Toys & Family Entertainment, December 2012

What’s New with Jada Toys

Vol. 8, No. 1, December 2012

Halloween Industry Unmasks Trends, Readies for 2013 Roleplay & Dress-Up Sporting Goods Impulse Toys

Untitled-1 1 LZR50870_W9858_TFE_Dec_Ad.indd 1

11/15/2012 9:20:53 AM 11/14/12 11:13 AM

December 2012 Volume 8, No. 1

features

departments

12 Industry Forum: TIA

From the left: Zing’s Z-Curve Bow; Hasbro’s Nerf FireVision Sports Nerfoop; Spin Master’s Zip Bandz; OgoSport’s OgoDisc; Jazwares’ Plants vs.

Zombies Earbuds; Educational Insights’ Puppet-on-a-Stick; Global Merchandising Services’ 1D T-shirt design

16 Merchandise Makers:

on the cover

18 Halloween Unmasks Holiday Trends

4 Observations & Opinions

20 Halloween: Product Presentation

8 The Ticker

by Jennifer Lynch

by Jennifer Lynch

22 Impulse: From ‘Shut-Up Toy’ to Pop Culture Phenom

by Chris Adams

24 Impulse Toys: Product Presentation

by Chris Adams

26 Sports Toy Manufacturers Don’t Forget the Fun

by Chris Adams

28 Sports Toys: Product Presentation

by Chris Adams

30 Roleplay: Product Presentation

by Nancy Lombardi

32 Specialty Emporium: OgoSport

on this page

6 Sizzlers

10 Entertainment Marketplace: One Direction

14 Industry Forum: ASTRA Jada Toys

34 Specialty Emporium: What’s New

36 You’re Hired

38 Calendar of Events

From the top left: RG Costume’s toddler Panda Funsie; Rasta Imposta’s Ted costume; Rubie’s Star Wars Angry Birds Princess Leia Bird costume; Disguise’s Jake deluxe costume from Jake and the Never Land Pirates; Disguise’s My First Disney Red Minnie costume; Rubie’s Spyro costume from Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure

OBSERVATIONS & OPINIONS

WWW.ANBMEDIA.COM

Holidays Have Renewed Meaning BY

BOB GLASER

y the time you read this, the holiday season will be well underway. As always, there’s plenty of attention being paid to holiday sales.

However, this year many may be paying more attention than usual. The past few years have, obviously, been a struggle in the toy industry. As an industry, this is our make-or-break time of year. Yet, there has not been one clear-cut musthave toy for the past several holiday seasons. There are certainly a number of good, solid items just not one that everyone is running to the stores to buy.

Couple that with the recession and the result is that most parents have been scaling back and shopping for lower-priced items year after year.

In the 20-plus years that I have been in the toy industry, it remains a $20 billion industry. Of course, during that time, many other industries have sprouted up to complement—and perhaps overtake—the toy industry such as video games, handheld devices, and more recently, apps. Both have had more positive effects on the industry despite those who complain that it steals toy sales.

Yearly toy sales usually fluctuate within a 2–3 percent range. Early reports for this holiday season projected a slight increase. One factor that might hurt these early projections is the continued effects of Hurricane Sandy on the Northeast region. Excuse my obvious New York City bias here, but when a large-scale event interrupts the Tri-State area’s normal patterns, it does impact sales given the dense population of the area combined with the many high-income households.

With so many people still focused on the lack of basic necessities post-storm, such as food, shelter, and warmth, it’s too early to tell, as of this writing, how much time and money will be left to think about toys. Yet, even with those challenges, parents will want to make this holiday season as “normal” as they can for their children—especially if they have been displaced by the storm.

For many families, celebrating a holiday can help them recover from a tragedy whether it’s a natural disaster or other occurrence. Whether it’s celebrating the religious meaning, taking time to be appreciative of life, or having extra time to spend with friends and family during the holiday break, this year’s holiday season will have a more important meaning for many on the East Coast.

While all of us in the toy industry, understandably, focus on holiday sales with an eye on profits, this year let’s remember that the best things in life are free.

B

All of us at aNb Media wish everyone a very happy and healthy holiday season! Safe travels to all in the new year as the trade show season begins again.

Correction: On page 48 of the October issue, we incorrectly stated the name of Learning Resources new line as Sprouts. The name of the line is New Sprouts.

4 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

December 2012 • Volume 8, Number 1 PUBLISHER BOB GLASER BOB@ANBMEDIA.COM ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ANDY KRINNER ANDY@ANBMEDIA.COM ADVERTISING MANAGER DONNA MOORE DONNA@ANBMEDIA.COM CONTROLLER MARY GROGAN MARY@ANBMEDIA.COM EDITOR IN CHIEF JIM SILVER JIM@ANBMEDIA.COM EDITORIAL DIRECTOR NANCY LOMBARDI NANCY@ANBMEDIA.COM EDITOR AT LARGE CHRISTOPHER BYRNE CHRISB@ANBMEDIA.COM CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CHRIS ADAMS CHRISA@ANBMEDIA.COM EDITOR LAURIE LEAHEY LAURIE@ANBMEDIA.COM ASSISTANT EDITOR JENNIFER LYNCH JENNIFER@ANBMEDIA.COM WEB MASTER ERIK KIECKHAFER ERIK@ANBMEDIA.COM WEB CONTENT MANAGER BRENDAN SANABRIA BRENDAN@ANBMEDIA.COM CONTRIBUTORS KATHLEEN MCHUGH; KRISTIN MORENCY PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE JOSSLYNNE WELCH LITZKY PUBLIC RELATIONS, 320 SINATRA DRIVE, HOBOKEN, N.J. 07030 (201) 222–9118 EXT. 13 • JWELCH@LITZKYPR.COM INTERESTED IN A SUBSCRIPTION? CONTACT SUBSCRIPTIONS@ANBMEDIA.COM ANB MEDIA, INC. 229 WEST 28TH STREET, SUITE 401, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10001 PHONE: (646) 763–8710 • FAX: (646) 763–8727 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT is published six times per year by aNb Media.

Copyright 2012 aNb Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A. TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT and SPECIALTY EMPORIUM are registered trademarks of aNb Media.

Opinions and comments expressed in this publication by editors, contributing writers, or solicited or unsolicited documents are not necessarily those of management.

SIZZLERS

Sizzlers: What’s Moving Off Store Shelves?

What Are the Hottest Web Orders?

Here is an alphabetical listing of the hottest-selling items in the toy industry, based on a combined survey of both offline and online retailers, reflecting the previous month’s sales.

Doc McStuffins Time for Your Checkup Doll

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shellraiser Vehicle

ANGRY BIRDS SPACE GAME Mattel

Furby

LEGO FRIENDS ASSORTMENT LEGO

DOC MCSTUFFINS DOCTOR’S BAG SET Just Play

MONSTER HIGH GHOULS RULE ASSORTMENT Mattel

FURBY Hasbro

MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC PONY PRINCESS WEDDING CASTLE Hasbro

DOC MCSTUFFINS TIME FOR YOUR CHECKUP DOLL Just Play HEDBANZ GAME Spin Master

JAKE AND THE NEVER LAND PIRATES JAKE’S MUSICAL PIRATE SHIP BUCKY Fisher-Price

LALALOOPSY SOFT DOLLS AND MINI DOLLS ASSORTMENTS MGA Entertainment LEAPPAD2 EXPLORER LeapFrog

6 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

MONSTER HIGH HIGH SCHOOL Mattel

SKYLANDERS GIANTS Activision

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES ROLEPLAY AND VEHICLE ASSORTMENTS Playmates WINX CLUB DOLL ASSORTMENT Jakks Pacific WWE BRAWLIN’ BUDDIES Mattel

The New Show for Gifts and Gadgets COMING TO DALLAS THIS SPRING! Play. Baby. Juvenile.

SAVE THE (PLAY) DATE

March 21-22, 2013 DALLAS MARKET CENTER

Untitled-1 1

Taking place during Dallas KidsWorld Market and attracting buyers from across the country.

www.dallasmarketcenter.com/pbj

11/16/2012 3:01:22 PM

THE TICKER

A Recap of Industry Headlines • For More News, Visit www.aNbMedia.com • Sign up to Receive FREE Weekly News Alerts The Toy Industry Association (TIA) and media company Engage Digital announced that the seventh annual Digital Kids Conference will co-locate once again with the American International Toy Fair in February 2013 at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Taking place February 12-13, the two-day Digital Kids Conference will bring youth-focused digital media executives, brand owners, and licensors together to learn critical information about engaging children online and through digital devices. The robust conference program will supply participants with valuable marketplace insight on producing inspiring products, establishing successful online and mobile revenue-generating strategies, and leveraging the latest social media best practices.

TOY FAIR

TO

HOST DIGITAL KIDS CONFERENCE

The 39th annual Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair 2013 will highlight the new Kidult World, capitalizing on the industry trend toward adult toys and games. Kidult World will bring three components under one umbrella including hobby goods; magic items; and vehicles, mechanical toys, and action figures. To emphasize this new space, additional activities for Kidult World exhibitors will be arranged and announced shortly. Buyers will be able to get a glimpse of key products from the three segments at a special display area.

The Fair has built a strong reputation through the decades and has developed into the largest event of its kind in Asia, and the second largest in the world. The 2012 Fair attracted more than 35,800 buyers from around the world. This year, 1,900 exhibitors are expected. The Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair 2013 will be held January 7–10 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, sponsored by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

HONG KONG TOYS & GAMES FAIR DEDICATES FLOOR SPACE

FOR

TOYS AIMED

AT

ADULTS

Judith Ellis and the late Russ Berrie have been selected as the newest inductees into the Toy Industry Association’s (TIA) Toy Industry Hall of Fame. The inductees were nominated from within the toy industry and selected by a vote of TIA members and previous Hall of Fame honorees.

