ToyNews January 2011 Issue 113

Issue 113

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

INSIDE…

SPRING FAIR PREVIEW A look inside the toy hall at NEC for next month’s big show

GET SET FOR OLYMPIA The countdown to this month’s Toy Fair starts here

KNOW YOUR WRITE Copywrite Designs on moving its stationery lines into toys

WHICH ONE DID YOU GET? Which of our two special Spin Master covers did you receive?

January 2011

Contents

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

REGULARS 4

News

8

Exclusive NPD analysis

10

Media Tracker

12

TV ratings

6

Appointments

15

Campaign of the Month

Samantha Loveday Associate Editor Samantha.loveday@intentmedia.co.uk

Katie Roberts Deputy Editor Katie.Roberts@intentmedia.co.uk

PRESSURE MOUNTS

Emily Briggs Sales Manager

LICENSING 18

News

20

CopyWrite’s designs on toys

Emily.Briggs@intentmedia.co.uk

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

FEATURES 23

SPRING FAIR 2011

24

Floor plan

26

Exhibitor list

27

Spring Fair preview

Jon Salisbury Contributor jon@wotkidzwant.com

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

RETAIL Editorial: 01992 535646 Advertising: 01992 535647

53

News

54

Counter Insurgent

54

Price Check

55

Retail Charts

56

New Products

57

Hero Product

Follow us online… @toynewsonline Search for us on

COMMENT

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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Through the magic of publishing we are broadcasting our January issue to you live in December and it’s not even Christmas yet.

Which means many of you, especially our retail readers, will still be hard at it at the coal face when you read this. Many of you may even, I suspect, be in a similar frame of mind to our own man at the Front, our Counter Insurgent who, if you read this month’s missive (P54) seems to have gone totally Tonto. I know it has been cold, but drinking an anti-freeze/screenwash cocktail has to be a no-no at any time of year my friend.

Lay off it, Counter.

It’s the pressure you see. Cramming all those sales in the last four weeks of the year may be good for the Q4 balance sheet, but it isn’t good for the nerves.

Spin Master is our cover star, but there are two versions, to show off its entire Zoobles range And there’s not much respite. Show season follows hard after Christmas and in this issue we have our Spring Fair preview, which has grown year on year, in line with the show’s increased importance to the toy trade. So of course, this year is our biggest ever build-up for the NEC toy and gift showcase.

Also this month, Spin Master is our cover star, but there are two cover executions available to enable it to show off its entire range of Zoobles collectables, which are currently proving to be much in demand for the firm and hit UK shelves in January. Look out for both versions.

Ronnie Dungan ronnie.dungan@intentmedia.co.uk

DO YOU NEED A PROFESSIONAL SALES AGENT?

Chris Bullock Email me at : Chris.D.Bullock@googlemail.com Or phone me on: 07775 753076

I have worked in the Toy Industry for 25 years in sales and management, (20+ years for the market leader).

I am now looking to represent manufacturers as an independent Sales Agent / Consultant.

4

NEWS

“We’re no longer just a distributor” Investment in product development starting to bear fruit for buoyant Re:creation, as sales soar in 2010

by Ronnie Dungan WITH SALES growing by 30 per cent this year, Re:creation believes its investment in new product is about to take it to another level.

Sales surged by over 30 per cent to £11.5 million for the first seven months of 2010.

The firm says the growth was driven primarily by a more focused support of key brands including Razor, the Lego-licensed range, and its portfolio of pocket money toys, with particular emphasis on innovation within the brands.

Strong sales have also been delivered through the firm’s expansion in the gift sector, within

which it holds licences for Monty Python, Stylophone and Pyramat Gaming chairs.

Re:creation has also recently expanded into the back to school sector with a range of bags and accessories under the Smash brand.

Three years ago we recognised the merit in developing our own lines Nick Joslin MD, Re:creation “Three years ago we looked at the business, we recognised the merit in

us developing our own lines. We’ve had a fair amount of focus on our inhouse portfolio that we can sell on a global market and we’ve got very strong partnerships going forward,” said managing director Nick Joslin.

“2011 is where the fruits of that will be seen. We’ve opened a Hong Kong showroom and that changes the scope of what we can do. We’re no longer just a distributor.”

To support this growth, Re:creation has recruited a number of new employees including Katy Fletcher, Alex Kovacevic, and Mary Captieux on the brands team. The firm has also created a new projects division headed by David Woodman.

Re:creation: 0118 973 6222

Nick Joslin: Confident about 2011 for Re:creation

Mattel links with drivers club

by Ronnie Dungan MATTEL’S HOT Wheels brand has linked up with the British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) for a number of sponsorship deals and crosspromotional activities.

The year-long partnership kicked off with the Gold Headline sponsorship at the BRDC Awards, held at the Savoy in London.

The new promotional partnership forms part of an extensive marketing programme – ‘Hot Wheels For Real’.

Up-and-coming BRDC motor-racing drivers will play a leading role in the 2011 brand campaign as they mentor four competing teams in a Hot Wheels competition.

The multi-level programme will also include record-breaking stunts, celebrity endorsement, experiential initiatives and impactful “moneycan’t-buy” activity that will allow fans to get a sneak peak at the world of elite racing at Silverstone.

BRDC club secretary, Stuart Pringle commented: “Britain’s racing drivers continue to dominate in international motor sport and the future looks extremely exciting for Silverstone too. The BRDC is JANUARY 2011

delighted to have teamed up with Hot Wheels for an initiative which we very much hope will encourage the next generation of would-be World Champions toward the sport.”

This partnership will resonate with a whole new audience.

Erica Zubriski, Mattel Marketing Director

Mattel marketing director, Erica Zubriski, added: “We are delighted to be working with the BRDC and Silverstone. For over 40 years Hot Wheels has been delivering thrilling vehicle experiences to generations of fans and this partnership will resonate with a whole new audience.

2011 will be a big impact year for the brand delivering break-frame initiatives and mass-awareness on a scale never before seen.”

Mattel: 01628 500000

NEWS

www.toynews-online.biz

Amazon tops online poll Online toy retailers scrutinised across a number of different criteria for new report

by Ronnie Dungan A NEW report into online toy retailing by content provider Brandbank, rates Amazon as providing the best overall toy retailing experience, ahead of ELC and Argos.

While the report credits the three with the best performance, no single toy offering came out with particularly high marks based on its system of rating across a number of different criteria and the overall verdict was ‘could do better’.

The report concluded that there was “great scope for toy retailers to enhance product display and usability to improve the purchasing environment for consumers”.

All retailers provide the basic elements of search boxes, allowing consumers to browse the website’s products, and also zoom functionality, enabling customers to zoom into product images.

The websites scored highly on making it as easy as possible for consumers to complete purchases.

Ease of purchase was measured by

analysing the entire process. Features such as visibility and availability of ‘buy now’ buttons and the number of stages in the purchasing process were used as measurement criteria, as was the overall usability of the final checkout system.

However, there were many other basic elements which varied significantly between retailers, says the survey.

Product images are one major area where some retailers could improve.

The high ranking retailers included

5

Toymaster comes home TOYMASTER HAS confirmed that next year’s show will be back at its “spiritual home” at the Majestic.

Following last year’s tragic fire at the Harrogate hotel, which forced Toymaster to hurriedly book the Harrogate International Centre, the show will return to its traditional home at the Barcelo Majestic on May 17th-19th 2011.

“Toymaster is pleased to announce that the 2011 May show will be returning to its spiritual home,” Toymaster managing director, Roger Dyson told ToyNews.

Toymaster: 01604 674477

multiple, high resolution product images, often demonstrating the product in a lifestyle setting.

However, other websites fell down in this area, showing only one, often low-res, product image.

There is also a clear opportunity for toy retailers to make use of more advanced, rich media features such as quick-view boxes, video and 360degree image rotation. On the most part, these extra features are not utilised despite their ability to improve the purchasing experience.

Wow Stuff opens US office Follow ToyNews on Company continues expansion with new base in LA, which is expected to make up 15 per cent of global sales

Facebook and Twitter

by Ronnie Dungan HAVING MADE huge strides with its toy offering recently, Wow Stuff is continuing its expansion with a new US office.

The firm expects the US to account for 15 per cent of its global sales in year one and forecasts that it will be its largest single market in three years – six to seven times the size of the UK and three times as big as its European business. The firm is also targeting Japan and China.

Kenny McAndrew, director of new product development, said: “We have just launched our office in Los Angeles and this will help drive NPD alongside our UK and Hong Kong offices. The team there perfectly fits

our culture here in the UK and we’re very lucky and privileged to have them join us. No doubt though our most talked about new developments are the six new blockbuster toys we have shown under private viewing to major retailers in November.

“These toys are unlike anything the toy industry has ever seen before. Any retailer who attended our previews will testify that each of the toys are going to sell in the same quantity as Dave the Funky Shoulder Monkey – over 255,000 pieces in the UK alone – which we are happy for any independent data body to conduct due diligence to confirm.”

Wow Stuff: 0870 0546000

YOU CAN now follow ToyNews via our brand new Facebook page, as well as our existing Twitter (@toynewsonline), RSS, mobile and daily email services.

In addition, we’ve plugged Twitter and Facebook Like buttons into all our online articles, so you can share ToyNews content with colleagues and friends with ease.

It’s all part of our goal to make ToyNews available across as many channels as possible, delivering maximum convenience to readers and extra value to advertisers.

In addition to its print publication and website, ToyNews magazine is also available as a digital PDF that can be read in any web browser, greatly extending its monthly circulation, particularly in international markets.

With this latest expansion into the world of social networking – and with apps for iPhone and Android devices in the pipeline – ToyNews will further consolidate its position as the leading news source for the global toys industry. www.toynews-online.biz

JANUARY 2011

6

APPOINTMENTS

INDUSTRY MOVES Reshuffle at Vivid Imaginations as Bandtock takes the reins, Re:creation supports growth with new recruits and projects division, Hy Pro hires National Account Manager and Bandai takes on Mischief for trade and consumer PR…

Vivid has appointed Neil Bandtock as managing director of Vivid UK with effect from this month.

Bandtock was a member of Vivid’s original team in 1993 and during his 17 years in the company, has operated as commercial director on their toy, FOB, gift and MGA (Bratz) divisions.

Paul Weston, Vivid’s CEO comments: “Neil brings a wealth of experience to his new role, not just in sales and marketing, but also in managing key distributor and licensing partnerships, and will play a key role in the further development of our business in the UK.” Nick Thomas now assumes the role of UK commercial director with full responsibility across toy, FOB and Crayola divisions. Completing the restructure of the UK sales team and reporting into Thomas, Gerbie Quilter has been promoted to sales director of the toy division, and Steve

Alexander to sales director of the Crayola division. Both were previously general sales managers of their respective divisions.

Weston continues: “Nick, Gerbie and Steve have all earned their stripes at Vivid over many years and will continue to bring great strength and focus to these key areas of the business.”

Re:creation grew its revenues by 30 per cent in the first seven months of 2010. To support this growth, the firm has recruited new talent including Katy Fletcher, Alex Kovacevic, and Mary Captieux on the brands team and has created a new projects division headed by David Woodman.

Maxine Rushton has joined outdoor toy specialist, Hy Pro, as national accounts manager.

Rushton moves to the firm from Chitech, and previous to that, she worked at Raleigh.

Bandai has hired Mischief PR to work on all its product ranges from December onwards concentrating on boys’ ranges Ben 10, Power Rangers and Armouron, girls' range Harumika and licensed pre-school range Tinga Tinga Tales.

Mischief will also offer support across all other product ranges including Tamagotchi, Badge IT, and PopPixie. The team will be headed up by creative director, Dan Glover and will focus on consumer and trade PR. Bandai's marketing director, Darrell Jones commented: "2011 is set to be a very busy year for Bandai with some great new products hitting the market across all our ranges.

“We look forward to working with Mischief to maximise the PR and marketing opportunities across all ranges. Toy Fair 2011 will kick off what is set to be an exciting year and partnership".

FROM LEFT: Vivid Imaginations’ Steve Alexander, Neil Bandtock, Gerbie Quilter and Nick Thomas and far right, Maxine Rushton from Hy Pro.

E D OT CO QU ITY YN R IO SFTO

PR

E

Discover the latest toys, gadgets and partyware and over 300,000 new product launches YOUR YEAR STARTS HERE

MORE THAN JUST AN EXHIBITION

• • • • •

• • • • •

3,000 exhibitors 500 NEW exhibitors 300,000 new product launches 12 buying sectors Over 1,000 exclusive exhibitors

NEW Toy demo area sponsored by Wind Designs and Intertek FREE Seminars and previews to benefit your business FREE Parking FREE Catalogue at the show Exclusive show only offers

Register to attend online at springfair.com/register and quote SFTOYN for your free ticket

VOLUME GIFT & HOME KITCHEN DINING & HOUSEWARES GREETINGS & STATIONERY GIFT & HOME ART & FRAMING DESIGN-LED GIFTS WELLBEING TOYS, GADGETS & PARTY OUTDOOR LIVING FESTIVE FLORAL & FIREWORKS FASHION JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES THE JEWELLERY SHOW PRODUCT CREDITS: Teddy Bear - Steiff Classic White 1909, Polar Bear - Keel Toys, Ferrari Testarossa - Amerang International/Model Zone, Graffiti Train - SUCK UK

08

NPD RESEARCH

Retail Sales Trends

Properties

Construction and plush rule, but green shoots elsewhere OCTOBER SALES have continued to grow in the traditional toy market for the UK, although at a slightly slower pace than in September. Value sales were up 11 per cent for the month, together with the same increase in volume.

Only two super categories are showing declines in October 2010 with action figures and games & puzzles down year-on-year.

Categories driving growth in the month are plush and building sets, which are the two top performers growing at 28 per cent and 26 per cent respectively.

Plush growth continues to be driven by the special feature category but traditional plush is also growing versus last October at 12 per cent. Within traditional plush we have seen growth from more traditional children’s favourites Winnie the Pooh and Peppa Pig, but also a new entry from Zingzillas.

Building sets continue the strong growth the category has seen all year and licences have had quite a big impact with Halo Wars, Toy Story and Harry Potter joining Star Wars as the top licenses in building sets.

Although standard building sets make up the lion’s share of value, the junior category is also growing strongly, with Mega Bloks Build and Create Junior the top property there.

Toy Story is the top property in the total market for the month of October, as it has been in recent months since the release of Toy Story 3. There is now such a large

Sales (value, year to date)

2009

2010

Source: NPD

JANUARY 2011

11%

October 2010 1. TOY STORY 2. PEPPA PIG 3. BARBIE 4. VTECH BABY 5. BEN 10

Best property progression number of Toy Story items in the market, it will be hard to see any other property coming close by the end of the year, especially with the DVD now on the market for the run-up to Christmas.

toy market that have seen more difficult times.

“Consistently strong categories such as building sets and plush continue to grow but areas that have seen declines, such as youth

October 2010

Animagic Vivid’s animated plush brand is increasing in popularity, moving from number 59 to 32…

Consistently strong categories such as building sets and plush continue to grow but areas that have seen declines are now in positive growth again. The Toy Story impact can also be seen by positive growth within licences.

The toy market year to date has now exceeded pre-recession sales (YTD October 2008) in both value and volume which is very encouraging and sets the market up well for the key period of the year.

Along with the top performing categories we are now starting to see growth from other areas of the

electronics are now in positive growth again” said Jez Fraser-Hook, director of NPD Group’s toy business in the UK. “The Toy Story impact can also be seen by positive growth within licences which are starting to gain share in the market again after a tough time.”

Average Price

UK Toy Sales

Top 5 properties

Oct 09:

£8.15

Oct 10:

£8.12

Best Item Progression October 2010

Guess Who Extra (Hasbro) The latest edition of the game has shot up the charts from number 262 to 54…

NPD RESEARCH

www.toynews-online.biz

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

UK OCTOBER 2010 (UNIT SALES - VOLUME)

1

KIDZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA

VTECH

1

MINIFIGURES 2010 ASSORTMENT. 1 2

2

FIRST STEPS BABYWALKER

VTECH

2

HOT WHEELS BASIC CAR

3

BARBIE PUPPY SWIM SCHOOL

MATTEL

3

BEN 10 UA 10 CM ASSORTMENT

4

MINIFIGURES 2010 ASSORTMENT 1 2

LEGO

4

PLAY DOH SINGLE TUB ASSORTMENT

5

GIANT PLUSH ASSORTMENT

VIVID IMAGINATIONS

5

BAKUGAN BOOSTER PACK

6

KIDIZOOM VIDEO CAMERA

VTECH

6

CARS CHARACTER ASSORTMENT

7

MINIBLOKS TUB ASSORTMENT

MEGA BRANDS

7

LITTLEST PETSHOP GET THE PETS SINGLES

8

BARBIE FASHION FAIRYTALE

MATTEL

8

MATCHBOX 1 75 MINATURES

9

BEN 10 ULTIMATE ALIEN 10 CM FIGURES

BANDAI

9

GIANT PLUSH ASSORTMENT

10

TOY STORY 3 DELUXE BUZZ JET PACK

MATTEL

10

GOGO’S CRAZY BONES SUPERSTARS

UK YEAR TO DATE (£ SALES - VALUE) 1

KIDZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA

2

ZHU ZHU HAMSTER PACKS ASSORTMENT

3

FIRST STEPS BABYWALKER

4

MINIFIGURES 2010 ASSORTMENT 1 2

LEGO MATTEL BANDAI HASBRO SPIN MASTER MATTEL HASBRO MATTEL VIVID IMAGINATIONS MAGIC BOX

UK YEAR TO DATE (UNIT SALES - VOLUME) VTECH

1

OFFICIAL FIFA STICKERS

PANINI

CHARACTER

2

HOT WHEELS BASIC CAR

MATTEL

VTECH

3

MINI FIGURES 2010 ASSORTMENT 1 2

LEGO

4

MATCH ATTAX CARDS

5

STAR WARS REBEL TROOPER/SNOW TROOPER BATTLE PACK LEGO

5

CARS CHARACTER ASSORTMENT

6

CARS CHARACTER ASSORTMENT

MATTEL

6

PLAY DOH SINGLE TUB ASSORTMENT

7

NEBULUS FOLDING SCOOTER

H GROSSMAN

7

MATCH ATTAX ENGLAND CARDS

TOPPS

8

HOT WHEELS BASIC CAR

MATTEL

8

MATCH ATTAX EXTRA 20

TOPPS

9

BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE 10CM FIGURES

BANDAI

9

GOGO’S CRAZY BONES EXPLORER PACK

10

BAKUGAN STARTER PACK

10

BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE 10CM FIGURES

SPIN MASTER

LEGO TOPPS MATTEL HASBRO

MAGIC BOX BANDAI

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

09

10

STATS

Media tracker TOP LICENSED TOYS YTD OCTOBER 2010 (BY VALUE)

Behind THE SCREEN

By Clive Crouch THE FINANCING models for production in the children's sector have come under tremendous pressure both in the UK and internationally.

