ToyNews Issue 108 August 2010

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Issue 108

The toy industry’s highest circulation trade title Exclusive media partner

INSIDE…

PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT The trading cards and stickers sector moves into the spotlight

FRIENDS OF THE EARTH Those green toy ranges doing their bit to save the planet

TOYNEWS FIVES 2010 Full report and pictures from the big Toy Trust fundraiser

CONSTRUCTION SIGHTS Sector guide on what’s new in the bricks and blocks market

August 2010

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Contents

Ronnie Dungan Managing Editor Ronnie.Dungan@intentmedia.co.uk

REGULARS 4

News

Samantha Loveday Associate Editor

12

Appointments

Samantha.loveday@intentmedia.co.uk

6

Exclusive NPD analysis

8

Information Point

10

TV ratings

Katie Roberts Deputy Editor

14

Campaign of the month

Katie.Roberts@intentmedia.co.uk

COMMENT CRISIS? WHAT CRISIS?

LICENSING 22

News

24

Animal Planet’s toy range

FEATURES 16

Trading cards

29

Construction sets

39

Plush

46

Eco-friendly toys

Emily Briggs Sales Executive Emily.Briggs@intentmedia.co.uk

Dan Bennett Design Dan.Bennett@intentmedia.co.uk

Jon Salisbury Contributor jon@wotkidzwant.com

RETAIL 52

Counter Insurgent

52

Price Check

53

Retail Charts

54

New Products

55

Hero Product

Stuart Dinsey Publisher Stuart.Dinsey@intentmedia.co.uk

Editorial: 01992 535646 Advertising: 01992 535647

Intent Media is a member of the Periodical Publishers Associations

AUDITED CIRCULATION: Average Net Circulation: 6,043 July 1st 2009 to June 30th 2010. www.toynews-online.biz ■ ToyNews circulation is 15.9% higher than its closest competitor.

■ ToyNews requested or paid for circulation is 23.4% higher than its closest competitor.

■ ToyNews has 100% named circulation and 0% duplication.

THE TOY MARKET’S recent introduction to the basics of crisis management at the BTHA Industry Day advised that doing nothing is really not an option. Simply pretending or denying that whatever is happening is not happening, isn’t the way. You have to work with the media and the wider trade.

Of course, it’s easier said than done when you’re at the eye of the storm and keeping your company afloat is more important than keeping the trade informed of what’s happening.

But, in my experience, responding quickly and honestly to any scuttlebutt doing the rounds can be the difference between your firm surviving or going under. Managing the media, reassuring your creditors and clients, gives the illusion at the very least, that you are in control and managing the situation. Failure to respond to any rumours means people fill in their own blanks, maybe get a bit panicky, withdraw credit lines, cancel orders.

Meltdown follows. You get the picture.

Failure to respond to rumours means people fill in their own blanks meltdown follows I doubt if much could have been done to help Martin Yaffe and Hobbygames, but Yaffe in particular might have negated a lot of the bitterness that is filtering through from former employees, with better communication. Similarly, Hobbygames might have been more transparent about its situation instead of denying the obvious.

Harsh lessons to learn. Particularly for the staff now out of work.

Crunching into another gear, we’re delighted former GMTV veteran Clive Crouch has agreed to become our new TV correspondent. Clive’s experience of the kids’ TV market in the UK is second to none and he will provide definitive commentary on a market which is often complex and subject to much statistical examination.

There is no better man to assist in understanding it. Clive’s home will be on our new market information page which will provide data across a number of entertainment markets which compete for the toy dollar. See page eight.

Ronnie Dungan ronnie.dungan@intentmedia.co.uk

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NEWS

UK set for battle of the Bandz Huge selling silicone band craze hits UK shores with US sales topping 1m a week ● Other brands follow suit

by Ronnie Dungan A NEW wearable silicone band craze looks set to take off in the UK, with the launch of rival lines Silly Bandz and CrazyBandz and more copy-cats set to follow.

In the US the Silly Bandz brand alone boasts annual sales of more than $100m, having been around $10,000 two years ago.

The brand has just launched in the UK with ten themed packs to collect and claims to be the authentic and original product. Each contains 24 Silly Bandz, from zoo animals and sea creatures to Rockbandz guitars and drum kits. The bands can be worn on the wrist, then bounce back to their original shape when removed. Each pack costs £3.99.

London entrepreneur Jeremy Woolf of Launch Products spotted Silly Bandz while abroad. According to Woolf: “The key to discovering something special is looking beyond the fancy stands at the big shows. As

Meanwhile, CrazyBandz are distributed in the UK by Global Promotional Solutions. Each pack of CrazyBandz contains 12 bracelets with six different designs and two bands of each shape.

The packs retail around £2.99.

In the US rival band names include Logo Bandz and Zany Bandz.

GPS: 0292 022 7955 Launch Products: 01404 45604

As soon as I saw Silly Bandz I knew I was on to something.

Jeremy Woolf, Launch Products soon as I saw Silly Bandz I knew I was on to something and immediately

AUGUST 1ST sees the first year anniversary of Lego Games. Players can change the format of the game, using the Lego pieces and the buildable dice to create a whole new challenge.

The brand gained a 10.5 per cent market share four months after launch according to the firm.

“2009 was a phenomenal year for Lego Games”, said Lego UK Senior Brand Manager, Laura Di Bonaventura. “Over the last year, Lego Games have offered a new play dimension to Lego and have proved to be a great success with children and gift givers. Research tells us that gift givers see the games as great value for money and that they are the perfect gift for birthday parties and other gifting occasions.

Shave a Sheep and Pirate Plank have proven to be particular favourites. I’m really pleased with Lego Games’ performance in its first year. And I’m looking forward to seeing the brand becoming a core player in the children’s games category in the coming years. We’ll be thanking all of our supporters with a piece of cake and personalised gift.”

Further above and below the line marketing of the range kicks off next month.

signed on the dotted line to secure exclusive UK distribution. The phone hasn’t stopped ringing since. Silly Bandz will be available on every high street in the next few weeks.”

Firebox was the first to launch with the product in the UK and MD Christian Robinson says it is the firm’s current best seller, while Fenwick, Toys R Us, The Entertainer, Harrods and Debenhams will all take first deliveries of stock in the next fortnight, according to the firm.

Hasbro triumphs in ToyNews Fives

HASBRO WON this year’s ToyNews Fives football championship.

The boys from Stockley Park defeated reigning champions Turner 4-2, in a close-fought final. Winning Moves, who beat Amethyst 4-3 in the final, won the plate competition.

Some 16 teams competed in the Toy Trust fund-raiser on the day, raising £2,025 for the charity. Spin Master was unable to compete but donated its entry fee nonetheless.

ToyNews managing editor Ronnie Dungan said: "We had glorious weather once again and although a few players were suffering in the heat, there was no drop in the standard of football played.

"Well done to Hasbro. They beat a great Turner team, so they're worthy winners. And congratulations to Winning Moves too. We're already looking forward to next year and hope to see some new faces competing to raise even more money for the Toy Trust."

If you're interested in entering next year's competition contact ronnie.dungan@intentmedia.co.uk for details. ● For a full report and round-up of results see page 62

JJUST UST THE THE

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NEWS

www.toynews-online.biz

5

Many questions as Martin Yaffe falls into administration Leading licensed toy supplier goes under ● Questions unanswered continue to fuel trade scuttlebutt

by Ronnie Dungan SPECULATION REGARDING why Martin Yaffe went under continues, after repeated stonewalling by the firm and its administrators.

Leonard Curtis was appointed as administrator for the firm on 15th July, confirming the rumours that had been circulating around the trade for some days prior. Only a skeleton staff remained to assist the administrators.

Eponymous managing director Ronnie Yaffe was understandably upset at the situation, but reluctant to comment, other than to say it was “a very sad day”.

And so, without official explanation of the firm’s difficulties at the time of writing, speculation in the trade centres around a rumoured hit from the closure of Woolworths to the tune of £5m, too many expensive but under-performing licences and

sales steadily falling over an 18month period.

And already there is talk of Ronnie Yaffe re-starting and buying back the assets of Martin Yaffe from the administrator. But again, all mere trade speculation. It seems unlikely that the current Yaffe operation will survive though.

Reaction among the 40-plus staff to the news has been met with some anger, as is often the case in such circumstances. Many said that they had not been kept properly informed of the situation, with one saying he found out that he had lost his job via Facebook. “There isn’t anyone who is not pissed off about the way this has been handled,” said one former employee. Although, it should be pointed out, there was also support for under-fire boss Ronnie Yaffe.

RONNIE YAFFE: Already eyeing a comeback?

licence, which helped establish it as a major player within the UK toy market. Major licensing deals for hit pre-school properties such as Postman Pat and Thomas and Friends followed, including master toy licences for Lazy Town, Pinky and Perky, Fireman Sam and, more recently, Little Princess, all of which helped establish it as a big player in the licensed toy market.

Leonard Curtis: 0161 767 1250

MARTIN YAFFE TIMELINE AUGUST 2007

JAN 2010

ACQUIRES STAKE IN WOODEN TOY FIRM DAN JAM TOYS

SIGNS TIMMY TIME OUTDOOR TOY LICENCE

JANUARY 2008

JANUARY 2010

OPENS OFFICE IN COLOGNE, GERMANY

BECOMES MASTER TOY LICENSEE FOR ZIGBY

APRIL 2008

APRIL 2010

SECURES MASTER TOY LICENCE FOR PINKY AND PERKY

SIGNS WHEELED TOY LICENCE FOR ZINGZILLAS

JULY 2008

MAY 2010

SIGNS DEAL TO PRODUCE FISHER-PRICE OUTDOOR TOYS

ACQUIRES PETER PAN

MARCH 2009

MAY 2010

SIGNS WAYBULOO LICENCE

SIGNS ME TO YOU LICENCE

SEPTEMBER 2009

JULY 2010

SELLS HOUSEWARES DIVISION

APPOINTS ADMINISTRATOR

T TRICK RICK *Source: *Sour ce: NPD Dat Data a Ma Mayy 20 2010 10

According to another, the government has paid staff redundancy from the National Insurance fund rather than the firm.

Rumours about the firm’s state of health gathered pace after the swift and sudden exit of sales director Charles Spieler after a few weeks, having joined when Yaffe acquired his firm Peter Pan, described as an import/export licensed product agency, back in May. In September 2009 Yaffe sold its housewares division to Ultimate Products including well-known kitchen brands such as Swan and Beldray, for a reported £1m.

Formed in 1987, the firm found success with the Bob the Builder

Find o Find out ut h how ow our our multiplatform multiplatform campaign c ampaign g got ot k kids ids u uploading ploading and v voting oting on Cuponk sstunts tu unts – and helped to to dr drop op it rright igh ht into into tthe he N Number umber 1 Kids Game e Slot* Slot*

Hobbygames goes too...

by Ronnie Dungan ONLY DAYS after its MD denied that it was in administration, Hobbygames has ceased trading.

Begbies Traynor in Brighton has been appointed as administrator and says it has an agent in place to facilitate the sale of the games and cards firm’s remaining assets, which include some stock, websites and a warehouse.

Edward Simmons is handling the sale. Anyone interested should email Richard Kelly on richard.kelly@edwardsimmons.com

or call him on 02380 461630

Another Ano ther br bright right idea fr from om

www.turnermediainnovations.com/cuponk w ww.turnermediainnovations.com/cuponk

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NPD RESEARCH

Retail Sales Trends

Properties

The World Cup bolsters toy sales during May Under £5 toys accounted for 73 per cent of sales in May, up 32 per cent on last year. The Minifigures also helped drive building sets sales, the fastest growing category for May. The Grand Prix season has helped Lego Racers drive growth in construction as well and enters the top five construction properties for the month.

The plush category continues to expand with new items particularly important in driving sales. Thirteen of the top twenty best-selling items are new since May 2009, with plush pets particularly popular with children. This is displayed through the continued development of Zhu Zhu Pets, Furreal and Animagic, which have all been adding sales to the category.

“As school holidays start and Toy Story 3 finally reaches

APRIL WAS a slow month for the toy market, but sales have increased again in May with the total value up 12 per cent and units up an impressive 26 per cent.

For the first time this year the average selling price has declined, dropping to just £5.00 from £5.60 in May 2009. This deep price decline has been driven by a selection of new pocket money items now available, especially related to the World Cup. “While the official tournament didn’t kick off until June, May toy sales showed a strong start to the event with football related merchandise flying off shelves especially the sticker and collectable cards,” says Jez Fraser-Hook, director of NPD Group’s toy business in the UK. “The low price point and collectability of these items has produced an instant craze which ties in strongly with the overall sentiments of the country at the start of this competition, and also happened in previous tournaments.”

The World Cup excitement has helped drive the all other toys super category with Fifa, Pro Sports Soccer and Match Attax all driving sales in this area. Collectable stickers and cards have seen particularly strong growth.

Another low priced, high selling item for May was the newly launched Lego Minifigures, which at an average price of £1.98, helped the growth of pocket money toys.

Sales

Average Price

UK Toy Sales (value, year to date)

May

May

2009

2010

Source: NPD

AUGUST 2010

9%

While the official tournament didn’t kick off until June, May toy sales showed a strong start to the event with football related merchandise flying off shelves especially the stickers and collectable cards.

May 09: £5.60

cinema screens in the UK after much anticipation and build up, it does seem as though positive growth so far this year is likely to continue,” comments Fraser-Hook.

May 10: £5.00

Top 5 Properties May 2010 1. Ben 10 2. FIFA 3. Little Tikes 4. Star Wars 5. Pro Sports Soccer

Best Property Progression May 2010

FIFA The World Cup has boosted the property from number 28 to up to number two…

Best Item Progression May 2010

Lego Minifigures The newly launched pocket money toy has rocketed from 2,736 to eighth position…

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NPD RESEARCH

www.toynews-online.biz

Retail Sales Trends UK MAY 2010 (£ SALES - VALUE)

UK MAY 2010 (UNIT SALES - VOLUME)

1

OFFICIAL FIFA

PANINI

1

OFFICIAL FIFA STICKER COLLECTION

2

ZHU ZHU HAMSTER PACKS ASSORTMENT

3

LITTLE TIKES COZY COUPE 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

CHARACTER

4

KIDZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA

5

NEBULUS FOLDING SCOOTER ASSORTMENT

6

DR WHO 11TH DOCTOR SONIC SCREWDRIVER

7

FIRST STEPS BABYWALKER

8

LEGO MINIFIGURES

9

CARS CHARACTER ASSORTMENT

10

STAR WARS REBEL TROOPER & SNOW TROOPER BATTLEPACK LEGO

2

MATCH ATTAX ENGLAND CARDS

MGA

3

HOT WHEELS BASIC CAR ASSORTMENT

PANINI TOPPS MATTEL

VTECH

4

MATCH ATTAX EXTRA 20

TOPPS

H GROSSMAN

5

FIFA WORLD CUP ADRENALYN XL

PANINI

CHARACTER

6

LEGO MINIFIGURES

VTECH

7

MATCH ATTAX CARDS

LEGO

8

GOGO’S CRAZY BONES III EXPLORER PACK

MATTEL

9

CARS CHARACTER ASSORTMENT

10

PLAY DOH SINGLE TUB ASSORTMENT

LEGO TOPPS MAGIC BOX MATTEL HASBRO

UK YEAR TO DATE (£ SALES - VALUE)

UK YEAR TO DATE (UNIT SALES - VOLUME)

1

ZHU ZHU HAMSTER PACKS ASSORTMENT

CHARACTER

1

OFFICIAL FIFA STICKER COLLECTION

2

KIDZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA

VTECH

2

MATCH ATTAX CARDS

3

STAR WARS REBEL TROOPER & SNOW TROOPER BATTLEPACK LEGO

3

HOT WHEELS BASIC CAR ASSORTMENT

4

BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE 10CM FIGURES

BANDAI

4

MATCH ATTAX ENGLAND CARDS

5

BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE 15CM DNA FIGURES

BANDAI

5

BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE 10CM FIGURES

6

CARS CHARACTER ASSORTMENT

MATTEL

6

GOGO’S CRAZY BONES III EXPLORER PACK

7

FIRST STEPS BABYWALKER

VTECH

7

CARS CHARACTER ASSORTMENT

8

BIONICLE STARS 2010

LEGO

8

TRANSFORMERS MOVIE LEGENDS ASSORTMENT

HASBRO

9

BAKUGAN STARTER PACK

SPIN MASTER

9

PLAY DOH SINGLE TUB ASSORTMENT

HASBRO

10

STAR WARS LUKE’S LANDSPEEDER

10

ZHU ZHU HAMSTER PACKS ASSORTMENT

LEGO

PANINI TOPPS MATTEL TOPPS BANDAI MAGIC BOX MATTEL

CHARACTER

NOTES: All participating NPD retail data suppliers provide weekly data via EPOS systems. NPD figures are not projected to represent non-participating retailers but provide 100 per cent of the sales from participating stores. EPoS sample includes the following retailers: Amazon, Argos, Asda, Boots, ELC, Firebox, Freemans, Grattan, Hamleys, HMV, Halfords Littlewoods, Mailorderexpress, Modelzone, Mothercare, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Shop Direct, Tesco, Toymaster, The Entertainer and WHSmith. The approximate coverage is of 60%

NPD Eurotoys is the Number 1 information provider for Market Research to the Toy Industry in Europe Contact: NPD Eurotoys UK, Rosemount House, Rosemount Avenue West Byfleet, Surrey, KT14 6LB. _ 01 932 355 580

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STATS

Media tracker MARKET VALUE YEAR TO DATE

Behind

2009 2010

THE SCREEN

By Clive Crouch TELEVISION IS currently experiencing a period of business turbulence. Put in softer words, change, which is manifesting itself in terms of consolidation, ownership, and airtime sales representation.

