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Nuremberg 2010 The expansion of Spielwarenmesse shows no sign of slowing down and this year’s show will once again top the year before. We feature the exhibitors, brands, products and licences that will be making a noise at the event, giving you an early heads-up on what to look out for at the world’s largest toy trade expo....
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NUREMBURG 2010 SHOW GUIDE FLOORPLAN
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Exhibitor
Stand
Adrenaline Brush
10.0 - C-17
Anthony Peters Manufacturing
9 - C-02
Exhibitor Invicta Education J Perkins (Distribution)
Art Meets Matter
12.0 - B-04-4
James Galt & Co.
BCE (Distributors)
12.0 - B-04-3
Keel Toys Kiddimoto
BigJigs Toys
3 - B-46
Stand 12.0 - C-01-6 7A - F135
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Exhibitor Russimco
1 - C-09
Scholastic Int.; Klutz & Chicken Socks
10.0 - G-19
3 - B-57
Schumacher Racing
7A - A-131 4A - C-209
6 - C-08
Screen Products Dirty Down
Kit for Kids
4 - A-26
Selwood Products
Kitfix Swallow Group
4 - B-88
Schleich
Cassidy Brothers
12.0 - C-04
Le Toy Van
3 - B-26
Seven Towns
Century UK
7A - B-135
LeapFrog Enterprises
Commotion Group
12.0 - A-04-6
Community Products (UK)
3 - A-15
Creative Art Products
TBC
5 - D-72 10.0 - D-24
Kids@play / Malcolm H Evans
TBC
1 - F-41
Sambro International
4 - E-51, F-50
Brainstorm Brian Clegg
Stand
Russ Berrie
B’ham Chamber of Com. 12.0 - A-04, B-03, B-04, C-01 12.0 - B-03-3
95
8 - D-02 6 - B-20, C-21 10.0 - H-12
6 - A-20, B-21
Shaw Magnets
12.0 - A-04-6
Learning Resources
4 - A-05
Shaw Magnets
12.0 - A-04-6
Lucy Locket
1 - D-09
Shesto
M Richard (2002)
12.0 - B03-6
Skipper Toys Smiffy's
3 - B-60 9 - C -50
Danbar International
6 - B-15
Magmatic
Deans Marine
7 - D-69
Mamas & Papas
2 - C-01
Speechmark Publishing
12.0 - B-04-5
Dean's Marine / Albion Alloys
7 - D-69
Manhattan Toy Europe
3 - D-42
Sport and Playbase
12.0 - B-03-8
Martin Yaffe International
6 - C-29
Dice & Games Drake Educational Associates Edtech Educational Technology Education Essentials
Stevenson Brothers
3 - B-44
1 - A17
Mattel 12.2 - P09, P14-15, 7A68, 2 - B-09,C-06
Syot
6 - C-30
TBC
10.0 - J-01
Dowman Imports
Max Protection UK/Safe Albums (UK) Ltd 10.1 - E-07
T.T.S. Group
12.0 - C-01-3
5 - D-82
Meadow Kids c/oGlobe IQ
Taskmaster
12.0 - B-03-7
4 - B-39
Millhouse Manufacturing Design
Educational Advantage
12.0 - B-04-2
Mookie Toys
EDUK 8
12.0 - C01-2
Nad Developments (Wow)
Enesco Fiesta Crafts Findel Education Gen Four Two Global Brand Factory
1 - A-01b
Natures Purest
1 - B-11
Novalia Limited
12.0 - A-04-1 10.0 - C-01 12.0 - A-04-2
Orchard Toys Oxford Diecast Peco Pritchard Patent Product Co.
1 - B-39
Peta (UK)
Golden Bear Products
5 - C-15
Peter Haddock
Grant & Bowman
4 - C-01
Petron
Goldbug (UK) Europe
Green Board Game Co. Greenbrook Automations H P Gibson & Sons Haba Halsall International
12.0 - B-03-1 9 - A-38
Insect Lore Intertoy
2 - A-09 10.1 - D11 10.0 - I18 7 - B-59
Tech Group (UK) Teleview Marketing Group
5 - A-57
The Ninja Corporation
8 - D-06
The Puppet Company
1 - F-11
The Trading House
4 - C-20
Thinkplay
4 - B-39
4A - A-230
TOBAR
12.0 - B04-5
Tomy UK
10.0 - F-07 12.0 - A-04-5
TBC 12.0 - B-03-2
Top Class Products tp Activity Toys
4 - F-95 12.2 - P-17a 12.0 - B-04-7 8 - B-04
Trade Psyche
1 - E-33
4 - F-39
Treasure Trove Holdings
4 - B-25
Plum Products
8 - E-17
Trends UK
10.1 - E-12
2 - E-03, F-04
Pocketbond
7 - F-31
TTS Group
TBC
12.2 - P-17
Pockos RPL
12.0 - F04c
UKIC
TBC
10.1 - F-12
Premium World
Infantino UK
12.0 - C01-1
TC Digital International
9 - D-76
Polydron (UK)
Hy-Pro International
TBC 7 - A-20
Playmais
Horizon Hobby UK House of Marbles
12.0 - F-04a
Pioneer Europe
Hobby Products Int. Europe 7A - D-111, D -117 Hornby Hobbies
TBC
7 - B-79
7A - A-128 7 - E-43, F-30, F-36 10.0 - B-04, C-09 8 - E-18, D-21
Qbyke Limited Raleigh International Renart
12.0 - B-04-1 TBC 12.0 - A04-3 7 - C-08 12.0 - C-01-5
Unique Party Universal Cycles Wentworth Wooden Jigsaws Weston UK Willis Toys
9 - A-77 TBC Foyer Hall 10.0 - 09 7A - F-101 12.0 - C-01-4
2 - F-02
Richard Edward
10.1 - D11
Wizard
5 - D-29
Ripmax
7A - B-165
Worlds Apart
8 - C15
Wow Stuff, China Industries
6- B-29
5 - B-54, C-55
Rubies Masquerade
12.0 - I-21
12.0 - B03-5
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MATTEL Mattel is in for a big year and has a portfolio which includes an array of stand-out brands including WWE, Thomas and Friends, 3rd & Bird, Guess With Jess, Toy Story 3 and Disney Princess, alongside new developments for evergreen Mattel properties Barbie, Hot Wheels and Fisher-Price. Barbie will build on its groundbreaking, fashion campaign with several high-end fashion collaborations opening up new retail channels and keeping the brand firmly in the fashion spotlight. The all-new Disney Princess range will combine product innovation and increased features with a strong aesthetic. A core portfolio of fashion dolls, bath toys and play-sets will be
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12.2 – P09, P14-15, 7A68, 2 – B-09, C-06 supported with key product launches timed to entertainment releases, including new offerings for the spring theatrical release The Princess and The Frog, autumn theatrical release Rapunzel and DVD release Beauty and The Beast. The Formula Hot Wheels campaign launched in 2009 saw tens of thousands of boys signing up to join the club, each earning points to help their team win race-offs hosted on Cartoon Network. Formula Hot Wheels will continue to reach out to boys throughout the coming year. Spring also brings the launch of Colour Shifters Power Creatures – half beast, half car, mutant-styled vehicles featuring unique memory paint, upping the colour change
possibilities for four different colours on every vehicle. The Toy Story hype will continue throughout 2010 with the launch of the third film in July. There are further additions to the strong action figure collection including six-inch Woody and Bullseye and 12-inch Talking Jessie, as well as Toy Story twists in other categories from games to vehicles. Mattel’s new WWE collection is set for a strong spring launch with rings, belts and an extensive figure collection. Brand new for the WWE toy line and featuring the number one requested detail by kids, the Flexforce action figures feature signature wrestling moves. TV driver and key play-set in the range, the Breakdown Brawl Ring
enables kids to recreate matches from the show with the new collection. A high impact campaign featuring press, TV and PR will support the launch. The big news for the Fisher-Price label is the launch of the Thomas and Friends collection. Take ‘n’ Play, an extensive range of die-cast vehicles showcasing favourite characters, will also include the all new Talking DieCast. Take ‘n’ Play play-sets are innovative fold-up pre-assembled track sets. Each simply opens out revealing a different location from Thomas’ world including the Tidmouth Sheds. FisherPrice will support the range roll-out with a major marketing programme in conjunction with Hit Entertainment and capitalising on the noise surrounding anniversary celebrations.