Falling revenues hurt the broadcaster, lower licence fees hurt the studio/producer and distributor.

And broadcast time remains a perishable commodity.

In children’s television most of the content can be recycled across a plethora of delivery systems from CBBC to Bin Weevils. What goes on behinds the scenes manifests into the viewing experience; driven by rights, windows and licence fees.

This funding challenge is compounded by the fact that shows have a long shelf life. Broadcasters are reducing the size of their acquisition budgets, but maintaining the same output and number of shows, because networks are happy to return the popular ones.

So let’s return to those funding models and see on a local basis what the upside could be for children’s programmes from Advertiser Supplier Funded (ASF).

Ad funded was reported to be worth £15m in 2010 across all genres to the indie programme sector; forecast to grow to £22m in 2011 (according to Kremplewood.)

Before we consider the activity in the children’s sector just pause for a minute and ask yourself what shows have you watched that are visibly ASF and where the brand has registered its mark with you?

For the purpose of this article let’s assume that kids are much smarter than us adults and can identify and engage with brands that have an ASF role in children’s programming far more readily than we do in adult shows. In principle the theory that ASF could provide a lucrative new route to funding can only be achieved within the rules and

JANUARY 2011

regulation, before addressing the creative challenge.

Advertisers using TV know that television remains the most powerful medium in the world, they are keen to innovate and look beyond spot advertising and sponsorship and consider ASF. The opportunity to take up a piece of the programme rights, that in turn allows an advertiser to create more brand visibility with a show, and take the message across the line in a more immersive style. This opportunity remains an attractive proposition. However, given the aforementioned challenges, is ASF too much work for too little return?

This column does not run enough space for me to debate the set of do's and dont's that apply across Europe; it is not my intention to dodge that issue and I will further open the debate next month.

To set the scene in the context of this feature a brief precis of the rules from the regulator OFCOM paints the picture.

“The brand is prohibited from any direct product refrences and from any involvement in the editorial, aside from the break bumpers at the beginning, and end of the show and in the ad break bumpers, the bumpers are resticted to not allow any ‘call to action’.”

These rules are not meant to be any kind of deterrent, in fact the regulator handles ASF very much like a ‘sponsored programme’. The most difficult aspect in any commercial message associated with editorial rests in the interpretation. The challenge for brands considering ASF is to maintain their creative energy and continue to innovate. www.clivecrouch.com info@clivecrouch.com 07831 670453

1

STAR WARS 2010

LEGO

2

CARS CHARACTER ASST

MATTEL

3

BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE 10CM FIGS

BANDAI

4

SW LUKE’S LANDSPEEDER

5

OFFICIAL FIFA STICKERS

6

TOY STORY 3 TALKING FIG ASST

MATTEL

7

TOY STORY 3 JET PACK BUZZ

MATTEL

8

BEN 10 ALIEN FORCE 15CM FIGS

BANDAI

9

WOODY AND BUZZ RESCUE

LEGO PANINI

LEGO

10 FIREMAN SAM VEHICLE & ACCESS

CHARACTER

SOURCE:

MARKET VALUE YEAR TO DATE (OCTOBER)

2009 vs 2010 £1,800,000,000

£1,200,000,000

£500,000,000

£1.76BN £1.58BN 2009

2010

SOURCE: NPD/TOYNEWS

STATS

www.toynews-online.biz

11

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

CHANNEL SPLITS VALUE % SHARE

VOLUME % SHARE

AVERAGE SELLING PRICE FOR TOTAL TOYS*

OCTOBER 2010

OCTOBER 2010

OCTOBER 2010

TOTAL

100.0

TOTAL

100.0

TOTAL

£8.12

GROCERS

36.4%

GROCERS

56.0%

GROCERS

£5.28

SPECIALIST & MIXED

63.6%

SPECIALIST & MIXED

44.0%

SPECIALIST & MIXED

£11.74

44.0% 36.4% 63.6% 56.0%

£11.74 £5.28

£8.12

SOURCE:

UK WEEKEND BOX OFFICE (26TH-28TH NOV 2010)

AMAZON CHILDREN’S BOOKS

1

HARRY POTTER/DEATHLY HALLOWS

1 GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2011

2

UNSTOPPABLE

3

LONDON BOULEVARD

4

DUE DATE

5

THE AMERICAN

UNIVERSAL

5 I SHALL WEAR MIDNIGHT

6

DESPICABLE ME

UNIVERSAL

6 BEANO ANNUAL 2011

7

GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNET'S NEST

MOMENTUM

7 LEGO OFFICIAL ANNUAL 2011

8

3-D JACKASS

PARAMOUNT

8 ALIENS LOVE PANTA CLAUS

9

SKYLINE

MOMENTUM

9 SIMPSONS ANNUAL 2011

10 MACHETE

SOURCE:UK FILM COUNCIL

WARNER BROS 20TH CENTURY FOX ENTERTAINMENT WARNER BROS

SONY

2 THE UGLY TRUTH: DIARY OF A WIMPY KID 3 ZOG 4 TOP GEAR OFFICIAL ANNUAL 2011

10 THE GRUFFALO

GUINNESS JEFF KINNEY JULIA DONALDSON BBC TERRY PRATCHETT DC THOMSON LEGO CLAIRE FREEDMAN MATT GROENING JULIA DONALDSON

SOURCE: AMAZON

JANUARY 2011

12

AIRTIME STATISTICS

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

SHOWS ACROSS ALL TIMES NOV 10

SHOWS ACROSS ALL TIMES YTD NOV 10

TIME

TITLE/DESCRIPTION

CHANNEL

OOOs

%

14:47

BERNARD

CBBC

206

14.6

2 16:32

SPORT RELIEF DOES WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS CBBC

205

3 18:10

MACKENZIE FALLS: SEASON FINALE

DISNEY CH. 196

4 9:11

PHINEAS AND FERB

CITV/ITV

196

5 8:41

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS

CITV/ITV

6 8:58

THE SUITE LIFE OF ZACK & CODY

7 12:55

SARAH JANE ALIEN FILES

8 16:29

TRAPPED: EVER AFTER

CBBC

169

9 9:01

TRACY BEAKER RETURNS

CBBC

169

10 17:49

THE BIG PERFORMANCE

CBBC

165

8.9

1

AIRINGS

TITLE/DESCRIPTION

CHANNEL

OOOs

% AIRINGS

16:29

TRAPPED: EVER AFTER

CBBC

258

14.3

4

2

1

13.5

5

2 17:46

SARAH JANE ALIEN FILES

CBBC

238

11.8

4

10.2

2

3 17:16

THE SARAH JANE ADVENTURES

CBBC

229

14.0

24

16.4

55

4 17:18

SCOOP

CBBC

205

10.8

3

185

16.1

80

5 16:31

THE SLAMMER

CBBC

195

12.6

6

CITV/ITV

180

13.2

16

6 17:45

THE BIG PERFORMANCE

CBBC

191

9.5

4

CBBC

177

11.9

14

7 17:00

THE STORY OF TRACY BEAKER

CBBC

190

11.9

40

13.0

22

8 17:02

EVERYTHING'S ROSIE

CBEEBIES

184

10.1

4

13.4

189

9 8:41

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS

CITV/ITV

182

14.5

6

9

10 8:25

DANI'S HOUSE

CBBC

178

12.6

12

COMMERCIAL MULTICHANNEL SHOWS (ALL TIMES) NOV 10 1

TIME

COMMERCIAL MULTICHANNEL SHOWS (ALL TIMES) YTD NOV 10

TIME

TITLE/DESCRIPTION

CHANNEL

OOOs

% AIRINGS

9:11

PHINEAS AND FERB

CITV/ITV

196

16.4

55

1

TIME

TITLE/DESCRIPTION

CHANNEL

OOOs

%

AIRINGS

8:41

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS

CITV/ITV

182

14.5

6

2 18:10

MACKENZIE FALLS: SEASON FINALE

DISNEY CH. 196

10.2

2

2 8:24

PHINEAS AND FERB

CITV/ITV

177

14.5

2

3 9:11

PHINEAS AND FERB

CITV/ITV

196

16.4

55

3 8:58

THE SUITE LIFE OF ZACK & CODY

CITV/ITV

159

11.7

6

4 8:41

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS

CITV/ITV

185

16.1

80

4 7:44

NODDY IN TOYLAND

FIVE

135

9.9

17

5 8:58

THE SUITE LIFE OF ZACK & CODY

CITV/ITV

180

13.2

16

5 8:40

PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR

CITV/ITV

125

12.1

4

6 8:32

BEN 10: ALIEN FORCE

CITV/ITV

164

15.1

6

6 7:40

MILKSHAKE MONKEY

FIVE

123

9.8

15

7 9:00

POWER RANGERS RPM

CITV/ITV

161

11.6

27

7 8:06

HORRID HENRY

CITV/ITV

122

12.4

3

8 8:29

BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD

CITV/ITV

160

14.4

16

8 8:00

FIFI AND THE FLOWERTOTS

FIVE

120

11.3

23

9 9:01

AARON STONE

CITV/ITV

157

12.1

13

9 8:26

PEPPA PIG

FIVE

107

12.9

57

10 10:31

FILM: THE BFG (1989)

CITV

156

10.3

2

10 8:41

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS

ITV1

104

8.3

6

SOURCE: INFOSYS/BARB.

JANUARY 2011

NOTE: THESE CHARTS ARE BASED ON AVERAGE PERFORMANCE

500 to 32,000 piece jigsaw puzzles featuring Softclick Technology

ensuring a supreme ďŹ t

Crazy Cats in the Potting Shed : 500 pieces 14135

The Milkman : 500 pieces 14167

Carnaby Street : 2 x 500 pieces 14066

Me to You Cottage : 1000 pieces 19247

The Bizarre Bookshop : 1000 pieces 19226

Rose Cottage : 1000 pieces 15585

The complete portable puzzle workstation Puzzle Store™ 17949

See the new 2011 range at Toy Fair Stand B156 and Spring Fair 5C1

Sales l Hotline li 01869 363800 | sales@ravensburger.com l b

CAMPAIGN OF THE MONTH

www.toynews-online.biz

15

Lego Ninjago January 2011 sees the launch of a brand new theme, Lego Ninjago, within the Lego portfolio. It offers children aged six and over an entirely new experience that bridges physical action play, Lego product building and interactive on-line experience, with a Ninja theme…

Events Through a roadshow programme running from Easter 2011 the world of Spinjitzu will be brought to life amongst target audiences throughout malls and family festivals/shows during school holidays. Ninjago’s ‘Master Spinners’ will also attend key events to perform their winning routine.

IN ADDITION to classic Lego building sets, Lego Ninjago introduces collectible spinners and cards bringing a social experience to constructable play.

There are various sets and spinners/cards to collect within the assortment, all at price points to encourage trial of the range.

It will be supported by a powerful integrated consumer marketing programme designed to capture the imagination of boys aged six-plus.

Advertising In December 2010, a teaser campaign was introduced to drive brand awareness prior to launch through a mix of media. This highlighted the mystery and secrecy apparent within the theme’s storyline.

From 17th January 2011 almost 1,000 TVRs showcasing both the spinners and playsets will run across key kids satellite and terrestrial channels. Aside from TV, Lego will be advertising the mysterious Ninja eyes teaser image in over 1,460 sites across the UK and Dublin. This will be followed by cinema advertising throughout Vue Cinemas from 11th February to support the launch of the new Yogi Bear movie.

The advertising plan will be strengthened by a bespoke sponsorship campaign with Swapit to engage target boys and highlight the collectability of the brand.

PR Working with Future Publishing, creative activity throughout the year has been negotiated in Nitro magazine including a series of take-over issues, advertorials, posters, full page competitions and themed interactive puzzles and feature scenes.

A media relations campaign will also be

implemented throughout the year by Norton and Co to communicate the new collection, and the Ninjago 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.

Brand Ambassador Programme Norton will also execute a brand awareness programme to encourage boys to experience and understand the brand ethos. To promote talkability and brand authority, Lego Ninjago has teamed up with the United Kingdom Martial Arts Association to set the Spinjitzu Challenge in a search for Ninjago’s ‘Master Spinners’. Targeting UKMA classes across the country in a search for Lego Ninjago Brand Ambassadors, each class is to receive Lego Ninjago sets and a Spinjitzu Challenge brief, whereby the classes will be asked to create a two minute Lego Ninjago battle sequence which they will then record and submit to the Lego Ninjago microsite. The winning class will be crowned as brand ambassadors with one ‘chosen’ pupil as the overall Master and, amongst other prizes, will win a trip to Lego HQ in Billund, Demark to meet the team behind Lego Ninjago to discuss the brand.

Online Pesky ninjas will be dominating homepage takeovers on key kids and toy retailer sites. In addition to this online activity, a bespoke Ninjago website is in development – www.ninjago.com – for fans to learn all about the mysterious, ancient martial art, plus answer quizzes and play games.

In-store With all new launches, a substantial in-store presence has been secured via a wide variety of point of sale materials to captivate the audience and take them to a new level of Lego play and engagement. This includes end-caps, free standing units and model tubes, designed to showcase the new Lego Ninjago brand. Retail staff will be sporting branded t-shirts plus there will be branded stickers and brochure giveaways made available.

JANUARY 2011

The UK’s only dedicated monthly licensing coverage

News • Media • Opinion

News

Copywrite’s 2011 plans

Page 18-19

Pages 20

Disney unveils Tron product range, Golden Bear on board for Driver Dan, Zodiak takes on Little Princess, Mega Brands links with EA, JCB prepares for further growth, Peppa goes to the US …

Leading stationery licensee, Copywrite Designs, talks to ToyNews about its plans for toy retail distribution…

18

LICENSINGNEWS

Golden Bear on board Disney eyeing to rev up Driver Dan new Legacy Twofour54 appoints master toy, while Universal Pictures also pledges support

by Samantha Loveday THE LICENSING programme for Twofour54’s pre-school property Driver Dan’s Story Train is up and running, with master toy and home entertainment partners coming on board.

In a deal brokered by UK licensing and merchandising agent, Aoh!K Commercial, Golden Bear will develop a range of toys, including plush, plastic and electronic, as well as 3D plush hot water bottle cases and 3D pyjama sets. The range is due to launch in autumn/winter 2011.

In addition, Golden Bear will develop a limited range of arts and crafts products, including mechanical drawing devices and felt kits.

The first range of Driver Dan toys will form a key part of Golden Bear's presence at Toy Fair at the end of January.

Universal Pictures International Entertainment has also been appointed DVD partner in the UK and Australia. The first DVD will be released in 2011.

“It’s a great start for the brand in its lead territories,” said Aoh!K’s Andrew Kerr.

“Golden Bear and Universal are category leaders who will bring a level of excellence to the key product offering for consumers.”

Wayne Borg, COO at Twofour54, added: “Our aim with the brand was to demonstrate to the Middle East media industry how to build a global children’s brand and create a successful business through 360-degree exploitation of the IP.” Aoh!K Commercial: 01789 417719

Royal appointment for Zodiak Rights ZODIAK RIGHTS has scored the global rights to hit preschool property, Little Princess, created by The Illuminated Film Company.

The firm is now looking to secure international sales for the third series, as well as give the licensing programme a boost. Little Princess currently airs on Five’s Milkshake in the UK, as well as on numerous channels across the world.

“Little Princess is already a well known and well loved character around the globe,” commented Matthew Frank, CEO of Zodiak Rights. “We are extremely excited to be part of one of the most exciting children’s properties on the market and are confident that through our expertise we can add further value to the brand.”

JANUARY 2011

DISNEY HAS unveiled its product range to complement new film, Tron: Legacy.

The collection includes a mix of toys, dress-up, computer peripherals and electronics, plus fashion, beauty and stationery items. Licensees include Spin Master, H&A and Guillemot among others.

The toy line will include action figures featuring impulse projection technology, which brings the characters to life by projecting digitised, illuminated faces onto the helmet, just as in the film. The range features mini, 3.75" and 7.5" action figures. Core and Deluxe vehicles will also be launched, as well as the Tron Zero Gravity Light Cycle which features sixfoot light-emitting trails and Air Hogs technology allowing it to be driven on a wall or upside down.

Meanwhile, H&A has developed a range of beauty products, launching in January 2011, including wash bag gift sets and re-charge bath and shower gel. The DVD launch of Tron: Legacy is pencilled in for spring/summer 2011.

Disney: 0208 222 1000

Peppa Pig is US bound Iain Harvey, producer at The Illuminated Film Company, added: “I’m delighted to be working with Zodiak Rights on taking Little Princess on further adventures and to pastures new.”

Zodiak Rights holds all future international broadcast rights (excluding Japan and Korea) and all licensing and merchandising rights (excluding publishing) to Little Princess.

Zodiak Rights: 020 7013 4347

ENTERTAINMENT ONE'S Peppa Pig is set to air in the US following a deal with Nickelodeon.

A new half-hour series of the Astley Baker Davies show is being planned on Nick Jr. Peppa Pig currently airs as an interstitial series on the channel in the territory.

“We are confident that Peppa will be as popular with children and families in the US as she is in the UK, creating opportunities to further expand the franchise around the world,” said Darren Throop, CEO of Entertainment One. EOne: 020 7907 3797

LICENSINGNEWS

www.licensing.biz

19

JCB digging in for further brand IN BRIEF growth in pre-school and boys

FLAIR PICKS UP JUNGLE JUNCTION

Brand recieves makeover ● additional toy lines on way ● live events join line-up…

by Samantha Loveday JCB WILL be aiming to make further in-roads into the pre-school and boys sectors in 2011.

Spring/summer 2011 will see the launch of the new My 1st JCB packaging and styling, led by master toy partner Golden Bear. New characters Marty Mixer and Tommy Truck will be introduced in a variety of vehicle sizes, with further vehicle sets, role-play and fresh characters launching later in the year, supported by a full schedule of TV advertising.