The effect of this is not apparent in the data showing the top performing children's TV shows but, believe me, it will make an impact. In the wake of the Argos catalogue release, the media buyers and sellers will be preparing to place advertising for the autumn and winter months ahead.

At the recent BTHA Industry Day, people were lamenting the loss of Nickelodeon's highly respected independent sales force and debating its position within the Sky sales portfolio (Viacom had consolidated its sales business alongside its distribution business into Sky from January 2010).

Sky is a great business. Change takes time to meet the expectations and overcome the emotions that follow such moves. On screen, Nickelodeon looks as good as ever and this autumn launches a new show starring Anna Williamson and Jamie Rickers who had a huge following at GMTV Kids.

At Five the For Sale sign is rumoured to be up, while Nick Wilson (director of children's programmes) continues to do a fantastic job with Milkshake. Despite no kids Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) listing, it continues to punch above its weight, delivering numbers in excess of 100,000 with top shows, Fifi, Noddy and Peppa.

Nick has made no secret of his ambition to further develop Milkshake and he is more than equipped to take the brand forward, which would be good news for one and all.

At GMTV Kids, the position is the reverse to that of Nickleodeon. The thirty-strong children's production

AUGUST 2010

department all left in May. The team selling the kids’ shows and websites, however, remain in place.

The biggest test for ITV lays in wait.

Adam Crozier (CEO) has informed his 150-strong management team that they are to undertake psychometric tests to assess whether they have the right skills for their jobs.

I think it is a brilliant idea. As CEO of ITV, Adam has a high profile business to lead and needs to meet the demands and aspirations of viewers, shareholders and the regulator, Ofcom.

The final current shift towards consolidation will see Virgin Channels sold by IDS, shifting their business into Sky Sales with IDS closing. On industry estimates that’s around £280m, following the £80m of Viacom sales into the same sales house. UK TV Channels will not be following the same path out of IDS as they take their business to Channel 4 for sales representation.

In terms of airtime, sponsorship and online sales, the skills of the specialist buyers who last year spent around £132.7m in this sector ,will be challenged by the new shape, weight and policies of those sellers. Where did that figure come from? Well, it does include 18 software companies and four retailers, which are surrounded by 28 toy companies, all buying into this genre.

I will expand further on this subject next month as we approach the peak advertising season for this sector.

£713.37M £656.05M SOURCE: NPD/TOYNEWS

TOP IPOD APPS (ENTERTAINMENT) MOVIES COOL WALLPAPERS HD FREE VUVUZELA 2010 10,500+ COOL FACTS TALKING TOM CAT GLOW DRAW IMDB SHAVE ME! FLUID TRUTH OR DARE!!!

Former chairman of the childrens’ programme management group at GMTV, Clive Crouch has now launched his own media consultancy Clive Crouch Media Insight.

www.clivecrouch.com info@clivecrouch.com 07831 670453

SOURCE: ITUNES

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STATS

www.toynews-online.biz

9

TV insight from former GMTV veteran, Clive Crouch; toy market value; top licensed toys and comparative market data on all manner of entertainment products….

TOP LICENSED TOYS MAY 2010 (VALUE) OFFICIAL FIFA STICKERS DR WHO SONIC SCREWDRIVER

PANINI CHARACTER OPTIONS

CARS CHARACTER ASSORTMENT

MATTEL

STAR WARS 2010

LEGO

MATCH ATTAX WORLD CUP TIN

TOPPS

BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE 10CM FIGURES FIREMAN SAM VEHICLE & ACCESSORIES

TOP HEROES (ALL CHILDREN AGED 5-14)

BANDAI CHARACTER OPTIONS

BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE 15CM FIGURES

BANDAI

IRON MAN 2 ACTION FIGURES

HASBRO

STAR WARS LUKE’S LANDSPEEDER

LEGO

SOURCE: NPD

HANNAH MONTANA DR WHO/DAVID TENNANT CHERYL COLE JLS WAYNE ROONEY LADY GAGA DAVID BECKHAM ZAC EFRON – TROY BEN 10 SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS

SOURCE: CARRICK JAMES WWW.CJMR.CO.UK

TOP VIDEO GAMES: JUNE (ALL FORMATS) TITLE

PUBLISHER

FORMAT

RED DEAD REDEMPTION

TAKE-TWO

360, PS3

SUPER MARIO GALAXY 2

NINTENDO

WII

EA

360, PS3, PSP, WII

WARNER BROS

360, WII, PS3, DS, PC, PSP

UBISOFT

WII

ACTIVISION/BLIZZARD

360, PS3, 360, PC

NINTENDO

WII

THQ

360, PS3

WII SPORTS RESORT

NINTENDO

WII

ROOMS: THE MAIN BUILDING

NINTENDO

DS

2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA LEGO HARRY POTTER - YEARS 1-4 JUST DANCE CALL OF DUTY: MW2 WII FIT PLUS UFC 2010: UNDISPUTED

SOURCE: ELSPA COMPILED BY CHART TRACK AUGUST 2010

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AIRTIME STATISTICS

Top programmes The top-performing children’s TV shows on terrestrial and multi-channel....

SHOWS ACROSS ALL TIMES JUNE ‘10

SHOWS ACROSS ALL TIMES YTD JUNE ‘10

TIME

TITLE/DESCRIPTION

CHANNEL

OOOs

%

8:01

PHINEAS AND FERB

CITV/ITV1

222

18.4

7

1

2 7:54

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS

CITV/ITV1

197

17.3

11

3 16:28

SCHOOL OF SILENCE

CBBC

183

13.3

4 17:16

HORRIBLE HISTORIES

CBBC

171

14.6

5 8:02

DEADLY 60

CBBC

167

6 7:36

SHAGGY & SCOOBY DOO GET A CLUE CITV/ITV1

166

7 7:31

THE REPLACEMENTS

CITV/ITV1

164

8 9:01

THE LEGEND OF DICK AND DOM

CBBC

9 7:53

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD

10 7:44

HORRID HENRY

1

AIRINGS

TIME

TITLE/DESCRIPTION

CHANNEL

OOOs

% AIRINGS

16:34

THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES

BBC1

215

9.8

2

2 9:00

PHINEAS AND FERB

CITV/ITV1

215

17.0

20

12

3 16:32

SPORT RELIEF DOESWE ARETHE CHAMPIONS CBBC

205

13.5

5

34

4 9:29

TRACY BEAKER RETURNS

CBBC

198

13.2

101

12.8

23

5 8:30

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS

CITV/ITV1

189

16.0

29

17.3

4

6 8:16

HORRID HENRY

CITV/ITV1

174

16.9

8

19.2

3

7 17:48

THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES

CBBC

166

10.2

120

162

14.3

7

8 8:32

BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE

CITV/ITV1

164

15.1

4

CITV/ITV1

162

16.6

2

9 9:00

MY ALMOST FAMOUS FAMILY

CBBC

162

11.6

10

CITV/ITV1

160

16.0

5

10 8:29

CHOP SOCKY CHOOKS

CITV/ITV1

162

12.9

9

COMMERCIAL MULTICHANNEL SHOWS (ALL TIMES) JUNE ‘10

COMMERCIAL MULTICHANNEL SHOWS (ALL TIMES) YTD JUNE ‘10

TIME

TITLE/DESCRIPTION

CHANNEL

OOOs

% AIRINGS

TIME

TITLE/DESCRIPTION

CHANNEL

OOOs

%

8:01

PHINEAS AND FERB

CITV/ITV1

222

18.4

7

1

9:00

PHINEAS AND FERB

CITV/ITV1

215

17.0

20

2 7:54

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS

CITV/ITV1

197

17.3

11

2 8:30

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS

CITV/ITV1

189

16.0

29

3 7:36

SHAGGY & SCOOBY DOO GET A CLUE CITV/ITV1

166

17.3

4

3 8:16

HORRID HENRY

CITV/ITV1

174

16.9

8

4 7:31

THE REPLACEMENTS

CITV/ITV1

164

19.2

3

4 8:32

BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE

CITV/ITV1

164

15.1

4

5 7:53

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD

CITV/ITV1

6 7:44

HORRID HENRY

CITV/ITV1

162

16.6

2

5 8:29

CHOP SOCKY CHOOKS

CITV/ITV1

162

12.9

9

160

16.0

5

6 9:00

POWER RANGERS RPM

CITV/ITV1

161

11.5

21

7 8:11

AARON STONE

CITV/ITV1

145

11.5

4

7 8:29

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD

CITV/ITV1

160

14.4

15

8 7:27

BEN 10

CITV/ITV1

133

16.2

3

8 9:01

AARON STONE

CITV/ITV1

159

12.0

9

9 8:04

FIFI AND THE FLOWERTOTS

FIVE

114

9.3

21

9 10:31

FILM: THE BFG (1989)

CITV

156

10.3

2

10 8:01

MILKSHAKE SHOW SONGS

FIVE

106

8.5

10

10 7:54

BEN 10

CITV/ITV1

153

15.9

6

1

SOURCE: INFOSYS/BARB

AUGUST 2010

NOTE: THESE CHARTS ARE BASED ON AVERAGE PERFORMANCE

AIRINGS

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Schleich UK Ltd, L 4 Stansted Courtyar Courtyard, d, Parsonage P Road, Takeley, T a akeley, Bisho Bishop’s op’s Stortfor Stortford, d, Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, e CM22 6PU, T e elephone: 01 1279 870000, 870000 Email: schleich@schleich-s.co.uk schleich@schleich-s.co.uk h@schleich s co uk Telephone: 01279

w w w. s c h l e i c h - s . c o m www.schleich-s.com Anywhere’s A n y w h e r e ’s a p playground l a y g ro u n d

TM

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APPOINTMENTS

INDUSTRY MOVES Hilton leaves Upper Deck, new recruits at John Crane, Jumbo names new sales agents, Re:creation boosts marketing team and Great Gizmos adds key account manager…

FROM LEFT: Nickelodeon UK’s senior licensing manager, Ashley Holman; John Crane commercial manager, Dave Brown; Mike Edwards from Jumbo; Cathy Ling, key account manager at Great Gizmos

Following a restructure at the firm’s head office, Natalie Hilton is leaving Upper Deck. The international marketing for Spin Master products in Germany, Benelux and Switzerland will now be handled by Marco van de Kant. International marketing (non-UK) for all other Upper Deck brands and products, will be looked after by Joeri Hoste.

Hilton commented: “I have greatly enjoyed working with each of you on the many great activities and products I have managed over the last five years at Upper Deck.

“It has been a great experience working in both the UK business and the international business and I do hope that our paths cross again in the future.”

As part of an internal restructure and expansion at John Crane, a number of new appointments have been made.

Dave Brown joins as commercial manager, overseeing the day-to-day business. His background in the automotive industry gives him a wide skill base to bring to this newly formed role.

Brown said: “Although it’s my first steps in the toy industry, I’ve been made very welcome at John Crane, it’s an interesting time to be joining the toy industry and I look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Nicola Woodward joins as sales executive. Her former roles have included working closely with independent stores.

Former PA, Hayley HanwellHolland, joins as administrative coordinator, where she will be responsible for HR, as well as being an integral part of the company’s certification procedure.

Finally, Sheena Beale has been appointed as new office receptionist.

Beale has an extensive background working in the public sector.

Mark and Mike Edwards have joined Jumbo as agents for independent accounts for the South West territory.

Gray Richmond, managing director at Jumbo, said: “I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mark and Mike Edwards. They have both been involved with the toy industry most of their working life and are a

welcome addition to the Jumbo team.”

Former Hy-Pro marketing and brands manager, Alex Kovacevic has joined Re:creation.

Kovacevic will manage the Razor brand, as well as the development of new ride-on projects in his new role.

“To have the opportunity to take control of a global brand with the caché of Razor was too good an offer to refuse – so far everything has been extremely positive,” said Kovacevic.

Great Gizmos has appointed Cathy Ling as key account manager. Ling joins with more than 20 years experience across the toy and gift industry and has previously worked for companies such as Aurora World and Smoby.

Novel Entertainment has bolstered its in-house team, hiring a new children’s brand manager in the form of Kelly Henwood.

Henwood – who arrives from Oxford Limited, a subsidiary of the University of Oxford, where she managed the global licensing programme – will be responsible for co-ordinating a wide range of brand partners across a variety of product

areas. This is as well as initiating marketing campaigns and cross promotional strategies.

She will work closely with CPLG, Novel’s licensing agency, and international distributors, as well as expanding and consolidating the firm’s online presence.

Nickelodeon UK has bolstered its licensing and merchandising team, promoting Ashley Holman to senior licensing manager and adding former Disney executive, Rebecca Aston, to its line-up.

Erin Duffy has taken on the role of financial controller at Chapman Entertainment. The position was created to coincide with the increased workload resulting from Chapman’s new properties, Little Charley Bear and Rah Rah The Noisy Lion, as well as its existing portfolio.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Caine has joined the firm as brand manager for Rah Rah and Roary the Racing Car. Caine has previously enjoyed stints at Gibsons Games and BBC Worldwide.

She will work alongside Chloe Grant, brand manager for Little Charley Bear and Fifi and the Flowertots.

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CAMPAIGN OF THE MONTH

Hero Factory Lego Following nine successful years of Bionicle, Hero Factory is a brand new concept in the buildable action figure category, backed with a campaign including TV, sponsorship and a nationwide road show…

THE CONCEPT IS a simple storyline – the galaxy’s one-stop shop for the effective elimination of evil. The Hero Factory designs, builds and dispatches robot heroes to fight villains, solve crises and restore peace across the universe.

The pocket money price point products come in specially designed packaging and the large assortment of heroes work to drive purchase frequency and collectibility.

ADVERTISING There will be a TV campaign starting in August and running until the first week of November to create awareness from launch.

The campaign is targeted at six to nine yearold boys, will be showing on all children’s TV channels and consists of 610 TVRs There will also be press wraps, magazine inserts, email and viral video to raise awareness of the brand and supporting events.

There will be a TV campaign starting in August and running until the end of November to create awareness from launch.

SPONSORSHIP A sponsorship deal has been negotiated with Nickelodeon to include sponsorship of the newly launched Nick Toons weekend strand from 7 to 10am. The new strand will be showing programmes including Avatar, Gormiti, Super Hero Squad and Transformers. The sponsorship includes idents and break bumpers, which will

AUGUST 2010

showcase the Hero Factory characters, the factory and the missions. The campaign will be on air from October onwards.

In addition to this, in a first for Lego, four 22minute CGI animated Hero Factory cartoons have also been planned to appear in October.

PR Working with Egmont Publishing and DC Thompson, creative activity from August to November has been negotiated in Toxic, The Beano and Beano Max magazines, including a series of advertorials, posters, full-page competitions and themed interactive puzzles and feature scenes, to deliver an impactful campaign at launch with lasting momentum for the brand.

A media relations campaign will also be implemented throughout the year by Norton and Co to communicate the new collection, showcasing the Hero Factory concept across kids’ media and dedicated kids’ pages in the national and consumer press.

New media assets will also be uploaded to key social networking sites to enhance brand visibility across all age groups.

EVENTS A roadshow has been planned for the August launch, with a 20ft trailer at The Trafford Centre, Manchester and Legoland, Windsor, inviting children and their parents

inside to discover the Hero Factory world. The trailer will be designed to reflect the ‘they are amongst us’ theme and will include interactive play elements. Prior to the roadshows, a stunt will take place at each location in order to create interest and mystery and incorporate a mechanic whereby consumers can retrieve a special edition Hero Factory prize to be claimed at the forthcoming roadshow.

IN-STORE Retail marketing will focus on Hero Factory takeovers in store and online from launch. This will involve additional space through FSDUs and pallet displays. Creating additional awareness with posters, banners and radio ads. There will also be an opportunity for kids to get their photo taken with a life-size cut out of Preston Stormer – the leader of the Heroes.

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www.kindundjugend.com

T h e Tr a d e S h o w f o r K i d s ' F i r s t Ye a r s 16 – 19. SEPTEMBER 2010

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50 years at the top !

Since its launch in 1960, Kind + Jugend has continued to evolve, and remains as fresh and innovative as ever before. Join with us as our industry gets together to celebrate this success and the cracking business opportunities ! As always, the choice of products on offer, atmosphere and supporting programme will combine to guarantee a successful visit !

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103x295 GB-ToyNews.indd 1

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SECTOR SPOTLIGHT: TCGS AND STICKERS

Trading places Trading cards and stickers form a fast-moving, trend-driven sector. Following the recent boost the World Cup provided to the market, Katie Roberts caught up with some key players to find out more…

THE STICKER and trading card market is an ever-changing landscape, with sporting events, films and new licensed brands creating regular sales peaks, along with new titles and the introduction of multimedia to traditional game play.

The latest increase in revenues for many suppliers in the sector was the FIFA World Cup. It is important,

category. Outside of this, we do our best to maximise opportunities that come from movies or entertainment properties, whilst at the same time concentrating on the steady sellers, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Gogo’s Crazy Bones and Match Attax.”

Jess Tadmor, head of marketing at Panini UK, agrees: “The FIFA World Cup 2010 Sticker collection and our

The internet has had a huge impact on the collectables market, you just have to look at the success of Club Penguin currently, which is a TCG you can also play online for an extremely young age group.

Luke Hilier, co-founder, Click Distribution however, that as well as reaping the rewards of such highs, companies maintain a broad portfolio of products and look ahead to the next big craze, in order to keep sales from tumbling once such an event is over.

Steve Buckmaster, sales director at Esdevium Games, says: “It really is a fast moving category, we have just come out of three months of World Cup collectables dominating the AUGUST 2010

FIFA World Cup Adrenalyn XL cards are performing extremely well, as are other hot properties such as Hello Kitty, Shrek 4 and Toy Story 3.