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VTECH
VTech’s 2010 range contains a number of fresh cornerstone products, including a new animated reading system, new video addition to the Kidizoom range and a portable learning system. The firm’s animated reading system (likely to be called Story-o) is the first such product for children. The interactive book brings reading to life for three to seven year-olds, animating stories and characters in an easy-touse format. There are three modes of play – watch the story, read the story and reading games; children can focus on learning key words and definitions. The system introduces play and learning so that children can work through the reading curriculum. It includes parent-friendly features, such as reading records and a progress tracker where parents can help their children to interact and learn. The MobiGo Portable Learning System (for four to seven year-olds) is a handheld portable unit that delivers gaming with age appropriate curriculum learning. It features a touch-sensitive screen that encourages children to tap, flick, drag and spin within the gameplay. Children can develop classic school skills whilst playing along with their favourite characters from film and TV. 2010 sees the expansion of the Kidizoom brand with the upgrade to the Kidizoom Plus Camera in January, which replaces the existing standard Kidizoom products, at the same price. Kidizoom VideoCam is a first-ever video recorder. It features an LCD screen, 4x zoom, shutter button and function selector. It also has screen stamps, video effects and face tracking technology, which means the effects stay on the person as they move. Effects can be created to throw
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custard pies, blow out the candle on a cake and more. KidiCom are walkie talkies with a range of 1km. With ultra tough design, they will resist wear and tear from knocks and drops and allow kids to send pre-set messages to each other. Features include cartoon-style faces and lip-sync technology. The new Toy Story 3 range includes a Buzz Lightyear Digital Camera. The two megapixel camera includes photo distortion effects, Toy Story animations and frames. Simply connect to a TV or PC to view the pictures. Similarly, the Disney Princess Digital Camera features Disney Princess and her friends in animations and frames. The firm is also completely refreshing its Winnie the Pooh offering in 2010 to mirror a return to the story’s roots and a focus on Winnie himself. The range includes the new Winnie the Pooh Play & Learn Walker, Winnie the Pooh Play & Learn Gym and new Play & Learn Laptop. To add to the success of V.Smile Motion, autumn/winter 2010 will see the inclusion of two new bundles – V.Smile Motion with Cinderella and V.Smile Motion with Thomas & Friends. VTech Baby products will include a bath toy range for the first time, including the Octobubble Orchestra, Splash and Sing Submarine, Sing and Splash Fish, Bath Friends Turtle and 2-in1 Splashing Fun Bath Seat.
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TOMY Tomy’s stand at Nuremberg will be packed with new products and ranges, including the introduction of Tomica Hypercity; a new toy range to support the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows movie and innovations within core brands Aquadoodle and Play to Learn. Tomy is master toy licensee for the final instalment of JK Rowling’s famous wizard, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The firm will launch a range of action figures, role-play items, electronic toys and puzzles for the two-part movie finale, due for release in November 2010 and July 2011 respectively. Tomy also has the rights to launch products from the World of Harry Potter style guide, which is non-movie specific and offers flexibility in launch timing outside of the theatrical window of the films. The product launch will be supported with a marketing campaign including TV and cinema advertising. 2010 will see the return of a toy line from 2002 – Micro Pets-i. This time around the collectable pets can move, talk, sing and fit into the palm of your hand. The Micro Pets-i retail at £9.99 and have sensors you can control by tapping your finger on their special ball in front of them. Already a hit in Japan, nine Micro Pets-i cats, dogs and bears will be in the range. Tomy will be rolling out a major marketing campaign for the brand focusing on a microsite, a TV campaign with over 300 TVRs and a competition to win a special edition Micro Pet-i. Tomica is a new boys brand for four to seven-year-olds, combining a range of play patterns. It’s a modern metropolis bringing together trains, tracks, vehicles and little people that kids will love to play with for hours. Tomica is based on two themes: Hyper City & Hyper City Rescue. Available from July 2010, Tomica will launch with 28 products, from £2.99 to £69.99, including vehicles, trains, accessories, destinations and play-sets.
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Tomica will be supported with a marketing campaign. At retail there will be display units, bespoke POS, cross sell leaflets and window displays available and consumer events will take place. The firm is also planning a consumer launch, including experiential marketing with a Tomica Bus Tour, PR and TV advertising. The TV campaign will target boys and run throughout the second half of the year with over 400 TVRs. Following its first year as distributor of K’Nex, Tomy will launch new items across all age categories, from Kid K’Nex with value tubs through to new licences with the introduction of the new Monster Trucks Assortment, retailing at £4.99. There will also be bigger builds available within the nine-plus category and the hero item is the Hot Shot Video Coaster, with an onboard camera enabling kids to shoot and download footage of this amusement park ride, retailing at £99.99. Aquadraw continues to be one of Tomy’s key brands and moving into 2010 it rebrands from Aquadraw to Aquadoodle. The new spring lines will be taking the Aquadoodle name and will then roll out to the new autumn/winter lines in June 2010. The Aquadoodle range for 2010
combines no-mess drawing with water and sound effects for the first time. The new Animal Magic Sounds Aquadoodle at £29.99, offers children a new and engaging drawing experience, with 14 farmyard sounds. Aquadoodle will see two licensed ranges for autumn/winter 2010. Peppa Pig and Toy Story 3 will become the hero licensed mats in the range, both priced at £29.99. Tomy is planning a marketing campaign focusing on the hero lines for 2010, Animal Magic Sounds and Toy Story 3, including TV advertising (over 400 TVRs), cinema advertising and an online campaign. There will be four new introductions to the Play To Learn sub-brand in 2010, including some never seen before technology and innovation, like Mr Colour Maker, an interactive mixing pot developed to teach children about colour in a unique way, with no mess.
Hero items Pic ‘n’ Pop (£19.99), Magical Melody Maker (£29.99) and Mr Colour Maker (£24.99) will be supported with television advertising and press targeting parents.