Additionally, new licensee InspirationWorks is due to roll out educational electronic toys from autumn/winter 2011.

In addition to toys, the pre-school brand will also see new product launches in the back to school, bedding, clothing, accessories,

SALES SPIKE FOR LATEST THOMAS AND FRIENDS DVD

footwear, furniture, greetings, publishing and toiletries categories among others.

For older boys, early 2011 will see the launch of a new JCB boys style guide, aimed at four to eight-yearolds. Master toy partner in this area, HTI, is planning vehicles, ride-ons and role-play toys for launch during the year. Further releases in the I

Love My JCB DVD series by Go Entertain will further bolster the licensing programme.

Moving into live events, and a new interactive JCB Young Drivers Zone opens in the spring at Willows Farm Village in Hertfordshire. Other experiential partners for JCB include Diggerland and Legoland Windsor.

JCB: 01889 593499

Mega Brands links with EA MEGA BRANDS has signed a global multi-year deal with Electronic Arts to develop construction toys based on the Need for Speed video game.

Mega Bloks Need for Speed construction toy sets will combine the engaging and immersive content of the video game franchise with the core play pattern of building vehicles.

The line is due to launch in summer 2011 and is targeted at both building fans and collectors, including vehicles and play-sets.

Vic Bertrand, chief innovation officer, Mega Brands, commented:

Flair is due to roll out vehicles and play-sets based on Disney's Jungle Junction from autumn 2011, after it secured the master toy rights for the UK and Republic of Ireland.

The show currently airs on Playhouse Disney.

Flair: 0208 643 0320

"We're thrilled to be partnering with EA to create the first construction toy line based on the Need for Speed franchise.

"Whether it's realistic driving games or over-the-top pursuits, Need for Speed has attracted millions of followers worldwide. We look forward to bringing this world to life through Mega Bloks by offering fans an action-packed building experience."

Keith Munro, VP of marketing, Need for Speed, added: "For over 16 years, Need for Speed has been at the forefront of contemporary automotive

culture. We are committed to delivering unique and fun experiences to our fans whether it's feeling the rush of a cop pursuit at 200 mph or custom building your own race machine.

"Now, through our partnership with Mega Bloks, everyone will be able to create their own customizable Need for Speed experience."

Mega Brands: 01844 350033

Hit Entertainment is celebrating the success of its latest Thomas & Friends DVD, Misty Island Rescue, after it became the biggest selling week one pre-school title of 2010.

Released on October 11th, the title's week one sales were up seven per cent on the previous major release, Hero of the Rails. Sales had increased to a further ten per cent lead on last year's figures, three weeks later.

Hit Entertainment: 020 7554 2566

CPLG TAKES FLIGHT WITH BRITISH AIRWAYS Licensing agent CPLG is looking for partners across all categories having signed up British Airways.

Sectors being eyed up include games, publishing, art, accessories, toiletries and gifting, as well as travel and pampering experiences and fitness. In addition to the traditional retail routes, licensees may also have opportunities for inflight sales and online.

CPLG: 020 8563 6400

ALLIGATOR BOOKS SNAPS UP THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD Launching at Spring Fair in February 2011, Alligator Books is planning a line of Batman: The Brave and the Bold activity pads, sticker books and colouring books for the UK. The firm signed a deal with DC Entertainment for the rights.

Alligator Books: 020 8371 6622

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JANUARY 2011

20

LICENSING SUPPLIER PROFILE

The Write stuff Having established itself as a key stationery supplier in the licensing industry, Copywrite Designs is now looking to work more closely with toy retailers. Samantha Loveday found out about the company’s plans for 2011 and beyond…

INTERNATIONAL GREETINGS acquired Copywrite Designs in 1998 to bolster its licensed stationery and bags business.

Turns out this was a good move for the firm – which was originally set up as a gift wrap manufacturer in 1979 – as Copywrite is now one of the leading stationery suppliers in the business. It currently works with 20 brands and around ten licensors, the biggest of which is Disney.

Big successes in 2010 included Toy Story 3, Peppa Pig and Disney Princess, along with growth in the older age groups with classic properties such as the Muppets and Minnie Mouse. Best selling products include sets such as the Complete Art Pack, plus value items like fold-

The potential to work with toy retailers more is very attractive, especially as stationery launches closely follow toy launches at retail, so the impact of having both categories in one store in the same period can be massive. out filled pencil cases and stationery filled backpacks. And 2011 is shaping up to be just as busy, brand manager Dan Grant (pictured) explains.

“Spongebob Squarepants is joining the portfolio, plus we’ll be working with some brand new licences including BBC pre-school brand ZingZillas, developing a range of arts, crafts and creative play items. For the tween girls we’ll have a range of fashion stationery for Pink Cookie, while movie releases Transformers 3

JANUARY 2011

and Cars 2 will be complemented by ranges aimed at boys and including elements of the themes from both films. Major launch for all these ranges will be Spring Fair.”

In terms of retail distribution, Copywrite already has a strong platform. Its key retail partners are the likes of Tesco, Asda, Toy R Us, WH Smith and Poundland, which drive big volume opportunities. 2010 also saw the firm begin to trade more with online retailers. A key drive for 2011, however, is to exploit the potential at toy retail even further.

“The toy retailers have always been an important part of the Copywrite Design business – we already work with the likes of TRU, Smyths,

Hamleys and The Entertainer,” Grant continues. “However, the potential to work with toy retailers more is very attractive, especially as stationery launches closely follow toy launches at retail, so the impact of having both categories in store in the same period can be massive.

“We also work alongside a number of licensors supplying gift with purchase items as part of toy promotions. With items such as our art packs becoming more popular, there is a good opportunity to sell these alongside toys. The cross category offering is certainly an area we would be keen to exploit further.”

And there are many benefits for toy retailers in stocking Copywrite’s products too, points out Grant. “We offer a full range of price points from impulse and pocket money items to larger gifting products, allowing the retailer to sell something for every occasion. Plus, we hold many of the same big licences as the toy suppliers and the look of the stationery lines is very in keeping with the toys.”

While things are going well for Copywrite, there are still a number of challenges to overcome, says Grant, including maintaining margin while production costs are rising and retail prices are falling. “We believe this is where licences can assist in offering an alternative to just selling on price and turns the product offering into something more premium.”

Overall though, Grant is confident about 2011: “The key objective has to be to successfully bring the newly developed ranges to market on time and create a buzz among retailers, licensors and consumers. In such a tough environment every sale counts and that is dependent on every aspect of the business pulling together and delivering to the best of our abilities.

“Ultimately, growth on 2010 has to be the goal and with a strong licence and product portfolio on offer we believe this is possible,” he concludes.

More toys than ever for NEC’s big spring showcase

Floorplan Page 23 Find your way round Hall Five with our handy map...

Exhibitor list

THIS YEAR’S Spring Fair boasts its biggest ever toy industry presence, including a new product demonstration feature.

The toys, gadgets and party sector in Hall Five will feature more than 250 suppliers of products ranging from wooden toys, plush, puzzles and games, to dress-up items, electronic gadgets, outdoor toys and balloons.

Page 26 It’s...Well, it’s a list of who’s in the toy hall...

Preview Page 27-44 Full company by company run-down of what’s on offer in Hall Five...

New for the 2011 edition of the fair will be a large Toy Demo Area in Hall Five, sponsored by Wind Designs and Intertek. Six 30-minute slots per day will give exhibitors the chance to demonstrate their latest products and encourage visiting retailers to test and interact with innovative new toys and gadgets.

Toy firms attending the show include Ravensburger, Great Gizmos, Wilton Bradley, Smiffys, Rubies,

Spring Fair The Facts WHEN: Sunday February 6th to Thursday February 10th 2011.

Hall One opens February 6th

Pioneer, Amscan, Aurora, Ty, Paul Lamond Games, Dowman Imports, Out of the Blue, Millars Ark Toys, Lanka Kade, Gibson Games, Keel Toys, Brainstorm, Flying Toys, John Crane, House of Marbles, Steiff, Tobar and Interplay.

In addition, Hornby has returned after a number of years’ absence. The firm. which is a licensee for the London 2012 Olympics, will present all the latest lines from its Corgi,

Hornby, Scalextric and Airfix brands.

Some 40 new exhibitors will join Spring Fair for the 2011 event, including The Royal Mint, The Source and Teddy Mountain. A variety of international suppliers will also be in attendance, such as: Thanks a Million, Elf on the Shelf, Paper Magic, Melissa & Doug, BBS , Widmann, Folat, Givi Italia, WinnieEmm and Handelshaus Legler.

Emap Connect: 08445 888 071

WHERE: NEC Birmingham UK www.springfair.com

24

SPRING FAIR 2011 HALL 5 FLOORPLAN

JANUARY 2011

DISPLAY DISPL LAY

MORE! MOR RE!

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BBETTER! ETTE T R!

SELL SELL L MORE! MOR RE! TTALK ALK A TO T SALEPOI SALEPOINT INT

from a few w bays bays to a comp complete lete shop shopfit fit modular mod ular steel

slatwall solid pine

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see as at the Toy Tooy Fair Fair Stand GH 60 (Glasshouse)

Call: C all:: 020 0 8577 3080 3 www.salepoint.co.uk www .salepoint.co.uk

SSalepoint alepoint Ltd, Ltd, Amberley Amberley Way, Way, Hounslow, Hounslow, TW4 T W4 W 6BH

26

SPRING FAIR 2011 EXHIBITOR LIST - HALL 5

EXHIBITOR

STAND

AM International Agencies 5C29 A.B Gee 5A42 AA Publishing 5C80 Advansys 5H60 Alandra Products 5F44/G43 Alpha Toys 5B32 Alsuna 5A50 Amerang 5D32 Amscan International 5C44/D43/D40/E41 Anker International 5F27 Antony Nunn Agencies 5B63 Armadillo Imports 5B37 Ashton Pitt 5J70 Asobi 5B41 Aurora World Uk 5E32/F31 Award Publications 5A58 B + J Distribution 5J66/K65 Bbs Srl 5E62/F63 Bbtradesales 5B42 Bellco (Sports) 5C15 Bigjigs Toys 5A11 Bladez Toyz 5A66 Bluw 5E51 Body Republic 5H70 Bounce Sales & Marketing 5B15 Boxer 5B27 Brainstorm 5A61 Bristol Novelty 5B60/C61 Brookite 5A10 Bukowski Bears UK 5C36 Bv Leisure 5E77 Carta Mundi (UK) 5A36 Cassidy Brothers 5D55 Cesar UK 5E09 Channel Island Toys 5D29 Charlie Bears 5C66 Charlie Crow Costumes 5B35 Cheatwell Games 5A06/B07/B06 Childs Play International 5A14 Clever Box Club 5A60A Coiled Spring Games 5D11 Crafty Kids 5B41 Creative Conceptions 5A54 Creative Party 5F74 Crimson Foxx 5J75 Cuckoo 5A80 Dal Negro Spa 5J69 Deb Canham Artist Designs 5C08 Deluxebase 5A70 Desk Top Trading 5D63 Discount Radio & Watch Co 5J60/K60/L61 DKL Marketing 5C38 Double G 5B61 Dowman Imports 5A04/B05 Eastern Treasures Europe 5B64 Eb Brands UK 5C71 Ecotronic 5C05 The Elf On The Shelf 5E71 Eqd 5B19 Ernest The Bear Productions 5C11 Esdevium Games 5F67 Everearth 5B12

JANUARY 2011

EXHIBITOR

STAND

Everts International 5E50/F51 Expo World Asia 5A16 Fiesta Crafts 5A59 Flair Leisure Products 5C19 Flying Toys 5A41 Folat 5D75 Four Trading 5A40/B39 Fun Collectables 5B21 Fun Shack (UK) 5C62 Funtime Gifts 5E78 Funtosee 5F53 Gear For Games 5E67 George Street Clothing 5E65 Gibsons Games 5A05 Gift House International 5E46 Ginger Fox 5C13 Givi Italia 5D71 Glitter Body Art 5H54 Goldbug Europe 5B43 Gotz Dolls Of Germany 5B63A Great Gizmos 5D58/E59 Grossman 5F50/G45 Haba UK 5D10 Halilit 5D05 Handelshaus Legler Ohg 5D08 Hansa 5C02/D03 Harmax Products 5K73 Heaton Party Company 5F72 Hermann Teddy 5C06 Hippychick 5B82 Holland Publishing 5B56 Hornby Hobbies 5B55 House Of Crafts 5A68 I.T.I (UK) 5E52 Ian Latimer Enterprises/ Latimer Of Bewdley 5A18 Indigo Worldwide 5D81 Insect Lore 5C04 Instant Gifts International 5A78/B79 Interplay (UK) 5A65 Intertek Labtest 5J74 Jack In The Box 5C27/C24 James Hamilton Grovely Puzzles 5B08 John Crane 5A39 John Hinde UK 5C58 John Hornby Skewes & Co 5D07 Jolly Wodgers 5F65 Jumbo Games 5B52 Kayes Of Cardiff/Bruder-Falk 5C20A/C23 Lanka Kade 5A55 Le Toy Van 5A49 Leg Avenue 5B30/C31 Licence@Design 5C33 Lifemax 5D12 Light A Lantern 5J68 Liscot International 5J77 Little Wigwam 5J73 Lucy Locket 5C47 Main Sauce Productions 5E76 Manhattan Toy Europe 5E48/F49 Marbel 5A26 Margarete Steiff 5E20/F21

EXHIBITOR Mask-Arade Melissa & Doug Merrythought Mesmereyez Millars Ark Toys Mint Concepts Mookie Toys Moulin Roty (UK) Mumbo Jumbo Toys Music Sales Group New Temptations New-Ray Toys Company Night Sky Lanterns Now Group UK T/A Alcosense Oaktree UK Oasis Art And Craft Products Octopus Jewellery Odeon International Licensing Olko Orange Tree Toys Orchard Toys Out Of The Blue P R Books Paladone Products Palmer Agencies Pams The Party Specialists Paper Magic Group Paper Projects Papo UK Paul Lamond Games Peers Hardy (UK) Perfect Wishes Perkins Group Services Pioneer Europe Pizzazz Plast Poplar Linens Trading Company Premier Halloween Priddy Books Professor Puzzle Quay Imports Rasta Imposta Ravensburger Ravensden Ready 2 Go Rebel Toys Recreation Richard Edward Royal Party Fireworks Rubies Masquerade Sawley Fine Arts Schleich UK Science And Nature Scream Wholesale Seatriever International Shiner Simplex Marketing Sky Lanterns Smiffy's Spencer & Fleetwood Spike Leisurewear Spirit Of Air

STAND 5K71 5C21 5C43 5J80 5A30/B31 5E35 5D72 5D39 5D38/E39 5A01 5H78 5A16 5J72 5H56 5H35 5C60 5B57 5G39 5E34 5B04 5B59 5G70/H71 5H66 5F47 5D30/E29 5C30/D31 5G69 5C49 5B62 5E58/F59 5A45 5C67 5E07 5F60/G61 5J67 5K66 5C17 5E01 5B20 5B16 5A63 5C74 5C01 5D04/E05 5K69 5A20 5C50 5H58 5D50 5A21 5B01 5A60 5B37 5B69 5J61 5D51 5J76 5K75 5E04/F05 5B26 5D15 5D35

EXHIBITOR

STAND

Spot On Gifts 5D49 Stands Out 5D23 Star Cutouts 5A38 Star Images Enterprises 5D66/E63 Stepping Stones Marketing 5B75 Strawberry Design & Marketing 5J82 Tantrix UK 5B25 Tapball (UK) 5H50 Tarema 5D67 Tasma Products 5B49 Teddy Mountain UK 5H69 Teleview Marketing Group 5B45 Thanks A Million 5F33 The Diabolical Gift People 5F77 The Green Board Game Co 5A09 The House Of Puzzles 5B24 The In Thing 5B11 The Kidz Painting Party Company 5H52 The Little Experience 5D69 The Marant Toy & Gift Co 5A63A The Noble Collection UK 5D18/E19 The Playwrite Group 5B36/C37 The Puppet Company 5A73 The Royal Mint 5B10 The Rub Down Transfer Co 5J71 The Source 5F57 The Wand Company 5K77 The Wandering Monkey Co 5B13 Thumbs Up (UK) 5C20 Timberkits 5B71 Tinytodds 5C57 Tkc Sales 5E30 Tobar Limited 5D26/E27 Toysmart 5J63 Tractorland 5A62 Traditional Garden Games 5D09 Travis Designs 5D25 Trimex UK 5C32 Trousselier 5C26 Ty UK 5D20/E21 U Import Corporation 5B40/C41 Unique Party 5D60/E61 University Games UK 5A46 Viva Beads / Launch Products 5D37 Walltastic 5B14 Webbs World 5F38 Whiz, Bang, Wallop 5E74 Wicked Costumes 5G62 Widmann 5E60/F61 Wild Republic (UK) 5C40/D41 Wilton Bradley 5G60/H61/G58/H59 Wind Designs 5B65 Winnie Emm 5B46 Winning Moves Uk 5D61 Wow Stuff 5E30 Wow Toys 5A44 Zeon Character 5C10 Zeon Tech 5C14 ZFL Group 5J65

SPRING FAIR 2011 PREVIEW

www.toynews-online.biz

FLAIR Licensed collectables will be high on the agenda for Flair at Spring Fair with the launch of new figures and accessories from three film releases; Pirates of the Caribbean 4, The Smurfs 3D and Horrid Henry.

From Pirates of the Caribbean 4, detailed and fully articulated figures will be released in two waves. There are ten to collect and new Battle Pack assortments will include a figure and accessory while features for each set will be revealed by a backlight LED. The hero item however, will be the Queen Anne’s Revenge Ship, a detailed ship with working features such as projectile cannons, retractable plank and rotating battle platform.

The Smurfs will benefit from renewed recognition as new film The Smurfs in 3D is launched in August.

Flair has an assortment of 6cm articulated figures in single and twin packs and 20cm and 30cm plush toys along with Rock N Roll Clumsy, a 25cm feature plush, which sings and dances to the theme song.

Horrid Henry has a new film for summer. With it comes a host of new products including a Horrid Henry Yoyo complete with lights and sounds,

BRAINSTORM

“2011 is an exciting year with the launch of our new brand Eureka,” says Nick Saunders, sales director at Brainstorm. “Eureka is a range of fun, educational and interactive products that will be first showcased at Toy Fair and Spring Fair.”

The Eureka range will feature a 2-in1 Globe – earth by day, space by night.