“We expect this season’s launch of the Champions League and the Scottish Premier League to go well, as well as our upcoming sticker collections on Disney Princesses and World of Cars. Harry Potter is also expected to do very well.”

Tomy Tomy recently took on distribution of all Upper Deck products that were previously available directly in the UK. The new range includes both TCGs and licensed ranges based on trading card properties.

Key range: Dinosaur King

Tel: 020 8722 7300 Email: info@gacha.co.uk

Konami Established in 1969 in Japan, Konami operates across a number of international territories. The firm is primarily a video games supplier, but also manufactures arcade games and the Yu-Gi-Oh TCG range.

Key range: Yu-Gi-Oh Tel: 020 8987 5730 Email: en_support@konamieurope.net

Click Distribution Click is a distributor of collectable products. The firm is the exclusive distributor for Panini and an official distributor for Topps in the UK.

Super Strikes TCG, Club Penguin, WWE Slam Attax, Doctor Who Alien Armies TCG, Toy Story 3.

Tel: 01604 858480

Key ranges: FIFA World Cup Sticker Collection, Match Attax TCG, UEFA Champions League

Email: click@clickdistributionuk.com

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SECTOR SPOTLIGHT: TCGS AND STICKERS

www.toynews-online.biz

Traditionally collectable products, TCGs are increasingly being enhanced with new gaming mechanisms in an attempt to add to their value.

Peter Adkinson is the CEO of Hidden City Entertainment and played a key role in publishing some of the most iconic TCGs. He founded Wizards of the Coast and guided the development of the first collectable card game, Magic: The Gathering.

He explains: “The notion of trading cards with gaming elements started with Magic: The Gathering in 1993. Until the late 90s, this was a phenomenon limited primarily to the hobby/game industry.

17

popularity of the Match Attax World Championships reflects just how important the gaming elements are to collectors. With the final of the championships taking place in the centre circle of a Barclays Premier League game, the gaming element is a crucial part of bringing the collector closer to the collection.”

Further possibilities have been bought about by advancements in technology. Jonathan Rose, sales and marketing director, Cartamundi tells ToyNews that new technologies are helping boost the sector: “Our mission is to link this product category to what we call multi environment play – not just the

The notion of trading cards with gaming elements started with Magic: The Gathering in 1993. Until the late 90s, this was a phenomenon limited primarily to the hobby/game industry.

Peter Adkinson, CEO, Hidden City Entertainment

Esdevium Games Esdevium Games is a distributor of hobby and mass-market gaming products to the UK and Europe.

TCG, Star Trek TCG, Dungeons and Dragons.

Tel: 01420 593 593

Key ranges: Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Lord of The Rings TCG, Star Wars

Email: sales@esdeviumgames.com

Hidden City Entertainment The game publisher is based in Seattle. Its founder and CEO Peter Adkison founded Wizards of the Coast, which created the world’s first trading card game, Magic: The Gathering, and introduced Pokémon to North America.

Key range: Bella Sara

Tel: (206) 315-5645

“But Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh both changed that. Both games were inspired by Magic, but were intended for the broad market from the get-go.

Over the last ten years, the game and entertainment sub-category of trading cards has rivalled, and perhaps even transcended, the magnitude of sports trading cards.”

Sports cards firms are also adding gaming, as David Smyth, brand manager, Topps explains: “Kids enjoy being engaged by the collections and game play is a wonderful way to encourage the swap and share, as kids hunt out powerful cards or try out new tactics and purchase more packets to build decks.

“Topps Match Attax is currently the world’s best selling TCG and the

playground, but onto internet, mobile phone and social networking, etc.”

Luke Hillier, co-founder of Click Distribution, agrees: “The internet in particular has had a huge affect on the collectables market, you just have to look at the success of Club Penguin currently, which is a TCG that you can also play online for an extremely young age group.

“The internet has enabled the publisher to have a much wider range of distribution.”

In order to widen the audience for the sector, many publishers have also turned to the girls’ market. Perhaps the most prominent is Bella Sara from Hidden City Entertainment.

Adkinson comments: “While hobby, game and comic book stores remain

Email: info@hiddencityentertainment.com

Topps Topps is an international marketer of entertainment products, principally collectable trading card , confections, sticker collections and collectable strategy games.

Penguin Card-Jitsu, Toy Story 3 cards, Premier League Sticker collection, WWE Slam Attax

Key ranges: Match Attax, Club

Email: info@toppsfootball.co.uk

Tel: 01908 561588

AUGUST 2010

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SECTOR SPOTLIGHT: TCGS AND STICKERS

primarily male oriented, the trading card section in the mass market is diversifying to include a minority of products geared toward girls.

“Bella Sara is the anchor for girls in this section, having held a consistent presence in this aisle at retailers worldwide for three years. In addition, trading cards and stickers for properties like Club Penguin, Twilight, High School Musical, Hannah Montana, Toy Story and Looney Tunes have recently expanded.

“In Europe, stickers have sold well to girls and they are now becoming more common in the US, often merchandised with trading cards.”

Once all the elements of a successful product are in place, suppliers plan heavyweight marketing to increase consumer awareness and excitement around the ranges.

There are many different approaches to such campaigns, from gaming tournaments to traditional marketing, to online sponsorships.

Tomy recently took on distribution of Upper Deck’s Dinosaur King TCG in the UK. Rob Hooley, marketing and community support, Tomy explains: “Our marketing plans for this year include targeted competitions in kids’ press, magazine covermounts and print advertising in suitable publications.

“There are also plans for online and TV advertising and following on from a pilot programme of afterschool club sessions, there are a number of live demonstrations at various events over the summer.

“To aid retailers, we are offering a limited two-for-one promotion over summer and for the first time making in-store promotional events available to help create destinations for fans of the TCG and Dinosaur King.”

Tadmor explains Panini’s emphasis on retailers: “We develop retailer specific display solutions, with the convenience sector developing units that fix to the till areas and grocery opting for signage units that are displayed near newspaper newsquads, directing consumers to the kiosk to purchase stickers.

“We have also developed POS options for independent retailers that are available on request, plus we have an Independent Sales Club, where flyers are sent out every quarter advising of upcoming collections and the marketing support planned.”

AUGUST 2010

Despite such a convincing formula, the sector has experienced mixed fortunes over the past year. Many found that after an initial dip with the onset of the recession, sales have picked up. Others weren’t touched by the economic downturn.

to be more aggressive with marketing campaigns, whilst at the same time being innovative and proactive.”

Over the next year, suppliers are planning to surge forward with new licences and ranges. Now that Bella Sara is established, with its 12th

Over the last year, the overall market changed considerably, not least with the loss of several major retailers in the prior year. We saw a decline in certain properties, but we grew the overall business.

Jonathan Rose, sales & marketing director, Cartamundi Rose offers: “The overall market changed considerably, not least with the loss of several major retailers in the prior year. We saw a decline in certain properties, but through a new strategic direction, we grew the overall business, setting the platform in place for future growth in months and years to come.”

Buckmaster reflects: “2009 was our best year ever. The category seemed to hold up well, possibly the lower price points you find in collectables helped, but so many of the core collectables did very well.

“2010 is more difficult to predict, the recent World Cup collectables have been hugely successful, but they have taken a chunk out of other brands in this category.”

Hillier agrees: “Sales in the last 12 months in this sector have been pretty buoyant, it would appear that the low retail price on this type of product has been the last to suffer during the recession.”

Tadmor believes the sector has been hit: “The market has been tougher throughout the economic downturn, but with our low price point compared to other licensed products, we have faired far better than other categories. We have had

range on shelves, the firm is planning to launch Collectors Editions.

Panini expects its Champions League trading card and sticker

collection to perform well and is working with Disney on its release of Tron. Also new is a sticker collection on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows for the movie release.

Other new licences include Cars 2, Tangled and the Scottish Premier League Sticker collection.

Ruth Leonard, brand director, entertainment, Topps explains: “Topps have a number of exciting product launches happening in the next six months. On the entertainment front, Toy Story 3 Trading Cards launch in June and Topps are currently working on another big name property for a back to school release in September.”

Also new for Topps is WWE Icons sticker collection, WWE Slam Attax Mayhem TCG, Force Attax, the new Star Wars Clone Wars TCG and the next Club Penguin release. Match Attax is back for another Barclays Premier League season in October.

Buckmaster concludes: “The good news on the category is that there is always something new. The next couple of months see a lot of good things, we have the new series of Gogo’s Crazy Bones; Superstars, which is the first new set for a year.

We also have the new Premier League Season for Match Attax.”

Panini Synonymous with football sticker collecting, Panini was founded in 1961 with the launch of its first Football Players collection.

Panini came to the UK in 1978 and since then, the firm has published a range of sticker collections, from football collections, to pop, to TV series, along with Disney collections and great toy brands such as Barbie and Action Man.

Key ranges: World Cup 2010, Shrek 4, Toy Story 3, Hello Kitty, Princess and the Frog, World of Cars, Scottish Premier League and Champions League stickers, and UEFA Champions League TCG, FIFA World Cup Adrenalyn XL Cards.

Tel: 01892 500100 Email: circulation@panini.co.uk

Cartamundi Cartamundi has been in operation since 1908, under its current name since 1970. The firm produces the card element for a wide variety of clients from retail and promotional playing cards and casino cards to cards for games and collectables.

The company currently operates in over 50 countries.

Key ranges: Cartamundi produces cards for Harry Potter TCG, Pokemon, Star Wars TCG, Toy Story 3, Power Rangers Dino Thunder and more.

Tel: 01268 511522 Email: info.uk@cartamundi.co.uk

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The UK’s only dedicated monthly licensing coverage

News • Media • Opinion

Super furry Animals Discovery Enterprises launches the toy line for its Animal Planet brand in the UK this summer. ToyNews finds out what’s in store...

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LICENSINGNEWS

COMMENT LUCKY MAN IF THERE is a scientific formula for creating the perfect pre-school show, the guys at Ragdoll surely have it locked away somewhere. Likewise the team at Astley Baker Davies. And Keith Chapman.

But, as the many writers who have tried and subsequently failed will testify, creating a show which not only keeps the under fives enthralled while it’s on screen, but also captivates them off it, is anything but easy. I’m sure even Anne Wood, Andrew Davenport, Phil Davies and Keith Chapman will have had numerous ideas which, for one reason or another, never got past the first stage.

Because on paper a show can seemingly have everything; tick all the boxes.

Both Davies and Chapman have told me in the past that you can have the support of a major broadcaster, colourful sets, multiple characters that will appeal to all types of kids and a famous narrator who parents will recognise, but if you don’t have a good story at the heart of it, it all means nothing.

BLE delegates will no doubt be keen to hear just how Davenport made Night Garden so successful.

But some would say that it’s once the show has made it that the hard work really begins. Then you have to make sure it remains relevant, year in year out, to an audience which is constantly growing and changing.

Those which manage this – Winnie the Pooh is over 80, Thomas & Friends is 65, Sesame Street celebrated its 40th last year, while at the younger end Teletubbies and Dora the Explorer are ten, Fifi and the Flowertots is five and Peppa Pig is fast approaching its first milestone anniversary – become the benchmarks everyone else aspires to.

When Ragdoll’s Davenport gives his keynote speech at Brand Licensing Europe in September, the room will undoubtedly be packed, with many hoping that he will give away any number of trade secrets into just how he made In the Night Garden so successful.

However, I’m willing to bet that he acknowledges the in no way small part that Lady Luck will have played in the whole process. Because there isn’t a secret formula – or we’d all be doing it – it simply has to be coming up with the right idea, at what you hope is the right time.

And then maybe crossing your fingers.

Samantha Loveday Samantha.Loveday@intentmedia.co.uk AUGUST 2010

Sales pass £1bn again at BBC Worldwide Top Gear, Doctor Who and BBC Earth all perform strongly for Global Brands division ● Profits for Licensing sector fall, however...

by Samantha Loveday BBC WORLDWIDE saw its overall sales rise by seven per cent to £1,074 million in the 12 months to March 31st 2010, exceeding the £1 billion mark for a second year.

Six of BBC Worldwide’s seven operating divisions grew sales, despite tough trading conditions in many markets. Operating profits increased 36.5 per cent to £145.2 million, with double-digit profit growth in five divisions.

Global Brands – where Children’s & Licensing sits – reported sales of £218.2 million, up 15.1 per cent on the previous year, and profit of £44.1 million, up 39.1 per cent. Within the division, Lonely Planet had a strong year of growth, with sales up £8.4 million to £51.4 million, growth of 19.5 per cent, while profit grew to £1.9 million.

In Licensing, revenue grew by 5.4 per cent to £19.5 million. However, profits fell to £0.3 million because of higher contributor costs for merchandising, plus lower profits from children’s publishing.

Top Gear, Doctor Who and BBC Earth were the star performers for the division, with sales for three brands across the company rising by 15 per cent to £147.3 million and profit by 33.8 per cent to £51.5 million.

Looking ahead, BBC Worldwide believes 2010 will be a big year for Doctor Who, as it looks to capitalise on the success of the new series starring Matt Smith with a range of new products and live events, while it is looking forward to delivering the US version of Top Gear.

■ Elsewhere, BBC Worldwide has signed a deal with Ty which will see the firm produce a line of Beanie Babies based on the Teletubbies brand. The six-inch toys will launch in the UK this autumn/winter.

BBC Worldwide: 020 8433 2000

BLE confirms keynote speaker THE CREATOR of In the Night Garden, Andrew Davenport (pictured) is to deliver the keynote speech at Brand Licensing Europe in September.

The Ragdoll man, who also co-created Teletubbies with Anne Wood, joins a host of expert speakers at Advanstar’s event – which runs from September 28th to 30th at London’s Olympia. So far these include John Burns from Halliwells LLP and David Reeder, VP at Greenlight.

“We are thrilled that Andrew, as such an influential figure in the industry, is delivering the keynote speech in what is set to be our biggest and best Brand Licensing Europe event yet,” said Jessica Blue, event director for the show. “Andrew is one of the world’s leading pre-school creators who has helped remodel the landscape of children’s programming and its licensing potential.” www.brandlicensing.eu

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LICENSINGNEWS

www.licensing.biz

E1’s Ben & Holly flies into retail

IN BRIEF

Golden Bear leads the way, as product for new pre-school hit arrives in-store...

2ENTERTAIN LAUNCHES TINY TV STARS

by Samantha Loveday

Photo: Richard Termine

THE LATEST pre-school property from E1 – Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom – has hit retail, led by a full toy line from Golden Bear.

The firm launched its range of plastic play-sets, including Best New Toy 2010 award winner at this year’s Toy Fair, the Magical Castle play-set, plus Gaston’s Cave. Both the products contain secret magical elements. Meanwhile, the plush collection includes a Talking Holly Princess, Talking Ben Elf, assorted mini plush, Fetch-stick Gaston and lead item, Holly with fluttering wings and magic wand. Further items will join the range in spring/summer 2011.

The majority of retailers have taken the full eight lines, while E1 is currently working with a number of chains to develop exclusive lines and promotional activity.

Jumbo’s range of puzzles and games further bolsters the toy category,

while there are also products available in the publishing, apparel, DVD and homewares/textiles sectors.

“With the majority of girls’ preschool licences decreasing in sales year on year, there is plenty of room for a new one in the marketplace to sit alongside Peppa Pig,” Hannah Mungo, licensing manager at E1 told ToyNews. “Boy-specific merchandise will also be built up slowly, reacting to consumer demand rather than forcing it. Nick Jr and Five’s Milkshake will play a big part in the merchandise

launch with promotional slots booked, on-air competitions, homepage splashes and costume characters featured.

“With a BAFTA already under its belt, a solid year and a half of broadcast, book sales already strong and full retailer listings, the phase one merchandise launch looks set to sparkle,” Mungo continued.

Phase two of the roll out begins from January 2011, while phase three is planned from autumn/winter 2011.

E1: 020 7907 3797

Sesame Workshop visited the UK with pre-school monster Elmo recently and promised increased activity for its Sesame Street licensing programme as part of its 40th anniversary celebrations, including new sectors and new characters. Assistant VP of international licensing, Risa Greenbaum, told ToyNews: “We’re now extending what you see on television into our licensing programme.

We are extending into gift and stationery and one of the biggest pieces of news we have is our new relationship with Hasbro as our global master toy partner from 2011. We’re launching in the fall 2011 with full marketing support. Everyone from Cookie Monster to Big Bird, Bert and Ernie - Elmo is leading the way because of our programming with Elmo’s World, but all the characters are now being featured. And there are new characters on the way, too.”

23

Debuting on September 6th, 2entertain’s new pre-school DVD label Tiny TV Stars will be backed at retail with a special buy one, get one free promotion. The range will feature new content from key children’s brands including Waybuloo, In the Night Garden, Chuggington, Timmy Time and Shaun the Sheep. It will also include the launch of Dirtgirlworld.

The BOGOF will be stickered onpack and across all marketing and POS material.

2entertain: 020 7612 3145

EGMONT JOINS TOY STORY PRODUCT PUSH Egmont has added to its already strong licensed portfolio, launching an official Toy Story magazine. The title has an initial print run of 100,000 and will include original comic stories, fact files and activities such as games, puzzles and colouring. www.egmont.co.uk

JIM HENSON PICKS NEW EURO AGENTS The Jim Henson Company has signed up four new licensing agents across Europe. In the UK, Ignition Licensing will handle classic brand Fraggle Rock, while Rocket Licensing will look after lifestyle property Skatelab. Alphanim has been signed up in France, while Alicom comes on board for Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. www.henson.com

PANINI JOINS LONDON 2012 PARTNER LINE-UP Panini is to create a collectable sticker range featuring Olympic and Paralympic legends and hopefuls, hitting stores in spring 2012. The firm will also launch a trading card game, as well as a range of sticker sheets – including stickers of mascots Wenlock and Mandeville – between now and 2012.

