8 minute read
U. S. Toy Association Jennifer Lynch looks ahead to the 2023 New York Toy Fair
Taking over the Universe
Curious Universe has scooped a prestigious gong at the Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards, earning itself the title of Business of the Year in the small to medium-sized category.
The company, which creates toys, craft, books and stationery products, fought off stiff competition to be recognised in a number of different areas, including financial performance, growth, understanding its customers, engaging the workforce and having effective leadership, and using technology and digital media to reach customers and employees and innovation.
The award joins a packed trophy cabinet at the company’s Bath HQ, including the city’s own Business Awards and inclusion in the Sunday Times 100 listing.
Curious Universe founder and CEO John Styring said: “To come out on top against such a high-quality field is a massive endorsement from the judges for what we have achieved so far in our relatively short life.’’
Spielwarenmesse adds new elements as show approaches
With more than 85% of exhibition space booked and new elements added to the mix alongside traditional recognised parts, organisers of Spielwarenmesse have said they are “very positive and looking ahead to the event”.
The team behind the Nuremberg event, due to take place over the first five days of February in 2023 and finally returning after the pandemic, unveiled some of next year’s new elements at a recent launch in London’s West End.
Executive board member Florian Hess and communications director Scarlett Wisotzki outlined some of the new elements as well as highlighting the inportance of the show and the benefits of attending.
As Hess said: “On a product level, it’s important to experience the produce with senses, to touch and feel. And nothing beats a live meeting.” The show gives the potential to see new toys ad product up close and personal and connect on an emotional level.
Hess added: “More than 85% [of exhibition space] is booked compared to pre-pandemic. It’s very reassuring and a very good sign.” He further noted that industry heavyweights would all be in the room together and the pandemicenforced break meant they were looking at their stands and presenting things in a different way, giving a renewed boost to the returning event. • See page 12 for more.
SEIZE THE PLAY: SHAPE YOUR FUTURE AT A REIMAGINED TOY FAIR 2023
Anticipation is building for the return of Toy Fair 2023, and the North American toy show is evolving right alongside the business of play to offer businesses even more ways to connect and more of the targeted business intelligence that attendees demand.
Taking place from September 30 to October 3, 2023, in the media and financial capital of the world - New York City - Toy Fair’s new fall timeline better aligns with today’s shifting buying cycles and accelerated delivery timelines. Toy manufacturers have already committed to 80% of available booth space at the show, reinforcing the event’s impact on the play community and its unique positioning to showcase in-year priority items for the 2023 holiday season; help finalise spring 2024 launches; and, behind closed doors, preview holiday 2024 product to trusted buyers and media partners.
“Toy Fair will be the meeting grounds for the global play community to come together in 2023, and we are eager to welcome even more global brands and innovative things,” said Kimberly Carcone, executive vice president of global market events at The U.S. Toy Association, the producer of Toy Fair. “The show remains the industry’s premier event for toymakers, retailers, the global media, licensors, inventors, and everyone across the universal play community. No matter your place in the play ecosystem, there is an opportunity to strengthen your business and expand your reach at Toy Fair.”
New show initiatives such as the event’s visual merchandising initiative, which requires exhibitors to make product visible in at least 20% of their aisle-facing exhibit space, will encourage more buyer and media interactions for the 2023 holiday season and reward exhibitors for the most creative, hospitable, interactive, and thoughtfully designed exhibit displays during Toy Fair’s first-ever exhibit design awards, the Reimagination Awards. Toy Fair University’s on-floor educational programming, likewise, will engage show attendees and exhibitors with business-building sessions that provide insights into the global play industry and capitalise on the reimagined energy of the new fall timeframe.
Carcone added: “With myriad initiatives underway for exhibitors and every Toy Fair guest to network, learn, and grow their business, now is the time to secure your spot at Toy Fair and ensure you and your company are well represented at the most eagerly anticipated event in 2023.”
A slate of educational and networking programming will continue to roll out in the coming months. For the most up-todate Toy Fair news, visit ToyFairNY.com.