Ellis is the founder and chair of the nation’s first baccalaureate program in toy design, which she launched at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in 1989. The program now boasts more than 350 alumni who work in leading toy design, manufacturing, and inventor groups across the globe, while an estimated 3,500-plus products have been designed by FIT toy design alumni. She has received two SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Faculty Service and Distinguished Classroom Faculty and the FIT President’s Award for Faculty Excellence.

Berrie, who passed away in 2002 of a stroke, was chief executive and chairman of Russ Berrie & Company, which he founded in 1963.

He built a large company on stuffed animals and other toys and gifts—from his initial launch of Fuzzy-Wuzzies to its immediate follow-up with the Bupkis family and the SilliSculpt lines. In the 1980s, the Snuggle bear line prospered, followed by Troll-mania in the early 1990s.

Under his leadership, Russ Berrie & Company became one of the largest gift companies in the world, with more than 1,500 employees globally and reaching $300 million in annual sales. Berrie also devoted endless time, energy, and resources to numerous charitable causes.

The 2013 ceremony honoring the inductees will take place at the 13th annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards on Saturday, February 9, 2013, at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. The ceremony will kick off the 110th American International Toy Fair.

ELLIS, BERRIE

TO

BE INDUCTED

8 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

INTO

TOY INDUSTRY HALL

OF

FAME

Kidz Bop appointed Studio Licensing to represent licensing and merchandising for the Kidz Bop music brand in Canada. Studio Licensing will help bring Kidz Bop to Canada with a mass market consumer products program and integrated marketing program in 2013. The Canadian launch will be led with the release of Kidz Bop 23 on January 15. It will be supported by an extensive 2013 television advertising campaign, which will air on networks including YTV, Teletoon Retro, and Nick Canada. In addition, the Kidz Bop Kids, the face and voice behind the brand, will make a number of appearances throughout the year.

KIDZ BOP SIGNS STUDIO LICENSING

FOR

CANADA

Edu-Science (H.K.) Ltd., which specializes in science and nature toys, has named Elenco Electronics, Inc., as the exclusive direct import distributor of its educational toys marketed under Science Tech, Discovery Planet, Tree of Knowledge, Spy Tech, and Edu-Toys brands. Under the agreement, Elenco will handle Canada and U.S. distribution. Elenco has been the exclusive domestic distributor for Edu-Science since 2005.

Edu-Science is known for its Da Vinci DIY kits under license from Leonardo3 and Jr. Scientist Experiment Kits by Gakken-Japan. Also included in the Edu-Science line are Rock Tumblers, as well as Metal Detectors, Dinosaur Skeleton models, telescopes, microscopes, and science kits for the human body and geology.

EDU-SCIENCE NAMES ELENCO

AS

DIRECT IMPORT DISTRIBUTOR

DECEMBER 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 9

ENTERTAINMENT MARKETPLACE

GLOBAL MERCHANDISING SERVICES’

BY LAURIE LEAHEY

arry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik didn’t know one another when they auditioned for the UK series The X Factor. Each boy auditioned as a solo act, but X Factor judge Simon Cowell put them together as a group.

Together as One Direction, the five boys placed third on the seventh season of The X Factor. In February 2012, America got its first taste of One Direction (more commonly referred to now in abbreviated form, 1D) when the band’s single “What Makes You Beautiful,” off the album Up All Night, debuted. Girls everywhere went crazy for the good-looking lads, and the furor over 1D continues to grow.

“What Makes You Beautiful” entered the charts at No. 1 in both the UK and Ireland. It has sold more than four million copies worldwide and more than two million in America alone, according to informaBedding sets are available from tion provided by Global Merchandising Services Jay Franco in various styles.

(GMS). Up All Night has charted at No. 1 in 16 countries, including the U.S, says GMS. The band was named Best New Artist at the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, and the video for “What Makes You Beautiful” won Best Pop Video and Most Share-Worthy Video at the same awards show. The group itself has nearly 8 million Twitter followers. Each member of the group has their own verified Twitter account with millions more followers. One Direction has almost 11 million Facebook fans, and, according to Google, generates more than 13.6 million average monthly searches. 1D has been touring internationally in support of its debut album, and a second album, Take Me Home, was released on November 13, 2012.

But for fans who want 1D all the time, there is a licensing program from 1D’s licensing agent, GMS. The large roster of licensees brings the music, concert experience, and good looks of the band members to a variety of toys, electronics, accessories, and more.

Hasbro is the master toy licensee, and other licensees include Accessory Innovations, American Greetings, Advanced Graphics, Browntrout Publishers, Church and Dwight, Ennovation Studios, First Act, i-Star, LFUSA, Jay Franco, Skyhigh International, Starlight Accessories, TCG, Trends International, and The Wish Factory, as well as Canadian partners Revolution Home Décor and Lamour. Products are now available at major retailers in North America and internationally.

H

10 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

NEED

TO

KNOW

• Fans of the group are known as Directioners.

• One Direction is more commonly referred to as 1D.

• One Direction wrote “More Than This,” “Taken,” and “Stole My Heart” off its first album.

• Harry Styles came up with the name One Direction.

• Liam is known as “the smart one,” Harry is known as “the flirt,” Louis is known as “the leader,” Niall is known as “the funny one,” and Zayn is known as “the vain one.”

JAZWARES

1D fans can listen to 1D songs through Jazwares’ 1D Headphones. The over-sized pink-and-white cushioned headphones include an image of 1D surrounded by rhinestone embellishments on each ear as well as “1D” imprinted on the adjustable headband.

The headphones are for ages 6 and up. Also available from Jazwares is a 1D Boombox.

HASBRO

Hasbro’s 1D collectible doll line brings the boys in the band to life. Each of the five figures is sculpted in the likeness of each 1D member. Fans of the band can collect Harry, Liam, Louis, Zayn, and Niall. Each doll stands 12 inches tall and sports stylish clothes inspired by real outfits worn by the 1D members. The dolls are for ages 5 and up.

MZ BERGER

MZ Berger is producing a variety of 1Dthemed watches in different colors and styles. Each watch features group shots of the 1D members. MZ Berger will also produce 1D-themed clocks.

THE WISH FACTORY

GLOBAL MERCHANDISING SERVICES

Global Merchandising Services is the worldwide licensing agent and apparel holder for 1D. The company produces 1D T-shirts featuring images of the band, including the one shown above.

The Wish Factory will produce novelty toys featuring 1D graphics. Items include Squishy Key Chains, Micro Figure Key Chains, Earbud Charms, a Plastic Pop Band Bracelet, a Braided Pop Band Sidekick (charm bracelet), a Braided Pop Band Blister, Dog Tags, Collectible Key Chains, 3D Nail Charms, 2D Nail Charms, Musical Key Chains, and Bobble Busts.

SKYHIGH INTERNATIONAL

Skyhigh International is producing a variety of back-to-school items featuring 1D, including the spiral notebook above.

DECEMBER 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 11

INDUSTRY FORUM

TOY FAIR 2013 ENHANCES LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ATTENDEES K M BY

RISTIN

ORENCY,

TIA

ith just a couple of months to go before the

online and through digital devices.

(TIA) and its partners are putting together a

products, establishing successful online and mobile revenue-generation

W

American International Toy Fair opens its doors

in New York City, the Toy Industry Association

robust educational program designed to

enhance the learning experience for the more than 30,000 industry professionals projected to attend the February 10–13, 2013, show.

Building on the educational webinars and resources TIA’s

Knowledge Network delivers to toy industry stakeholders year-round,

The conference program will provide

participants with valuable marketplace insight on creating inspiring

strategies, and leveraging the latest social media best practices. Engage Digital Media, which previously co-located events with Toy Fair in 2010 and 2011, is offering TIA members reduced conference rates.

• CREATIVE FACTOR AND INDEPENDENT THINKING SESSIONS

Toy Fair will supply its diverse audience members—including retailers

(FEBRUARY 10–13, 2013)

ing opportunities that will make their visit to the largest toy trade show

Taking place throughout the show, each hour-long session will tackle a

(both independent and mass), creative types (such as inventors and

designers) and manufacturers/distributors—with a wide range of learnin the Western Hemisphere fun, interactive, and richly rewarding.

“Toy Fair’s Knowledge Network programming allows attendees the

opportunity to learn best practices from some of the most respected

leaders in the toy industry—all present under one roof,” said Marian Bossard, vice-president of meetings and events at TIA, the trade group that owns and operates Toy Fair. “While the show is first and foremost seriously business-oriented, our program of seminars and conferences transforms Toy Fair into a truly well-rounded event.”

• TIA’S CONTENT CONNECTION (FEBRUARY 10–11, 2013)

Based on the educational content available to licensors and brand

owners at last year’s show, this year will see an expanded program for Toy Fair’s ever-growing licensing community. TIA’s Content

Connection will tackle opportunities for traditional and e-enhanced

toy manufacturers and designers; preschool market research; demographic trends, media use, and retail infrastructure in youth markets

around the world; basic concepts and best practices for licensing

brands and properties; and more. The conference will be produced in association with EPM Communications (publishers of The Licensing Letter and Youth Markets Alert) and JC, Inc.; attendance fees apply.

• DIGITAL KIDS CONFERENCE (FEBRUARY 12–13, 2013)

Presented by Engage Digital Media, the two-day Digital Kids

Conference will bring youth-focused digital media executives, brand

owners, and licensors together—from Fortune 1,000 companies and

focused start-ups—to learn critical information about engaging children

12 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

These free presentations are targeted to Toy Fair’s creative commu-

nity (inventors, designers, etc.) and independent and specialty retailers. different topic—from customer service and staffing to sourcing manufacturing and marketing on a budget.