Panini: 01892 500 100

Visit www.licensing.biz to register for the Daily News Digest and Newsflash services ALL THE LATEST NEWS & VIEWS DIRECT TO YOUR MOBILE PHONE WHEREVER YOU ARE

FOR EVERYONE IN THE BUSINESS OF LICENSING mobile.licensing.biz

APPAREL • ART & DESIGN • ENTERTAINMENT • FOOD & BEVERAGES • PUBLISHING • SPORTS • TOYS & GIFTS

BOOKMARK US TODAY

AUGUST 2010

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LICENSINGDISCOVERY ENTERPRISES

Animal crackers Discovery Enterprises is on a major licensing drive at the moment, with Animal Planet being the first of its brands to receive attention. Samantha Loveday finds out how the firm is planning to own the animal category, beginning with the arrival of a toy line across the UK and Europe this autumn…

ANIMAL PLANET is one of Discovery’s leading international channel brands, with the second largest distribution, reaching more than 200 million subscribers in over 170 countries.

Its wide audience base certainly makes it ripe for an accompanying merchandising programme, and, indeed, Animal Planet has existed as a private label brand for Toys R Us in the US for over a decade.

Now, Discovery Enterprises is planning a major product roll out internationally – including the UK – lead by the feature plush, toys, back to school, publishing and interactive categories, targeting three to eight year olds.

“We are building Animal Planet as an evergreen brand with ever evolving content that will allow us ownership of the animal category,” Jo Edwards, VP of international licensing at Discovery Enterprises, explains to ToyNews.

This potential ownership begins with the arrival of plush – including nine-inch ‘animotion’ animals with light, sound and movement, plush with a DVD and role play item Power Paws, which allows kids to look and sound like their favourite animal. Giochi Preziosi is distributing the line across Southern Europe, while Character Options is handling the UK. Bonnier Publishing, meanwhile, has signed a global publishing deal.

Other categories to launch this year include non-core toy, homewares and gift, followed in 2011 by books, magazines, back to school, apparel and essentials and interactive.

Initial retail reaction, says Edwards, has been extremely positive, with a number of promotions secured.

“The plush line will launch this month in Argos and will be supported by TV advertising. It will then roll out trade wide to other retailers including Toys R Us – which AUGUST 2010

There is an emphasis at present on evergreen brands, both from retailers and consumers. Animal Planet is perfectly positioned to provide an alternative to character and movie properties.

Jo Edwards, Discovery Enterprises is dedicating space in Animal Alley with point of sale – Mothercare, Tesco and Asda.”

Discovery is placing a lot of emphasis on the heritage of the Animal Planet channel, and is hoping that will help contribute to its stand out at retail.

“The Animal Planet channel is based on high quality content and is seen as an expert authority on the real world,” Edwards (pictured right) continues. “There is an emphasis at present on evergreen brands, both from retailers and consumers, and the Animal Planet line is perfectly positioned to provide an alternative

to character and movie properties, while emphasising the fact that knowledge is fun.”

By the end of 2010, Edwards hopes that the brand has created an established home at retail, with the successful launch of the plush line and roll out of other categories.

“In five years time, I would expect to see this line with continued traction at retail, an ever growing licensee base and opportunities launched in the food and beverage, exhibit and attractions spaces to bring the Animal Planet experience to life through multiple touch points,” Edwards concludes.

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· New infrared controlled train sets · Strong performance since launch in June 2010 · Heavy TV burst throughout IS · Engagement activity on kids websites · PR campaign to children and parents For more information, please contact LEGO Customer Services on 01753 495001 LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2010 The LEGO Group.

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Built to last The construction category has enjoyed a robust year, with sales up 24 per cent over the last 12 months, lead by impressive figures from Lego and Mega Brands, with licensed lines in particular performing well. ToyNews takes a look at what else is happening in the sector...

CONSTRUCTION TOYS has been a dynamic category over the last two years with total sales now £204.8m for the 12 months to March 2010, up 24 per cent on the previous year (source: NPD Consumer Panel Service). While very much considered to be a boy’s category, purchases for girls account for 14 per cent of total value sales and are growing, suggesting a cross gender appeal in construction. It attracts, on average, an older recipient than total toys with sales growing at four years plus peaking at eight-nine years of age, but continuing strong at 10-11 years as well.

Construction Toys has been a dynamic category over the last two years with total sales now £204.8m – up 24 per cent.

Construction toys have a relatively short life span with the category highly dependent on new products.

Only five items in the current top twenty best sellers were available in the same period a year ago. Preschool or junior building Sets account for ten per cent of total sales YTD May 2010 (Source: NPD EPoS Service) and is showing positive yearon-year growth with Mega Bloks Maxi, Lego’s Duplo and Ecoiffers Abrick properties all adding to growth.

Within standard building sets there are a range of properties which have added to the categories extraordinary growth this year. Lego City remains the top property with the Emergency Services Fire range one of the top sellers and the evergreen Star Wars license continues to appeal to consumers and is the number two property. The number of licenses has

increased in the last year with Toy Story, Ben 10, Iron Man and Halo Wars now available. Overall licenses account for a third of total standard building sets value sales compared to

just 20 per cent in 2007, but the majority of sales still come from brands. Lego Atlantis has had a very strong start to the year and is the third largest property in the category,

Construction Top sellers – 12 months to March 2010 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

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RECIPIENTS 0-11 MONTHS 12-23 MONTHS 2-3 YRS 4-5 YRS 6-7 YRS 8-9 YRS 10-11 YRS 12-17 YRS 18+ YRS Multiple Recipients

TOTAL TOYS 6.6% 7.7% 20.5% 18.4% 12.7% 9.3% 6.3% 5.9% 9.7% 3.1%

(source: NPD) BUILDING SETS 1.1% 5.2% 10.5% 16.8% 18.0% 19.3% 13.9% 8.4% 6.2% 0.7%

while Lego Creator, Lego Bricks and More and Mega Micro have all seen strong growth with the appeal of the creative play aspect.

The new Lego Mini Figures have been a change to the usual mix for building sets impacting average price in May considerable. Building sets typically has a much higher average selling price than total toys, but the average price dropped to under £10 for the first time all year in May with the launch of the pocket money collectable range.

Construction is one of the most exciting categories in the toy market at the moment, driving total toys growth in 2010 and looks set to build on this going forward.

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SECTOR GUIDE CONSTRUCTION

TREASURE TROVE

Treasure Trove was re-appointed as Geomagworld’s exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland in March and started shipping product in May. The range now covers five sub categories: Geomag kids and Geomag Kids Panels, Geomag Pro, GeoBaby and Geomag Wheels. The portfolio also benefits from new packaging.

Geomag Kids and Geomag Kids Panels represent the core of the Geomag range. These sets were redesigned to meet the new safety standards, while not losing any of the

01285 762039

intrinsic design and play value of the original products.

Geomag Wheels is the new line from Geomagworld for 2010. This range combines the basic appeal of vehicles and construction. Geomag is used to build the framework for the vehicle and then a flexible chassis fits over the top.

Geomag Wheels vehicles are free rolling with large rubber tyres and can be played within a ‘smash and crash’ way where the Geomag construction enables them to be rebuilt in seconds.

The largest Geomag Wheels set

SIMBA SMOBY TOYS

This year, Simba Smoby Toys UK’s range includes the brand new No Limit line of construction toys, aimed at boys aged four to eight. No Limit allows kids to build vehicles such as cranes, diggers and tractors using special components.

The big five vehicle set comes with over fifty accessories, so children can build five different construction vehicles. Kids can also build a crane, which converts easily into a model mobile wrecking ball.

AUGUST 2010

includes a launcher to emphasise this play pattern.

Geomag Wheels is the focus of Treasure Trove’s autumn marketing.

The firm has produced a new Geomag cross-sell leaflet for distribution in store and is currently developing a new model format, for in-store use. For online retailers, the company is producing two one-minute ‘Vid-dems’ which will be hosted by isiteTV to enhance the explanation of the Geomag Kids and Geomag Wheels ranges.

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No Limit sets provide endless opportunities for inventive construction play, as all parts from each set are compatible with other sets in the range. Kids can use the electronic screwdriver with the special red screws to bring their constructions to life.

Simba Smoby’s construction range also includes Unico, a collection of construction blocks that children aged 18 months to five years can build into models of anything from animals to

pirate ships. All play-sets come in different sizes, from 18 pieces up to 250 pieces.

The Unico range is also available in Hello Kitty licensed sets, including the Hello Kitty Train set, the Safari Tour and the 129-piece villa. The girls’ licence combines construction with colours and characters, opening the sector up to girls as well as boys.

Prices start at just £6.99, and Unico blocks are compatible with all leading brands of building bricks.

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LEGO

Currently experiencing growth in the construction market, Lego sales are 71 per cent up year-on-year, holding the number two spot with a 6.8 per cent market share (NPD April 2010).

Lego City is the ideal recruitment into construction, and continues to offer boys aged five and over classic themes and easily recognisable models. New this year are fire, farm, airport and train themes. With strong sales growth over the last five years, the company’s number one brand expects another year of growth.

This year the company also celebrates the 30th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back with a collection of sets such as the Slave I and the Hoth Wampa Cave.

Lego Star Wars continues to gain momentum among consumers with its collection of recognisable vehicles packed with features and functions, along with collectable minifigures.

Following its launch in January, Lego Atlantis continues by combining hi-tech deep sea exploration with the appealing

JOHN CRANE 01604 774949

Traditional wooden blocks are a mainstay of any nursery construction toy range and John Crane brings an added touch of magic with its Creative Blocks from Pintoy.

The Pintoy Creative Blocks feature 52 pieces in the set, each sporting vibrant colours. More traditional shapes such as cylinders and cuboids are joined by an array of unusual shapes to make everything from a zigzag body of an alligator to the wattle of a turkey.

What’s more, the set even includes animal head shaped wooden blocks, so children aged 18 months and over can recreate animals or come up with combinations of their own.

As with all the toys in the Pintoy range, Creative Blocks has the added advantage of being ecologically sound, being constructed from rubber wood from renewable sources.

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classic Atlantis legend. The assortment of underwater vehicles and bases are targeted at boys aged seven to 12.

Various creatures and diver minifigures are included in each set along with five unique Atlantis treasure keys.

Two new Disney film releases have been given the Lego treatment. New play-sets are based on scenes from Toy Story and Prince of Persia. One such set is the Toy Story 3 hero line: Western Train Chase. The train engine and three train cars are all compatible with the Lego train track system.

This year has seen Lego UK expanding its Buildable Action Figure portfolio to appeal to a wider age range. By recruiting new boys and introducing fresh ranges, the company is growing the category, seeing the BAF share of the business increase from seven to ten per cent between 2009 and 2010. Following nine years of Bionicle, Lego is introducing Hero

TOMY This year sees the launch of multiple new products in Tomy’s construction toy range, K’Nex. Using rods, connectors, bricks and micro parts to build structures the range includes moving parts, lights, sounds and, new for 2010, video playback.

K’Nex is broken down into four distinct age groups (three +, five +, seven + and nine +). Models become increasingly complex to build but more impressive and feature rich as the age ranges progress.

New within Nine + is the Hot Shot Video Coaster, which allows kids to build a four foot long rollercoaster track then film and play back footage of the coaster car racing around the track.

The K’Nex Seven + range now includes the Wonder Wheel and Corkscrew Coaster. The Wonder Wheel lets kids build a working Ferris Wheel

Factory – a new concept with a simple storyline and pocket money prices to make it accessible for boys aged six to 12. Also in this category is the Ben 10 range of constructable action figures, which consists of six collectables based on the Alien Force series.

Lego Technic is currently experiencing growth of 24 per cent (NPD YTD April 2010). The range has been enhanced with the introduction of the Motorbike, Container Truck and Motorised Excavator, which includes double RC handsets, two receivers, four motors and four linear actuators.

Lego Games enjoyed a strong uptake in its first six months on the market.

2010 has seen more classic games launched, with four new sets for January 2010 and a new range planned for Christmas 2010. The key line for this season is the Harry Potter-based Hogwarts Challenge.

Delivering a solid performance, Lego Racers is 57 per cent ahead (NPD YTD, April 2010) while the classic Creator is 113 per cent ahead (NPD YTD April 2010).

020 8722 7300 from over 300 pieces, and the twisting motorised Corkscrew Coaster can be built to over 1.5m tall. Both products will be TV advertised throughout October, November and December.

The Five + range now includes Monster Trucks, little monsters each made up of over 50 K’Nex pieces and available in four models Fang, Dragon, Ogre or Twin Serpent.

Monster Trucks are collectable and kids can combine two trucks together or collect and join all four Monster Trucks to build the Ultimate K’Nex Monster Truck.

To introduce pre-schoolers to construction toys, Kid features chunky blocks, rods and connectors. The new Big Building Tub contains 50 K’Nex parts and has picture-based instructions to help pre-schoolers build up to ten different models.

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MARBEL

Produced in Belgium, Clics is an educational construction toy that grows with the child and will develop a child’s kinetic and logical thinking. All Clics pieces and figures are fully interchangeable with all the sets. The pieces are easily connected together to create a long lasting model and a more satisfying play experience. The models can range from simple blocks to cars, planes and dinosaurs.

GREAT GIZMOS

The original Zoob collection has a kit for everyone, ranging from the 15piece starter kit and 35, 55, and 75-piece sets, right through to stackable tubs of 125 and 250 pieces and even a 500piece set (a mega set that comes in a large carry case that doubles as a building table).

There is also a collection of themed sets that have something extra to extend the building possibilities – choose from Zoob Dudes, Zoob with wheels, Zoob Creator with colourful foam shapes and even Zoob with a touch of sparkle. What kids can be sure of is that once they get their hands on the tactile, brightly

AUGUST 2010

01208 873123

Eitech Metal Construction Kits continue to capture young engineer’s imaginations. Five new models have been launched in 2010. The starter kits teach children about the world of construction and physics and as kids improve their construction skills, there are sets available with increasing difficulty levels. Advanced sets, including remote control and solar powered sets are also available.

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coloured Zoob pieces their construction creativity will know no bounds.

New to the range is Zoob Junior, which allows kids aged three to six to get involved with the line and has larger pieces for smaller hands to manage. This version is also slightly softer, easier to manipulate and has pieces in three colours rather than the traditional five.

Zoob Junior comes as a 15-piece boxed set or a 30-piece set in a storage bag. Alternatively, the Zoob Junior Zoomer contains all the pieces for kids to create a simple car to wheel around.

Zoob pieces snap and click together in 20 ways and are dishwasher safe.

HTI HTI provides a range of JCB vehicles, role-play, wheeled and outdoor toys.

With a central focus on inspiring imaginative, construction themed play, the range is based on the real life products – strong, tough and durable.

New for autumn/winter, the Chunky 16-inch JCB Free-Wheeling Dump Truck with manually operated dumper provides rugged construction play.

The Mighty JCB Eight Wheel Mobile Crane features remote control functions, light and sound. The controller moves the crane up and down, left and right and extends the arm out 23 to 29-inches.

The Low Loader Transporter and Vehicles Set features a truck cab unit, which pivots around the trailer back and ramps that lower to drive the Fastrac and Backhoe Loader vehicles onto the transporter.

Also new are the battery operated JCB Power Tools with interchangeable power packs.

The range includes a Drill, Jigsaw and Nail Gun. All of HTI’s JCB battery

MAPS TOYS Toobeez is a kit of 57 pieces, including tubes and spheres, which connect together to create anything from castles and dens to playhouses. The set also includes fabric panels to enable the creation of covered structures. For construction on a smaller scale, EZ Fort is Toobeez’ little brother. Containing 54 pieces, it gives 20 metres of end-toend building opportunities. Both kits build critical thinking skills and develop the creative thought process.

Bloco is a construction toy, which uses high-density brightly coloured foam pieces, uniquely shaped to link together.

Once linked together with special connectors, the pieces can be moved to any angle. Children can collect and make different sets including dinosaurs, wildcats, horses and unicorns. Single creature sets featuring dinosaurs and primates are launching later in he summer.

Mic-o-Mic is a unique range including planes, trains, helicopters and more.

01253 778888 operated construction and garden tools feature Try Me functions to increase on-shelf appeal and demo functionality.

A variety of JCB Tool Cases and Workbenches include a range of products from robust play tools, dump truck and hardhat, to battery operated power tools with rechargeable power packs. The new JCB Workbench includes 54 accessories for construction role-play and packs away into a compact portable tool case for storage.

HTI’s battery operated JCB Tractor allows children to operate the control stick to jib up and down and move the bucket in and out, but also press down the accelerator to move the machine around.

01483 776 006

Each set contains different challenges and once made becomes a toy to play with. The line is suitable for children aged five and over.

Build it with Bob includes three sets, which enables children to build structures with real mini clay bricks and cement. Simply mix Dizzy’s cement powder with water then children can build whatever they like. If they don’t want to keep their building, simply soak in water, the cement will come off and the bricks can be used again. Additional packs of bricks and cement are available.

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MATTEL Mattel has added the new construction range, Trio, to the Fisher-Price pre-school line-up. Developed by Fisher-Price experts in the Play Lab, Trio has a unique click and snap technology, making it easier for pre-schoolers to build and recognise when they have made the connection. The range of pieces enables quick building of many creations.

The Trio collection comes in a range of play packs, including connectable bricks, sticks, panels, figures and vehicles for a world of interconnectable play.

The Basic Play Packs come with easily attachable parts to build a creation, from a plane or house to a range of crazy bugs. The Trio Building Set with Storage includes 100 pieces including custom parts such as wheels, chassis and figures for endless creations, as well as a durable tub for convenient storage. As preschoolers hone their construction skills, the Basic Trio collection can be used with the City

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collection, which includes double-sided snap-in picture panels and even more parts for creative, open ended play. The packs include popular themes such as police, fire station and airport.

