Hasbro, Nerf Battle of the Ads Returns

July 16, 2012 By

U.S. Neft fans ages 13 years old and up can showcase what the Nerf brand means to them by writing, directing, editing, and acting in their very own Nerf brand videos, featuring any or all Nerf products.

Hasbro, Inc’s 2010 “Battle of the Ads” contest, where the Nerf brand challenged its fans to show off their creativity, teamwork, and skill in their very own Nerf commercials, has returned this year. The contest, which will run until August 22, coincides with the launch of the new N-Strike Elite blaster line.

The grand prize winner will take home $10,000. Videos may be submitted to www.NerfBattleOfTheAds.com and four finalists will be chosen later this year, with the online Nerf Nation voting on their favorite.

Filed Under: 5-8, 6-8, 8 and up, 9 and up, News Tagged With: , , ,

Consumer Products Survey Available Online

July 16, 2012 By

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is seeking the input of key industry stakeholders as it establishes a Consumer Products and Mass Merchandising (CPMM) Center of Excellence and Expertise (CEE) next year.

Toys, sporting goods, and festive articles fall under the CPMM Center. The online survey is open to all consumer products and mass-merchandising firms interested in confidentially sharing their experiences with, and recommendations on, CBP and other government agencies involved in importation.

The CPMM CEE will be among nine centers specifically tailored to the needs of various industries. The Toy Industry Association (TIA) is among a group of associations that have been working with CBP to solicit industry input that will help develop the CPMM CEE. The confidential online survey should be completed by July 23.

This post was originally written by Lindsay Gordon and published by ToyBook.com. For more news, visit www.toybook.com, follow The Toy Book on Twitter, and like The Toy Book on Facebook. The Toy Book is a bimonthly trade magazine covering the toy industry, published by Adventure Publishing Group.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , ,

Forty Percent of Shoppers Plan to Purchase Tech Items for Back-to-School Season

July 12, 2012 By

Sixty-three percent of consumers are planning to spend up to $500 on their back-to-school shopping this year, according to PriceGrabber’s 2012 Back-to-School Shopping Forecast Survey. Forty percent of consumers have plans to purchase a tablet or tech item for the students in their lives.

However, the pencil and notebook will not be replaced by these tech-product purchases. Classic school supplies, such as notebooks, pencils, binders, and clothing, top the consumer shopping list with 83 percent of consumers indicating that they will purchase these supplies. Seventy-nine percent of shoppers intend to do their shopping on the Internet, utilizing both classic and tech purchases for their child’s back-to-school list.

This post was originally written by Lindsay Gordon and published by ToyBook.com. For more news, visit www.toybook.com, follow The Toy Book on Twitter, and like The Toy Book on Facebook. The Toy Book is a bimonthly trade magazine covering the toy industry, published by Adventure Publishing Group.

Filed Under: 6-8, 9 and up, News Tagged With: ,

Touchable Television for the Touchscreen Generation

June 29, 2012 By

Television and technology industry veterans Alex Kay, Scott Webb, and Tinsley Galyeanthe announced the launch of New York-based PlaySquare, LLC, a new company that will develop tablet-based Touchable Television.

The Touchable Television transforms television into an adventure in which children are able to watch, think, and act. Touchable Television is the combination of existing television episodes with interactive content that allows a child to step into and participate in the actual story of a television property.

PlaySquare has signed an agreement with  children’s media specialist Tina Peel to serve as advisor and executive producer. Peel has more than 30 years of experience in creating, producing, managing, and evaluating television and media products for children and families.

This post was originally written by Lindsay Gordon and published by ToyBook.com. For more news, visit www.toybook.com, follow The Toy Book on Twitter, and like The Toy Book on Facebook. The Toy Book is a bimonthly trade magazine covering the toy industry, published by Adventure Publishing Group.

Filed Under: 3-5, 5-8, 6-8, 8 and up, New Products, News Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

American Girl Craft Kit Now Available

June 29, 2012 By

McKenna Brooks, this year’s American Girl of the Year, was the inspiration behind the premiere craft projects being introduced by American Girl Crafts. Girls can capture and celebrate their achievements with the Sticker Style Frame and Memory Album, or encourage friends and family to do their best with the Super Spirit Card-Making Pad. Wearable crafts such as the Star Spirit Hair Accessories, Color Coded Friendship Bracelets, and an Iron-On Drawstring Bag are enable girls to create their own styles.