The great and the good from all sides of the toy industry convened on the Grosvenor Square Marriott in London for their annual Christmas Ball. The glittering event hosted by The Fence Club entertained more than 360 guests with entertainment from performers of the hit West End show We Will Rock You. Guests danced with the singers as they belted out many of Queen’s greatest hits.
As well as the entertainment, the raffle raised over £13,000 with all money going to family and children’s charities. As charity secretary, Character Options’ Joe Kissane, said: “Saturday night’s Christmas ball was a tremendous success, I have had so much positive feedback from my guests and others saying how good the food was, the entertainment, the venue, the staff, but more importantly what we do as a charity. It’s important to me that we don’t forget our motto ‘To strive mightily and eat and drink as friends’, which is the ethos of our small group of members, but at the same time we want to help as many children has possible. Raising £13k-plus from the raffle was down to the very generous people on the evening and is a great start to our year’s target of £100m. I can’t thank you all enough for your wonderful generosity. Have a lovely Christmas and a healthy New Year.” Simon Anslow from the Harrogate Christmas and Gift Show, this year’s chairman of the Fence Club, added: “What a wonderful experience being the Fence Club Chairman on what is the highlight weekend of the year in the organisation’s calendar, starting on Thursday night with the Chairman’s Curry Night, Wall Members’ lunch on the Friday and the Christmas Ball on the Saturday night! The latter event was a truly great night. The night is only made possible by the attendance of the Fence Club members bringing their guests to the party helping to raise money for the children.’’
Big Potato chips in for TV spots
Indie board game operator Big Potato has launched its first-ever Christmas TV ad, airing across some of ITV’s biggest shows.
Spots booked during such high- profile shows as I’m A Celebrity and The Chase were set to give its product an estimated reach of 20 million viewers.
The ad was put together by Lux Studio and features a soundtrack from Ben Pope and eyecatching animated visuals, while highlighting games such as Herd Mentality and Colourbrain.
Big Potato head of marketing Becky McKinlay said: “We’re really excited to show off our first proper TV ad. We’ve put a lot of work into it, so we hope it brings a smile. There’s even a cameo from Dean, one of our founders, at the end — listen out for it!”
Toy Trust’s
Merry Month of Mayhem
Get set for May Mayhem next year, as the Toy Trust has unveiled its charity fundraising plans for 2023.
The organisation has revealed its Big Challenge for next year and is aiming to build on the success of its Around the World in 80 Hours event where toy industry individuals attempted to circumnavigate the globe, albeit virtually.
And among the activity due to take place at the end of spring is a similar attempt to circumnavigate the 18,000 km coastline of mainland Britain – again, virtually – by non-motorised means.
The May Mayhem initiative from the Trust is challenging the toy industry to carry out a month of fundraising anywhere in the UK, taking part in activities devised by themselves either individually or as part of a team. As well as the non-motorised circumnavigation – measured using popular app Strava – there will also be nonphysical activity opportunities for would-be fundraisers.
The month-long idea enables entrants flexibility to organise events with colleagues or the wider industry, and also take part as individuals on lengthier challenges. Weekly progress reports will be issued by the Toy Trust highlighting initiatives and efforts, with a totaliser showing the distances covered.
Further queries can be directed to matt@btha.co.uk and also check @TheToyTrust on Instagram.
Disney’s Xmas Gift
Disney has launched its third annual Christmas advert, with the 2022 instalment becoming the third in a trilogy under the banner of From My Family To Yours.
The advert, a three-minute animated short entitled The Gift, again sees the company supporting long-term charity partner Make-AWish, at the same time as highlighting its toys and consumer products.
The advert, which follows the same family as the two previous years, highlights the “comfort that storytelling brings families during times of change and how it deepens their bonds through togetherness”.
It will air on TV and digital as well as Disney’s own channels across the UK, EMEA territories and beyond. Previous ads each drew more than 184 million viewers.
Sarah Fox, VP marketing & comms, Disney Consumer Products, EMEA, said: “For the last three years millions have watched our characters in our ‘From Our Family To Yours’ animated series, as they spend time together building connections and making memories. We set out to create a family unit that would resonate with audiences worldwide. We are truly grateful for the support we have received for this festive campaign and hope that families and fans enjoy this fitting, heart-warming final instalment of the trilogy.”