The 22.8cm daytime globe shows political boundaries and natural features, such as lakes and rivers.

Explore the night sky with the illuminated night globe, which shows

5C19 a Voice Changer and Make your Own Slime Pots. Also available are Walkie Talkies and joke and prank kits.

Collectables for girls include Pop Pals, the takealong characters that can be hung from a bag and the Hello Kitty plush line which will be refreshed with new designs.

Alternatively new Kookoo Birds will present a quirky plush choice. The 15cm Talking Plush will lay an egg which contains a KooKoo baby and the series of Mini KooKoo Birds have their own Kalls.

Flair will also launch a new concept called Fuzzoodles – an activity where kids can make fuzzy characters that can be bent into shape and personalised with the googly eyes and accessories provided. Gummi X is a play station for boys with the equipment to make edible bugs.

Finally Rolobox is a kit which turns a box into a pull-along toy using a reusable wheel kit. The wheels and axles attach easily to any size of cardboard box, with chunky nuts and bolts which children can get to grips with.

5A61

key stars and constellations. An advanced light-sensor automatically turns on the LED illumination whenever the room darkens, transforming the earth globe into a captivating map of the stars.

New to the firm’s Fact Finders Wheels of Knowledge range, is Most Deadly. Featuring 40 of the most deadly animals in the world, such as the Great White Shark, Indian Cobra and Saltwater Crocodile, the wheel gives facts about each animal and top tips on how to avoid the creatures.

RAVENSBURGER

Ravensburger saw its best sales of adult puzzles ever in 2010 and the firm plans to maintain this momentum by introducing over 40 new titles for 2011, along with Puzzle Store, the all-in-one jigsaw workstation.

Ravensburger puzzles are manufactured in the firm’s own factory, ensuring ultimate quality control and sturdy dust-free pieces that fit only where intended. Ravensburger’s UK development team works extensively with British artists to create new designs based on popular licences and themes, and these are combined with bestsellers from its international catalogue to give a range of images.

Licensed titles for 2011 include 1,000-piece designs based on classic

JUMBO

Jumbo Games will be showcasing a new range of adult and children’s games and puzzles at Spring Fair. The firm offers adult puzzles including the Falcon and Wasgij range and will be adding to these and introducing the new Smart Games range.

Smart Games is a line of games designed for all ages three and over which require logic and problem solving to complete. The games range in difficulty and each has varying levels within it, allowing all to get involved with the brain games.

Jumbo is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Falcon range in 2011. New puzzles will be added to the existing ranges depicting scenes of traditional country life, transport, cottages and animals. Plus, the firm has added two new licences, Carry On and Shoot and will be launching 1,000-piece puzzles for both brands as well as 250-piece puzzles in a retro puzzle tin.

Jumbo will also be launching Falcon’s Around Britain – a series that

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Star Wars, Me to You, Top Gear and Winnie the Pooh. Also new are titles depicting cartoon comedy, nostalgia, country cottages, British butterflies and detailed images ideal for the most avid puzzle fan.

Puzzle Store is Ravensburger’s complete puzzle workstation. Suitable for up to 1,000-piece puzzles, it includes a strong board to assemble the puzzle on, plus five integral trays for sorting and storing pieces. Once puzzling is finished for the day, the assembly board is placed on top of the sorting trays and the Puzzle Store is snapped shut to keep everything in.

The carry handles make it easy to move around and it is slim, so can fit under most sofas, or against a wall.

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showcases illustrations from around Britain by different artists.

The range of Wasgij puzzles will be expanded in 2011 across the Original, Destiny and Mystery lines with new inclusions; The Wasgij Office Destiny, Wasgij Mystery Sale Mayhem and Wasgij Original Car Boot Sale. Plus, there will be a Wasgij Spin and Shout game as well as the introduction of a new Carry On Wasgij puzzle.

In 2011, the company will be looking to cement its position in the children’s games and puzzles sector with new products and concepts for key licences. Jumbo produces puzzles and games for Peppa Pig, Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, Fireman Sam, Horrid Henry, and Disney Princess.

New products include the Disney Princess Magic Wand Game and the puzzle and colour concept across various brands. Jumbo is also looking to extend its educational range, Grow with Jumbo, with two new step-bystep puzzles and the Grow with Jumbo Market Sweep Lotto game.

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JOHN CRANE

The John Crane stand has a host of new products at Spring Fair but most notably, a whole new collection.

Tidlo, or Tidlo Timeless Toys, to give it its full title, is the culmination of many years product development at John Crane.

The collection is fully merchandisable by retailers, who can request free point of sale with orders at Spring Fair to help actively sell their new Tidlo section in-store.

The Tildo range incorporates a host of ride-on toys including the Red Scooter and Motorbike for boys and the Lemon Scooter for modern girls.

Each ride-on vehicle comes in high gloss paint with easy grip handlebars and pneumatic tyres to ensure a safe and comfortable ride.

Alternatively the Rainbow Recorders and Rainbow Maracas, appear on a retailer stand for an

SCHLEICH 5A60

Schleich has many new figures and play-sets in its Nature and History ranges including animals from around the world and heroes from the past.

The fantasy world of Bayala also has some new figures. For the boys there are six new Arelan Heroes, each with an animal companion and the Bayala wedding figures and accessories are also new.

Schleich is also introducing some small scenery packs which make an introduction to the brand. Priced ideally for the gift trade, there are a number of themes to choose from ranging from Dogs and Cats to an Arelan Camp Fire.

Kids instantly understand the concept of Schleich's figures which combine nature and fantasy promoting imaginative play without the need for instruction.

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impressive in-store display. These colourful instruments are tuned so they can be used in school for lessons and clubs.

The new Daisy Tabletop Kitchen has daisy detailing set on a backdrop of pinks and natural wood. The set is completed by the addition of accessories including pans, spoons and salt and pepper shakers. Plus, when playtime is over, everything can be folded away and stored, as the product becomes half the size.

Furthermore, there is a seasonal addition to the range, as the Nativity Set is launched. All made from wood it comprises all the figures required for a depiction of the holy scene.

The launch of Tidlo will be backed by a PR and marketing campaign including consumer advertising, promotions via schools plus a number of social media strategies.

GIBSONS GAMES

Gibsons has launched 50 new puzzle designs for 2011. There are some classics from artist Thomas Kinkade, as well as a National Trust image detailing an interior view of a stately home. The firm has also extended the ‘Memories of’ range including Handbag Revelations depicting items found in a handbag during the 1940s.

Retailing under £10, Gibsons Party Games aim to bring back a bit of ‘good old fashioned’ family fun, The firm has re-launched children’s favourites from the 50s and 60s with an added active twist. The games will see children race around, challenge their memory and use their imagination. Shopping Madness, Railway Romp and Donkey Derby are all flexible games offering easy or harder play options. Packaged in

FIESTA CRAFTS

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New Cuddles by Fiesta Crafts is a range of puppets, squeakers and pyjama cases launching this month.

Featuring farmyard animals including sheep, cow and duck, toddlers will snuggle up in the warmth of the soft Cuddle material. The animal toys are fully machine washable.

Cuddle Puppets are ideal for babies and tots to interact with and be entertained. Made with super soft fabric, there is the choice of a duck, sheep, rabbit, chicken, mouse and teddy bear.

Squeekaboos have been a strong seller in 2010. Made from super soft fabrics, they are the ideal size for tots.

They squeak, jingle and crinkle and are

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retro style tins and suitable for five years and over.

Gibsons is also launching two additions to its My World range for kids. My Lotto is a multi cultural game with facts about other countries and cultures. My Dominoes features jungle animals. Both contain hints and tips for parents, and a slot in the top so children can post the pieces and help with putting away.

Thinking about Christmas 2011?

Pass the Pud is a new beat-the-burp team game. Presented in an acetate cube, the game includes a jingling pudding. Nerves are tested as players answer questions from five categories, passing the pud to avoid the burp. To win players must avoid being caught with the pud and collect the most sixpences.

ideal for playing peek-a-boo games.

The new 2011 Cuddles range includes a duck, sheep, rabbit and mouse Cuddle Squeekaboo, available at £6.99. All Squeekaboos come with a special gift tag.

Cuddle Pyjama Cases are a convenient storage tool combined with a plush toy. Also made with super soft fabric, choose from the sheep or mouse at £17.99 each.

Besides these Cuddle toys, a new product range is planned for 2011, including Doowell magnetic colour-in games and educational charts, Great Escape puzzles, Doorway Theatre and hand puppet sets, plus a selection of pocket money toys and gifts.

INTERPLAY 5A65

Building on the success of its Wild Science for Girls range, visitors to Spring Fair will be able to see Interplay’s Wild Science brand extension which brings all elements of Cosmetics Science, targeting the pre-teen market.

With several kits to choose from, girls will be provided with all they need, including an instruction booklet, to make a host of cosmetics from shampoos and body gels, to face masks and body mists.

Also targeting the pre-teen girls market, Interplay is launching a range of craft kits.

The projects included in the new addition kits create professional quality jewellery introducing potentially a lifetime hobby for girls of all ages.

The collection also includes professional card making and other home craft kits for girls.

SPRING FAIR 2011 PREVIEW

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WINNING MOVES

As part of the London 2012 merchandise programme, Winning Moves has launched the first of its London 2012 Top Trumps range with an Olympic Legends pack.

The new Olympic Legends Top Trumps pack features some of the greatest sporting heroes in the history of the Games. Many stars appear in the pack; from Usain Bolt to Chris Hoy. The pack has already proved popular since it first went on sale at the opening of the first London 2012 official store in St Pancras Station – it sold out within weeks of the opening – and has since proved to be a top selling product in the store.

The new London 2012 store also sells the Olympic Legends pack as

MARBEL 5A26

Spring Fair 2011 will see Marbel return to Hall Five with its award winning wooden Wendy house stand. This year’s show will see the company feature over 100 new products, including additions to the Plan Toys, I’M Toy, Hape, Educo, L’atitude Enfant ranges and even some new brands.

New products from the Plan Toys pre-school, activity, dollhouse and Plan city ranges will all be on show.

It will also be the first time for retailers to catch a glimpse of the full range of Hape and Educo wooden toys. There are over 50 new products, ranging from wooden puzzles to racing cars produced from sustainable bamboo.

As always, Marbel’s staff will be on hand throughout the shows to answer any questions.

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part of its line-up of licensed products. Pictured with his pack, is Paul Deighton, CEO of LOCOG, with mascots Wenlock and Mandeville at the opening of the store.

The Olympic Legends Top Trumps pack is the first of a line-up of Olympic and Paralympic-themed editions to be launched. Others in the range will include Team GB, British Legends and a London 2012 Gold Medallist edition for Christmas 2012.

In addition to the Top Trumps range, plans are underway to produce an Olympic Sports version of the Top Trumps Tournament game, along with several unique London 2012 versions of Monopoly, the first of which will be launched at the Toy and Spring Fairs in 2011.

ESDEVIUM GAMES

Esdevium Games has a lot to offer at this year’s Spring Fair. Fisher Price classics have been strong since its release in autumn. The toys entertained a whole generation of children and now they are back to entertain another. Packaging features original logos and boxes while also bringing them into the 21st century.

Cobi has a number of themes including Small Army, which shows a variety of military vehicles and playsets, including Navy ships. Action Town includes police, fire engine and construction vehicles. Esdevium’s licensed Cobi range has also seen strong sales and features the McLaren racing cars, the Renault F1 team and the Boeing Aircraft models.

LOCOG

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LOCOG's stand at Spring Fair will take up nearly 500m2, will feature products from across the London 2012 product range and will enable retailers to engage with the whole line of London 2012 licensees and product.

2012 has already been described as the ‘year of two Christmases’ with around £1billion worth of London 2012 merchandise sales expected, as the first peak in the retail calendar.

There will also be special guest appearances by VIPs of the sporting world including LOCOG chairman

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The latest addition is Cobi Knights, which shows full battle scenes, fortresses, horses and various campsites. Cobi is compatible with other toy building bricks.

Also on show will be the new Pokemon: Black and White trading card game. The TCG follows the new release of the Pokemon video game from Nintendo with the cards based on the new characters.

Esdevium Games is able to provide next day delivery as well as offering small quantity orders where often, other distributors will not. The company distributes for Hasbro and Mattel, making games such as Boggle Flash and Apples to Apples available to all customers.

Sebastian Coe and gold medallist triple jump legend Jonathan Edwards.

Toy and gift licensees on the stand, displaying London 2012 products include: Golden Bear, Winning Moves, Hornby, Hy-Pro, Icon Live, Awnhill, Touch of Ginger.

With its online store up and running, two dedicated retail shops open at St Pancras International and Paddington stations, 37 licensees signed up and around 500 products available up and down the High Street, London 2012 plans are developing strongly.

HABA 5D10

Haba will have a new range of musical instruments on show at Spring Fair this year, which combine its wooden toys with sound.

From Rattling Shakers to Magical Sound Flutes, Haba’s new musical collection is designed so that the volume is suitable for small children. Each instrument is designed to encourage children to experiment with sounds and effects.

There are lots of individual instruments to choose from plus two Sound Workshops available – small and large, which contain everything needed to explore sounds, chimes and tunes.

The Big Sound Workshop is packed with a small orchestra, containing 12 pieces, also all made of beech wood. This set has the addition of castanets, acoustic blocks and a rainmaker.

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PAUL LAMOND

In the pre-school educational Chimp and Zee range, Paul Lamond is launching two new games – Dodge the Dino and Who’s the Princess – and three craft/activity sets themed around dolls, ponies and on safari.

In pre-school licensed games and puzzles Gruffalo’s Child, Mr Men and Dear Zoo join the existing Gruffalo, Very Hungry Caterpillar and Tinga Tinga Tales ranges along with new Scooby Doo games.

Humpty Dumpty’s wall game and Meerkat Mayhem join Hot Potato, Jumping Monkeys and Chairs in the skill and action range.

This year Paul Lamond is also adding to its range of family/adult

GREAT GIZMOS 5D58/E59

The latest inspiring additions to the 4M Craft and Science Kits collection will be unveiled at Spring Fair.

In the science and educational sector the Green Science Solar Robot kit teaches kids the basic principles of solar energy, electricity and mechanics through play, while making a robot which can perform simple tasks.

There are also some new craft kits such as Origami Lights and Mould and Paint Fridge Magnets, as well as some environmental projects aimed at both girls and boys, such as the Green Creativity Trash Robot kit, which turns rubbish into an environmental project.

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games. Atmosfear returns for its 20th anniversary and the company launches Fatal Attraction, a game of magnetic chaos.

The firm is also introducing two BBC games, Just a Minute, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year as a radio game show and QI the Board Game.

In the puzzle ranges, Paul Lamond is unveiling a range of 3D kids titles which come with necessary glasses.

In 1,000-piece puzzles, there are new ranges including three Viz Puzzles.

Finally, for immediate delivery, Paul Lamond has four new low-price point travel/party games (two card-based and two dice-based).

BLADEZ TOYZ Bladez Toyz was, for the second year running, the only company to have an R/C helicopter short listed in Dream Toys in 2010. The easy to fly Bladez Micro, which was shortlisted in Dream Toys 2010, has been a top selling line for the firm.

Bladez Toyz has grown over the last four years to become a market leader in designing and supplying innovative RC helicopter toys. The product range is positioned to appeal to both children and adults, suited to all budgets and skill levels.

The G-Bladez gyro range is set to continue during 2011 with both indoor and outdoor Gyro helicopters.

The benefits of the toys include auto stability and precision control, ease of flight, ultra manoeuvrability and a robust design. The helicopters are made from toughened aluminium, collapsable blades and fitted with a directional Gyroscope.

RICHARD EDWARD

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Richard Edward launched a brand of its own called Redwood Card in 2008.

Since this time, the company has bought to market a number of products following the sustainable values of the brand promise – a better way to play.

The range includes Green Cards, playing cards which were created using original illustrations and made from 100 per cent sustainable and recycled materials.

Redwood continues to create and build a stable of classic games, innovated through design, and manufactured with sustainable and ethical considerations.

Happy Families is a new, up to date version of the classic game. The game features characters reflecting modern day life, which people can identify with, from Mrs Strike, the footballers wife, to Master Law the Lawyers son.

5A66 Bladez Toyz has also introduced new in-store concessions for live demonstrations, allowing consumers to interact with the products. This provides the opportunity to speak with demo staff, see the precision stability and hover control of the products first hand, or try out the stunt car in the dedicated demo bowl.

At Spring Fair 2011, at 12.30pm every day in the live toy demo area, Hall 5, Bladez will be demonstrating its products for 30 minutes and visitors can also compete on a competition course where there will be free stock giveaways.

POS material can be provided, in addition to high res images and product videos. Whether you are a small independent, multinational, or online retailer, Bladez Toyz has the experience and resources to support your business.

The illustrations are original, hand drawn and produced using sustainable production methods and paper.

Redwood Cards also has a range of standard playing cards with a lower price point for more traditional card playing use. Featuring sustainable materials and UK production, Redwood playing cards are produced in a red or blue design and are individually packaged in their own tuck box.

Visitors to Spring Fair have the chance to join the growing numbers of gift shops and suppliers around the UK and Europe which stock the products.

This time next year, Richard Edward will have a new product, so keep your eyes open for new projects on the horizon for Redwood Cards. The firm is also currently working towards a new offer, which will be disclosed nearer the time of launch.

COILEDSPRING GAMES 5D11

Create stories with Rory’s Story Cubes – a pocket-sized story generator. Roll the dice, start with ‘Once upon a time’ and use the images to tell a story. The cubes are suitable for all ages –kids or adults – and are guaranteed to get the creative juices following. The game comes in CDUs of eight units and retailers receive a free set of dice.

Purrfect Puzzles are 1,000-piece jigsaws. Made in the Netherlands the glare-free pieces are thick and durable with smooth edges that fit together well.

There are 16 images initially in the range. Each one shows the work of famous artists including Rachel Arbuckle, Achim Bednorz and preRaphaelite paintings including The Lady of Shallott by John William Waterhouse and Ophelia by Sir John Everett Millais from the Tate Gallery.

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ORCHARD TOYS

Having achieved record sales over the last two years, Orchard Toys is looking forward to Spring Fair.

Orchard Toys MD, Simon Newbery, says: “We are thrilled at the way the company has performed over the last two years, and despite the continued economic uncertainty, we believe that this year is going to be even better.