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MEGA BRANDS 2010 marks the 25th anniversary of Mega Bloks and the company is preparing for a big year for the brand. Mega Bloks is aiming to stay true to consumer expectations with its new range and continue to provide a strong building play experience for kids aged one and over. The new product range will include the Spin n Sort bucket, the innovative Rocker Stacker and the Mini Brick Bucket along with a refresh of the well-known classic – the Mega Bloks Building Imagination Bag. To celebrate Mega Bloks’ 25th anniversary, the company will be
HALL 4 STAND C-81 AND D-80 running a high profile marketing and PR campaign to further strengthen the core maxi business and maintain popularity with pre-school mums across the UK. Mega has secured a number of licences for 2010 including the video game licence Halo Wars and the evergreen boys’ pre-school licence Thomas & Friends. Both of these new ranges will be the major focus for the second half of the year. Mega will be launching Thomas & Friends construction play-sets which allow pre-schoolers aged three and over to build and rebuild scenes from the
worldwide TV series. Halo Wars figurines and play-sets will be more of a focus for Mega with new additions to the range. The firm will also be introducing the boys’ property Dragon’s Universe in the second half of 2010. A comprehensive range of construction toys will also be introduced to support the eagerly anticipated movie from Marvel – Iron Man 2. One of Mega’s success stories from 2009 is
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anticipated to go from strength to strength in 2010. Battle Strikers launched as an instant success around the world. In the UK, the product earned a spot on Hamleys’ top toys for Christmas list and also secured a coveted place in the Toy Retailers Association Christmas Dream Dozen, significantly helping Mega in regaining its position in the UK toy market. Set to take centre stage again this year, the first quarter will be gearing towards refreshing the range, followed by an Easter launch of the ultimate Metal XS series. With series two already adding 14 new striker designs to build on the customisation
and collectability factor, Metal XS is going to bring a new battling experience with metal armoured strikers and more to come. With TV advertising, channel sponsorship, PR, events and promotions making up the marketing campaign for Battle Strikers last year, Mega will be continuing to invest heavily in this area, supporting retailers and creating further excitement around all of its key brands. Focus will, however, remain on upgraded advertising campaigns at key points during the year, including February half-term, Easter, May and the fourth quarter. Mega Brands will be attending Toy Fair in Nuremburg and New York to showcase all its major ranges and continue to maintain its presence within UK and international trade circles and will continue to support the needs of the Independent sector through the Toymaster May Show and its distribution channel, which is managed by Halsall.
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HTI
HTI (formerly Halsall International) will display a wide collection of ranges in its permanent 300 sq metre showroom in Hall 12. A new range for the show is Chicco, one of the world’s strongest nursery brands. Also present will be the firm’s Silver Cross junior collection, with new designs and fabrics, as well as a range featuring Peppa Pig. HTI is introducing a line-up of household items in its Smart range and there will be a new selection of Winnie the Pooh products on display too. Teamsterz and Roadsterz ranges will be demonstrated at the show as well. And, as master toy licensee for the construction brand in Europe, HTI will be unveiling new additions to its JCB range of vehicles and role-play, wheeled and outdoor toys.
HALL 12.2 STAND P17
Wheeled toys and protection gear will back this summer’s release of Toy Story 3, with the Buzz Lightyear 14-inch Dynamo Bike and Wheel Bubble Scooter being highlights. HTI will also present summer lines for Barbie, Disney Fairies and Spectacular Spider-man and wheeled toy ranges of Disney Fairies, Spectacular Spider-man, Hello Kitty, Gogo’s Crazy Bones, Gormiti, Roary the Racing Car, Baby Annabell and Baby Born. New to the X Factor range is the Audition Microphone, while the firm’s Simpsons line includes new Bart and Homer Micro Speedsters. Finally, a number of everyday toy ranges will be on display including Wood Works, Jokes & Gags and Dream Creations dolls and play-sets.
SPIELWARENMESSE
SCHLEICH
Schleich – which is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2010 – has three scheduled launches every year, which consist of a number of additions to its play worlds, including new figures and play-sets depicting wildlife, farm life, historical periods and a fantasy collection called Bayala. The latest addition to the company’s extensive portfolio is the Schleich plane. This is based on the traditional fixed wing prop plane that is commonly seen in the wildest regions of Africa,
BRAINSTORM The company will be displaying its award-winning CitiBlocs at the show – they’re wooden construction blocks that are cut from high-grade pine. Every piece is exactly the same shape and size and building requires no glue, no mess, no connectors, no magnets. Builds can be as complex or as simple as you want. CitiBlocs will be available in packs of 50, 100, 200 and 300 blocks. In the US, this product has won 14 industry awards including Dr Toy, Parenting Magazine and Best Green Product. Meanwhile, Mostaix is a brand new range of arts and craft products that enables children to make mosaic style pictures. The snap-in pieces stay in place without the use of glue or ironing – children simply follow the real-size pattern to make the picture. Mostaix will be available in three sizes. The 264 piece pocket-money set will be suitable for beginners and younger children. The mid-price set will contain 1,332 pieces for slightly older kids and the 4,440 piece set will appeal to craft enthusiasts. There will be 18 different pictures to choose from. There are also plenty of new additions to Brainstorm’s The Original
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HALL 6, STAND B20
the Australian Outback and the plains of South America. Visitors to the stand will also be able to see the new Bayala tribe, called Arelan, which is specifically aimed at boys. Arelan introduces metamorphic figures of hunters and warriors, transformed with features belonging to their animal companions such as wolf, falcon, panther and stag. The range encourages storytelling and role play, but at a slightly older level than the traditional animal figures.
HALL 12, STAND A04, B03 Glowstars Company brand. The Astro Projector Torch has three domes to project different space patterns onto
bedroom walls, such as stars, planets or spacecraft. Kids can construct their own planet mobile with the Glow Solar System, now packaged
in an impactful clamshell pack, or add glow in the dark highlights to pictures with Glow In The Dark Pens. 2010 sees Brainstorm adding licensed metallic stickers and foam room decorations to complement its existing range of room accessories. Stickers feature the likes of Hello Kitty, Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers.
With Mostaix, children can make mosaic-styles pieces of art by simply snapping sections together while following a pattern
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TREASURE TROVE
2010 will be the third year that Treasure Trove has exhibited at Nuremberg. The firm believes that one of the main advantages in being at the German showcase is that four of its major suppliers – Brio, The Orb Factory, Safari and Quercetti – exhibit either in the same hall or adjacent in Hall five. “This gives our customers a great opportunity to see the full extent of our suppliers’ ranges and, in the case of Brio, the only chance to view all the
SPIELWARENMESSE HALL 4, STAND B25
new products before we show them for the first time in the UK at the Toymaster show in May,” explains business director Elizabeth Nield. Of the six brands that Treasure Trove will be displaying on its own stand, the company will be unveiling a new licensing deal, based on a girls’ TV show, for Breyer, plus a new educational brand. There will also be line extensions for the Scrunch-bucket and Hair-ee Magno-z brands, as well as the launch of the Peter Fish yo-yo line. The launch of Uberstix is one of the most important events for Treasure Trove in 2010. The Uberstix Aeroforce gliders ship in February, while the Uberstix Scavenger series will be TV advertised in the second half of the year.
HABA Haba’s stand will fill almost all of Hall 2, with the firm highlighting its indoor and outdoor toys, gifts, books and games and furniture, as well as promising a few surprises. One of the most popular lines is the Biofiono Toy Shop. New additions for 2010 include a sturdy wooden shopping caddy, with plenty of room for the weekly shop, plus a doll seat and rubber tyres. There are two new shopping nets – one containing wooden vegetables and the other wooden fruit – while a cookie assortment, fish, fruits and vegetables are added to the range of fabric foods. A bear, crocodile and rhino have been added to the Zoolina pre-school building blocks line; the characters can be stacked on top of each other and then pulled along on their own wheels. Keeping with the animal theme, Haba is introducing a line of wooden animal scooters – Horse Paulina, Bear Bean, Cow Caro and Crocodile Chris. The firm’s construction blocks range includes favourites such as Coloured Building Blocks Maxi and the Ball Track Construction Set. A number of new accessories will also be introduced for this, including a Double Wave Ramp, Looping Track and Ball Track Monster.
