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M E ' H C N U LA M E ' L L E A D A M TR ect 'E l l o c
GET IN ON THE ACTION See ROXX at Imperial’s New York Toy Fair Booth #2181 tm
United States Sales:
Canada & International Sales:
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The Best in Fun!
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Hong Kong, North Hills, Mississippi, San Diego, Mexico
430 Signet Drive, Suite A Toronto, Ontario Canada
e: sales@imptoy.com p: 818-536-6500 f: 818-536-6501
e: info@canadagroup.com p: 416-746-3388 f: 416-746-0333
1/19/2012 2:13:04 PM
February 2012 Volume 7, No. 2
features
departments
38 Seizing Opportunity: The Toy Year Begins at the 38th Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair by Christopher Byrne
42 TOMY’s Treena: Changing the Face of Collectibles by Nancy Lombardi
See Here FirSt!
it
excluSive imageS
44 Batman Spans the Generations by Nancy Lombardi
46 Mattel’s Plan for HIT Entertainment by Nancy Lombardi
48 Her Name Is Lola. . . Spin Master’s New Fashion Doll Line
read Here FirSt!
it
excluSive
by Nancy Lombardi
50 The State of Specialty Toy Retail in 2012 by Chris Adams
58 What’s New at Toy Fair 2012 compiled by Laurie Leahey and Jennifer Lynch
126 Specialty Emporium: BeginAgain Toys by Jennifer Lynch
Observations & Opinions Sizzlers Specialty Sizzlers The Ticker Entertainment Marketplace: Jake and the Never Land Pirates 20 Industry Forum: TIA 22 Industry Forum: ASTRA 24 Industry Forum: Gameplan Europe 26 Industry Forum: ToyFest West 30 Industry Forum: SGS Consumer Testing Service 32 Industry Forum: Royaltie$ Brand Showcase 36 Merchandise Makers: Hape International 128 You’re Hired 130 Calendar of Events 8 10 12 14 18
on this page from the left: Playmates’ Leonardo Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Basic Action Figure; Hape’s Little Friend Rattle; MGA’s Lalaloopsy Soft Doll; Endless Games’ Cupcake Race Game; Kids Only/Jakks’ Original Big Wheel; LEGO’s Joker; Spin Master’s Lola Fashion Doll
cover created by Design Edge
Fisher-Price & TCG, partnering to bring you the BEST in educational puzzles. Contact Us: 430 Signet Drive, Suite A Toronto, Ontario Canada M9L 2T6 P. 416.746.3388 F. 416.746.0333 E. info@canadagroup.com
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The Best in Fun!
ŠMattel
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ObservatiOns & OpiniOns
WWW.ANBMEDIA.COM
Embracing Change BY
BOB GLASER
W
e have been very lucky in the New York City area so far this winter. January has been unseasonably warm. Some days, in fact, have felt more like spring. By the time you read this, we will all be gathered once again in the Javits Center for Toy Fair. Let’s hope it’s a snow-free show. While we were enjoying winter in New York, another toy year kicked off once again in Hong Kong. Christopher Byrne attended the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair acting as aNb Media’s foreign correspondent. Read his report on the show on page 38. As we look further into 2012 and perhaps even into 2013 in this issue, let’s take a moment to look back at this past holiday season. I am finding it very hard to determine if it was a successful one. Most economic reports show that sales were up. However, it has yet to be determined if that translated into profits. Many retailers are facing the task of reinventing themselves to compete in this ever-changing market. Sears/Kmart is shutting stores and repositioning themselves. JCPenney just announced an overhaul to its pricing structure, store design, and brand message. Why are so many retailers struggling? Consumers have become conditioned to look for sales. Couple that with the internet revolutionizing how consumers shop and retailers—large and small—will continue to be forced to make tough decisions to prosper in the years ahead. While these rapidly changing times pose challenges for many, they also bring a lot of excitement to embrace what’s new. aNb Media is on the cusp of this change. Our consumer site www.timetoplaymag.com, which launched in 2008, is filling an information void on the internet when it comes to toy reviews. Four years later we are one of the internet’s fastest growing websites and the authority when it comes to the latest and greatest in all things play. What sets us apart is our editorial teams’ willingness to take products out of the package for video review. We let caregivers know what type of experience a child could have with the toy—good and bad. We also let parents know what to be aware of—such as items that may be difficult to assemble. And, we certainly don’t focus solely on the fourth quarter. We showcase what’s new every day. aNb Media’s editorial team will be searching the aisles of Toy Fair for the latest and greatest products to feature on TimetoPlayMag.com. We also encourage manufacturers to submit samples to the editorial team throughout the year. Looking forward to seeing everyone at Toy Fair.
8 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
February 2012 • Volume 7, Number 2 PUBLISHER BOB GLASER BOB@ANBMEDIA.COM ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ANDY KRINNER ANDY@ANBMEDIA.COM ADVERTISING MANAGER DONNA MOORE DONNA@ANBMEDIA.COM CONTROLLER MARY GROGAN MARY@ANBMEDIA.COM EDITOR IN CHIEF JIM SILVER JIM@ANBMEDIA.COM EDITORIAL DIRECTOR NANCY LOMBARDI NANCY@ANBMEDIA.COM EDITOR AT LARGE CHRISTOPHER BYRNE CHRISB@ANBMEDIA.COM CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CHRIS ADAMS CHRISA@ANBMEDIA.COM EDITOR LAURIE LEAHEY LAURIE@ANBMEDIA.COM ASSISTANT EDITOR JENNIFER LYNCH JENNIFER@ANBMEDIA.COM WEB MASTER ERIK KIECKHAFER ERIK@ANBMEDIA.COM WEB CONTENT MANAGER BRENDAN SANABRIA BRENDAN@ANBMEDIA.COM CONTRIBUTORS ANDREW DOBBIE; FRED MILLS-WINKLER; KATHLEEN MCHUGH; KRISTIN MORENCY; MATT NUCCIO; TOYFEST WEST STAFF PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE JOSSLYNNE WELCH LITZKY PUBLIC RELATIONS, 320 SINATRA DRIVE, HOBOKEN, N.J. 07030 (201) 222–9118 EXT. 13 • JWELCH@LITZKYPR.COM INTERESTED IN A SUBSCRIPTION? CONTACT SUBSCRIPTIONS@ANBMEDIA.COM ANB MEDIA, INC. 229 WEST 28TH STREET, SUITE 401, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10001 PHONE: (646) 763–8710 • FAX: (646) 763–8727 Toys & FamiLy EnTErTainmEnT is published six times per year by aNb Media. Copyright 2012 aNb Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A. Toys & FamiLy EnTErTainmEnT and spEciaLTy Emporium are registered trademarks of aNb Media. Opinions and comments expressed in this publication by editors, contributing writers, or solicited or unsolicited documents are not necessarily those of management.
experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzl YO-YOs games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experie creativity experience family YO-YOs games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles gam family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family pu experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family YO-YOs games puzzl puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experie creativity experience family YO-YOs games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles gam family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family YO experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzl puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experie creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family YO-YOs gam family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family pu experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzl puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family YO-YOs games puzzles creativity experie creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles gam family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family YO experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzl puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experie creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles gam family YO-YOs games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family pu experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzl puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family YO-YOs games puzzles creativity experie creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles gam family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family pu experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzz YO-YOs games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experie creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles gam family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family pu experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family YO-YOs games puzz puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experie creativity TCG experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles gam provides The Best In Fun™ with our exclusive range family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity of games, puzzles and specialty items featuring high profile puzzles creativity experience family YO-YOs games puzzles creativity experience family pu brands including ROXX™, Fisher-Price™, Justin Bieber, Lalaloopsy™, experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzz ®, Cody Simpson, NHL, Yo-Yo® & many more! Little Tikes puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity experie Check out our entire line! puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles gam creativity experience family family puzzles games puzzles creativity experience family puzzles games puzzles creativity
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SizzlerS
Sizzlers: What’s Moving Off Store Shelves? What Are the Hottest Web Orders? Here is an alphabetical listing of the hottest-selling items in the toy industry, based on a combined survey of both offline and online retailers, reflecting the previous month’s sales. Angry Birds Knock on Wood Game
LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet
Angry Birds KnocK on Wood gAme mattel
lAlAloopsy silly hAir doll mgA entertainment
Angry Birds on Thin ice gAme mattel
leApFrog my pAl VioleT leapFrog
Annoying orAnge TAlKing Figure AssorTmenT The Bridge direct
leAppAd explorer leArning TABleT leapFrog
BeyBlAde meTAl Fusion hasbro
lego ninjAgo lego
connecT Four hasbro
lego sTAr WArs AssorTmenT lego
doggie doo goliath games
mini lAlAloopsy Treehouse mgA entertainment
FijiT Friends mattel
monsTer high sWeeT 1600 AssorTmenT mattel
hedBAndz spin master
perplexus mAze plasmart
hoT Wheels WAll TrAcKs mattel
WWe rumBlers AcTion Figures mattel
innoTAB Vtech
10 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
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SPECIALTY SIZZLERS
Specialty Sizzlers: What’s Moving Off Store Shelves in the Specialty Market? TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT is polling individual specialty retailers for a glimpse of what’s selling. Rather than polling retailers nationwide, this month we asked KAZOODLES for its current top sellers. Listed below, in alphabetical order, are what consumers recently purchased in store at Mary Sisson’s Vancouver, Wash., location as well as online at WWW.KAZOODLESTOYS.COM.
BULL’S-EYE
•
DNA FAMILY GAMES
“This game was invented locally,” says Mary Sisson of Kazoodles. “We’ve had the inventors in the store a few times. It’s a fun way to put your spelling, math, and strategy skills to use and can be played by multiple ages. It's now being distributed by Alliance.”
DOINKIT DARTS
•
MARKY SPARKY
“It’s fun, it’s safe, and it’s skill-building,” she says. “We brought these in when a store in Vermont told us it was its No. 1 seller. It’s been high on our list ever since.”
PERPLEXUS
•
PLASMART
“We had to do some quick reorders in December,” Sisson says. “Kids who were hooked on Perplexus last year now wanted the Epic and their younger siblings wanted the Rookie.”
PLASMACAR Spot It! by Blue Orange Games
•
PLASMART
“Kids ride the demo model around the store,” she says. “Parents see how much fun their kids are having.”
SPOONER BOARDS
•
SPOONER
“People love that it’s made in the U.S. and it gives their kids something active and fun to play with,” Sisson says.
SPOT IT!
•
BLUE ORANGE GAMES
“This is a fun game for a variety of reasons,” she says. “Our grandkids love it and so do we.”
TEACHING CASH REGISTER
•
LEARNING RESOURCES
“This is one of those classics that grows with a child through several stages of development,” Sisson says. “We keep one on the play table and it’s in use all day, every day.”
YIKERZ Shown here is the Pro version of the Plasma Car by PlaSmart.
•
WIGGLES 3D
“When a mom brought three teenage boys into our store to try to get them interested in something other than video games, my husband challenged them to a game of Yikerz,” she says. “They each walked out with one. It’s great for older kids.”
12 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
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THE TICKER
A Recap of Industry Headlines • For More News, Visit www.aNbMedia.com • Sign up to Receive FREE Weekly News Alerts
RAZOR USA L AUNCHES NEW FASHION DOLL LINE
Pony Royale is a new fashion doll line from Razor USA. With an open-ended play system, the line incorporates a princess fantasy and horses, along with fashion and hair play. The Pony Royale collection includes 12 Princess Ponies, additional fashion and hair packs, and a Dressing Carousel playset. The line will be supported by a fourth quarter Pony Royale TV advertising campaign and an interactive website, www.ponyroyaleworld.com, Harmony where girls can go to discover more about the magical land of Pony Royale. Designed with realistic features and a touch of fantasy, the ponies have articulated heads and their 6.5-inch bodies stand on their own for easy play. Each pony comes with an extra mane and tail, a hairbrush, and one set of Mix-It-Up Fashions, including a saddlette, saddle blanket, crown, and skirt. The Pony Royale collection is for ages 3 and up.
TCG TO INTRODUCE ROXX WORLDWIDE, TAPS IMPERIAL TOY AS EXCLUSIVE U.S. PARTNER
TCG (formerly known as The Canadian Group) is partnering with Imperial Toy to launch the Roxx line in the U.S. market. Roxx are collectible game pieces featuring unique art in diverse themes targeting boys ages 7 and up. Some of the themes include skate, hip-hop, grunge, humor, superheroes, action figures, and more. Roxx is about the fun of collecting, trading, and playing to win through two levels of play. The freestyle play level features open-ended, easy-to-learn games using only the Roxx pieces, while the Trixx play level utilizes launchers, playsets, and other accessories to enhance the Roxx experience. Roxx will also feature uniquely numbered proprietary and licensed designs per series. Licensed assortments will include Marvel Super Heroes, Spider-Man, The Avengers, and more worldwide. TCG will also launch an NHLlicensed Roxx collection in Canada later this year. Roxx packs will feature an official Roxx Nation seal and include collectible gameplay cards and a collector series checklist. The limited-edition runs will be verifiable and authenticated. RoxxNation.com will serve as a membership platform to build brand loyalty and introduce new activities; offer online gameplay, virtual Roxx, and competitions; and showcase top players and collectors. TCG and Imperial will also accompany the launch with a comprehensive integrated marketing and public relations campaign aimed at boys throughout North America beginning summer of 2012 to experience Roxx Nation for themselves. Roxx and related accessories are expected to hit retail shelves this summer.
KIDS PREFERRED INKS NEW LICENSING DEALS
The Aird Group, maker of the Kimmidoll and Kimmidoll Junior, signed Kids Preferred to distribute Kimmidoll Junior resin dolls, key chains, and other related product for the specialty market. Kids Preferred will launch its product assortment at Toy Fair. The deal was brokered by The Aird Group’s newly appointed licensing agent for North America, Redasign Studio. Redasign also brokered a deal with Kids Preferred for the plush property Squaredy Cats. Under the agreement, Kids Preferred will manufacture and distribute the plush at specialty. Squaredy Cats, combine the expression “scaredy cat” with brightly colored plush cats that are square-shaped.
14 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
Kimmidoll Junior
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THE TICKER
A Recap of Industry Headlines • For More News, Visit www.aNbMedia.com • Sign up to Receive FREE Weekly News Alerts
MATTEL/FISHER-PRICE EXECUTIVES PASSED AWAY
Mattel/Fisher-Price recognized the passing of two of its beloved colleagues and respected toy professionals. The company submitted the following obituary to honor Stanley “Stan” T. Clutton and Diana Dunn-Graves. Stan Clutton, senior vice-president of inventor relations, Mattel/Fisher Price, died December 23, 2011, after a battle with cancer. He was 66. Clutton was referred to by his industry colleagues as a “funny, loyal, honorable person they were proud to call a friend.” He was a toy and licensing industry icon with a big heart, a warm smile, and an unforgettable laugh. An outpouring of condolences from the industry for his nearly 40 years of dedicated service continues to filter into Mattel and Fisher-Price since his passing. Stan devoted his entire professional life to traveling the world to meet with inventors and licensors that might offer that next great toy idea for Fisher-Price and securing best-in-class licenses for the Fisher-Price portfolio. Most notably, Clutton tapped into the inventor technology that became the Tickle Me Elmo phenomenon in 1996. He joined Tyco Preschool in 1993 as vice-president of marketing and was promoted to senior vice-president of marketing and design in 1997. In 2000, he became senior vice-president of inventor relations for all of Fisher-Price, adding Mattel inventor relations to his area of responsibility in 2009. He was a tireless driver, enabling Fisher-Price to become a lead manufacturer for new preschool entertainment properties. Clutton also served as a former LIMA board member and was an active participant on its charity committee. His warmth, energy, and dedication to his work have made an indelible mark on the legions of people he touched in the toy and licensing world. Diana Dunn-Graves, vice-president of marketing for Fisher-Price, died from complications from breast cancer on January 1. She was 49. DunnDiana Dunn-Graves Graves graced the toy industry for nearly 20 years, starting in the New York City area with Eden Toys and then moving on to Gund, Inc., as vice-president of marketing. One of her last duties at Gund was launching the Gund Baby line. In 2001, she joined Fisher-Price as director of marketing in the girls division. She was then tapped to head up the infant and newborn team, which she led with great vision for seven years. Some of her outstanding achievements included innovative marketing programs as well as the launch of several very successful product lines such as Laugh & Learn, Peek-a-Blocks, and Amazing Animals. At the end of 2010, Diana was promoted to her dream job as vice-president of marketing at Fisher-Price Friends in New York City, closer to family and work with a new team that, in her words, “invigorated” her. She will be remembered for her well-known and appreciated wit as well as her humorous and triumphant three-peat to the TOTY stage in New York City during Toy Fair 2011. There is much to admire about their storied careers, and the tenacity and vivaciousness with which they approached their work and their lives. The Mattel/Fisher-Price family, as well as the rest of the toy community, sends its sympathies to the families they left behind. All are proud to have worked with Clutton and Dunn-Graves and both will be greatly missed.
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th s! i w w No und o s ke i l e if
l
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Stop by and check out over 100 great new toys!
NEW Location & Booth #2021 www.manhattantoy.com • 800-541-1345
™
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ENTERTAINMENT MARKETPLACE
DISNEY CONSUMER PRODUCTS BY LAURIE LEAHEY
n February 14, 2011, the Disney Channel debuted a new programming block called Disney Junior, taking over the space that once belonged to Playhouse Disney. The block features popular programs, such as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Special Agent Oso, and Handy Manny, but it also includes a brand new animated series that features a familiar villain—Captain Hook. Jake and the Never Land Pirates debuted last year on February 14. It is Disney Junior’s first new animated series. This music-filled interactive treasure hunt introduced a crew of kid pirates led by Jake and his pals Izzy and Cubby. The show follows their Never Land adventures as they work to outwit two infamous characters, the one and only Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, from Disney’s classic Peter Pan. Each episode features two 11-minute adventures as Jake, his team of pirates, and their look-out parrot, Skully, sail on the good ship Bucky, miles from their Pirate Island hideout on a lost treasure hunt. Along l-r: Izzy, Cubby, and Jake the way, they model teamwork, problem-solving, and physical activity as they learn to maneuver around Hook and Smee, earning gold doubloons as they conquer tasks, including crossing a muddy swamp, swinging on vines, and sliding down waterfalls. Not only is Jake and the Never Land Pirates the first show designed for the Disney Junior block, but it is also the first show designed for the new Disney Junior target demographic, which is children ages 2–7 and their families. (Playhouse Disney’s target demographic was children 2–5.) Disney Consumer Products (DCP) is developing a broad licensing program for the show, anchored by toys from master toy licensee Fisher-Price. Just Play also signed on as a toy licensee. Toys will include playsets, action figures, roleplay and dress-up, and more. Other licensees include Jay Franco for bedding, Wonder Forge for games, and Hallmark for themed party goods. DCP is still working with as-yet-unnamed licensees to develop product for Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Licensed product will begin to roll out across all categories in June, giving young pirate fans a chance to become a part of Jake’s pirate crew and have more treasure-hunting adventures off of the TV screen.
O
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NEED
TO
KNOW
• David Arquette is the voice of Skully, Sharon Osbourne voices Mama Hook, and Tori Spelling voices the Pirate Princess.
• Jake and the Never Land Pirates airs every morning at 8:30 A.M./7:30 A.M. CST during the Disney Junior programming block on the Disney Channel. • The Disney Junior programming block will become its own channel in the U.S. on March 23. The channel will be available via major cable and satellite providers. The Disney Junior block will also continue on the Disney Channel.
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The licensing program for Jake and the Never Land Pirates is anchored by master toy licensee Fisher-Price. Product will hit stores later this fall in the U.S. and globally in 2013.
FISHER-PRICE
Jake’s Pirate Ship
In Wonder Forge’s Who Shook Captain Hook? game, Captain Hook is snoozing in his hammock, surrounded by all the treasure he’s nabbed from Jake and his pirate crew. Spin the spinner to choose your challenge, then use the sword, the fishing pole, or the shovel to pluck a piece of treasure. Grab the loot without sending Hook tumbling into the water where Tic Toc Croc awaits.
Jake and the Never Land Pirates is the newest Disney property for licensee Jay Franco. The company will produce bedding featuring characters and other graphics from the TV series.
JAY FRANCO
Hallmark’s line of Jake and the Never Land Pirates party goods includes tableware, party games and favors, piñatas, stickers, and candles.
HALLMARK
WONDER FORGE
Disney Consumer Products is working with more than a dozen additional licensees to develop licensed product for Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Those licensees could not be named as of press time.
OTHER LICENSEES
Just Play is also producing a variety of Jake and the Never Land Pirates toys, including plush, dress-up, and roleplay toys.
JUST PLAY
FEBRUARY 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 19
Industry Forum
PlayCon & Fly-In BY
In
natIon’s CaPItol
thIs
sPrIng
KRISTIN MORENCY, TOY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
T
his spring, the toy Industry association (tIa) will bring together two of its premiere networking events in the nation’s seat of power and influence, Washington, D.C. PlayCon, tIa’s International Conference of Play Professionals, and the Washington, D.C. Fly-In will, for the first time, co-locate in the D.C. metro area May 15–18, 2012. Both events will take place at the Gaylord national resort Hotel and Conference Center on the Potomac in Maryland. “We are eager to host these two important yet distinct tIa events together in Washington,” says ed Desmond, tIa executive vice-president for external affairs. “our intent is to make it easier—and more economical—for our members to travel to one location and get settled in for a few highly impactful days of face-to-face meetings with not only the key legislators and regulators that help shape the business of the toy industry, but also with industry colleagues to network and enhance their business relationships.” During the May 15–16 Fly-In event, toy industry participants from coast to coast will network with members of Congress and key decision makers and inform them about the toy industry’s distinct issues and needs. Following the Fly-In, industry leaders, experts, and visionaries will gather at PlayCon from May 16–18 for a series of educational sessions covering topics such as licensing, sourcing, international expansion, consumer insights, retail, and new
20 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
business-building tools. “PlayCon is the place to be for play professionals who are looking to network with peers and industry icons, and to receive cutting-edge research, ideas, and inspiration,” says Marian Bossard, tIa vice-president for meetings and events. “Members of the PlayCon committee are hard at work developing a program that’s focused on the changing needs of toy businesses. We think this co-location with the Fly-In is the perfect occasion to bring the power of play to the nation’s seat of power.” Members of the PlayCon Committee include a broad spectrum of toy industry stakeholders. the group is chaired by Bob Wann of Patch Products, and Shirley Price of Funrise is vice-chair. Members include lourdes arocho, nickelodeon; Joel Berger, Cardinal Games; Mary Couzin, Discover Games; richard Gill, nH Contract Management; richard Gottlieb, Global toy experts; Sharon Hartley; and Manual torres, nickelodeon. PlayCon attendees receive complimentary registration for all Fly-In activities. tIa encourages all of its members and other interested toy industry stakeholders to participate in these events. “With hundreds of legislative issues arising across the country and around the globe, the active participation of toy companies is needed to influence members of Congress and key ‘Inside the Beltway’ decision makers,” adds Desmond. Details about both of these events will be updated regularly on our website. Visit: http://events.toyassociation.org.
“Fall in Love” with TIF On February 14 at 3 P.M., The Toy Industry Foundation will be holding a special event on the Broadcast Stage in the Crystal Palace called “Fall in Love with the Toy Industry Foundation.” Information about TIF’s work will be provided and the new Toy Bank logo will be unveiled. Cake and refreshments will be served.
K.I.D.S. ColleCtIon at toy FaIr the toy Industry Foundation (tIF), in partnership with Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.), will cap off the 109th american International toy Fair with a toy drive through the toy Bank, the Foundation’s signature program. exhibitors are invited to donate their samples of plush, toys, and games, which will be collected by volunteers on Wednesday, February 15 at the close of the show. all donations will benefit children in need through tIF’s partnerships with the My Stuff Bags Foundation and Boys and Girls Clubs of america Military Services. Products will also be distributed to the new york City-area toy Bank network of charity recipients that help children living in poverty, recovering from abuse or crisis, suffering from chronic illness, or living in the aftermath of a natural disaster. to learn more about tIF, to make a contribution, or to pick up a form to donate toys at toy Fair, please visit tIF in the Crystal Palace or visit toyindustryfoundation.org. once a product donation form has been submitted at the tIF booth, exhibitors may simply place the toy Bank stickers they receive on their products and leave them at their booths for collection at the close of the show.
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INDUSTRY FORUM
Compete with the Internet Much? ASTRA’s View from the Frontlines BY
KATHLEEN MCHUGH, ASTRA
hat did we learn about toy shoppers during the fourth quarter of 2011? On the specialty side, one thing is clear. When there is an opportunity to save a few dollars, toy buyers change their buying behavior in a flash. As one retailer put it, “I knew the trend of customers switching to online shopping was going to happen. But I didn’t think it would happen in just three months!” Last month, The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) conducted a year-end survey of its retail members. Here are a few of the insights culled from the results: • Increasingly, customers are dividing themselves into two groups: price shoppers and buy local shoppers. • As price comparisons become more transparent thanks to technology, it is getting tougher to entice price shoppers to buy. • Sales of big ticket items (in the range of $100 or more) have moved almost exclusively online.
W
How Consumers Use Technology
None of this should be a surprise, according to Shopper Sciences, a marketing agency focusing on shopper behavior. A survey of more than 1,000 consumers about their holiday shopping confirmed that 2011 was a digitally empowered shopping season. “Never pay retail” has never been more true, thanks to new technologies. While shopping, buyers report that they used their
22 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
smartphones in the following ways: • Looked up product information: 57% • Compared prices: 52% • Searched for coupons: 47% • Scanned a barcode or QR code: 43% • Checked inventory availability: 40% • Redeemed a digital coupon: 39% • Used a shopping app to earn points: 30% • Used mobile payment: 24% Moreover, 85 percent of shoppers research products online before they head out to the store. Rewards are big, with 56 percent of shoppers saying they would connect with a retailer on a social networking site to get a coupon or better deal, 39 percent indicating they are more likely to shop retailers who offer reward points, and 35 percent willing to offer personal information to get a better deal.
The View from the Retail Sales Floor
ASTRA retailers saw all of these behaviors on the retail floor. More than 90 percent of ASTRA store owners reported that customers in their stores are changing their buying behaviors thanks to the ease with which they can compare online prices. One retailer captured the common theme with this report: “We find most of our customers use the internet for research, then come to us with printouts of stuff they found online. Sometimes they want us to match prices and sometimes they just want to see the item in person. The larger ticket items, however, are the ones that are being price-shopped the most.”