With a major marketing campaign to support the launch, Trio is an exciting new development for the Fisher-Price preschool range.

MEGA BRANDS

This year marks the 25th birthday of Mega Bloks, and to celebrate, the company has introduced new brands, new ranges and new products.

This summer, Mega launched Dragons Universe – a range of action toys for boys aged six to ten. The line combines Dragon Vs. Warrior play in a futuristic fantasy world, with multiple characters, vehicles and a back story.

With a mix of price points, the Dragons Eggs retail at under £10 and provide the gateway into the brand, while the vehicles, including the Deluxe DualBlast Dragon Hunter and the Ultimate Action Dragon Destroyer allow kids to buy further into the range. A full marketing campaign including TV, sponsorship, catalogue, online and various new channels to market, will be supporting the range throughout the rest of the year.

In its anniversary year, the firm has also developed its Maxi range of bricks designed for pre-schoolers aged one and over. Its award winning 24 and 70-

MECCANO

01844 278888

Meccano’s new additions to its Construction range are designed to unleash creativity and imagination. The line consists of six sets, each designed for different levels of ability, to make a comprehensive retail offer.

Each construction set offers a combination of vivid colours and flexible parts to clip, screw and bolt together creating a variety of models that can be built again and again.

First up is the Starter Tool Box, which provides a storage solution for the 60plus pieces, up to five models can be constructed including a plane, crane and helicopter.

A touch of pink and glitter are just two of the characteristics that make up Meccano’s new Girls Tool Box. It comes with 60+ pieces in pastel shades to create ten models including a bug car, scooter, plane, flower and mouse. The sparkly pink box is a clever storage solution and also contains a selection of stickers so girls can create and personalise each of their creations.

01844 278888

piece Maxi Bags, part of the Building Basics series, now come in a pink version, designed to appeal to girls.

Providing convenience, storage and value, the 200-piece Maxi Duffle Bag is easy to carry and store, and contains limitless construction opportunities.

Stimulating young minds, the new innovative Spin and Sorter Bucket contains 32 different shaped multicoloured building blocks and children are encouraged to build upwards from two spinning cogs. Launched at the end of 2009, the Mega Bloks Play ‘n Go Table is a three-in-one construction toy. The 20 blocks, building plates, vehicles and characters stimulate imagination and discovery of shapes, colours and sizes. A number of marketing campaigns will support Maxi Bricks while a PR campaign will further strengthen the core business.

Mega Bloks has also secured the Thomas & Friends licence for 2010 and in July launched Thomas & Friends construction play-sets, which

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allow pre-schoolers aged three and over to build and rebuild scenes from the TV series. The Thomas Buildable Character Assortment features all the favourite characters including Thomas, James, Percy, Gordon, Henry, Harold, Diesel and Spencer, while the play-set builds include destinations such as ‘A Busy Day At The Quarry’, ‘Thomas at the Sodor Fair’ and ‘Cranky The Crane’.

The three-in-one Buildable Assortment includes Thomas Load n’ Go, James on the Move and many more of the beloved Thomas themes, plus all are three-in-one play-sets, allowing kids to build and rebuild. The Two-inOne Buildable Thomas allows children to build a giant Thomas and then rebuild him into a train station. Each construction set also connects to the next to build Thomas world.

A marketing and PR campaign has also been planned including activities with licensor Hit Entertainment and Thomas Land at Drayton Manor.

The Police Bucket is redesigned to come into line with the other construction boxes in the range for 2010. Models to build from the 100plus pieces include a motorbike, helicopter or a speedboat as well as six other emergency vehicles. Figurines are also included in this set to extend the play value with creative role-play.

Next up is the Easy Tool Box. Its 100plus pastel shaded pieces build ten model variations from a forklift truck and helicopter to a racing car. The simple construction process helps develop skills and encourage creative and resourceful play.

The Mechanics Tool Box and Motorised Tool Box each build up to ten unique models from over 100 pieces. While the Mechanics Tool Box constructs models including a crane, plane and forklift truck, the more advanced Mechanics Tool Box includes a 6V motor that can be incorporated into each of the ten models including a robot.

BRAINSTORM 01200 445113

Citiblocs are wooden construction blocks, precision cut from pine sourced from sustainably managed forests.

Every piece has been engineered to exactly the same shape and size and the specific proportions guarantee building success.

Building requires no glue, no mess, no connectors, no magnets: just gravity, balance and imagination. With no complicated set-up, everyone can build straight from the box and builds can be as complex or as simple as required. Citiblocs promotes creativity and problem solving while helping children to develop motor skills.

Citiblocs are available in packs of 50, 100, 200 and 300 blocks. In the US the toy has won 14 industry awards including Dr Toy, Parenting Magazine and Best Green Product.

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LE TOY VAN

The Construction Set is a new vehicle play-set that will be released as part of Le Toy Van’s autumn launch. Scaled to be compatible with the firm’s garage range, it joins other existing vehicle sets including the London Car Set. Expected to retail at around £15.99, the Construction Set should be available to retailers around midOctober 2010.

The set includes a crane with swivel platform and extending arm, a steamroller, a road digger, a dump truck, and a high digger with rotating articulated arm. It also includes two traffic cones. Each vehicle is constructed using rubber wood from

020 8979 2036

responsible sources and is finished in a glossy yellow paint with Le Toy Van branded livery. Wheels and other details are made from sturdy plastic to ensure durability.

The new set can also fully integrate with Le Toy Van’s existing garage range, and is particularly suited to the car play mat, which features a detailed image of a building site.

Each set will be packaged in a window box to allow for convenient storage and display. All Le Toy Van painted wooden toys are designed in the UK and ethically manufactured in Indonesia using materials from responsible sources.

LITTLE TIKES 01908 268480

DKL

01604 678780

Large Waffles offers children threedimensional construction play. Each set includes 18 colourful interlocking blocks that stimulate the imagination and encourage kids to design and construct forts, towers, mini shops, houses or random creations.

Comprising of solid blocks, window and door blocks, the Waffles are lightweight and easy to fit together, connecting securely in every direction. Also promoting active play, kids can climb into, under or on top of their creations, either indoors or out. The pieces are strong and durable with double wall thickness, and are sized for children aged three years and over.

Wonderworld’s portfolio of educational toys has numerous wooden construction toys. The ABC Touchy Blocks consists of 26 blocks, each with a letter of the alphabet on one side and a picture and name of an object beginning with the letter, on the other. Texture surface on each block allows infants to touch and feel the letter shape as well as teach them how to construct.

Also in the range are traditional Stacking Rings, Rainbow Sound Blocks and Stacking and Sliding Towns.

Stacking and Sliding Towns allow children to construct their own village by sliding and stacking the blocks.

Self-locking Stacking Towns offer many possibilities of block construction.

HABA

Haba’s award-winning portfolio of wooden building blocks now incorporates the technology of wheels and axles with its latest range of Discover Building Blocks Technics. The introduction of plastic connectors enables the sets to be combined with all of the firm’s basic-sized construction blocks, including the ball track sets.

Discover Building Blocks Technics Basic Vehicles Pack includes 26 pieces of shaped wooden blocks, wheels and axles and is ideal for first creative

0161 304 9555

mobile construction, while the large set contains 49 pieces to build anything from utopian vehicles to buildings and towers.

Combined with one or more of Haba’s Building Blocks sets, which includes a range of shapes and features from Greek Columns and Tower Spires to Mirrors and Kaleidoscopes, children are encouraged to foster spatial thinking, learn perseverance and develop fine motor skills.

HIPPYCHICK Kiditec is a brightly coloured construction system, manufactured in Switzerland. After experiencing strong sales throughout Europe, Kiditec Construction Systems are finally available in the UK exclusively from Hippychick.

Unlike other building sets that allow only one or two slot options for placing the pieces, Kiditec offers eight-point slots – providing greater scope for creativity. Children can have hours of fun and build or invent any shape they want, from cats to cranes, robots to ride-ons. Due to the unique and ingenious design of Kiditec, what can be created is as limitless as a child’s imagination.

Consisting of seven different designs, each containing an assortment of robust, brightly coloured rainbow blocks and mechanical parts including ‘nuts and bolts’, clips, building blocks, wheels

01278 434440 with rubber tyres and even a pair of eyes to give a child’s creation a character all of its own. The big building parts and the threedimensional fixation options offer children the opportunity to build very stable models, quickly and safely.

The unique screw fixing design ensures that anything built, whether screwed, slotted or clipped together, is sturdy enough to withstand all the fun that a child can throw at it.

Every one of the Kiditec Construction Systems is fully compatible with each of the other designs. With all the parts being so interchangeable, a combination of sets will take the creativity to a whole new dimension.

As well as being hugely fun, Kiditec encourages creativity, imagination, motor skills, co-ordination and independent play. It is now set to take the UK by storm.

Back. Bigger & Better!

Only from

tel: +44 (0)1285 762039 or email sales@tt-holdings.com www.treasuretrovetoys.co.uk Geomag is a registered trademark of Geomagworld SA. © Copyright Treasure Trove Holdings Ltd.

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Plush fund From new feature plush inspired by the latest pre-school television shows and products which actually interact with the child, through to the more traditional soft toys, the plush sector is probably more varied than it has ever been in the past. ToyNews takes a look at what’s coming up from some of the key players…

MATTEL/FISHER-PRICE Autumn brings a raft of new plush items across Fisher-Price’s character brands, from evergreens to newcomers alike.

New to Cbeebies this year, FisherPrice is the master toy for Guess with Jess and will be launching a collection of plush based on the characters Jess, Mimi, Joey and Jinx. The key plush item is Yippety Yeah Jess, which dance and sings his signature Yippety-yay Hooray song. The more his head is petted, the more questions Jess asks and answers, responding through speech and movement. A range of collectable mini soft plush and basic plush will also be available.

The firm is bolstering its 3rd & Bird line with Bedtime Muffin, which comes with calming bedtime phrases and lullabies. As Muffin sings, her ladybird friend glows, fading in and out to the music. Fans can also choose from a range of differently sized plush including collectible mini and

HASBRO

Since its introduction back in 2002, Hasbro’s FurReal Friends franchise – electronic plush which ‘comes to life’ – has notched up significant sales at retail level.

This autumn/winter, the collection is being expanded with the arrival of Gogo, My Walkin’ Pup. Aimed at ages four years and up, Gogo wags its tail, pants and barks just like a real pup.

Complete with a hot pink leash, Gogo can walk straight ahead, left or right, in circles or a figure of eight. The toy also responds to touch; stroke the right and left side or the top of the dog’s head and it will bark.

Released back in the spring were FurReal Friends Snuggimals assortment, a line of over 20 palm-

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VIVID IMAGINATIONS

01483 449944

large feature items. Do the Muffin also continues to be a key focus for the autumn. The soft toy sings and dances, with pre-schoolers just needing to press its left foot to see it hop, waddle, flap its wings and shake the tail.

Key Waybuloo characters Lau, Yojojo, Nok Tok and De Li are available in both special feature and collectible mini soft plush, while the Mickey Hot Dog Dancer feature plush encourages children to dance along with fun phrases.

Finally, Winnie the Pooh continues to receive marketing support throughout the second half of the year. Feature plush Magic Rattle Pooh will benefit from a refresh, showcasing classic Pooh styling. When the baby shakes the rattle it is rewarded with Baby Pooh rocking and shuffling around the room, giggling and singing. The toy also includes four lullabies and phrases, which can be activated by pushing its tummy.

020 8569 1234

sized pets including kittens and puppies, plus FurReal Friends Lulu’s Walkin’ Kitties assortment, which have poseable front legs so they can rest of knead their paws just like a real kitten.

Lulu, My Cuddlin’ Kitty, which comes with snow white fur and a pink comb, plus Luv Cub assortment, Cub Bear assortment (choose from honey bear, brown bear or panda) and Newborns assortment (including a bird, chimp, bear cub, kitten and puppy) are also in the range. In addition, the Newborn line is bolstered with the arrival of a penguin this autumn. When the child pets its back, the toy chirps and flaps its wings. It can be fed from its bottle, which makes it open its beak and make slurping sounds.

Vivid has developed a line of Shrek plush ranging from £3.99 to £16.99 to coincide with the release of the new movie, Shrek Forever After.

The collection includes a Plush Key Chain assortment (£3.99) and Soft Toys assortment (£5.99), a Talking Plush assortment, including Shrek and Donkey (£9.99) and the TV-advertised Wise Cracking Shrek (£16.99, which has over ten sounds and phrases.

New to the AniMagic line are the Tender Care Twins (£19.99) Max and Mitzi, which whimper when they are apart and bark happily when reunited.

Also available this autumn/winter are Honey My Baby Pony and Peanut My Playful Puppy (both £44.99); the TRA’s Feature Plush of the Year 2010 Fluffy Go Walkies (£19.99); new characters in the Newborn assortment (£9.99); and Patch My Hopping Guinea Pig and Bramble and Snowy My Hopping Bunnies (both £16.99). Vivid is supporting the AniMagic line with a strong TVR campaign, PR and a bespoke website.

Moving on, and TV-advertised feature plush Tumble Tot Fifi (£19.99) is new within the firm’s Fifi and the Flowertots

range. If the toy is spun by its arms, it will shriek with delight, and the faster it’s span the more excited it becomes. In the Timmy Time range, Sing & Dance Timmy (£24.99) is dressed in cap, trainers and medallion and sings and dances to two music tracks. The Timmy line is supported throughout 2010 with TV advertising and PR. Vivid’s Disney plush line includes a range of styles, sizes and price points (£3.99 to £22.99). The collection now includes Mickey Mouse Club House and Toy Story.

Finally, Vivid has begun the roll out of its ZingZillas plush range, which includes all four band members – Zak, Panzee, Tang and Drum. The line includes soft toys (£6.99) and Talking ZingZillas (£16.99). Also available, and TV advertised, are the Play & Groove ZingZillas (£29.99), which include two songs from the show with the corresponding speeds of dance, plus the Musical Backpack (£16.99) complete with the ZingZillas theme tune. Vivid is supporting the line with a heavyweight TV drive, plus PR and consumer press targeting mums and kids.

AUGUST 2010

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SECTOR GUIDE PLUSH

BANDAI 08456 028782

The firm is continuing to expand its pre-school offering, launching a range of plush products as part of the lineup for several of its brands.

The Star Friends dolls – which launched last year – are complemented by a new line of 12cm plush animals, including a unicorn and cat.

The firm’s collection of Noddy products features an assortment of 30cm My Friend Plush toys, suitable for ages 12 months and up, including characters such as Noddy, Tessie, Bumpy Dog and Mr Plod.

Finally, Bandai’s newest licence is Tinga Tinga Tales and the firm will be rolling out its toy line in September.

Aimed at three to six year olds, the show is inspired by traditional African folktales and the art of Tanzania. The line will include a variety of 25cm Musical Plush based on the characters, as well as a Monkey Feature Plush.

HALILIT 01254 872454

TAF toys have been created by French designer Alan Crozon, with a special touch of humour thrown in. Most are suitable from birth.

The Chime Bell Ball has a soothing chime sound and extra soft fabric; the three Activity Dolls include a range of activities and textures; Busy Pals and Jumping Pals have a jittering action, while Action Balls jitter, rattle and giggle.

TAF Blankies are made from soft materials and have numerous chewing and grabbing options. There are two rabbits and two other cute characters to choose from.

Several TAF plush toys also have music features. The Symphony Flowers play real classical music, the Jazz Sisters play Scott Joplin jazz and children can enjoy Reggae with Monkey, Rock with Elephant or Country Music with Horse in the World Music Doll line. Finally, the Baby Bowling Set comes with four soft skittles and a bowling ball which features light and sound when rolled.

Each skittle features its own smiley character.

AUGUST 2010

RAINBOW DESIGNS

The latest from Rainbow Designs in the plush category is a line of three Jack in the Box products.

Joining The Very Hungry Caterpillar collection is a Jack in the Box featuring a soft and stripy caterpillar which pops out of an illustrated tin box when the handle is turned.

A Jack in the Box has also been added to the Beatrix Potter Classic collection. It features a plush Peter Rabbit which pops out of the box wearing a blue jacket and holding a carrot to the tune of ‘Pop Goes the Weasel’. The blue and white tin box

HABA

Haba has introduced a number of plush to its portfolio this year including 25cm Hound Henry, Tiger Timmy and Elephant Emil. Another new character to the Habalinos line is Sheep Svea, a 38cm plush with magnetic hands which can be attached to a pram handle or cot bars.

Other characters in the range include Mouse Marit and Bunny Hugo.

Haba’s Sleeping Companions are 24cm plush toys which contain a LED light which shimmers when the belly is pressed. The light switches off automatically after 15 minutes.

0870 758 7700

features original illustrations from the Beatrix Potter books.

Retailers can complete Peter Rabbitthemed displays with a range of plush toys available in the Classic collection.

These include Peter Rabbit in a Bag, Cuddly Peter Rabbit and a 30cm Classic Peter Rabbit.

Paddington Bear completes the new Jack in the Box additions. The plush pops out to the tune of ‘You are my Sunshine’, with the red box featuring scenes from the original Michael Bond story books. All Jack in the Box products are priced at £24.99.

0161 304 9555

There are two characters to choose from: Slumber Pixie with a blue outfit and glowing star, and Slumber Sheep in pink with a shimmering flower.

Finally, Horse Paulina and Horse Frederik are 40cm ponies with chenille manes and tails and corduroy hooves, plus removable saddle and bridle.

A smaller 25cm Horse Sissi is decorated with pink flowers.

All of Haba’s horses are sized to play with its soft doll range, while there is also a Horse Show accessory set to complement the line.

