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Top Toy Trends of 2015 Announced by Toy Industry Association (TIA), the Official Voice of Toy Fair
"Maker Movement" ... "Smart Play" ... "Mini Madness" ... and "Under the Sea" Among Top Trends
NEW YORK, Feb. 15, 2015 -- Creative toys that epitomize the Maker Movement, innovative "smart" playthings, and toys that make a "splash" are among the top toy trends of 2015, according to experts at the U.S. Toy Industry Association (TIA). The trade group announced this year's hottest trends in toys and play during a packed seminar held this afternoon for media and buyers at TIA's 112th North American International Toy Fair.
"Open-ended forms of play will reign supreme in 2015, with an abundance of toys and games that allow kids to build, customize, create, and develop important skills through play," said Adrienne Appell, TIA trend expert. "We are also seeing aquatic- and dinosaur-themed toys popping up in just about every category, while pint-sized collectibles are sure to bring kids countless hours of affordable fun!"
Submitted by News on Mon, 2015-02-16 12:58Toy Industry Unveils Nominees for 2014 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards
Consumers invited to vote for their favorites at ToyAwards.org - now until January 13, 2014
NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2013 -- The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced today the 84 toy, game and property finalists for the prestigious 2014 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY). The annual awards program is sponsored by the toy industry itself to recognize the top toys available across 12 categories -- from e-Connected and Activity to Educational and Outdoor toys. Because the finalists have been nominated from within the industry and winners are selected by a combined vote of toy manufacturers, retailers, media and consumers, the TOTY Awards are known as the "Oscars" of the industry.
Submitted by News on Sun, 2013-12-01 15:45Toy Industry to Induct Five Outstanding Individuals into Esteemed Hall of Fame
NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2013 -- The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced today that it will induct Jill Barad, former chairman and CEO of Mattel; Horst Brandstatter, president of PLAYMOBIL/Brandstatter; the late Jack Friedman, former chairman, CEO & co-founder of JAKKS Pacific; and the late co-founders of Wham-O, Arthur "Spud" Melin and Richard Knerr, into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
The five individuals were selected for induction by members of the Association in recognition of their significant contributions to the industry and the impact they have made on the lives of children through a lifelong commitment to toys and play. They will join an impressive roster of 62 toy industry luminaries who have been previously inducted into the Hall since it was established in 1984. Their induction ceremony will be held on February 15, 2014 in conjunction with the annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards celebration.
Submitted by News on Thu, 2013-11-14 13:13The Strong and Toy Industry Association Form Halls of Fame Partnership
June 2013 - ROCHESTER, New York - The Strong and the Toy Industry Association (TIA) are pleased to announce a partnership to house TIA's Toy Industry Hall of Fame alongside The Strong's National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, New York. The two halls of fame - one recognizing classic toys and the other recognizing the individuals who designed, made, and sold them - will share a cutting-edge, $4 million state-of-the-art museum installation, 75 percent of which will be funded by TIA and the toy industry. The confluence of two prestigious halls and their uniquely high-tech housing is expected to draw regional and national attention as America's most beloved toys are recognized together with toy industry luminaries such as Walt Disney; George Lucas; F.A.O. Schwarz; the founders of Hasbro, LEGO, Mattel, and Radio Flyer; and others.
Submitted by News on Wed, 2013-06-26 12:51American International Toy Fair – February 10-13, 2013 – Welcomes Surge in Global Visitors
Numbers Spike for Licensors, International Attendees and Global Press
New York, NY -- February 19, 2013 -- The 110th American International Toy Fair opened its doors to a surge in international attendees last week, as tens of thousands of visitors from 92 countries descended upon New York City to preview 150,000 innovative toys, games and youth entertainment products at the largest toy tradeshow in the Western hemisphere.
Owned and operated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA), Toy Fair 2013 (Feb. 10-13) welcomed a 4% increase in international attendees, a 9% rise in licensors, a 6% increase in international manufacturer's reps, and an 18% surge in foreign press visiting from 20 countries. Total attendance during the four-day show was 24,145.