What Worked for Independent Retailers During the Fourth Quarter
Retailers are also reporting positive news. Four out of five say that public
awareness of the benefits of supporting locally owned retailers has sustained or increased over the past year. “There is a strong divide between price shoppers and buy local shoppers, which seems to become stronger each year,” reported one retailer. Another noted that, “when Amazon.com started offering $5 to customers for taking sales away from local stores, we saw a real backlash. People shopped more locally.” Another bright spot is that retailers are seeing results from efforts some manufacturers are making to drive traffic to brickand-mortar stores. While this may not yet rise to the level of a trend, we heard reports such as: “Shoppers are coming to our shop because manufacturers are listing us as a place to find their product. This is bringing us new business and we hope more will continue to do this.”
Key ASTRA Agenda for 2012
Addressing the challenges posed by digitally-empowered toy buyers is a key piece of ASTRA’s agenda in 2012. Building on our work in 2011—which included a white paper on the impact of internet sales on the specialty toy industry that was presented at ASTRA’s annual Marketplace & Academy, our behind-the-scenes work with manufacturers to drive traffic to brick-and-mortar stores, and our leadership in supporting sales tax equity—we are continuing to monitor and respond to the needs of our retail and manufacturer members. Kathleen McHugh is president of The American Specialty Toy Industry Association (ASTRA). Visit astratoy.org.
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INDUSTRY FORUM
TROUBLE
O
IN
EUROLAND
BY
ANDREW DOBBIE, GAMEPLAN EUROPE
ne of the most pas-
adoption of the Euro had created tensions
desire to say, “I told
from the Euro because without it their curren-
sionate impulses in the human soul is the
you so.” Yet, in the
case of the Eurozone, perhaps some things are so obvious they don’t need to be said.
The Eurozone, in theory, was to be a melt-
ing pot much like the U.S., where those from across the continent would live and work
together. However, this hoped-for amalgam of 27 nationalities didn’t come together as
planned. Now we are witnessing the econom-
ic turmoil that results from politicians losing
touch with reality. Thankfully, the toy industry in Europe will not suffer as much as major
industries such as car manufacturing or construction. However, the uncertainty and
chaos caused will nevertheless be sharply felt as European retailers rein in buying budgets.
Just to give readers an idea of what is
being said on this side of the globe, I recently
attended a seminar in London. The four pan-
elists were two leading professors of econom-
ics, a former CEO of Merril Lynch Europe,
and a member of the Bank of England monetary committee that sets UK bank-based lending rates. For people whose influence on the
markets normally requires them to be extremely circumspect in their pronouncements, they were unusually candid. Perhaps
it’s because the panelists and audience were alumni of University College, Oxford, so their tongues were loosened by the feeling
that we were all friends (and the imbibing of fine Claret helped us along, of course).
One of the panelists emphasized that the
monetary union of 17 disparate economies by
24 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
Some may have excused the politicians
bound to result in disaster. The German and
in the founding years of the European
cies would have surged 30 percent in value in
behavior of the citizens. However, now that
Austrian economies have greatly benefited the past 10 years. Their export sales of goods such as Mercedes, Volkswagen, Porsche, and
BMW would have been hammered if the
prices had been 30 percent higher. That would have been the case if they still used the Deutschmark and the Schilling, respectively.
Conversely, Greece and Spain suffered
within the Euro because they couldn’t deval-
ue their currency to make their services (mainly tourism) cheaper to attract more customers. These southern European countries had to borrow to finance the resulting
budget deficits. The huge sums transferred
within the Eurozone have led to not entirely
unjustified caricatures in German newspa-
pers of retired 52-year-old lazy Greeks sitting on sun-drenched beaches at the expense of hard-working Germans. Understandably
xenophobia is rising on both sides. There is also backlash from the Greeks, many of
whom participated in street demonstrations against the very Germans rescuing them.
The politicians have failed. They had a
laudable vision of a united Europe never again taking up arms against each other. In
pursuit of this noble goal they closed their minds to the hard facts. The work ethic, the cultural acceptance of corruption and tax evasion, the conformance to rules and regu-
lations, and the competitiveness of industry are all vastly different between Northern and Southern Europe. These differences can
never be reconciled within one fiscal union.
Union for their belief that the nobility of the
cause would bring about radical changes of
it is plain for all to see that these changes are not taking place and the Euro is heading
for the precipice, why do the protagonists in this drama not openly acknowledge failure and craft an exit plan?
So what does this mean for the European
toy industry? After the Euro finally implodes,
by the end of 2013 at the latest, the member states will revert to using their individual previous currencies. German factories, such as
those of Playmobil and Ravensburger, will, within a short time, have to cope with a reval-
uation of the Deutschmark against other cur-
rencies of up to 30 percent, which will devas-
tate their costs. Conversely, companies still
manufacturing in Spain, for example Famosa, will benefit because the Spanish Peseta will decline in relative value.
Suppliers will, once again, have 17 dif-
ferent price lists for the various currencies now using the Euro. Administrative costs
will rise on a number of levels to deal with all of these changes. During the period of
uncertainty leading up to the end of the Euro, retailers will be extremely cautious.
We can assume they will prefer to risk run-
ning out of inventory rather than be stuck with goods. 2012 is going to be a very interesting year in Europe. Stay tuned.
Andrew Dobbie, founder and managing director of Gameplan Europe, can be reached at andrew@gameplaneurope.com.
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INDUSTRY FORUM
WTHRA Show Renamed ToyFest West BY
TOYFEST WEST TEAM
new name and a new festive game plan bring ToyFest West: The Buyers’ Playground (formerly known as the Western States Toy & Hobby Show) to the Long Beach Convention Center in California March 24–27. ToyFest West will offer a playground of buying activity featuring more than 650 exhibitors showcasing their products in a relaxed, festive environment. The Western Toy & Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) is a non-profit organization, making its show costs among the lowest in the country and easily manageable for exhibitors. The new ToyFest West name marks a new approach to what the event represents. “We agreed it was time for a fresh and relevant name to reflect the excitement and vibrancy of our organization and this wonderful annual event,” says Harry Clayton, president of WTHRA. “Business is constantly changing and our customers and vendors have changed as well. Our original name still applies, but we have evolved into a much different organization, covering many different facets of ToyFest West: the toy, gift, hobby, juvenile, educational, mass, The Buyers’ Playground and museum markets than in the past.” Long Beach Convention Center in California March 24–March 27 The country’s largest regional toy trade Saturday–Monday show is also the easiest to experience. With a 9:00 A.M.–6:00 P.M. bird’s-eye view of the Queen Mary, Shoreline Tuesday 9:00 A.M.–3:00 P.M. Ten Toys of Seattle, Wash., will also be honored. Village, the Pike, and the Aquarium of the Visit ToyFest Game Night: Sunday, March 25, Pacific, there are many activities to enjoy while www.toyfestwest.com 6:30 P.M.–9:30 P.M. at The Westin Hotel. Retailers you network. Beautiful Southern California will experience a fun-filled venue where they meet weather, easy arrival and departure on the spacious manufacturers, learn about products, engage in board convention center site, and a casual reunion-style game play, and even win prizes. The event is free; please regatmosphere between buyers and exhibitors make ToyFest ister early as seating is limited. West a winning event for all participants. Best of the Fest presented by ASTRA: Monday, March 26, 8:00 A.M.–9:00 A.M. at The Westin Hotel. This is a free seminar ToyFest West Events 2012 presented by ASTRA welcoming all retailers to learn what keeps PlayWest Gala Reception: Held on Saturday, March 24, 6:30 play hot in 2012. No registration required. P.M.–9 P.M. at The Westin Hotel. A private and playful celebration designed exclusively for the trade, this event includes food, entertainment, and a brief awards ceremony inducting outstanding indus- For additional information regarding ToyFest West, visit try peers into the Hall of Fame. The 2012 Retailer of the Year, Top www.toyfestwest.com or call (909) 899–3753.
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26 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
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Please visit us at:
New York Toy Fair, Javits Center Galleria Booth G100
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Industry Forum
TOY SAFETY’S CHANGING CALENDAR: NAVIGATING U.S. COMPLIANCE BY FRED
MILLS-WINKLER, SGS CONSUMER TESTING SERVICE
E
ver since the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) was signed into law, toy manufacturers have struggled to keep track of a complex timetable that has been complicated by stays of enforcement on specific provisions of the legislation. Deadlines continue to shift as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) grapples with industry concerns, technical challenges, and practical considerations such as a lack of adequate lab capacity for certain kinds of testing. Here is a partial checklist of recent enforcement activity, arranged by effective date, to guide your U.S. compliance efforts.
100 ppm Lead Content in SubStrateS: auguSt 14, 2011 On August 12, 2011, two days before the ceiling on lead content in substrates in children’s products was due to be lowered to 100 ppm, President Barack Obama signed a bill amending the law. One provision of the bill, H.R. 2715, stipulated that the 100 ppm limit would be applied only to goods manufactured on or after August 14, 2011—not to finished products already made—in the supply chain and on store shelves as required under the CPSIA. Products already manufactured, in transit, in warehouses and distribution centers, and in retail stores as of August
30 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
14, 2011, were allowed to sell through as long as they complied with the previous lead content limit of 300 ppm. This eliminated the need to remove older products from the supply chain, easing the burden on smaller manufacturers and retailers. Component teSting option: deCember 8, 2011 To help spread testing costs across the supply chain, new CPSC guidelines that took effect on December 8, 2011, allow component parts such as zippers, buttons, and blocks to be tested and certified by the component manufacturers themselves. This option—which is voluntary for component manufacturers—reduces expenses for finished product manufacturers by eliminating the need to retest certified components under most circumstances. It also eliminates duplicate testing for components used in multiple products. 300 ppm Lead CeiLing for biCyCLeS: deCember 31, 2011 Again under H.R. 2715, the stay of enforcement on lead content in bicycle parts expired on December 31, 2011. As of that date, any metal bicycle component must comply with a limit of 300 ppm total lead content. This is an exception to the 100 ppm lead substrate limit on other products, providing some leniency for bicycle manufacturers. In
addition, third-party testing is not required for metal bicycle components. third-party teSting for phthaLateS: January 1, 2012 On July 27, 2011, the CPSC voted to enforce third-party testing for the phthalates DBP, BBP, DEHP, DIDP, DINP, and DNOP for toys and childcare products manufactured or imported after December 31, 2011. The decision lifted a stay of enforcement that had been in effect since January 2009. Here again, however, H.R. 2715 softened the blow by specifying that testing can be limited to plasticized components that are reachable in normal use and abuse. Inaccessible plasticized components are exempt, as are non-plastic parts. The six affected chemicals, which are used primarily as plastic softeners, have been banned since February 2009. ComprehenSive third-party teSting: february 8, 2013 On October 19, 2011, following the same nearly three-year stay of enforcement that had affected phthalate testing, the CPSC adopted final rules on CPSIA-mandated third-party testing and certification requirements not
already covered by previous decisions addressing small parts, pacifiers, and lead in surface coatings and children’s metal jewelry. These final rules will take effect on February 8, 2013. The new rules include specifications for required third-party testing intervals (once a year or every two or three years depending on the manufacturer’s own testing regimen); require continued periodic testing of children’s products whenever a product’s design or manufacturing process undergoes a “material change;” and provide other guidelines for complying with the CPSIA’s independent testing requirement.
REASONABLE TESTING PROGRAM: ON HOLD For non-children’s products, the CPSIA mandated a “reasonable testing program” to
Have extra inventory?
ensure that products not being tested by independent third-party labs comply with all applicable safety rules. The CPSC issued proposed rules for this self-certification program in May 2010, but effectively tabled enforcement of those rules until further notice in its October 2011 vote on third-party testing requirements for children’s products.
SMALL BATCH MANUFACTURER TESTING: PENDING Relief may be in sight for small batch manufacturers for whom the CPSIA’s thirdparty testing and certification requirements would be a major financial burden. H.R. 2715, the August 2011 bill amending the CPSIA, included a provision authorizing the CPSC to approve alternative testing requirements or testing exemptions for manufactur-
Donate it to K.I.D.S.
Your excess product can put smiles on faces!
ers and importers with no more than $1 million in annual gross revenue. Any alternative test mode or exemption would apply to products manufactured or imported in volumes of less than 7,500 units annually. Since the bill was signed, the CPSC has held a public hearing and solicited public comments concerning the availability and economic feasibility of alternative testing options. As of this writing, the CPSC had not yet issued a ruling on the matter. Product safety expert Fred Mills-Winkler is technical director of toys with SGS Consumer Testing Service in Fairfield, N.J. (www.us.sgs.com). More information can be found in SGS’s Safeguards bulletins at http://www.consumer-goodsretail.sgs.com/en/Safeguards
Poverty is a disaster that happens every day, but K.I.D.S. brings hope to 4.5 million children and their families every year. Donating your excess apparel, shoes, toys, books and juvenile products can provide your company with a generous tax deduction and replace despair with dignity. Fill out the donation form online at www.KIDSdonations.org or call 1-800-266-3314.
FEBRUARY 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 31
INDUSTRY FORUM
Royaltie$ Brand Showcase Preps for Year Two OYALTIE$ BRAND SHOWCASE, which launched last July in New York City, is a day-long media event to preview a diverse offering of branded products for the upcoming holiday season. The event spotlighted the most influential, recognized, and sought-after lifestyle brands and branded products in the marketplace. Exhibitors during this past July’s event included Nickelodeon, Mattel, Scholastic, The Licensing Company, The Joester Loria Group, Ludorum, Discovery, MODA, The Boy Scouts of America, and many others. Some images from the event are shown on the right. The media in attendance ran the gamut from parenting-focused bloggers to established websites to traditional media focusing on fashion as well as the business press. Media that attended the event included grandparents.com, gifts.com, and about.com as well as Access Hollywood, Seventeen Magazine, The New York Post, and Bloomberg’s Business Week, just to name a few. ROYALTIE$ BRAND SHOWCASE will take place once again on Tuesday, July 24, 2012, in New York City’s Altman Building. Space is limited to Andy Krinner, publisher of Royaltie$, welcomed 30 companies during this summer’s event. This the crowd during a will allow attendees to utilize the 7’ x 7’ footprint brief press conference. for enhanced display and demonstration. Exhibitors will also receive a comprehensive guide outlining sponsorship opportunities, information about the gifting suite, and a media relations guide. Litzky Public Relations, who works in tandem on this event with aNb Media, will provide exhibitors with a registered media list prior to the event. All exhibitors are encouraged to conduct their own media outreach prior to the show as well as post-show follow-up. For more information on this summer’s event contact Andy Krinner at andy@anbmedia.com or (646) 763–8721 or Donna Moore at donna@anbmedia.com or (646) 763–8718. For questions regarding media relations, contact Melissa Winston or Litzky Public Relations at mwinston@litzkypr.com or (201) 222–9118 ext. 16.
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32 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
Nickelodeon’s booth is just one example of items on display. Crabby Patty cupcakes, on left, were given out to the media.
Pinkalicious author Victoria Kann was in attendance spotlighting an array of Pinkaliciouslicensed products. The property is represented by The Joester Loria Group.
Yuko Shimizu, creator of Hello Kitty, spent the day at Fremantle’s booth promoting her newest property, Rebecca Bonbon. She is shown here with Nancy Lombardi, editorial director of Royaltie$.
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MERCHANDISE MAKERS
A GLOBAL TOY MISSION
BY JENNIFER LYNCH
or Hape International president Peter Handstein, Hape is more than a toy company. It is a reflection of the values instilled in him growing up in Groß-Eichen, Germany. Learning, in particular, was one of those values. At age 23, Handstein sold educational toys for German kindergartens door to door at schools. During that time, he estimates he met with more than 10,000 educators over 10 years. “You can’t learn the toy industry in a boardroom, and there is almost no better place to learn than in a classroom,” says Handstein. “When children play, you can truly see how they learn from their toys; their curiosity, problem-solving techniques, creativity, and wonderment are right in front of your eyes.” These observations honed his passion. And from there he decided to start his own company, says Maggie Qiu, managing director for Hape International. Handstein teamed with his sister and friend Renate Gies to form HaPe Kindergarten Service in 1986 (changed to Hape International in 2002), developing educational toys. “During the first few months there’s no better toy for a child than a parent,” says Qiu. “But after that good toys help children explore their world and help them grow emotionally, socially, physically, and cognitively.” One of Hape’s most popular products is its Original Supermaze, a wire maze featuring colorful beads. Without a need for instructions, pictures, or words, the toy helps nurture the curiosity of children ages 6 months and up, says Qiu. Within six years Hape acquired wellknown Belgian educational toy line, Beleduc. But Hape knew in order to get the recognition it wanted in the market-
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36 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
place, more international growth was essential. The funds to make this happen, however, proved equally essential. “The banking industry was reluctant to lend money for developing foreign investments,” Qiu says. “So in his trademark trusting style, Handstein wrote down the names of 10 family members and friends that he could ask for help.” He
encouraging fine motor skills, problem solving, and early critical thinking. Aside from the educational qualities of Hape toys, the natural woods used also reflect the importance of instilling ecoawareness at a young age. “Because we produce products for children, we need to be aware of how making our products affects their world,” says Handstein. The main wood Hape now relies on for its products is bamboo, which if cultivated properly can fully regenerate within three months without harm to the surrounding ecosystem. This echoes Hape’s Total Life Cycle approach to toy manufacturing. “From raw materials through production, packaging, transportation, product usage, and finally post-use, Hape Collection’s every step is evaluated for efficiency, econPlayfully Delicious Pancakes (left) and Little omy, and ecology,” says Qiu. Friend Rattle (below) In 2004 Hape hosted China’s first raised the money after UNESCO bamboo workshop, inviting talking to the first five. international design students to work with Another integral part to Hape’s design team to create new toys using Hape’s international sucthe eco-friendly material. The event also cess was its acquisition of inspired Hape to produce the industry’s first Canadian-based specialty collection of bamboo-crafted toys. toy company Educo in 2004. Hape continues to host similar events at This helped increase its own specialized design facility located Hape’s recognition in the in Zhejiang, China, adjacent to the compaNorth American market and ny’s bamboo forest, says Qiu. later led to its brand refresh in 2009 to create Hape also plans to open an early childa more cohesive look across toy categories. hood education center and environmental This January, Hape announced another research development facility in strategic shift to rebrand, repackage, and Guangdong, China to expose kids firsthand expand the Educo line under a new name, to the natural products being used to create the Hape Collection. The line added 33 new Hape toys and the universal play found in items and includes 10 product categories Chinese culture. It will also include a hotel each focused on a different area of child to host research and educational groups to development. For example, the Totally learn more about bamboo. The model vilAmazing line features hand-powered mazes lage is expected to open later this year.
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SEIZING OPPORTUNITY: THE TOY YEAR BEGINS AT THE 38TH HONG KONG TOYS & GAMES FAIR C BY
o matter what is happening in the global economy or what the challenges of the past year, the mood at a trade show is almost always exuberant and optimistic. The opening of the 38th annual Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair early last month was no exception as nearly 1,900 exhibitors set up their stands to attract visiting buyers from all over the world. The show is put on by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), and the mood was indeed positive as representatives of the Hong Kong toy industry, joined by members of the stationery, baby products, and licensing industries opened the combined show at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Center. More than 2,600 exhibitors and throngs (more than 36,000 for the toy part of the show, up 6 percent over 2011) of buyers from all over the world crammed the convention center looking for hot products for 2012. Despite flat performance in some global toy markets, buyers still needed to fill their shelves and were looking for both basics and innovative product to meet their needs. The Hong Kong show remains the largest toy trade show in Asia and the second largest in the world, and buyers from South America in particular said that they were choosing to come here rather than New York or Nuremberg because of the range of products available and the efficiency of doing business at the show. In addition, emerging markets play a large role in the continuing strength of the show. According to Toys Advisory Committee chairman Wong Tit Shing, the growing domestic market of countries such as the Chinese mainland, India, and Indonesia are opening up new opportunities. He says that with a toy market at more than $500 million in 2011, the Indian market is likely to grow. Exhibitors at the fair hoped to attract the increased number of buyers. But it wasn’t just emerging markets that were well represented; buyers from major U.S. and international chains were seen walking the floor. U.S. and European buyers took time out from showroom and hotel suite meetings in Tsim Sha Tsui to check out the show exhibitors. For exhibitors, the show continues to be an essential part of their marketing strategy and even first-time attendees found that exhibiting
HRISTOPHER
BYRNE
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38 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
An aeriel view of Hong Kong
at the show exceeded their expectations. Tim Szeto, director of marketing and product development for Canada-based Nano Magnetics, maker of Nanodots, a magnetic construction toy, said that their exhibit at the show was the company’s first time in Asia. “We were a little nervous making the commitment to be here,” Szeto says, “but within the first day we realized that we had more than paid for our trip and that we were doing excellent business.” Szeto described his product as “futuristic LEGO” and was very careful to say that given that the products are small magnets they are designed for ages 14 and up. The company has also emphasized the educational and scientific nature of the product, and Szeto knows exactly the audience he’s talking to. “If you watch the TV series Big Bang Theory, you’ll see Nanodots in the coffee shop set,” he says. Nice as that is, and as targeted to his potential audience as it is, Szeto is more excited about the new territories his company has opened up by being at the fair. Damon Lau, president of Round 5, another Canadian company showing in Asia for the first time at the show, was equally excited about the opportunities. His company has signed a license with the estate of Bruce Lee to create toys and collectibles based on the mar-
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HONG KONG TOYS & GAMES FAIR tial arts entertainer. Lau says that Bruce Lee is popular with collectors around the world, and he was using the Hong Kong show to launch a range of products from a replica of the famous statue of Lee that sits on the promenade by the Hong Kong Harbor to urban vinyl collectibles to more traditional action figures. Lau notes that Lee is more than just a pop culture icon; he also stands for “Kung Fu fantasy play,” which will appeal to kids whether or not they are familiar with Lee. In fact, as a way to leverage Lee into the more mainstream culture for younger kids, Round 5 has done dual licensing deals with Lee and UFC. All of which, Lau says, have contributed to a diverse product line that garnered the company a lot of international attention on the show floor. Like many trade fairs, the Hong Kong fair organizers also stress opportunities for networking and effectively reaching to the global market. Certainly Jean Xueref, president of HK Magic Ltd., felt the show delivered on that promise as well as the ability to target retail buyers. The company has introduced a line of high-quality magic tricks with the Hello Kitty license that are easy for kids to learn and perform. Xueref said that the company had a very strong first year and had come to the Toys and Games Fair to expand his established retailer base but also to look for international licensing and distribution deals that would make it easier for him to distribute around the world. When interviewed on the second day of the fair, Xueref said that he had already attracted interest from major international distributors and was very optimistic about making some deals before the end of the show. These are only a handful of companies that expressed enthusiasm for the show. In addition to exhibitors, visitors praised the organization of the show and the ease of working on the show floor. The HKTDC continued expanding the features of the show and welcomed first-time participants from Greece, Macau, Russia, and Ukraine. The highly trafficked group pavilions showcased companies from the Chinese mainland, India, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, and Thailand, and many areas of the show were organized by product type. One of the relatively recent introductions at the show was the Brand Name Gallery. It was a hot destination for many buyers and in this year’s show attracted a record 80 exhibitors, which represented a 30 percent increase over the previous year. Featuring generous booths, the area created a dramatic showcase that was one of the anchors of the main exhibition halls at the show.
40 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
First time exhibitor Round 5 showed its Bruce Lee licensed figures. This figure is a replica of the Bruce Lee statue in Hong Kong.
Education and market development has long been one of the major objectives of the HKTDC, and as in the past, the Council mounted a diverse and comprehensive seminar program that covered everything from safety to industry trends. The seminar complements other ongoing HKTDC programs, such as the Business Matching Service that helps companies identify potential Hong Kong partners and which have been used very effectively by companies looking to expand their efforts in Hong Kong. While everyone at the show—buyers, exhibitors, and visitors— was doing their best to put the best possible spin on 2011 results and predict strong sales in 2012, there were still significant levels of concern about carryover inventories, rising costs, and the uncertain economy, especially in the U.S. The response uniformly has been to innovate and try to deliver value at all points on the price spectrum. Classics certainly have a place, whether in plush, dolls, or R/C, and you don’t need us to tell you that there will be intense competition to find killer app toys this year. The year may just be beginning to unfold, but Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair continues to be a critical first stop as the new toy year begins.
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TOMY’s Treena: Changing the Face of Collectibles BY
NANCY LOMBARDI
n March 2011 TOMY acquired figures—each with its this year from TOMY. Treena, on RC2/Learning Curve Brands for an own personality and storyline—by the fall. the left, and Flutter, above, have been enlarged here to show detail. estimated $640 million. Both comEach individual figure will be sold with an The Apple Hospital mini playset is panies have rich product lines that resactivity book with an MSRP of $5.99 or less below. The figure, which fits in the palm of one’s hand, is probably as long as a onate with multiple generations of condepending on the retailer. child’s finger. Hold the doll between sumers. As the companies transition into one The key driver in the line for fall in the U.S. one’s thumb and forefinger and press down on the doll’s head to entity, this Toy Fair will showcase an exciting and Canada is the Treehouse Playset (MSRP watch its facial expression lineup of products all under the TOMY name. $39.99), which features a one-touch open change. The classic brands, which once operated under transformation revealing three levels of the Learning Curve name, certainly remain, such as play space with a party theme. It will be Thomas & Friends, John Deere, and countless others. available in Europe in late 2012. Now TOMY is introducing some of its heritage In addition, themed mini playsets brands on a global scale and is further evaluating (MSRP $9.99–$11.99) will come everything in its portfolio for global introduction. complete with a Treena figure and “We now have the most amazing toy box in the world accessories. These can also be conto mine for new product opportunities and new nected to the Treehouse Playset for an brands,” says Jamie Kieffer, CMO of TOMY. expansive play experience. Also, a The first treasure to be mined is a girls’ brand called Treena variety of mid-sized playsets, such as and Friends. Treena, which is a name adapted for Western marthe Apple Hospital shown here, have kets, is an iconic brand in Japan. It has been around for 30 years and an MSRP of $16.99–$21.99. today’s Japanese moms are nostalgic for it much like American moms The line is targeted to girls ages 3–7 with the have an affinity for Cabbage Patch Kids, My Little Pony, or The Smurfs. sweet spot expected to be age 4. The launch plan this spring involves a highTreena is positioned as a tiny fairy that lives just outside the human impact online campaign on targeted girls’ sites and a strong sampling proworld. She, of course, has magical adventures with her friends. The line gram, according to Elaine Henderson, senior marketing director for TOMY. celebrates friendship, individual expression, and nature. “Our goal is to sample at least 100,000 figures,” she says. “It is such a However, TOMY is entering a crowded girls collectible marketplace. tactile product that you need to get it into consumers’ hands.” Currently there are Spin Master’s Zoobles, Blip Toys’ Squinkies, By the fall the product will be featured in TV ads, which will ideally Hasbro’s Littlest Pet Shop, and Hasbro’s My Little Pony, just to name a catapult it onto girls’ holiday wish lists. few examples. Yet TOMY says that what sets Treena apart from other TOMY has a strong prescence in key markets such as Asia, Europe, offerings is the small figure’s face-changing ability, which acts as a North America, and Australia, as does RC2/Learning Curve. With the acquisocial-emotional transformation. sition of RC2/Learning Curve, TOMY will be able to penetrate additional Each figure fits in the palm of one’s hand and is probably as long as a markets—South America appears to be an uptapped market for both entichild’s finger. Hold the doll between one’s thumb and forefinger and press ties. TOMY says it currently has $2 billion in global toy sales and has set a down on the figure’s head. Watch its face change to a new expression. goal to reach $3 billion in sales by the company’s 90th anniversary in 2014. Each doll has a happy face with a second option that illustrates “sleep “TOMY is an incredibly iconic brand in Japan,” says Kieffer. “It’s eyes” or eyes that turn into hearts, for example. It’s an adorable feature and the brand that every Japanese child grows up with.” addicting to press and watch as the faces change back and forth. TOMY is now poised to be the brand that kids worldwide will be TOMY is expected to introduce more than 20 different collectible able to experience as well.