GOLDEN BEAR 01952 608308

The master toy licensee for E1’s Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, Golden Bear is planning to launch a variety of ‘magical plush’.

First up, Fluttering Wings Holly is made of soft sparkly fabrics and organza wings. Touch her yellow crown with her wand, and Holly’s wings will flutter while the toy says one of five phrases, including “Come on, Let’s Fly”.

Ben and Holly mini soft toys are also in the range, plus the Talking Ben Elf and Talking Princess Holly. Simply squeeze the toys’ tummies and they say five different phrases. Completing the Ben & Holly range is Fetch Stick Gaston, pull the character’s stick to see him shake and bark.

Elsewhere, Golden Bear also has a plush range for Shaun the Sheep, ranging from mini plush through to Shivering Shaun.

FULANITOS 01727 739691

Having already enjoyed major success in Mexico, the plush line is now looking to break into the UK market.

The owners of the Fulanitos range, which is available in more than 2,000 outlets in Mexico, is hoping to team up with a UK company to bring the brand to the British market.

Each character has its own personality and, as well as plush dolls and pets, the range encompasses stationery, jewellery, t-shirts and bedding among other items.

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NEW for 2010!

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FLYING FRIENDS

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www.tomy.co.uk Tomy UK Ltd, St Nicholas House, St Nicholas Road, Sutton, Surrey. SM1 1EH. Tel: 020 8722 7300 Fax: 020 8722 7302 Copyright © 2010, K’Nex, All rights reserved.

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HOT SHOT! VIDEO COASTER

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SECTOR GUIDE PLUSH

WORLDS APART 0800 389 8591

The company has recently diversified into the plush sector, with additions to its Dream Town play-sets.

The new Puppy Lane Cottage comes with Candyfloss plush puppy and a number of accessories.

Additional sets include more plush pets such as Pip the Mouse, Coco the Kitten and Nutmeg the Bunny.

The Strawberry Stables play-set also comes with extra items. The set includes Fudge the Pony, bridle, reins, saddle, brush and eight-piece hair play set. Separate accessories include the Stable Care Set (hay bale, broom, nose bag, pony blanket and an apple and carrot) and a Gymkhana dress-up set.

Both sets will benefit from PR and marketing support, including TV advertising.

FIESTA CRAFTS 020 8804 0563

Mama Duck and Three Ducklings has been added to the Baby by Fiesta Crafts line. Ducklings one, two and three are identified with brightly embroidered numbers in blue, red and green and by their own individual squeak, rattle or crinkle. They attach to their mother’s back with hook and loop fasteners.

Monkey, Lion, Penguin, Elephant and Giraffe Squeakaboos have proved a hit since launch at Spring Fair. Made from plush fabrics and corduroy, with bright primary colours, the toys squeak, jingle and crinkle and are ideal for playing peek-a-boo games with newborns.

AUGUST 2010

WOWWEE

The new Alive Perfect Puppy is the latest addition to the firm’s bestselling Alive range. It features animatronics technology, meaning the toy has a large range of animated expressions and sounds. It can tell the difference between a tickle, pat, stroke or a hug and will respond differently to loud and soft voice commands.

The head, ears, eyes, mouth and tail are all independently animated and the puppies also make 18 lifelike sounds, including sniffing, barking, whimpering and grumbling. The toy also has posable legs and comes with a collar and brush.

HIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Hive boasts a range of officially licensed video games plush toys. These include a seven-inch Sonic the Hedgehog, plus his friends, and a line of Animal Crossing toys.

The most recent addition to the firm’s range is the Nintendo San-Ei collection.

Japanese company San-Ei was established over 72 years ago and is now one of the best regarded manufacturers of plush and accessories in the world.

It has developed the Nintendo plush range alongside the video games giant,

01295 711588

It is available is two lifesize models, Bella and Buddy, both priced at £99.99.

Perfect Puppy joins the Alive Cubs (£39.99), which are available in four varieties and feature touch-triggered facial and vocal expression, adoption papers and family portrait.

Alive Minis (£14.99), meanwhile react when fed with their accompanying feeding bottle.

Alive Perfect Puppy and Alive Cubs will be supported in the UK with a hefty TV campaign and targeted PR in kids and consumer press, alongside exposure in the seasonal gift guides.

01706 242070

and Hive is bringing it to the UK for the first time.

The line includes 11 to 28-cm characters including Mario, Yoshi and Princess Peach, plus their evil counterparts Bowser, Wario and Goomba. Also available will be a Super Mario Galaxy line of plush including Super Mario, Fire Mario, Bee Mario and Ghost Mario, a multi-coloured plush range of Yoshi to match the character’s various game guides, plus a collection of Kirby toys in multiple character designs and sizes.

JOHN CRANE 01604 774949

Lilliputiens is the new plush collection from John Crane and includes furry playmates, plush bags, activity toys, giant animal soft furnishings and clothing.

The Lilliputiens Reversible Handbag is a key item. The pink, purple and flowery bag has a number of compartments and comes with car keys and keyring, a Lizzie doll, plush mobile phone and plush powder compact. Matching the handbag is the Rose Playmat, featuring a mirror, attached ball, various sized pockets, plus crinkles, rattles and places for peek-a-boo.

BEST YEARS 01327 262189

Best Years has added a monster to its knitted range. The line now includes 14 designs – including the popular monkeys and elephants – while the Trex is now in two sizes. Trade prices start from £3.20, with the characters available as toys and rattles. All are suitable from birth and are tested to EN71 and CE. Best Years – which says it is struggling to keep up with demand for the toys – is aiming to continue to develop more designs in the range.

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SECTOR GUIDE PLUSH

www.toynews-online.biz

INTELEX 01933 679777

Wild Warmers is a range of microwavable zoo character neck warmers which come in a wide selection of fabrics.

Characters simply need to be placed in the microwave for a maximum of two minutes to release a lavender aroma. Wild Warmers are manufactured to comply with British Safety Standard BS 8433:2004 and EN71-1/2/3 Toy standard.

BROOKITE 01837 53315

A wholly made British product, the range of three Bramble Hobby Horses from Brookite are available in brown, beige and black.

All feature a soft furry head made from luxury fur with webbing bridle, rosette and bells. They are mounted on a wooden pole with wooden wheels. The toys are suitable for ages two to six and retail for around £25.

UNDERGROUND TOYS

The firm has recently expanded its deal with LucasFilm for the Star Wars range with a line of plush. Favourites include 15-inch Deluxe Talking Yoda, 11-inch Ewok and a host of characters in both nine and four-inch such as Yoda, Darth Vader, R2-D2 and Chewbacca.

In addition, Churchill Insurance has appointed the firm to create talking

MARBEL

Marbel has been distributing the French designed range of L’atitude Enfant since early 2009.

Meanwhile, 12 knitted woolly Grannimals make up the Wooly Family of soft toys. Suitable from birth, each Grannimal has its own characteristics and comes packaged in a shoe box.

01708 375975

plush based on the famous nodding dog from its adverts. Underground Toys has already enjoyed success with a nine-inch plush and is now producing a four-inch version. It comes on plastic clip and says the phrases ‘oh yes’ and ‘on no’ when its collar is squeezed. The plush will be available from the autumn and distributed through Gear 4 Games.

01208 873123

Marbel is offering a free display stand to retailers for the line.

Launched at the beginning of 2010, the Baby Wooly range features rattles, squeakers and cuddly blankets. Based on characters from the Wooly Family, soft fabrics and colours have been used to create gifts for newborns.

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MUMBO JUMBO TOYS 020 8563 2888

Coming from Holland, the Happy Horse line is available from Mumbo Jumbo. The toys are not available through the mass channels, so give retailers the chance to offer something different to customers.

The brand has been established for 40 years, with the firm describing the toys as a combination of softness, extravagance and colour, with a unique take on design making them stand out.

FLAIR 020 8643 0320

Flair’s line of luxury Hello Kitty plush is growing, with further items arriving in the autumn.

The new 25cm plush assortment is available in two styles and colours, while there is also a line of accessories to complement the collection. This includes the new Hello Kitty Flowery Handbag, which joins the existing range of plush bags and purses.

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SECTOR GUIDE PLUSH

JUMBO 01707 289289

MV SPORTS

MV’s plush portfolio is made up of a varied selection of characters, collectables and fun toys.

The firm’s Goochicoo line includes 16inch deluxe dolls packed with unique features, 14-inch dolls which interact and enjoy hugs and kissed and ten-inch Talkback Tot dolls, which record and then repeat your message in a baby Goochicoo voice. All three ranges will be TV advertised in August, with further lines due in 2011.

MANHATTAN TOY

Jumbo is the master toy licensee for the hit Cbeebies pre-school show, Big & Small.

It has produced a wide range of plush based on the main characters.

These include a new 33cm plush of Big and a 15cm plush of Small.

Both toys are available from Amazon and retail for £9.99 and £4.99 respectively.

ZAPF CREATION 01908 268480 Due to hit stores from this autumn, Tapsi Bear (£24.99) is aimed at girls aged three and over and needs looking after.

The bear will sneeze when his nose is approached with a handkerchief and has a shivering function which is triggered by pressing his tummy.

Holding the bear’s honeycomb to its mouth prompts eating sounds and, when the bear is fed three times, it makes sounds of contentment. While feeding, Tapsi Bear’s ears will either wiggle, its head will move or turn depending upon the colour.

The toy comes with a range of accessories including a hot water bottle and blanket and will be available in three colours: pink, blue and beige. It also comes with an outfit, removable nappy and t-shirt.

An additional audio book telling the tale of Tapsi Bear’s adventures, and how it ended up being poorly, is also included.

AUGUST 2010

Manhattan’s 2010 line includes everything from barnyard favourites to wild beasts and family pets.

The Manhattan Toy Wildlife includes six species, with each adult and baby animal having the same features as their real-life counterparts.

Meanwhile, the Blooming Sprouts are billed as perfect for children from birth upwards. Each is stuffed with a special corn fibre filling to give them a well-

RE:CREATION

0121 748 8000

MV Sports also boasts a collectable Gogo’s Crazy Bones plush line. The range consist of three-inch characters, four-inch with a handy clipper and sixinch which reverse to reveal the character of their ultra rare colourway.

Fluffy Gardens is a new 80 episode TV series, with exposure on Cartoonito and Mini CITV. There are 40 characters to choose from, with the firm’s initial range including three, four and six-inch assortments.

MGA ENTERTAINMENT 01908 268480 Train and Play Puppy joins MGA’s Rescue Pals line this autumn. It can sit, stand or walk, as well as being taught new tricks, including how to sit up and beg.

It comes with a remote clicker to change and start its various functions.

An adoption certificate, a reward treat and heart-shaped sticker are also included in the pack. Train and Play Puppy (£29.99) will be fully supported with TV and PR.

INSPIRED GIFTS & TOYS 01252 749020 / 07872 939228

020 8944 3160

loved feel, and are made from bamboo spun into a rayon fabric to make them super soft.

The Rustletoes are classically styled barnyard animals, with each coming in two different sizes, weighted bottoms and simple facial features. Finally, the Zangerdees are four characters with a twist. Simply pull their long stripey legs and arms through their bodies to give varying lengths.

0118 973 6222

The Bear League consists of five football mascots which carry the characteristics of famous players.

Outfits and accessories have been officially licensed from clubs including Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Juventus, Arsenal and Barcelona.

The mascot also gives children access to the BearLeague.com.

The plush can be made interactive by using a special product code, with the website giving them access to a host of stadia, pitches, changing rooms, the players’ lounge, café and trophy room. The players develop daily routines including training, playing matches, tournaments, updates and information on their favourite football club.

The Bear League will be available from October 1st.

DKL 01604 678780

For the first time, the iconic Lego minifigure has been made available by Re:creation as a soft 12-inch plush toy.

It has moveable arms and is available in

four different characters. These include the traditional Lego man, plus a Policeman, Construction Worker and Fireman (all pictured).

The Babicorolle plush toy range is designed to stimulate young children’s senses through various shapes, textures, music, lights and scent. Meanwhile, new addition to the DKL portfolio, Sigikid Toys boasts comforters, soft balls, cuddly animals and musical toys in various colours and designs.

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SECTOR GUIDE GREEN TOYS

Ecological choices Whether children are necessarily concerned with it when playing with their toys is a moot point. Many parents’ environmental concerns are reflected in their purchase of toys with green packaging or materials, or an eco-friendly message. ToyNews looks at some of the products designed to help save the planet…

ORCHARD TOYS

Since the firm’s foundation in 1971, Orchard Toys has maintained its manufacturing base in the UK. Assembly, warehousing, order picking and despatch are carried out from the company’s Norfolk base, from where all the cardboard and paper waste products are recycled by a local business.

The recent introduction of a board baling machine has allowed it to control recycling even more effectively.

The board used for games, jigsaws and product packaging is 100 per cent recycled. The paper used for the printed games and jigsaw puzzle covers is sourced from sustainable forests and

01953 859525

coated with a water-based varnish.

The firm has designed and manufactured such products as What’s Rubbish and Flower Pot Game to help children learn about recycling, composting and green issues.

Simon Newbery, managing director of Orchard Toys, comments: “Although our products are well-known for their durability, even the life of an Orchard Toys’ product has to come to an end some day, and when that day comes, 95 per cent, and in some cases 100 per cent of the product and its packaging, can go straight into the compost or recycle bin.”

GREEN BOARD GAMES

GBG tries to use game boards, cards and packaging supplies manufactured using recycled or recyclable materials.

From the hand-carved wooden animal pieces in the original Alpha Animals game, to the newer BrainBox range which uses a minimum of 70 per cent recycled materials, GBG aims to produce games responsibly from wellmanaged, controlled sources.

Cocoa A GoGo works environmental and ethical considerations into

HTI HTI’s fully endorsed Science Museum range is designed to encourage youngsters to investigate the scientific and natural world around them.

The new eco friendly Science Museum Dual Powered Car and Eco Racers are all powered by the solar energy of natural sunlight utilising a 360° adjustable solar panel or by a handle generator.

Junior scientists can build the Dual Powered vehicle themselves in one of three different eco-powered racing vehicles – the Speed Racer is a fast solar car that when fully-powered can travel at 24 metres per minute; the Space Mobile is a solar vehicle with a front shovel that moves up and down as it speeds along; and the Robotic Car is supplied with a handle generator that powers the vehicles speed, as well as the up and down movement of a robotic head.

In addition, there are also six new assorted Science Museum Connect and Learn activity boxes, developed in line with Key Stages 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum. Each build-it-yourself box offers a different science activity to teach inquisitive young minds about

AUGUST 2010

01494 538999

gameplay. The aim of the game is to become a World-class chocolate bean producer and the best way to achieve this goal is to create a sustainable plantation, with a high level of social consciousness.

A Water card, for example, may encourage players to wash the car less to save fresh water, while a Worker card may educate players to recognise that fair pay and a good boss is what happy workers like.

01253 778888

basic physics through hands-on practical application.

The multi-science boxes are entitled: Maze Challenge; Turbo Air; Flying Disc; Digital Alarm; Spin and Turn Racer; and Aim n Shoot. The boxes can also be linked together or used individually, providing collectability value. The ecothemed range also extends to small

compact Science Museum Test Tubes containing fun eco science experiment kits to do at home.

Complete with full colour illustrated instruction booklets, the Eco Test Tubes provide the opportunity to discover the secrets of wind power, water cycle, global warming and acid rain and erosion at a value price point.

HTI also provides a Test Tube assortment to teach curious minds the science behind shadows, temperature, skeletons, senses, bath time and flight.

All Test Tube kits have been developed in line with Key Stages 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum and each assortment is supplied in a fully branded counter top display unit.

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SECTOR GUIDE GREEN TOYS

www.toynews-online.biz

BRAINSTORM 01200 445113

Citiblocs are high quality wooden construction blocks, precision cut from high-grade pine sourced from sustainable managed forests.

Building requires no glue, no mess, no connectors and no magnets. With no complicated set up, everyone can build straight from the box and builds can be as complex or as simple as you want. Citiblocs promotes creativity and problem solving whilst helping children to develop motor skills.

Building and learning are simultaneous.

The blocks are available in packs of 50, 100, 200 and 300. In the US the toy has won 14 industry awards including Dr Toy, Parenting Magazine and Best Green Product.

HABA

Haba has been certified with the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) – the world’s largest forest certification organisation.

This gives consumers the added reassurance that Haba not only uses wood from sustainable forests to create toys and furniture, but its suppliers are eco-friendly too.

The company’s range of wooden toys – from rattles and pull-a-longs to building blocks and walker wagons – are all made from natural woods and are coloured with water-based, ecological solvent-free lacquers in

LE TOY VAN

0208 979 2036

The Farm Animal Set, like all Le Toy Van products, is ethically made using responsibly sourced materials and is designed in the UK and made in Indonesia. Each animal is carved using high quality rubber wood from replanted forests and is produced in a factory with a high regard for ethical conditions for employees and in responsibly sourcing materials.

The set includes nine animals consisting of: a cow, a pig, a piglet, a

sheep, a lamb, a goose, a rooster, a hen and a chick. Each is handpainted to a matt finish and has a tactile quality that can be easily gripped and manoeuvred by young hands. Some details such as the cow’s ears and tail are finished in soft fabric.

The set is also fully compatible with the Budkins range, which has an array of related products including a farmer and his wife and two wooden horses. It retails around £17.99.

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GREAT GIZMOS 01293 543221

New additions to the Green Science collection include the Weather Station kit, which allows children to keep track of weather changes, learn facts about the weather and take part in experiments on the greenhouse effects.

Alternatively, the new Solar Science kit and Solar Rover kits will see kids learning how sunlight is turned into energy and exploring the science of solar thermal energy.

Green Creativity kits allow you to turn a plain fabric bag into your personal green shopping bag, create cards and gifts from recycled paper or turn a plain plastic bottle into an eyecatching light up project.