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GIBSONS GAMES
Gibsons Games will aim to strengthen its core brands in 2010, extend its line of children’s puzzles and launch a number of new brand extensions. The highlight for Nuremberg will be the My World range of children’s puzzles. In the space of a year since the line’s launch, My World has won a Good Toy accolade, a Right Start Silver Award and a Practical Pre-school Gold Award. Designed in collaboration with child and play psychologist Dr Amanda
HALL 10, STAND F12
Gummer, the puzzles match early year goals and are made in the UK from 100 per cent recycled board. A further four titles will be added to the range at the show. In addition, the company will be relaunching classic games from its back catalogue, giving them a modern twist, while it will also be previewing a number of highlight puzzles for 2010. These will be produced using thicker, recycled board and using images from bestselling artists.
HALL 2, STAND E3-F4 Haba is moving into the organic market as well, with several ranges made using high quality organically farmed cotton. These include Guardian Angels Tine and Toni, plus Pure Nature Cottis, a collection of soft lambs for newborns.
Live, Play and Learn.
Visit us at our new location CCN West, Foyer Hall 12.0
Partner Country at Spielwarenmesse
Nürnberg 2010 04.02.–09.02.
Further information:
www.toysfromspain.com · consumo.londres@mcx.es
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WOWWEE
WowWee has signed the rights to distribute the Wild Planet range in the UK, including the Spy Gear products, which will be on display at the show. The Spy Gear brand will celebrate its tenth anniversary in the UK this year and the companies will be working together to create a campaign to promote the range. Graham Spark, sales director for WowWee, said: “We’re excited about joining forces with Wild Planet. Its products are a fantastic addition.” The firm will also be introducing new products to the Alive line, new WowWee robots and launching Paper Jamz in 2010. Paper Jamz is a range of
SHOW GUIDE HALL 6, STAND B36 AND C39
uniquely thin guitars and drums, which apparently make playing music easy to pick up and play. The technology enables kids to play perfect pop tunes and rock anthems by simply touching the graphic printed on the instruments. The range will launch with the Paper Jamz Guitars (£24.99) in May 2010, followed by the Paper Jamz Drums and Amp in August. WowWee’s line-up of Wild Planet products will include the Spy Gear range, with the new Evidence Kit (£14.99); Skeleflex, the construction system with bones; Crayon Town, a collection of activity sets with Crayola crayons; and the Hyper games.
SPIELWARENMESSE
DANBAR TOYS
HALL 6, STAND B15
Danbar Toys, the leading remote control toys manufacturer, will be at Nuremburg this year with its full portfolio of product. The company is hoping to build on its string of success from 2009, which saw strong performances from Danbar’s core product lines, such as helicopters, aeroplanes and vehicles, as well as the launch of new property Flash & Dash. Already a major hit in China, the Flash & Dash animated series tells the story of twin brothers Frank and Karl who move to a new area and become part of the remote control racing world. Danbar’s supporting product line includes 1:32, 1:40 and 1:60 scale RC cars and track sets based on vehicles that appear in the show. Turner Media has secured a partnership with Cartoon Network Too
CASDON TOYS Casdon Toys is looking forward to returning to the Nuremburg Toy Fair after great FOB business in 2009, and it will be seeking more partners worldwide to help raise awareness of the company’s offering throughout the year. Casdon is known for top quality roleplay toys and replicating the adult world. Children cannot help but want to copy what their parents do on a daily basis and therefore love role-playing, which is why the level of detail in Casdon Toys makes them so popular. Whether they prefer the Dyson DC14 replica or the Little Henry and Hetty vacuums, children love following their parents around pretending to clean up. For the more culinary-minded child, Casdon offers a great Hotpoint-branded cooker and washer too – not to mention the extremely recognisable George Foreman Grill replica. The firm’s timeless classics, such as the Sweet Shop and Post Office set, achieved record sales in 2009 and show no signs of decline, making them a must-have for all toy shops. Continuing with this shopping theme, Casdon Toys’ tills still remain a firm favourite, whether it’s the Mini Market Till or Chip
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to bring Flash & Dash to a primetime Saturday morning slot, with a re-run on Sunday, while a show every day over the festive period helped to raise awareness of the franchise and drive interest in Danbar’s products. Flash & Dash was showcased in 15 major shopping centres around the UK, giving kids the opportunity to interact with the brand and play in live tournaments, testing their RC skills. Extensive investment was made in TV advertising and PR, including promotional activity with national and kids’ press, and regional support for the shopping centre activity. 2010 will be an exciting year for Flash & Dash, with new licensing deals in the works that will enable Danbar to bring apparel, accessories and even more to the market, plus extensions to the product line.
HALL 12, STAND C04
The Little Henry vacuum replica is a favourite among children eager to follow in their parents’ footsteps
& Pin Till. These tills can be complemented by an array of play food that the firm offers, and many of the play-food kits encompass recognisable brands such as Birds Eye or Baxters tins. This year will be the company’s 49th year at the show and with its range of quality licensed replicas and generic favourites, the company looks set to grow its way to its golden anniversary with Nuremburg. New for 2010 will be more top role-play ideas, including the Henry /Hetty Cleaning Trolley, a new fruit and veg basket and the Sat Nav Steering Wheel – a world first.
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FIESTA CRAFTS
Fiesta Crafts will be extending its award-winning range of Doowell Magnetic games at Nuremberg, with brand new Colour-in Play Scenes, including Knights and Dragons and Princess. Both feature magnetic double-sided playboards and over 50 colour-in magnetic-paper character and story pieces cut from exclusive special paper that sticks magnetically. These pack neatly away inside the magnetic board, making them an ideal holiday travel companion, whether it’s in the car, on a coach, train or plane, or even on the beach.
GOLDEN BEAR Golden Bear will be launching its brand new Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom range of plush and plastic toys at Nuremberg this year. The lineup interprets the charms of the BAFTA award-winning programme and the range includes Holly’s Castle, Gaston Cave, Fluttering Wings Holly and Ben Elf. Also new is Timmy Time Wood. The range features the fun characters of Timmy and his friends from the new hit television show Timmy Time, through a wide variety of products, which includes dominoes, a height chart, a Timmy Time clock and a learning frame. Golden Bear’s wooden line-up will also be extended in 2010, with new products being launched within both the Peppa Pig and the My 1st JCB ranges. The My 1st JCB series of toys is being expanded, with 2010 marking the debut for new characters including Marty Mixer and Tommy Truck. And the range has been extended even further to include floor puzzles, wooden puzzles, dominoes and sit ‘n’ ride Talking Elvis.
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SPIELWARENMESSE HALL 1, STAND B11 Next up is the company’s Skipping Pals, a new concept that combines soft toy handles with character faces and candy-striped ropes, ideal for skipping rope games. There are six colourful handle characters in the range, such as the cheerful faces of Rabbit Skipping Pals, Duck Skipping Pals, Money Skipping Pals, Ladybird Skipping Pals, Fairy Skipping Pals and Pirate Skipping Pals. Following the success of the Tellatale range of puppets in 2009, Fiesta Crafts is pleased to introduce some new thoroughbred puppets: Arabella Riding on Coco the showjumping horse, and the brave knight and horse. The range is also joined by Robin Hood, Maid Marian, The Big Bad Wolf and three little pigs, and a graceful Ballerina. Fiesta Crafts will also expand on its bestselling range of embroidered educational wall hangings, with some beautiful new additions to the range. Pirate Numbers is designed to engage pre-school children in number play and early maths and comes with 55 fabric number coins that can be picked up and moved to reposition, together with plus and minus pieces for maths games. Lastly, children will find learning their alphabet is more fun with the My ABC fabric wall hanging. This makes an attractive bedroom or playroom decoration with colourful pockets for each letter of the alphabet. In the pockets are 52 cards with upper and lower case letters and a picture starting with that letter.