I
42 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
Treena, an iconic Japanese brand, is launching in the U.S.
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Batman Spans the Generations
BY
NANCY LOMBARDI
The Dark Knight Rises, the final piece of the Batman trilogy from director Christopher Nolan, is slated to open in theaters July 20, 2012. While the film is meant for an older audience, the product line reaches kids starting at age 3 through Fisher-Price with its evergreen, yet modern spin on Batman. Kelly Gilmore, senior vice-president of global toys and themed entertainment, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, talks with Toys & Family EnTErTainmEnT about the studio’s formula for what it calls, “cracking the code” of crafting a film for adults while creating consumer products for kids to enjoy—ensuring the next generation of fans is cultivated. NaNcy Lombardi: How does Warner
toy line will be the highly antici-
bros. balance creating
pated film-specific Movie
a great movie for an
Masters line for older fans,
older audience while appeal-
serious collectors, and boys
ing appropriately to the kids
inspired by the film. At the same
who will play with the toys?
time, Mattel has also created an
“From kid to adult collector, Mattel’s Batman line of toys has something for fans of all ages. For the youngest fans, Mattel is introducing the Power Attack series for 4–6 year olds. This line is for fans that are not yet old enough to see the new feature film but still want Batman toys. And, as with every blockbuster movie year, we will have a line of authentic and highly detailed products that will engage adult collectors around the world.” —Doug Wadleigh, senior vice-president of global entertainment and franchise development, Mattel
evergreen toy line for kids ages 3–7. KElly GilmorE: The buzz for any
In addition, our partners know the
K.G.: The two Batman films from director
Batman film is always tremendous. And
power of Batman and are excited to showcase
Christopher Nolan have been really popular with
kids want to be part of that excitement even though
their approach to the diversity of the property
fans. In fact, 2008’s The Dark Knight is the top-
they may be too young to see the film. That’s where
such as LEGO for construction and Rubie’s for
three domestic grossing movie of all time with
the power of a great consumer products program
costumes. Parents will be able to select the line
more than $530 million at the box office. Globally
fills in the gap for kids. It allows them to be part of
they feel is appropriate for their kids.
it’s in the top 10 with more than $1 billion at the
the cultural conversation. It invites parents, dads in
box office, according to IMDB.com. Clearly,
particular, to experience a brand that they love with
N.L. How do you keep toy consumers interested
moviegoers are not tiring of this franchise. There
their young children in a way that is age appropriate.
beyond the six-week movie-release window?
is a huge buzz now building for the conclusion of
This strategy helps us nurture the fans of tomorrow.
the Batman film trilogy. Batman is one of the
In an effort to allow fans of all ages to experi-
K.G.: From Fisher-Price and their efforts to bring
most popular superheroes in history, so we expect
ence Batman, Warner Bros. Consumer Products
to life an evergreen toy line with Imaginext, Hero
moviegoers to support our theatrical efforts as
(WBCP) has worked hand-in-hand with Mattel to
World, and GeoTrax to Mattel and its broad prod-
long as we continue to make quality films.
develop two exciting Batman toy lines. The first
“At LEGO, it doesn’t get much better than a property that gives us an incredible story, numerous locations and vehicles, and a deep library of characters to inspire collectible construction sets. We always look for properties that have evergreen potential to drive volume to engage people of all ages in LEGO play. What’s more, a property such as Batman not only delivers rich content from which to develop compelling models and minifigures, it has incredibly wide appeal among children and adult collectors alike, making it one of the most versatile and sustainable themes available.” —Michael McNally, brand relations director, LEGO Systems, Inc.
uct line of action figures, playsets, weapons, roleplay, and vehicles to our collector partners, such
N.L.: Will there be a new animated batman TV
as Hot Toys, Kotobukiya, and Noble Collection,
series targeting kids?
there is something for every Batman fan—and it’s available year round. The movie will enhance
K.G.: We are currently in early development on a
the experience, but the desire to own something
new animated series that will debut some time after
Batman-related never really dies. With each new
The Dark Knight Rises film release. Kids of all ages
film or animated series, fuel is added to the fire of
will be able to enjoy Batman’s all-new adventures.
an already legendary property that enjoys an ever-growing legion of worldwide fans.
The film, TV animation, video games, online presence, and extensive consumer products line are just a few pieces of the vast puzzle that make up the
N.L.: How do you keep moviegoers from experi-
complete Batman package. There is something for
encing sequel fatigue?
every consumer—regardless of age—to enjoy.
44 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
Toy Fair Booth 2121
Over 1OO NEW
Products!
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Mattel’s Plan for HIT Entertainment BY
NANCY LOMBARDI
R
umors had been swirling for years about the potential sale of HIT Entertainment. Those rumors were finally put to rest on October 24, 2011, when Mattel announced that it was acquiring HIT Entertainment for $680 million from a consortium led by Apax Partners. HIT Entertainment owns Thomas & Friends, Barney, Bob the Builder, Fireman Sam, and Angelina Ballerina. The transaction, which was expected to close at the end of January, was to be financed with a combination of cash and debt, according to Mattel. The acquisition did not include HIT’s interest in the cable network Sprout. “HIT will roll into Fisher-Price from a financial perspective,” says David Allmark, executive vice-president of Fisher-Price Brands. “But there will be a separate identity to the business with separate management. HIT is about intellectual properties, which is very different from the Fisher-Price toy side of the business. We will retain HIT Entertainment as the name for the division.” Thomas & Friends is clearly the crown jewel and the reason for the acquisition. FisherPrice already markets many Thomas & Friends toy products under a license from HIT Entertainment, which extends through 2014. Mattel said in its October acquisition statement that its global sales of Thomas & Friends diecast and plastic toys are more than $150 million, and Mattel believes that this transaction will allow the company to continue to expand
and grow these product lines for the long term. Another key advantage to the acquisition, according to Mattel, is that it will be able to reunite two key pieces of the Thomas & Friends toy business: plastic and die-cast toys with the wood-based business. The current wood license (held by TOMY’s Learning Curve) expires at the end of 2012, at which time Mattel says it expects to add that line of business to its portfolio. Historically, according to Mattel, the sale of wood-based toys have been approximately the size of the plastic and die-cast business. Yet the wood range is what a consumer tends to buy into first, according to Allmark.
Updating thomas’ Brand statement It’s no secret that Thomas & Friends is a consistent preschool powerhouse with a deep licensing program. However, the brand needs a cohesive, fresh message. Up until this point, products have been marketed and advertised but the brand itself has not been showcased as Allmark believes it should be. “The licensing program has an extensive reach already so it’s not about adding more categories,” Allmark says. Rather the goal for Mattel, he says, is to refresh the brand statement for Thomas & Friends to target today’s moms.
46 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
“We are not changing Thomas’ message,” Allmark says. “Thomas & Friends is viewed as a wholesome, good-for-you brand. Mothers describe the brand as ‘childhood as it should be.’ Much like Fisher-Price, Thomas is seen as enrichment in the formative years.” Yet no one has invested in Thomas’ message as of late, and Allmark says that, “We [Mattel/Fisher-Price] pride ourselves on marketing. We see an opportunity to extend our reach and get into what Fisher-Price does well, which is talk to moms.”
opportUnities in ip In addition to Thomas & Friends, there is Mike the Knight, Bob the Builder, Barney, and others in this newly acquired portfolio. Allmark says that Mattel recognizes that it has added a rich portfolio of global brands to its roster that resonates with consumers. Yet, “they need to be made more relevant and it’s a great opportunity for us long term,” Allmark says. “These brands have been starved of investment.” Allmark says that Mattel’s acquisition of HIT is not only exciting for Mattel but it’s exciting for the toy industry as well. “It’s an investment in brands, which are long-term and that is what the industry is based on,” he says. “We all need ‘new’ but we all rely upon a bedrock of core business and this portfolio fits into that core business strategy.” Mattel certainly has the expertise to mix what’s on trend while anchoring a brand for the long term. Can Mattel fix Bob the Builder? Yes they can, says David Allmark, EVP of Fisher-Price Brands.
TM
Visit us at our NEW location, Booth 153! Little Kids, Inc. 1015 Newman Avenue, Seekonk, MA 02771 info@littlekidsinc.com 1-800-545-5437 www.littlekidsinc.com Untitled-1 1
1/24/2012 8:45:15 AM
Read it Here First!
Her Name Is Lola. . .
Toys & Family Entertainment Exclusive
BY
NANCY LOMBARDI
Toys & Family EnTErTainmEnT received an exclusive sneak peek of spin Master’s new fashion doll line,
lola. This doll line, which will replace Liv, was created in-
house by Spin Master’s girls team. Nicole Perez, vice-president of marketing for Spin Master, says that Lola is a working title for the fashion doll. The real name will be revealed when the product is launched in August. nancy lombardi: Explain the story behind Lola? Why is Spin Master introducing another doll line? How is Lola different than Liv? nicole perez: Spin Master had a great experience getting into the doll business with our launch of Liv. The line had good success. Yet the more we talked with girls, and the more expertise we added to our own girls/dolls team, the more opportunity we saw to go beyond Liv. Liv is a group of teenage girls who, other than enjoying multiple hairstyles, are average teens. Lola and her friends are creative designers who live in New York City. They see ordinary things and turn them into extraordinary fashions, which makes for rich storylines. While both brands are aimed at similarly aged girls, which are those 5 and up, we believe the extraordinary fashion and creativity will resonate even stronger than Liv has. We intend to communicate Lola’s story to girls in all the places they are spending time— online, apps, TV, print, and, of course, shopping. n.l.: What is different in the marketplace now that makes it the right time to launch this doll line? n.p.: There are great brands already in the marketplace and more being launched. The reason we believe Lola will break through is the over-
the-top fashions and wild self-expression and creativity that girls see in current culture. Whether it’s pop stars or royals with wild wedding hats, expressing yourself through unique fashion has permeated the culture. n.l.: Will additional themes and additional cities be incorporated into the line? n.p.: Because Lola is about seeing unique fashion and expression in everyday life, anything can be inspiration. We’re not limited to the usual themes such as beach, princesses, or sleepovers. Lola can turn anything ordinary into something extraordinary, so the sky is the limit. n.l.: Will Lola be developed into a licensing program? n.p.: Spin Master partnered with Cartoon Network Enterprises on a licensing program that focuses on girls’ creativity and selfexpression. You’ll be seeing some of the ways girls can express their design sense around Lola’s August launch. There will be even more in upcoming seasons that allow girls to be as fashionably expressive as Lola and her friends.
48 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
The premise behind 16year-old Lola is that she and her friends attend a prestigious design school in New York City. The signature doll in the line—Lola I Love NY—is designed for ages 5 and up with an MSRP of $19.99. Shown above, Lola’s dress transforms from an A-line to a bubble skirt. The oversized flower on her head can be worn in multiple ways. Her red stockings work as leggings or slouchy leg warmers. Look closely at the design elements, which reveal New York City themes. There are skyscrapers on her skirt and her purse is a yellow taxi cab. The World Tour Collection, below, sends the girls on a class trip to Paris (Cyanne), Kenya (Lola), India (Naia), and Japan (Sloan). The outfits reveal elements of each destination. Each doll is $19.99.
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The State of Specialty Toy Retail in 2012 BY
CHRIS ADAMS
mid economic uncertainty, there were some signs of positivity to come out of the holiday 2011 toyselling season. That’s not to say that the specialty toy-selling climate in 2012 will be all roses. Challenges remain. On the following pages, key toy executives weigh in on holiday 2011 as well as what is in store for the specialty toy marketplace in 2012 and beyond.
A
Rick Amdur, president, Alex HOW
DO YOU VIEW THE
STATE OF THE SPECIALTY
2012 AND HOW IS ALEX ADDRESSING THIS ENVIRONMENT? Today’s national and international financial and economic issues weigh heavily on all of us. Most specialty toy retailers remain cautiously optimistic going into 2012. Consumers are careful with spending and retailers must offer quality products that provide good value for the money. Alex has addressed these factors by providing tremendous value with its products while introducing more than 80 new items for 2012. Alex works very closely with specialty stores to provide promotions and programs to help grow their business. We offer displays, instructional videos, and finished samples of select items to best showcase our products in their stores. Since 2009, Alex has partnered with many North American retailers to create Alex shop-in-shops that showcase the breadth of our brand. TOY MARKETPLACE IN
Cliff Seto,
U.S president, Blue Box Toys HOW
IS
ECONOMIC
THE
ONGOING
UNCERTAINTY
AFFECTING THE SPECIALTY TOY MARKET?
Last year, the economy had a huge impact on our sales. The first six months were tough. However, we did finish strong in the fourth quarter. In addition to challenges presented by the economy, internet retailers are greatly affecting the retail price of toys. The economy has made consumers more price conscious and now consumers can go online or use apps to find the best price on a particular item. The economy has not influenced how I am directing our company. The changes in the marketplace, however, have. The main issue in regard to the marketplace is there are many more manufacturers competing for the limited retailer dollars and space. This makes it more difficult for retailers to remember a new line being presented by a manufacturer. That’s why manufacturers have to find ways to give better presentations that will make lasting impressions with retailers. We have to train our sales people to be much more effective in presenting our products. We have also come up with more sales support materials to help them.
Mark Carson, owner, Fat Brain Toys H OW
HAS THE UNPRE -
DICTABLE
INFLUENCED
50 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
ECONOMY
HOW
FAT
BRAIN IS APPROACHING 2012? While the economy is still tepid (at best), I think there are bigger factors at play that could counteract that negative influence for the specialty toy market. I sense a growing dissatisfaction with “disposable” toys. As more and more baby boomers turn into grandparents, they have the potential to become powerful advocates for the specialty market. They often have multiple grandchildren and are seeking out quality toys and games that they can identify with. The specialty toy market is perfectly suited to fill that demand. Our approach going forward is simply to convert as many consumers as we can to the alternate universe known as specialty. REPORTS
FROM HOLIDAY
2011
SHOW ONLINE CON-
TINUING TO GROW ITS SHARE OF THE RETAIL PIE. IN
WHAT WAYS CAN THE SPECIALTY TOY MARKET CAPITALIZE ON THIS?
There’s no question that e-commerce has significantly changed the retail landscape. But it’s not the first time the retail landscape has changed and surely won’t be the last. I think the most important point for specialty retailers is to stay focused on their part of the toy ecosystem and do that better than anyone else can. Not many companies will be able to go toeto-toe with Amazon or any other big retailer. But there are lots of things that specialty retailers can provide that Amazon simply cannot (i.e. product knowledge, after-the-sale support, free gift wrapping, a warm greeting, etc.). Some consumers are all about getting the cheapest price, but those probably aren’t specialty customers in the first place. The landscape will continue to evolve, but I absolutely see specialty retail playing an important role.
WARNER BROS. CONSUMER PRODUCTS
GLOBAL PROPERTIES GLOBAL PARTNERS
BATMAN, GREEN LANTERN, SUPERMAN: TM & © DC Comics. SCOOBY-DOO: TM & © Hanna-Barbera. TOM AND JERRY: TM & © Turner Entertainment Co. THUNDERCATS: ™ WBEI. © WBEI and Ted Wolf. HARRY POTTER, LOONEY TUNES, WBCP LOGO: TM & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY: ©NLP ™ Middle-earth Ent. Lic. to New Line. ©2012 Mattel. All Rights Reserved. ©The Bridge Direct, Inc. 2015. All Rights Reserved. ©2012 The LEGO Group. All Rights Reserved. (s12)
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The State of Specialty Toy Retail in 2012
Rick Woldenberg, chairman and CEO, Learning Resources W HAT
ARE THE BIGGEST
ISSUES FACING THE SPECIAL-
TY TOY CHANNEL HEADING
2012? Specialty toy faces a cost crunch. Manufacturing costs are rising in China at the same time as regulatory costs are skyrocketing. Specialty toy is especially vulnerable because volumes are low, making absorptions of these costs difficult. Offering an excellent value to consumers will be a continuing challenge to specialty toy companies. INTO
HOW
IS THE ONGOING ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY
AFFECTING THE SPECIALTY TOY MARKET?
Economic uncertainty is affecting many industries in similar ways. Toy companies are no exception. In a difficult economy, return on investment is much more uncertain. The rapid pace of change in the economy contributes to the unpredictability. There may be less investment and less entrepreneurial risk-taking right now in the specialty market. Toy manufacturers always want to be positioned for a big success, but during difficult times many companies may choose not to devote the resources for a big bet. Learning Resources is holding steady and continuing to innovate, as in the past. We are a little contrarian, believing there is advantage in remaining a solid resource to our retail partners before, during, and after challenging times. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON DAYS SUCH AS BLACK FRIDAY, SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, AND CYBER MONDAY AND HOW DO THESE DAYS INFLUENCE THE TOY INDUSTRY?
These days have been positioned as bellwether days with discounts being the norm. To drive everhigher sales on these days, toy companies and toy retailers have resorted to deep discounts. Training consumers to expect such low prices may make it more difficult to make them happy with “normal” retail prices at other times of the year.
Mike Klein, president, Manhattan Toy WHAT
SHOPPING STRATE-
GIES DID CONSUMERS UTI-
LIZE FOR THE HOLIDAY
2011 SHOPPING SEASON? We saw more than ever the influence of the internet and how it has impacted consumers’ shopping habits. One key strategy consumers utilized was accessing quick and easy product information online; rather than browsing at stores and malls, many consumers researched and browsed online prior to making their purchases. Another way consumers used the internet was by utilizing social media to share and receive product information and deals through blogs, Facebook, YouTube, etc. Finally, consumers were finding ways to make their dollars go farther when shopping for gifts by looking for the best prices and cost savings they could find, which were primarily found online. The types of toys we found consumers were looking for during the holiday season were tried-and-true items with play value that they knew the receiver would love. Consumers were also making their purchases closer to the holidays.
52 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
WHAT IS YOUR OUTLOOK FOR 2012? Our outlook for 2012 remains optimistic although the economic pressures will remain, especially in an election year. Our focus continues to remain on our core specialty business, which we have significantly rebuilt over the past three years. We have strong, evergreen categories that both retailers and consumers continually seek out. One of our main concerns for 2012, and beyond, is the health of the specialty retailer. With the marketplace and consumer shopping practices changing so radically over the past few years it has put specialty on high-alert and both retailers and manufacturers have to adapt. We know that it isn’t going to change and that most manufacturers are now going with the tide instead of fighting it. Will there ever be a backlash from consumers who want to shop in a store versus online? Can the combination co-exist? These questions, in the past year, seem to be coming more and more to the forefront, and all manufacturers are facing these issues. Another concern is the willingness for retailers to embrace new product introductions and feel confident in taking some of those risks. Manhattan Toy prides itself in going to market twice a year with new items and collections. Over the past couple of years, in a difficult economy, we have seen that retailers are not as willing to take risks with new product introductions as they had in the past. We think this is definitely playing a factor in making the marketplace even more difficult. Consumers who do seek out the specialty shops for new and innovative products are not seeing these items there and, therefore, those stores may not become that destination for this type of customer anymore.
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1/23/2012 2:32:36 PM
The State of Specialty Toy Retail in 2012
Martin Killgallon,
senior vice-president of marketing, The Ohio Art Company HOW
HAS THE UNCERTAIN
ECONOMY
INFLUENCED
HOW YOU ARE APPROACH-
2012? Without question, the economy has had an impact on the toy market overall, including the specialty market. However, with that said, we were fortunate this past year in having introduced through our specialty retailer partners one of the newest and most exciting products of 2011—nanoblock. This resulted in a very good sales year with our specialty retailers across the country. This success has underscored the importance of having quality products available to consumers at a favorable price point. As we move into 2012, we will continue to support nanoblock while also launching new products that we believe will be as appealing to consumers as nanoblock was last year. ING
Bill Bordegon,
North American sales & marketing manager, The Orb Factory WHAT
SHOPPING STRATE-
GIES DID CONSUMERS UTI-
LIZE FOR THE HOLIDAY
2011 SEASON? Consumers are responding to the “shop local initiatives” that many business commu-
nities are promoting. The ASTRA Neighborhood Toy Store Day has made an impact in many markets. Consumers appreciate and buy from the specialty retailers that support their local town. Additionally, shoppers enjoy the in-store experience of being able to see and touch the products they are considering. Consumers looking for that special gift appreciate and depend upon the product knowledge and personal customer service that specialty retailers provide. Our recent studies have shown a stronger preference by consumers to select products that encourage and facilitate creativity and one-onone interaction—whether it is a craft project or activity kit that the child can do or a game that the whole family can play. Parents and gift buyers that shop specialty stores understand the importance of play in a child’s development— and that the real calculation of a product’s value is its play value versus one that the child plays with only a few times and never picks up again. The shoppers’ holiday gift buying continues to get later and later—with the first three weeks in December becoming more important to the specialty retailers’ total fourth quarter sales. WHAT CHALLENGES ARE
YOU EXPERIENCING FROM A
MANUFACTURING STANDPOINT AND HOW ARE YOU ADDRESSING THEM?
The manufacturer continues to be challenged by increasing costs across all areas of the business—from raw materials, overseas labor, product testing, ocean freight, and free shipping programs for customers. Passing on the cost increases is difficult because the consumer expects to pay a certain price and the specialty retailers need to make their margin. The Orb Factory has implemented a number of cost-saving initiatives and has significantly improved its productivity to help mitigate some of these cost increases. We
54 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
were proud to announce that, again this year, we will not have any price increases.
Brian Maxwell, president, Patch Products
HOW WAS HOLIDAY 2011 FOR PATCH PRODUCTS? Despite the lackluster economy, we saw a small increase in our top-line sales. The year on the whole wasn’t an easy one for businesses, with high rates of unemployment, natural disasters that ravaged the nation, and a general sense of insecurity among the public about where best to spend hard-earned income dollars. Natural disasters, in particular, affected a lot of our specialty retail stores in various parts of the country. Even though it was a tough year, we noticed an increase in store traffic and sales in October and November. A nationwide push during the holiday season that promoted buying local products did seem to help boost sales a bit at our specialty retail establishments. I think we were fortunate to see ourselves in a similar situation to that of the year before, given the obstacles presented in 2011. WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING THE SPECIALTY MARKET GOING INTO 2012? Online discount retailers have been and will continue to be one of the largest challenges facing specialty retail stores everywhere. Internetbased consumer sites are able to offer a wide variety of products that can be delivered to consumers’ doorsteps with just the click of a button.
The State of Specialty Toy Retail in 2012 There are a couple of strategies specialty retailers can use to combat losing consumers to the internet: offering face-to-face customer service that can’t be mimicked through online transactions and increasing their web presence through social media by connecting with consumers through the likes of Facebook and Twitter. It’s important for specialty retailers to be a trusted neighbor within their community and to show consumers how much they value them. We see specialty stores thrive when they provide a unique place for consumers to shop—somewhere warm and inviting, with a wide breadth of products and helpful employees. Open houses, teacher appreciation days, and game nights are great ways to draw people in the door. The other side of the coin is being tech savvy and using social media to connect with their neighborhoods. The specialty retailer that can converse with consumers via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc., is likely going to have the best shot at longevity. More and more consumers are turning to social media to engage with not only friends but with their favorite businesses, and they expect to be able to find information and start conversations this way.
John Skrajewski, vice-president of sales & marketing, Playmobil U.S.A.
WHAT IS YOUR OUTLOOK FOR TOY FAIR 2012? Toy Fair is important for the industry and for Playmobil as we turn the page from 2011 and focus all of our attention on the new year. I anticipate an enthusiastic
and positive atmosphere in Javits, created by the collective expectations (and hopes) of retailers, manufacturers, and licensors for a successful and profitable year in 2012. Although 2011 was extremely unpredictable and sometimes difficult, Toy Fair helps reset the industry by forcing all of us to plan for success in the new year. HOW
IS THE ONGOING ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY
AFFECTING THE SPECIALTY TOY MARKET?
2011 was a difficult year for most of us in the specialty toy market due to the economy. Last year, the news seemed to fluctuate between dire financial reports and positive indicators, which left specialty toy retailers, manufacturers, and consumers in a quandary as to how to plan their spending. The specialty toy market was forced to take a cautious and measured approach to inventory management and purchases in 2011 because uncertainty was the only constant throughout the year. Despite the unpredictable economic conditions that the specialty toy market has faced, it seems like most retailers and manufacturers were able to plan appropriately and navigate through the year. The lackluster first 10 months of 2011 were somewhat offset by strong consumer spending after Thanksgiving. The economic uncertainty seemed to drive many of these holiday purchases, however, toward lower-priced gifts and away from larger, higher-retail items. Playmobil has made a very important change for 2012 to help its specialty retailers in this unpredictable economy. For the first time in many years, Playmobil has a new sales program for its independent retail partners. This new sales program was greatly influenced by feedback from store owners and by the uncertain economy.
56 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
Playmobil is offering specialty stores more order flexibility, compelling terms, and greater ability to react to sales trends on our product line. In addition, Playmobil is introducing many new items in 2012 that will retail for under $20, including our Series 2 and 3 Mystery Figures, Collectible Horses, Collectible Motorcycles, and our Collect and Play Sports line.
