Leader - with Tim Murray

At the heart of retail

Also by Lema Publishing

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Tim Murray

Hello there, and I’d like to welcome you all to the first issue of Toys ‘n’ Playthings under my editorship. Action Man and assorted offshoots and Me-Too toys (Little Big Man, for example) saw my mum, a dab hand with a sewing machine, making I just want to say what a privilege it is bespoke clothing items for my Action Men, for me to be helping oversee such a including monogrammed polo shirts (seriously). prestigious and storied title. During the 90s I started buying vinyl toys and

I’ve received a very warm welcome collectables that included, again, Planet Of The myself from people in and around Apes figures and loads more, limited edition the industry – it really is a very goodies picked up around the world, more Star friendly business. Wars, and shelves heaving under all kinds of

For those who might have missed the weird and wonderful characters and vehicles. story, I’ve started here after spending Having kids meant spending the best part of the past 30 or so years working in B2B what seems like almost 15 years playing with and trade journalism, covering home LEGO and assorted board and card games entertainment, from VHS through to and more (I still marvel at how Dobble is Blu-ray and streaming, across games constructed) and an opportunity to immerse and film, and, in recent years, in myself once again in toys. addition to home entertainment, I’ve And now my youngest son is well into his also been working on a business title teenage years, I get to write about toys, and I for the newsagent and convenience must say, I’m hugely excited to be here. store sector, covering, most recently, I’ve got bags of ideas about what I want to newspapers and magazines. I’ve often eyed the toy “ I’ve often eyed the toy industry do with the magazine, but the first hurdle is to steady the ship, get settled in, get a few issues of the industry with a a certain amount of jealousy, having first signed up with a a certain amount of magazine out and then see where we are. I’m not going to ring the changes immediately, I’m going to to TnP more than jealousy, having wait until I’ve spoken to you the 10 years ago at Toy Fair and thinking “here’s an industry that appeals first signed up to TnP more than readers, on both sides of the fence, retailer and supplier, to see what you want from the magazine. to me”. 10 years ago at So please tell me what you want Ever since I received a Stingray vehicle as a reward for putting Toy Fair and thinking ‘here’s an to see in these pages – email me at tim@lemapublishing.co.uk… Meanwhile, what’s in store for up with awful sunburn in Broadstairs as a toddler, I’ve been obsessed with toys. industry that appeals to me’” this issue? We’ve got loads of news, including sustainability (something we’ll be featuring more of in the coming months), a From Gerry Anderson toys such as the look at inflationary pressures on the toy trade aforementioned car from Marineville, and potential fallout for the industry, as well as including assorted hand-me-down major features on construction, STEM and plush Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet toys. Moreover, we’ve got the excellent array of vehicles (I still own an original Spectrum columnists, as well as some cracking interviews Pursuit Vehicle), through Kenner with retailers and suppliers from across the superhero action figures picked up on a board. Expect more of the same in the coming trip to the US during the 1970s; Planet months – and some new elements too. Of The Apes, Star Wars, Subbuteo and I’m really looking forward to getting my teeth more, I’ve continued this obsession well stuck in, to meeting you all and to expanding my into my adulthood. My obsession with toy collection. And I’ll see you soon…