GREEN BOARD GAMES This year, Green Board Games will be introducing its new BrainBites range of products at the Nuremberg Toy Fair, a property the company has designed to help children develop their memory and knowledge. BrainBites is a new brand based around a Trivia Pursuit-style quiz game where children answer questions to earn themselves a brain cell – ideally as many as possible. The first player to fill their brain card with brain cells is the winner. Players can choose to answer an easy, medium or hard question and then earn brain cells accordingly. The varying difficulties introduce some strategy into how the players progress and build their brain cell total up.
HALL 12, STAND A04, B03 Each BrainBites game is presented in a tin with strong eye-catching shelf appeal. There will be a number of titles to choose from in the range, each with a different area of expertise. The initial wave of games will include Landmarks, Shakespeare, Myths & Legends, The Tudors, Safari and Dinosaurs. Green Board Games will also be announcing its new licensing partnership with the Science Museum, resulting in BrainBox Inventions. This title has been produced in the new and improved box design, which will soon be rolled out throughout the range. The BrainBites range, as well as its other products for 2010, will be available at Green Board Games booth – Hall 12, stand B-03-1.
HALL 5, STAND C15 This year will also see the launch of several new In the Night Garden products, growing the nursery range which has proved popular with children and parents alike. New additions include Igglepiggle and Upsy Daisy cuddle harnesses, which have been designed to ensure safety whilst children learn to walk with their favourite character. Soft and cuddly Snuggle Buddies will be available in the form of the Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy and Makka Pakka characters, along with various brightly coloured and fun rattles, which are available in different styles. Golden Bear will also roll out a new range that’s based on the Aardman Animation’s production Shaun The Sheep. Shaun and friends will be available in a variety of both new and existing plush toys, including the new feature plush Hungry Shirley. 2010 sees the company moving into the Arts and Crafts market, securing new licences in Waybuloo, Mister Maker and Candy Blush. Golden Bear’s Arts and Crafts collection will also extend into existing licences Peppa Pig and Charlie and Lola.
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ORCHARD TOYS
Orchard Toys will be using the 2010 Nuremberg Toy Fair to celebrate its successes of the past few years. Export sales have been up on 2008 and the firm’s French product range, launched last year, has been selling particularly well. Visitors to its stand will be able to see new products for 2010, such as Once upon a Time Dominoes, Round and Round, If you see a Crocodile, Nursery Rhyme: Four in a Box, the Enchanted Forest jigsaw puzzle and the revamped Farmyard Dominoes. Also present will be Pop to the Shops, as well as recently launched games Ten Green Bottles, Old MacDonald Lotto and the Fairy Tales set of six little jigsaw puzzles.
HORNBY INTERNATIONAL Hornby International will be showcasing the best upcoming products from all three of its key business, including Corgi, Airfix and, of course, Hornby. From the latter, new train sets are ready to make the retailers’ shelves this year. They include Night Mail, featuring the ever-popular Travelling Post Office, and the Blue Rapier, the fast commuter train set that includes the Hitachi Class 395, which is also known as the Javelin. Meanwhile, Corgi fans can look forward to an array of new products for 2010 and there is certain to be something for everyone. 2010 will see the release of more models from the Colin McRae Tribute Collection including the Subaru Legacy 2000cc Turbo and the Subaru Impreza 2000cc. Staying with cars, the Golf MkI and the Cortina MkIV are likely to be popular additions to an already extensive range. New additions to the London 2012 range will be released, including taxis, figurines and keyrings. In terms of trucks, particular ones to keep an eye out for include the Scania 110/111 and the Seddon Strato, both from the 1970s/80s In the company’s Aviation range, 2010 will see the release of the Boulton
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Sales of Ten Green Bottles have exceeded Orchard’s expectations. The gameplay is simple but fun. Players try to match the ten green bottles on their wall with ten dotty numbered cards and, if successful, posting them into the bottle bank. First to post all their bottles is the winner. Simon Newbery, managing director, commented: “We are really pleased at the way the company has performed, especially with our last two bumper years. We are constantly striving, not only to provide exciting, fun entertainment to help young children on their learning journey, but to improve customer satisfaction, quality control, and our commitment to operating in an environmentally friendly way.”
WOW TOYS
New additions to WOW’s toy range in 2010 will include Stanley Street Sweeper and Alfie’s Animal Adventure. Stanley Street Sweeper is a pushalong sweeper that comes with rotating cleaning brushes and a removable driver. His mechanical features make him compatible with the rest of the WOW range. Meanwhile, Alfie’s Animal Adventure is WOW’s new friction-powered animal feeding truck. It carries a removable orangutan and giraffe, and is driven by a safari man driver. Both toys are aimed at children aged between 18 months to five years old. The company will also be promoting its new fantasy-themed toy lines, which will offer a new opportunity for the pre-
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school market. These are set to be launched in early September, ready for Christmas 2010. WOW’s innovative pre-school toys are designed to encourage a child’s imagination through fun, discovery and play. The firm’s commitment to produce the highest quality toys for toddlers ensures that the new range of toys will be trusted, durable and safe. They are easily wiped clean and do not contain small parts or sharp edges. The toys are packed with fun, mechanical features, but without the need for batteries, so the fun never has to end. They are also collectable, as each set is compatible with the others and children can mix and match any toys from the range.
HALL 7, STAND E43, F30, F36 Paul Defiant, a highly sought-after WWII fighter aircraft. Corgi will also be releasing a series of aircrafts to mark the 70th anniversary of The Battle of Britain, which is celebrated next year. A busy 2009 saw Airfix celebrate its 60th anniversary, which included the launch of The Boys’ Book of Airfix and the release of a raft of new products in redesigned new packaging. Over 20 brand new models will be released in 2010, as well as new categories for the gift sets, including two brand new cars. Some exciting products for devout Airfix fans to look out for include the Vickers Valiant 1:72, Messerschmitt BF019E 1:48, Spitfire Mk XII 1:48 and the eagerly anticipated Aston Martin DBR9 1:32.
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RICHARD EDWARD
Richard Edward is a manufacturer of card-based products and a strategic partner to many games brands including Top Trumps and Monopoly. Established for 30 years, the company has the capacity to produce in excess of 40 million decks of cards per annum using its fully integrated in-house facilities. It produces trading card sets, card components for board games, standalone card games and playing cards for promotional and conventional use, and deliver throughout Europe and worldwide. Richard Edward offers a range of specialist printing and innovative finishing processes to ensure it can meet the most demanding creative brief for any client.
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From foiling, to glow-in-the-dark or creating inks that react to temperature, to randomised collation and unique coding within trading card sets, the processes enable interactivity and engagement with consumers. And because everything the firm does is carried out on one site, it offers flexibility to work to its customers’ needs and forecasts. The company offers excellent environmental credentials including FSC and Green Mark, together with scope to reduce carbon footprint by purchasing a truly British product. Richard Edward is also audited to Global Sourcing Principles (and can be found on the SMETA database), the ETI base code, and holds both Investors in People and ISO 9001 accreditations.