WHAT IS THE STATE OF CONSUMERS’ WALLETS? Last holiday season, consumer purchases seemed to be driven by discounting, “gift with purchase” promotions, and fewer high-ticket items. Consumer confidence is improving but many people are still trying to catch up from losses incurred over the past few years. Customers will buy toys for holidays and special occasions, but average retail purchases may continue to be lower. As the economy recovers and becomes more predictable, it will be interesting to see if these difficult times have changed consumer buying patterns permanently or if consumers will return to their former spending ways. Specialty toy retailers can offer more value to their customers than simply the lowest possible prices. A very positive shopping experience, quality products, knowledgeable and friendly staff, compelling merchandising, and product differentiation all drive consumer purchases. In addition, in-store events and creative promotions will continue to inspire customers to make incremental purchases. A positive partnership between independent store owners and manufacturers is vital for the continued success of the specialty toy market. For instance, in addition to toys, Playmobil offers merchandising tools such as life-sized figures, product displays, signage, and play-day kits to our specialty retail partners.
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TOY FAIR 2012
COMPILED BY LAURIE LEAHEY AND JENNIFER LYNCH
The following companies represent a sampling of what will be on display at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City during this year’s Toy Fair.
MATTEL/FISHER-PRICE
Barbie is back as Merliah, a champion surfer Sweet 1600 dolls are for ages 6 and up. from Malibu who is secretly a mermaid princess, Matchbox Cliff Hanger sets take play off in Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2. The Merliah doll the floor and beyond the table. Clamp the changes from surfer girl to mermaid princess. playsets to the edge of a table, door, or other The doll comes with a pink surfboard that consurface. The mid-sized police station and airverts into a mermaid tail. The Royal Mermaid port hangar feature multiple levels of interacdolls have colorful bodices and tails. The mertive play. Increasing in size, the larger fire stamaids change colors when submersed in water. tion offers three levels of play, with a realThe Mini Doll and Pet Assortment are mini merworking elevator, spiral ramp, and straight maids accompanied by sea animals, such as a ramp. They are for ages 3 and up. dolphin, turtle, and sea lion. Barbie in a Mattel introduces the FlexForce Lightning Mermaid Tale 2 dolls are for ages 3 and up. figure line to its WWE portfolio. The Monster High Create-A-Monster Werewolf & Dragon The Barbie Design & Dress Studio lets girls FlexForce Lightning figure line allows kids to Starter Pack design their very own fashions for Barbie. It recreate Superstars’ signature moves with comes with everything needed to create customized fashions for Barbie, lights and realistic battling sounds. Pull back on a figure’s arm or leg including cloth dress templates, stencils, fabric markers, and decorative and a light will flash. As soon as the light turns from flashing to solid, stickers. After the dress is customized, it easily tears away from the includ- a sound is played letting kids know the figure has reached its maximum ed “design paper frame” to reveal a one-of-a-kind, wearable outfit for power potential. Release the limb for a signature move and authentic Barbie. A doll is included. Refill packs are also available. The Design & battle sound. The figures are for ages 6 and up. Dress Studio is for ages 5 and up. The Fisher-Price Kid-Tough Portable DVR lets preschoolers watch TV The Monster High Create-A-Monster Starter Pack Assortment lets shows on the go. Parents can record TV episodes for their kids to watch. fans build and create their own Monster High doll. Each kit includes all Attach the Kid-Tough Portable DVR to its base unit, connect that to a TV the necessary body parts and fashions, including a torso, two sets of and set top box (DVR, cable box, satellite box, digital converter box), and limbs, two heads, one hairstyle, two fashions, and additional acces- record TV shows. Recording can even be programmed for up to 24 hours sories. The kits are for ages 6 and up. in advance of the show’s air time. The Portable DVR has The Monster High Sweet 1600 line celebrates easy-to-use, kid-friendly controls and contains a rechargeKid-Tough Portable DVR Draculaura’s sweet 1600 birthday. Draculaura, Clawd Wolf, able battery for four to six hours of play time. The battery Frankie Stein, and Clawdeen Wolf are dressed in party re-charges when the unit is docked. The built-in memofashions and come with birthday gifts. Each doll is ry accommodates up to two hours of content. Memory packaged with a special skeleton key that, when can be expanded by purchasing an additional memoplaced on an Apple iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch ry card for the microSD card slot. The handheld screen showing the Monster High Sweet 1600 app, device features a 3.5-inch touchscreen interface and allows girls to receive an exclusive invitation to comes in either pink or blue. It will be available Draculaura’s Sweet 1600 birthday party. The this summer at major retailers nationwide.
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TOY FAIR 2012 SPIN MASTER
The new Air Hogs Battle Tracker features three ways ing effects, spy gear, and more. AppMATes characters to play so kids can engage in physical battle between the include Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sub McMissile, Jeff all-new Saw Blade Heli and an auto-tracking missile turGorvette, Carla Veloso, and Raoul CaRoule. They are for ret. Choose between autonomous or manual control. ages 4 and up. Shoot up to seven discs from the Saw Blade and deactiBakuBlasters let players blast an opponent in battle with vate the turret to win. The remote holds additional ammo auto-firing Bakudiscs. Each disc reveals an added G-power for quick reloads and storage. The Battle Tracker comes bonus. Each BakuBlaster package includes a BakuBlaster, a with a console, 12 foam darts, a Saw Blade Heli, seven gate card, and an ability card. It is for ages 5 and up. discs, and a remote. Six AA batteries are required but not Color Bloomz is a paper craft activity set that allows kids included. The Battle Tracker is for ages 7 and up. to color and create a scene that blooms to life. Create the For the NASCAR brand, Spin Master will release Air Hogs scene using the jungle- and underwater-themed graphics. 1:24th R/C cars. Each car features a race-inspired design and With the special markers, color in the blooming shapes. Slot works with the remote from up to 30 feet away. Choose from Dale the printed graphic and blooming shapes together to create the APPlingz Earnhardt Jr.’s Amp Energy car or National Guard car, Tony designs. Arrange the scene in the display case and add the “magic” Stewart’s Office Depot car, and Jimmy Johnson’s Lowe’s car. The cars have solution. Within 30 minutes the Bloomz will begin to grow and will continue multiple frequencies. Four AA batteries and three AAA batteries are required to expand for up to 24 hours. The Color Bloomz Mega Pack includes a display but not included. The NASCAR R/C cars are for ages 5 and up. case, four markers, four printed graphic sheets, three white blooming sheets, Spin Master’s Appfinity takes interactive gaming to a new level with 18 Color Bloomz Liquid Packs, two risers, and a tower. It is for ages 6 and up. apps for iPhone, iPod, and Android devices. Appfinity APPlingz are interNew games include Volcano Island Countdown, a game where everyactive plush toys. Download the free app, slide the phone in the APPlingz one plays as a team to win. A mysterious, mischievous Tiki has escaped sleeve, and play. Adopt the APPling and give it a name and birthday, then from an ancient temple and threatens to destroy Volcano Island. Play play with it. APPlingz respond to voice commands, touch, and motion. together to find and return the four missing Guardian Totems before time They are for ages 5 and up. runs out and the volcano explodes. The game is for ages 8 and up. Cars 2 AppMATes is a new toy line that comes to life digitally when The Tech Deck Triple Set Combo Ramp can be set up in three different used with an Apple iPad, transforming the tablet’s screen into a virtual ways. Start with the mini ramp then move to the street set-up with a kickplaymat. AppMATes feature miniature vehicles er ramp and stair set with rail and ledges. Hit the with sensors on the base that are recognized as a banked wall or the spine on top for pro-level unique “footprint” by the Cars app. No cables or tricks. New Trick Tape, which is included with Bluetooth connection is required. Download the each fingerboard, allows the board to go faster. free AppMATes Cars app, place the AppMATes The Triple Set Combo Ramp is for ages 9 and up. character on the screen, and play. Kids can recreThe Interactive Zooble features voice and touch ate movie moments or create new stories, play recognition. It walks, talks, and responds to kids’ games and compete against their friends and voice commands and touch. The more kids nurture other Cars fans via the GameCenter, and find and the Zooble, the more interactivity is unlocked. It collect hubcaps, which serve as virtual currency Volcano Island comes with three accessories: a toothbrush, feeding Countdown for purchasing virtual goods, such as tires, lightspoon, and ball. It is for ages 4–9.
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Twilight Turtle
®
sleep under my stars
patented
*Calming lights for your sleep routine. ■ ■ ■
projects a starry night sky in 3 color options shell illuminates for soothing night light effect eases fear of the dark
Visit us at TIA Toy Fair February 12-15, 2012
* Twilight Ladybug®
* Poufs™
Snug Rugs™
Soothing nightlight projects a starry night sky in 3 color options.
Hug, play and sleep with these over-stuffed plush friends. Collect all 4 characters in 3 different sizes.
Perfect for nap time or anytime. 30” diameter, machine washable.
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sales @ cloudb.com 1-888-4CLOUDB (425-6832) * split casing available
1/23/2012 9:27:39 AM
TOY FAIR 2012 LEGO
LEGO Friends tells the story of five girls who live and ing a licensed Phineas and Ferb game. play in the fictional Heartlake City. LEGO Friends allows LEGO SpongeBob SquarePants congirls to build the environment in which they play tinues its Bikini Bottom adventures in LEGO using new mini figure sizes, which encourage form for 2012. Two new, undisclosed items customization and roleplay. The line will include will coincide with some of the TV series’ 20 sets, such as a buildable house, café, most iconic scenes. beauty shop, and convertible. Now available are newly licensed New themes to the LEGO City line, themes from DC Comics, which recreate some which focuses on everyday and real life of the most popular DC superheroes in LEGO heroes, will include forest police, forest form. Builders can create iconic buildings and LEGO Friends café fire, and mining. The modular building process eases children into follow- scenes from their favorite comics including Batman and Superman. ing step-by-step instructions to build detailed models. Exclusive minifigures include Batman, Superman, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, The LEGO Dino line for 2012 allows young boys to create their own Lex Luther, and Wonder Woman. dinosaurs and become their own heroes by defending the city against LEGO will also bring to life popular Marvel characters in the new destruction and terror. This line will be targeted to younger boys who may LEGO Marvel Superheroes line. Each set features famous superhero charnot be familiar with LEGO but love dinosaurs. acters such as Iron Man, Wolverine, The Hulk, and Captain America. The LEGO Monster Fighters is an all-new monster-based play theme fea- product launch will coincide with the all-new The Avengers film scheduled turing creatures including Frankenstein and the Swamp Monster along for a May premiere. with mummies and werewolves. Builders will work to collect the moonLEGO will also offer LEGO DC Superheroes and LEGO Marvel stones included in each set to defeat the monsters Superheroes Ultra Build offerings, in which kids can build and play with before they blot out the sun forever. New exclutheir favorite Marvel action heroes. sive minifigures will be featured in each set. With the new LEGO Lord of the Rings, builders can create their 2012 will bring new additions to the LEGO favorite Lord of the Rings characters and scenes. Brand new for Ninjago line, a hybrid line that combines the build2012, the collection is based on all three installments of the Lord ing and roleplay of traditional LEGO themes with a of the Rings trilogy. social gaming experience that mirrors the art of Ninja New additions to the LEGO Star Wars line are inspired by spinning to defeat the enemies. New three wave the entire Star Wars film saga. The collection will add 19 new booster packs encourage players to change and cussets for 2012, which will recreate classic scenes and characters. tomize their spinners. New for 2012, LEGO DUPLO Bricks and Books encourage In the new generation of LEGO constraction parents to read to their children while inspiring youngsters to (constructible action figures), heroes are designed, build along with the story line. The larger bricks allow toddlers as equipped, and built depending on specific missions in the young as 18 months to learn and play using familar real life peoLEGO Hero Factory. All products in this line will coincide ple and situations such as fire chiefs, cakes, farms, and gas stawith an online game. tions. LEGO DUPLO bricks are also compatible with classic LEGO Games, board games that can be built, played, LEGO bricks so a child can easily transition into other LEGO Batman’s The Joker and changed, will include three new items for 2012 includsets as he gets older.
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TOY FAIR 2012 JAKKS PACIFIC
Collect all of Nickelodeon’s Winx Club fairies—Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, Tecna, and Aisha—in the new line of dolls, playsets, and roleplay items from Jakks Pacific and Creative Designs International (CDI), a division of Jakks. The 11.5-inch Basic Fashion Dolls feature the Winx Club characters in fashion-forward everyday outfits from the show. Dolls are available in two collections—concert and everyday—with seven points of articulation and a beauty brush included. CDI is offering an assortment of Winx Club musical toys, roleplay dresses, and fairy wings. Jakks’ Cabbage Patch Kids Babies line features six different fashion styles in a variety of hair and eye colors with real human hair and removable fashions. Each doll comes in its own pajamas or onesie outfit with matching blanket and special Cabbage Patch Kids cabbage leaf bottles and pacifiers. A birth certificate is also included with name, birth date, and adoption papers. The dolls are for ages 2–5. New Hello Kitty product for 2012 includes Hello Kitty Fashion Wear, a line of soft fashion plush dolls that allow girls to dress up and play with Hello Kitty. The 11-inch plush dolls feature a new body style with longer legs, fashionable shoes, and removable clothes. Styles include Ballet, Dress, Sporty, and Daytime. Pawggles are furry animal plush that transform into slippers. Pawggles come in five varieties including Bront the dinosaur, Taffy the pink kitty, Mazzie the unicorn, Fletch the puppy, and Ranger the bear. Kids Only, a division of Jakks, will offer the 16-inch Original Big Wheel Racer, featuring a grow-with-me three-position seat, 16-inch front wheel, and pedal power. It is for ages 3–8. Assembly is required. Tools are not included. As the master toy licensee for Men In Black 3 (MIB3), Jakks will launch a line of toys this spring to coincide with the film’s May 25 worldwide release. New toys will include four-inch transforming MIB3 figures with small accessory, four-
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inch figures with large accessory, and the six-inch Frank the Pug Talking Plush complete with fun phrases from the film. Jakks will expand The Smurfs toy line to include items such as the Movie Grab ’Ems Figure Pack, which features characters with different poses and outfits from the film. Packs include more than 18 figures such as Papa Smurf, Smurfette, and Brainy. All figures work with the Adventure Theme Packs and Two-in-One Feature Playset. Also available is a Movie Grab ’Ems Two-Pack Assortment with more than 24 different figures, such as Clumsy, Grouchy, and Hefty Smurf. The 7.5-inch Bean Bag Plush and the 11-inch Smurfs Basic Plush Assortment will feature 12 new characters, including Gutsy and Clumsy Smurf available in jumbo size. To coincide with the launch of last year’s video games, Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version, Jakks aims to bring to life the experience of a Pokémon Trainer. Available this spring, the Forest Battle Playset features a special motorized target base that allows figures to pop off when hit. The playset includes an attack figure and shooting base, four attack discs, target base, and an additional three-inch figure. The playset also connects to the City Battle Playset. The new life-size Pikachu Talking Plush is a 10-inch plush that talks and moves its ears with light-up cheeks. It includes 10 play sounds and four battle sounds from the TV show. For boys ages 6–11, the Monsuno TV series will be supported by a Jakks toy line featuring kid-controlled action figures, accessories, playsets, collectibles, electronics, and integrated roleplay. Toys include the Monsuno Metal DieCast and Monsuno Cores and Transforming Original Big Action Figures. Players maximize Monsuno Wheel Racer power and control with the Monsuno Strike Launcher. Squeeze the launcher to release the core (sold separately) with animation-inspired lights and greater spin, speed, and accuracy. Or try the Monsuno Auto Strike Multi-Launcher, which rapid fires up to five cores with launch-activated lights.
Folkmanis速 Little Puppets
BIG FUN !
An essential ingredient to every toybox, every childhood, every generation. See more puppets at www.folkmanis.com 0r call 1-800-654-8922 for a free catalog. Toy Fair booth 2303 Javis Center
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TOY FAIR 2012 HASBRO
Hasbro’s new Nerf Vortex Lumitron Blaster Connect 4 Classic Grid Game players drop glows in the dark. The pump-action blaster game pieces into the grid to get four in a row includes a 10-disc clip and 10 glow discs. Its horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Players Tactical Rail System is compatible with most can also use the pop-out feature for additional Vortex and N-Strike Mission Kit accessories, ways to play. It is for two players ages 6 and up. sold separately. It is for ages 8 and up. Hasbro will launch Operation: Star Wars R2D2 The new Nerf N-Strike Rayven Blaster also Edition and Operation: Spider-Man, each sold sepglows in the dark. The motorized, semi-autoarately. R2D2 beeps if a player makes a mistake, Beyblade Extreme Top System Halfpipe Battle Set matic dart blaster features unique Fireflywhile a light is activated on Spider-Man. Both inspired styling and comes with an 18-dart games are for one or more players ages 6 and up. Firefly Tech clip that charges 18 glow-in-the-dark darts. The Rayven In the Spider-Man: Wrist Shooter Game, players use the wrist shootrequires seven AA batteries, which are not included. It is for ages 8 and up. er to fling stretchy webs and knock over targets to score points. The The fully automatic Nerf Super Soaker Lightning Storm shoots water player with the highest score at the end of the game wins. It is for one up to 25 feet. For quick refills it comes with a 35-ounce capacity clip that or more player ages 6 and up. is interchangeable with other blasters in the Nerf Super Soaker line. Hasbro’s Dizzy Dancers are twirling and spinning animals. Pull the Customize Lightning Storm with the detachable stock or the blast shield. included dizzy cord to set the pets in motion. Each Dizzy Dancer comes It requires four AA batteries, which are not included. with a spinning base, dizzy cord, and a twistin’ tricks card. Girls can colNew for Beyblade is the Extreme Top System Halfpipe Battle Set. Put the lect more than 50 Dizzy Dancer characters and interchange the top and Stealth Battler weapon-deploy tops in the half-pipe Beystadium design and bottom of any pet to create a custom Dizzy Dancer. The Dizzy Dancers watch the tops battle. The set includes two discreet Stealth Battler tops, one Dizzy Twirlin’ Dance Studio Playset features lots of places for the pets to half-pipe Beystadium, two ripcord launchers, and two collector cards that can twirl, including various dance floors, slides, and ramps. The playset comes be used to battle on BeybladeBattles.com. It is for ages 8 and up. with an exclusive Dizzy Dancers pet, spinning base, dizzy cord, and a Based on the upcoming Battleship movie from Universal Pictures, twistin’ tricks card. Dizzy Dancers are for ages 4 and up. Hasbro will release movie-themed games. Classic Battleship Movie With the Play-Doh Swirling Shake Shoppe Playset, make ice cream shakes Edition comes in two folding hard cases for easy transport and storage. and smoothies from Play-Doh. Mold fruits out of Play-Doh compound, then Sink your opponent’s fleet before he sinks yours. swirl them together in the transparent color-mixing Dizzy Dancers Dizzy Twirlin’ The game includes new special ops cards that allow blender. Turn the crank to pour the “shake” into the Dance Studio Playset players to fire out complete columns of coordinates, cup. The playset includes four three-ounce cans of fire as many shots as they have ships, or force a Play-Doh, a whipped cream extrude, and multiple player to reveal unhit coordinates. It is for two playmolds and accessories. It is for ages 3 and up. ers ages 7 and up. The Deluxe Battleship Movie Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head have been “married” for Edition, for ages 8 and up, features a new naval 60 years. To celebrate, Hasbro is debuting Mashly in fleet and alien ships. Lights, sounds, and special Love Mr. and Mrs. 60th Anniversary Edition. The limweapons help players seek out and destroy their ited-edition set includes Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, enemy’s ships. Three AA batteries are included. holding hands, a top hat and tux, a veil, a wedding New styling and discs transform Connect 4. In headband, and more. The set is for ages 2 and up.
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TOY FAIR 2012 KIDZ BOP
Kidz Bop kicks off 2012 with all-new promotional partnerships, consumer products, and licensing agreements. Kidz Bop 21 was released in January and includes 16 chart-topping hits sung by kids for kids. This summer, Imperial Toy will debut a new line of Kidz Bop Pop Star roleplay toys. The line will feature a range of items including musical instruments and fashion accessories with on-trend styles and technological elements. Product is expected to launch timed to coincide with the release of Kidz Bop 22 in July. Kidz Bop recently partnered with LeapFrog to distribute downloadable content through LeapFrog’s new digital App Center. Initial content offered includes select Kidz Bop music and videos. Additional content will roll out during the year. In January, Kidz Bop launched its first-ever radio show, Kidz Bop Block Party on Sirius XM. During this twohour weekly show, kids determine weekly playlists and segments, chat with celebrities, and have their voices heard online at KidzBop.com. Kidz Bop is further expanding functionality for KidzBop.com. A new homepage showcases a fresh look and feel. The site also allows kids and tweens to create Fan Pages for their personal hobbies and interests. To complement the member-created Fan Pages, brands and celebrities can launch their own “Official Fan Pages,” offering exclusive content and video Q&As. Kelly Clarkson, Hot Chelle Rae, and HarperCollins are among the celebrities and brands to participate. This summer Kidz Bop will also kick off its annual Kidz Star USA Talent Search for kids ages 15 and under.
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DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
Discovery Communications and its licensing agent, The Joester Loria Group (TJLG), will broaden the already existing pet and lifestyle programs of Animal Planet and develop new merchandising programs. Bendon Publishing will produce Animal Planet color and activity books. H.I.S. Juveniles, Inc., signed on for Animal Planet infant/toddler safety and travel accessories, as well as stroller toys. Ravensburger will create Animal Planet puzzles. Techno Source will produce Animal Planet 3-D games and puzzles. For the Mythbusters brand, Wonder Forge created the MythBusters Hit the Target Game. Load Buster into the cannon and take a shot at one of the 400 myth-busting trivia questions. Can a penny dropped from the Empire State Building kill someone? Do sharks really go for blood? If you answer correctly, place a landing target or re-aim the cannon. Launch Buster and if he hits the target, you’ll score.
UNCLE MILTON
Uncle Milton Industries will introduce new licensed toys in 2012. The National Geographic Outdoor Explorer Series will add new products in the fall, including an authentic Explorer’s Torch with a realistic flickering flame. Fall also marks the launch of the Nat Geo Wild line of animal-based toys, with an Anteater Bug Vac and Laughing Hyena Cub. The John Deere brand’s classic tractor and more inspire a line of farmAnteater Bug Vac themed toys, insect habitats, and the Rooty’s Root Farm grow environment. Expanding on its Fireworks Light Show In My Room, Uncle Milton is adding five additional items to create a new Fireworks line, including the Roman Candle Fireball Blaster and the color-changing Light Frenzy Sparkler.
™
ADDITIONAL GAMES DESIGNED TO FIT IN THE SPECIAL COUNTER DISPLAY:
Item # NN80
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Item # BOC84
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SRP: $8.00
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SRP: $9.95
Item # LPWZ5
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Item # RCW108
SRP: $8.00
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SRP: $12.00
1/18/2012 3:58:48 PM
TOY FAIR 2012 JAZWARES
Jazwares brings the app game Fruit Ninja to life with a toy and electronics line. The line features realistic sound effects and ninja bandanas that fans can wear. Each item in the Fruit Ninja 2.5-inch Mini Plush Assortment includes a Fruit Ninja bandana and clip. They can be clipped to backpacks and belt buckles. The mini plush are available with or without sound in bomb, strawberry, watermelon, and orange styles. Kids can create their own Fruit Combo with the Fruit Ninja Five-inch Plush Assortment. Each plush features splat sound effects, includes a Fruit Ninja bandana, and has a mouth that is slightly sliced. The assortment includes bomb (does not include bandana), strawberry, green apple, and pineapple. The 10-inch Fruit Ninja Plush is an oversized watermelon with sound, slicing feature, and blade. The Fruit Ninja Headphones are mid-sized, over-ear headphones with included ear pads. They easily adjust to fit all sizes. The Fruit Ninja Portable Speaker is a fruit-themed speaker, available in watermelon and pineapple. Each opens 90 degrees for maximum amplification. The Fruit Ninja Portable Speakers are compatible with MP3 players. The Fruit Ninja Ear Buds feature a watermelon wearing a Fruit Ninja bandana. The Fruit Ninja toys and electronics are for ages 6 and up.
AEROMAX
Aeromax’s Jr. Space Explorer Inflatable 3.5-foot Shuttle can be used indoors or in the pool. It features a genuine-looking instrument panel with gauges and a built-in portal view of Earth for added play. Its inflated dimensions are 43 inches long and 25 inches tall with a 45-inch wingspan. It holds up to 90 pounds and is for ages 3 and up. The Astronaut Space Pack shoots water more Jr. Space Explorer than 30 feet and even around corners with the Inflatable 3.5-foot Shuttle dual-action multi-directional nozzles. It is for ages 5 and up.
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JUST PLAY
Just Play is bringing Aurora’s specialty plush line YooHoo & Friends to the mass market this year with new plush and the first-ever YooHoo & Friends small dolls. Featuring big round eyes and long fluffy tails, YooHoo & Friends characters are based on rare and endangered animals from around the world. The new YooHoo & Friends plush and doll line will highlight several favorite YooHoo characters in a new look, as well as other characters for kids to collect. Coming to Disney Junior this year, Doc McStuffins is a new animated series about a 6-year-old girl who communicates with and heals stuffed animals and toys out of her backyard clinic. Just Play will produce a full line of plush, feature plush, small and large dolls, playsets, and dress-up and roleplay items inspired by the show. The toy line will feature Doc and her pals Lambie (best friend), Hallie (hippo receptionist), Stuffy (proud stuffed dragon), and Chillie (hypochondriac stuffed snowman). Inspired by the popularity of the Disney Junior animated series Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Just Play will launch a line of plush, roleplay, and Minnie’s Bowtique toys focused on Minnie Mouse. The new line focuses on kitchen play, fashion, travel, and beauty. Minnie’s pink-and-white polka dot signature pattern, along with the overall bow theme, will be featured prominently throughout the line. Just Play will bring the world of Barbie to retailers this fall with a line of roleplay toys and dress-up items in the core and entertainment lines. Classic roleplay themes are merged with the iconic Barbie style in this new line of dresses with ruffles and bows, styling sets, tea sets, and vanities.
Come see what Klutz is unleashing now... and what’s yet to come.
Come try your hand at the Coin Blaster Course for a chance to WIN a copy of Coin Blaster Arcade!
See these & every dang thing we do. Visit us at Toy Fair booth #2363. www.klutz.com KlutzToyFairad2012.indd 1 Untitled-1 1
Customer Service: 866-695-5889 1/20/12 4:02 PM 1/23/2012 10:17:48 AM
TOY FAIR 2012 WONDER FORGE
Wonder Forge’s new Disney-licensed games include the Disney Princess Dazzling Princess Game. Players share what they know about favorite princesses and collect sparkling jewels to decorate a bracelet, ring, and tiara. The Minnie Mouse Bow-tique Bingo Game is a twist on the classic game of Bingo. Reach into the bag and pull out a bow. Then match the shape and color to line up five matching bows in a row to win. The bows and bingo cards come in a pink-andpurple purse. In the Who Shook Captain Hook? Game (based on Disney’s Jake and the Never Land Pirates), players spin the spinner to choose a challenge, then use the sword, fishing pole, or shovel to pluck a piece of treasure. Grab the loot without sending Hook tumbling into the water where Tic Toc Croc awaits. In the DC Super Friends The Joker Fun House Game, Superman, The Flash, Green Lantern, and Batman team up with their special powers to dodge The Joker’s gags and stop him before he reaches the getaway car. The game board features a wacky rolling ball, secret messages, and a launching Batarang. Dr. Seuss App Play Games combine the fun of a tabletop game with the dynamic play of apps. The games are available for the iPhone, iPad, and Android. Sturdy, colorful tiles easily pack up for taking Seuss fun on the go.