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (DOC) GUIDE TO EXPORTING:

NORTH & SOUTH OF THE BORDER (FEBRUARY 11, 2013)

Led by a representative from the U.S. Department of Commerce

International Trade Administration, this free seminar will provide toy companies with key guidance on how to expand their businesses further into the global marketplace.

• TOY SAFETY COMPLIANCE UPDATE (FEBRUARY 12, 2013)

This annual TIA update provides an in-depth look at recently

passed toy safety standards, laws, and compliance requirements in the U.S. and abroad. Free to TIA members; non-members must pay $149 to attend.

Toy Fair will take place February 10–13, 2013, at the Jacob K.

Javits Convention Center in New York City. It’s a must-attend event for

anyone with an interest in the $21.87 billion U.S. toy marketplace. Toy

Fair annually draws more than 10,000 global retailers to see more than 100,000 products—an estimated 7,000 of which are brand new—on display by more than 1,000 companies.

For up-to-the-minute Knowledge Network program descriptions and scheduling, to learn about Toy Fair’s additional networking events, and to register for the show, visit ToyFairNY.com.

Save the Date LEARN

South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa Las Vegas, Nevada

MAy 7-9, 2013

NETWORK

Plan now to attend the only annual event exclusively for the Juvenile Specialty Store market.

EXPLORE

Learn from top marketing and industry speakers as they present on the latest topics and trends, offer “how-to’s” on succeeding in this evolving marketplace, and lead peer-to-peer discussions of best practices.

Network with fellow buyers, retailers, manufacturers and trade media at our poolside reception, meals and refreshment breaks, and more.

Explore our industry expo, meet with key suppliers, gain important product knowledge and view mid-year product introductions.

Enjoy a world of gaming, dining and entertainment just outside your door at this spectacular all-in-one resort near the Las Vegas Strip.

2 nd year at this SpectAculAr reSort • 80,000 square foot casino • More than a dozen restaurants & bars • World-class entertainment & nightlife • 64-lane state-of-the-art bowling center • 16-screen movie theater complex • Video arcade & 600 seat bingo room • Fitness center & full-service spa • Landscaped outdoor pool & Jacuzzi • Liquor store, barber shop & more • Complimentary airport shuttle

5th AnnuAl

• Near the Las Vegas Strip

Spring Educational Conference & Trade Show REGISTER TODAY! Contact: Sarah Binkley • sarah@theabcshow.com • 210.691.4848, Ext. 111 • www.allbabyandchildsec.com

Untitled-1 1

11/15/2012 9:27:31 AM

INDUSTRY FORUM

TIPS FOR INCREASING AVERAGE SALES BY

KATHLEEN MCHUGH, ASTRA

he retail profit formula is the same for all independently owned stores. You can make more money either by reducing costs or increasing sales or both. Most toy store owners who are members of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) have trimmed costs for years, to the point that all extra profit from that strategy has probably been realized. So what about increasing sales?

T

Increasing Revenue through Increasing the Average Sale One tactic for increasing store revenue is to upgrade the average sale.

Specialty stores have a business model that is especially suited for this. Each has strong customer relationships, unique products that are not easily available elsewhere, a knowledgeable staff, and top-notch customer service.

Clerking It or Working It? As a store owner, your challenge is to organize your training, your incentives, and your selling-floor practices to exploit these advantages. Doug Fleener, a retailing expert and popular ASTRA Marketplace & Academy speaker, puts it this way: Are your employees clerking it or are they working it?

Working it means that everyone on your staff is supporting a store-wide higher-thanaverage sale with basic suggestive selling tactics. Presented here are a few ideas. If you want more, network with ASTRA retailers

14 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

by jumping on ASTRA’s member-only discussion board (www.astratoy.org for more info) or joining us at ASTRA’s Marketplace & Academy in Nashville in June 2013.

Suggestive Selling Tactics • Show a range of price points. If a customer indicates what she needs and her target price, quickly identify and show a range starting at that price point and going up to a more aspirational product. This requires product knowledge and the ability to bring to life the features that would make each product appealing to the child.

• Add-ons. There are many products that are natural to sell together. Customers will expect that you send them out the door with everything they need to use the product they came to buy. If it’s paint for an art project, show them paper, paint brushes, and an apron to keep the budding Renoir clean.

Suggest play scenarios that support addons. Here are a few examples: n Kids love to act out stories you read them. It’s a great way to build their language skills. How about this dog costume to go with the book about the puppy? n Your daughter will love that pretend baking set. She might enjoy some time with you in the kitchen as well. Did you see this kid’s cookbook with healthy snacks and this apron?

• Package items together. Similar to add-ons, packaging items takes it a step further by introducing them—ad hoc—as a set: n These three books together make a wonderful starter library for new parents.

We have the most adorable set of Easter toys that are so much fun your little guy will never notice that he didn’t get candy. n

• Impulse items. Up-selling with impulse items, especially while the customer is checking out, is an age-old tactic.

Use suggestive selling lines such as: n Have you seen these? They are so. . . (cute, popular, handy, etc.) n We’re having a hard time keeping them in stock. n We’ve had moms buy the whole set. n These can be great little rewards every time your child. . .

• Additional recipients. If a customer is in your store and ready to spend, ask about anything further the customer might be needing in the next few weeks. n Do you have any new babies on the way in your family or at work? n Is there anyone else on your list? n Are there other friends in your daughter’s class who have birthdays coming up?

Train your employees not just to spot up-selling opportunities but to create them.

The good news is that it is a win for everyone. Your employees will be more challenged and more satisfied with their accomplishments, your customers will get the service they came for, and you’ll see the results in your bottom line.

Kathleen McHugh is president of The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA). Visit astratoy.org.

JUST REDUCED!!! NEW LOWER RATES FOR TOY FAIR NYC • FEBRUARY 10-13, 2013 RATES FROM $109.

ACE HOTEL AVALON BLAKELY CANDLEWOOD CARLTON (MARRIOTT) CHANDLER COMFORT INN CONVENTION CENTER DISTRIKT FLATIRON HOTEL GANSEVOORT PARK GEM MIDTOWN WEST GOTHAM HOTEL HAMPTON INN CHELSEA

*

*

20 West 29th St. 16 East 32nd St. 136 West 55th St. 339 West 39th St. 88 Madison Ave. 12 East 31st St. 442 West 36th St.

$199-$279 $149-$179 $219-$259 $159 $199-$279 $179-$199 $109-$129

342 West 40th St. 160 West 25th St. 420 Park Ave. South 449 West 36th St. 16 East 46th St. 108 West 24th St.

$185-$215 $149-$169 $275-$315 $109-$129 $175-$195 $159-$179

*

HAMPTON INN MSG HAMPTON INN TIME SQUARE SOUTH HILTON GARDEN INN CHELSEA HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS TIME SQUARE SOUTH HYATT 48 MANSFIELD MAVE NOMAD PEARL HOTEL SHOREHAM

*

*

*

* *

116 West 31 St. 337 West 39th St.

$169-$189 $189-$199

119 West 28th St.

$209

343 West 39th St.

$189-$199

517 Lexington Ave.. $230 12 West 44th St. $195-$235 62 Madison Ave. $149-$189 1170 Broadway $295-$325 233 West 49th St. $195-$295 33 West 55th St. $205-$245

* Includes breakfast. All prices are based on availability.

Untitled-1 1

11/15/2012 3:18:06 PM

MERCHANDISE MAKERS

JADA TOYS SHIFTS GEARS

IN

TOY AISLE

BY JENNIFER LYNCH

n 1999, Jada Toys was launched by husband and wife toy team Jack and May Li, specializing in die-cast replicas. But Jada distinguished itself within this category by bringing the level of detailing and customization of its replicas to a new level. The company quickly became an important supplier to Walmart, Target, Toys “R” Us, Kmart, and, at the time, KB Toys. Now the company is diversifying into other categories.

Jada first captured consumers’ interests with its initial product line Street Low. The line featured customized die-cast vehicles that encapsulated the popularity of the lowrider movement at the time. The line’s 1960 Chevy Impala specifically became Jada’s best-selling item, featuring opening and closing doors, a hardtop, and highly detailed features that mimicked the classic

I

Jada Toys launched the Cutie Pops doll line at retail this fall. Pictured left to right are Cookie (with cookie-themed style pops), Velvet (with cupcake-themed style pops), and Candy (with candy-themed style pops).

16 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

Jada Toys’ Street Low 1960 Chevy Impala

low-ride vehicle’s design.

By 2004, Jada began to move beyond diecast, beginning with radio-controlled vehicles. This allowed the company to stay true to the die-cast design DNA that it had become known for, says Bill Simons, senior vice-president, sales at Jada Toys. This attention to detail landed the company licensing deals with top automotive brands, such as Ford, Dodge, GM, Lamborghini, and more.

It also led to deals with NASCAR, Speed Racer, and more than 40 police departments throughout the U.S., including the NYPD and the LAPD. “Today, our [licensing] portfolio is very diverse and developed,” says Simons. “Hello Kitty, Disney, Power Rangers, and Halo are some of our current licensing partners within toys. This diverse mix of licenses is what gives us a competitive advantage.” Jada became Guitar Hero’s first licensee to produce electronics with the Guitar Hero Air Guitar Rocker in 2008 and in 2012 launched a new Halo die-cast vehicle line, which included vehicles and characters from the newly released Halo 4 video game, as well as a Hello Kitty R/C vehicle.

Beyond die-cast, the real growth and success lies in Jada’s emerging girls division. “For those that think of Jada as just a die-cast company, that’s really five-yearsago-type thinking,” he says. Jada launched

its first doll line Cutie Pops at Toy Fair 2012, tapping into the demand for more customizable dolls. The line features “style pops,” such as fashion pops to accessorize dolls’ outfits; hair pops to change their hair color, texture, and style; and eye pops to change up the dolls’ eye color and makeup. The larger interchangeable pops feature heart-shaped connectors so they can only connect to the doll one way, while the smaller pieces easily pop into place like a snap fastener. “It provides girls endless possibilities to express their own personalities and creativity by mixing and matching between pops to create their own unique Cutie Pops,” says Simons. The line also includes Cutie Pops pets, which also feature style pops as well as interchangeable ears and tails. Jada is currently working to expand the Cutie Pops brand into new categories through outbound licensing. The company has already signed partners for activities, bedding, and apparel, with plans to announce additional details on the agreements in 2013.

