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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
Because of the relationship with the Brown family manufacturing business, International Flora Technologies, Susan Brown's Baby is a able to infuse its products with high concentrations of some of the most sought after emollients including Jojoba Oil, shea, cocoa, and moringa butters, as well as nourishing oat and soothing chamomile and calendula. All of their products are Dermatologist tested, paraben and phthalate free, contain no mineral oil and are sulfate free. They are never tested on animals and contain no animal ingredients.
This year, the Children Baby Maternity Expo Awards were presented during the CBME China Annual Autumn Summit. More than 400 key industry leaders gathered to witness the industry's significant moment.
The CBME Awards, in conjunction with CBME Industry Consortium, is China's children, baby and maternity industry's most anticipated awards. The awards are comprised of innovative products top brands and more. Winners were selected by the 100-person judge panel, together with votes by CBME China 2014 visitors including distributors, wholesalers, retailers, professional buyers and a simultaneous online vote.
The CBME Awards are comprised of:
1. Innovative Products Awards that honor original patented products that have shown rapid advances and innovations in the industry in the past year. Winners:
• Best Baby Bedding and Furniture: Harry 4-in-1 crib by Dolphinstar
• Best Feeding Product: Smart Dual-effect Electric Breast Pump by Pigeon
• Best Baby Travel Gear: Car Seat CS868 by Goodbaby
• Best Educational Product: Interactive Game Table by Huile
• Best Baby Care and Hygiene Product: Tap Extender by Aqueduck
2. Top Brand Awards acknowledges the most influential brands in the past year. Winners:
• Baby Bedding and Furniture: Les Enphants
• Feeding Products: Pigeon
• Baby Travel Gears: Goodbaby
• Baby Care Products: Pigeon
• Educational Products: Fisher Price
• Maternity Products: Octmami
3. Top Retailer Awards are granted to the industry's best retailers in the past year. Winners:
• Changsha Yiya
• Kidswant
• Leyou Babies to Kids
4. Best Baby Store in Sales Personnel Quality Awards
• Gold Award: Changsha Yiya
• Silver Award: Haomama
• Bronze Award: Youjiaaiying; Yangyang
5. Lifetime Achievement Award
CBME China appreciates the contribution of key industry players to the industry with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Shen Yu Qing, Chairman of CBME Industry Consortium, Founder of Children Baby & Maternity Industry Expo (CBME), Fashion Baby magazine and China Children, Baby and Maternity Industry magazine, is the recipient of this year's Lifetime Achievement Award.
The CBME Awards recognize the best of the Best and the movers and shakers of China's children, baby and maternity products industry.
The Chicago Toy & Game Group has announced that producer, actress, and game inventor, Laura Robinson, will join the upcoming Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG) as the host of playCHIC, the innovative play-inspired fashion show. Robinson is connected to the toy and game industry as an inventor. First released in 1984, she co-created the best-selling board game Balderdash, a game of bluffing and trivia using nonsense terms. The categories contain real but unbelievable content about People, Words, Initials, Movies, and a new category, Laughable Laws. Players make up phony answers and leave it up to other players to vote on which answer is real, scoring points for guessing correctly. Robinson is currently in development to co-exec produce a prime time television version of Balderdash, for fall, 2015.
In addition to her appearance at playCHIC, Robinson will serve as a keynote speaker at the Toy & Game Inventor Conference (T&GCon), a forum for advocating, educating and bringing together people in the toy and game industry with unrivaled opportunities for private and confidential meetings, knowledge sharing, learning about new trends, pooling resources and generating new business.
For the third year, play will take center stage at playCHIC, an innovative runway show that combines fierce fashion with top toys during ChiTAG's Chicago Toy & Game Week. Pairing renowned haute couture designers with familiar toy and game brands to pioneer unexpected and creative designs, playCHIC fashions a one-of-a-kind runway of edgy, playful looks. The 2014 playCHIC fashion show will hit the catwalk on Thursday, November 20, 2014at Alhambra Palace Restaurant.
First Candle, a national nonprofit dedicated to safe pregnancies and the survival of babies through the first years of life, will be hosting its annual Charity Gala in New York City on Wednesday, October 22. Proceeds from the evening's event will benefit Sudden Infant Death Syndrom (SIDS), Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), Stillbirth, and miscarriage programs and will support the organization's research, education, advocacy and family support programs.
The event will feature both a live and silent auction, and will recognize the evening's top supporters:
Love to Dream/Regal Lager for its sponsorship of the 2014 Childcare program; All Baby & Child for its sponsorship of the 2014 Media Stars program; Delta Children, for its sponsorship of the 2014 Military program; and The Boppy Company, for its sponsorship of the 2014 Safe Sleep Initiative.
This year's Marian Sokol Award for the Advancement of Stillbirth Awareness and Prevention will be presented to Sean Hanish writer and director of the Emmy nominated Lifetime film, Return to Zero, and his wife Kiley. The film is based on their personal experience of having a stillborn son and is the first movie to tackle the taboo subject of stillbirth.
It has just been announced that the recently completed ABC Kids Expo held in Las Vegas by All Baby & Child Corporation was ranked as the fourth largest event in its history in terms of total attendance and retailer participation. Total attendance was 12,462 while retail buyer attendance was 5,339. Retail attendance from 65 different countries tied the prior year record, and a total of 969 manufacturers exhibited at the show.
Vandor LLC, an industry leader in the design and marketing of licensed consumer goods – recently expanded its licensing catalog to include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and 10 new matching products – all featuring the four iconic, teenage crime-fighting, mutated Vandor's newest products will show off the faces of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael in the form of tin totes, 12 oz. collapsible water bottles, 16 oz. plastic travel mugs, 18 oz. oval ceramic "We are thrilled to now be a part of the enormously popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise," said Stacey Dobkins, Vandor's vice president of licensing and marketing. "The iconic crime-fighting foursome will certainly be one of our strongest licenses, and will ensure Vandor's lineup of legends Fans were thrilled to welcome the arrival of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' live action movie, on August 8, 2014, which further adds to the excitement of Vandor's newest Super Hero additions.
