Wednesday, December 17, 2014

ToyFest West Continues to Show A Winning Hand at the South Point Casino Hotel & Spa


Extending its winning streak, Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) is preparing for its third toy and hobby trade show, ToyFest West, at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas. Held Sunday, March 8 through Wednesday, March 11, 2015, the toy show continues to gain popularity. A unique show designed and produced by local representatives and attended by factory personnel, ToyFest West gives retailers the opportunity to work with their local reps while getting valued input from worldwide manufacturers. With nearly 700 vendors unveiling their new products for 2015, this West Coast venue provides all the opportunities of New York Toy Fair in a comfortable and affordable work, stay, play atmosphere.

ToyFest West provides a professional atmosphere for colleagues to gather both on the show floor and at special networking events. On Sunday, March 8, this year's Gala Event will be hosted by WTHRA and will celebrate industry leaders. The 2015 Retailer of the year, Over the Rainbow Toys of Anchorage, Ala., will be honored. Game Night will be held Monday, March 9, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. WTHRA will also offer free shuttles to and from the Strip on the Monday and Tuesday night of the show, providing attendees an easy way to experience the heart of Las Vegas. When buyers attend ToyFest West, they receive a great experience from the show floor as well as the relaxing accommodations. Everything is under one roof—a premium hotel with amenities to suit a variety of interests. Buyers, reps, and manufacturers can enjoy one of many world-class restaurants housed in the hotel, the South Point casino, the luxurious spa, movie theater, bowling alley, shopping and more.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Toy Industry Association Unveils Nominees for 2015 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards


The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced the finalists for the prestigious 2015 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY). Until January 11, 2015, toy lovers of all ages can visit the Toy Awards website to vote for their favorite toys, games and properties across 12 categories. The 2015 finalists were selected from more than 600 nominees submitted for consideration by 159 companies. Sixty academics, journalists, toy trend experts, play therapists, toy inventors and designers, and toy retailers staffed the nomination committees that narrowed the field to the slate of finalists.

Votes from mass retailers, specialty toy retailers, media, TIA members and consumers will be weighted and used to determine each of the 12 category winners. The winners—including the overall Toy of the Year and the People's Choice awards—will be announced at the TOTY Awards ceremony held on Friday, February 13, 2015 as the kick-off to the 112th North American International Toy Fair. "From innovative toys that inspire kids to explore their surroundings, to active games that encourage families to play together, this year's TOTY finalists shine a spotlight on the critical role that toys play in the healthy development of children," says Ken Seiter, TIA vice president of strategic communications. The finalists in each category are:

ACTIVITY TOY OF THE YEAR
• Crayola Paint Maker by Crayola
• DOHVINCI STYLE & STORE VANITY Kit by Hasbro, Inc.
• Hot Wheels Airbrush Auto Design by Mattel, Inc.
• It's My Biz by Fashion Angels
• LEGO Mixels by LEGO Systems, Inc.
• Roominate Chateau by Roominate
• Washi Tape Stickers by Klutz


BOY TOY OF THE YEAR
• AIR HOGS ROLLERCOPTER by SPIN MASTER
• Disney Planes: Fire & Rescue Fire Blastin' Dusty Crophopper by Mattel, Inc.
• Marvel Super Hero Mashers by Hasbro, Inc.
• Max Tow Truck by JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
• NERF N-STRIKE MEGA THUNDERBOW by Hasbro, Inc.
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie Action Figures by Playmates Toys
• ZOOMER DINO by SPIN MASTER


E-CONNECTED TOY OF THE YEAR
• BARBIE Fashion Design Maker Doll by Mattel, Inc.
• Kurio Xtreme by Techno Source
• LeapTV by LeapFrog
• LEGO FUSION by LEGO Systems, Inc.
• Skylanders Trap Team by Activision Publishing, Inc.
• Tiggly Counts by Tiggly / Kidtellect, Inc.
• Virtual Design Pro by Crayola


EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR
• GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope by Educational Insights
• GoldieBlox and the Builder's Survival Kit by GoldieBlox, Inc.
• InnoTab MAX by VTech
• LeapBand by LeapFrog
• LEGO Technic by LEGO Systems, Inc.
• Little Scholar by School Zone Publishing
• Remote-Control Machines DLX by Thames & Kosmos


GAME OF THE YEAR
• Bounce-Off Game by Mattel, Inc.
• Disney Eye Found It Game by Wonder Forge
• Kanoodle Genius by Educational Insights
• MOUSTACHE SMASH by SPIN MASTER
• Peek-A-Doodle Doo! by Fat Brain Toy Co.
• SHARK MANIA by SPIN MASTER
• Simon Swipe by Hasbro, Inc.


GIRL TOY OF THE YEAR
• Barbie Endless Curls by Mattel, Inc.
• Cool Baker Magic Mixer by SPIN MASTER
• Design Your Own Jewelry – Charm Bracelet Kit by Sugar Lulu
• Disney Princess Palace Pets: Magic Dance Pumpkin by Blip Toys
• Doc McStuffins Walk N' Talk Doc Mobile Doll by Just Play
• LEGO Disney Princess by LEGO Systems, Inc.
• Shopkins Small Mart Playset by Moose Toys


INFANT/TODDLER TOY OF THE YEAR
• Go! Go! Smart Animals Zoo Explorers Playset by VTech
• Gymotion Activity Playland by Yookidoo 
• In My Room Jr. – Mr. Happy Moon by Uncle Milton Industries• Lamaze Pippin the Push Along Pup by TOMY International
• PipSquigz by Fat Brain Toy Co.
• Tree Top Adventure by The Manhattan Toy Company
• Twinkling Firefly Frog by Cloud b


INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
• Hot Wheels Street Hawk by Mattel, Inc.
• Laser Maze by ThinkFun, Inc.
• Loopa by Yvolution
• MiP by WowWee
• OGOBILD with AnimateIt! Studio Kit by OgoSport LLC
• Osmo by Tangible Play, Inc.
• Ozobot by Evollve Inc.


OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR
• Fantasia Bubble Machine by Bubble Blitz by Imperial Toy
• Firetek Bow by Zing Toys
• FUZE Cyclone Water Blaster by Skyrocket Toys
• Kidoozie Hop & Squeak Pogo Jumper by International Playthings • Nerf Rebelle Dolphina Bow by Hasbro, Inc.
• Razor PowerRider 360 by Razor USA LLC
• Y Fliker LIFT by Yvolution


PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
• Camp Site by PLAYMOBIL
• Doc McStuffins Get Better Talking Mobile by Just Play
• Kidizoom Smartwatch by VTech
• LEGO Juniors by LEGO Systems, Inc.
• PAW PATROL LOOKOUT HQ by SPIN MASTER
• Razor Jr. Zombie and Monster Kix scooter by Razor USA LLC • Snow Glow Elsa by JAKKS Pacific, Inc.


PROPERTY OF THE YEAR
• Disney's Frozen (The Walt Disney Company)
• Minecraft Series 2 (Mojang/Jazwares LLC)
• PAW PATROL (SPIN MASTER)
• Skylanders Trap Team (Activision Publishing, Inc.)
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Nickelodeon)
• THE LEGO MOVIE (The LEGO Group)


SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR
• Balance Boat: Endangered Animals Game by BeginAgain
• Gravity Maze by ThinkFun, Inc.
• Green Toys Safe Seas Set by Green Toys
• Magnetron by Tegu
• Monster Sewing Workshop by Thames & Kosmos
• Squigz by Fat Brain Toy Co.
• VEX Robotics Spider, HEXBUG by Innovation First International