72 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
NUKOTOYS
This spring Nukotoys will launch two Nuko card games: Animal Planet Nuko and Monsterology Nuko. Both games feature collectible trading cards with characters and items that spring into action when touched to the screen of an iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone. The cards are used in conjunction with free Animal Planet and Monsterology apps. Monsterology Nuko is the result of a deal between Nukotoys and Templar Publishing, creator of the Ology book series. The game is a tactical, turn-based iPad/iPod trading card game where kids ages 6 and up collect, train, trade, and play with 3-D mythological creatures, such as unicorns, cyclops, and sea serpents. Animal Planet Nuko is an iPad/iPod trading card game that lets kids of all ages collect, trade, learn about, and interact with 50 exotic animals in their natural habitat. Monsterology Nuko
PEACEABLE KINGDOM
Peaceable Kingdom’s Paper Doll Reusable Sticker Totes are available in Girls Rock or Princess themes. Girls Rock comes with two paper dolls, 15 vinyl cling sticker outfits plus accessories, and a fold-out stage and dressing room. The Princess kit comes with two paper dolls, nine vinyl cling sticker outfits plus accessories, and a fold-out castle. Let’s Play Sticker Sets are available in four themes: Cars & Trucks, Sunny Farm, Fairy Garden, and Happy Ocean. Each kit comes with a three-part scene and reusable vinyl cling stickers.
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TOY FAIR 2012 WOWWEE
WowWee’s App Gear is a line of “appcesMonster Marble Bolt sories.” The App Commander app lets kids connect an Apple/Android device to a physical app gun to fight against real world foes or digital enemies at the same time. Zombie Burbs comes with a figure that unlocks missions, abilities, and new levels of gameplay. Alien Jailbreak is a reality shooter game where the user looks through their smart device at included set markers to see an alien prison rooftop and searchlights scanning the area. Foam Fighters is a collectible line of small, detailed foam airplanes. The Foam Fighter attaches to the device to allow your hands to fly the planes. Mysterious Ray Gun is a container of 12 random parts. Put together in dozens of different ways, kids can create their own unique ray gun that is scanned via image recognition into the smart device and used in-game. Download the free app and use the Paper Jamz Pro DJ Mixing Station to mix up songs from your music library. Or connect another Paper Jamz instrument—drums, guitar, or microphone—to start a band with a friend. Kids can scratch, crossfade, and add echo, stutter, and other effects. The mixing station features interactive turntables, mixer, and a beat pad, along with a built-in microphone to record vocal loops. Kids can record and play back loops and samples. The DJ Mixing Station holds up to eight songs at a time. Monster Marbles is a new collectible toy. Monster Marbles come in one-, two-, and three-packs. All packs are blind purchases so kids don’t know what styles they’re getting. There are 12 basic styles and more than 40 variations to collect. The Carry Case and Collector Tin each come with uniquely styled Monster Marbles. There are four official games for kids to play with Monster Marbles. The new Lite Sprites Lite Wand collects color from almost any flat surface and shares it to make Lite-Topia light up. Collect and add up to 40 new colors to the built-in color library. It includes a light-up orb, 10 colors built in, sound effects, color spells, two color games, and volume control. The new Talking Prisma features signature sounds, nine colors to share with other Sprites and playsets, and a flower accessory.
74 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
BLUE ORANGE GAMES
Blue Orange Games will produce four new versions of its card game Spot It! Spot It! On the Road features a new way to play. One card is turned over, and all players scan the scenery for things that match the symbols from the card. Each colorful symbol is something you’d see on a typical road trip. The game is for ages 7 and up. The Spot It! MLB Edition features logos from favorite Major League Baseball teams and other baseball-related images. For hockey fans, the Spot It! NHL Edition features the logo of every NHL team and other hockey-themed symbols. Both games are for ages 7 and up.
WONDERWORLD
Wonderworld’s Wonder Glow Blocks glow in the dark. This 30-piece block set features 11 different shapes and colors. They are for ages 2 and up. The Flame Balance Bike features pneumatic rubber Wonder Glow Blocks tires with extra-long tube valves and rubberized handlebar grips. The cushioned leatherette seat offers comfortable support, and the spokeless disk wheels prevent feet from getting caught. The adjustable seat height has five height positions from 13.5 to 17.5 inches. It is for ages 2 and up, with a maximum weight limit of 60 pounds.
TOY FAIR 2012 UNIVERSITY GAMES
University Games’ Colorforms Colorfelts Storyteller Scenes give children the opportunity to improvise their own stories by including a pouch so that children can draw the pieces out in random order. Fun Pockets and Colorfelts Storyteller Scenes are available in different themed sets, featuring the characters from Tinga Tinga Tales, The Gruffalo, Transformers, and My Little Pony. University Games is introducing three new products to its BePuzzled line of puzzles: Crystal Puzzles, America Revisited, and My Generation. Crystal Puzzles are collectible 3-D puzzles made of crystalplastic that come in a variety of different shapes and colors. America Revisited is an all-green line of jigsaw puzzles that will be manufactured using recyclable materials and vegetable-based inks. This line celebrates the landmarks and landscapes of America. My Generation is a line of 300-piece puzzles featuring photographic images based on events and places that have been in the news over the past 50 years. University Games is also introducing new games: Tick Talk, which is a race to guess secret words without acting or talking; Hoppin’ Poppies, which is an old favorite that University Games is bringing back; and two new games featuring the popular children’s characters The Gruffalo and Paul Frank’s Julius and Friends. University Games will also introduce a special edition of Brain Quest to celebrate Brain Quest’s 20th anniversary.
76 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
CRAYOLA
Crayola’s new My First Crayola line is designed for little hands and includes three ways for children to create: with core art tools, mess-free art activities, and creative activities featuring dry-erase crayons and music. My First Crayola Washable Crayons, Markers, and Stampers are sized right for toddlers’ small hands. The rounded holders are shaped for the proper palm grip for a child’s first artistic expressions, and they also come in animal characters for added play. The crayons, markers, and stampers are washable. There are no caps to lose, and the stampers have no inkpads. The crayons, markers, and stampers each include two bright characters that snap into a base. They are for ages 12 months and up. The My First Crayola Musical Rub-Art Station recognizes rubbing, and plays music and sounds as toddlers create. Select one of the dual-sided rubbing plates, place it in the frame with paper, and then create a scene with the character-shaped rubbing tool. The unit includes one rubbing frame, two dual-sided rubbing plates, one character rubbing tool, and four washable crayons. It is for ages 2 and up. The My First Crayola Dry-Erase Activity Mat features 12 activities that slip into place on the map so kids can draw, erase, and draw again with Crayola Triangular Dry-Erase Crayons. The crayons’ triangular shape helps guide little fingers into a “tripod” or writing grip so toddlers can more easily trace and create broad sweeps of color. The mat folds up easily and features carrying handles and built-in storage. The dry-erase colors cleanly and easily wipe off the mat. The set includes a portable activity mat, 12 reusable activity sheets, four Triangular Dry-Erase Crayons, and an erasing cloth. It is for ages 2 and up. With Crayola Mess-Free Color Wonder Glow Murals, kids can decorate their walls with glowing creatures. Color the murals and the vibrant colors will appear. Turn out the lights to make them glow in the dark. It comes with three Glow Murals and five Color Wonder Markers. It is for ages 3 and up.
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TOY FAIR 2012 ALEX
Alex will introduce more than 100 new items this year. Alex Jr. expands with 11 new products, including wooden toys, teethers, rattles, and arts and crafts products for toddlers. Tots Art Start is a toddler’s first art kit that comes with materials for six works of art. New Mix ’n Max toys feature vibrant illustrations and expand the world of the character, Max. Alex introduces five new duct tape products: Duct Tape Bangles, Duct Tape Tote, the All Duct Out deluxe fashion kit, and Duct Tape Fashion, two multi-packs of tape in hot and cool colors. Alex has developed its own specially formulated and safety-tested duct tape in eight bright colors and pat-
terns featured in the new activity kits. Alex has created three new headband kits: 2 Pretty Headbands, Color 4 Sweet Headbands by Alex/Dylan’s Candy Bar, and So Many Headbands! that comes with 10 headbands and lots of decorative accessories to make
countless looks. Alex will introduce a new trend with Juice Tab Jewelry. Make bracelets out of juice tabs in 12 colors, including neon, and a variety of punch-out shapes: hearts, stars, and peace signs. The kit includes enough tabs to create four bracelets. Alex partnered with the creator of Gallop! to introduce ScaniMagic that lets kids color their own animation. Just open the lid of the ScaniMagic scroller, color the scrambled image with the markers, and roll the knobs back and forth to watch the picture move. Pops Craft is a new series of activity kits that provide quick and fun projects. There are Pops for both boys and girls that feature a variety of activities such as making Paper Chains, Spoon Critters, Bling Treats, Pretty Headbands, and more. There are eight kits to choose from that are easy enough for the younger crafter.
78 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
NICKELODEON
Nickelodeon Consumer Products (NCP) will unveil products for new and established properties. Playmates Toys will unveil a new line of action figures, playsets, vehicles, and roleplay inspired by Nickelodeon’s all-new CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Currently in production, the show is set to premiere this fall. Winx Club is an animated fantasy and adventure series that follows six best friends—Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, Tecna, and Aisha—enrolled in Alfea College, the finest fairy school. Jakks Pacific and CDI will debut a new line of dolls, playsets, accessories, dress-up, costumes, and roleplay items based on the series. Nickelodeon and Fisher-Price will introduce new toy lines for Team Umizoomi and Dora the Explorer. This is the first toy line for Team Umizoomi, and it will incorporate iconic elements from the show. Team Umizoomi products include figures, basic and learning plush, bath toys, and vehicles. Building on Fisher-Price’s Dora-inspired toys, new products for 2012 will include a new dollhouse, playsets, dolls, roleplay toys, and more. SpongeBob SquarePants is the inspiration for new toys from Fisher-Price’s Imaginext brand. The new line includes playsets, vehicles, and figures where SpongeBob is featured in the iconic Imaginext look. SpongeBob is also the inspiration for two new themed building sets from LEGO. Victorious master toy licensee Spin Master will launch new products for 2012. The new line will include fashion dolls, playsets, and roleplay.
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TOY FAIR 2012 ASMODEE
Asmodee’s Fame Us is a guessing game that challenges players to fit a celebrity to a series of description cards. Each player receives six cards. Each card features a descriptive word (tall, blonde, singer, etc.). The rest of the cards are placed face-down in the middle of the table. The first player will put down one of her descriptive cards, while thinking of a celebrity that corresponds with that description (without telling the other players). The next player in turn will put down her card, while thinking of a celebrity that now corresponds with both descriptive words on the table. If a player cannot think of a celebrity that corresponds with the descriptive words on the table, she can try to bluff her way to the next person. The final verdict is up for debate as players try to make their case for their picks. The team with the least amount of cards wins. Fame Us is for four to 10 players ages 8 and up. Dixit Quest features a gallery of artistically designed cards that offer simple images for individual interpretation so that younger players have a chance to stretch their imaginations and incorporate their best vocabulary skills. The storyteller gives a clue for one of his cards without telling what card it is. The other players choose one of their cards that best fits the clue. The storyteller takes all the cards and shuffles them. Players then guess which card belongs to the storyteller. Players move their icons on the scoring track based on the number of points they earn each round. The player with the most points wins. Dixit Quest is for three to six players ages 8 and up.
80 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
THE YOUNG SCIENTISTS CLUB
The Young Scientists Club will introduce three new Magic School Bus science kits. With Attracted to Magnificent Magnets, kids will go on a magnetic scavenger hunt, build a compass, make magnetic slime, design magnetic faces, experiment with lodestone, play magnetic games, hold magnetic car races, and more. The kit includes a colorful poster with a racing track, game board, and experiment diagrams. Slime and Polymer Lab The Slime and Polymer Lab comes with the tools to help kids take polymers out of milk, make slime, create goop, produce a snow eruption, melt snow, grow superabsorbent flowers, germinate seeds in polymers, perform a polymer trick, dehydrate polymers, and more. This bus-shaped kit comes with 20 colorful experiment cards, a data notebook to record observations, and 10 containers of polymers, including super balls, rainbow beads, snow, and gel crystals. Both kits are for ages 5 and up.
MRS. GROSSMAN’S
Mrs. Grossman’s introduces new Peel and Play Activity Sets available in three different themes: Across the Country, Across the Town, and Princess Wonderland. Each kit contains more than 20 reusable 3-D vinyl stickers, and a colorful playboard with a match-and-learn component. The Peel and Play Activity Sets are for ages 3 and up.
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TOY FAIR 2012 DOUGLAS
Douglas Company’s Sillo-ettes are Clifford the Big Red Dog the silhouette of an animal shape fashioned into a wristlet purse that swings from the wrist or clips onto a larger bag. Each bag is corded on the edges to outline and define the animal’s shape. There are seven new styles: Owl Blossom, Flicker Bird, Peace Dog, Bubbles Fish, Shelly Turtle, Pink Filly, and Dreamy Caravan Elephant. Designed for ages 3 and up, Sillos are the silhouette image of the animal they are named after. Each quilted fabric bag is trimmed in coordinating cording to hold its design shape. There are eight new styles: Floral Harvest Bird, Owl Blossom, Rodeo Pink Horse, Dreamy Caravan Elephant, Pink Filly, Moon Flower Butterfly, Hip Happy Chihuahua, and Flower Dance Butterfly. Douglas’ Sassy Pet Saks have new designs: Floral Harvest Tote with Golden Retriever, Pink Filly Tote with White Horse, By the Sea Sak with Cream Lab, Owl Blossom Tote with Owl, Hip Happy Tote with Bichon, and Rodeo Pink Tote with horse. Douglas Company signed a licensing agreement with Scholastic Media to produce Clifford the Big Red Dog plush products. Along with plush Clifford dogs of all shapes and sizes, Douglas has created a fashion line for Clifford. The products include a Clifford Tote, Clifford Sillo, Clifford Sillo-ette, Clifford Head shoulder bag, and Clifford hand bag.
POOF-SLINKY
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the “It’s Slinky” song, Poof-Slinky will introduce three new Slinky toys. There will be two versions of Musical Slinky, one that features an original version of the song and one with a refreshed version of the song. Both Musical Slinky versions are for ages 5 and up. Also available is a Sing with Me Slinky Dog for ages 18 months and up.
82 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
PLAYMOBIL
Two new Future Planet playsets include the ERangers’ Headquarters and the Dark Rangers’ Headquarters. The E-Rangers’ Headquarter comes with a swiveling LED spotlight, knockout cannon, and solar fan module. A rotating gate and elevator allow ERangers to enter and exit the facility. The set includes four E-Ranger figures, one robot figure, and other accessories. The Dark Rangers’ Headquarters has a rear ramp that can be raised and lowered. The set also includes a vehicle with collision sensors that kids can steer using the infrared remote control, which also controls the knockout cannon. The set includes three Dark Ranger figures, E-Rangers’ Headquarters one robot figure, computer module, tools, Energy Crystal, and additional accessories. Both sets are for ages 7–12. The Pirate Adventure Island features five magic coins that kids use to unlock a secret cave with treasure. Sound and light effects activate when the cave opens. The playset also has hidden stairs and falling rocks. The set includes three figures, a rowboat, a working cannon, and other accessories. The Pirate Ship comes with working cannons, a crane for loading and unloading, and a hidden compartment to store treasure. The ship can float on water and can be upgraded with the Playmobil underwater motor, which is sold separately. On the ship is a magic coin that can be used on the Pirate Adventure Island playset, sold separately. The Pirate Ship includes four figures and accessories. Both Pirate playsets are for ages 4–10.
A whole new way to play Licensing opportunities available in key categories Andrea Brent Vice President, Consumer Products Email: andrea.brent@fremantlemedia.com Tel: 818-748-1387
www.fmekids.com My Babysitter’s a Vampire™: © MBV Productions Inc. 2011 All Rights Reserved. Produced in association with FremantleMedia Enterprises. Monsuno: TM & © 2011 Pacific Animation Partners LLC “Monsuno” TM & © 2011 JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Aquabats! Supershow ™/© FremantleMedia Limited 2011. All Rights Reserved. HUB and HUB LOGO™ and © Hub Television Networks, LLC.
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TOY FAIR 2012 ROCKBOARD
Rockboard takes boarding to an allnew level in 2012 with the Descender. Featuring high-perRBX formance treads never before applied to the boarding experience, this unique cross-over board enables riders to “surf” down grass and all-terrain hills. Its four treads are positioned around triple sets of wheels for maximum traction and power. The Descender can hold riders up to 200 pounds. It is for ages 8 and up. The RBX scooter features advanced Rockboard Propulsion Technology in a new, more affordable, non-folding model. Just like the Original and Mini Rockboard Scooters, the RBX’s steel powerdrive chain tears up the pavement with every up-anddown propel. The faster kids rock, the faster it goes. The RBX stands at an adjustable handlebar height of 48 inches and is available exclusively in a black finish. The RBX is for ages 8 and up and can hold riders up to 220 pounds. Assembly of the front wheel and handlebar are required.
SHAUNABELL
Tripets by Shaunabell are plush toys that are three pets in one. Each has a unique name, using a combination of all three animals. Included with each Tripet is a book explaining the animal combination. Tripets include the Hippobugabee, Froguinlolin, and Crocodoodle.
84 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
GOLIATH GAMES
Goliath Games has redesigned the Domino Rally brand. The Domino Rally launch in May will include four all-new pirate sets with new tricks and characters. In Goggle Eyes, players advance around the board by getting their teammates to guess what they are drawing. While you draw the item on your card, you are also wearing the crazy eyegoggling glasses. The game comes with three sets of changeable lenses that determine the difficulty level, a timer, game board, six colored playing pieces, a die, and 54 challenge cards. WordSearch turns word-finding puzzles into a competition to determine who can find the word first. WordSearch can be played with two to four players. Players race to find a hidden word. The first to find the word squeezes the totem and puts their tokens over the letters of the word. The object of the game is to have the most of your colored tokens on the board after all the words are found. The game comes with 20 different puzzles that are easily swapped out on the board. Refill puzzles are also available.
ENDLESS GAMES
The object of The Cupcake Race is to be the first player to mix, bake, frost, and top your cupcake by visiting all four corners and collecting sprinkles along the way. The first player to reach the party with a completed cupcake and a sprinkle of each color wins the cherry to put on top. The Cupcake Race is for ages 4 and up.
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TOY FAIR 2012 EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS
Educational Insights’ 2012 product line includes The 7 Habits of Happy Kids Game. Created by the authors of the 7 Habits series, 7 Habits of Happy Kids introduces seven kid-friendly principles of personal happiness. Work your way around the board as a family, reading anecdotes together; sharing thoughtful, personal responses; and listening to each other. The game includes a game board, seven The 7 Habits of Happy Kids Game character pieces, seven token holders, seven sets of tokens, 12 Wild Ernie tokens, and a pair of Jumper Rabbit ears. It is for ages 6 and up. The Magic Moves Electronic Wand comes with 90 physical commands, lights, and 26 musical styles to get kids up and moving. The Magic Moves Electronic Wand is designed to promote creative movement, gross motor skills, and physical activity. It requires three AAA batteries, which are not included. The wand is for ages 3 and up. Trap your opponent in Nowhere to Go, a step-by-step strategy game for two players. Take turns blocking paths and crossing bridges until one player is completely cornered. The game includes a hexagonal game board, two playing pieces, and 40 blockers. It is for ages 8 and up. Players build burgers in BBQ Blitz. The game includes a barbecue game board, 16 burgers with four different toppings, 12 buns, four paper plates, and four spatulas. It is for two to four players ages 4 and up. The GeoSafari Talking Planetary Mat is an interactive way to demonstrate the changing forces of gravity on the different planets. This mat features all eight planets and the moon, as well as pre-recorded fun facts to help kids understand gravity, weight, mass, and basic astronomy. It is for ages 8 and up. The GeoSafari Jr. Talking Bug Net knows which bug you’ve caught. Choose a bug and drop it into the net to hear 100 bug facts and quiz questions. Then the Talking Bug Net asks kids creepy, crawly questions using the facts they’ve learned. It is for ages 4 and up.
86 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
INNOVATION FIRST
Innovation First International will debut Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters under its licensing partnership with Mind Candy. These bobble-head mini robotic pets and customizable playsets leverage the patented Hexbug Nano vibration technology. The initial assortment will include 24 battery-powered collectible Moshlings and a variety of configurable playsets, including the Ice Scream Store, Gross-ery Store, Bizarre Bazaar Store, Yukea Store, and a House Playset. Every Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters product will include secret codes to unlock digital assets in the online world. Bobble Bots Moshi Monsters are for ages 3 and up. The newest Hexbug Micro Robotic Creature is the Hexbug Scarab. Scarab is a mechanical, beetle-like robotic bug that skitters around on six angled legs, propelling itself forward and backward, bouncing off of objects in its path, jumping from its back to its feet if placed upside down. Its inner body is packed full of robotic intelligence and protected by a hard, transparent exoskeleton casing. It is for ages 8 and up. The Hexbug Nano Zipline Starter Set features a curvy spiral ramp that connects to a zipline. Nano bugs can soar down to the lower-level cul-de-sac and do it all over again. This set can be connected to other existing habitat sets. The Hexbug Nano ZipLine Starter Set includes 23 Hexbug Scarab easy-connect pieces and one extremely rare Nano mutation with removable zipline backpack. It is for ages 3 and up.
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TOY FAIR 2012 WOWOPOLIS
Wowopolis will introduce its premiere line of games, activities, and crafts. Sound It! Found It! is both a guessing game of silly sounds and a hidden-object game featuring original, slightly zany scenes drawn in a unique and contemporary style. It is also available as a card game, which is sold separately. Colorgami combines coloring and crafting. It debuts with several thematic sets, including Space Adventure, The Red Carpet Collection, and the Puppet Maker Activity Kit. Each features four giant Colorgami sheets, including themed environments and accessories, plus markers. When the coloring is finished, the illustrations can be popped out, folded, and constructed into a three-dimensional scene.
SMARTLAB TOYS
SmartLab Toys’ Amazing Squishy T. Rex is an anatomically correct model featuring five removable squishy parts: tongue, two connected stomachs, intestines, lungs, and heart. It is for ages 8 and up. DJ Rock Dock lets kids build a speaker dock for an iPod or other MP3 player. It features a 3mm headphone jack, pre-printed foldable paper housing, and circuit board. No tools are required. DJ Rock Dock is for ages 8 and up.
88 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
HABA
German toymaker Haba has become the exclusive U.S. distributor of Moover. Moover toys are delivered in flat packs and are easily assembled with Moover’s “click key system.” No tools are needed. New for 2012 are five sturdy baby and toddler toys that grow with children in the first years of exploration. Each product is made with child-safe paint, TPE-rubber wheels, solid wooden handles, and furniture-quality wood and plywood. All toys are available in polished red or a natural finish. The Moover Baby Walker is designed to help children take their first steps safely and at their own pace. The walker resists tilting thanks to an adjustable brake. Parents adjust the brakes according to the child’s walking ability so the walker can move slowly forward or backward while supporting baby with a sturdy wood frame and firm easy-to-hold handle. The rubber wheels work like bumpers protecting door frames and walls. The toy can also be used as a cart to move toys. It is for ages 12 months and up. The design of the Moover Dump Truck enables a child to drive and steer simultaneously. Preschoolers explore and practice motor skills by turning and reversing the truck. Kids can also use the truck to transport toys. As kids get older, they gradually learn how to assemble and separate the dump truck. Designed with double tires, the dump truck gives an extra strong and non-skid grip on the driving surface. It is for ages 12 months and up. There are no wheels on the Moover Rocking Horse—only safe rocking motions. The rocking horse is designed with Moover’s special “brake curve” ensuring that the horse doesn’t rock too high. This brake works automatically and unnoticed by reducing the speed when the horse reaches its highest point. The protected seat keeps kids in a safe position during the rocking and prevents a child from touching the floor. The seat is intentionally made in such a way that it takes some time for the child to climb onto and out of the seat. It is for ages 12 months–3 years. Haba will also introduce nine new wooden baby and toddler products. The Little Sparrow Clutching Toy features dangling red feet, a brightly colored face, and dotted wings. The Little Sheep Clutching Toy is blue and white with four dangling feet. Both are for ages 6 months and up.
Moover Baby Walker
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TOY FAIR 2012 TEEBOO
Kidoo Black Dog In December, French toymaker Teeboo launched Teeboo USA. The company will introduce the Kidoo Pets Collection of plush toys with interactive sound sensors. In Nurture mode the pet asks kids to feed it, and scratch its back and ear. In Play mode the pet asks kids to pull its tail, squeeze its paws, and pull its ears. And in Love mode the pet asks kids to pet its head and rub its belly. Kidoo Pets are available in six styles: Beige Dog, Black Dog, Beige Cat, Gray Cat, White Tiger, and Orange Tiger. The smaller versions, bbKidoo Pets, are available in four styles: Baby Lion, Baby Black Dog, Baby Gray Cat, and Baby Beige Cat.
LEARNING RESOURCES
Candy Construction is a buildCandy ing set for ages 4 and up that Construction includes 90 chunky, durable pretend candy pieces in a variety of familiar designs. It also comes with an Activity Guide with illustrated, step-by-step building directions. Smart Snacks Count ‘em Up Popcorn helps young children practice counting, numbers, and stacking. It includes 15 jumbo popcorn pieces to count into five differentsized bowls (printed with numbers one through five). The set comes with 20 pieces, and the bowls nest for storage. Smart Snacks Count ‘em Up Popcorn is for ages 2 and up. The New Sprouts line of toys includes three themes. New Sprouts Munch it! comes with 21 pieces of soft and durable plastic food. New Sprouts Fix it! comes with six chunky tools made from durable and soft plastic. The set includes a saw, hammer, screwdriver, wrench, drill (with sound), and toolbox. It is for ages 2 and up.
