Trend Lab LLC and Iconix Brand Group Inc. Sign License Agreement For Waverly Baby

Trend Lab LLC and Iconix Brand Group Inc. will collaborate through a license agreement to launch a Waverly by Trend Lab infant and toddler product line. The line will include crib and toddler bedding, coordinating room décor, gift items and diaper bags. The Waverly by Trend Lab collections will be unveiled at the 2013 ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas, NV and will be sold to mid-tier retailers, department and specialty stores, and select e-tailers by early 2014.

The Waverly by Trend Lab product assortment will be moderately priced and will combine Trend Lab’s stylish, contemporary designs with Waverly’s iconic lifestyle patterns and textiles. Trend Lab and Iconix Brand Group are thrilled to bring the renowned Waverly brand into the nursery with this joint venture. The venture combines Waverly’s wonderful patterns and extensive brand recognition with Trend Lab’s industry knowledge, sophisticated design strategy, and desire to bring trend-right nursery décor to today’s mom.

110th American International Toy Fair Transforms NYC into Massive Playground

An estimated 33,000 toy industry insiders from 100 countries attended the 110th annual American International Toy Fair (Feb. 10-13) opened its doors for four, fun-filled days of business-building, networking, trend-spotting, and more.

Owned and operated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA), Toy Fair (Feb. 10-13) is expected to draw nearly 20,000 retailers, wholesalers, importers, buying groups and trade guests to scope out 150,000 innovative toys, games and youth entertainment products across a record-breaking 375,000 net square feet of exhibit space.

More than 1,000 companies - 239 of which are exhibiting at Toy Fair for the very first time - will reveal their hottest toys and product lines - including tried-and-true classic and nostalgic playthings; DIY design, construction toys, arts and creative activities; extreme and outdoor sporting equipment; licensed figures and accessories; virtual / augmented reality games; and more. The Toy Fair playground is divided into 13 specific product zones to keep the experience focused and efficient.

In addition to business-building, trend-spotting and licensing opportunities, Toy Fair offered its diverse audience with unparalleled educational seminars, networking events and special activities. For information about TIA's Content Connection, the Digital Kids Conference & Digital Kids Safety Summit, TIA's Annual Toy Safety and Compliance Update, Independent Thinking and Creative Factor seminars, and more, be sure to visit the Education section of ToyFairNY.com or consult the on-site signage at the Javits Center for details.

Ribbon Cutting

DEMDACO

Dress by Aurora

Douglas Toys

WELCOME TO THE 2103 TOY FAIR

Live From New York It’s Elf Fashion Week with Special Guest Ho Ho Husky

Daytime clothing at the North Pole may be standard red and green, but according to Elf Magic, the folks who know everything about the secret life of Elves, Santa’s favorite Elves own a nifty travel wardrobe of Elfits to dress up their “Sleigh Trip” visits! Coinciding with the American International Toy Fair is Elf Fashion Week, taking place at Booth 1056 with special guest star Ho Ho Husky. Look for the 2013 collection to include new fashion and accessories for such Elfcapades as gymnastics, surfing and ballroom dancing!

For those not up-to-date with the timeless Elf Magic tradition of Elf home visits, Elves typically arrive around Thanksgiving and return to the North Pole with Santa on Christmas Eve. The excitement of having an Elf visit during the holiday season is fun for all who believe in the magic of Christmas.

Assuming Santa can spare them for a few days from Elf duties, Elves are often allowed to visit their special families for short visits around important events like birthdays or vacations. For all those travel occasions Elf Magic Elves have designed an entire collection of clothing and accessories known as Forever Elf Fashions allowing the Elves to “Dress to Impress”.

The latest looks from Elf Fashion Week should hit online and arrive in stores in June. The biggest news in 2013 is a four-legged friend who's not a reindeer at all! New for 2013, Elf Magic will introduce their newest adorable friend, Ho Ho Husky as well as many new Elfits. Look for these delightful accessories this summer

Baby & Kids' Winter Markets Show Issue is Now Available for Digital Viewing

Welcome to our Winter Markets Show digital issue of Baby & Kids Magazine.

