StickerYou.com: An Appealing New Idea
“The best toy in the world is the internet,” says Andrew Witkin, president of StickerYou.com. One of the reasons it is the best toy is the ability for users to customize an experience.
Royaltie$ Marketplace: Mars Retail Group’s M&M’s
Whether its wrapped around milk chocolate, dark chocolate, peanuts, pretzels, or almonds, the candy coating of Mars, Incorporated’s M&M’s candies is recognized all over the world. This international recognition has allowed the Mars Retail Group to establish a number of sweet licensing deals for the M&M’s brand.
Catching Up With Carole Postal, President of CopCorp
Jim Benton might best be known for his award-winning property It’s Happy Bunny, but there’s more than sarcastic bunnies in Benton’s arsenal. From The Misters, Just Jimmy, Franny K. Stein, and Meany Doodles to newer properties such as Kissy Doodles, jOkObO, and J.K. Monster, CopCorp Licensing brings Benton’s work to audiences through a variety of products. Carole Postal, president of CopCorp, spoke to aNb Media about helping Benton launch these licensed properties.
It Takes a Village to Raise an Industry
For the past several years I’ve been attending the TAGIE Awards (The Toy & Game Inventor Awards). Held during CHITAG, the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, I’ve watched the event grow tremendously. This year’s event, held at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry, was completely sold out. It was hosted by Tim Walsh (inventor of Tribond and Blurt and now filmmaker for the movie Toyland) who has a great comedic style. Hasbro inventor relations’ main man, Mike Hirtle, gave the keynote address. For me, there were two highlights during the evening. The first was the lifetime achievement award presented to Eddie Goldfarb. He has created more popular toys than can be named here. However, some of his highlights include Yakity Yak Chattering Teeth, Ker Plunk, and Battling Tops. The second highlight was watching Kate Daniels win the Young Inventor Award. It was presented by Seth Calvin, the 2009 winner, and John Ratzenberger (of Cheers and Toy Story fame. He’s the voice of Hamm the piggy bank). I also enjoyed the open bar. . . perhaps a little too much.
It’s 2011. What Can ASTRA Do for You This Year?
ASTRA is gearing up to better serve its members in 2011 through media outreach, seminars, and a redesigned website.
What’s Happening at Toy Fair 2011
Toy Industry Association has a host of activities planned for Toy Fair 2011.
Outside, Inside, On The Water: Innovation in Sports Toys
With today’s concerns about childhood obesity and unhealthy lifestyles, parents are eager to get their children outside to play. Few categories help them do that in the way that sports toys can. With the innovative steps manufacturers are taking, parents may not have to push their children too hard to go out and play.
Entertainment Marketplace: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Even though the Harry Potter saga comes to an end this year (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows—Part 2 hits theaters July 15), the Harry Potter licensing program continues to work its magic.
Catching Up With Laura Zebersky, Jazwares Executive Vice-President of Sales
Jazwares, Inc., which launched in 1997, has taken on a number of high-profile licenses over the past few years. The company offers a wide array of toys, electronics, and stationery products featuring Sonic the Hedgehog, WWE, Strawberry Shortcake, Ben 10, Hershey’s, and many others. The newest addition is Star Wars. Also, the company has developed proprietary lines such as this year’s Mix Pups.