“With an SRP for our children’s games, puzzles and activities of between £4 and £15, we believe that we are ideally placed to have an even better share of the market this year.”

Along with existing lines, this year’s Spring Fair stand will showcase new products such as the doublesided Little Puzzle range, as well as recently launched games Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes and Jack

CASDON 5D55

Casdon Toys will be exhibiting its array of role-play toys for the second year running at Spring Fair.

The firm will be revealing new box designs that will help drive retail sales and enable the products to stand out on the shelf.

The firm is introducing sub brands such as Little Helper, Little Shopper and Little Driver giving the range a more parent and child friendly appearance. The new packaging includes information on the benefits of Casdon Toys in respect to their educational properties, visual stimulation, hand-to-eye coordination, problem solving and improving motor skills etc.

With this revamped look Casdon is hoping to break further into the gift market, with lines such as the Dyson Replica Vacuums, Henry and Hetty Replica Vacuums, Henry and Hetty Cleaning Trolleys, Pick n Mix Sweet Shop’s and Post office Sets.

Casdon will be offering a number of new lines and details will be given at the show.

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and Jill Game and the jigsaw puzzle The Animal Games. There are also seven new games and jigsaws, currently under wraps.

2010 was also a good year for awards with Practical Pre-School Gold Awards for Round and Round and Fairy Tales, a Right Start Silver Award for Pop to the Shops and a Top Toys Gold Award for Little Puzzle range.

Newbery continues: “I am happy to be able to say that at the time this publication went to press (December 2010) the footings for our new factory extension were already in place.

When finished, in mid 2011, the new extension will add over 50 per cent to factory capacity. The additional space will ensure we pack and despatch orders even more efficiently.”

WIND DESIGNS

Wind Designs specialises in sourcing, marketing and distributing active products. The firm offers over 1,000 SKUs, including licensed properties such as Toy Story, Cars and Ben 10.

Wind Designs supplies a wide customer base including independent stores, department stores, online retailers and buying groups throughout the UK and Ireland.

The range includes flying, throwing and pocket money toys, water pistols, yoyos, juggling equipment, unicycles, kites and more.

The firm has exclusive distribution rights for a number of different brands including Zing Air, Oz West, Air Hunterz, Djubi, Flexifoil and Eolo Sport.

Wind Designs is also an authorised

MOOKIE

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Mookie has designed Createaway, based on traditional play values. With interchangeable accessories, the Createaway Easel, folds up for easy assembly and storage. Suitable for ages threeyears plus.

Tailball is a new range of products from the makers of Swingball.

Designed as a progression to shuttlecock play, each item features the Tailball streamer, which stabilises flight. Each Tailball comes in its own protective container and will be available in two sizes.

Games include Tailball Back Pack Attack, Two-in-one Dart Attack, Tailball Extreme, Tailball Light, Tailball Flyer and Tailball Rocket.

The Scuttlebug and Scramblebug from Funtastic are folding tricycles for one to three-year-olds. The inspiration is from insects – ladybirds, beetles, bees. With the three-step folding action, both ranges are available in a

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distributor for Hasbro’s Nerf and Super Soaker ranges.

Spring Fair will see the firm displaying its product line-up for 2011.

Following its launch at Autumn Fair, Zing Air now has new additions including the Super Stomp Rocket, Double Shotz and Benda Blaster.

The Air Hunterz ZX Crossfire is a high-tech launcher which fires foam Zartz rocketz and the stick anywhere foam Zartz dartz up to 55’ in the air.

Also on display will be the Oz West impulse products including the Pop Ballz and Pop Shotz. The new Nerf 2011 Super Soaker range will also be on hand.

Wind Designs is also sponsoring the Toy Demonstration Area in Hall five.

variety of characters.

UrbanX are safe children’s bikes, carts and cars. The products compliment Smart Trike and will launch in spring/summer, along with new lines.

Mookie’s Peppa Pig range continues and 2011 sees the launch of new play balls and ride-ons.

Mookie now has distribution of YBike. The balance bike has been developed to help improve motor development, co-ordination and balance. The YBike makes the transition to riding a bike easier for children as young as two. The new YBike Extreme will be coming soon.

The launch of the Mookie R/C range introduces an indoor and outdoor brand. All Titan family helicopters come with a gyroscope control. The helicopters are available in three sizes: Titan Nano, Titan Mid and Titan Grand.

The Titan Helicopters will be available in stores across the UK from 2011.

GREEN BOARD GAMES 5A09

Green Board Games has named the BrainBox brand as the essence of its business.

The firm has rebranded all products to reflect this, which can be viewed at the trade fairs.

The firm is also celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2011.

New products on stands will include new BrainBoxes on subjects such as World History from the first Aboriginal settlers in Australia to the Moon Landing to the development of the internet. Olympian Sports traces the history of the Olympics, the events and athletes involved. An additional pack of 20 cards for the World BrainBox is also available.

Other new products include BrainLinks, a series of eight card games, which help children aged 11 and over learn about subjects such as digestion and the solar system.

An Elmer lotto game, the Double Brain Game, all the new games from Mindware in the USA including Pick Mix and a new range of Colour and Learn books can also be seen.

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UNIVERSITY TOYS

University Games has announced it will launch three new games in 2011.

Mr&Mrs travel edition is launching in February and is a portable version of the best-selling board game Mr & Mrs. Based on the TV series, the game’s questions are intended to tease out gems of information on subjects from fellow players that you may not expect.

Michael Jackson’s King of Pop launches in the spring. Players of the game can attempt to transform themselves from unknown singer to pop star in less than an hour.

The new licensed game is trivia and task-based and includes four stages – first players have to pass the audition and then meet their agent.

From there players will sign a record

THE PUPPET COMPANY 5A73

The Puppet Company designs and manufactures many different puppets, including finger puppets, hand puppets and large body puppets. Its collections incorporate domestic and wild animals, fairytale creatures, as well as many people puppets. All share the same attention to detail, quality fabrics and value for money. The firm is also the UK distributor for the Living Puppets collection.

Puppets are now regarded as a beneficial aid to support learning and language development of children of all ages and are used extensively in schools and early years settings as a valuable teaching aid. The Puppet Company’s puppets retail in a variety of outlets including toy shops, gift shops, zoos, theme parks and garden centres and its various price points enable good POS. More importantly, the puppets encourage creativity, performance, learning and play.

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deal and finally book a worldwide concert tour.

Adrian Whyles, MD of University Games UK, comments: “We are honouring Michael Jackson’s talent and passion for games by producing great products that share his zest for entertainment with his fans.”

5 Second Rule will launch in July 2011. It should be easy to name three brands of chocolate. But how easy is it when under pressure in just five seconds? With no time to think players give answers that immediately spring to mind. The unique twisted timer adds to the experience, whilst bonus squares and danger zones add to the pace of play.

Players race to be the first to reach the finish line, by being calm.

LAUNCH PRODUCTS

Following a phenomenal Christmas season, the SillyBandz brand will see new designs and products for 2011.

The colourful rubber bands are made of silicone and moulded into a wide range of shapes including animals and objects. New designs are being released constantly, along with licensed designs including a range by pop singer, Justin Bieber and a range based on Marvel Comics.

SillyBandz is the brainchild of Robert Croak, CEO of SillyBandz in the US, who has seen his company's annual sales soar from a few thousand pounds to £66million.

Despite a wide range of copycat brands from competitor companies hitting the market very quickly, SillyBandz says it remains the original range on the market.

GROSSMAN

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The Tardis will be landing at the Grossman stand at the NEC as the company announces the addition of Dr Who to its range of licensed products.

Dr Who is one of BBC Worldwide’s flagship brands.

The Dr Who pocket money range includes water wrigglers, high bounce balls, fizz pods etc. The outdoor range features sleeping bags, chairs and a unique Tardis with a twist. However the hero products will be the large Daleks and Cyber men selling at around £30. The new range is set to launch in conjunction with the next series of Dr Who in spring 2011.

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SillyBandz is exclusively distributed in the UK and Europe by Devon-based entrepreneurs John Clarke and Jeremy Woolf of Launch Products, the people who brought the Slanket across the Atlantic.

Talking about the ongoing success of SillyBandz John Clarke says: “Sometimes you come across a product which you just know will be a hit, this was the case with Silly Bandz. As soon as I saw them, I had to have them.”

Launch Products is now releasing the latest SillyBandz product SlapWatch – the craze of the eighties is back. Slap Watches is a range silicone watches that snap around the wrist. They will be available from spring 2011 and come in nine colours.

There is also a strong emphasis on the existing licences which include Hello Kitty, Star Wars, Ben 10 Ultimate Alien, Spongebob Squarepants, Dora the Explorer, Zhu Zhu Pets and My little Pony.

The patented Ozbozz range has been revamped to include new My First Scooters, new cosmic light scooters and new lightning strike scooters which will be backed with a TV advertising campaign for 2011.

And finally the new Scorpion range of outdoor products will be launched.

This range will targeted towards slightly older kids.

WOW TOYS 5A44

Wow will be unveiling a range of products at Spring Fair this year, with an increase in existing ranges.

Included in the line-up is a push along Space Buggy, spaceman and alien friend and also a Knight and Dragon toy with a push-along chariot, catapult and boulder.

Other new toys include Roll-itRiley, a friction-powered steam roller with mix ’n’ match faces and a roller, Police Plane Pete, with rotating propellers, and Jess ‘n’ Jake’s Playground, a set with figures, a see saw, slide and roundabout.

Mario’s Pizzeria, will also make its debut, a working pizza restaurant, which includes an oven with pushto-bake button, pizza delivery trike and a Spin the Chef feature to choose different pizza toppings.

Visitors to the Wow stand will be invited to see the new in-store promotions, which include branded and ready to roll-out shop-fits.

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SPRING FAIR 2011 PREVIEW

DKL

Hama has new products for 2011 including licences such as Cars and Winnie the Pooh, with box sets to tie in with new films in 2011. Hama has a range of generic bead kits including Ballerina and Fashion Girls. Themed kits also include sets for boys, such as Construction Vehicles and Pirates.

2011 will see the launch of mobiles, 3D sets, activity boxes, jewellery sets and new seasonal items.

For 2011 Corolle has expanded its collection with new dolls including entry price point products. The BabiCorolle range for birth plus features new soft dolls, while the Mon Premier range for 18 months and over has a new Tidoo Bath Baby and entry price point Calin doll. Fashions and accessories and are available.

The Les Classiques range includes new interactive dolls and outfits, for ages two and over. The Camille and Chloe Ballerina are continuing in the Miss Corolle collection, with new dolls and fashions for 2011.

HORNBY 5B55

Hornby holds the licence to develop and market a range of products associated with the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. The firm was granted a licence by LOCOG to produce a collection of products across Corgi, Hornby, Scalextric and Airfix.

Frank Martin, chief executive said: “This is a great honour for Hornby and an important development for the group. We are delighted to have been granted a licence to develop a range of products linked to the 2012 London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games – the world’s largest sporting event. We have some very exciting plans that we are developing with LOCOG to create official merchandise that will demonstrate the best of London and the Games.”

Both Corgi and Hornby brands launched products into the market in 2010. Throughout 2011 further products will launch to encapsulate the spirit of the event.

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Best seller for Wonderworld in 2010 and going into 2011 was the mini vehicles range, which includes a Fire Engine, Police Car, Taxi and Sports Car, and the new entry price point boxed Baby Vehicles.

The role-play range includes products such as the Modern House, Cooking Centre, Shop, Sink and Washing Machine and more.

The Softwood Nursery Range from Wonderworld is for babies from birth, featuring beepers and rattles etc.

DKL’s plastic toy range – Viking Toys – are safe toys that offer inside and outside play and are dishwasher safe. The Chubbies vehicles feature many modes of transport, from cars and planes to emergency services vehicles and will continue in 2011.

The Viking 2011 range also includes the Jumbo (25cm) vehicles and water play toys such as the ferry complete with four cars. Viking City continues in 2011, which incorporates a garage with working functions.

HALILIT

Several new developmental activity toys for babies and toddlers to add to the award winning TAF Toys ranges, will be launched on the Halilit stand, as well as new childrens’ musical instruments and new water play toys from the brand, Edushape.

TAF Toys will be launching the Four Seasons Mat, a colourful, adaptable padded play mat, suitable from birth, with raised side panels designed to look like pages of a baby book. Also new is the Springtime Mobile, a wind-up cot mobile that plays calming music, while three butterflies move. The new Car Wheel Toy is designed to keep toddlers in car seats entertained when on the move, with car related activities.

Symphony Flowers are also new and include a choice of three musical toys designed to be held by kids’ hands, or attached to arched play mats, cribs or strollers, using the

ASOBI

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In January 2011, Asobi will celebrate its second birthday. Known for its eco friendly line of products, the firm is now also distributing other ranges.

In September 2010, Asobi signed a distribution agreement with Baghera – a French company renowned for its line of retro metal pedal cars. With over 1,000 regular customers in France and over 600 in Germany, Baghera appointed Asobi as its exclusive distributor for UK and Ireland.

Emmanuel Nouveau from Baghera said: “We are very pleased to work with Asobi. Thierry Bourret, his team of agents and John Lewis the national account manager will help us develop sales in UK and Eire.

“The immediate effect of having a UK-based distributor on the Baghera range is that delivery times are greatly reduced as the stock will be very shortly available for delivery from Warminster.”

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flexible clips. Finally, the Stroller Wheel Toy is a toddler-sized multi activity steering wheel, that fits most pushchair bumper bars.

Designed to encourage a love of music from an early age, the range of children’s musical instruments from Halilit will be extended, with the launch of a new toddler’s drum, made with professional grade skin.

A new stackable, water play toy, the Water Whirly, will be launched to add to the ranges of bath and water play toys from Edushape, which includes squirters, fishing sets, sorters, assorted foam shapes to encourage creativity and wet and stick floating foam building sets.

Also on the Halilit stand will be the classic construction toy, Interstar, a coloured linking construction system with easy to connect pieces, which encourages development of logical thinking skills.

From this month, Asobi will exclusively distribute Boikido in UK and Ireland. Boikido has been previously represented in UK by Marbel which gave up the range in 2009 to concentrate on its own brand.

The range features wooden toys which are educational and at the same time fun for children to play with. The colours and themes stimulate the child to flow with his or her imagination.

And finally, from this month, Asobi will also distribute the Marc Vidal range. Marc Vidal is the creator of a range of pocket money toys and games packaged in a retro style.

Although the packaging is mostly in French, the range has been well received and is widely distributed in the US, Australia and Japan. In the UK some discerning retailers had already found the range and were ordering from France. Having a distributor in the UK will enable the brand to grow.

THE IN THING 5B11

Retailers can look forward to a host of new ranges from The In Thing in 2011. The firm specialises in the distribution of the latest pocket money lines and the latest crazes.

As it does every year, the firm will be attending Spring Fair with a number of major lines including Gogo’s, Yu-Gi-Oh, Club Penguin, Moshi Monsters, Gelli Baff, Webkinz, Match Attax and many more. The launch of Toonz Series 2 is also imminent, as well as Spinners.

Retailers can place orders with The In Thing between 8.00am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday or order online at www.TheInThing.com 24/7, and if they order before 4.30pm, the items will be dispatched the same day for next working day delivery.

SPRING FAIR 2011 PREVIEW

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LE TOY VAN Cherry Tree Hall is the latest addition to Le Toy Van’s doll’s house range. At 92cm high and 66cm wide, it is the largest doll’s house that the firm has ever produced.

The painted wooden three storey doll’s house features opening shutters and windows, removable roof panels and chimney stacks to reveal a spacious loft area and intricate staircases that double up to act as room dividers.

Finished in magnolia with light pink and blue detailing, Cherry Tree Hall features a blossom motif and central arched windows, along with detailed floral side window boxes. It is scaled for Le Toy Van’s existing range of dolls and furniture, all of which are sold separately.

2011 will also see the launch of many other new Le Toy Van products; including Appleby House, another addition to the doll’s house range.

Other new products include Emerald Castle, which features an

CARTAMUNDI 5A36

Cartamundi has a new range of card games to add to its existing retail catalogue. The new products include licensed titles such as Phineas & Ferb action game and playing cards for the Disney series; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 Playing Cards, featuring images of all the key characters from the film and a Rapunzel gift set tin and pairs game.

5A49 angled tower structure, a redesigned Camelot Castle and two new Budkin knight characters.

The London Bus is a new Budkins vehicle set. With a Budkin Bus Driver character included, the double decker painted wooden bus has room for another 11 Budkin passengers and a removable roof and top floor for easy play access.

Other new products include a range of new Budkins characters including fairytale, wedding and pirate ranges along with a redesigned Phantom Ghost Pirate Ship.

Le Toy Van’s wildlife range will see the launch of a new farm play-set, Pippin Farm and two new painted wooden wild animal sets. The Honeybake range will be joined by a new three-tiered cake stand and a sliceable chocolate cake.

The firm will be exhibiting all its new products at Spring Fair along with existing core ranges. It will also be debuting many free merchandising options.

SMIFFY’S

Besides being a dress-up business, Smiffy’s also offers a range of products including pocket money novelties for kids. Smiffy’s Funtime range has over 350 leisure products to choose from, all at pocket money prices, from carded jokes to face paints and light-up toys to hats.

Spring Fair 2011 will see Smiffy’s dedicate an area of its stand to the Funtime brand.

The range of squeezy monsters has been a top seller throughout 2010 and 2011 and the firm is looking to continue this trend with six more collectable characters being added to the range in 2011.

MARGERETE STEIFF

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At Spring Fair 2011 Margarete Steiff is presenting a range of products for babies made of organic cotton.

Babies explore their toys with all their senses and often subject them to a lot of wear and tear. Steiff places an emphasis on children only coming into contact with safe, highquality materials, which can be seen with the organic cotton baby line.

All of the materials used are stringently tested for allergens and other harmful substances.

This year, the company is extending its organic cotton baby line to include two new characters – Sniffy Mouse and Hoppel Rabbit. Both are available as cuddly toys, musical mobiles, grip toys or comforters in blue or pink, which are available in various sizes from 12 to 28 cm.

Steiff has formulated strict guidelines for the production of baby items. The organic cotton is processed to the highest quality, without pesticides or optical brighteners. The low-impact dyeing process has no allergenic components.

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A new range of toys and novelties includes silicone waterproof watches, spaghetti heads, double-ended laser sword, and more, all of which will be available to see and try at Spring Fair.