Submitted by News on Wed, 2013-02-20 15:06The Year's Finest Toys and Games Unveiled at "OSCARS®" of the Toy Industry
LEGO® Friends from The Lego Group Grabs Coveted "Toy of the Year" Title;
LeapPad2™ by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. Bestowed Inaugural "People's Choice" Award
NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2013 -- Hundreds of toy executives and guests from around the world gathered in New York City this evening to honor the year's top toys and industry icons at the 13th annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards and Toy Industry Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
A Toy Industry Association (TIA)-administered event in support of the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF), the "Oscars" of the toy industry took place at the Plaza Hotel, kicking off the 110th American International Toy Fair. Throughout the evening, TOTY Awards were presented across 12 categories – from e-Connected and Innovative to Educational and Outdoor.
In addition, the overall "Toy of the Year" award was presented to LEGO Friends (The Lego Group), while LeapPad2 (LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.) received the inaugural "People's Choice" award.
Submitted by News on Tue, 2013-02-12 01:51Toy Trends for 2013 Announced by Toy Industry Association, Official Voice of Toy Fair
"So Retro!" ... "Pop Culture Persuasion" ... "360 Degree Play ... and "Enticing Teens & Tweens" Among Top Trends
NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2013 -- From toys that are "So Retro!"... to arts and crafts inspired by "DIY Design" television shows... and playthings for sociable teens and tweens, the hottest toy trends of 2013 were unveiled by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) today at its 110th American International Toy Fair.
After searching high and low through 150,000 products now on display at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, TIA's toy trend experts have uncovered a new crop of trends that are sure to be on every child's holiday wish list this year.
Submitted by News on Tue, 2013-02-12 01:01Toy Industry Unveils Nominees for 2013 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards; Announces Inductees into Toy Industry Hall of Fame
NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2012 -- The Toy Industry Association (TIA) kicked off the holiday shopping season today by announcing the 84 finalists for the prestigious 2013 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY). Between now and January 13, 2013, toy lovers of all ages can visit http://ToyAwards.org to vote for their favorite playthings in 12 categories – from e-Connected and Innovative to Educational and Outdoor toys – and sign up to win exclusive prize packages!
"Each year, TOTY celebrates the creative spirit of the toy industry and honors the joy that toys and games bring to kids of all walks of life," said Carter Keithley, TIA president, at a New York City press conference unveiling the nominees. "We are proud to announce that the TOTY Awards will once again support the inspiring work of the Toy Industry Foundation, which annually delivers one million toys and games to deserving children around the world."
Submitted by News on Tue, 2012-11-20 01:52Toy Industry to Induct Judy Ellis and Russ Berrie into Esteemed Hall of Fame
NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2012 -- The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced today that Judith (Judy) Ellis, founder and chair of the nation's first baccalaureate program in Toy Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and the late Russ Berrie, former chief executive and chairman of Russ Berrie & Company, have been selected as the next inductees into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
Established in 1984, the Hall of Fame comprises an impressive roster of 59 individuals who have been previously recognized for their significant contributions to the growth and success of the toy industry. The two newest inductees were nominated from within the toy industry and selected by a vote of TIA members and previous Hall of Fame honorees.
"TIA is pleased to welcome Ms. Ellis and Mr. Berrie into the prestigious Hall of Fame," said Carter Keithley, TIA president. "They join a group of industry visionaries who have revolutionized the toy industry and have had a significant impact on the lives of children the world over."
Submitted by News on Tue, 2012-11-20 00:58American International Toy Fair Grabs "Gold" Awards for Growth and Innovation
NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2012 -- The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced today that it has recently received top honors for its American International Toy Fair. The awards recognize Toy Fair's position as the largest and most important toy and youth product exhibition in the Western hemisphere and acknowledge the event's innovative uses of social media.
At the Trade Show Executive Gold 100 Summit & Awards in Washington, DC, Toy Fair was honored as a "Gold 100" trade show, jumping three spots to #41 on Trade Show Executive Magazine's Gold 100 List of "Shows that Set the Gold Standard." The ranking indicates that Toy Fair 2011 was the 41st largest industry trade show in North America based on 2011 net square footage of exhibit space. Since the Gold 100 List's debut in 2008, the show has climbed 23 spots from its 2008 ranking of 64th place.
Submitted by News on Wed, 2012-10-17 15:11