Courtesy of Toy Industry Association
The Toy Industry Foundation is now accepting ads for the Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY) Tribute Book. The Tribute Book is the official take-home program for guests at the TOTY Awards Ceremony in February that provides information on top toys, industry icons, and philanthropy. It also features award nominees, Hall of Fame inductees, and past TOTY highlights. To reserve an add in the Tribute Book, visit The 2013 TOTY Tribute Book web page. Reservations, ad artwork, and ad payment donations are due by January 9. For more information, contact Marisa Medina at (646) 454-5581.
e Commission (FTC) revised its Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims to make sure that marketers’ claims about the environmental attributes of their products are truthful. The revisions include updates, modifications, and clarifications to current guides. The FTC also added new sections featuring information on the usage of carbon offsets, green certifications and seals of approval, free-of and non-toxic claims, and renewable energy and materials claims. Other modifications include caution against making broad, unqualified claims about products that are environmentally friendly or eco-friendly.
Hasbro launches a new plush toy, LOL Elmo, featuring three forms of laughing action. Recommended for ages 18 months to 4 years, this toy laughs out loud when kids press his feet and tickle his tummy. The more Elmo is tickled, the more he shakes and rolls, and bursts into laughter. LOL Elmo features eight jokes when his foot is pressed for three seconds. Elmo can also laugh by squeezing Dorothy’s fishbowl squeaker. This toy comes with four AA batteries and is available at major retailers nationwide and on HasbroToyShop.com.
Hasbro Inc., has achieved a 29 point improvement in its Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) reporting score over the past year. Hasbro has invested more than 1.5 million dollars in emission reduction initiatives designed to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions. It also expanded tracking of its greenhouse gas to include emissions by third-party manufacturers and transportation providers.
Sakar International and Kidz Bop have created a new line of licensed Kidz Bop karaoke gear. Kids can enjoy listening and singing along with the Kidz Bop hits. The Kidz Bop Karaoke Machine is a portable CD/CD+G and iPod/MP3 plug-and-play compatible player. The machine displays the lyrics onto any television screen.
Lego Systems has launched a constructable board game based on the film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Players must build the game and the die, choose a character to search for the ten missing Dwarves, and help Bilbo Baggins on his trek. Players can choose from four micro figure characters, Gandalf, Dwalin, Kili, or Fili. The constructable board game is recommended for children ages 7 and up and is available at most retail, discount merchandise, and specialty stores nationwide.