Richard Pickworth, leisure controller, Smiffy’s comments: “Our range of pocket money toys are great; they are not only affordable but superb quality and completely different to what the rest of the market has to offer.

“Spring Fair is a great opportunity to meet customers, old and new, as well as giving us a fantastic platform to showcase our new ranges for the forthcoming season.”

The cotton is woven at Steiff’s own textile factory, Steiff Schulte in Duisburg, which allows the company to control all stages of production. The organic cotton is certified in accordance with GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). In addition, all Steiff baby products are Ökotex-certified and tested by Landesgewerbeanstalt Nürnberg (LGA).

FLYING TOYS 5A41

Flying Toys will be showing its customers a new generation of Silverlit gyro helicopters, sourced from the manufacturer who started the indoor micro chopper craze some years ago.

Following the successful introduction of its established inexpensive two and three-channel indoor infra red helicopters, Flying Toys is confident its latest chopper collection will continue to prove popular for 2011.

Visitors to the company's stand in February 2010 will have seen the sensational Silverlit Heli-Racer combo, combining a remote control car and three-channel chopper in one package.

See a selection of new Silverlit ready to fly remote control aeroplanes and helicopters on offer at the forthcoming Spring Fair.

Flying Toys additionally offers an exclusive collection of outdoor and pocket money products from leading manufacturers around the world including, Quercetti, De Ruymbeke, White Wings, Lanard and the Kite Factory.

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SPRING FAIR 2011 PREVIEW

ECOTRONIC/RUSSIMCO

‘China Direct’ pricing is closer than you think, according to Russimco In these challenging economic times, price is king. The consumer is particularly sensitive to price, thus if a significant reduction in cost prices can be achieved, the opportunity has to be grasped.

FOB-UK is a new concept in direct purchasing from Russimco. It allows retailers to buy sensible quantities of goods direct from China and achieve considerable savings.

COPYWRITE DESIGNS 5C46

Copywrite Designs is introducing five new licences into its portfolio for 2011.

For pre-schoolers Zingzillas provides colourful arts and crafts items. The world of Spongebob Squarepants is also brought to life across arts and crafts and stationery targeting a wide range of age groups from kids to students.

Transformers 3 is released in summer 2011 and Copywrite has signed as the stationery licensee supplying a full range of school stationery, arts and crafts and filled bags for the property.

From a fashion perspective Pink Cookie brings American Urban Chic design to a range of tween stationery and filled bags. And finally an offering for the teen and adult female has been developed under the Moomin licence, bringing back to life the classic Scandinavian animated characters on a fashion focused social stationery range.

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FOB-UK has a large catalogue of gift, toy, gadget and novelty products that are available from Russimco’s China office. Lead times are sensible, testing certificates (where appropriate) are supplied, minimum order quantities are realistic. This allows customers to make significant cost savings, and get some of the benefits that have previously only been available to large retailers.

FOB-UK will be launching at Spring Fair 2011.

MUMBOJUMBO TOYS

MumboJumboToys specialises in marketing children's brands from traditional wooden toys to luxury baby gifts. Most of the toys the firm sells are gift packaged which enables easy display in store.

Some of Mumbojumbo’s popular brands include Kaloo – a luxury baby brand; Happy Horse – soft toys from a Dutch design house; Crocodile Creek – indoor and outdoor educational toys with boutique design style from an American manufacturer; Rubbabu – indestructible and tactile rubber toys from an Indian company; Skipper –

AMERANG

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Amerang is a distributor of toys, models and gifts, with experience across die cast toys and models, radio control, wooden and plastic construction kits, and science fiction and comic-related collectables.

At Spring Fair the firm will be showcasing the Bburago range, having been appointed the exclusive UK distributor from this month.

Bburago has a strong heritage in die cast models. The range covers an array of subjects in various scales, starting at pocket money prices for 1/43 models, and moving through 1/32, 1/24 and up to the larger 1/18 models.

Bburago provides something for people of all ages whether it’s a small toy or a collector’s model.

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traditional pond yachts and Heritage wooden toys from a British brand.

Also offered is Janod, a collection of wooden toys combining French style with contemporary design; Sevi 1831 which features classic Italian design from an established wooden toy company and Bead Bazaar – beads and arts & crafts with vibrant styles from the US. Mumbojumbo Toys supplies leading independent retailers only.

The firm avoids mass channel retailers because it believes there is still place in the world for fine things in fine places.

As well as ready-made models, there is also a wide range of die cast model kits available, in a number of scales, covering road cars, motorbikes and supercars.

The Ferrari Race & Play collection will be a focus for Amerang in 2011.

This is a range of toys, radio control models and play-sets, all fully licensed in retail-friendly packaging, offering great value for money. The range brings a range of supercars to the masses, with prices from £4.99.

Amerang has a wide range of radio control products, including cars and tanks from XQ, helicopters from Syma, planes, boats and even UFOs. A selection of these will be on display, with dedicated demonstration areas.

TICK TOCK TRADING 4H62

Distributor Tick Tock Trading will be exhibiting at the Spring Fair to showcase its flagship range, Shains – a line of customisable eco-trendy fashion accessories for kids, tweens and teens.

Shains come in a choice of 12 colours and the tactile rubber Shains include; bracelets, cuffs, necklaces, key rings and brooches into which interchangeable letters and themed icons are added.

The range offers consumers great value for money and can be purchased singly, or in kit form.

Moreover, they are completely environmentally friendly, as not only are the products made of recycled and recyclable materials, but so is all the packaging.

SPRING FAIR 2011 PREVIEW

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SALEPOINT 2K19

Salepoint will be exhibiting at Spring Fair for the first time in over 12 years. Salepoint has been a shopfitting supplier to the toy trade for almost 30 years, with a record of up-market installations all around the UK and Ireland. Salepoint has fitted dedicated toy shops, as well as toy departments in garden centres and department stores.

Salepoint is a stockist of modular steel shopfittings, as well as solid pine and chrome wire shelving systems. Many installations also require bespoke joinery solutions in a range of finishes.

Often an infusion of bright colours is exactly the right way to present the right wow factor within a store. From a few bays of shelving from stock to designed solutions presented using 3D CAD software Salepoint has the answer.

HANSA 5C02/D03 Founded in 1972 by industry veteran Hans Axthelm, Hansa Toy manufactures plush animals. Holder of a string of international awards, the firm is a supplier to many zoos, wildlife parks, garden centres, Christmas displays,media events, photo shoots, exhibitions and more.

Ranging in size from four-inches to four-metre display items, and in origin from all over the world, each of the items is designed with its distinctive character from portraits of animals in their natural habitat.

Each animal’s fur is handtrimmed, providing a natural layered look and feel that cannot be reproduced by machine. Hansa is constantly striving to improve upon the best raw materials – often custom-designing special fabrics for certain designs – and upon the latest manufacturing techniques.

Many of the larger items have lightweight steel frames, enabling them to be sat upon or ‘ridden’. Toys That Teach tags attached to the toys describe each animal’s habitat, lifestyle, gestation period, care of young and eating habits.

BLUW

At this year’s Spring Fair, Bluw is launching two new toy brands – Eggbods and Air Hedz – both of which will feature a number of different licences throughout 2011.

Eggbods are egg-shaped mix ‘n’ match collectables. There is a range of different characters from the piratical Captain Hard Boiled to Ballerina Eggalina to Fairy Tinkershell. Each Eggbod has an interchangeable head, arms and an accessory, so children can swap their collection around and create a load of egg-centric combinations like Fairy Hard Boiled or Captain Eggalina. The

TANTRIX

The latest addition to the Tantrix family of puzzles and games is Tantrix Match – a new set of puzzles which combines the spatial challenge of Tantrix, with the deductive logic of puzzles like Sudoku.

The set comes boxed with twelve puzzle cards, an oval tray to play on and 13 tactile tiles. The aim is to complete the challenges using the clues given on each of the puzzle cards, while ensuring all touching colours match.

When not in use, everything can be stowed away inside the tray, making it ideal as a travel companion, while additional sets of puzzle cards at different levels of difficulty are available to extend the set too.

The rest of the Tantrix range continues to sell well, with puzzles and games available for one to four

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Eggbodz also have a wind-up mechanism to make them walk and move their arms.

Inflatable Air Hedz sets come with a piece of huge inflatable headgear and an inflatable accessory. There are dressing-up kits for both boys and girls, ranging from an alien head and hands to a pirate hat and cutlass to a princess wig and wand. Kids can wear them as part of an outfit or just with normal clothes.

Bluw will also be launching new collections of gifts including innovative new mugs, alarm clocks and wind-up toys.

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players at various levels from easy to utterly fiendish, as do the company’s two nature-based games by awardwinning British designer John Yianni, Hive and Army of Frogs.

“I believe that the combination of beautiful playing pieces with a great deal of play and educational value makes our games ideal for the current climate,” comments Tantrix MD, Steven Trezise.

“After more than a decade of trading, we remain true to our ethos of selling high quality, tactile puzzles and games with long-term appeal that are equally at home in gift shops and in toy shops.

“Our products are easy to demo, thus helping stockists to make shopping fun for their customers and to generate sales whatever the market conditions.”

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JOHN HORNBY SKEWES 5B20

Worldwide distributor of musical instruments, John Hornby Skewes, has a collection of products for 2011, especially for fans of Spongebob Squarepants.

Whether you want to copy SpongeBob himself and try out the Flying V ukulele, blast out some overdrive on one of the electric guitars through the SpongeBob Blaster Amp, or hit some rhythms on the three-piece junior drum kit using the SpongeBob drumsticks, there is a large range to choose from.

Due to the success of the existing range, JHS, along with Nickelodeon, has recently added a range of percussion instruments, including shakers, maracas and tambourine.

The firm also offers full size electric guitar outfits, new SpongeBob Guitar Straps and SpongeBob picks.

BROOKITE 5A10

New for 2011 is a range of Once Upon a Time kites, featuring a friendly dragon, unicorn and a loveable furry monster – all easy to fly and suitable for children aged four and over.

Brookite’s stable of Hobby horses – Brambles – feature a high quality fur head placed on a wooden pole with wheels and is wholly made in the UK. Also now available are the Brookite Play Parachutes.

Developed due to popular demand, the parachutes will provide hours of outdoor play at sensible prices.

There are new windsocks, two hot air balloons and a host of other products featuring in the catalogue for the first time.

Other brands on display at Spring Fair include Venom Skateboards, Tacker Sailing Boats, RC Helicopters, Disney products, Aerobies and Funtrix.

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SPRING FAIR 2011 PREVIEW

CRIMSON FOXX 5J75

Established in 2009 by Lily Odogwu, Crimson Foxx is a supplier of toys and games for grown-ups. Its aim is to introduce consumers to another way of board gaming. One that is more friend-focused than family.

The company’s games are innovative, fun and work well as gifts, nights in with friends, or as an ice-breaker at dinner parties.

Crimson Foxx aims to fill a gap in the UK's board games sector that many other companies do not cater for, by providing grown-up gaming that is fun and edgy without being too risqué.

GEORGE STREET CLOTHING 5E65

George Street Clothing will be exhibiting its four childrens-wear ranges at Spring Fair 2011, including its kids’ dress-up collection Pretend To Bee and its luxury collection of girls party-wear and dance-wear Just Tu-tu Gorgeous.

Also the firm will be exhibiting its two new licensed properties for BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and ITV’s Dancing On Ice. For Strictly, a range of party-wear dresses for girls designed on those from the show, and for Dancing On Ice, a range of girls ice skating dress-up and dance costumes.

JANUARY 2011

MERRYTHOUGHT

Merrythought has handmade the quintessential English teddy bear for over eight decades from its original Shropshire factory.

The team will not only be demonstrating its unique teddy bearmaking skills throughout the week on the Merrythought stand at Spring Fair, but also displaying two new collections of traditional teddy bears and Limited Edition Collectables.

The 2011 range of Limited Edition this year includes Oscar (pictured) and Cheeky Daffodil, who is the new addition to the Cheeky Flower Series.

In addition, Merrythought is launching a new Traditional Collection and accompanying catalogue. This range of classic, nonlimited edition bears and soft toys is

HEATON PARTY

Heaton Party offers a range of products for children’s parties, from a wide range of party products to lucky bag toys. With a selection of party costumes, hats, plastic and foil noise makers, inflatables and much more.

The firm says it can cater to every party need.

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designed to appeal to those looking for a superior quality, mohair teddy bear, entirely handmade in England.

Characters such as Binky Bunny and Antique Panda are sure to capture the hearts of children and adults, while Merrythought’s flagship London Gold Mohair bear is also available.

Sarah Holmes, marketing manager at Merrythought comments: “We are really looking forward to returning to the Spring Fair and showcasing our 2011 collections.

“I am particularly excited about our new range of traditional teddy bears as we’ve worked very hard to put together what we feel is a beautiful collection of classic mohair bears which are good value and beautifully made.”

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To add to its partyware, the company offers tableware ranging from Hello Kitty, Ben 10, Spiderman, Thomas & Friends, Tom and Jerry, Winx, Batman and more. The firm also offers a range of games and jokes including Jobs dice, the Toilet Target or a Guide to Use a Loo Brush.

BIGJIGS

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Contemporary graphics and a soft colour palette, combined with rubber wood is designed to give the new road range a stylish and modern feel. The Bigjigs Road collection sees 19 new products launching in 2011, from packs of roadway to starter sets and beyond.

The showcase piece of the range is the City Road and Railway set.

Comprising of 103 pieces, the set links Bigjigs Rail with Bigjigs Road.

Also on offer is a railway station, a bridge, a level crossing, parking spaces’ and not to mention all of the houses, shops, people and more.

Look out for the ‘link items’ – feature pieces that allow the roadway to be linked to the railway.

Bigjigs currently has seven link items on sale in the rail range so children can expand on the products they already have, and with new link items launching in the Bigjigs Road range the combinations are endless.

The new Link Item logo will be present on Bigjigs material, as well as on packaging to inform retailers and consumers of the key features.

As with all of the Bigjigs Toys Collection, the new Road range is fully tested to EN71 Standard and finished with non-toxic paints, stains and lacquers.

RUBIE’S

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Rubie’s offers a range of dress-up for parties, Halloween and all occasions for all ages.

The firm will be showcasing its extensive range at Spring Fair, with new products and licences on show, as well as highlights of its existing dress-up and costume ranges.

Rubie’s has a range of licensed ranges such as Harry Potter, Batman, Superman and Star Wars which have strong heritage and appeal to both children and adults.

For 2011, the firm has a large range of products and is supporting a number of key properties which have movies being released during the year, including; Tangled, Winnie the Pooh, Pirates of the Caribbean 4, Green Lantern, Transformers 3, Cars 2 and The Muppets.

For Halloween, there is an extensive classic range of costumes and accessories. There are also a number of licensed characters available from film titles such as; A Nightmare on Elm Street, Beetlejuice, Friday the 13th, V for Vendetta and Texan Chainsaw Massacre.

Rubie’s Disney licence covers movies and classic properties for adults and kids and has been expanded for 2011, including Tron and Tangled as well as the Princesses, Fairies and Toy Story.

The firm also offers costumes for Playboy, Lady Gaga, Avatar, Super Mario and Michael Jackson.

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CASSIDY• PLAYMOBIL• DKL MARKETING • AMERANG• MV SPORTS • INTERPLAY• PAPO• ROKKA PLAY • SPINAWINA• REVELL•

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TAKE

FUN SERIOUSLY OLYMPIA GRAND HALL 25TH – 27TH JANUARY 2011 PRE-REGISTER FOR YOUR

FREE VISITOR ENTRY BADGE

AT: WWW.TOYFAIR.CO.UK FROM 1ST SEPTEMBER 2010 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON EXHIBITING AND SPONSORSHIP CONTACT: SIMON PILLING, FAIRS AND EVENTS MANAGER, BY TELEPHONE: +44 (0)20 7701 7127 OR BY E-MAIL: SIMON@BTHA.CO.UK UNFORTUNATELY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND.

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HOBBIES, GAMES AND TOYS FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES

TOY FAIR 2011 INTERVIEW

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47

West London massive After a successful return to Olympia last year, this year’s Toy Fair is even bigger, occupying more floor space and bringing well-known players back into the fold. ToyNews talked to Simon Pilling, BTHA fairs and events manager… on press day in the Greenhouse Area for exhibitors to have their products tested and demonstrated by children.

Notable names retuning to the show include MV Sports, Plum Products and Hornby.

Registration has a new layout, further reducing queuing time, plus if you registered prior to November 23rd a badge will be posted to you.

The BabyCentre has sponsored the ground floor coffee lounge and Innovation First is sponsoring the main entrance.

Also look out for a change to the Relaxation Area, where free foot, Indian head, or back massages will be available.

SO, YOU must be delighted at the resurgence in fortunes of Toy Fair?

Yes, I’m really looking forward to Toy Fair 2011. The show has taken a third more space than last year and has sold out two months quicker. The BTHA has always tried to ensure the Toy Fair stays relevant and the decision to move venue, along with increased excitement of exhibitors, has ensured that Toy Fair looks set to be a very exciting show.

Did you expect to see such an increase in exhibitors this year?

Considering the response following Toy Fair 2010, I did anticipate a strong showing. Whilst on site, the team was approached by a higher than usual number of potential exhibitors, but it is fantastic that the enquiries developed into bookings.

Is it purely down to the venue?

The BTHA considers feedback from exhibitors and visitors very seriously.

When the opportunity arose to move back to West London the council felt the timing was right. Moving back to Olympia has had a very positive impact. Not only is it accessible, but the natural light and space creates a pleasant atmosphere which adds to the buzz of the show. The other feedback was to move the show to mid-week dates and this timing seems to have had a positive impact too.

Thanks also has to go to all the exhibitors that help to make Toy Fair look fantastic every year and ensure it is worthwhile for buyers to attend.

Is exhibiting at Toy Fair now more affordable or have costs remained the same?

Toy Fair rates vary year-on-year but discounts make exhibiting affordable.

BTHA members are eligible for about 20 per cent discount of the space fee and exhibitors who pay a deposit by April 30th or pay in full by October 31st will also receive rebates.

Last year the BTHA also said they would share the profit of the show with exhibitors attending in 2010 and 2011, so many will have their profit

Pilling is looking forward to an exciting Toy Fair in 2011...

Moving back to Olympia has had a very positive impact. Not only is it accessible, but the light and space creates a pleasant atmosphere, adding to the buzz.

Simon Pilling, BTHA Fairs & Events Manager share from last year discounted from their space rate in 2011.