But its real formula for success lies in the “intelligent and balanced growth that stems from innovation, imaginative play, value, and focused marketing,” says Simons. “I cannot emphasize enough how important the manufacturing and product development side is. At Jada, we have a strong foundation overseas, and there are big infrastructure plans in the works that are central to our future success.” Boys’ action, vehicles, R/C, fashion and small dolls, and preschool are all categories Jada will tackle in the new year.

HALLOWEEN UNMASKS HOLIDAY TRENDS

BY JENNIFER LYNCH

y all estimations Halloween 2012 sales were Look Book, which was styled by New York City boutique expected to rise. The National Retail Screaming Mimi’s owner Laura Wills, likewise emphasized Federation’s annual Halloween consumer the more DIY approach consumers are demanding. spending survey, conducted by BIGinsight, This is also something more retail buyers are asking for as once again highlighted an anticipated rise in the industry readies for 2013, says Cheryl Kerzner, vice-presthe holiday’s annual sales. Conditions were favorable as the ident, product design and marketing at Disguise. “Whereas holiday fell mid-week, which allowed additional time for purtypically, we’d sell a finished costume and accessories, now chases; and industry executives overall expressed optimism in [a consumer] may wear her own dress but marry it with interviews conducted in early to mid-October. pieces to create a look,” she says. The demand for cusYet, these were all sentiments expressed prior to tomized looks is one factor in this trend, but the economy, Hurricane Sandy’s impact on the East despite its more optimistic forecast, remains a driving Coast. As with any holiday, last-minute factor for all parties. David Spiegel, owner of consumers are often counted on to bring up Halloweensales by Vasa, adds that manufacturing cossales totals. “But in essence what happened was on the tumes that include all the bells and whistles in one packSunday before Halloween instead of buying Halloween Eeyore costume from Disguise’s age drives up prices. “It’s better to sell costumes and accesMy First Disney costume line costumes, everyone was looking for batteries, food, sories separately,” he says. “Otherwise, in order to make water, and that type of thing,” says Howard Beige, execup the margins, the costumes get cheaper in quality once utive vice-president, Rubie’s Costume Co. “We really lost the last days you pull them out of the bag.” A few years ago, consumers were more leading up to Halloween. I think that most people who have been in the willing to pay a higher premium for quality costumes ($79.99), but now Halloween business for at least the past five years were running either the sweet spot for adult costumes is $29.99–$39.99 and $14.99–$29.99 flat or even a bit behind last year’s sales up until Friday, October 26 and for kids’ costumes, Spiegel says. were planning to catch up the next four days. And because of what hapOne area however that has remained somewhat immune to this trend pened, at least on the East Coast, they didn’t get that chance.” is the infant and toddler sector. One example of these types of costumes And in a further setback, many consumers didn’t get the chance to cel- from Disguise is its new My First Disney costume line for infants, ages ebrate post-storm as power outages dragged on and some families dealt 6–12 months, which features upgraded fabrications, zippers, and full-on with extensive clean-up and devastation. onesies under the costumes. Disguise refers to these costumes as “grandma bait” because they feature all the bells and whistles to create baby’s SPINNING A WEB OF OPPORTUNITY perfect first Halloween photos.

Although the NRF’s results indicate consumers still draw the most inspiration from what they see in stores (35.7 percent), how much of it CONSUMERS REMAIN SPELLBOUND BY TOP LICENSES Competition within the Halloween industry continues to be on the rise they actually purchase there is less certain. A growing trend among consumers is purchasing online or only pieces of a costume to mix and as new companies test the waters with new product and expand into the match with their own items to create more customized looks. “We defi- category. “As a culture we’re very driven by what we see in the media, but nitely give the consumer the option to be a licensed character if they that 4- to 8-year-old child is especially driven by what he sees in the want to be,” says Eric Morse, senior director of licensing and product movies and on TV and what his parents are watching,” says Disguise’s development at Spirit Halloween, a division of Spencer Gifts. “But we Kernzer. “Halloween manufacturers are all fighting for the right licenses. also have a section where they can essentially create their own non- We’re even seeing smaller companies that had always just done proprilicensed costume with our Create A Costume line, which features acces- etary costumes begin to take on and develop new licenses.” Some examsories so you can be whoever you want to be.” Target’s 2012 Halloween ples of this can already be seen in the translation of top superhero film and

B

18 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

TV characters into strong costume sales, such as with The Avengers, Power Rangers, SpiderMan, and Batman.

But it’s not just about chasing the hot three or four licenses, says Rubie’s Beige. Having a rounded assortment is just as important, because certain classic licenses will always remain strong sellers. And if anything happens in the media with these properties, it can mean an unexpected sales boost, as was the case when Sesame Street’s Big Bird, which Disguise holds the license for, became a central figure in this year’s presidential debates.

Big Bird became the face of PBS in the minds of the voting public after Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney discussed cutting funds for PBS and was quoted as saying, “I like Big Bird.”

Finding a niche within the market or pairing your strategy with the right licenses can offer a leg up against competition. Rasta Imposta has branded itself as the go-to company in the novelty and humor category of Halloween costumes. “We’ve been in the business for 20-plus years so people expect us to provide the fun and the funny for Halloween,” says Gary Schneider, general manager, marketing and licensing, Rasta Imposta. “The licensing company knows what our sweet spot is, what works for us, and what we can make work for them.”

So much so in fact that while the typical timeline for a licensed costume takes about a year from the time the agreement is signed to when the costume hits the shelves, Rasta signed a quick turn-around deal with Striker Entertainment this May for the movie Ted for Halloween 2012.

Licensed Halloween goods are also some-

The kids’ portion of the Halloween Costume Style Show at the 2012 Halloween and Party Expo. One of the most trafficked events of the expo, the show features the most popular costumes and licenses for the upcoming year.

thing retailers are increasingly shifting their attention toward. Earlier this year, Spirit Halloween formed its own licensing department in response to the trend. “It came out of a real growth in consumers wanting to be their favorite characters,” says Spirit’s Morse. “I think Spirit needed to have someone to be able to talk to the studios, talk to the licensors, and get a better understanding of what’s coming up and what’s hot so that our business can be differentiated and grow.” This allowed Spirit to jump on an exclusive deal with Cartoon Network early in 2012 to carry Adventure Time costumes.

While the allocation of floor space has not shifted too much for the upcoming Halloween & Party Expo (HPE), January 19–22, these trends toward niche costumes, including ones for pets, is becoming more prominent on the floor, says Jonathan Erwin, spokesperson for HPE.

WICKED PREDICTION FOR 2013

As we move into 2013, the Halloween sea-

son will close out with the International Halloween Show this month in New York City and follow with HPE in Houston in January.

Each show serves a different purpose, but like many trade shows these events have become more important for mom-and-pop and international businesses and less so for big U.S.-based costume makers, which typically use the shows to double check their orders. Those who are planning to attend, however, should come with a game plan, take advantage of the shows’ resources, and simply make the most out of their time, says HPE’s Erwin.

“Halloween has really evolved into a national party over the past few years,” says Spirit’s Morse. “It’s not just about the costume anymore.

It’s about the experience. Between ready-towear and accessories, consumers are demanding more for their Halloween, this year and going forward, than they ever have before.” And for kids in particular, nothing will halt the celebration—not even an historic hurricane.

DECEMBER 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 19

Halloween

BY JENNIFER LYNCH

Whether consumers want mix-and-match intricately detailed pieces to create their own customized look or complete high-quality costumes, there are many options to choose from when deciding on a Halloween costume. Here is a sampling of the latest costumes and ghoulish goodies for the spooky season.

Elope

Elope expanded its line of Where’s Waldo? costumes to more than 10 items, including costumes for men, women, kids, and dogs as well as complementary items such as beanies, socks, and messenger bags.

Rasta Imposta

Rasta Imposta signed an agreement with Moose Toys to create a line of costumes based on the Trash Pack toy line’s Trashies characters. The line will be targeted to boys ages 6–10. It is expected to launch in 2013.

Fun-World

The Fun-World Monster Miss Costume is a fun and fashionable costume in sizes toddler through teen. The costume includes a dress, hat with poms, mitts, and leg warmers.

InCharacter

InCharacter Costumes offers a line of infant and toddler costumes available in sizes 6–12 months, 12–18 months, and 18 months–2T. The Time Out costume (pictured) features a cap and jumpsuit with attached mesh tattoo sleeves, snaps for easy diaper change, and skid-resistant feet.

20 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

Rubie’s

Rubie’s Costume Co. will expand its Skylanders line to include costumes based on the video game Skylanders Giants for 2013. The Spyro costume, pictured right, includes a jumpsuit with attached shoe covers, wings. and mask.

Disguise

Disguise, a division of Jakks Pacific, teamed up with Disney Consumer Products for Jake and the Never Land Pirates costumes this year.

In 2013 it will offer costumes for two of its newest girl-focused television shows– Disney Junior’s Doc McStuffins and Sophia the First, which will premiere on the channel in spring 2013.

Jake and the Never Land Pirates’ Jake costume

RG Costumes

RG Costumes has created a line of animal onesie costumes called Funsies in sizes toddler through adult. The costumes feature a polar fleece jumpsuit with hood, front snap closures, and two pockets. Pictured is the toddler Panda Funsie.