The Baby & Kids digital magazine includes all the same great content as found in the print edition.

New Feature: Now Viewable on all flash & HTML5 devices
View it on any Device!
Please Note:
Baby & Kids Digital magazine requires NO special downloads or applications to view in its entirety. 

Please click HERE to begin reading now!

We hope you enjoy this issue and all future digital issues of Baby & Kids digital magazine. Feel free to contact us with your thoughts and feedback at babykids@talcott.com.

Americas Mart Shows New and Creative Products in Juvenile

Baby & Kids editor, Barbara Wujcik attending the Americas Mart last weekend in Atlanta, GA and we excited to see so many new and innovative products showing in the juvenile section. “It was really great. I saw things that amazed me,” says Wujcik. She took a number of photos to share with you, and we have attached them here. “Atlanta is a great show for the juvenile category,” says Wujcik.

West Coast Port Strike Poses Major Threat to U.S. Toy Industry

On November 27, negotiations that have been ongoing since June 2010 broke down between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 63 Office Clerical Unit (OCU) and the Harbor Employers Association (HEA). Though negotiations continued through the weekend and into this week, the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement. Despite a local arbitrator's order to return to work, the job action has spread, shutting down 10 of the 14 terminals at the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Together, the affected ports handle an estimated 39.5% of all U.S. imports; the strike is costing the U.S. economy an estimated one billion dollars per day. Even if the work stoppage were to end today, it would take several weeks to bring the supply chain back to normal.

Since the job action, ships have been backing up in the ports and putting a strain on storage in terminals. Ocean carriers have also begun diverting cargo to other ports on the Western seaboard, including those in Mexico and in Canada. However, the diverted cargo raises the possibility of strikes occurring at other U.S. ports as union chapters show solidarity with OCU.

TIA has sent a letter to the White House, calling for President Obama to intervene and take whatever action is necessary to facilitate negotiations and settle the dispute between OCU and HEA. The Association has also joined as a signatory with nearly 100 other organizations in asking the President to take immediate action.

TIA is calling upon its members and other stakeholders in the toy industry to join in taking action by reading TIA's letter and sending it to the appropriate Congressional Representative asking them to request the Obama Administration's immediate intervention to end the current port strike. Questions or comments may be directed to TIA's director of federal government affairs, Rebecca Mond (rmond@toyassociation.org; 202-344-4554).

Help your customers keep kids happy over the holidays

Keeping kids occupied over winter break can be quite the challenge for parents, especially once the holidays have come and gone. This holiday season, you can be sure children are entertained with activities that are not only fun and engaging, but also educational. Lilly Cueto, spokesperson for SoapTime, an action-packed hand soap that teaches children proper hand-washing habits while having fun, offers the following tips on how to provide children with an enjoyable, informative and healthy winter break. 

1. Learn Your Numbers: Young children are eager to practice skills they are learning in school, especially when mastering counting and math facts. Musical CDs of math facts and number rhymes encourage children to move their bodies and sing to catchy songs while they practice their counting. What could be better over the holidays than combining learning with dancing? For Math Facts Melodies and other educational, yet fun CDs visit kid2020.com. They start at approximately $8. 

2. Learn About Health: Kids and germs go hand-in-hand, especially during the wintertime cold season. Washing your hands for 20 seconds is one of the best ways to prevent illness and the spreading of germs, says the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Now with SoapTime, keeping those little hands clean is more fun than ever. SoapTime consists of three uniquely shaped bottles: ABC, Earth and Elephant set in a SmartBase®, a battery-powered audio and visual system. Each bottle is recognized by the SmartBase and has a distinct educational theme that includes unique songs, factoids and LED light shows. SoapTime products give children of all ages an entertaining experience at the sink, while giving parents a tool for teaching healthy habits. They're also a great stocking stuffer.