0161 304 9555

multiple layers which makes them resistant to humidity and wear and tear.

Also new to the 2010 catalogue is the Pure Nature range of soft baby toys which are made from the high quality cottons and threads produced from controlled organic farming.

All of the products are made in accordance with Global Organic Textile Standards ensuring safety not only for children who play with them, but for the environment, too.

The range includes clutching, cuddling and pull-along toys and softbodied dolls.

MARBEL Marbel has recently launched over ten new Plan Toys wooden toy products onto the UK market.

The range features crafted wooden rattles, rollers and mobiles for newborn babies (£7.99 – £39.99).

The Eco Recycling game has been designed to encourage children to save natural resources and raise environmental awareness. The aim of

01208 873123 the game is to get your rubbish into the recycling bins as quickly as possible.

The Green Dollhouse (£99.99) is a completely eco-efficient home. It features alternative fuel sources and environmental controls used in today’s modern eco homes. Children learn as they play that by using energy, water and other resources efficiently, they can protect the environment.

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SECTOR GUIDE GREEN TOYS

CREATIVITY INTERNATIONAL 01384 485 550

I-glu is an eco-friendly completely biodegradable adhesive, which comes in packaging and is completely recyclable.

It is also washable even when dry, minimizing worries about it damaging furniture and clothing. It is also nut and gluten free, so it is completely safe for children with allergies.

The green glue goes with the extensive range of paper crafting and other eco products.

INTERPLAY

Interplay’s collection of projects and kits may not openly boast that they are eco friendly, but every kit either contains environmentally sound materials or are packaged in an ecological way.

Technokits, for example, are wooden projects such as the Trebuchet Ancient Fighting Machine, which includes wood sourced from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified ‘renewable sources’, in factories, which form part of a timber ‘chain of custody’.

All of the literature, retail boxes and shipping cartons used by Interplay have incorporated the maximum possible content of recycled fibre, and are

AUGUST 2010

GIBSONS

0208 661 8866

Gibsons has recently launched four new titles in its My World range of children’s jigsaws.

Created in conjunction with child Psychologist, Dr Amanda Gummer, the puzzles provide continuous developmental challenges for children from 18 months, firmly linking to the Early Years learning goals.

The puzzles are made on recycled board and in Britain, so haven’t travelled far to reach the consumer and have a small carbon footprint. The new puzzles aimed at pre-school children centre on the child’s world and include My Body, where children can learn about different parts of their body in a

fun and colourful jigsaw, plus My Town containing interchangeable pieces allowing children to create different scenes. Each box features a slot within the lid allowing children to easily post their pieces back into it.

Meanwhile, Gibsons’ traditional wooden games are made from reforested hardwoods with minimal cost to the environment.

The range includes Cribbage, Solitaire and Shut the Box, as well as four portable mini games.

The entire range of Gibsons jigsaws are also made from 100 per cent recycled materials, while all of the jigsaws are made in the UK or Europe.

BEST YEARS 01327 262189

Best Years’ range of Fair Trade and organic toys are both ethically sound and environmentally friendly.

The toys and rattles start from just £2.10 each and have been so successful that just six months after the original launch, more new lines are being added to the range.

For the summer there are three handmade, Fair Trade ice cream cornets and new vegetable and fruit rattles. Following the success of the owl and octopus toys, there are also new birds at £3.50 each.

Also available are a range of jungle animals and fantasy characters starting from £5 each. The handmade Fair Trade organic hand rattle, meanwhile, is priced at £4.50.

Sales of the toys benefit a workers co-operative in Bangladesh, which provides fairly paid employment for rural women, allowing them to work from home.

01628 488944

printed using non-toxic ink processes, with glues and varnishes which facilitate easy recycling, without polluting ground water.

Most of the collection is produced at a Taiwan factory, where the electricity supply is generated almost entirely by wind turbines.

Shipping is arranged, wherever possible, in ‘High cube’ containers, which minimise product-road-miles.

Finally, there is regular reassessment of ethical issues with senior managers constantly reviewing procedures, plus consultations with specialist naturalists have been implemented to consider the eco issue.

RICHARD EDWARD Richard Edward has recently become one of the first UK printing companies to be Carbon Smart certified.

The certification feeds into ongoing efforts to improve the firm’s environmental performance and offers awareness of the carbon footprint for clients, and how to take steps to reduce it in the future.

The firm is also accredited to ISO 9001 quality standards and is regularly audited to ethical trading standards

0208 3118888 and holds the Investors In People accreditation.

The retail arm of Richard Edward Limited – RedWood Cards – has created a product called Green Cards, playing cards which use original illustrations and the first ever to be made from 100 per cent sustainable and recycled materials.

The division is also in the process of developing new games, with the same sustainable values and original design.

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SECTOR GUIDE GREEN TOYS

www.toynews-online.biz

LEARNING RESOURCES 0845 2410484 The Green Toys collection of award-winning classic toys is derived from 100 per cent recycled plastic and other environmentally friendly materials. They promote recycling, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save energy.

The toys use plastic milk containers which are collected through consumer recycling and reprocessed into super clean fresh plastic. This high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is considered one of the safest, cleanest plastics around.

The environmental mission also extends to packaging. All Green Toys are packaged in recycled corrugated boxes with no plastics, cellophane or twistties, and are 100 per cent recyclable.

TOP BANANA

01371 873 141

PlayMais is a versatile craft toy made from nonGM maize grown and manufactured in Germany using Biofuel.

Sweetcorn and plant dyes are moulded into a colourful building material, which, using just a dab of water, stick to each other.

Not only is PlayMais fully biodegradable and eco-friendly, all of the packaging and box contents are too – even the cutting tool in each pack is made from the cornstarch.

JOHN CRANE

The Pintoy range of toys and furniture is all made from Thai rubber wood grown in replenishable forests, and holds a coveted Thai Green Label.

The collection has won many awards and the fact that it’s eco-friendly has much to do with this.

The Pick Up Trike is available in red, blue and natural rubber wood, with

The whole manufacturing process is also ecofriendly and food, animal and organic waste power all the manufacturing plant and office premises. It is available in a variety of sizes and themes. Generic boxes come in sizes M to XL, while themed packs include Animal Farm, Pirates, Circus, African Jungle, Fantasy House, Castle and Sea World. There are two new Disney additions to complete the collection – Disney Princess and My Friends Tigger and Pooh.

49

DKL 01604 678780 Wonderworld’s Eco series offers a range of toys and games that aim to educate children on current key environmental issues.

The Eco house’s renewable energy features include a wind turbine and solar panel on the roof, rubbish recycling bins, a bicycle instead of a car, and a water butt to collect rain.

The house itself is made of wood from a replenishable source, and comes complete with contemporary furniture and figures.

The Penguin Rescue game is a fun dice board game that aims to raise awareness of global warming.

Up to four players can play at one time, each with the task of rescuing a family of penguins stranded on icebergs that have melted away.

The Recyling Memo Game is another dice board game that gives children an insight in to the environmental benefits of recycling and how daily rubbish can be sorted in to categories of waste including: glass, paper, metal and organic.

01604 77 49 49

rubber tyres to ensure a firm grip on any surface.

Then, there’s the equally eco-friendly Cargo Truck.

The front scoop is big enough to hold a variety of books and toys, and the truck’s stocky design means it is a stable ride for even the most inexperienced of riders.

KRIYA Kriya’s Recycled Plastic Toys range covers items for both boys and girls, from garbage trucks to tea sets.

The toys in the range are made of 95 per cent recycled plastic and recycled paper for the packaging.

01702 449 635 New items include Take Apart construction vehicles, a dishwashing rack with dishes and casserole set.

All the items in the collection have all been carefully tested to all European standards.

AUGUST 2010

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Page 1

If you think you need a brand, contact...

Roger Dyson, Ian Edmunds or Colin Farrow on +44 (0)1604 674477 is a 100% Members-O Owned mutuality

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Dedicated monthly retail coverage

Retail Only News • Data • Opinion

Toy Story 3 rules retail Disney’s nailed-on licensing phenomenon does the business even before film release

Comment Page 52 Counter Insurgent adds his weight to the great toy packaging debate...

by Ronnie Dungan NPD FIGURES show Toy Story 3 is already the year's biggest selling movie-licensed toy line.

According to weekly retail sales from NPD, leading up to the theatrical release of Toy Story 3 in the UK (19th July), the film has become the UK’s fifth largest toy license, and best selling movie-based toy license for the year to date.

It has already contributed more to retail sales in the first six months of this year than some of last year’s biggest movie-licensed toys were able to sell in 12 months.

Figures show licensed Toy Story 3 toys have sold an estimated £11m at retail in the UK during the first six months of 2010 (3rd January – 3rd July 2010), overshadowing its predecessor’s sales by £7m over the comparable 25-week time period (Toy Story 2 released in the UK on 14th February 2000).

Action figures represent nearly one-third of all Toy Story toys sold in

Charts Page 53 This month’s retail charts feature Amazon, The Entertainer, WH Smith, Argos and Play.com

New products the UK, with building sets, outdoors and sports toys, youth electronics and games/puzzles also representing a sizeable amount of total sales. The top selling item at the start of July was the Woody and Jesse Figure Assortment from Mattel with Lego’s Woody and Buzz Rescue the next best-selling product.

Since 2007, annual licensed toy sales in the UK have averaged approximately 28 per cent, which closely mirrors the 27 per cent

average experienced in the US toy market.

“Thanks to the stellar sales performance of this license in the UK, we can expect to see licensed toys easily top the 28 per cent average in 2010,” said Jez FraserHook, NPD’s UK toys director.

“With so many different types of product on offer, there’s something for everyone aiding high expectation for strong sales of toy products for this licence”.

MAPS to distribute Benjamin Toys

by Katie Roberts MAPS HAS resurrected the Benjamin Toys brand in the UK. The iconic toy brand is back and will now be available exclusively through the Surrey-based firm.

Three of Benjamin Toys’ top lines will be available from August, including Climb@tron, Neutron Stunt Top and Quantum Flyer. Maps Toys will handle all domestic distribution throughout the UK and Ireland. The Climb@tron and Neutron Stunt Tops will all be

branded under the well-known Science Museum banner.

Will Sharman head of sales for Maps Toys commented: “We are delighted to be working with such an iconic name in the UK Toy Market. I have always been a big fan of the brand and am so happy it will now be part of our portfolio.

“We have already had a great response to the three lines and hope to bring in more products from Benjamin Toys going forward.”

MAPS: 01483 776006

Page 54 On their way this month are offerings from Hasbro, Orchard Toys, Fiesta Crafts and Hive.

Hero Product Page 55 Flair’s Toffee the Pony

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RETAIL ONLY

HIGHSTREET COUNTER INSURGENT Dispatches from the retail front line...

I GUESS with the new government, it was only a matter of time before the agenda returned to packaging. Are we that bad? Compared with the food industry, I would argue that we are.

I had a quick look around the shop and yes there are cases of excessive packaging, but I think it has improved over the past few years. Boxed games in the main are in smaller boxes; action figures are on smaller cards. I know the figures are often smaller, but not in all cases.

You could argue that with so much stock imported from faroff lands, it is in the industry’s interest to keep packaging sizes to the minimum. But somehow that might not be an argument the government would want to hear.

Some manufactures like us to think it is them having corporate responsibility as it costs less to ship, uses less packaging etc, etc. As it comes from a factory probably in China, I’m afraid the carbon footprint is not a lot different right now.

I have noticed perhaps the worst for excessive packaging was own label. A quick look around the local supermarkets, nursery retailers and nationals made it very apparent that the big box was king for some.

I do understand the need for a ‘try me’ pack on certain toys.

How else do you get over the features on a toy, with lights, sound and movement? Well being clever and imaginative is one way.

Tickle me Elmo was a great pack – a simple flap to lift up made the consumer want to know more. I realise Elmo only comes in one design, but it

allowed the box to be about half the size and also meant the toy didn’t get shop soiled.

not just the amount of twists, it’s the ones tucked under with a double twist that frustrate

Yes, there are cases of excessive packaging, but I think it has improved over the past couple of years.

An area of toy packaging I do agree is excessive is plastic coated wire. Some toys require machinery like angle grinders and heavy-duty wire clippers to get through to the toy. Its

the hell out of me, so imagine how a consumer feels.

I still wonder if some of the returns we get are because a frustrated child, trying hard to release the toy, has just ripped

it out of the packaging and broken it.

Closed boxes can work with a little imagination. You can instantly show the consumer the toy being played with and how to play with it. Lego have to be good at this, because of the actual product (it’s just a shame the boxes are so oversized). A picture showing a child playing with the toy or even just a hand to give a sense of scale, would cut out the need to have a window box with loads of wires holding the toy in place.

Besides, we all know, some toys are best left covered up.

PRICE CHECK: AUGUST 2010

AUGUST 2010

Toy Story 3 Buckeroo Hasbro

Discovery Magical Melody Maker Tomy

Peppa Pig Mega Doodle Fun Flair

Alive Leopard Cub Wowwee

Smart Trike Plus/3-in-1 Mookie

£11.99

£29.99

£21.99

£24.99

£59.99

£12.71

£29.33

£11.49

£39.99

£56.99

£14.99

£29.99

£19.99

£19.99

£59.99

N/A

£26.97

N/A

N/A

£39.97

£15.00

N/A

£11.49

N/A

£59.99

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RETAIL ONLY

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53

RETAILCHARTS WHSmith.co.uk 1

Airfix Red Arrows Gnat Series 1

2

CHART DATE 12/07/10

The Entertainer

CHART DATE 12/07/10

Hornby

1

Hello Kitty Scooter

Ultimate 4 Pack AAA Batteries

Energizer

2

Transformers Leader Optimus Prime

Hasbro

3

Pirate Figures Duo Pack

Playmobil

3

Hornby City Industrial Train Set

Hornby

4

Mini Build and Play

Meccano

4

Toy Story 3 – Woody’s Horse Bullseye

5

Sylvanian Families Nursery School Bus

Flair

5

Nebulus TX Scooter

6

Ben 10 Alien Force Walkie Talkies

IMC Toys

6

My 1st Wooden Blackboard/Whiteboard Easel

7

Peppa Pig Muddy Puddle Game

Jumbo

7

Quadpod

TP Toys

8

Creator Street Speeder

Lego

8

Nerf N-Strike Deploy CS-6

Hasbro

9

Peppa Pig Giant Picture Cards

Jumbo

9

Paper Jamz Rock Guitar 2

Wowwee

10 Water Warriors – Expedition

Buz Bee

10 City off-road Fire Pick-Up Truck

Amazon

Lego

CHART DATE 12/07/10

1

Little Tikes Anniversary Cozy Coupe

2

Bananagrams

3

Classic Swingball

4

Match Attax England Tin 2010

5

Replacement Swingball Ball and Tether

6

Super Stomp Rocket Kit

7

Toy Story Woody and Buzz to the Rescue

8

Nerf N-Strike Clip System Dart Pack

9

HTI

Vivid Grossman

Mail Order Express

Colorific

CHART DATE 12/07/10

MGA

1

Born to Play Wind Up Floating Neptune/Penny

Martin Yaffe

Winning Moves

2

Born to Play Craftsman Academy Desk and Chair

Martin Yaffe

Mookie

3

Born to Play Fireman Sam Fire Station Play-set

Martin Yaffe

Topps

4

Born to Play Fireman Sam Friction Venus with Penny

Martin Yaffe

Mookie

5

Family Camper

TKC

6

Born to Play Craftsman Table and two Chairs

Martin Yaffe

Lego

7

Born to Play Fireman Sam Helicopter with Tom

Martin Yaffe

Hasbro

8

Born to Play Fireman Sam Friction Action Jupiter

Martin Yaffe

Peasytoys Tigger & Pooh Wooden Learning Clock with Puzzle Eichhorn

9

Star Wars Venator Class Republic Attack

10 Uncle Milton Star Wars Erupting Mustafar Volcano Kit

Play.com

Brainstorm

CHART DATE 12/07/10

1

Ben 10 Card Game Tin

2

Doctor Who: 11th Doctor’s New Sonic Screwdriver

3

The Gruffalo: Fun Pockets

4

Match Attax Trading Card Game England Tin 2010

5

Playmobil

10 Red Corsair

Argos

Lego Playmobil

CHART DATE 12/07/10

Bandai

1

Match Attax England Tin

Character

2

Doctor Who The End of Time Action Figures

University Games

3

Nerf N Strike Raider

Topps

4

Star Wars Luke’s Landspeeder

Nerf N-Strike Recon CS-6

Hasbro

5

Iron Man 2 Wrist Repulsor

Hasbro

6

Waybuloo Flying Group 24-Piece Puzzle

Mattel

6

Cuponk

Hasbro

7

Nerf Clip System Darts (Pack of 36)

Hasbro

7

Halo Wars Battle Pack

8

Championchip Football Edition

Jumbo

8

Toy Story 15cm Action Figures

9

Doctor Who 11th Doctor with Sonic Screwdriver Action Figure Character

9

Toy Story 3 Pizza Planet Rescue Truck Set

10 Doctor Who Regenerated Weeping Angel Action Figure

Character

10 Toy Story 3 Woody with Bullseye Roundup Pack

Topps Character Hasbro Lego

Mega Brands Mattel Lego Mattel

AUGUST 2010

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RETAIL ONLY

PRODUCTNEWS

Hasbro tests Metal with Beyblades range New generation of battling tops based on the Beyblade franchise launching BEYBLADE: Metal Fusion allows kids to collect, customise and compete with a new metal gear system and the introduction of an online virtual battle component.

Each top in the line comes with five interchangeable parts, meaning they can be built and rebuilt for optimum performance. Also available are Baystadium arenas for kids to battle their tops in.