Kiwi Crate

Kiwi Crate offers limited-edition, DIY Halloween crate costume kits for ages 3 and up. The current kits come in two options: Superhero or Flying Fairy. The Superhero kit comes with all the materials to decorate a satin cape with sticky bright felt and shapes.

Kids can also design and color their own mask with metallic markers. The line will be expanded for 2013, according to the company.

Mattel

Mattel has launched an all-new Halloween and holiday assortment of Fijit Friends Newbies. Girls can nurture each of the Fijit Friends Newbies to sing and dance to their own unique song. As girls pet and interact with their Halloween and Holiday Fijit Friends Newbies, their singing improves. Place two Fijit Friends Newbies together, and with a touch they’ll sing a duet of fun Halloween and holiday-themed songs. Fijit Friends Newbies are for ages 6 and up.

MGA Entertainment

MGA Entertainment’s Bratzillaz is an all-new line of fashion doll witches that possess extraordinary magical powers, which launched earlier this year. The Bratzillaz characters include Cloetta Spelletta, Jade J’Adore, Yasmina Clairvoya, Sashabella Paws, and Meygana Broomstix. In August, Bratzillaz extended into the digital space with interactive content on www.bratzillaz.com.

North American Bear Co.

North American Bear Co. offers a line of Halloween-themed tot-sized totes. The totes feature fully lined central compartments that close with Velcro. The Candy Corn, Witch (pictured), and Pumpkin Goody Bag totes are for ages 3 and up. They are machine washable and 7.5 inches tall.

Hasbro

Hasbro’s Pumpkin Push-Ins offer a mess-free way to decorate pumpkins.

The kits include many fun parts, such as including hands, ears, hats, eyes, eyebrows, noses, mouths, and shoes—all you need to provide is the pumpkin. Simply push parts into place and you have a Mr. Potato Head pumpkin. The pieces come in a small reusable tin with lid. There are 14 costumes available including cowboy, pirate, two unique witches, ghost, superhero, devil, mini witch, mini monster, mini devil, bright princess, monster, skeleton, and vampire.

DECEMBER 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 21

IMPULSE: FROM ‘ SHUT-UP TOY’ TO POP CULTURE PHENOM BY

CHRIS ADAMS

have always found the impulse category interesting. No one has says Peter Tiger, president of Imperial Toy. “The ways to stay ahead are ever hopped in his car thinking, “I’m going to drive to the store and speed and innovation. You have to be innovative. It is an overused word buy an impulse toy.” And that is exactly the point. Yet, the catego- but that is what it really is about.” ry’s products range from the novel to the gimmicky to the so-gimThat approach has served Imperial well in the impulse category. The micky-it’s-cool to the unique and twisted. But one thing that all of manufacturer has a long-standing presence in the category, across many the successful products in this catelines. A relative newcomer to the category, Blip Toys hopes its brand of gory share is the uncanny ability to innovation will help secure its place in impulse. trigger an unplanned purchase in “When you get into the novelty business, there is the low-hanging consumers. The products that are fruit—the obvious ones—but the key is how you bring innovation into best at triggering a purchase can novelty,” says Bill Nichols, president of transcend the toy industry.

Blip Toys. “Our intent was to take $10 “Impulse toys are a staple of and $15 items and figure out how the industry,” says James Martin, to bring them down to $5.” vice-president of marketing at Spin Nichols says the economy Master. “Tons are launched but few actuand its effects on the toy ally break through the noise. When they marketplace created an do, they can be massive hits and become opportunity for Blip to not a part of pop culture.” only maintain a presence in So what is the appeal of a good the category beyond its impulse toy? What is it that beckons a Squinkies phenomenon, but consumer to pick it up and not put it expand it. down? That is the million-dollar ques“You can’t look at the tion. It’s one of those things that is hard to marketplace and not notice that define, but you know it when you see it. impulse and novelty as a whole “Although it sounds a little ethereal, is a huge opportunity,” says Licensing plays a big role in the impulse the reality is that good impulse toys Nichols. “Take a look at dollar category. On the left is Blip Toys’ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Claw are able to instantly emotionally stores, which came out of Grabber and above is Imperial Toy’s connect with consumers,” says nowhere and are now among the Disney Princess 7.5-inch Googly Ball.

Martin. “The items either need top 10 retailers. Then you look to be radically new and stand out at the economy. People are looking for value.” as never seen before or be reminiscent of something that has been cool before. Because that is HUT P such a subjective thing, you get lots of impulse toys out there looking to While there are occasional impulse items that transcend toys altostand out in the crowd.”

Standing out from the crowd in this category has become increasingly gether to become a true phenomenon, another key element to the sucdifficult in the past few years as manufacturers look to offer an array of cess of the impulse category is a lot more simple and a lot less glamproducts that appeal to consumers who are making fewer purchases and orous. They can serve a simple, but important purpose.

“Some people call them ‘shut-up toys,’” says Imperial’s Tiger. “They are purchasing items at lower price points.

“The market has gotten crowded, which makes it more competitive,” fulfill a need of a kid or mother.”

I

S

22 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

U

Spin Master’s Zip Bandz are fully functional zipper bracelets. They come in a variety of colors and variations, allowing girls to create different looks by wearing them zipped, unzipped, together, or alone.

IMPULSIVE THERAPY

Sometimes the utility of an impulse toy goes well beyond that of a “shut-up toy.” For Play Visions, if an item it designs doesn’t work in the toy industry or the gift industry, and is tactile, they transform it into more of a therapy item that is made available in channels that sell therapy toys. And that’s not to mention the products in its line that were originally designed by therapists and made their way into the manufacturer’s toy offerings.

“There are probably 15-20 items that have been in our catalog for 10-plus years that were designed by occupational therapists,” says Kiley Rose, national sales manager at Play Visions. “We make those products for the therapists, and we also give them fun colors and names and some toy packaging and put it in our toy catalog.”

These toys are a great way for parents to distract a cranky kid while they finish shopping or drive home from the store. With low price points, impulse toys are not a prohibitive way to buy a little peace and quiet.

“The term ‘pocket money’ is often used to define the impulse price point—meaning you should be able to buy them with what you typically carry around in your pocket or what a kid gets for an allowance,” says Spin Master’s Martin. “Now, allowances have increased somewhat from when I was a kid, but generally when we’re talking about this type of item we mean under $5 and preferably under $3.”

But even at this low price point, parents don’t want a hunk of plastic that is rendered useless after five minutes. They expect more than that.

Not only do they want a toy that will make the car ride home, they also want to feel like the product offers as much bang for their buck as possible. Sometimes the emotional attraction mentioned above creates this feeling. Sometimes it is a product’s utter uniqueness that does the trick.

“We just skate on thin ice and try to bring things to the market that are a little edgy or strange but when a consumer looks at it, they can’t help but pick it up and can’t put it down,” says Kiley Rose, national sales manager for Play Visions. An example of this is Play Visions’ Inflatable Tongue. You’d think the product wasn’t more useful than for a quick laugh, but it is a strong seller for the manufacturer.

Another way manufacturers attract consumers while adding perceived value is through licensing. Rose mentioned that Play Visions’ LEGO LED lighting line is particularly strong. There is no shortage of licensed products throughout the impulse category. Sometimes licensing works and sometimes not.

“In order to work in the impulse category, the license has to be relevant,” says Imperial’s Tiger. “Television-supported licenses from major houses usually work best. Movies come and go too quickly.”

A strong licensing stable makes it easier for impulse toy manufacturers to maintain a longer-term brand presence in this category that is prone to see fads, and brands, come and go.

“It’s very tough to sustain a brand in this category,” says Spin Master’s Martin. “It tends to have a lot of short-life-cycle items, as there is always something new launching soon. Success is knowing when to end as much as when to begin.”

This short-life-cycle nature is what drives the impulsive element of the impulse category. By offering consumers a constant refresh and by offering an array of items that catch consumers off guard, much like the fashion industry, the impulse category must keep moving forward.

DECEMBER 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 23

Impulse Toys

BY

CHRIS ADAMS

Welcome to the weird, wild, and, uh, impulsive world of impulse toys. This staple category of the toy and game business truly has something to spark everyone’s fancy—whether their trigger is the trendy, cute, funny, or just plain weird. On the next few pages is a small sampling of the impulse and novelty toy items set to hit shelves in 2013.

Imperial Toy

New for 2013 from Imperial Toy, the Clix brand will feature more than 50 styles associated with the boy band One Direction.

With a simple click, kids can wear them on their shirts, jeans, jackets, school bags, sweaters, hoodies, baseball caps, sneakers, belts, purses, headphones, backpacks, or in their hair.

Moose Toys

Moose is adding a new line to its The Trash Pack brand with the introduction of the Ultimate Fighting Trashies (UFT). The UFT line lets kids choose their Trashie fighter, load it into the spin bin, wind it up, and battle other UFTs. The UFT Single Pack comes with one UFT, two weapons, one spin bin, and one games booklet.

24 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

Spin Master

Spin Master’s Zip Bandz are fully functional zipper bracelets.

They come in a variety of colors and variations, allowing girls to create different looks by wearing them zipped, unzipped, together, or alone. Multiple bracelets can even be attached to form belts, necklaces, anklets, and more. They will be available in a variety of colors and styles including metallics, neons, and special charm versions

Blip Toys

Blip Toys utilizes a wide range of popular licenses in its impulse line in order to offer retailers complete impulse solutions. A big focus for the company in 2013 will be the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles impulse line. Shown is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Handlight.

The Wish Factory

The Wish Factory offers a wide array of impulse items featuring pop sensation One Direction (1D). Now fans can hear the hits “What Makes You Beautiful” and “One Thing” wherever they want with 1D Musical Keychains. Additional offerings include micro figure key chains, nail charms, earbud charms, and more.

Jazwares

Jazwares will let players experience the fun-dead sounds of the hit Plants vs. Zombies game with zombie earbuds. Compatible with any phone, MP3 player, and gaming system with a standard 3/8-inch jack, these earbuds are the closest the zombies will get to your brain without eating it.