WORLDS APART Visitors to the Worlds Apart stand will be able to see the latest developments in its Dream Town collection and a new range of children’s furniture, developed since the company secured the Disney MDF furniture licence in 2009. With items available in Disney licences such as Disney Princess, Toy Story and Cars, the MDF range consists of practical children’s furniture, including a single bed, table and chair, six bin storage unit and toy chest. Decorated with all the favourite characters, the range perfectly complements Worlds Apart’s licensed ReadyRoom collection. With a new addition to its Dream Town role-play range, Worlds Apart continues to build on the current collection, which includes the Rose Petal Cottage and the Gaskett’s Garage, with its garage forecourt on one side and workshop on the other. Taking Dream Town in a fresh direction for 2010, Worlds Apart has now combined two categories, role-play and plush, to create the new Strawberry Stables. This set has been designed to enable children to channel their
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WOW STUFF
Wow Stuff is launching its brands and products internationally for the first time at Nuremberg. Driven by the success of the Mystery UFO and Flitter Fairies (top sellers at Hamleys), the firm decided to take the products to Europe. With two patents and design
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registrations, it felt the uniqueness of the products and the video screen/FSDU solution would replicate well for European retailers. The firm has a line of complementary products launching to support the UFO and Fairies arriving in July 2010.
HALL 8, STAND C15 The Strawberry Stables from Worlds Apart brings plush and role-play together to make a new play environment
imaginations into real life animal nurturing role-play games. Pony lovers will have hours of roleplay entertainment with the new Strawberry Stables and plush pony. Fudge can be ridden, played with or cared for. The set includes the stables, Fudge the pony, bridle, reins, saddle, apple, brush and hair play and separate accessories include a Stable Care Set (inflatable hay bale, broom, nose bag and sugar treats), plus a Gymkhana Dress Up Set. The complete Dream Town range will benefit from strong marketing support in 2010, including TV advertising.
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SCALEXTRIC
Scalextric is adding a line of new sets to its range. Inspired by the Toy Story movies from Disney/Pixar, the new MicroScalextric set recreates all the magic and fun from the films. The set will be priced at £49.99. The Scalextric Start range offers an introduction to the world of 1:32 scale Scalextric slot racing. The sets will feature striking new cars and will be
HY-PRO Hy-Pro, which already has a global presence in Africa, the Americas and Asia, is looking to expand its European business and sees the Nuremberg show as a key component in that strategy. This year Hy-Pro will be heavily publicising its new Zinc wheeled toys brand. With Zinc, Hy-Pro aims to revolutionise the wheeled toy market by introducing into its products original interactive play features, while creating an utterly contemporary design language, unrestrained by licence or style guide. The result is a range of scooters, skateboards and other innovative wheeled toys all linked by a core brand identity, ethos and philosophy. Foremost among the products displayed will be the new Venom scooter, which hits shelves in the UK this spring. This all-new scooter features an integrated and completely concealed water blaster, powered by the movement of the scooter itself. In the spring, the much anticipated launch of Venom across an extensive range of UK retailers will be heavily supported by a 500 TVR TV advertising campaign, and visitors to the Hy-Pro stand in February will be able to see a preview of the new TV commercial.
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priced at £59.99, £69.99 and £79.99 respectively, with customers able to build four, six and eight alternative circuits depending on the price range they opt for. The 007 James Bond will pitch the Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger and the DBS from Casino Royale against each other. The set will be priced at £99.99 and will be available mid-year.
KSG
The craft and hobby kit manufacturer is best known for its flagship range Sequin Art, which boasts over 60 products. In addition to this, the firm produces Sequin Magic – aimed at the five-plus age group, it doesn’t use pins to fasten the sequins to the background, instead using self adhesive and a special sequin art ‘wand’.
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KSG also manufactures a range of craft kits, which are sold in more than 20 countries. Each year the company introduces around 40 new products into the market. New items from KSG include Stardust Creations, a Gel Mosaic Kit, a Russian Doll Kit, plus 12 new Sequin Art designs.
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ART MEETS MATTER
Following on from the successful Bookchase board game, Art Meets Matter is now launching a new version based on the Penguin Books design. 2010 will see Penguin Books celebrating its 75th anniversary, with the game featuring in its marketing and promotional activities. Players simply have to chase around the board
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collecting books for their own bookshelf. Find one in the book corner, win a competition or answer a multiple choice question – it’s easy to collect the books, it’s keeping them that’s the tricky part. The first player to collect, find or steal six books and race back to the centre is the winner.
BIGJIGS TOYS Wooden toy specialist Bigjigs Toys expands its Baby Bigjigs range with a modern take on the classic alphabet block set. The product bears all the hallmarks of a popular Christmas present and sets itself up as a must-have for any playroom. As with the rest of the Baby Bigjigs range, the new block set has been rigorously tested to ensure it’s more than a match for any infant younger than three years old. More importantly, it is just one of the 20 planned new toys that will be added to the range in 2010. The block set combines attractive and functional design with quality materials and workmanship. The company has given it a more up-to-date feel by finishing it with a combination of bright colours and more muted tones. There are also a variety of subtle but important differences from rival products, such as the smoothed edges and the tidy-up tray that house the blocks. Younger children will enjoy building towers from the blocks and toppling them over, while older ones will recognise favourite colours and the first letter of their name. As well as helping kids to start learning the alphabet, the set can help develop good handto-eye coordination and fine motor skills. The rest of the Baby Bigjigs range is fully-tested and every product is designed specifically for children under three. The series includes old favourites and nursery newcomers, from shape sorters and puzzles to baby gyms and ride-on toys. Bigjigs Toys confidently claims this is a great value, high quality range that has something for every toy and gift retailer.
SPIELWARENMESSE
KEEL TOYS
Keel Toys is planning to launch a range of six turtles in 2010, featuring hibiscus detailing, creating a vibrant collection of toys and stationery. Fashionista ‘Wags’, meanwhile, are four pooch buddies which come with their own style, attitude and ‘bling’.
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Xtinctables is a range of dinosaurs and Ice Age animals, which come with their own display plinths, while classic Keel ranges such as dogs, cats, teddy bears, wildlife, pocket money and nursery toys will also be on display at this year’s show.
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The block set from Bigjigs has seen extensive testing to ensure it’s more than a match for any child playing with it
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GREENBROOK AUTOMATIONS
With more than 30 years in the industry, Greenbrook claims to have one of the most experienced design teams in the latex, nitrile and PVC dipping and printing environment. The firm also boasts a fully automatic household glove plant, turnkey design
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and development, a fully and semiautomatic dipping plant and a paint dipping process. In addition, sister company Talking Balloons has been producing commercial advertising printing on balloons for over 22 years.
LE TOY VAN Noah’s Shape Sorter is a vibrant new ark and follows the Le Toy Van’s highly successful range of painted wooden arks. This bright and colourful vessel comes complete with seven distinctive animal pairs, each designed to fit perfectly in their respective shapes carved in the ark. The set even features Noah and his family, and makes an ideal gift to nurture a child’s dexterity and awareness. Meanwhile, Le Toy Van’s friendly, bendy range of poseable wooden Budkins characters are going to be joined by new friends in 2010, as well as a charming set of wooden farm animals. Following the brand’s successful launch in 2009, the huge selection of more than 80 characters has proven to be highly collectable, and perfectly complement the company’s established painted wooden play-sets. The Budkins range of characters includes pirates, fairytale creatures, and knights, as well as those from fantasy, historical and everyday life setting. New Budkins play-sets will include a princess tower, sturdy police van, convertible car, majestic castle and a tractor and trailer set. Budkins toys are a versatile gift idea for children aged three and up.