90 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
WILD PLANET
Wild Planet’s Aquapets Dewdrops are liquid-free versions of Aquapets that can be played with outside of the Aquapod. Dewdrops are 25 percent smaller than the original Aquapets and, when perched inside their airy homes, respond to sound by speaking back in a silly language. The new Dewdrops have a microphone and speaker, and a nameplate that identifies the Aquapet living inside. There are eight Dewdrops: Bertie, Fretta, Kitzi, Likabee, Muki, Puku, Purkle, and Tu. Dewdrops are for ages 4 and up. Sonix City is a collection of 3-D playsets that can be used individually or combined to form one giant city. Drive the vehicles around the playsets and the special conductive material in the cars and on the circuitembedded paper board will interact. Every move and stop will trigger different noises and voices, such as squealing tires, sirens, clanking tools, flying planes, and more. Each playset comes with two vehicles and features more than 100 sound effects. The four different themes are Rescue, Raceway, Construction, and Airport. Sonix City is for ages 4 and up. New tools from Spy Gear include a Motion Tracker. It has an adjustable wrist unit, an LCD display, and two motion-activated sensor pods. It works through walls up to 75 feet. It is for ages 6 and up. Night Sight is a hands-free, head-mounted infrared night vision scope that allows kids to see up to 50 feet in complete darkness. It is for ages 8 and up. The Alarm Pad is a motionactivated sensor pad alarm system. If anyone removes anything from the Alarm Pad, the infrared beam is activated and an alarm sounds. It is for ages 6 and up.
Limitless Fun Please visit our booth at: 12.02. – 15.02.2012, New York, NY Toy Fair, Booth Number 1245 10.06. – 13.06.2012, Baltimore, ASTRA, Booth Number 921 Schleich represents imaginative play at its best, heralding the phenomenon of “Anywhere’s a Playground”, breaking through into the imagination of a child. Further information: www.schleich-s.com
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1/13/2012 12:46:33 PM
TOY FAIR 2012 RAVENSBURGER
Ravensburger will debut a line of Chuggington puzzles. Chuggington: Bedtime is a 24-piece glow-in-thedark floor puzzle with a nighttime scene of Chuggington and Wilson, Brewster, and Koko. It is for ages 3 and up. Chuggington: End of Day is a 100-piece glow-in-the-dark puzzle with the main characters on the rails set against a nighttime sky. It is for ages 6 and up. Chuggington: Busy Day is a 100-piece puzzle depicting a daytime scene of the train station where all the Chuggers live and work. It is for ages 6 and up. The debut collection of 3D Building Sets features easy-toassemble 216-piece puzzles of the Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower, and Big Ben as well as an iconic New England Lighthouse. Like Ravensburger’s puzzleball line, the 3D Building Sets feature precision-cut flat and hinged pieces that click into place. Once complete, the structures stand up to 15 inches high. The refreshed Thomas & Friends collection features new CGI art and new products, including four-in-a-box shaped puzzles with a 10-piece Percy, 12-piece James, 14-piece Charlie, and 16-piece Thomas. They are for ages 3 and up. There will also be 24-piece floor puzzles that include Thomas the Tank Engine, Sodor Friends, and Birthday Surprise also for ages 3 and up. Designed for children ages 18 months to 5 years, the Wow toy line features toys with push-and-go friction motors and sounds. Jurassic Jimmy is a seven-piece dinosaur-themed set that includes an all-terrain vehicle, caveman, and a dinosaur egg with a hatchling.
92 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
U.S. GAMES SYSTEMS
U.S. Games Systems, Inc., introduces a new series of card games called The Let’s Play Card Games collection. The collection includes card games such as Duo, Continuo (which has been updated for this special set), Tripolo, and Flip Six Card Game. Duo now includes wild cards and two different ways to play. In regular Duo, players take turns matching two out of three elements to be the first to discard all their cards. In Demon Duo, there’s no waiting for turns. There are four additional family games in the Let’s Play Card Games collection: Nutty Neighbors, Wizard Card Game, Bing-o Cards, and Royalty Word Game.
JAX GAMES
Word’s Out is a fast-paced and easy-to-play word game. Roll the dice and find a letter in the Lettergraph on the game board. If that letter matches one on your word card, place a chip on the corresponding space. Players can also draw cards to remove an opponent’s chip, swap words, or lose a chip. Be the first player to spell out your word and win. The game is for two to four players ages 7 and up.
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1/20/2012 8:51:22 AM
TOY FAIR 2012
Where’s Waldo product assortment
TECHNO SOURCE
Techno Source, a division of LF Products, is introducing Codee, a fidget toy, puzzle, activity toy, and collectible all in one. Each Codee is comprised of simple flexible blocks, marked with letters and symbols, and linked together into one long strand made up of 64 links. Every Codee comes with a code to follow to build a creation. Each flexible block has five letters—A, B, C, D, and E— printed on one side and interlocking pieces feature four symbols: (>), (+), (-) or (·). Twist and rotate each block to find the correct letter or symbol combinations for each part of the code. Follow the included code step by step or make your own coded creation. Codee is available in six single-color strands: black, orange, green, blue, pink, and white. A Special Edition Codee series will also be available, allowing you to build very specific Codees. Special Edition Codees are available in six themed two-color strands: Robot (black and white), Scorpion (orange and black), Alligator (green and black), Flamingo (white and pink), Penguin (black and white), and Pig (white and pink). Each Codee strand comes with attachable accessories to bring your coded creation to life. Codee will be available at mass and specialty retailers fall 2012. Techno Source has teamed up with Classic Media to create a new line of Where’s Waldo?-branded products. The new items include Where’s Waldo? board games, puzzles, card games, and novelty items, such as the Where’s Waldo? Join The Search Board Game, in which two to six players must race to find hidden objects across Waldo’s adventures from the beach to the Wild West to outer space, and other worlds throughout time. It features an adjustable game board with 12 double-sided tiles that offers a new game experience each time you play, as well as two Where’s Waldo? postcards with classic book scenes. The game is for two to four players ages 6 and up. Techno Source will expand its Toy Island puzzles with new puzzles featuring award-winning National Geographic photography for 2012. The 500-, 750-, and 1,000-piece puzzles will center around four key themes: In the Wild, Natural Wonders, Monumental Marvels, and World Travel. Special themed lines of 1,500- and 2,000-piece puzzles will be introduced for the specialty market. When completed all puzzles fit standard sized frames for display. The National Geographic puzzle collections will be available this fall. All puzzles are for ages 10 and up.
94 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
PRIME TIME TOYS
Prime Time Toys is expanding its lineup of backyard, pool, playground, park, and beach toys for 2012 with new items such as its new HydroBlaster line for ages 6 and up. The HydroBlaster line will include the 20-inch HydroBlaster Max shooter, the 15-inch HydroBlaster Pro shooter, the original 10-inch HydroBlaster shooter, and the HydroBlaster two-pack Combo, exclusively available at Target. All HydroBlasters can blast water up to 35 feet. For ages 8 and up, new additions to Prime Time’s Dart Zone line will include the Quickfire Powerstrike 24, a motorized flywheel shooter featuring pump-action firepower that shoots 25 darts in 15 seconds. Each shooter comes with 24 foam darts. The Quickfire 10 Deluxe Set updates the Quickfire shooter for 2012 with more features and accessories making it fire fast and reload faster. The shooter can be customized with the detachable nozzle and also features a snap-in 10-round magazine clip. Each shooter comes with 10 foam darts. New Jump Zone products include the Big Jump Launcher, for ages 5 and up. Remove the cap on the launch cylinder, launch, and watch as the skydiver figure floats to the ground with a real parachute made with straps that never tangle. The Big Jump Launcher will launch at specialty. The Original Sky Diver is a colorful skydiver figure that includes a directional parachute made of real parachute material with straps that adjust to control the HydroBlaster skydivers descent. This item, for ages 5 and up, is available at Target and Toys “R” Us. The AirHawk Compound Bow, for ages 8 and up, fires foam arrows up to 40 feet with an easy lock-and-load launch system. Simply pull back to load and pull the power trigger to fire arrows toward your target. Each set includes six mega foam arrows.
YOMEGA
With the Yomega Yo to Pro System, rookie players can start with the Brain yo-yo, which features auto-return techonology to make yoyoing easy to learn. For yo-yo pros, Yomega offers professional grade yo-yos such as the Raider and Maverick. The Yomega Raider features a precise bearing system for record spins and responsive play. All Yomega yo-yo packaging features the Yo to Pro dial system, easy-to-understand feature icons, and a collectible poster.
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FEBRUARY 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 95
CARDINAL GAMES
Cardinal is introducing a Minnie Mouse Bow-shaped tin with three puzzles inside. Each puzzle features Minnie Mouse, and some also include Daisy Duck. Angry Birds is the newest addition to Cardinal’s puzzles. The Angry Birds puzzle line will include puzzles such as super 3-D boxed sets, foil puzzles, lenticular, wood puzzles, and more. Cardinal will introduce a new collection of stylish puzzles featuring the fashionable ghouls of Mattel’s Monster High. The two new puzzles are a Super 3-D Monster High Puzzle and a Foil Holographic Puzzle in a coffin-shaped package, with 150 pieces. The Big Bang Theory Fact or Fiction trivia game tests players’ knowledge of the show with more than 400 questions, while they compete in rounds of “Rock, Paper, Scissor, Lizard, Spock.” Cardinal will also offer a trivia game based on the TV show Pretty Little Liars, featuring trivia and conversation-provoking questions for girls and their friends. A new line of wooden tabletop games will feature Nickelodeon, Marvel, Hello Kitty, and Sesame Street characters, and more. Classic Cardinal dart boards take on a new dimension with SpongeBob SquarePants, Spider-Man, Toy Story, and classic lenticular dartboards. In new licensed toss games, toss cookies at the Sesame Toss Game, stuffed Crabby Patties at the SpongeBob Toss Game, or stuffed jewels at the Princess Toss Game.
96 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
BACHMANN TRAINS
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus has partnered with Bachmann Trains for two vintage ready-to-run electric train sets. The G-Scale train set comes with a 4-60 steam locomotive, coal tender, performers’ car, elephant stock car, flat car with lion in cage wagon and tiger in cage wagon, 8.2–by–4.3–foot oval of track, and DVD-format video instructions. Bachmann’s HO scale Ringmaster train set includes a 0-6-0 steam locomotive and tender with operating headlight, three cars, body-mounted E-Z Mate couplers, and 47–by–38–inch oval of snap-fit E-Z Track. Both sets include a power pack and speed controller plus illustrated instruction manual.
Ringmaster train set
SAFARI LTD.
New for 2012, Safari Ltd. will offer a wide array of new product. Its line of hand-painted miniatures Toobs include everything from prehistoric mammal skulls to butterflies to animal village figures. For ages 5 and up, Safari offers a line of extra-large authentic creatures from around the world, including a Bearded Dragon and Eastern Cottontail Rabbit Eastern Cottontail Rabbit baby. Safari’s line for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History includes accurately sculpted ancient creatures of the past, such as the Ceratosaurus and Dracorex. These are for ages 3 and up. The line will also feature Dino Babies in an Egg. The egg size is 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches wide. Dino babies are approximately 2 inches tall.
FEBRUARY 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 97
TOY FAIR 2012
IMPERIAL TOY
For Imperial Toy’s Super Miracle Bubbles Premium Plus bubbles and bubble toys is the new Super Miracle Bubbles Bubble Turbine, which performs a variety of bubble tricks such as in and out bubbles, bend a bubble, bubble go round, bagel bubbles, cluster bubbles, and bubble snakes. Other new Super Miracle Bubbles products include Lunar Light Up Bubble Blaster, Starlight Orbs, and the Dip & Twirl Bubble Pinwheel. Imperial has also teamed with Kidz Bop for the Kidz Bop Glammerati Party Like a Pop Star product line, featuring bedazzled microphones, instruments, fashion accessories, glam kits, and more. The line’s launch is expected to coincide with the release of Kidz Bop 22 this summer. The new Glow Fusion Bubble Solution is specially formulated orange glowing bubble solution that lights up outdoor bubble play in the dark. Other new products featured in the Super Miracle Bubble Glow line include the Hi-Beam Sabre and Hi-Beam Illuminator bubble blaster. The new Disney Super Miracle Bubbles are based on popular Disney characters, including Disney Princess, Disney Fairies, Toy Story, Cars, Minnie Mouse, and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. The line will launch in spring at major retailers with the Minnie Mouse and Disney Princess Bubble Tea Party Set, the Mickey Mouse and Disney Fairies 3-D Bubble Sets, Mickey Mouse, Disney Princess, and Cars Bubble Bellies, and more. Imperial will introduce a licensed action bubbles toys line for ages 3–5 this spring called Go Bubbles. The line will feature Little Tikes Cozy Coupe, Disney Princess Carriage, and HIT Entertainment’s Thomas the Tank Engine. Each Go Bubbles produces a continuous stream of bubbles and includes a full bottle of Super Miracle Bubbles Premium Plus bubble solution. The Little Tikes Garden Grow and Outdoor Play will feature the Garden Leaf & Lawn Bubble Blower, which blows tons of bubbles with a squeeze of the trigger. It features revving sound effects and a side window that shows the Super Miracle Bubble solution inside. Also new is the Little Tikes Bubble Camera powered by Super Miracle Bubbles, which blows bubbles out of the lenses and includes an easy-grip handle and activator made for small hands. Imperial and MGA Entertainment will introduce a new Lalaloopsy product line, featuring novelty toys available beginning this fall, and Lalaloopsy bubble toys, sand, and beach toys beginning in Spring 2013 at retailers nationwide.
98 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
MEGA BRANDS
Power Rangers Megazord
MEGA Brands’ new flagship brand MEGA Bloks First Builders is the new collective name for all preschool blocks designed for ages 1 and up. This brand will be implemented across the globe on all MEGA Bloks first block products accompanied by a fresh graphic look. New items for the preschool construction toy line include Sparkling Princess, the only construction collection that MEGA Brands says is designed specifically for preschool girls; Super Builders, enabling children to build and rebuild life-size play structures such as castles and houses that they can play inside; and Whirl ’n Twirl Ride-Ons, featuring cute designs and caster wheels that allow kids to twirl in any direction. MEGA Bloks is licensed to launch the exclusive construction toy collection based on World of Warcraft, the fantasy online roleplaying game, bringing to life the iconic locations, races, and vehicles from the game. MEGA Bloks will also synchronize its Halo Universe collection with the upcoming launch of Halo 4. For its new license Power Rangers Samurai, MEGA Bloks will offer a Super Samurai line, recreating key elements of the popular show into buildable and collectible micro figs, vehicles, buildable action figures, and playsets with mix–and– match and rebuilding. It is for ages 5 and up.
FEBRUARY 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 99
TOY FAIR 2012
GREEN TOYS
Green Toys’ Salad Set helps teach kids ages 2 and up about healthy eating habits. Sized for Green Toys kitchen sets and interchangeable with other Green Toys play food products, the 20-piece Salad Set includes a serving bowl, salad plate, two serving utensils, three lettuce leaves, three sets of cucumbers, two tomatoes, two red peppers, onions, mushrooms, oil & vinegar, and salt & pepper. The set is dishwasher safe. With the Green Toys Build-A-Bouquet, budding florists ages 2 and up can create countless floral arrangements. The 44-piece set includes four vases, 16 stem and leaf pieces, and 24 flower pieces. The lily, petunia, and daisy flower pieces stack interchangeably in the Salad Set assorted stems for limitless arranging. Green Toys Mini Fastbacks for ages 1 and up are four palm-sized cars perfect for little hands. The red, blue, green, and yellow two-door coupes are high-design and low-emission, with a classic sloping roofline, racing stripes, and no metal axles. All Green Toys products are made from 100 percent recycled plastic milk containers, which save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
100 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
FOLKMANIS
Folkmanis, Inc., will introduce 20 new puppets this spring, including a new category—Little Puppets. Folkmanis Little Puppets are just the right size for little hands, scaled down to an average size of seven inches. The category includes seven animals: Little Alligator, Little Brown Bear, Little Polar Bear, Little Chipmunk, Little Hare, Little Lion, and Little Raccoon. New additions to its existing lines of full-bodied plush puppets include the 31-inch Folkmanis American Alligator, featuring soft plastic teeth, realistically ren- Little Brown Bear puppet dered scales, and a long tail. The 16-inch tri-colored Basset Hound puppet features the breed’s iconic droopy eyes, floppy ears, and soft pink tongue. Other new puppets include cow, crab, duckling, golden eagle, gopher, horse, nibbling mouse, baby sloth, and leatherback sea turtle.
NEAT-OH!
Neat-Oh! has a new branding and product development strategy for the launch of new toy brands The Neat-Oh! ZipBin Dinosaur line, Full Throttle line, and Farmland line. The ZipBin lines are built on traditional play patterns with a fresh new look, feel, and uniqueness. Consumers can decorate a room with the fun themed line of Dinosaurs, Full Throttle, and Farmland storage cases, totes, toy boxes, playmats, tins, and more. With new artwork for 2012, the LEGO Ninjago NeatOh! Battle Arena is a case that doubles as storage to hide Ninjago masters and a battle arena. Weighing one pound, the battle arena’s dual fighting surfaces add another level of theatrics to the masters of Spinjitzu. Store all your Ninjago figures, spinners, weapons, and cards in the case. It is for ages 3 and up. LEGO bricks are not included. The LEGO Star Wars ZipBin Small LEGO Ninjago Neat-Oh! Millennium Falcon Minifigure Case is a Battle Arena Millennium Falcon-shaped case that holds 23 LEGO Star Wars Minifigures, each in their own pocket, and about 200 LEGO Bricks. Race through space and dodge the pursuing Tie Fighters, all while keeping your figurines neatly tucked away. It is for ages 3 and up.
DISNEY
Disney Consumer Products (DCP) will introduce a robust Minnie Mouse toy line for Minnie Mouse Bow-tique, including kitchen and fashion-themed roleplay from Just Play and figures and accessories from Fisher-Price. DCP will offer a new collection of products inspired by four popular Disney Junior shows. Inspired by the farm theme featured in an upcoming Mickey Mouse Clubhouse movie event, Fisher-Price has developed a new line featuring a farm playset, figures, and vehicles. DCP will introduce its first line of toys inspired by Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Anchoring the line is an assortment of playsets and figures from Fisher-Price, including Jake’s Pirate Ship and Hook’s Rock playset. Just Play will offer plush, roleplay, and accessories. For the new series debuting in March, Doc McStuffins, Just Play will create large and small Doc dolls, classic plush, and roleplay and accessories, including a doctor’s bag with a full set of instruments, checkup center, and dress-up set complete with lab coat. For Tangled Ever After, which picks up where Tangled left off celebrating the royal wedding of Rapunzel and Flynn, a new weddingthemed assortment inspired by the short film will include fashion dolls and small dolls from Mattel, toddler dolls from Tollytots, and a roleplay wedding dress from CDI. For the release of Disney’s Cinderella: Diamond Edition on DVD and Blu-ray, DCP will introduce an expanded assortment of Cinderella toys for fall. The line will feature roleplay dresses and accessories from CDI including Cinderella’s iconic pink, blue, and wedding dresses; fashion dolls, small dolls, and a transforming carriage playset from Mattel; and a large feature toddler doll from Tollytots. For the new Disney/Pixar movie Brave, Mattel will produce fashion dolls, small dolls, and playsets; CDI will produce roleplay and accessories; and Tollytots will produce large toddler dolls and fashions. For the new CG-animated comedy Wreck-It Ralph, due in theaters in November, DCP will introduce a cross-category toy line for boys and girls including figures, vehicles, classic plush, feature plush, fashion dolls, and roleplay.
FEBRUARY 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 101
TOY FAIR 2012 BASIC FUN
Basic Fun, a division of The Good Stuff Company, will introduce a line Basic Fun will introduce six new handhelds in miniature carabiner forof Moshi Monsters accessories. Moshi Monsters collectible figmat, including Fruit Ninja, Monopoly, Scrabble Flash, and three ural key chains come in six characters: Diablo, Katsuma, classic Atari titles: Break Out, Centipede, and Yars Furi, Luvli, Poppet, and Zommer. Each key chain comes Revenge. These take-along versions work just like the with a bonus Charmling. Moshling Zippsters are threeoriginals for game play on the go. dimensional mini figures that come in 11 Moshlings charThe Amazing Spider-Man hits theaters in July, and acters, including a highly collectible mystery Moshling. Basic Fun will introduce impulse toys based on the brand. Each comes blind-boxed for a surprise purchase. Battle opponents with The Amazing Spider-Man Battle Charmlings are enameled charms that come in a variLauncher. Each Battle Launcher set comes with three Spiderety of 12 Moshlings characters and attach to a specialMan tops that load and can be stored inside the launcher. Moshi Monsters Diablo ly designed Moshi gel bracelet. Packaged in a blind foil bag, There are also three styles of The Amazing Spider-Man key key chain each includes two Charmlings charms and a bracelet. chains in different action poses.
102 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
ZINKIA
Bandai America, master toy partner, will unveil a new toy line for Pocoyo. Pocoyo SwiggleTraks is a flexible track system with multiple easy configurations. Pocoyo SwiggleTraks components play music and laughter (sounds from the show) as Pocoyo goes through tunnels and bridges in his racecar. The toys are for ages 18 months and up. NCircle Entertainment will also release a slate of DVDs, including Fun & Games, as well as themed content. Random House, the recently announced publishing partner in the U.S. and Canada, will release a Pocoyo storybook, coloring book, and board/novelty book this summer. Puzzles, board games, and magnetic creations from TCG will be available at retail this year. Additionally, Zinkia’s U.S. licensing agent, Evolution Management Group, will be seeking new licensing partners in categories including apparel, home furnishings, party goods, electronics, novelty, and costumes.
FOUFOU DOG
FouFou Dog’s My Pet Blankie is a new roll-up plush blanket that transforms into a cute plush toy for infants and children of all ages. The blanket is made of hypoallergenic, soft fleece material that is machine-washable and free of stuffing.
UNDERGROUND TOYS
Following a new license agreement with BBC Worldwide, Underground Toys will introduce a vast range of new toys and accessories for the Doctor Who brand, including the Talking Dalek Plush, light-up and sounds TARDIS Plush, and the Character Building construction sets and mini figures. TARDIS Plush
FEBRUARY 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 103
TOY FAIR 2012
MANHATTAN TOY
Manhattan Toy will add to its Parents line with three new additions: Parents My Little Salon, Bug Bungalow & Magnifier Set, and Busy Butterfly Flyer. The Parents My Little Salon, for ages 18 months and up, has all the essentials to create a child’s first beauty shop. The salon comes with four soft rollers, a stain smock, soft scissors, faux shampoo, a nail file, polish, and more. All items store in the carry bag with a handle and Velcro-like closure. The Baby Stella Sweet Sounds Doll, for ages 12 months and up, features three sounds: pacifier sucking noise when pacifier is attached, giggling when foot is squeezed, and it says “mama” when its hand is squeezed. The doll comes with a pink ruffled onesie with Velcro-like closures in back and a magnetic pacifier. Two AA batteries are included. One new addition to the Groovy Girls line is Groovy Girls Craftalicious Cupcake Creations, for ages 6 and up. The set Baby Stella Sweet Sounds Doll lets you create your own cupcake designs using clay frosting and colorful foam. Kits include three cupcake-shaped containers, six pots of colored molding clay, three piping clay bags, three sets of decorating gadgets, one tube of glitter paint, one sheet of cupcake liner stickers, 12 gems, a molding tray, a cupcake display plate, and instructions.
104 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
MOOSE TOYS
Moose Toys will debut the second series of The Trash Pack, the garbage-inspired line of collectibles. There will be more than 150 new Trashies (including limited-edition Trashies and a new Trashie family) brought to market. Moose will also introduce new playsets in The Trash Pack line. The second series of The Trash Pack will be available this spring.
MOGO DESIGN, INC.
MOGO Design, Inc., will debut new customizable accessories, including a range of MOGO-customizable sunglasses in four colors: neon pink, green, turquoise, and orange. The new MOGO Charmbands come in neon pink and green, while the expanded MOGO Bling Collections include: Pink, Purple, Diamond, and Groovy. The 16 new MOGO Charm Collections feature new themes, such as Baby Cakes, Hello Fruitty, and LoveLove.
FEBRUARY 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 105
TOY FAIR 2012
HAYWIRE
Haywire Group will add three new games in 2012 including Chupacabra: Survive the Night, a glow-in-thedark dice game based on Latin American folklore, for ages 8 and up. Each player takes six dice and rolls them. If a player rolls a chupacabra, he can take out his opponents’ chickens, goats, and ox cards. Players take turns removing opponents’ animals from their hands based on how many chupacabras are rolled. Look out for “Chupacabra Loco”—when someone rolls all chupacabras and has the power to take out the largest pack of animals in play. The player to collect all the dice in play wins. Chupacabra: Survive the Night launches in June. Robbin’ Eggs! tests players’ skills in math, memory, and luck in this card game. Featuring a robin’s nest with 18 eggs, each egg has a positive or negative number on the bottom. Players must turn over eggs one at a time to get the sum of the eggs as close to the rolled number on the die, while following the sometimes silly rules on a drawn card. If players draw a “rob” card, they can steal the egg needed by other players. Players must try to remember the location of numbers as play progresses. The player with the lowest score at the end of the game wins. This game is for ages 7 and up and will be available in May. The new Bear in Underwear board game, available in August, is based on the bestselling book by author Todd H. Doodler. Players must race through the forest matching underwear for Bear and his animal friends. The first player to complete his cards wins the game. The Bear in Underwear board game is for ages 3 and up.
CLOUD B
Cloud B’s Tranquil Turtle will be the first toy in the new Tranquil Island collection. Tranquil Turtle is a patent-pending design that projects a realistic, moving underwater effect to help soothe children to sleep. Tranquil Turtle is also the first Cloud B product to incorporate both sight and sound. Users can choose between a soothing melody or a calming white noise, while relaxing to the tranquil underwater projection.
106 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
DIGGIN ACTIVE
GoGo Pogo is an electronic multi-game pogo bouncer that helps develop counting, memory, sound recognition, music, and rhythm. It comes with five built-in games: Speed Trial, Bounce ‘n Count, Rhythm Bounce, Silly Sounds, and Musical Statues. GoGo Pogo is for ages 5 and up. ZapCapz are collectible trick caps that jump into the air when struck. Knock over Y-Mi, the ZapCapz robot target, for extra points. The ZapCapz game set includes retractable steps for performing tricks and storing capz, six ZapCapz, two Striker Capz, and a Y-Mi Figure. The ZapCapz Minis come with one ZapCap and one Striker Cap. ZapCapz are for ages 6 and up.
COROLLE
Entering the classic Babicorolle collection for newborns is Babipouce Blackcurrant, a soft and huggable “first doll.” The doll comes with a soft pink paisley outfit and knitted cap.
