Time to Play Adds Price Comparison Tool to Site
TimetoPlayMag.com (that’s us!) last week added a price comparison tool to its website, which is positioned next to each comprehensive product review. The tool tracks prices at five major retailers, updating information in real-time. The price comparison tool will also report if an item is out of stock at any particular retailer. Consumers will be able to click through to a retailer’s site and purchase the item.
“We found our users were reading our reviews to select a product and then investing a lot of time searching the internet for the best deal,” says Jim Silver, editor in chief of TimetoPlayMag.com. “With the introduction of our price comparison tool, consumers can now find the best gift for the best price, all on one site.”
TimetoPlayMag.com is the only toy review website that offers this time saving feature. The site reviews toys, shows the prices, and then let’s consumers click through to purchase.
Here is an example of the price comparison tool accompanying the Furby product review.
Spin Master Acquires Brands from Wild Planet
Spin Master announced the acquisition of the worldwide rights to Wild Planet’s Hyper Dash and Spy Gear brands. Intrepid Investment Bankers LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Wild Planet in connection with this transaction. This deal was widely discussed in October during the TIA’s Fall Toy Preview in Dallas. However, the details and announcement had not yet been ironed out.
“Spin Master has experienced incredible organic growth over the past 18 years,” says Spin Master president and COO, Ben Gadbois. “We are taking the next step in our company’s evolution with focus on growth by targeting the right acquisitions. We anticipate this announcement will be the first of many new business opportunities over the next 24 months.”
Bandai, Sync Beatz Collaborate on Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. Launch
Bandai Co., Ltd., launched a website for its new Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. (Love Is Fun Everywhere) brand of lifestyle products, at www.tamagotchilife.com.
Tamagotchi sold more than 78 million units in 54 countries and territories since the world’s first virtual digital pet was introduced in Japan in 1996 and in the U.S. one year later.
The website will offer visitors several activities. Among its features are a “Stories” section where fans can upload images of their original Tamagotchis; a “Trends” section where users can connect with the latest on style, food, and pop culture; and a T-L.i.f.e. blog, to learn the latest developments of the new line of lifestyle products.
Highlights of the site are also expected to include webisodes and an app. The app is expected to be available in spring 2013.
Bandai is collaborating with Sync Beatz Entertainment on the Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. website as well as on the execution of a comprehensive marketing program for an extensive line of Tamagotchi L.i.f.e. products in the U.S.
MEGA Brands Resumes Operations After Small Factory Fire
MEGA Brands, Inc., reported that operations have resumed at its Montreal facility following a minor fire in a production storage area shortly before noon on November 19, 2012. The fire was restricted to several pallets of product and packaging components and was quickly extinguished with no injuries, according to a statement from the company.
Manufacturing was temporarily suspended pending damage assessments and cleaning operations. Injection-molding operations resumed within 72 hours of the incident and assembly operations were scheduled to resume on Monday, November 26.
The incident had no impact on the finished products inventory at the Montreal facility or any other of the corporation’s distribution facilities worldwide, according to MEGA Brands.
Moshi Monsters in Happy Meal Promotion
Mind Candy, creator of Moshi Monsters, and McDonald’s announced a promotional partnership that will feature premium characters within McDonald’s Happy Meals at participating restaurants across North America.
The promotion will run chain-wide at McDonald’s for four weeks during the holiday season, December 14 through January 10. Participating restaurants will offer one of eight characters from the Moshi Monsters universe including an all-new mystery Moshling to be unveiled as part of the promotion. The characters will include fan favorites Katsuma, Poppet, and IGGY while supplies last. Each toy also comes with a free three-day membership to MoshiMonsters.com.
McDonald’s will support the new partnership with a fully integrated marketing campaign that includes television advertising, in-restaurant merchandising at more than 14,000 locations, custom packaging, and online presence at happymeal.com.