How do you make sure the Gallery section doesn’t feel like a separate part of the fair?

The Gallery will be a bustling area full of big name exhibitors as well as some smaller firms. The press office has been moved to the balcony and following feedback about a lack of space to take a break, two sponsored (Turner and Toy Trust) lounges have been added. A new staircase in the Greenhouse area leads from the centre of the Grand Hall ground floor up to the Gallery.

What about the timing of the fair?

Has the change of days made a bigger difference to attendance?

The move to a three-day mid-week event was carefully discussed before going ahead. The change in format

has resulted in increased visitor numbers and has prompted a positive response from exhibitors who felt that the final day lacked atmosphere as a result of low attendance.

What feedback did you get from retailers about the fair last year?

We do appreciate that for some retailers the three-day format is tight for visiting everyone. We try to help as much as we can with this by getting plans and exhibitor lists out early to help with meeting planning.

Having said that, overall the feedback was positive. Retailers felt the move to a three-day show meant there was a real buzz at the event.

Any changes this year, apart from the additional space?

There are a number of new features this year. New to the show is the Toy Lab Testing area, which will be open

Is there room for additional expansion next year? Do you expect further growth?

There will be some scope for additional stands as some of the stands can be reconfigured for 2012 to open up more space. As stands had already booked it has been impossible to do this for the 2011 fair but changes will be made for 2012. I urge exhibitors wanting space at the 2012 event to talk to us early.

2013 will see an increase in floor space at Olympia, as the venue is building a second level above the West Hall. We would like to see Toy Fair expand in 2013 to fill the new upper West Hall.

How much of a difference does it make that the industry has seen some growth this year?

In a difficult financial climate, suppliers can find it hard to justify the cost of a trade show. We would say during times of economic uncertainty, suppliers need to be seen by retailers more than ever to ensure their products are selected.

We are pleased for the whole industry that there has been growth since the last Toy Fair and that is clearly reflected in the growth of next year’s show. We look forward to supplying the industry with an upbeat and positive Toy Fair to help that growth to continue.

JANUARY 2011

TOY FAIR 2011 EXHIBITORS LISTS

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The Exhibitors EXHIBITOR

STAND

3L Plentyplay B20 Aardvark Swift Recruitment H20 Alpha Animation & Toys H65 Amerang Gallery 205 Artstraws C65 Aurora World UK H105 B Kids UK Gallery 185 BabyCentre B159 Bandai UK D35 Barnardo's B75 BBTradesales H30 Bigjigs Toys H39 Bladez Toyz Gallery 121 Bluw Group Gallery 179 Bontempi Comus UK B109 Brainstorm D2 Brite Power B65 British Toy & Hobby Association Members' Lounge Gallery 150 Brookite Limited H69 Bureau Veritas Consumer Product Services UK F36 Butterick Company/Wallies H42 Carrera - The Hobby Company Gallery 109 Carta Mundi (UK) H1 Cassidy Brothers E30 Character Options E119 Cheatwell Games G19 Classic Signs and Design H90 Clementoni Spa Gallery 155 Click Distribution UK Gallery 199 Corinthian Marketing B149 Cuckoo F66 Dacta Gallery 125 DKL Marketing E66 Drumond Park B155 Dubreq D16 Earlybird Toys B60 East Coast Nursery B56 Ernest The Bear Productions F20

EXHIBITOR Esdevium Games EverEarth Fiesta Crafts Fifth Wing Games Flair Leisure Products Funtime Gifts Gateway Europe GB Eye Gear for Games Giggly Games Golden Bear Products Great Gizmos Green Board Game Company H Grossman HABA UK Half Moon Bay Halilit (Marnita) Hasbro UK Hippychick Hive Entertainment Honey Furrari Hornby Hobbies HTI (Halsall Toys Europe) Imagination Games UK & Europe IMC Toys UK Information Desk Ingo Devices UK Injusa Innovation First International Insect Lore Inspired Gifts & Toys Intelex Intelligent Retail Interplay UK IQ Games Federal James Galt & Co John Adams John Crane Jumbo Games KidKraft Netherlands

EXHIBITOR

The Greenhouse - a dedicated area of the fair for start-ups, entrepreneurs and niche manufacturers.

Rebel Toys ecoboo Clear & Blue Sky Industry Co Getretro.co.uk Faraway Magic Maxim Asholay Distribution Spinawina Products Loop Cards Publishing Educational Learning C G Greetings Magnet Kriya Award Publications Rokka Play

STAND E109 H46 F56 B99 E49 H15 Gallery 189 F2 E160 H100 E69 G20 E15 E39 F16 H96 E90 E120 H44 Gallery 141 Gallery 159 H52 B100 E110 E129 E70 D19 F89 Gallery 165 F105 C59 H72 H40 B160 Gallery 167 E9 F110 E20 E46 D20

STAND GH1 GH10 GH12 GH13 GH14 GH15 GH16 GH17 GH18 GH19 GH20 GH22 GH26 GH27 GH29

EXHIBITOR K-Play International Lanka Kade Le Toy Van Leapfrog Toys (UK) Learning Curve (RC2) Learning Resources Lego Company M V Sports & Leisure Main Sauce Productions Maps Toys Marbel Marvins Magic Meccano Toys (UK) Melissa & Doug Millhouse Manufacturing Design Mondo UK Mookie Toys Museum of Childhood Display NPD Group Orange Elephant Orchard Toys Outstanding Map Distribution Oxford Diecast Padgett Bros (A to Z) Pants on Fire Games Papo UK Paul Lamond Games Peers Hardy Group Playmobil (UK) Plum Products Pocketbond Press Office Professor Puzzle Qatch Rainbow Designs Ravensburger Re:creation Group Red-Toolbox Relaxation Garden Revell & Co

STAND Gallery 203 B49 E10 B50 F50 D36 B70 B19 B89 Gallery 129 F109 H84 B150 F40 Gallery 137 E156 E149 Gallery 190 Gallery 128 Gallery 197 B12 Gallery 163 Gallery 195 F15 Gallery 156 G40 E50 B85 Gallery 210 G125 H22 Gallery 101 G46 Gallery 160 E40 B156 B130 H86 Gallery 145 Gallery 215

EXHIBITOR ZooBooKoo International Intertek Testing Services (Leicester) Janod Little Pals Flaggo Little Star Creations Eurofins Laboratories Tiltyard Products Hong Kong Trade Dev. Council Liquid Graphic Vanguard Toys & Gifts Pty Toy Fair Best New Toys The Kidz Painting Party Company Pattni Imaginations Root 7

STAND GH31 GH32 GH34 GH37 GH39 GH4 GH40 GH43 GH44 GH46 GH47 GH49 GH5 GH50 GH52

EXHIBITOR

STAND

Richard Edward D100 Rolly Toys F89 Sakar International G29 Save our Friends Gallery 161 Schleich B121 Scoobits Gallery 158 Seager Games SG Gallery 164 SGS United Kingdom Gallery 182 Simba Smoby Toys UK E140 Spin Master Toys UK E131 Stabilo International B95 STAR F106 Star Images D11 T.A.R.E.M.A. formerly Red Robin Toys F30 TCE Design t/a Top Century Ent. (UK) H36 The In Thing G36 The Puppet Company E16 The Sales Partnership E35 TKC Sales E99 Tomy UK Gallery 115 Toy Retailers Association Gallery 180 Toy Trust Coffee Lounge Gallery 170 Toymaster London Room ToyNews E2 Trade Off Gallery 157 Treasure Trove Toys G10 Turner Media Innovations Lounge Gallery 135 UKiC G120 Ultimate Products G129 University Games UK F10 Vivid Toy Group E130 West Design Products B80 Wicked Vision E106 Wilton Bradley E89 Wind Designs H102 Winning Moves UK D17 Worlds Apart B40 Wow Toys G15 Wow Stuff G56 Zappies H99

EXHIBITOR

STAND

Glitter Mine Imaginell Green Lighthouse Cambridge Brainbox Asobi (incorporating Crafty Kids) Salepoint Annets Entertainment Wizard Limited Commotion Group Terox Toys Skipper MumboJumboToys Street Surfing Tykee Toys Chice Developments

GH53 GH54 GH55 GH56 GH6 GH60 GH61 GH62 GH63 GH65 GH66 GH67 GH69 GH8 GH9

JANUARY 2011

TOY FAIR 2011 FLOOR PLAN

50

Stairs to Ground Floor

101

Press Office

Stairs to Ground Floor

The Henley Suite

Press Office & Photowall 109

115

115

Lift 121 125 126 128 129

Turner Media Innovations Lounge

Relaxation Garden 137

141

Stairs to Ground Floor

215

150

BTHA Members Lounge

GRAND HALL Grand Hall GALLERY Level LEVEL Gallery

210

203

199 197

195 190 189

185 182 180 179

Toy Trust Coffee Lounge

Private Catering Area

167 165 164 163 161 160 159 158 157 156 155

Organisers Office

205

Theatre

H1

G120

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Stairs to Ground Floor

TOY FAIR 2011: THE FAC T Sary 25th to

G125

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y Janu WHEN: Tuesda ary 27th 2011 Thursday Janu d Hall, WHERE: Gran on. W14 8UX Olympia, Lond

F10

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m TIME: 9am – 6p r.co.uk ai yf to WEB: www.

E11 E156 E149

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The Baby Centre Coffee Lounge

JANUARY 2011

B156

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B121

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Floor Plan 2011 Stairs to Gallery

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Best New

Toys

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F105 F89

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Stairs to Gallery

E66

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Entrance

110

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Stairs to Gallery

B95 B89 B85 B80 B75

B65 B56 B49

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Toymaster Buyers Lounge

102

TOY FAIR 2011 FLOOR PLAN

www.toynews-online.biz

B19 Stairs to Gallery

JANUARY 2011

170 Members 300 Stores The UK and Ireland’s largest Buying Group for Independent Retailers of Toys.

The only Buying Group with a High Street Brand.

If you would like more information, please either see us at Toy Fair, Olympia (London Room) or contact Roger Dyson, Ian Edmunds or Colin Farrow on +44 (0)1604 674477

is a 100% Members-Owned mutuality

Dedicated monthly retail coverage

Retail Only News • Data • Opinion

New stores recharge Lego retail offering LEGO HAS opened its first store in five years in Westfield, London and followed with another outlet in Cardiff last month.

The West London-based store was the first shop Lego had opened in the UK in five years.

Its first retail store in Wales also opened last month, in Cardiff’s St David’s mall.

The openings are part of a European expansion plan. Lego has said it plans to open 14 stores in

Featuring Play.com, WH Smith, Amazon, John Lewis and Mail Order Express...

New products Page 56

The 2011 event is 30 per cent bigger with over 200 stands on the show floor. Exhibitor numbers are also up by one fifth. Registration is now open for visitors and the media at www.toyfair.co.uk.

“As the UK’s only dedicated trade event for the toy industry, Toy Fair is a big pull for retailers and our exhibitors can look forward to meeting this industry’s leading buyers next January,” said Simon Pilling, BTHA fairs and events manager.

Toy Fair: www.toyfair.co.uk

New distributor for Jumbo JUMBO HAS signed up with a new distributor in Scotland for its games and puzzles range.

MD Moore will take up the position with immediate effect, taking responsibility for all accounts in the region.

Gray Richmond, MD of Jumbo Games, commented: “We are pleased to welcome MD Moore to the Jumbo

Counter Insurgent muses about a Toy Story-esque Christmas scene...

Page 55

Hobbycraft Retail signs up for Toy Fair doubles up HOBBYCRAFT HAS posted a pre-tax profit increase of £5 million to £10.2 million for the year to February 21st.

Revenues for the year were £84.4 million, up from £68.7 million in 2009.

The news comes after Hobbycraft appointed a new chairman, with Superquinn’s Simon Burke recently joining the team to work alongside CEO Chris Crombie.

During the financial year, Hobbycraft was bought out by Bridgepoint in a deal reported to be worth over £100 million.

In a statement on its website, Bridgepoint claimed: “HobbyCraft is capable of material further rollout in the UK to allow it to take share from smaller specialists and generalist competitors alike, thereby consolidating its dominant category leadership.”

Hobbycraft: 01202 596100

Page 54

Charts

Europe by the end of the year and is working to open between 60 and 70 stores by 2015.

The Cardiff store covers 2,409 square feet and will be Lego’s fifth store in the UK. SVP of Lego brand retail, Skip Kodak said: “Our store at St David’s will enhance our consumers’ overall Lego brand experience through product variety, store design and regular hands-on family events.”

Lego: 01753 495000

GROCERY GIANTS and specialist chains have once again signed up in force for this month’s Toy Fair.

Alworths, Argos, Asda, Costco, Debenhams, Fenwick, Hamley’s, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Mothercare, Next, Shop Direct, Smyths, Tesco, Toymaster, The Entertainer, Toys R Us, Waitrose and WH Smith are among the retailers that have already registered for Toy Fair 2011, which runs from January 25th-27th 2011 at Olympia’s Grand Hall in London.

Comment

team. They have a wealth of experience selling Jumbo and Falcon products so have strong knowledge of our offerings and are in a great position to represent the company in Scotland. We would also like to thank Preston Glover for his service to Jumbo – we all wish him well for the future.”

Jumbo Games: 01707 289289

This month sees new products from Spin Master, Corgi and Circa Circa...

Hero Product Page 57 Hero Product goes to Leapfrog’s Count and Scan Shopper and Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket…

54

RETAIL ONLY

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

IMAGINE THE scene on Christmas night. The children are asleep and as the house goes quiet, the toys come to life and explore their new surrounds. The new toys finally get to talk to the toys who are starting to worry where they are in the pecking order now.

They sit around talking about how they ended up in the hands of their new owners.

Glamour girl Barbie is upset: “I don’t deserve to be used as a prawn in the supermarkets’ fight.” “Pawn you idiot,” shouts out one of the Bratz trying to settle out of court with a good scrap.

Pinata Pete is being bated

by Potato Head, who is pointing out the baseball bat in the corner. Dave The Monkey waves to everyone, while The Stig tries to beat the

best lap time on the Scalextric.

Lightning is happy, he has someone to race against.

Harry and Voldermort battle it out with wands knowing that they can’t finish each other off until next Christmas, while Brick Wars break out with Lego trying not to connect with the K’nex and Mega Bloks bricks.

Toys bought at a proper price mock the cheap toys: “You were cheap…you’re only here because the parents were getting a bargain.”

Wallace trys to keep Shaun in order while trying to keep Pipi Max away from the Christmas tree lights. The Transfomers untangle themselves from the halfconversion they had been left in and all the Lego Minifigures help Nerfy look for his bullets.

Knowing only too well he will be on the scrap heap without them he tries to remember which way he was facing when the kids rattled off 30 darts.

The toys all sit around talking about how they ended up in the hands of their new owners.

Orphan Peppa is looking for a mummy and daddy to adopt her as parent pigs did not come in the box. In the corner, Dora is asking Buzz “por qué estás hablando es el Español” and can’t understand how he knows what she is saying.

Some of the toys get lucky, and are taken to bed to get a glance at their new home. The Zhu Zhus scurry about watching out for mousetraps and the Sylvanians start to understand what it is like to have six families living in one

home. In the boys’ room the XBox is still running, after the boy fell asleep while playing the Lego Harry Potter game, to make up for not getting any of the real thing.

However, little do any of the toys know that come the end of January a raft of people who had put them into their new owner’s hands will betray them and plot to replace them with even faster Lightning, new transforming robots and Barbie in the latest swim suit teaching a cat and a meerkat to swim.

PRICE CHECK: JANUARY 2011

JANUARY 2011

Scrabble Trickster Mattel

Kidizoom Video Recorder VTech

Zubber Bandz Flair

Little Hetty Toy Vacuum Cleaner Casdon

Ben and Holly Little Castle Magical Play-set Golden Bear

£20.00

£60.00

£13.00

£20.00

£30.00

£16.99

£44.94

£12.97

£19.99

£29.99

£19.97

£49.47

£12.97

£19.97

£29.97

£14.99

£29.99

£11.95

£21.90

£39.99

n/a

£56.99

£14.00

£25.00

n/a

RETAIL ONLY

www.toynews-online.biz

55

RETAILCHARTS CHART DATE 29/11/10

Amazon.co.uk 1

Brainbox All Around the World Card Game

2

Addictaball Large Maze Puzzle Game

3

Bananagrams

4

Harry Potter Hogwarts Game

5

Kidizoom Plus Multimedia Digital Camera

6

Haynes Combustion Engine

7

Tension the Zany Crazy Naming Game

8

Plastic Sledge

9

Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster

Play.com Green Board Games

1

Bop It new version

The Sales Partnership

2

Bananagrams

Winning Moves

3

Crayola Friendship Bracelets

Lego

4

Doctor Who: 11th Doctor’s Sonic Screwdriver

VTech

5

Hide n Squeak Eggs

Tomy

Trends UK

6

Rubik’s Cube Classic

Drumond Park

Cheatwell Games

7

Weird Science Lab: Snow Factory

Worldwide Co

JPR Sledges

8

Floating Origami

Worldwide Co

Character

9

Hello Kitty Rotator Creator

Character

10 Nerf N Strike Raider CS-35

Hasbro

10 Star Wars Luke’s Landspeeder

WH Smith

Lego

CHART DATE 29/11/10

1

Lego Star Wars Brickmaster

2

Pirate Island Compact

3

Lego Atlantis Brickmaster

4

Star Wars Rebel Trooper Army Pack

5

CHART DATE 29/11/10 Hasbro Winning Moves Vivid

Mail Order Express

Character

CHART DATE 29/11/10

Dorling Kindersley

1

Born to Play Fisher-Price Farmyard Playhouse

Playmobil

2

Spykee the Wifi Spy Robot

Meccano

Dorling Kindersley

3

Dareway 08 Gothic Ride-on

Famosa

Lego

4

Dareway 08 Silver Ride-on

Famosa

Barbie Puppy Swim School with Pool

Mattel

5

R/C Cargo Train with Light

Playmobil

6

Nerf Dart Tag Darts

Hasbro

6

Lunch Box XB Pro RTR Electric 1:12 R/C Monster Van

Tamiya

7

Science Museum Technorobot

Great Gizmos

7

Diital 143 1:43 Mario Kart Wii Set

Carrera

8

Science Museum Buzz Wire

Great Gizmos

8

Born to Play In the Night Garden Pink Slumber Glo Bed

9

Star Wars Snow Trooper Army Pack

Lego

9

Star Wars Super Deluxe Imperial AT-AT

10 Lego Pirate Brickmaster

Dorling Kindersley

DATE The Entertainer CHART 29/11/10 1

Air Hogs Vectron Wave – Blue and black

2

Lalaloopsy Bea Spells-a-lot Doll

3

Moon Sand Sweet Delights Bake Shop

4

Silver Cross Ranger Dolls Pram

5

Star Wars General Grievous Spinning Lightsaber

6

Bakugan 7 in 1 Maxus Dragonoid

7

Real Construction Deluxe Workshop

8

Total Action Football

9

Little Tikes Premium Wood Kitchen

10 Furreal Friends Gogo My Walkin’ Pup

10 Born to Play In the Night Garden Slumber Glo Bed

Johnlewis.co.uk

Yaffe

Yaffe Hasbro Yaffe

CHART DATE 29/11/10

Spin Master

1

Maxi Micro Scooter Purple

MGA

2

Furreal Friends Butterscotch Pony

Spin Master

3

Honey Bake Kitchen Set

Le Toy Van

HTI

4

Honey Bake Tea Set

Le Toy Van

Hasbro

5

Storio Animated Reading System

Spin Master

6

City Advent Calendar

Jakks

7

Giant Flamingo Puppet

John Adams

8

Infrared Heli Racer

MGA

9

Great Dragon Castle

Hasbro

10 Sylvanian Families Motorcycle and Side Car

Micro Scooters Hasbro

VTech Lego The Puppet Co Silverlit Playmobil Flair

JANUARY 2011

56

RETAIL ONLY

PRODUCTNEWS

Spin Master unveils new girls’ collectable range ZOOBLES – THE new girls’ collectable brand from Spin Master – is due to be unveiled in the UK this month. The world of Zoobles introduces 150 different creatures from lands such as Petagonia and undersea worlds like Seagonia, which spring to life and transform into different characters when placed on their magnetised ‘Happitat’.