GoGo Pogo
FEBRUARY 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 107
TOY FAIR 2012 SQWISHLAND
Sqwishland the Live Internet Game takes on a new look for 2012 and so does the retail toy line with eight new SKUs for 2012. The new lineup includes two new paintable Sqwishlanders for the D.I.Y series. The Pig and Panda will join the Frog and Parrot in the D.I.Y family. The new Collectors Bank is a way for kids to transport and show off their collections. It comes in two designs, Blowfish and Alligator, and will also function as a traditional piggy bank. Sqwishland will also launch human-like characters called sqwAvatars. There will be 30 sqwAvatar Kids to collect. Each sqwAvatar is twice the size of a Sqwishlander. Sqwishland’s new flagship line Collector Series departs from the “surprise element” approach. The collector can now purchase a desired collectible from the six different regions in the online virtual world of Sqwishland. Collector series will offer sqwAvatars and Sqwishlanders from the regions of Farm, Swamp, Sea, Jungle, Forest, and the all-new City. Sqwishland’s fashion jewelry line is built around the Soft ’n Squishy Bracelet. Accessorize with the headband, barrettes, rings, and bracelet.
D.I.Y Pig and Panda
108 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
OHIO ART COMPANY
The Ohio Art Company’s new nanoblock Violin and Guitar let kids ages 8 and up create 3-D works of musical art. With the micro-sized building blocks, execute even the finest details to create a miniaturized version of the musical instrument that fits in the palm of a hand. The nanoblock Guitar comes with more than 160 pieces. Detailed Sandzini T-Rex color instructions are included. Sandzini is a new colorful and versatile compound for arts and crafts that kids of all ages can cut, mold, and sculpt into any desired creation or shape. Clics is a single piece building block system. Start with one block and add more Clics to create any creation kids imagine. Clics also help kids develop hand/eye coordination.
BLUE BOX TOYS
Blue Box Toys’ Touch’n Go Animated Book brings screen pictures to life when kids touch and move the images on its display. Each page teaches about different musical instruments and plays the melody from the displayed instrument. Music Mates Smart Phone lets kids press keys that activate animations, music, and sound effects like a real cell phone. Touch’n Go The new Shape’n Slide Pals is a Animated Book four-colored two-in-one shape sorter with sliding rattle.
DUNECRAFT
DuneCraft has five new Dome Terrariums, including the Farmer’s Harvest Garden and the Butterfly Glamour Garden. With the new BiLevel Cool Combinations, create 4–D scenes with foreground and background decals that accentuate the depth of the planters or grow fly traps and volcano plants with the Volcano Crater Garden. Other items in the line include the Swamp Thing Garden and the Rainforest Cloud Garden. Each comes with a themed planter pet. With DuneCraft’s Seed Bombs, young gardeners throw seed bombs, water them, and watch them grow. The clay encasing in the bomb holds moisture and protects the seeds from animals and birds. Styles include Butterfly & Bird Mixture, Perennial Mixture, and Herb and Grass Seed Bombs. New additions to DuneCraft’s edible Sprout n’ Grow and Organic Veggie lines include mini cantaloupes, eggplant, hot peppers, and more.
KLUTZ
The newest addition to Klutz’s jewelry crafts line, Mini Capsters Jewelry, turns pre-punched bottle caps into stylish jewelry. Simply squirt some of Klutz’s glaze into a bottle cap and embellish it with any of the 250 punch-out art pieces, jewels, sequins, or beads. Then follow the instructions to transform the bottle caps—regular or mini—into chandelier earrings, charm bracelets, pendant necklaces, and more. Mini Capsters Jewelry comes with 15 Klutzexclusive mini bottle caps, three large bottle caps, custom glaze, cord, beads, jewels, earring wires, clasps, and jump rings. With the flick of a finger, send coins zooming across the table through the Klutz-created Coin Blaster Arcade, the first custom-molded, coin-operated, finger-powered mini cannon. Coin Blaster Arcade comes with 10 games and two coin blasters and two ramp stands.
FEBRUARY 2012 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT 109
TOY FAIR 2012 THINKFUN
ThinkFun’s Stenzzles is a puzzle that challenges players to replicate a colorful image by layering the eight Staxx pieces together in the correct order and orientation. Select one of eight challenges and flip, rotate, and layer the pieces until your stack exactly matches the challenge image. Stenzzles is for ages 8 and up. Turnstile is a logic maze where the goal is to move the colored tokens through the maze to their respective corners. To do this, you must pass through turnstiles, shifting walls to form new pathways and new barriers. Turnstile is for ages 8 and up. In Distraction, players take turns drawing number cards and remembering a growing sequence of digits. Draw a Distraction card and you must answer a quirky question before reciting the numbers in order. Get caught repeating the sequence incorrectly and collect the cards. The first player to run out of cards wins. It is for ages 8 and up. Mini Mouth is a fast-paced word race. Players draw two to five letters at a time, and the first player to call out a word containing these letters wins the tiles. It is for ages 8 and up. With Yackety Smack, kids can record their own sound effects. Players compete to spot the cards that match the goofy sounds they’ve recorded. Spot a correct match, slap the Sound Smacker, and take a turn recording your unique contribution. The game is for ages 6 and up. PathWords Jr. brings the fun of the popular PathWords game to younger players, ages 6 and up. Players exercise verbal and spatial reasoning as they place Tetris-style puzzle pieces onto the challenge grid so the letters under each piece spell a word. Roll & Play is designed specifically for toddlers. To play, simply toss the big plush cube and identify which colored side faces up. Choose a matching color card and perform the simple activity shown, such as “Make a happy face” or “Moo like a cow.” It is for ages 18 months and up.
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THE BRIDGE DIRECT
The fall 2012 collection of Annoying Orange Talking Fresh Squeezed Plush features new phrases and facial expressions. The popular web series comes to life with talking 3.5-inch plush Kitchen Crew characters including Orange, Pear, Midget Apple, and Marshmallow.
The Inkoos activity plush now have some “bling” for spring. Blingoos come with glitter glue, gems, and washable markers so kids can create sparkly works of art. After a quick rinse in the washing machine, Blingoos come out clean and ready to be decorated all over again. Blingoos are available in four styles, all with shiny embroidery and lots of white space for doodling. Justin Bieber fans can now chit chat with the Justin Bieber Talking Dolls. Available in three styles, each Talking Doll speaks 10 different phrases, including “I love my fans,” in Justin’s own voice. The Bridge will develop products inspired by The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again. The comprehensive toy line will include Basic Action Figures, Adventure Packs, Beast Packs, highly detailed Collector Figures, and roleplay items, such as a Basic Sting Sword, a Basic Orcrist Sword, a Dwarven Battle Axe, and a Deluxe Sting Sword that features a blue glow just like in the films. The toy line will debut at retail this fall.
PRETTY UGLY
TOMY
An assortment of new UglyDoll characters will be New items in TOMY’s Chuggington Die-Cast Railway and released this year. Gragon, Softy, Little Bent, Flatter, Chuggington Wooden Railway lines combine with a collecHandsome Panther, Mover, Gassy, and Ghosty each tion of feature toys. In addition to new die-cast engines and Arnie come in four different sizes. action-packed playsets, the Chuggington Die-Cast Railway Argentinosaurus Pretty Ugly is celebrating its 10th anniversary with line’s new track system allows fans to build track layouts the 10th Anniversary Wage UglyDoll. This nine-inch vertically for the first time by providing the stability plush is a reproduction of the very first Wage UglyDoll required to achieve tall, spiraling layouts. Easy to created by artists David and Sun-Min 10 years ago. connect and simple enough for preschoolers to Pretty Ugly signed licensee Schylling for a variety of build on their own, the new track system is a UglyDoll toys, including the UglyDoll Rocket Ride durable and sturdy solution for adding elevaWind-Up Tin Toy. It features Babo, Ice-Bat, and other tion to train sets. One set is more than three characters that spin around when wound up. Another feet tall. The Chuggington Wooden licensee Funko is producing UglyDoll Railway system adds more characters to new UglyDoll characters Pop! Vinyl Figures. its collectible line-up of engines, as well as feaEach figure stands ture-packed starter train sets, buildings, and tunnels. All are made with approximately 3.75 classic, high-quality wood construction, which is compatible with other inches tall and comes major wooden railway toys. TOMY also introduces a line of characterin a window display based Chuggington toys that include thematic flashlights shaped like box. Characters availfavorite engine characters and a deluxe R/C Action Chugger that able are Ox, Ice-Bat, “blasts-off” and “flies” on a cloud. Babo, Wage, and TOMY expands its line of Dinosaur Train toys to include new additions Ninja Batty Shogun. to the InterAction Figure line led by the all-new Extreme InterAction Figures. Incorporating all the features of the original InterAction Figures, these new InterAction Figures react and reply verbally to the Dinosaur Train friends and launch into action. Mr. Quetzalcoatlus’ wings flap, TEIFF Mayor Kosmoceratops sits back on his haunches, and Alvin lunges forward. By wearing a wristband, kids signal Arnie Argentinosaurus’ movements as he walks, rears up on his legs, and even stomps forward, all while Steiff’s Issy Donkey is made of interacting with more than 80 dino sounds and phrases. TOMY also soft plush. It has an expressive face expands the Dinosaur Train collectible figure line with more characters and and the trademark Steiff button in its ear. adds special feature sets with features such as “X-ray” technology and Issy Donkey is machine washinteractive lights and sounds. able. It is for ages 4 and up. TOMY’s Lamaze brand and its Lamaze Infant Development System unveils new items with added developmental features, dynamic colors, engaging textures, and whimsical characters. Key additions include Turtle Tunes (a plush turtle with a brightly-colored musical shell), Jumping Joeys Fill ’N Spill (a sit-and-play toy), and a line of winter holiday-themed developmental toys.
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TOY FAIR 2012 CHICCO
Chicco’s CyBear Land Mobile is a bilingual toy phone with four play modes: mobile phone, music, learning, and games. Press the green button to have CyBear call toddlers around the world, talking to them in English and Spanish. Press purple buttons to hear melodies and a song about numbers. Press the 10 orange buttons to hear numbers and watch CyBear on the LCD display. Games mode has three games to help children 18 months and up with numbers. The CyBear Land Dot Kid Pad is a bilingual toy with four levels of play: drawing, letters, games, and creativity. Kids use a special pen to write letters and words and CyBear Land Mobile also draw pictures. There are three games to play with CyBear and other activities. It is for ages 3 and up. The CyBear Land Laptop is a bilingual toy with three levels of play for different ages. Each level is packed with activities and games about letters, numbers, geometric shapes, the time of day, and writing whole words. Kids can draw on the whiteboard using a special pen, then view what they have written or drawn on the LCD display. Level 1 is for ages 3–4. Level 2 is for ages 4–5. And Level 3 is for ages 5–6. The Talking Carpenter is a toy workbench packed with a vice, measuring stick, drill, hammer, saw, and screwdriver. This bilingual toy comes with six manual activities, 14 songs, 16 jingles, two LED lights that flash with the music and sound effects, and three play modes: music, learning, and imagination. It is for ages 12 months and up. The Talking Key features 24 bilingual activities and sound content. It is designed to introduce children ages 6 months and up with first words and colors. The three buttons have pictures of a boat, car, and house and activate sounds, words, and lights. It has two large pendants. One is ringshaped to clip to a stroller and the other is a rattle with colored balls inside. The Bubble Gym playmat comes with a soft hedgehog-shaped cushion, a toy bar, and electronic activity panel. The toy bar has seven multi-activity pendants: a mirror, crinkle, plastic teething rings, and more. The activity panel has fading multicolored light effects, 20 minutes of pre-recorded music, and sound effects. It also has an MP3 player connection (MP3 player not included) to play music during play and sleeptime. The Bubble Gym is for birth and up.
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LITTLE KIDS
In 2012, Little Kids will celebrate 20 years of NoSpill Bubble Fun with the launch of the Only The Fun Comes Out campaign and three new No-Spill Bubble Toys. The No-Spill Bubble Machine is designed to continuously blow bubbles and can be tipped upside down without causing spills. It has a handle and comes with eight ounces of Blastos! Bubbles. Three AAA batteries are required but not included. The No-Spill Squeeze ‘n Blow Pop-Up Bubbles has a new design. Kids release their squeeze while the wand drops down, sealing the bottle and ensuring no spills. The redesigned No-Spill Bubble Whistle is a working whistle with a break-away neck cord. It includes two ounces of Blastos! Bubbles. All No-Spill Bubble Toys are for ages 3 and up.
INTERACTIVE TOY CONCEPTS
Interactive Toy Concepts’ Wi-Spi Helicopter and Wi-Spi Intruder are R/C vehicles controlled by a smartphone or tablet device via an app. Both have built-in video cameras that stream a live feed directly to the smart device and allow kids to record video, pictures, and sound. Upload videos to YouTube, Facebook, email, and more.
TCG
TCG (formerly known as The Canadian Group) will release three new games for older players. Relay the Game features three fast-paced games in one. Players explain their word as quickly as possible to encourage their opponents to guess correctly. The faster they guess, the more points both players receive. The player with the most points wins. RFID technology in the baton identifies players, tracks time, and keeps score. Relay the Game comes with a game baton, 100 twosided word cards, and six RFID bands. It is for up to six players ages 9 and up. New kids games include Sqworm, where players use their “sqworm’n worms” to surround and eat the most apples. Roll the dice to choose a worm and the number of spaces to move. The game is for two to four players ages 3 and up. TCG will debut games featuring the Little Tikes brand. Little Tikes Games for Growing comes in two themes: Alphabet & Numbers and Colors & Shapes. Each game features eight learning card games and three levels, as well as a parent guide. The games are for two to four players ages 2 and up. Other licensed games include two Lalaloopsy games. In Lalaloopsy Tea Party, players collect as many sweet treats as they can. On each turn, players turn the Lalaloopsy teapot toward them and ask, “My little teapot, may I have a delicious sweet?” Press the spout for the teapot to twirl. If yes, the teapot twinkles. If no, it whistles. The game is for two to four players ages 5 and up.
PLAYMATES TOYS
Playmates Toys will unveil a new line of action figures, playsets, vehicles, and roleplay for ages 4 and up inspired by Nickelodeon’s new CG-animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, set to premiere this fall. The 2012 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) line includes 4.25–4.75-inch basic action figures with more than 12 points of articulation. The line includes Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo, Splinter, April O’Neil, Shredder, The Kraang, and a Foot Soldier. The Secret Sewer Lair Playset Waterbabies Giggly Wiggly stands 42 inches tall and includes more than 20 different features, such as telescoping periscopes, ropeswing and swing-down ladders, an elevator, a computer lab, opening and closing doors, an ooze drain, and more. Playmates Toys brings the world of Bearville.com to life with a new collection inspired by Build-A-Bear Workshop. The collection includes customizable bears, friends, and play environments. Furbulous Fashion Friends are available in bears, a kitty, a puppy, or a bunny. The four-inch articulated figures are dressed in mix-and-match fashions and come with a button stand featuring a unique “bearism” message. The Build-A-Bear Workshop toys are for ages 3 and up. Playmates will debut new Hearts For Hearts Girls dolls. Mosi lives on the Navajo reservation in Arizona, where she helps her mom and dad keep the Navajo arts culture alive. Zelia resides in Brazil, where she helps with housework and animals on the farm. Rue lives in New Orleans and saw the worst of Hurricane Katrina, but chose to rise above. Playmates is relaunching the Waterbabies line of water-filled dolls. The new line features new themes and fashions, including I Dream to Be dolls. These nine-inch babies are outfitted in a theme that tells the story of what each baby dreams to be. Six themes are available: Ballerina, Soccer Player, Cheerleader, Fairy, Princess, and Fabulous. Giggly Wiggly is a 13-inch baby doll that giggles when its tummy is tickled. The doll comes with a baby bottle and pacifier. Place one in the doll’s mouth, press its tummy, and the doll’s mouth moves so that it looks like the doll is drinking from the bottle or sucking the pacifier. All Waterbabies dolls are for ages 2 and up.
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TOY FAIR 2012 BEANSTALK
Dragon-i Toys, the makers of the Chatimals animated toy line, have acquired the global license for Out Fit7 Ltd.’s Talking Friends app-associated toys. Dragon-i will launch Talking Tom and Talking Ben globally in late April. Talking Tom and Talking Ben have talkback functionality in the same recognizable voices of the characters. There are sensors spread over the body to allow for playback of the identical sounds that appear on the free apps. Dragon-i will also feature a range of 12-inch and 10-inch Talking Tom and Talking Ben beanies in basic plush or press-and-talk functionality. The Talking Friends line also includes a key ring of Talking Tom and Talking Ben with and without the sounds from the app.
AMERICAN GREETINGS PROPERTIES
American Greetings Properties (AGP) will relaunch and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Care Bears property. Care Bears were first introduced in 1982 and quickly became a global phenomenon, spawning television shows, movies, and toys. Coming this summer is a brand new CGI TV series starring classic characters and introducing a new Care Bear. The series is set high above Earth in the enchanted cloudscape of Care-a-Lot. Current partners include Bendon for publishing; Bioworld, Briefly Stated, Changes, and Freeze for apparel and accessories; and AD Sutton for infant products. In spring 2013, Hasbro will debut a new line of huggable toys.
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SCHLEICH
Schleich’s new animal figures include Giant Panda the Giant Panda. This figure is in a sitting position, nibbling on a bamboo tree. The black-and-white bear is for ages 3 and up. There are three new gorilla figures: Gorilla Male, Gorilla Female with Young, and Baby Gorilla. The Gorilla Female with Young figure is a mother gorilla with a baby riding on the mother’s back. Each figure is sold separately and for ages 3 and up. Schleich also adds three new elephant figures to its collection: African Elephant Male, African Elephant Female, and African Elephant Calf. Each is sold separately and is for ages 3 and up.
WINNING SOLUTIONS
Winning Solutions’ Giant Scrabble, made under license from Hasbro, features an oversized, rotating wooden game board, with all pieces 50 percent larger than the original version. The larger scale makes the game board easier to read and pieces easier to manipulate for older and younger players. The tiles and rack are also made with wood and the raised grid keeps letters in place during play. Also included is a tile pouch and score pad. The game is for ages 8 and up.
BIG TENT ENTERTAINMENT
Big Tent Entertainment’s Discovery Communications will have new product this year. For Discovery Kids, licensees include NKOK, MasterPieces Puzzle Company, and Cosrich. There are 10 new products from NKOK, including a battery-operated Splatter Painter with five bottles of paint, two glitter tubes, and 20 paint cards. The Discovery Sewing Machine comes with a spool of thread, measuring tape, and needle threader. Space Ship Laser Tag is a dual-player, battery-operated infrared laser tag game with lights and sounds. Slide one of the 10 discs into the Trace ’n Draw Projector, turn it on, and project one of 70 traceable images onto canvas paper. The Magic Wand comes with a button that creates a static charge to make the provided shapes float in midair. With the Discovery Neon Trace ’n Draw, create images using the six vibrant Dry-Erase markers. Slide the pre-drawn animation sheet into the desktop, trace the image, press the light button, and watch the image come to life. The Discovery Kids Rope Draw has a Velcro-style surface in which kids take the provided rope pen and create artwork by feeding the rope through the pen and onto the canvas. Robo Warrior is an R/C robot with 360-degree rotation and movement. It shoots foam discs and has lights and sounds. MasterPieces Puzzle Company will produce two new Discovery Kids puzzles centered on the solar system and the pyramids of Egypt. Cosrich’s assortment includes Discovery Kids-branded bath activity sets. Science, a division of Discovery Communications is a TV network for the individual who is unafraid to ask the questions “how?” and “why not?” The “Sci” brand will be represented through a new line of branded products from Nano Magnetics. The company will introduce Sci Nanodots and accessories. The licensing program for Domo grows with partnerships with Dark Horse Comics and License 2 Play, Inc. Dark Horse Comics continues its partnership with Domo with a new line of products, including the Domo Fun Time Magnet Set, Domo Pink Nerd Domo-sculpted coffee mug, Domo 4 Black Light Vinyl Plush Figure set, and series four of the Domo Qee “mystery box” assortment. License 2 Play’s plush Domo items include a Domo Sock Monkey, Domo Dino, Domo Pink Nerd Plush, Domo Superhero Plush, Domo Panda Plush, and Domo Teddy Plush.
TOYSMITH
Toysmith announced last fall the exclusive U.S. distribution for the RandomLine Squiggle activity pads as well as the Australianbased, Makedo, a connector system that turns common packaging materials into creative play objects. Toysmith also reclassified product categories offering a variety of novelty and impulse products. The Makedo Find & Make Plane kit includes Makedo’s reusable re-clips, lockhinges, safe-saw, an inspirational poster, and stickers to complete the creation. Kids take recyclable materials commonly found in the home and transform them into creations. It is exclusive to Toysmith in the U.S. With the 4M Green Science Green Rocket, kids add a recycled magazine and two plastic bottles to blast a paper rocket up to 80 feet high. This toy is exclusive to Toysmith in the U.S.
YBIKE
Ybike’s new Explorer Go Kart is designed for kids ages 5 and up. The maximum weight is 100 pounds. Ybike’s Explorer runs completely on kid-powered pedal power. Its features include two easy-to-grip handles and unique back-wheel steering. The Ybike Explorer is available in orange and yellow.
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TOY FAIR 2012 SCHOLASTIC
Scholastic’s partners will offer new product in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of Clifford the Big Red Dog, including new plush and fashion bags available for specialty from Douglas; new games and puzzles from TCG; a Tales to Play 3-D board game, card games, floor puzzles, and a Design N’ Doodle release from Patch Products; a new Zoobies’ Clifford Clifford plush book and duffel bag with blanket from Zoobies; and nine new Clifford products including a rocker, playground ball, and a rocket balloon from The Foland Group. The Young Scientists Club will launch four new science kits for The Magic School Bus, including Attracted to Magnificent Magnets, Slime and Polymer Lab, and Grow Amazing Polymers Group Pack (for 30 participants). All kits are for ages 5 and up. Goosebumps will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year with new products from Fundex, including Goosebumps: Welcome to Horrorland Board Game, Scrabble: Goosebumps Edition, Monopoly: Goosebumps Edition; Goosebumps Rubik’s Cube; and UNO: Goosebumps Edition. Briarpatch will offer new games and puzzles for I SPY including the I SPY Hocus Pocus game, I SPY Ready to Count game, and two I SPY lenticular puzzles. For Wordgirl, Boom Comics will release two new comic books. Danara will launch new Little Scholatic-branded infant and baby developmental toys. Kids Station will release four new Scholastic-branded products to add to its existing portfolio including, Scholastic Explore and Learn Cell Phone, Scholastic Learn ‘N’ Go, Scholastic Electronic Bug Viewer, and Scholastic Apple Learner.
THE WISH FACTORY
The Wish Factory launched a new line of dolls and accessories, figures, and plush koalas for the Australian pop idol Cody Simpson, available exclusively at Toys “R” Us and ToysRUs.com. The Cody Simpson 11.5-inch fashion doll features Simpson’s signature sculpted, side-swept surfer hair, bendable joints, shoes, sunglasses, microphone, guitar pick, and lanyard. With the push of a button on the Cody Simpson Singing Doll, the doll sings the pop song “On My Mind.” This 11.5-inch doll comes with Cody-style clothing, shoes, stickers, a microphone, a guitar pick, and lanyard. Now available is Pop Grrl, a new line of trending fashion accessories for tween girls. The first line in the Pop Grrl collection from The Wish Factory is Nail Charms, featuring the new innovation of stick-on nails in 3-D. Pop Grrl Nail Charms combine the collectibility of charms with easy stick-on fashion nails. Nail Charm designs include the Sweet Tooth collection, Animal Instincts collection, and Bow So Cute collection. Nail Charms will also offer licensed collections including Blow Pop (scented strawberry, grape, watermelon, and apple), Tootsie Cody Simpson doll Roll (chocolate-scented), and Gummy Bears. Squinkies and Monster High-licensed collections will launch in April.
GREENPOINT BRANDS
Greenpoint Brands’ My Natural Discovery Dog is the first item in the new My Natural Activity Bunch, a collection of learning and discovery toys for babies and toddlers. My Natural Discovery Dog is a plush pup for ages 9 months and up. The plush features tactile eco-plush paws and a side pouch that opens to reveal a variety of sensory exploration toys. The plush is made from eco-plush fabrics with tactile accents made from Spudmer, a patented biodegradable plastic polymer made from reclaimed potato starch. The collection will launch in late summer. My Natural Discovery Dog
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AURORA WORLD
Aurora World will launch new, high-end plush animals called Aurora’s Signature line. The line will include three categories: wildlife, jungle, and exotics. Signature pieces range from seven to 43 inches. Aurora has created an all-new line of dinosaurthemed plush toys. The five new plush dinosaurs have plastic eyes and scales highlighted with a special reflective material. Additional new dinosaur hand puppets include Iguanodon, Parasaurolophus, and Oviraptor. Aurora 10-inch Pterenodon plush The five-inch Colors of the Rainbow is an eight-color assortment of YooHoo & Friends characters featuring rainbow-inspired tails and a lightup rainbow embroidered on the chest. Seven styles include different colors of the rainbow while the eighth features all the rainbow colors. Each piece includes a tag describing the specific color’s attributes. The WannaBes collection of YooHoo & Friends has added jungle and domestic/barnyard assortments for 2012, including a giraffe, elephant, lion, tiger, horse, cow, cat, and dog. Each of the new three-inch key chain styles of YooHoo & Friends feature a plush animal holding a message such as “xoxo” or “Happy Birthday.” Aurora has also added a pink gorilla and camel to the YooHoo & Friends line for 2012, available in five- and eight-inch sizes that make a sound when squeezed.
TINY LOVE
Tiny Love, maker of the Gymini brand and other baby toys and gear, has a new line for 2012. The Soothe ’n Groove Mobile is a crib mobile featuring innovations such as three brightly colored, friendlyfaced animals that hang from the rotating mobile and a music box. Eighteen soothing tunes play 40 minutes of non-repetitive music from two high-quality built-in speakers. In addition to traditional nursery classics by Mozart and Bach, additional music categories include classical, world music, and jazz. The music box also features a music shuffle mode, nature and white noise sounds, a calming night light, baby activation button, and varied volume control. It is for ages 0–2.
RAZOR
The Razor FlashRider 360 three-wheeler from Razor USA improves on the classic three-wheeler of the 1970s with 360-degree turns, drifts, and sparks. Features include a Spark Bar with replaceable Spark cartridge for sparking action; rear, dual-inclined caster wheels for resistance-free drifting and spinning; rugged, all-steel frame and double crown fork; and MX-style handlebars with rubber grips. It is for ages 5 and up and holds a maximum weight of 160 pounds. The Vapor Delta 500 gel ammo blaster shoots Razor FlashRider up to 100 rounds of Vapor Gel Ammo without having to reload. It features rifle-like action with removable stock and long-range firing up to 80 feet. Five hundred pieces of ready-to-go Vapor Gel Ammo are included with additional refill packs available in stores. The blaster is for ages 14 and up. Both products will be available this spring. Vapor Gel Ammo refill packs are available.