Coop

Coop introduces Shredz. Shredz is a line of 3.75-inch snow boarder figures that actually ride the mountain. The snowboards and action figures are styled in extreme sports gear and include a removable helmet and custom board. The package promotes the collectibility with an individual ID card for each rider.

With the available track and mountain building accessories, the fun is in building the snow run over and over again.

Educational Insights

Educational Insights is continuing with its popular new line of puppets called Puppet-on-a-Stick. The oversized puppets on sticks inspire dramatic play with silly faces, movable mouths, and endless possibilities.

Also on the way from the company are Playfoam Pods that contain a squishy foam compound that the company says never dries out.

Play Visions

Play Visions is a staple in the impulse category. The company’s use of the slightly twisted and the absurd throughout its line has maintained a high profile for its impulse items beyond toy channels. For 2013, the manufacturer plans to continue with its LEGO LED lighting line, as well as introduce a wide range of impulse items featuring the Annoying Orange property. Shown is Annoying Orange talking plush.

DECEMBER 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 25

SPORTS TOY MANUFACTURERS DON’T FORGET THE FUN

BY

CHRIS ADAMS

he sports toys category is wide ranging. It includes tradi- the fashion apparel industry; it is constantly being refreshed season over tional sports such as football, baseball, tennis, and basket- season. This forces manufacturers of more toyetic skateboards to stay ball as well as action sports such as on their toes to keep on top of fast-moving trends. skateboarding. Even sporting activi“We look at the teenage trends and each season you can see them move ties such as archery fit under this down in age further,” says Mark Heineken, chief brand officer at Bravo umbrella. The key unifier in this category is these Sports. “It used to take two years between when something came out in items get kids up and moving—and that is somecore until it trickled down to sports toys, but now it only takes about six thing that parents love. months. With the internet, you can see the trends as they emerge.”

While most of the items in this category get their Licensing plays an important part in Bravo’s offerings. For kids ages DNA from the actual sporting activities they emulate, 3–6, entertainment licenses such as Disney, Marvel, and Nickelodeon there are many other factors at play. In addition to work well, while older kids prefer more skate-based brands such as taking cues from professional sports, fashion, fun, Darkstar, Blind, and Birdhouse—not to mention the highest proand pop culture all factor into the products. file license in the skate business, which remains Tony Hawk.

For example, thanks to some popular film “The Tony Hawk license does well around Christmas releases, the sport of archery has seen a spike in time,” says Heineken. “It is a name that everyone recawareness and popularity. “The sport of ognizes, even family members who don’t know archery has exploded in popularity from much about skating.”

Hollywood films that showcase the bow and arrow, such as The PARENT-A PPROVED Hunger Games and Brave,” says While, especially with an older kid, a Josh Loerzel, national sales manager at child may have some influence in the Zing Toys. “That led to high TV ratThe sports toys category includes a decision, the majority of the purchasings in the archery competitions durwide range of toys that encourage active play. Above is MGA’s Little Tikes ing decisions in this category are ing the summer Olympics and, ultiClearly Sports Baseball. made by parents and grandparents. mately, created a demand for our On the right is Zing Toys’ Z-Curve Bow. Below is Diggin Active’s Even in an uncertain economy, parents society to get into archery.”

Wobble Deck Extreme. are willing to spend their money on While many parents would bristle good sports toys that will keep their kids at the thought of having their active. These items also offer a lot of play child jump right into actual time for each dollar spent. bows and arrows, manufac“Consumers are looking for active play prodturers such as Zing and Nerf ucts that are a good value,” says Dennis Binkley, have kid-friendly and parentpresident and CEO of Geospace International. approved offerings that can “Parents know it is better to use scarce dollars in their family build a child’s interest in archery. budgets for good active play products for their kids, rather than passive And, even for an adult, this type of sport toys that limit physical activity or creative play.” toy is just plain fun.

You can’t read the news or turn on the television without seeing In addition to pop culture, fashion also drives segments of the sports toys category. For instance, the skateboard business is very fashionable reports of the ongoing childhood obesity epidemic. Organizations such and very fashion-driven. The core (non-toy) skate market is much like as Sesame Workshop as well as First Lady Michelle Obama have high-

T

26 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

profile, ongoing programs to encourage healthy eating and an active cant advantage over more traditional sports balls/equipment and enable lifestyle. Having a range of fun active toys in the marketplace can only them to do things that they can’t typically do with non-Nerf products.” help to encourage a healthy lifestyle.

This is very important because circumventing the specs necessary to “In the end, it is all about encouraging kids to engage in an active manufacture a regulation sporting good is where a lot of the fun-factor lifestyle,” says Nathan Keker, president and CEO of Diggin Active. comes from with sports toys. Using Nerf as an example, there are footballs “When our products light up the face of a child, when kids who are that fly farther thanks to their tail, there are all-weather footballs, and there new to a sport succeed more because of one of our products, when are even light-up footballs to allow for a wide range of applications. a kid jumps on a bike and rides right away without So, how exactly do sports toys manufacturers innoever using training wheels because of our Skuut vate in this category that is full of traditional balance bike, then we have done our job— sporting play patterns? Where do they draw we have gotten kids up off the couch the inspiration to innovate on these clasand having fun.” sic sports play patterns?

Keker describes an important ele“We like to take traditional play ment of the sports toys category. patterns that kids understand intuMany of the products in the categoitively and add a Nerf ‘twist’ that ry are aimed at introducing kids to a provides either a performance advansport. In order to encourage a child to contage and/or enhances the fun factor of an tinue with his or her interest, sports toys have to activity,” says Hasbro’s Ritchie. “This may be deliver a good experience. through the use of innovative materials, proprietary “Our entry-level boards are a great focal point technology, or even something as simple as changA key element in the success of the Nerf for us because we want the kids to have a great ing the scale of a product.” brand is Hasbro’s ability to offer casual athletes and kids products that offer an experience from day one,” says Bravo’s Heineken. advantage over regulation sporting good “If they get a skateboard that looks crappy and items. Shown is the Nerf FireVision Sports U P AND M OVING Football, which allows players to keep the doesn’t function, they will stop skateboarding. game going after the sun starts to set.

When it comes down to it, a big part of the That doesn’t help us.” appeal of the sports toys category is that parents On the flip side, if a mom buys her child an entry-level sports toy and the child enjoys the sport and the product, want their kids to get out and do something. By offering engaging prodthe parent won’t be hesitant to invest more money in additional pur- ucts at fair price points, sports toys manufacturers can play a huge role chases from the brand. That is just as important to sports toy manufac- in encouraging kids to get up and moving, which is the foundation of an turers as it is to sporting good manufacturers whose lifeblood is a active, healthy lifestyle. In light of the ongoing childhood obesity episteady flow of young enthusiasts who grew their interest and ability demic, this is a very good thing.

But when it comes down to it, sports toys are also toys. This means that with good sports toys.

In addition to offering children entry points into a sport, the sports toys not only do these products need to get kids active in order to succeed, but category also caters to older kids and even adults who may not be ready they also must be fun. Fun enough to compete with all of the toys and entertainment in their collective toy box. If being active is fun for them, for the NFL. Nerf has had long-standing success with this demographic.

“While our consumer may be very active and/or athletic, he doesn’t rather than a necessary chore, there is no better way to encourage kids to take himself too seriously and wants to have fun while competing with his keep moving and be fit. Parents love that good sports toys will keep their friends,” says Michael Ritchie, senior director, Nerf brand, at Hasbro. kids active. Of course, they also know that at the end of an active day their “The Nerf consumers have come to expect toys that offer them a signifi- child will rest well, giving parents double peace of mind.

DECEMBER 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 27

SPORTS TOYS

BY

CHRIS ADAMS

The sports toys category includes modern, fun takes on traditional sports, such as football, baseball, tennis, and basketball as well as action sports products that are more affordable than core sporting goods products.

In addition, toys that encourage active play are also included in this category. The unifying factor is these toys get kids up and moving. On the next two pages is a sampling of sports toys set to be in the market.

MGA ENTERTAINMENT

MGA Entertainment’s Little Tikes division will be introducing Clearly Sports to the market in 2013. The line of sports toys combines brightly colored balls with clear plastic elements to create visually striking products.

Shown is the Little Tikes Clearly Sports Golf. Additional sports in the line include kickball, baseball, and bowling.

DIGGIN ACTIVE

Diggin’s line focuses heavily on toys that promote active play. Shown is the Jumpsmart Jr., which is an electronic trampoline with five different games including count along, fun songs, musical statues, bounce along, and memory match. Also from Diggin is the Wobble Deck Extreme, an electronic balance challenge with four games including musical statues, memory match, music maker, and copy wobble.

28 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

LITTLE KIDS

The newest additions to Little Kids’ Junk Ball line are Junk Ball Explosion (shown) and Junk Ball Revolution. The Junk Ball Explosion power bat is available in three colors: blue, black, and white. The bat’s bigger barrel lets hitters swing with more power, while the included foam ball maximizes the distance it flies when hit. The high-performance Junk Ball Revolution bat is available in two color schemes: blue/silver and black/blue. It includes an Unbreakaball.

GEOSPACE INTERNATIONAL

Geospace International’s sales in the active play category have increased over the past three years in spite of the economy. The manufacturer offers fresh variations on traditionally successful products from the past. Offerings include a range of stilts and pogo sticks as well as a range of flying foam products. Shown are the Walkeroo Xtreme Stilts, in action.

HASBRO

JAKKS PACIFIC

SATURNIAN 1

ZING TOYS

Hasbro recently introduced the Nerf FireVision Sports collection, which allows for play in both daytime and dusk. Players put on the included Fire Frames eyewear and flip the switch on the bridge to see reflective graphics and skins on the FireVision products. Only those wearing the special eyewear will be able to see the action once the lights are out. Shown is the Nerf FireVision Sports Nerfoop Basketball hoop. A football is also available.