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THE TRADING HOUSE
The clearance company will have a variety of brands on offer at Nuremberg, including a selection of toys and video games. Formed in March 2007, Trading House was the product of a merger between Toy Connections and OCP International. Both firms had the same
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business model – buying and selling excess stocks and clearance lines from their respective markets: toys, games and gifts and video gaming and PC products. The firm has a worldwide customer base, although with a strong UK bias of key High Street retailers.
HALL 3, STAND B26 Le Toy Van’s award-winning doll’s house range will also receive some new accessory sets. New products will include a lovely nursery set complete with a cute baby, a pet set with a dog and a cat, and a trendy dress-me-up doll with wardrobe and outfits. The company’s Honeybake series continues to grow in popularity and sees the addition of a birthday cake, ice creams and a fancy tea set. Other new additions to the Le Toy Van range include some zippy new car sets and some redesigned castles. The firm expects 2010 to be an exceptional year for Le Toy Van retailers. With lots of new lines at all price points, there will be something for everyone.
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DOWMAN SOFT TOUCH
Dowman Soft Touch experienced high demand for its meerkats just before Christmas, with the firm certainly making the most of the public’s huge interest in the animals. The firm is a specialist in plush wildlife and says it has the largest range in Europe. Over 40 new products will be on show at Nuremberg.
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As well as the meerkats, the newly launched ‘5 A Day’ Friends line will be on the stand, promoting healthy eating. Dutch company ACT International has been appointed to develop Dowman’s business in Eastern Europe. Visitors to the stand will also be able to take advantage of a special discount offer for all orders placed at the show.
WENTWORTH WOODEN PUZZLES
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KIDS@PLAY
The company has a new stand and new position this year, with its main focus being on its Bump&Go car. This will be TV advertised in the UK during the autumn/winter 2010 period. Bump&Go is a 6v car with forward and reverse gears, 360 degree steering, electronic flashing lights, sounds and sirens. Aimed at three to four year-olds, it features Kids@Play’s
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new air flow bumpers and a three clip safety belt. The company will also be showing its new range of other battery operated ride-ons, plus the Go-bunny Trike – a tricycle with bunny design graphics and a removable 16-inch plush toy – and the Football Champion trike, which comes with a 2010 World Cup football.
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Kevin Wentworth Preston prided himself on reviving the tradition of Victorian puzzle-making by using modern technology to create an affordable yet premium quality puzzle. Since then, Wentworth Wooden Puzzles has continued to produce exquisitely crafted wooden puzzles to appeal to the increasing number of jigsaw lovers around the world. 2010 will be the first year that Wentworth will be exhibiting at the Nuremburg Show. The primary focus will be on the firm’s range of proven best-selling licensed image puzzles, including everything from fine art puzzles to those based on the weird and wonderful. Wentworth will also be revealing its innovative cut-to-line ability following its recent £250,000 laser investment, which allows for new and exciting puzzling challenges. The company can also customise puzzles and turn any painting, drawing or photograph, into personalised puzzles using over 500 themed cut patterns to make the perfect gift or souvenir. Wentworth designs and manufactures its own unique brand of puzzles cut from 3mm wooden board, which comes from forests managed on a sustainable basis. Many of the firm’s puzzles include Wentworth’s ‘whimsy’ jigsaw pieces, which are often shaped to reflect image themes. No two pieces are the same, there are no corner shapes or straight edges in middle pieces, all of which creates a new and irresistible challenge. Wentworth Wooden Puzzle works hard to bring retailers what it describes as “a traditional British classic, inspired by yesterday but created to meet the quality demanded by today’s consumers”.
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*NOVEMBER 2009 NPD YTD VALUE
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LEARNING RESOURCES
Learning Resources will be introducing an extensive range of new products this year as part of its mission to deliver innovative and educational children’s toys. In 2010, the company is readying over 90 new additions to help keep children learning. First up is the Design & Drill Power Tool Workshop, bringing young boys the challenges of construction without the need for a hard hat. This deluxe addition to the award-winning Design & Drill Activity Centre combines construction and creativity in one kit. Children will be able to develop colourful patterns once they get to grips with the 100 regular bolts, 20 fun bolts, wrench and hand screwdriver. This deluxe kit also includes an electronic drill and screwdriver, allowing two children to play at once. The Smart Snacks Gingerbread House Sorter offers a new take on
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shape sorting. This magical house encourages children to match the six chunky sweet shapes to their corresponding holes. Once children get the right shape combinations, the shapes can be emptied out of the gingerbread house door, ready for them to begin again. Parents can get their children thinking on their feet with the Hip Hoppin’ Hundred Mat. This versatile floor mat is a great hands-on way to reinforce counting, number patterns, operations, problem solving and other fundamental mathematics. The mat features colourful number frames that let children mark different kinds of numbers, such as odd and even, and comes with two dice. The vibrant and fun design ensures children will be hopping about hundreds and learning key maths concepts at the same time.
RALEIGH Sunbeam is launching a fun range of children’s bicycles, scooters and tricycles at the Nuremberg Toy Fair 2010. The company was a household name back in the ‘60s and is still working hard to maintain that prominence in today’s market. Its quality range of colourful wheeled toys has been designed by Raleigh for children, ensuring they can still have fun while staying healthy and building up their strength and balance. For 2010, the company has lined up a brand new range of bikes and toys that should appeal to youngsters everywhere. Little girls will no doubt love the Sunbeam Molly. Not only is it bright pink, it has colourful streamers, a furry saddle, spoke decorations and a pink matching handlebar bag. The bike comes with a cool Molly doll and doll carrier, so girls even have a new friend to play with. Alternatively, young boys will be more interested in the Sunbeam Strike, especially if they have even the remotest interest in football. Football-themed graphics adorn the frame, complementing football saddle, bell (with kicking boot) and dustcaps. The bike even comes with a rucksack
FEBRUARY 2010
WIZARD TOYS
Shrinkles is a craft activity which sees any picture that is traced, drawn or coloured, shrink seven times smaller and seven times thicker. Items such as badges, key fobs, fridge magnets,
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figurines, pencil toppers, jewellery, phone charms and bag tags can be made, with each set coming with a variety of accessories as well as the Shrinkles themselves.
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to store a football and training cones. The design by Raleigh provides quality assurance and gives confidence to parents, incorporating many safety features. Each bike boasts strong frames, non slip pedals, quality rear stabilisers, front and rear mudguards, reflectors and bells. The collaboration of these Raleigh and Sunbeam makes the latter’s products the perfect package for children.
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MANHATTAN TOY
Manhattan Toy is all set to unveil its biggest ever product launch at the 2010 International Toy Fair in Nuremberg. The launch will introduce major new ranges, expanding on its most proven classic collections and the firm is also bringing back some old favourites to make this year’s offering more unmissable than ever. To start with, Manhattan Toy and Jim Henson Productions have teamed up to create a range of musical groupinspired plush and puppets based on the classic Fraggle Rock TV series. Next up is the FuzzyNation collection of top pedigree pooches, which will no doubt be snuggling up under the arm or nuzzling the shoulder of many a young girl this season. All are of the dogs dressed in trendy outfits and constructed with garment-
KIDDIMOTO Kiddimoto will be focusing on its multiple award-winning range of wooden balance bikes. The Nuremberg Toy Fair is set to provide the backdrop to the new 2010 line-up of Kiddimoto’s Superbike, Scrambler, Chopper and Scooters. The acclaimed Hero range features new replicas from Carl Fogarty and Troy Corser, plus the award-winning Brit Pop Scooter will be on display. Also on show will be the hugely successful branded models from Honda, Suzuki and Triumph – to name but a few – showcasing the strong merchandising opportunities that Kiddimoto can offer its partners. Completing the Kiddimoto ‘look’, will be a range of accessories, including the
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quality fabrics – these ‘poochie bags’ and plush toys will appeal to any dog-loving girl. Manhattan Toy will be expanding its baby range too, with three themed developmental collections: Little Bloom, Snuggly Space Friends and the Buggybu knit collection. There will also be numerous additions to the high contrast black and white Wimmer Ferguson range, which promises to entertain everyone from newborns to infants. The company will be showcasing its latest Groovy Girls offering, including Special Edition Theme Dolls. These range from an enchanted princess and her knight, to a dragon and castle. There will even be life-size outfits for girls to dress up and pretend to be their favourite Groovy Girls character.