Tiny Princess Gymini Move ‘n Play activity mat
The Gymini Move ’n Play activity mat has the brandʼs classic features, including hanging toys, teethers, mirror, and a brightly colored, extra-large activity mat. The crossroads of the mat’s arches feature an electronic music-and-lights toy that plays seven melodies. The arches can be repositioned from the traditional dome set-up to accommodate tummy time or a crawling infant. The hanging toys slide along the arches and can also be removed. The Tiny Princess Gymini Move ’n Play activity mat has a pink design theme and similar product features.
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TOY FAIR 2012 CLASSIC MEDIA
Classic Media signed new toy licensing partners for Where’s Waldo? in the U.S., including Techno Source, a division of LF Products (games, puzzles, and novelty items), Alexander Doll Company (cloth and collectible dolls), and Virtual Greats (virtual goods). The new Where’s Waldo? program will hit retail timed to Waldo’s 25th anniversary, which commences this fall. Techno Source will develop Where’s Waldo? board games, puzzles, card games, and novelty items, including the original Where’s Waldo? search-and-find glitter wands. The Alexander Doll Company will commemorate Where’s Waldo? 25th Anniversary with a line of limited-edition dolls. The company will develop a collectible version of Where’s Waldo? soft dolls, vinyl dolls, and dolls with coordinating Where’s Waldo? accessories. Virtual Greats will launch Where’s Waldo? virtual items online to reach a growing global virtual goods market. They can be purchased as virtual gifts and collectibles, or as elements used to enhance and accessorize user avatars and/or digital worlds.
ELENCO
Kids can snap together their own rover with the new R/C Snap Rover, Elenco’s latest Snap Circuit kit. It includes a full-color assembly manual and easy-toidentify color-coded parts to build more than 20 projects with the more than 30 parts. Once assembled, navigate left, right, backward, and forward with the Snap Rover remote control.
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PRESSMAN TOY
Pressman Toy Corporation signed a licensing deal with Classic Media to develop games based on the new preschool series Tinga Tinga Tales. Pressman Toy plans to introduce a range of Tinga Tinga Tales skill, action, and memory games, which will be available at mass and specialty retailers nationwide in August. New games include Tinga Tinga Tales Swinging Monkey Race Game, in which kids put their strategy skills to the test as they try to swing their monkey mover onto as many 3-D trees as they can using only the fruit landing spots that were rolled. In Tinga Tinga Tales Tell Me a Story Memory Game, kids tell their own story of why an object or animal is placed where it is within the game board and then apply their memory skills to reveal it later. Both games are for two to four players ages 4 and up. Additional games will include Tinga Tinga Tales-themed Dominoes, Go Fish Card Game, Pop ‘N’ Race, and Make A Match. Pressman will introduce seven new games to its existing line of licensed, original, and classic games in 2012. The games include Power Rangers Samurai CatRatBatSplat; The Zombie, The Samuraizer Switch Game Princess, and The Kid Next Door; No Speed Limit; Bass Ackwards; It’s A Chicken; Word Snag; and Flippables Horse and Squirrel Game. Pressman Toy also signed a licensing deal with Saban Brands to develop games based on Power Rangers Samurai. Pressman will introduce a range of Power Rangers Samurai skill, action, and memory games based on the TV series, for kids of all ages. Games include Power Rangers Samurai Samuraizer Switch Game, Make A Match, and Pop ‘N’ Race. Additional games such as Power Rangers Samurai Four-In-One Card Game, Dominoes, and a second custom Power Rangers board game with unique special features will launch later this year.
PATCH PRODUCTS
Patch Products has partnered with Scholastic in celebration of Clifford the Big Red Dog’s 50th anniversary. Anniversary line products include the Clifford Tales to Play board game, Clifford the Big Red Dog 50th Anniversary Game, Clifford the Big Red Dog card game, Design ‘N’ Doodle Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Sneaky Puzzles Clifford the Big Red Dog. The new party game Flash & Furious is a game where everyone must think fast on their feet. The game, for two to five players or teams, centers around a custom flasher stand. Up to four players are assigned a color, and a flash of light in your color signals the start and end of your turn. Players must answer a question from the unpredictable flashing timer before the light changes and your turn is over. As play progresses, players have to answer even faster. If you repeat an answer already given or get flashed before you can respond, the question is over and play on the next question begins. A judge moderates and determines what answers are permitted. The last player to give a correct answer collects that card, and the one with the most cards at the end of the game wins. Patch’s new skill-and-action games include Cluck ’N’ Chuck and Don’t Rock the Boat. The objective of Cluck ’N’ Chuck is to contain runaway chickens. Made for two to four players, the game is played by rolling a die to see which chickens can be chucked into the coop. Players must move quickly before the coop jumps up and all the chickens fly out. Whoever rounds up their chickens first wins. The game is for ages 4 and up. In Don’t Rock the Boat, players take turns trying to balance the pirate penguins on the ship, but avoid rocking the boat and sending pirates overboard. The game is for ages 5 and up.
PLASMART
Perplexus Twist from PlaSmart, Inc., is the latest addition to the Perplexus marble maze game line. The Perplexus Twist is a brainteaser that challenges players with a new 4-D twist in the maze, which requires players to twist and realign the tracks to escape traps, decoys, and cliffhangers. Players can race each other or the clock, while helping develop cognitive, problem-solving, motor skills, and handeye coordination. The Perplexus Twist is for ages 6 and up and will launch this fall. Plasmart’s new PlasmaCar Pro comes equipped with an additional set of all-new, patented, high-end, polyurethane wheels that enhance the original PlasmaCar’s all-around performance for a smoother ride. The new PlasmaCar wheel sets are also available separately as an accessories kit or fullyequipped on the new PlasmaCar Pro line. Both the wheels and PlasmaCar Pro will launch at Toy Fair. PlasmaCar Pro
I-STAR
ENTERTAINMENT
i-Star Entertainment will roll out nine new FyrFlyz colors for spring and summer, including Fyrblaze (red), Nytryder (transparent), and Goldstar (gold) for the spring. Stryker (orange), Icefyr (silver), Nytstorm (aqua green), Fyrstar (lime green), Super Nova (ash blue), and Skybryte (sky blue) will be available in the summer. The new FyrFlyz Tryphoon has two sides with static LED lights like the original toy, while a new third side holds a blinking LED light with electrifying colors to create different shapes and light shows. FyrFlyz Kwadstar is a new shape that features four LED lit points, each containing a different color light. When spun, kids can create one-of-a-kind light rays. FyrFlyz Vortex features three soft vinyl edges, a chunky base, and handles that are easy to grip for smaller hands. Each edge contains four LED lights so even the youngest child can make light shows. The Radical Series is a new line of FyrFlyz with a modern design and new light show capabilities. The series includes the Sunflare, the Heatwave, and the Flying Dragon. Each uniquely shaped FyrFlyz contains six LED lights, which cycle to create lighted designs. All new FyrFlyz Tryphoon FyrFlyz are for ages 8 and up.
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TOY FAIR 2012 INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS
International Playthings (IPI) is relaunching its bead crafting sets, Wonderbeads, under the new name Aquabeads, while continuing to allow children to make bead creations that stay together with a spritz of water. The new Aquabeads Spiral Bead Pens are double-colored bead pens that children ages 4 and up can fill with two colors to choose from while creating bead creations. The kit includes three pens, more than 600 beads, four template sheets, spray bottle, and three key chain attachments. New Calico Critters for 2012 include new families, ready-to-play sets, homes, and more. One new offering is the Motorcycle & Sidecar, for ages 3 and up, which includes Marvin and Maggie Mulberry Raccoon, goggles, eight bumper stickers, two drivers’ licenses, two maps, magazine, motorcycle manual, and club membership card. It also features two helmets and two motorcycle straps for safety. Motorcycle & Sidecar
IPI is expanding its Kidoozie line for 2012 with new items for indoor and outdoor play such as the Take-Apart Helicopter and Deluxe Build-A-Road with Elevator. The Deluxe Build-A-Road with Elevator from Kidoozie comes with more than 15 feet of flexible track that can be constructed in infinite ways. It includes more than 240 pieces, two battery-operated cards, a multi-directional connector, and a turnaround. Also included is an elevator that carries the car up a level. The set requires no tools and is for ages 3 and up.
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ZOOBIES
Zoobies is expanding its line of Blanket Pets and Storytime Pals this year with new characters such as Hello Kitty and Llama Llama Red Pajama. Zoobies will also introduce two new product lines this year. Zoobies Book Buddies are new plush toys that open into children’s favorite bedtime stories written on plush pages. The line will introduce The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Clifford The Big Red Dog with more to come. Zoobies will also introduce Duffel Dogs. This is a line of plush dogs with soft, plush bodies that also function as duffel bags with blankets zipped inside and straps for carrying. Duffel Dog
ZYDECO STUDIOS
Floppets is a new line of collectible, wearable pet characters from Zydeco Studios. Floppets can be attached to your finger or personal accessories. Each Floppet has a versatile connector and Velcro tether so kids ages 4–11 can attach them to almost anything. Floppets can also be linked together by simply connecting their tethers, creating instant wristbands, rings, anklets, and necklaces. Each character has a story within the world of Floptopia that can be discovered on www.floppets.com. Floppets will launch at select specialty stores nationwide this spring.
Floppets
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1/17/2012 5:49:09 PM
TOY FAIR 2012 FUNDEX
Fundex’s Catch Word puts a new twist on word games as players race to be the first to spell words by combining the consonants on their cards with the vowels on a colored die. The first player to call out a word wins the hand. The Catch Word player with the most Catch Word cards at the end of the game wins. The game is intended for two to four players. Fundex’s Instructures is a fast-paced game of construction by instruction, where two teams must race to build structures faster than their opponents using the blocks provided. But only a team’s designated “foreman” can see the building’s blueprints to lead the team. With challenges such as the silent foreman, memory challenge, blind foreman, and a timed challenge, the game offers a new twist each time you play. Instructures can be played with four to 12 players. Both games are for ages 8 and up.
MGA ENTERTAINMENT
MGA Entertainment’s new Lalaloopsy Littles are the younger siblings of Lalaloopsy characters. Dolls include Sprinkle Spice Cookie (Crumb’s sister), Bundles Snuggle Stuff (Mitten’s sister), Squirt Lil’ Top (Peanut’s sister), and Specs Reads-A-Lot (Bea’s sister). The Lalaloopsy Silly Pet Parade wagons puts Lalaloopsy pets on parade with animated circus wagons that spin, wobble, or move up and down. Wagon themes include Spinning Pretty Wagon, Sleepy Pets Wagon, Tea Time Wagon, and Tipsy Sail Boat. Each wagon includes one pet. MGA’s Moxie Girlz Magic Swim Mermaid is the first Moxie Girlz mermaid doll and the only doll that automatically swims like a mermaid when placed in water. The doll features a sparkling tail and hair and fashion to play with. The Moxie Girlz Swim Mermaid line is for ages 3 and up. Bratz Catz
THE ORB FACTORY
The Orb Factory’s new Sticky Mosaics Happily Ever After Jewelry Box is a jewelry box that also tells the whimsical tale of a princess and her frog prince when decorated. Follow the numbered legend to place the 750-plus sparkling tiles and jewel pieces and bring the story to life. The kit also includes a story booklet. It is for ages 5 and up. Orb’s new Curiosity Kits Cardboard Adventures Knight lets kids bend, fold, and snap together cardboard without glue or scissors to create their own knight costume. The kit includes armor, a helmet, shield, and sword. The knight’s armor is based on historically accurate designs and comes with a special knight story and information booklet. It is for ages 4 and up.
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New Little Tikes toys include the Little Tikes Big Digger Sandbox, featuring molded ramps and roadways, a real working excavator to dig in the sand and load up the dump truck, a truck ramp that doubles as a sandbox lid, and accessories. The Big Digger Sandbox is for ages 3 and up. MGA’s new Bratz Catz line of dolls transform the Bratz from daytime to nighttime “catz” looks. Dolls feature sunglasses that convert to cat ears; fur wraps and boas that transform to cat tails; reversible skirts that become tutus; poseable bodies; and their own pet cats. Bratz Funk ‘n’ Glow features fashion dolls with light-up party dresses and tiaras that come to life in 3-D. Formal dance fashions, a light-up party dress and tiara, 3-D glasses to reveal holographic light designs, and other fashion accessories are included. Bratz are for ages 6 and up.
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TOY FAIR 2012 CJ PRODUCTS
CJ Products will introduce new licensed characters to its line of foldable Pillow Pets, including characters from Nickelodeon and DreamWorks Animation. Nickelodeon characters will launch with Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants with additional characters to follow throughout the year. DreamWorks Animation characters include Shrek and Donkey with additional characters to be released throughout the year. Thomas the Tank Engine is also now available. CJ Products offers Pillow Pets plush in a premium line for specialty retailers and a standard line for the mass marketplace. The Pillow Pets premium plush line features softer, more luxurious fabrics and special collector-level branding such as an exclusive tag. The premium styles will be exclusive to specialty retailers for a limited time and then introduced to the mass market as new premium styles are created.
FIND IT GAMES
Find It Games, makers of cylinder hide-and-seek game play, debuts its star-shaped Starry Night, a 3-D star-shaped container filled with brightly colored pellets. Look closely, shake, and turn to find 40 space-related objects, including Saturn and a satellite, as well as some earthly nighttime items, such as a sleeping bag and a mug of cocoa. Many of the items glow in the dark. A score pad is also included listing all searchable items for players to check off as they find them. Starry Night is for ages 8 and up.
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ZING TOYS
Zing Toys is adding to its line of Air Storm foam ammo toys this spring. The Air Storm Z-X Cross features power swing technology, in which the bow arms pop open for action and send super-soft suction cup Zartz flying. Pull the trigger to hit and stick targets from more than 45 feet. It also features built-in ammo clips. The Air Storm Zip-Bak Bow is a long range bow that sends foam arrows flying Airstorm Zip-Bak Bow more than 95 feet. The compact shooter transforms for firing with power swing technology. Its soft foam Z-Arrows fly right on target and feature bounce-back action. The Air Storm Z-Curve Bow is a long-range foam archery bow that blasts targets from more than 125 feet away. Z-Curve fires both far-flying foam Z-Arrows and stick-anywhere suction cup Zartz. The Z-Curve Bow includes the Zip Clip ammo holder to keep extra arrows at hand. The Air Storm Zing Shot Launcher is an ultimate foam ball launcher featuring a compact shooter with a quick shot. Load up with BlazeX Power Ballz and blast targets from more than 45 feet away. The Air Storm Pop Rocketz is a pocket-sized, take-anywhere, air-powered rocket launcher that blasts foam rockets up to 50 feet. Pop Rocketz are safe for indoor and outdoor use. All products are for ages 8 and up.
FUNNYBONE TOYS
Funnybone Toys is launching three of its new card games for ages 8 and up, Array, Cubu, and Spectrix, all featuring a blend of engaging play pattern and colorful graphics. In Array, players connect the cards to build an array of colors, adding splice and slice to make the array explode. Look out for splatter or Slam cards, which can ruin an array. Be the last person in the game by building the largest array of color possible.
®
4th Annual Spring Educational Conference & Trade Show
APRIL 25-27, 2012 South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa Las Vegas, Nevada
Plan now to attend the only event exclusively for the Juvenile Specialty Store market! PRIVATE INDUSTRY EVENT • Buyers • Retailers • Manufacturers • Sales Representatives • Trade Media
INDUSTRY EXPOSITION • Meet with key suppliers • Gain important product knowledge • View new mid-year product introductions • Learn new ways to improve & sustain profitability
KEYNOTES, SPEAKERS & EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS • Top industry speakers • Latest topics & trends • How-to’s on succeeding in an evolving marketplace • Peer-to-peer discussions of best practices • Retailers, manufacturers and exhibitors welcome
ALL AT ONE SPECTACULAR RESORT • 80,000 square foot casino • More than a dozen restaurants & bars • World-class entertainment & nightlife • 64-lane state-of-the-art bowling center • 16-screen movie theater complex • Video arcade & 600 seat bingo room • Fitness center & full-service spa • Landscaped outdoor pool & Jacuzzi • Liquor store, barber shop & more • Complimentary airport shuttle • Near the Las Vegas Strip
Don’t miss these unique networking events • Welcome reception poolside • Special “Beer & Bowling” event • Meals & refreshment breaks
REGISTER TODAY!
Contact: Sarah Binkley sarah@theabcshow.com 210.691.4848, Ext. 111 www.allbabyandchildsec.com
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Toys That Tell A Story
BY JENNIFER LYNCH
nvention has always played a critical role in the careers and design work of BeginAgain Toys cofounders Chris Clemmer and David Bowen. Prior to BeginAgain, the two worked together on the launch of two other companies: Sprig Toys, an eco-toy company that merged with Wham-O in 2010, and a Colorado-based design firm. So when BeginAgain’s Clemmer and Bowen teamed up for vehicles games offer game their latest business in spring 2011, they in another, ideas as opposed to rules so kids can create their wanted to do more than create a toy and in the midown games. Pictured is company; they wanted to tell a story. dle there are learning books, Treasure Hunt Objects and Shapes Game for ages “We wanted to tie product to a rich fairy flash cards, and games,” 3 and up. tale about invention that sparks kids’ Clemmer says. “At 4 or 5 P.M. we go to soccer practice. imaginations,” says Clemmer. “The idea for us is not to tell the whole story, but to let the Then we come home and the kids are in the tub toy tell a piece of a story and let the child finish playing with their boats and superhero toys. So it or embellish upon it to create their own story.” every day we see this ‘A WISH’ spill out in front BeginAgain found its inspiration in the jour- of us.” BeginAgain ties these elements to its tale nals of early 20th century toy inventor Benjamin of invention and encourages its consumers to Barlowe, which held tales and observations of supply their children with a dose from each play his grandchildren Zadie and Fuller. For category. “It’s not just about learning and it’s not BeginAgain, Zadie and Fuller speak to the play just about sports,” Clemmer says. “It’s a little bit value of its toys, while Barlowe speaks to its of everything that we consider a well-balanced consumers—parents and grandparents—about diet of fun.” Its A WISH products are targeted for preschool-aged kids, who adapt best to the how the toys are made. The main story that Barlowe talks about, as play pattern of the toys, such as roleplay, social the BeginAgain spokesperson, is “A WISH for play, learning, and exercise, Clemmer says. BeginAgain also offers its Beginner line, well-balanced play.” A WISH, which stands for Artist, Writer, Inventor, “Sportster,” and Hero, is which concentrates more on simple toys, best a concept Barlowe observed and BeginAgain suited for ages 5 months and up, that help develadopted as its model. It explains how different op fine and gross motor skills. One example is types of toys nurture different aspects of a the Earthworm, composed of natural wooden child’s development. “As parents, at the end of beads, which babies ages 6 months and up can the day we see our living rooms filled with twist and manipulate. While the central focus of all BeginAgain crayons and pencils in one corner, characters and
I
126 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
toys is the play value, through the story of Barlowe and his grandchildren, BeginAgain is also able to explain the why behind the eco-friendly materials it uses for all its products. “Ben is this throwback character that ran an invention workshop in Fort Collins, Colo., where he made things with wood, natural rubber, and a lot of other materials that we’ve moved away from,” says Clemmer. “BeginAgain tells this story and the reasons why we used to use these materials. It’s a chance to go back to how we used to make things, especially for our toys.” This idea plays into how BeginAgain utilizes sustainable resources, from plant-based materials to simple recycled plastics. “The play value is the most important, then the planet value of the toy follows. And if you can create a toy that harnesses both, we think that is obviously the right formula,” he says. For more than 15 years, Bowen and Clemmer have seen firsthand how toys are made, what materials are used to make them, and how those materials affect the environment. While these concerns don’t necessarily impact the play value of the toys, as inventors Bowen and Clemmer want eco-quality to be a bonus feature of its toys. “We use recycled materials in our packaging, so the packing speaks green without having to say it,” says Clemmer. “That’s the kind of experience we want BeginAgain to pass on to consumers. It’s great play and it happens to be made of materials based in plants versus recycled materials. Ultimately our goal is to improve on that with every toy we design.”
Announcing Our New Arrival! J&R, downtown NYC’s leading electronics retailer for the past 40 years, is pleased to welcome J&R Jr. to the fold!
Bi r t hD tio n ate: Febr : P ro u 1 Park R uary 13, 2 d Pa re nt ow, NYC 012 s: J & 2 W R Ele nd Floor Let’s ei g ht & c tron H just s ics ay, it’s ei g ht: a big baby !
Lo c a
J&R Jr. is an exclusive boutique offering the best in baby gear, kids electronics, toys & more.
Please join us for this special vendor cocktail party on February 13, from 5 - 9 pm. Please RSVP at www.JR.com/tf2012
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www.JR.com/Jr
1/23/2012 12:49:35 PM
YOU’RE HIRED
CHILD’S PLAY COMMUNICATIONS JENNIFER KROSCHE, VICE-PRESIDENT
Jennifer Krosche joined Child’s Play Communications as vice-president. Prior to joining Child’s Play, Krosche was president of her own company, JYK Public Relations, where she specialized in online parenting and women’s media and mom blogger/influencer initiatives. Krosche had worked or consulted for agencies on both the West and East Coasts, such as Marina Maher Communications, 5W Public Relations, Pollock Communications, as well as for American Media, Inc.
NELVANA ENTERPRISES
ANDREW KERR, HEAD OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS, THE AMERICAS AND AUSTRALASIA
Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana Enterprises appointed Andrew Kerr to head of consumer products, the Americas and Australasia. Kerr will be responsible for strategy, brand management, and development for Nelvana properties including Beyblade, Babar, Franklin, and Max & Ruby. He will oversee worldwide home entertainment, as well as consumer product licensing in the Americas and Australasia. Kerr brings more than 14 years of international industry experience in licensing, consumer products, and marketing. Previously, he was executive vice-president, consumer products and marketing, international with Entertainment Rights/Classic Media in London, overseeing brand marketing and consumer product licensing for more than 100 brands, including Postman Pat, Tinga Tinga Tales, Guess with Jess, and many others.
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THE JOESTER LORIA GROUP
JAMES SLIFER, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The Joester Loria Group promoted James Slifer to senior vice-president, business development. His responsibilities will be securing new clients, developing dynamic business partnerships for the agency, and continuing to manage sales initiatives across all of The Joester Loria Group’s portfolio of clients. Slifer has been with the agency for 10 years and currently serves on the LIMA Board of Directors.
WABOBA USA
DALE MARX, PRESIDENT
Waboba USA appointed Dale Marx as president. Following the company’s rapid success in the U.S. market, Waboba chose Marx to continue its expansion throughout North America and the Caribbean. Marx’s professional experience ranges from building one of the largest sporting goods manufacturer’s rep firms to extensive involvement in private label manufacturing.
SMC ENTERTAINMENT
LISA STREFF, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT, LICENSING
SMC Entertainment hired Lisa Streff as senior vice-president of licensing. Streff is developing new partnerships and a comprehensive consumer products campaign across all key categories for The Jungle Book. The CGIanimated TV series, based on the Rudyard Kipling stories, is targeted to children ages 3–8. Streff is responsible for overseeing all consumer products initiatives for SMC Entertainment’s brands in North America, including licensing and merchandising, marketing, and partnership initiatives. Streff’s previous posts include John Wayne Enterprises, Cookie Jar, and NBC/Universal.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 10 AM–2 PM The Altman Building W. 18th Street New York, NY
A one-day media event spotlighting the most influential, recognized, and sought after lifestyle brands and branded products in today’s marketplace.
To reserve your 7-by-7 foot floor space please contact: Andy Krinner andy@anbmedia.com or Donna Moore donna@anbmedia.com Untitled-1 1
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EVENTS OF
CALENDAR
Industry-Related Trade Shows MARCH 2–6
Minneapolis Mart Gift & Acc. Show
8–11
Halloween Costume & Party Show
6–8 6–9
16–19 19–22 24–27
APRIL
mplsgiftmart.com
Minneapolis Mart
Minnetonka, Minn.
America’s Center
St. Louis
toyfestwest.com
Long Beach Convention Center
Long Beach, Calif.
Playworld Middle East
playworldme.com
Paris Book Fair
salondulivreparis.com
Australian Toy, Hobby, & Nursery Fair
Bologna Children’s Book Fair ToyFest West
Dubai International Convention Center
toyfair.com.au
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
bookfair.bolognafiere.it
Bologna Fair Centre
hcpshow.com
Porte de Versailles
Dubai, UAE
Melbourne, Australia
Paris, France
Bologna, Italy
1–4
MIPTV
mipworld.com
Palais des Festivals
Cannes, France
25
Time To Play Spring Showcase
timetoplaymag.com
The Altman Building
New York City
16–18 21–23 25–27 27–30
MAY
London Book Fair Ed Expo
All Baby & Child Spring Show
Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair
londonbookfair.co.uk nssea.org
allbabyandchildsec.com
hkgiftspremiumfair.com
8–10
Sweets & Snacks Expo
sweetsandsnacks.com
30–6/3
15–17 20–23
JUNE 4–7
5–7
10–13
12–14
JULY
12–15
24
PlayCon
Earls Court Exhibition Centre
Baltimore Convention Center
South Point Hotel, Casino, & Spa
London
Baltimore, Md. Las Vegas
Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
Hong Kong
McCormick Place
Chicago
Origins Games Fair
toyassociation.org
originsgames.com
Gaylord National Hotel and Conference Center
Jacob Javits Convention Center
New York City
BookExpo America
bookexpoamerica.com
Jacob Javits Convention Center
New York City
National Stationery Show
Electronics Entertainment Expo
nationalstationeryshow.com
Greater Columbus Convention Center
National Harbor, Md.
Columbus, Ohio
ASTRA Marketplace
astramarketplace.org
e3expo.com
Los Angeles Convention Center Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, Md.
Comic-Con International
comic-con.org
San Diego Convention Center
San Diego, Calif.
Licensing International Expo
Royaltie$ Brand Showcase
130 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT FEBRUARY 2012
licensingexpo.com
anbmedia.com
Mandalay Bay Convention Center
The Altman Building
Los Angeles Las Vegas
New York City
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Kid-Tough® Digital Camera
©2012 Mattel. All Rights Reserved. MATTEL and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by Mattel. ® and ™ designate U.S. trademarks of Mattel, except as noted. LZR50122
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1/13/2012 3:40:25 PM 1/11/12 3:44 PM