Saturnian 1 is entering its 21st year in business with its line of Fun Gripper and Grip Zone sports toys. Its Grip Zone Footballs (shown) make proper hand placement easy with its V-channel design. It is available in six assorted colors: red, blue, green, yellow, purple, and orange.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shell Slammin’ Basketball Game, from Jakks’ Moose Mountain division, hangs on any door and can be adjusted to the perfect height for any Turtle fan. With every basket players make, they are rewarded with silly sound effects.

Zing Toys recently announced a partnership with USA Archery to launch a specialized program to introduce consumers to the sport of archery with the Z-Curve Bow. The Z-Curve Bow is a plastic bow that launches soft-foam arrows and darts. For added safety, the patented dual-loops system makes it impossible for the Z-Curve Bow to sling anything besides the soft-foam darts.

DECEMBER 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 29

ROLEPLAY & DRESS-UP BY

NANCY LOMBARDI

The roleplay and dress-up category continues to grow as the quality of the products offer increased realism while leaving a lot of room for open-ended imaginative play. This is one of the categories in the industry that offers a balance of products for boys and girls and offers lots of non-licensed as well as licensed offerings. Shown here is a sampling of products now available at retail.

Sassafras

Sassafras offers an extensive line of roleplay products for boys and girls. The Ruffles Cupcake Apron Set (shown) is a vintage-style apron decorated with cupcakes. The set also features a matching oven mitt and chef’s hat.

The Little Cook Chef’s Jacket & Hat Set will make kids feel just like the celebrity chefs they see on TV. The 100-percent-cotton set comes with a chef’s hat, which has an adjustable Velcro closure.

The Little Cook Basic Baking Kit for Cupcakes features tools that are sized for smaller hands and the recipe and instructions offer clear directions as well as a fun rhyme.

Aeromax

Aeromax offers a variety of items under its My 1st Career concept. Listed here are two examples. My 1st Career Gear Astronaut (shown here in white) is recommended for ages 3–5. The shirt is easy for little ones to put on by themselves over everyday clothes, says Aeromax. It has an official NASA logo and a clear pocket for the addition of a child’s name. The hat shown here is sold separately.

My 1st Career Gear Magician, also recommended for ages 3–5, features a vest that is easy for little ones to put on by themselves and a clear pocket for their name. A hat for this set is also sold separately.

Aeromax offers higher-end versions of the basic sets described above. Additional dress-up options include firefighter, fairies, lady bugs, pirates, cheerleaders, ballerinas, nurses, doctors, road crew, chef, and many others.

30 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

Hasbro

Hasbro’s Marvel roleplay line includes products featuring Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor, and Spider-Man. Shown here is The Amazing SpiderMan Hero FX Glove for ages 5 and up.

Sensors in the “web-shooting compartment” will sense motion and respond with web-shooting sound effects. Batteries are not included.

The Bridge Direct

The Bridge Direct offers an extensive product line for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which opened on December 14.

In addition to figures, The Bridge Direct offers roleplay products such as Bilbo’s sword, Battle Action Sting. Designed for ages 4 and up, it features motion-activated battle sounds and a glowing light. The six-inch Dwarven Battle Axe replicates the battle axe carried by Gloin the Dwarf.

It is designed for ages 4 and up.

Jakks Pacific’s CDI

Jakks Pacific’s CDI offers a full assortment of dress-up items featuring Marvel Superheroes. CDI’s The Amazing SpiderMan Dress-Up Set comes complete with a full-body costume and injection-molded mask, which is designed for ages 3 and up.

Also included in the line are Iron Man, Captain America, and the Incredible Hulk (shown).

Playmates

Playmates released its Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line this fall to coincide with the release of the new TV series on Nickelodeon.

In addition to figures, vehicles, and playsets, the roleplay line is designed for ages 4 and up. The Ninja Combat Gear sets include each Turtle’s authentic noise-making ninja weapon, signature bandana, and two throwing stars.

The Leonardo set comes with a Katana Sword, the Raphael set includes two Sais, the Donatello set includes a Bo Staff, and the Michelangelo set (shown) features Nunchucks.

Additionally, Leo’s Stealth Sword is the Katana Sword just like the one from the TV series. It includes two modes of play: training mode lets kids swing away, while hearing Leo’s voice and watching as the sword lights up; battle mode let’s Leonardo give instructions as kids battle. The longer kids swing, the more the light-up effects are revealed.

Wonderworld

Wonderworld’s The Wonder Cleaning Cart allows kids to roleplay what they see at home with this set of cleaning tools and a cart sized just for kids ages 36 months and up. The Wonder Cleaning Cart includes a broom, mop, hand brush, dust pan, and a storage pouch.

Each cleaning tool fits securely in the cart, making it easy to move around the house.

Kid Constructions

Each Wearables kit, from Kid Constructions for ages 5 and up, comes complete with die-cut corrugated pieces that kids and adults construct together to create a wearable-sized airplane (shown here), bulldozer, or princess coach.

Kids start by decorating each piece with crayons, markers, paint, stickers, or paper cutouts. Then kids work together with an adult to build the three-dimensional Wearable play structure according to the easy-to-follow instructions enclosed or by logging on to the Wearables website for video assistance. Once decorated and assembled, children can step into the Wearable, adjust the shoulder straps, and let their imaginations take them to the next level of roleplay.

DECEMBER 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 31

BY JENNIFER LYNCH

OgoSport Offers Alterntatives to Screen Time

goSport’s co-founders Kevin Williams and Rick Goodwin, who passed away in 2010, first met as students at the Pratt Institute. After graduation, “we’d see each other a couple of times a year and give disgruntled grumbling about what we were doing,” says Williams. After about six or seven years went by, they decided to do something about it—start a toy company. It began as a hobby; Goodwin was working as a professor of toy design at their alma mater, while Williams owned a small product development company.

Williams says he never thought he’d end up in the toy industry. But his skills in product development coupled with Goodwin’s expertise in toy design and child development made the pair a perfect match. Their decision to focus on toys that got kids moving derived from a phrase Williams says a mom might yell if her child is watching too much TV: “Oh, go outside.” (This also formed the basis for the company’s name—Ogo.) The OgoDisk became OgoSport’s first product in 2003, spurred by Goodwin’s idea for a water balloon toss that wouldn’t break the balloons. The toy, made of a foam ring with a fabric center that acts as a mini trampoline, evolved to also be used for hybrid games of tennis, volleyball, and more using OgoSoft balls. The product’s big break came in 2005 when OgoSport attended FAO Schwarz’s first “toy auditions,” a program that offered toymakers the chance to present their toy concepts to FAO Schwarz buyers, executives, and then-president David Niggli to gain feedback and, potentially, shelf space in its stores. It was there that Williams and Goodwin got the affirmation they needed to move forward.

Originally, Ogo planned to license its toys to

O

Leap, an OgoBild Bits character

another company, but without any initial luck the team decided to invest in a last-minute booth at Toy Fair 2006. When big name companies began stopping by at the show, the Ogo team realized their product was too special to license. “Ever since then, we’ve just been trying to improve our game and come up with the same kind of classic play patterns with a twist,” says Williams.

Jenie Fu, now a partner at OgoSport, first met Goodwin as her professor and neighbor. She had just had her second child and was rethinking her career when she joined the team. “Now that I have kids, I want to create things that will be good for them, too,” she says. “We all have similar philosophies about work, doing things we love, doing things that are needed, and balancing it with spending time with our families.” Much of Goodwin’s legacy has lived on through OgoSport’s philosophy, emphasizing the value of play in child development. “He knew child behavior, he knew toys, and he had a vision of what a great toy company could be,” says Williams. “And he sold me on it. And even though Rick’s not here with us anymore, we’ve kept that same course.”

This can be seen at Ogo from the drawing board to the finished product. One such product

32 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

is its OgoBild line. Williams and the team originally set out to create a ball-centric toy with attachments to be used with the OgoDisk. But it quickly became clear the attachments were the toy’s key feature.

By focusing on the attachments, kids could modify the ball to make their own custom creations and creatures. “The spark for me to turn this into a more character-based line was when my daughter kept drawing faces on the balls,” says Williams. This was what kids needed to make the toy less abstract and more relatable. The line has expanded to include the OgoBild Bits characters.

Fu adds that watching how their own kids play is how a lot of OgoSport toys evolve. “My son constantly anthropomorphized the characters,” she says. “It just made sense to go in that direction.”

Bits also come with a sheet of electrostatic eye labels that kids can use to change a character’s expression. Series two of OgoBild Bits is set to launch in 2013 and will incorporate digital animation to further build the characters’ storyline.

But OgoSport does not want to pigeonhole its products as just for kids. “For us, it’s key that our products are cross-generational,” says Fu. “I think play is important for all ages. It keeps your brain engaged and it’s a fun and active way for families to connect.” Items that will continue to promote this idea in 2013 include a new line called Zolo, which Ogo describes as a better-performing, indestructible version of its Copter/Dart Game.

“We want to make stuff that’s hopefully as entertaining or more entertaining than any video game or movie,” says Williams. “To keep coming up with products that have play value for the whole family and enhance classic play patterns—that’s where I see us having the greatest opportunity to grow as a business.”

Untitled-1 1

11/15/2012 9:50:23 AM

Educational Insights

Educational Insights’ Nowhere To Go is a step-by-step strategy game made for two players. Players place their spy pieces on the starting spaces. Then each player places five blockers anywhere they want on the board. Players take turns moving their pieces as many spaces as they can across any bridges that are not blocked. Players end their turns by placing a blocker on any bridge. The first player to trap the other player’s spy with blockers wins. The game includes a hexagonal game board, two playing pieces, and 40 blockers. It is for ages 8 and up.