HALL 3, STAND B57 vast range of Kiddimoto helmets, t-shirts and riding gloves. Aimed at the early years, Kiddimoto claims its range of wooden balance bikes are the ideal fun learning tool for the next generation of cyclists. Each one is constructed from tough and durable natural birch plywood and the company has designed every model to teach children the important motor skills of balance and co-ordination in a fun and controlled manner. Kiddimoto products bypass the need for stabilisers, making them the ideal first bike without the complications of pedals and brakes. The bikes allow children to quickly move on to a pedal cycle or automatic motorcycle.
PLAYMAIS
PlayMais is a craft toy which uses 100 per cent natural ingredients. Sweetcorn and plant dyes are made into colourful building blocks which, using just a dab of water, stick to each other. The bricks are fully biodegradable and eco-friendly, as are the packaging and box contents, with even the cutting tool in each pack made from cornstarch. The product has already won awards in its native Germany and is now making inroads into the UK – picking up accolades from the NATLL Good Toy Awards, the ToyTalk Awards and Bizzie Baby Awards.
MOOKIE Mookie will once again be at the Nuremberg Toy Fair, showing the full 2010 range of outdoor products and exhibiting the latest additions to its Swingball line-up, which includes the all-new Soccer Swingball range, Parasol range, redesigned Swingball packaging and the new Createaway from the makers of Swingball. Createaway has been designed based on the traditional values of sand and water play, with quality and value in mind. Aesthetically pleasing, the all-in-one sand and water play-sets fold up, making it easy to assemble and easy to store. Each play-set comes with various accessories and features and they are available with or without the unique UV-protected sunshade for indoor and outdoor play. Also in the outdoor category, there will be a vast range of innovations and new products ready for 2010, starting in the spring with the introduction of the Tailball brands. Designed as a progression to shuttlecock play, each
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Demonstration days have been taking place across the UK, continuing into the New Year, with stores that have taken part reporting a significant increase in sales once children have played with the product. PlayMais is available in a variety of sizes and themes. Generic boxes come in sizes M to XL, while the themed packs include Animal Farm, Pirates, Circus, African Jungle, Fantasy House, Castle and Sea World. Two Disney additions complete the PlayMais collection – Disney Princess and My Friends Tigger & Pooh.
HALL 7, STAND A20 item features the unique Tailball streamer, which slows and stabilises flight to make rallies, striking and catching easier. Each Tailball comes in its own protective container and will be available in two sizes. Various games will include the Tailball Back Pack Attack, 2-in-1 Dart Attack, Tailball Extreme, Tailball Light, Tailball Flyer and the Tailball Rocket. The spring launch will be supported by a national press campaign with extensive TV and mass PR coverage to start early next year. Swingball Swing Shades will be available in junior and adult versions. Both have a UV sun protection and windproof canopy. The adult version has a tilt system umbrella and both pack into the new All Surface Base. Swingball also introduces the brand new Soccer range, which includes Reflex Soccer, Soccer Swingball, Soccer Training Set and Soccer Belt. All Swingball items now come in the new 2010 packaging.
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MEADOW KIDS
At this year’s Nuremberg Toy Fair, Meadow Kids will be continuing to promote the concept of ‘Learn through Play’ as the core value within the company’s line-up, showing how its products fully encourage learning within the home environment. To this end, Meadow Kids has expanded its Bath Time Learning product range extensively to include a wide range of interactive books in various formats. The company has also introduced a range of products for children that will help them with their basic development. New toys will be shown off that aid children in learning their alphabet, numbers and phonics – and
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all while at home in a fun filled environment. All of Meadow Kids’ products aim to maintain a bright and fun aspect so that they will keep children entertained for hours, while also allowing them to express themselves and develop their core learning skills. The firm prides itself on making its products as highly interactive as possible, positioning them as a perfect way of getting the whole family involved and bringing them closer together. Meadow Kids’ line-up also encourages parents to take a more active role in their child’s personal development, especially in those key early years.
SPIELWARENMESSE
PETA
Since 1975, Peta has been designing and manufacturing the Easi-Grip range of adapted scissors for children with special needs, which is supported by the firm’s Developing Scissor Skills publications. At this year’s Nuremberg Toy Fair, the company will show off its latest products under this range. Peta's comprehensive line-up will include many self-opening, left-handed and table-top scissors. All of these have been developed in close consultation with Paediatric Occupational Therapists and will be recognised for their high quality. Also available will be the company’s two very popular scissor kits. The larger of the two is the Comprehensive
SAMBRO INTERNATIONAL Sambro will be using the Nuremberg Toy Fair to unveil numerous new toy lines, including an impressive growth in its licensed pocket money category. The firm will be showcasing master toy lines for its Thumb Wrestling Federation range with over 250 TV ads planned for 2010, with many running alongside the new Nickelodeon educational pre-school show Super Why. It has
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Assessment Kit, which is designed specifically for Paediatric Occupational Therapists and other professionals working in the field of special education. The smaller one is the Essential Scissor Kit, designed for use by teachers working in an inclusive mainstream environment. Peta also designs and manufactures ergonomic tools, aids and assistive devices for people suffering from arthritis or reduced grip strength. As such, the Easi-Grip Kitchen and Garden Tools will also be shown off at Nuremberg. These have an ergonomically-angled handle that keep the hand and wrist in a neutral stress-free position.
HALL 10, STAND D24 also been appointed the Master Arts and Craft licensee for children’s publication Thomas & Friends. Sambro’s pocket money range is set for huge growth in 2010, with the range of licensed properties now including Batman Classic, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo, Roary the Racing Car, Fifi and the
Flowertots, Marvel Super Hero Squad and the Discovery Channel’s Animal Planet brand. All of these brands will feature across a massive product range priced between £1 and £5. Sambro's managing director, Nikki Samuels, believes the range will bring extra value
to retailers by offering licensed products at generic prices, and that it will shift good volumes while maintaining a strong margin. Products in the pocket money range include spinning tops, throwing toys, gliders, bubble toys, whoopee cushions, musical instruments, skipping ropes, basketball sets and yoyos – tipped to be a playground craze once more during 2010 – to name but a few. Most will be sold as carded products, with strong packaging featuring the respective licence. The company also boasts a range of stationery, plus arts and crafts materials, to support the number one collectable licence Gogo's Crazy Bones. Arts and crafts products are also available featuring Disney franchises Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Winnie the Pooh, Disney Princess, Fairies, Toy Story, Power Rangers, Handy Manny and Cars. There is also a pre-school arts and crafts range under the Fireman Sam, Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder and Roary the Racing Car brands. Finally, another new toy licence – the well-known tool brand Stanley – will feature on a new construction toy range.
FEBRUARY 2010