sigh*



Voltron Action Figure Assortment - Price: $9.99

The Voltron action figure assortment lets kids collect all of the greatest heroes and villains in the Voltron universe! Each 5.5" figure is highly detailed and articulated, with fun play features and accessories. Figures have battling actions or firing projectiles. Assortment includes: Five Lions (Black Lion, Blue Lion, Green Lion, Red Lion, Yellow Lion), Lion Attack Voltron, Myzax. Ages 4+


Voltron Legendary Lion Assortment - Price: $17.99

The Legendary Lions are fully articulated, with projectile launchers for stand-alone play – and they can also transform and combine with the other Legendary Lions to form a 16" fully articulated Voltron figure! Each of the four lions includes its signature projectile weapon and miniature speeder with the lion's pilot. Assortment includes: Legendary Blue, Green, Red and Yellow Lions Ages 4+

Ultimate Voltron 14" Electronic Figure - Price: $39.99

With Ultimate Voltron, kids can battle the evil Galra forces with a highly detailed and feature-packed version of Voltron! Ultimate Voltron features include: over 20 phrases and sounds, face and chest light up, "laser" projectile, incredible detail and articulation, and of course Voltron's sword! Green Lion can fire "laser" projectile. 26 points of articulation. Ages 4+



Next area we visited was for Despicable Me 3, where we saw a wide range of products from master toy licensee, Thinkway, along with other products from other partners including, Cardinal, Crayola Funko, KidDesigns, Hasbo, Mega Bloks, Moose, Ty, WonderForge, WowWee and many more.


Moose MINEEZ DESPICABLE ME CHARACTER PACK - Price: $5.99

Kids will love to search for the Mineez Despicable Me characters and collect them all! The Mineez Despicable Me Character Pack has 2 Mineez that they can see and 1 mystery Mineez. They can build their Despicable Me world with characters like Kevin, Bob, Gru and so many more. There are over 75 to collect including Limited Edition Golden Minions. Ages 5+

Thinkway DELUXE TALKING STUART WITH FART BLASTER - Price: $19.99

Press his pocket button to hear fart sounds and talking with original movie voice. Includes articulated shoulders and is approx. 4.75” tall. Ages 4+

Thinkway TALKING MINION ACTION FIGURES - Price: $34.99

When new Talking Minions Dave, Tom, Stuart, Tim, Carl, Mel unite, mischief is sure to follow. Each character’s head moves left to right, forward and back and their eyes open, close and look around. Add to the fun with Jail Time versions of Minion Tom, Tim, Carl or with Hula Minion Dave. Each sold separately. Ages 4+



Next was the Trolls area where master toy licensee, Hasbro, in partnership with Universal Brand Development showed off select figures and dolls, featuring tufts of brushable, ready to style TROLLS hair. Kids can act out their favorite musical moments from the movie with several new figures and playsets and aim to collect the colorful cast of TROLLS friends!


Hasbro DreamWorks TROLLS MINI PLUSH Assortment - SRP: $4.99

The adorable DREAMWORKS TROLLS characters now come in cute palm-sized, bean bag form! The DREAMWORKS TROLLS MINI PLUSH assortment rock their signature bright and colorful hair, adding flair to any TROLLS collection. Collect POPPY, BRANCH, GUY DIAMOND, DJ SUKI, HARPER, BIGGIE, COOPER, SATIN, CHENILLE, and SMIDGE. Each sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com. Ages 4+

Hasbro DreamWorks TROLLS TALKIN’ TROLLS Plush Assortment - SRP: $19.99

The huggable, loveable 14-inch plush characters comes with a comb for styling their iconic, brushable TROLLS hair and feature memorable phrases straight from the movie! In the Spring, collect POPPY and DJ SUKI dolls with GUY DIAMOND and BIGGIE dolls available in the fall. Each sold separately. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com. Ages 4+

Hasbro DreamWorks TROLLS POD’ULAR TROLLS TREE Playset - SRP: $39.99

Create your own custom tree pod by rearranging any of the four moveable pods adding rooms and areas for the TROLLS to hang out. Kids will have fun making POPPY slide down the chute’s slide or take the zip line from floor to floor! The DREAMWORKS TROLLS POD’ULAR TROLLS TREE playset is compatible with other HASBRO DREAMWORKS TROLLS playsets allowing for a crazy build-out of TROLL VILLAGE! Playset includes POPPY figure and themed accessories. Available at most major retailers and on HasbroToyShop.com. Ages 4+

While I focused on family friendly areas, I did take a peek into other areas that was geared towards adults.


For their Fall/Winter 2017 collection, inspired by Universal Pictures’ upcoming film THE MUMMY, The Blonds present a narrative collection based on the story of an ancient princess whose destiny was unjustly taken from her and who is awakened in our current day.

The Blonds collection is an interpretation of the evolution of The Mummy’s title character, a fearless warrior who has embraced her destiny. Using the conflict caused by juxtapositions, The Blonds’ vision appears with each piece, revealing the complex-yet-commanding spirit of the woman who wears it.

As the collection is presented in pairs, duality is the overarching theme. One girl is a manifestation of pure, elevated fantasy worthy of center stage. The other is her twin, a wearable, real-world embodiment of the powerful woman who walks among us.



NBCUniversal Brand Development collaborated with popular clothing brand, Affliction, and leading fashion retailer, The Buckle, Inc. (Buckle), to launch an all-new lifestyle apparel collection for young adults, inspired by FAST & FURIOUS.

The complete line will debut nationwide in early 2017, tied to the release of the all-new film, The Fate of the Furious in theaters April 14, 2017.