Peaceable Kingdom

In Peaceable Kingdom’s Seeds for the Birds, players turn over picture cards to find out how many seeds they can put on the grid’s empty birdhouses. If the card shows a bird, the player gathers all the seeds on the grid on the matching line and puts them in the bird’s nest above. If the card shows a squirrel, the seeds on the grid go to the squirrel above. The object is to feed more seeds to the birds than the squirrel. It is for 3 and up.

Douglas Company

Douglas Company and its Christine Clarke collection of Sassy Kidz Fashions now includes a resort line of fashion accessories for little girls.

One item in the line is the By the Sea Sassy Pet Sak, which holds a cream colored labrador puppy. The print features a blue background splashed with a seahorse, starfish, and seashell pattern in shades of blue, green, and pink. It is also available as an eight-inch wide tote. Both bags have a white bib at the top intricately embroidered with flip flops. The coordinating fabric that creates the bags’ double handles is pink with white pin dots. Douglas’ resort line will launch in January 2013.

Learning Resources

New Sprouts Fix It! My Very Own Tool Set from Learning Resources offers fix-it fun for even the smallest fixer uppers. The playset encourages imaginative play with chunky tools made from durable, soft plastic. It includes a saw, hammer, screwdriver, wrench, drill with sound, and tool box. It is for ages 2 and up.

34 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

Mungi Bands

The newest twist to the silicone wrist bands craze are Mungi Bands. Magnetic clicks on each band allows the bands to be connected to create headbands, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets and express a child’s changing mood. Ten new themes were introduced this fall, including Dancing Princess, ’50s Pink, Mustache, and more. Bands are sold in themed three-packs and are available in sizes small (nine centimeters) and large (10 centimeters). The bands are for ages 8 and up,

Blue Orange

Hockey fans rejoice. Blue Orange offers an alternative to this season’s lockout boredom. Officially licensed by the National Hockey League (NHL), Spot It! NHL features the logos of every NHL team.

There are five ways to play the game, but essentially the goal is to always look for matches between two cards. The hockey-themed mini-games include Sweet Pass, The Penalty, The Net, and more. It is packaged in a puck-sized tin. Spot It! NHL is for ages 7 and up and can be played with two to eight players.

Plushland

Plushland will launch a line of branded plush featuring Big Tent Entertainment’s Domo decked out in the country’s top college, MLB, and NHL team logos as well as recognizable destination slogans and sayings. The line will feature slogans from popular cities and theme parks such as “I Love New York.” The line is expected to launch spring 2013.

ThinkFun

ThinkFun’s Zingo! Sight Words is an interactive word game that brings fast-paced excitement and learning to classic Bingo.

Players learn to quickly recognize and read sight words, which are words with spelling that is not always straightforward. The sight words used in the game were specially selected by leading educators as the most fundamental for reading development. The game includes 72 Zingo! sight words tiles, six double-sided Zingo! cards, one Zingo! zinger, instructions, and a learning guide. It is for kids in grades pre-K–1.

Vamplets

Created by the artist G-Ra, Vamplet Baby Vampyres are a line of plush vampire dolls. New vamplet characters, pictured left to right, include Mortis Van Kilt III, Roari Snow, Howliss, Octavia, and Lily Rose Shadowlyn.

Vamplet owners can also interact online at the Vamplets’ home of Gloomvania at vamplets.com. Visit The Nursery and Hall of Horrors to learn more about the Vamplets or go to the Funeral Parlor to create and print an undead certificate for your doll by using the code hidden in each doll’s diaper.

DECEMBER 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 35

YOU’RE HIRED

babyFirSt

Paul FraNK, exeCutiVe ViCe-PreSiDeNt, SerieS DeVeloPMeNt

babyFirst will dedicate its primetime to original programming geared for parents launching in 2013. television executive and producer Paul Frank has been named executive vicepresident, series development. He will lead the channel’s new primetime mandate, working with producers in the u.S. and internationally to develop original series programming designed for the channel’s parent viewers after their babies and toddlers go to sleep. a seasoned television executive with more than 20 years experience in both the creative and business sides of the industry, Frank joins babyFirst from Prospect Park, a noted music, television, and film production company where he served as head of television/executive producer. Prior to joining Prospect Park, he ran the television department at the Firm, a Hollywood talent management company, where he oversaw the production of a number of primetime series and miniseries.

tHe toPPS CoMPaNy

MiCHael braNDStaeDter, Coo

the topps Company appointed Michael brandstaedter to chief operational officer. brandstaedter will add Coo responsibilities to assist with cross-company operational efforts and endeavors while maintaining his role running worldwide bazooka Candy brands, the confectionary division of topps. brandstaedter served as vice-president, general manager global confectionery starting in august 2009. His previous posts include senior director of marketing for Kraft Foods and brand manager for life Savers Candy at Nabisco.

laSer PeGS

bob SiCa, Coo aND exeCutiVe ViCe-PreSiDeNt

laser Pegs hired bob Sica as the new Coo and executive vice-president. He will be charged with driving sales, expanding distribution, and overseeing production and manufacturing processes for laser Pegs. Sica, the former director of K’Nex, brings more than 20 years of experience in construction toys to the laser Pegs team.

36 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

SCHolaStiC

JeFF PiNSKer, ViCe-PreSiDeNt, SCHolaStiC, iNC., aND PreSiDeNt oF Klutz

Scholastic named Jeff Pinsker as vice-president, Scholastic inc., and president of Klutz, a division of Scholastic. Pinsker will lead the creative, sales, and marketing direction of the Klutz business and will manage the strategic development of the Klutz brand.

Most recently, Pinsker was the Ceo of infinitoy. He has authored 13 books, including the QuizMo Series and entries in Spinner books’ armchair Puzzlers Series.

Prior to infinitoy, Pinsker was president and Ceo of JP Kids, an independent children’s media company, and served as president of university Games, where he created and produced more than 150 games. He began his career as Ceo of amazing events, a corporate event and practical joke company. He has served on numerous boards, including infinitoy, university Games, Stanford university Hospital’s the Health library, educational Direct, yoga tales, the New Curiosity Shop, ePlay, and a retail clothing chain.

Coolabi

Valerie Fry, DireCtor oF SaleS

entertainment producer and rights management company Coolabi appointed Valerie Fry as its new director of sales. Fry will report to Ceo Jeremy banks and will be responsible for the commercial exploitation of Coolabi’s key brands and growing portfolio of properties including Poppy Cat, Purple ronnie, and Scarlett & Crimson.

Fry joins Coolabi with a wealth of industry experience across a range of entertainment brands. Most recently she was commercial director at Chapman entertainment, looking after properties including Fifi and the Flowertots and raa raa the Noisy lion. Prior to that, she held positions as senior commercial manager at Celador looking after a variety of brands including Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and you are What you eat. Fry was also vice-president of licensing at Gullane entertainment where she looked after the international development of thomas the tank engine.

February 2013 Features:

Toy Fair Coverage, Dolls & Accessories Feature,

Hong Kong Feature, State of the Specialty Toy Industry

Distribution:

Toy Fair, ToyFest West

Coming in June:

ASTRA coverage and distribution

Coming in October:

Fall Toy Preview (coverage/distribution)

ABC Kids Expo (coverage/distribution) Chicago Toy & Game Fair (distribution only)

For advertising opportunities contact Donna Moore (donna@anbmedia.com)

EVENTS OF

CALENDAR

Industry-Related Trade Shows JANUARY 7–10

Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair

hktoyfair.com

8–11

International CES

cesweb.org

22–24

The Toy Fair

toyfair.co.uk

16–18 19–22 26–30

30–2/4

Ed Expo

Halloween & Party Expo New York Int’l Gift Fair

Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair

FEBRUARY 5–8

10–13

MARCH 3–6

7–10

10–13 25–28

APRIL

edexpo.com

halloweenpartyexpo.com nyigf.com toyfair.de

21–23

JUNE

11–13

16–19 18–20

New York City

Nuremberg, Germany

toyfair.com.au

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

Melbourne, Australia

Bologna Children’s Book Fair

bookfair.bolognafiere.it

Bologna Fair Centre

Bologna, Italy

Halloween & Attractions Show ToyFest West

toyassociation.org

haashow.com

toyfestwest.com

TIMETOPLAYMAG.COM

30–6/1

Nuremberg Exhibition Center

Houston

London

Australian Toy, Hobby, & Nursery Fair

American International Toy Fair

TIME TO PLAY SPRING SHOWCASE

15–17

Jacob Javits Convention Center

Atlanta

New York City

30

19–22

George R. Brown Convention Center

Olympia Grand Hall

Las Vegas

Hilton New York

mipworld.com

MAY

Georgia World Congress Center

summit.kidscreen.com

MIPTV

27–30

Las Vegas Convention Center

Hong Kong

Kidscreen Summit

8–11

15–17

Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre

London Book Fair

Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair

PlayCon

londonbookfair.co.uk

hkgiftspremiumfair.com

toyassociation.org

Jacob Javits Convention Center

America’s Center

South Point Hotel

Palais des Festivals Earls Court

Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre

THE ALTMAN BUILDING

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa

New York City

St. Louis

Las Vegas

Cannes, France London

Hong Kong

NEW YORK CITY

Scottsdale

BookExpo America

nationalstationeryshow.com

bookexpoamerica.com

Jacob Javits Convention Center

Jacob Javits Convention Center

New York City

Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3)

e3expo.com

Los Angeles Convention Center

Los Angeles

National Stationery Show Sweets & Snacks Expo

ASTRA Marketplace

Licensing International Expo

38 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 2012

sweetsandsnacks.com

astramarketplace.org licensingexpo.com

McCormick Place

TBA

Mandalay Bay Convention Center

New York City

Chicago

Nashville

Las Vegas

Untitled-1 1

11/15/2012 10:17:07 AM