Even Polka Dot, McKenna’s pet hamster, provides inspiration—with a felt Sew & Stuff hamster pillow that girls can make. Punch-out paper dolls and dimensional stickers based on McKenna are available as well.

Each kit includes craft-able invitations, popcorn bowls, activities, and more to get girls ready for the July 3 release of new feature-film, American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars. The film will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD at Walmart, American Girl retail stores, and americangirl.com, and is scheduled to air on July 14 on NBC.

This post was originally written by Lindsay Gordon and published by ToyBook.com. For more news, visit www.toybook.com, follow The Toy Book on Twitter, and like The Toy Book on Facebook. The Toy Book is a bimonthly trade magazine covering the toy industry, published by Adventure Publishing Group.”

Filed Under: 5-8, 6-8, 8 and up, New Products, News Tagged With: , , ,

Shoot to the Top this Summer with Kidz Star USA

June 29, 2012 By

Kidz Bop, RCA Records, Electus and Vevo are launching Kidz Star USA 2012, a talent search for kids, this summer. Recording artist Gavin DeGraw will act as a celebrity mentor. The grand prize winner will have the opportunity to sign a recording contract with RCA records. Electus is producing a reality web series for the online talent search, while VEVO will act as worldwide distribution partner.

Beginning this month, aspiring young singers from across the country will be able upload a 90-second performance video to Kidzbob.com to compete for a chance to win.

Kidz Star fans will be able to follow the contestants’ audition videos and progress on  Kidzbop.com, where they’ll be able to interact with their favorites and rally to help determine the semi-finalists and winner. Ten Kidz Star semi-finalists will be announced in September and flown to Los Angeles to compete in a series of musical challenges filmed in  front of a live studio audience. Webisodes will be available  on VEVO in October.

This post was originally written by Lindsay Gordon and published by ToyBook.com. For more news, visit www.toybook.com, follow The Toy Book on Twitter, and like The Toy Book on Facebook. The Toy Book is a bimonthly trade magazine covering the toy industry, published by Adventure Publishing Group.

Filed Under: 3-5, 5-8, 6-8, 8 and up, 9 and up, News Tagged With: , , , , ,

Acquisition Rises to 75 Percent for Online Gamer Segment

June 29, 2012 By

Results from the Online Gaming 2012 survey are in. According to the NPD Group, 67 percent of all gamers reported that they had acquired at least one game in either a physical or digital format within the past three months. This figure rose to 75 percent when looking specifically at online gamers only.

40 percent of all gamers obtained at least one game from both the physical and digital formats. The total population of gamers acquired an average of eight games. Those only purchasing digital games reported an average of six games, compared to the three for those who acquired only physical games. The findings appear to be influenced by the multifunctional devices online gamers use to access their games, including both free and paid.

This post was originally written by Lindsay Gordon and published by ToyBook.com. For more news, visit www.toybook.com, follow The Toy Book on Twitter, and like The Toy Book on Facebook. The Toy Book is a bimonthly trade magazine covering the toy industry, published by Adventure Publishing Group.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: ,

A2E2 Reveals “Rainbow Valley Heroes”

June 13, 2012 By

A Squared Elxsi Entertainment LLC (A2E2), introduces Rainbow Valley Heroes, an animated series that serves as the company’s first preschool property. In addition to creating new episodes, A2E2 also intends to spawn new toys, digital entertainment products, games, apparel, books, and additional branded merchandise.

The series follows the adventures of a fun-loving fleet of rescue trucks. Featuring colorful stories told through vibrant CGI animation, the show introduces engaging characters with big personalities. Fire Chief Rusty and Pam the Paramedic  join forces with Lieutenant Lonnie and Major Mia to lead their teams on a series of adventures. These adventures teach kids about the value of friendship, sharing, and working hard at school, while educating toddlers on subjects such as recycling, telling the time, and problem solving.

This post was originally written by Lindsay Gordon and published by ToyBook.com. For more news, visit www.toybook.com, follow The Toy Book on Twitter, and like The Toy Book on Facebook. The Toy Book is a bimonthly trade magazine covering the toy industry, published by Adventure Publishing Group.

Filed Under: 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, New Products Tagged With: , ,
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