To get the action started, kids simply pull the ripcord

to launch the top into play.

The last top left spinning wins the game.

Each Beyblade: Metal Fusion top includes a unique code, which unlocks the opportunity to battle in real time on Beybladebattles.com against other Beybladers around the world.

Beyblades: Metal Fusion is available from August 2010, with the Metal Fusion TV series launching on Nick Toons in September this year.

Hasbro: 0208 569 1234

Fresh Start for Scalextric line

Orchard Toys unveils double-sided jigsaws THE NEW range will launch with four jigsaws, measuring approximately 30x20cm each. The products are designed for three to six year-olds.

The jigsaws feature 12 chunky pieces in designs including Little Diploducus, Little Triceratops, Little Tractor and Little Bus.

New pushalongs roll into Fiesta FIESTA CRAFTS is launching a collection of new wood and fabric pushalong toys.

Available as a penguin, monkey, sheep and hedgehog, with bright faces, the toys make clicking noises as they are rolled along.

Also available for retailers is a brightlypainted wooden display stand that features a finished character fixed to the top. The stand is free with the purchase of 36 pieces.

Fiesta Crafts: 020 8804 0563 AUGUST 2010

Simon Newbery, Managing Director at Orchard Toys said: “They offer great value as they are double sided which, in these hard times, is cost saving as well as offering twice the challenge to children.”

Orchard: 01953 859525

Hive expands Gacha offering HIVE ENTERTAINMENT has added Disney Princess Swinging figures Gachas to its extensive range. Each capsule retails at £1.99 and they are available in CDUs of 18 capsules.

The decorative figures are collectable due to their unique styling and have articulated arms, head and legs. Each figure comes with a decorative accessory.

The Disney Princess figures can be hung from clothes, bags or phones and each box contains Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, Belle, Aurora and Jasmine.

Hive Entertainment: 01706 242070

SCALEXTRIC START is a new 1:32 scale slot racing line, available in three ready-to-race products.

The new collection offers easy to connect and disconnect track and robust cars, along with new hand throttles with adjustable skill level settings to help novice racers get to grips with the set.

New and existing 1:32 scale Scalextric cars are fully compatible to race on either the Start or standard Scalextric track systems.

Scalextric Start includes cars from the world of Rally, Endurance and Single Seater racing. Four, six and eight circuit sets are available, ranging in price from £59.99 to £79.99.

Circuits can be extended by incorporating the new Start Extension Pack, which adds over one metre to the length of the track.

Hornby: 01843 233500

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HERO PRODUCT

www.toynews-online.biz

55

Flair Toffee the Pony Backed with an autumn TV campaign, Flair’s new interactive plush boasts animatronic features including movements and sound, plus traditional plush textures…

FLAIR’S NEW Toffee the Pony is the first launch in the new collection of interactive feature plush – Emotion Pets, which combine technology with luxury plush.

Toffee the Pony is soft to touch, doesn’t have any restricted movement and is small enough to be carried around, while also being big enough to be cuddled.

The plush has a number of different functions and animatronic features. A blink of its eyes means it wants to play. When it’s hungry, the pony shakes its head until it’s given a carrot, which it chews contently. If it hears a loud noise, it gets scared and wants a cuddle.

Toffee the Pony is being supported with heavyweight TV advertising for autumn and PR in the children’s and Christmas press.

Release date: August PRICE: £49.99 CONTACT DETAILS: Phone: 0208 643 0320 Email: enquiries@flairplc.co.uk

AUGUST 2010

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The place for business

RATES:

1/4 page: Annual charge £1,395 (minimum twelve months booking) Get your company featured: emily.briggs@intentmedia.co.uk T: 01992 535 647

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CARTAMUNDI

■ Character Costumes & P.O.S.

01268 511 522

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TOY SUPPLIER

0208 254 5300

■ Point of Purchase Manufacturers Daytona Visual Marketing

01827 54551

■ Suppliers/Manufacturers Brookite

01837 53315

Cambridge Brainbox

01279 821 333

Esdevium Games

01420 593 593

Flying Toys

01702 295 110

Games Workshop

08700 134 411

Ideal Software

01767 689 720

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Logiblocs

01727 763 700

Maps Toys

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01728 745 300

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01869 363 800

Revell

01442 250 130

Thumbs Up

0845 466 8880

Wind Designs

0844 257 1180

Wow Toys

020 7471 0980

■ Toy Suppliers Carta Mundi

01268 511 522

Richard Edward

0208 311 8888

Cartamundi is a global manufacturer and market leader in playing cards and cards for games.

The firm offers a wide and varied product range, from generic playing cards to licensed products including and amongst others, Disney, Harry Potter, James Bond and Star Wars.

Cartamundi has extensive knowledge and expertise in manufacturing cards for games and producing private label and promotional premium cards. The company prides itself on the fact it can provide quality, good margins and excellent customer service from its dedicated sales team.

Cartamundi is proud to announce its new Toy Story 3 Buzz Lightyear Gift Set Tin. The game has been developed using innovative technology, which enables players

to bring Buzz Lightyear to life using a computer. Simply hold up the Buzz Lightyear playing card to a webcam and you and Buzz Lightyear will appear on screen together. This new software offers the chance to take pictures, make movies and enjoy a space ranger flying game on your PC. For all your playing cards, promotional, premium, collectable trading cards, cards for games, Cartamundi can help.

For further details please contact: Cartamundi Tel: 01268 511522 www.cartamundi.com

WIND DESIGNS SUPPLIERS/MANUFACTURERS

0844 257 1180 Wind Designs is passionate about getting kids active and prides itself in offering a wide range of quality toys that do just that. Supplying a wide range of juggling equipment, kites, unicycles’, yo-yos, plus wind and flying toys, the ranges encourage creative play.

With over ten years in the business Wind Designs provides exceptional service, supplying a number of leading toy shops and retailers throughout the UK and Ireland. Acquiring sole distribution rights for many active toys, Wind Designs is a one stop shop for

active toy needs.

New ranges for 2010 include the New Zing Air range of flying toys, featuring the Zartz darts, Helirang’s and the Zyclone.

Also new is a range of Super Soakers – the original water blasters, Ben 10: Alien Force flying products and Toy Story flying toys, which are likely to be in great

selection to suit customers, varying tastes and budgets.

Children’s and sports kites continue to prove popular with consumers and Wind Designs offers a wide portfolio from small, low budget key ring size, to larger two-metre sports kites. demand with the new Toy Story 3 animation release.

Wind Designs also supplies a wide range of yo-yo’s, including new models for 2010. With ranges from Yo2, Power Yo and Henry’s, the firm provides a wide

For further details please contact: Wind Designs Tel: 0844 257 1180 Fax: 0844 257 1182 Email: sales@wind-designs.com www.wind-designs.com

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Marketplace

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TOY TALK

TOY TALK Soaring temperatures saw this year’s ToyNews Fives reach new levels of sweatiness, but the competition was even tighter this year….

FRIDAY JULY 9TH 2010 saw the second annual 5 a side football competition for the toy industry, which followed on from last year's successful inaugural tournament.

Hosted by ToyNews and event specialists Top Corner, ToyNews Fives 2010 saw sixteen teams take part in North London in blazing sunshine and soaring temperatures. Once again a proportion of the entry fee for every team is being donated to The Toy Trust, with £2025 donated this year.

Well done all.

The tournament saw four groups of four teams play through from the morning kick off until we broke for lunch (a great hog roast this year). The top two teams from each group would then compete in the elite Cup competition, while all the remaining teams would still play some knock out football in the plate event.

Group A The group was dominated by Team Hasbro, whose 100 per cent record was denied only by the defeat against the wonderfully named Toy Fair Olympia kos, who would end up as group runners up and claim the second cup spot.

Lego Hero Factory found the group stage tough going and only managed to notch one win, but a notable win, it was. Having lost their opening match 2 4 against Amethyst Five they pounced in the return fixture with a 10 1 romp. That was the only romping they managed though, and it was Amethyst who came closest to

AUGUST 2010

snatching second spot, but they couldn’t quite make it.

points apiece, but remained destined for the plate.

Group B A tighter affair and by the time there was one game each to play, it could still have been any two of the four teams who qualified for the Cup. Mattel started well and were undefeated until their fifth game (event sponsors ToyNews recording the highlight of their group stage results), but then needed the three points from their last match to qualify as champions.

Second spot was taken by Disney Select XI, whose main problem in the group was the number of draws that they recorded – only one defeat though. Similarly, ToyNews were scoring plenty but kept drawing and it was this that condemned them to the plate. Team Top Trumps scored a respectable five points in the group, but this wasn’t enough and they propped up the final Group B table.

Group D The Hit Squad (from Hit Entertainment) ran out as unbeaten group winners. Moshi Monsters emerged from the group in second spot and confirmed cup qualification – their only losses were to Hit. Wow Stuff AllStars amassed seven points but it wasn’t enough for cup qualification so they and Tomy, who had a tougher time and only got one point, were off to the plate.

By the time lunch came around, the temperature had edged towards 30 degrees and so a break was just what was needed. Before long though we were back in action in the cup and plate knockout stages.

Amethyst Five booked a place in the plate semis at the expense of Tomy, while ToyNews overcame Thumbs Up, Team Top Trumps defeated MK Donuts and Lego Hero Factory saw off Wow Stuff.

The semi between Team Top Trumps and Lego Hero Factory ended in a 6 0 win for Top Trumps, as Lego ran out of steam in the heat. The other semi between Amethyst Five and ToyNews was much closer and in fact, ended in a 3 3 draw, bringing a penalty shootout, which finished 5 4 to Amethyst.

The plate final was a cracker between Amethyst and Top Trumps, with the latter bounding into an early lead only to see an Amethyst fightback, which almost pulled it back.

Group C Holders Turner turned in a great set of group results, losing only one game and winning five, to top the group.

Last year’s plate winners, G&B FC came out of the group in second spot and went into the cup. (The G&B FC supporters club met for their annual convention and picnic and provided suitably vocal support for their heroes throughout – nice work).

MK Donuts (of MGA and Zapf Creation) and Thumbs Up finished up with a perfectly respectable six

Almost, but not quite though, and it ended 4 3 to Team Top Trumps, who took the title as ToyNews Fives 2010 Plate Champions.

In the Cup, Team Hasbro recorded the largest quarter final win, seeing off the Moshi Monster challenge in a 5 1 win. Mattel and Turner both turned in 5 2 wins and despatched G&B and Disney respectively.

The Hit Squad and Toy Fair played a 1 1 draw and it was Toy Fair who edged this tie 2 1 on penalties.

Hasbro hit their stride in the semis and defeated Mattel 6 3, while last year’s champs, Turner, were too strong for Toy Fair (despite a Lampard like disputed non-goal, where the ball apparently crossed the line) and went on to win 4 2.

The cup final was a dramatic match with Team Hasbro continually edging ahead only to be pegged back by a dogged Turner team. It has to be said, too that one of the Hasbro goals was goal of the day, with Shaun dancing round pretty much all of the Turner team to score a great individual goal.

In the end, despite Turner never throwing the towel in, it ended 4 2 to Team Hasbro and they were crowned the ToyNews Cup champions for 2010.

There were two individual awards made too. The Player of the Tournament, nominated by the referees, and the Golden Boot for the tournament’s top scorer. Well done to Kevin Bennett (Turner), whose 16 goals took the Boot, and to Luke Wilson of Mattel who was named as Player of the Tournament.

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TOY TALK

www.toynews-online.biz

63

Runners-up in the Cup Final, Team Turner

The victorious ToyNews Cup Champions, Team Hasbro

Mattel’s Luke Wilson was crowned Player of the Tournament

Team Top Trumps steppe d up to take the ToyNews Five s Plate Championship

Kevin Bennett from Turner took the Golden Boot with an impressive 16 goals

Gary Peters of Lego left with a suspected dislocated shoulder

AUGUST 2010

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TOY TALK

CARTOON NETWORK

TOY FAIR

THUMBS UP

TOMY

WOW

ZAPF CREATION

DISNEY

MOSHI

GROUP STAGE RESULTS

AUGUST 2010

Group A

P

W D

L

Team Hasbro Toy Fair Olympia kos Amethyst Fives LEGO Hero Factory

6 6 6 6

5 3 3 1

0 1 1 1

1 2 2 4

F

A GD PTS

28 4 24 16 14 2 16 14 2 19 24 -5

15 10 10 4

Group B

P

W D

L

F

A GD PTS

Mattel Disney Select XI ToyNews Team Top Trumps

6 6 6 6

3 2 1 1

2 3 3 2

1 1 2 3

16 17 14 11

10 14 17 17

F

A GD PTS

6 3 -3 -6

11 9 6 5

Group C

P

W D

L

Turner G&B FC MK Donuts Thumbs Up

6 6 6 6

5 3 2 2

0 0 0 0

1 3 4 4

Group D

P

W D

L

F

A GD PTS

The Hit Squad Moshi Monsters WowStuff AllStars Tomy

6 6 6 6

4 3 1 0

0 2 1 5

13 13 14 8

5 8 14 4 9 10 11 3 7 28 -20 1

2 1 4 1

25 12 17 24 22 23 17 22

13 -7 -1 -5

15 9 6 6

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TOY TALK

AMETHYST

65

My Favourite Things

LEGO

Paul Chandler HIT ENTERTAINMENT

Marketing Manager, Scalextric

G&B FC

MATTEL

TOYNEWS

KNOCKOUT STAGE RESULTS Cup Quarter Finals Team Hasbro Moshi Monsters

Cup Semi Finals 5 1 Team Hasbro Mattel

Mattel G&B FC

Cup Final

6 3

5 2 Team Hasbro Turner

Turner Disney Select XI

5 2 Turner Toy Fair Olympia-kos

The Hit Squad Toy Fair Olympia-kos

4 2

4 2

CUP CHAMPIONS Team Hasbro

1 1

Toy Fair win 2 -1 on pens

Plate Quarter Finals Amethyst Five Tomy

ToyNews Thumbs Up

Plate Semi Finals 4 1

3 1

Plate Final

Amethyst win 5 - 4 on pens

Amethyst Five ToyNews

3 3 Amethyst Five Team Top Trumps

MK Donuts Team Top Trumps

0 3 Team Top Trumps Lego Hero Factory

WowStuff AllStars Lego Hero Factory

3 4

6 0

PLATE CHAMPIONS Team Top Trumps

2 5

AUGUST 2010

Favourite album: Grace, Jeff Buckley ------------------------------------------------------------Film: The Shining ------------------------------------------------------------Book: The Scalextric Handbook, James May -----------------------------------------------------------------------------TV programme: Later with Jools Holland -----------------------------------------------------------------------------Magazine: Mojo --------------------------------------------------Holiday destination: France --------------------------------------------------Pet: None. In terms of mouths to feed, my home is already oversubscribed.

----------------------------------------------------Heroes: The Fonz -----------------------------------------------------Way to spend a weekend: The usual family stuff, i.e. glorified taxi driver.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Game/toy: Besides Scalextric and other Hornby brands; Lego --------------------------------------------Tipple: Wine --------------------------------------------Food: Seafood ---------------------------------------------Piece of advice: Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer, but wish we didn't.

---------------------------------------------

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FEATURE PLANNER

SEPTEMBER Games & puzzles ● Pre-Christmas TV-advertised products Children’s bikes ● Brand Licensing show preview The BLE preview focuses on what the key licensors will be exhibiting at this year’s extended three-day show at Olympia.

The second games and puzzles feature of the year gives a run-down of what’s new in the sector and the latest family offerings that are being readied for the all-important Christmas purchases.

The fourth quarter is also the focus of the TV-advertised products guide, where suppliers will tell us what they are putting onto the small screen in the runup to the festivities.

Children’s bikes looks at wheeled products from the main players in the market and what’s new in the sector.

Editorial deadline: Call for details

Advertising deadline: August 11th

FORTHCOMING EVENTS AUTUMN FAIR September 5th - 8th NEC, Birmingham www.autumnfair.com

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL FALL TOY PREVIEW October 5th - 8th Dallas Market Centre, TX www.toyassociation.org

THE LICENSING AWARDS Thursday September 9th Lancaster London hotel www.thelicensingawards.co.uk

CHIINA TOY EXPO October 12th - 14th Shanghai New International Expo Centre www.china-toy-expo.com

KIND UND JUGEND September 16th - 19th Koelnmesse, Cologne www.kindundjugend.com

TOYZERIA November 25th - 28th Istanbul World Trade Centre www.toyzeria.com

BRAND LICENSING EUROPE September 28th-30th Grand Hall, Olympia www.brandlicensingeurope.com

HONG KONG TOYS & GAMES FAIR January 10th - 13th Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre www.hktdc.com

Got any events you would like to see added to the calendar? Email ronnie.dungan@intentmedia.co.uk

www.toynews-online.biz Editorial: 01992 535646 Advertising: 01992 535647 Intent Media is a member of the Periodical Publishers Associations

AUGUST 2010

ToyNews is published 12 times a year by Intent Media ~ Saxon House, 6a St. Andrew Street, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG14 1JA Fax: +44 (0)1992 535648 © Intent Media 2010 No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission of the copyright owners.

ISSN: 1740-3308

Circulation & Subscriptions AUDITED CIRCULATION Average Net Circulation: 6,011 July 1st 2008 to June 30th 2009, SUBSCRIPTIONS UK: £50 Europe: £60 Rest of World: £90 The international cost applies per subscription and covers airmail dispatch of 12 issues

To order your subscription via Visa, MasterCard, Amex Switch or Delta contact toy.subscriptions@c-cms.com or call 01580 883 848. Alternatively visit our website www.toynews-online.biz Subscriptions Manager - Lindsay Banham Lindsay.Banham@intentmedia.co.uk

Toy News_Layout 1 16/02/2010 10:41 Page 1

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