By: Rubber Ninja Vadim Govorov and Pink Poodle Marlene Sharp
New York Toy Fair (February 14-17) is a distant memory, but ripple effects are real! From the combined perspective of our own neurodivergent Rubber Ninja Vadim Govorov and his Fair-going colleague/collaborator Joe Farco, Esq. – on-site in NYC for the duration – these are the tippy top three tidbits from the ‘to-do. Note that productive coupling is a recurring theme. All of the following achievements are the result of strategic alliances between two different creative companies.
1) Hape Toys x The Met Museum expanded partnership – This joint venture surfaces in GLOBAL TOY NEWS NYTF 2025 coverage. We hereby happily report that the relationship perseveres with famous artwork-inspired offerings. These lovelies appeal to neurodivergent and neurotypical toy tastes alike. Joe Farco is the auteur behind the following Hape booth video, which reveals several treasures.
2) Goliath’s Crazy Aaron’s x ImaGENNation duet – Crazy Aaron’s, now a division of Goliath, and GennComm LLC announce that the companies entered exclusive worldwide licensing agreements for GennComm ImaGENNation’s proprietary and latest squishy tactile toy compound innovations for use in Crazy Aaron’s putty, slime and other playful compounds. Fun facts: Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty is the #1 putty product today, plus Crazy Aaron’s squishy fidget Better Butter Thinking Putty is a 2026 TOTY Specialty Toy of the Year Award nominee.
In the accompanying images, Rubber Ninja Vadim Govorov celebrates the slick tidings with GennComm founder/principal Genna Rosenberg at the official GLOBAL TOY NEWS Toy Fair 2026 shindig, inside publisher Wendy Levey‘s New York pad.
3) Rubber Ninja x Farco ToyCo make it official! – Rubber Ninja becomes direct-to-consumer ready via Joe Farco’s proprietary Connecto construction pieces. Rewind to Javits Center and environs: the two take time to ideate on how a Rubber Ninja product line might manifest via pieces from the forthcoming Farco collection of DIY elements. In person, Farco gifts a Connecto crown jewel playset prototype to publisher Wendy Levey. Govorov presents Levey with an original clay iteration of late GTN founder Richard Gottlieb, a sculpt imbued with the spirit of the great man himself. Imagine the fun to be had when these two inventive powerhouses – namely Farco and Govorov – collide their combined creations! Expect to read reports here first, fellow collectors, players, and admirers . . .
Until then, Rubber Ninja bids you adieu!