When ‘petted’ the Zoobles react by blinking their eyes, wagging their tails, wiggling their ears and more.

A multitude of Zoobles characters from each of the worlds will be available, but regularly retired, to ensure girls keep collecting.

Available initially in singles or doubles (Twobles), along with a playset, which includes an exclusive

Zooble, new characters will be introduced throughout the year.

Zoobles will debut at Toy Fair in January and the launch will be supported by a TV campaign delivering over 1,000 TVRs aimed at girls aged four to nine in the spring.

The brand will also be supported by media promotion and a PR campaign featuring product demonstrations and giveaways. Girls will also be able to track their collections on www.zoobles.com.

Emma Eden, brand manager, said: “Across the trade everyone is extremely excited about the launch of Zoobles. Not only do Zoobles stand out because of their outstanding design and unique transformation, but with over a 150 different Zoobles to collect, little girls are going to go crazy for these cute characters.”

For ToyNews readers in January, there will be two different launch covers to collect from the worlds of Petagonia and Seagonia.

Spin Master: 01628 535000

Circa Circa adds Friends & Family to About Time CIRCA CIRCA, the Brighton-based board games company, has launched a Friends & Family edition of its award-winning About Time title.

With the strap-line ‘The Greatest Guessing Game Since Time Began’, the Friends & Family edition includes new questions in a range of subjects, including popular culture, celebrity and iconic events.

The latest addition has a new spill-proof magnetic cardholder and even simpler rules.

“We’ve launched the new edition in response to consumer demand,” said Joe Gill, director and coinventor of the game.

“People loved our Classic edition and we learnt through them that there was an untapped demand for a version that’s even more topical, with lots more questions around popular culture and celebrity events of the 21st century. The new edition will entice friends and family

members of all ages and should add to Christmas fun for everyone.”

About Time is a trivia game spiced with chance, cunning and strategy – while players move around the board, they learn tidbits from six categories of knowledge.

The game is fast and the mini-rule card lets players get started quickly, right from the first round and every player or team plays in each round.

Players are never wrong, but have to guess closest to the correct answer to win.

About Time is a family game for two to 24 players.

Circa Circa: 07984 623159

Corgi introduces the classic Transit van CORGI HAS released a limited edition 1:43 retro Ford Transit van. The van comes with some dirty van graffiti writing on the sides, including ‘for sale, mop and bucket never used’ and ‘clean me’.

Corgi’s marketing manager, Martyn Weaver, commented: “Corgi’s range of commercial vehicles have been popular for many years and this ‘tongue in cheek’ model is a tribute to the white van man and those witty folk who muddy their finger in the name of comedy.”

Corgi: 01843 233502 JANUARY 2011

Winning Moves signs Harry Hill’s TV Burp

HARRY HILL’S TV Burp has been adapted into a new board game. The cult comedy show has won four BAFTA’s, three British Comedy Awards and regularly tops viewing audiences of eight million.

Winning Moves has worked closely with licensor, Avalon Entertainment, to ensure the game closely reflects the show.

Featuring challenges and trivia questions, Harry Hill’s TV Burp Board Game includes activities and question cards based around the world of television. Players test their knowledge on TV stars, play a form of charades (with a TV Burp twist) and challenge their channel-hopping skills to see if they can beat the clock to find the item in question on the TV in real time.

Nik Battersby, head of product development, Winning Moves, said: “It’s been great fun taking TV Burp’s irreverent style and turning it into a family board game. TV Burp is a guaranteed laugh, and this game gets all the family involved in being silly.”

Winning Moves: 020 7298 9500

www.toynews-online.biz

HERO PRODUCT

57

LeapFrog Pre-school shopping LeapFrog’s pre-school shopping products, the Count and Scan Shopper and the Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket launch this month….

Count and Scan Shopper PARENTS CAN play shop with their toddlers using Count and Scan Shopper, a new interactive shopping game from LeapFrog. Available from this month for £19.99, Count and Scan Shopper helps children shop, scan and discover food with pretend shopping play.

Suitable from two-years-old, the shopper develops the key learning skills of number recognition, counting and role-play. The product allows children to scan individual food items or the provided shopping list, which reveals engaging, educational learning responses to keep them entertained.

The shopper also plays learning songs and children can respond to questions as they hold the scanner to any item around the house or store.

Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket LeapFrog’s Shapes and Sharing Picnic Basket, also available from this month, encourages children to build motor skills as they sort, match, stack, empty and fill the 14-piece set.

Priced at £19.99, the basket helps children learn how to share as well as new shapes and colours while developing their interaction abilities.

Both new products will be supported by a PR campaign targeting national and parenting press.

Release dates: SHAPES AND SHARING BASKET: January 2011 – £19.99 COUNT AND SCAN SHOPPER: January 2011 – £19.99 CONTACT DETAILS: LeapFrog: 01895 201533

JANUARY 2011

The place for business

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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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MILLHOUSE

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01526 351 919

Rainbow Productions

SUPPLIER/MANUFACTURER

0208 254 5300

■ Suppliers/Manufacturers Brookite

01837 53315

Cambridge Brainbox

01279 821 333

Esdevium Games

01420 593 593

Flying Toys

01702 295 110

Fun Collectables

01844 273 719

Ideal Software

01767 689 720

Jumbo Games

01707 289 289

Logiblocs

01727 763 700

Maps Toys

01483 776 006

Millhouse

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Plastics for Games

01728 745 300

Ravensburger

01869 363 800

Revell

01442 250 130

Thumbs Up

0845 466 8880

Wow Toys

020 7471 0980

MILLHOUSE HAS been designing and manufacturing children’s toys and furniture for the past 30 years.

In that time it has primarily supplied to the education market; its high quality products have made it the premier choice for schools and nurseries across the UK. All its products are still made in the UK by a skilled team of local craftsmen.

Utilising this extensive knowledge and expertise, Millhouse

■ Toy Suppliers Cartamundi

01268 511 522

Richard Edward

0208 311 8888

has developed its first retail range, and in doing so, picked up ten toy industry awards in 2010. Not bad for a first attempt.

Millhouse prides itself on the use of quality materials, solid construction methods, the design of safe, innovative products with timeless appeal and a commitment to sustainability.

“We are keen to speak with and develop lasting relationships with

CONTACT DETAILS: Tel: +44 (0) 1526 351 919 Trade enquiries: trade@millhouseathome.co.uk Press enquiries: press@millhouseathome.co.uk

buyers, agents, retailers and distributors throughout the UK and abroad,” said Matt Brown, managing director.

Millhouse will be exhibiting its multi award-winning range of children’s toys and furniture at Toy Fair 2011, (London Olympia Grand Hall: 25th-27th Jan 2011). Stand No: 137 (upstairs near the BTHA Members Lounge).

Millhouse Manufacturing Design Ltd, Roughton Road, Kirkby on Bain, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, LN10 6YL www.millhouseathome.com

WOW SUPPLIER/MANUFACTURER

020 7471 0980 WOW TOYS is well known in the toy trade for its durable range of pre-school toys with features and functions which don’t require batteries.

2010 was a strong year for Wow, which saw UK and international sales rising; 2010’s new Christmas toys were the most well received new products to date and have been a great addition to Wow’s new Fantasy toy range.

Aimed at children aged 18 months to five years, the Wow range has been developed to stimulate learning through creative play and discovery with colours, sounds and mechanical features, helping with early years development.

To achieve this, Wow remains committed to innovation, design and quality. The company excels

in product development and understands instinctively the ingredients that make great toys.

The toy range continues to grow and develop with three new product launches and a record number of new products hitting the toy shelves in 2011. After

over a decade of careful and responsible manufacturing with long-term partners, high standards are guaranteed. Every year it launches several new marketing initiatives to support retailers with the right tools to guarantee successful sell through. Full details of the range can be found on the website.

For further information please Tel: 020 7471 0980 www.wowtoys.com

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64

TOY TALK

TOY TALK

More finger-pointing from MGA; top lip service from Flair and big news on Richard Greaves’ organ. Oh yes...

Jon SALISBURY Observations from a toy industry survivor....

CHRISTMAS BROUGHT us a wave of good and bad news again and I will kick off this month with a tale of canny product development in the US. Squinkies are going to be one of the hottest toys this year in the US says Toys 'R' Us CEO, Jerry Storch.

Described as small eraser heads figures that “girls just love”, Squinkies are great as collectibles because you can get into the craze at virtually any price level. You can start with a small pack, buy houses and all kinds of things to play with your Squinkies to interact with each other. And there are hundreds of them.

This really is a toy phenomenon at its simplest, most base level, stripping out all need for the technology or character licensing endorsement that might add USPs but burden product development with considerable investment and cost that is inevitably reflected in the retail price.

Squinkies was born out of the developer, Blip Toys', correct call that the US consumer is under financial pressure like never before and is demanding affordability. “Demand is tight,” says Laura Phillips, SVP for toys at Walmart. “Mom doesn’t feel bad. ‘I can get into it and my child can really enjoy it,’” she said. “That matters in this economy.”

Always looking to steal a lead on the competition, one retailer in the UK seems to have shot itself in the flipper. How many times have you been told that what toy retailers need is more in-store theatre? Well, it seems that you can take thing a bit too far as Hamleys discovered when it received a hail of abuse from animal welfare experts for treating animals like “living toys” after advertising an event as a Christmas treat for kids featuring live penguins.

Details of the event were quickly removed from its website. Hamleys was also planning a reindeer event.

What’s the old adage? Never work with animals and kids?...

LARIAN LASHES OUT MGA boss Isaac Larian has accused US trade body, the TIA, of being a “puppet organisation” that is biased towards Mattel.

In an open letter to TIA president Carter Keithley, Larian questions the independence of the trade body and says MGA products have been given the “cold shoulder”.

The letters says: “MGA submitted Lalaloopsy, together with other hot MGA products, to TIA - yet TIA failed to even nominate Lalaloopsy in any of their awards categories.

“It seems ever since MGA won back-to-back Peoples’ Choice Toy of the Year Awards for Bratz in 2001 and 2002, MGA and its products have been given the cold shoulder

by TIA. As we all know, Mattel is the biggest financial contributor to TIA

because of its sheer size. For many years, Neil Friedman was the chairman of the TIA Board of Directors; and now it is Bryan Stockton, another Mattel employee.

“We know that TIA changed its rules at the urging of Mattel and scrapped the Peoples’ Choice Toy of the Year after MGA’s back-to-back wins. And as you know, for the past nine years I’ve been asking TIA to give me a seat on its board. TIA has given one excuse after another not to do this.

“TIA is supposed to be an independent organization for the benefit of all companies in the toy business. Is TIA independent? How can an organization such as TIA, with so many “experts”, miss the hottest toy of the year?

AGENT PROFILE

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Dave Glicksman

holder. Still saving up for the Aston Martin Vantage.

Which clients do you currently represent?

Bandai and DKL

What is your selling secret?

Sort out customers problems over returns, incorrect deliveries etc.

It’s not just about the taking of orders. Remember you always have to go back.

What ranges or products do you sell?

Action figures, craft, plastic and wooden pre-school toys.

What regions do you cover?

London, South East and East Anglia.

How many retailers do you deal with?

Approximately 85 What do you most enjoy about being an agent?

Independence and being out and about meeting people.

What car gets you around?

It's a 'rep mobile' a Ford Mondeo, minus the coat hanger but with a very smart Chelsea FC tax disc

JANUARY 2011

What’s your favourite service station?

I’m not a fan of any of them really but of course on a long journey they are necessary and expensive.

Any good stories?

Many, many years ago I was employed by Tonka Toys and the company employed a well-known training company with sales training at their premises culminating in a couple of days on the road.

Anyway, I had a gent from the training company who visited accounts with me for two days and the morning of the second day I told him we would have to

finish about 4pm as Tonka had arranged tickets to take certain buyers to an England v Brazil football match at Wembley and he duly noted this (mind you I think he even noted the traffic light changes all day).

The following week our individual reports came into the sales director and I had one 'real negative' in my training report that on that day I had seen fit to finish work early! wouldn't mind but I even bought him lunch that day. That reminds me, did I claim for that on my expenses?

TOY TALK

65

Katy Fletcher,

Clockwise from left: Peter Dibak, Andrew Brown, Peter Ridgewell. Nick Kneller Paul Lavington and Ken Spencer.

Brand and Marketing Communications Manager, Re:Creation

FLAIR’S OUT OF FASHION NO, IT’S not a reunion of Liverpool FC’s all-conquering 80s trophy-winning machine. These six brave souls from Flair put their dignity on the line in November for a good cause, raising £535 for the Prostate Cancer Charity.

As part of the charity’s Movember campaign, each committed to revive the long lost gentlemanly art of growing a moustache. The men of Flair have spent a month dealing with itching, embarrassment and for some extreme cases of Eisoptrophobia (that’s a fear of mirrors, word fans).

For more information on the impact that Movember is having, visit: http://uk.movemberfoundation.com/research-and-programs Or to make a donation go to - http://uk.movember.com/donate/yourdetails/team_id/109450/

GET BEHIND RICHARD’S ORGAN

NOW HERE’S one we’ve never had before. Richard Greaves, business development manager for Halilit, is to perform an organ concert on 14th March 2011 in aid of the Toy Trust and Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley, Lancashire.

Richard is a seasoned performer and has been playing the piano and organ since he was a small boy stopping only for meals and trade shows.

My Favourite Things

He explains: “I know that I can rely on my friends and colleagues in the toy industry to donate generously to these great causes even if they are unable to attend the concert.”

For more details, Richard can be contacted at: richard@halilit.co.uk or through his website: www.richardgreaves.co.uk.

And here he is giving it some on a Halilit glockenspiel.

JANUARY 2011

Favourite album: Anything by Counting Crows ------------------------------------------------------------Film: It’s got to be the Pink Panther films -----------------------------------------------------------Book: Sex, by Madonna. She’s my idol -----------------------------------------------------------------------------TV programme: The Apprentice (AKA The Muppet Show) -------------------------------------------------------Magazine: Heat, I guess. I do like to indulge in a trashy magazine once in a while --------------------------------------------------------Holiday destination: Provence ---------------------------------------------------------Pets: My labrador and my two guinea pigs ----------------------------------------------------------Heroes: The lovely Graham Canning -----------------------------------------------------------------------------Way to spend a weekend: Walking in the Cotswold’s with my other half and our gorgeous labrador, with a nice pit-stop pint of Hooky ----------------------------------------Game/toy: Top Trumps and Blow Off. Anything card based -----------------------------------------Tipple: Red wine ------------------------------------------Food: Thai -------------------------------------------Piece of advice: Don’t overcomplicate stuff, keep it plain and simple ---------------------------------------------

66

FEATURE PLANNER

FEBRUARY 2011 Nuremberg

MARCH 2011

Toy Fair

The bumper February issue of ToyNews carries company by company guides on those exhibiting at London’s Toy Fair, as well as Nuremberg’s Spielwarenmesse. If you’re exhibiting at one, or both shows call the team now to find out how you can secure your firm’s inclusion.

Show reviews Outdoor toys Toy Industry Awards winners Science & educational toys The March issue carries a round-up of the 2011 trade shows so far and the Toy Industry Awards.

Also included is a sneak peek at what the industry has planned for its outdoor toys offering as the warmer weather approaches. Finally, we find out about the latest products in the science and educational sector.

Call Emily Briggs on 01992 535647

to advertise in the extra circulation February trade show special. Or email emily.briggs nt @i entmendia.co.uk

Editorial deadline: Call for details Advertising deadline: Call for details

Editorial deadline: January 14th Advertising deadline: February 11th

FORTHCOMING EVENTS HONG KONG TOYS & GAMES FAIR January 10th - 13th 2011 Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre www.hktdc.com

TOY FAIR January 25th - 27th 2011 Grand Hall, Olympia, London www.toyfair.co.uk

SPIELWARENMESSE February 3rd - 8th 2011 Nuremberg www.toyfair.de

SPRING FAIR February 6th - 10th 2011 The NEC, Birmingham www.springfair.com

AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR February 13th - 16th 2011 Javits Center, New York www.toyassociation.org

PLAYWORLD MIDDLE EAST March 7th - 9th 2011 Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre www.playworldme.com

BRAND LICENSING CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE March 7th - 8th 2011 Corinthia Grand Hotel, Budapest www.brandlicensing-budapest.com

TOY NEWS FIVES July 8th 2011 Powerleague, Barnet www.topcorner.co.uk

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

JANUARY 2011

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 2011 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: 6,043 July 1st 2009 to June 30th 2010.

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