The Strong Welcomes New Chief Entomologist and Archivist

April 16, 2013 By

The Strong has announced two recent additions to its professional staff:

Marisha Burgess has been hired as chief entomologist at The Strong where she provides primary oversight for all wildlife that inhabit the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden (including butterflies, birds, and small reptiles), as well as for the aquaria housed in the National Museum of Play.

Julia N. Rossi has been hired as an archivist at the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play at The Strong. Her full-time, two-year position coincides with a rapid acceleration of archival donations, particularly as they relate to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games. Rossi is responsible for appraising, accessioning, and processing both traditional and digital archival collections and institutional records.

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ESL Charitable Foundation Provides Support for the Play Therapy Access Program at The Strong

April 15, 2013 By

The ESL Charitable Foundation has provided $5,000 to The Strong to support the Play Therapy Access Program, which offers more than 500 therapists from across Monroe County the opportunity for free admission to the National Museum of Play at The Strong for therapy sessions with their child clients and their adult caregivers.

The Strong developed the Play Therapy Access Program to provide free museum access to therapists who provide Early Intervention Services and Education of Children with Disabilities (EI/ECD) including speech therapy, special education, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and services for children who are hearing impaired. During each visit, with the guidance of their therapists, children can explore the museum’s dynamic, hands-on exhibits and play at their own pace among other museum guests. The program is administered in collaboration with Monroe County’s Early Intervention Program.

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Dreamworks Animation Acquires IP for Trolls with Plans to Take Iconic Dolls’ Brand (and Hair) to New Heights

April 12, 2013 By

DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. has acquired the IP for the Troll franchise from the Dam Family and Dam Things of Denmark, with plans to introduce the brand to a new generation of fans around the world. DreamWorks has named American Girl veteran Shawn Dennis as head of brand development to cultivate this classic franchise.

The Troll doll phenomenon was born in 1959 when Danish fisherman and woodcutter Thomas Dam, too poor to afford a Christmas present for his young daughter Lajla, carved a doll for her based on the legendary Scandinavian troll. The Trolls experienced a resurgence in the 1990s, and in 2003, the Toy Industry of America named Trolls on its list of 100 of the Century’s Most Treasured Toys.

DreamWorks Animation is now the exclusive worldwide licensor of the merchandise rights for the classic Troll Dolls, with the sole exception of Scandanavia, the birthplace of the Trolls, where Dam Things will remain the licensor.

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Hasbro to Present Global Consumer Insights at PlayCon

April 12, 2013 By

The Toy Industry Association has announced that Katy Giffault, vice president of global consumer insights at Hasbro, will share the company’s case study on entering and achieving success in the Chinese market during this year’s PlayCon.

Attendees will hear firsthand the demographic and socio-economic data used, as well as the consumer insight work done internally to determine Hasbro’s strategic entry into the emerging global market.

PlayCon will be held from May 6 through 8 at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Galney Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz. For up-to-the-minute Show information, visit www.playcon2013.org.

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Bleeker Hits National Robotics Week

April 12, 2013 By

FBleekerNRW_SignatureArt2013or the third year in a row, cartoonist Jonathan Mahood is devoting a weeklong comic series of his famed strip, Bleeker: The Rechargeable Dog, to National Robotics Week. Distributed by King Features and created in 2007 for tech-savvy, cartoon-loving comics fans, the strip follows the adventures of Bleeker, a pet robot, and his friends. In seven consecutive strips, Bleeker follows his friend Karl, who may remind you of a household robot that has gained in popularity with consumers in the last few years, as he reunites with a fellow robot friend and old love interest.

Fans can follow the weeklong series at www.bleekercomics.com. National Robotics Week is a series of regional events and activities aimed at increasing public awareness of the growing importance of “robo-technology” and the tremendous social and cultural impact that it will have on the future of how people will live, work, and play worldwide. For more information about National Robotics Week, visit http://www.nationalroboticsweek.org.

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Tomy International Announces Executive Management Transition

April 11, 2013 By

Tomy International announces the promotion of Gregory J. Kilrea to president and chief executive officer and Masayuki Nagatake to chief operating officer. The board of directors approved these appointments, and Curtis W. Stoelting will resign from his positions as chief executive officer and director to pursue other business opportunities.

Kilrea has been with the company since 2004, having served most recently as president of Tomy International and, prior to that, as the company’s executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Kilrea’s focus will be to strengthen Tomy’s global platform and brand portfolio, deepen relationships with key licensor, trade and vendor partners, and set the vision and strategies required to drive further growth.

Nagatake will focus primarily on Tomy’s toy and hobby business and will remain as a key liaison with Tomy Company Ltd. to ensure global strategic alignment.

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V-CUBE Receives Honor from Greek Exports Forum

April 9, 2013 By

vcubesVerdes Innovations’ V-CUBE has been given an honorary award by the Greek Exports Forum for its success as a newly established export company. The Greek Exports Forum, an internationally recognized body, consists of esteemed businessmen, investment bankers, and government officials and promotes some of the most well-known Greek brands globally.

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Children’s Products Retailers Prepare for CBME South America

April 9, 2013 By

Brazil’s market for children’s and baby products is booming and growing at around 14 percent per year, almost twice as fast as the adult market.

Children Baby Maternity Industry Expo (CBME), a sourcing event for children’s, baby, and maternity products, is one of the industry’s leading B2B events for this category. Organized by UBM, the event features four editions worldwide in China, India, Turkey, and now Brazil.

CBME South America will be held from August 27 to 29 at Transamerica Expo Center in São Paulo Brazil. More than 120 exhibitors will present industry trends, the latest innovations, and new products and services to more than 4,000 professional visitors at CBME South America.

Registration for CBME South America is now open. For more info or to register, visit www.cbmesa.com.br.

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Viewers Get Chance to Be on TV with The Hub’s Family Game Night Sweepstakes

April 8, 2013 By

FGNSweeps_LogoThe Hub Network is holding a “Family Game Night” Sweepstakes, in which fans of the popular family game show will have an opportunity to win a trip to Los Angeles to attend a live taping of the series and, pending eligibility, get a chance to be a contestant with his or her family. The sweepstakes kicks off during the “Family Game Night” Marathon, to be April 7 from 7 p.m. until midnight. “Family Game Night” is produced by Hasbro Studios and Zoo Productions.

During the “Family Game Night” Marathon, The Hub will present a secret code word during each hour of the five-hour marathon. Viewers will be asked to enter the code at hubworld.com/fgn by April 11 at 11:59 p.m., and they can enter each code once for a maximum of five entries. [Read more...]

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Smart Toys and Games Launches SmartMax Construction Photo Contest on Facebook

April 5, 2013 By

PrintSmart Toys and Games Inc. invites SmartMax enthusiasts to participate in a Facebook photo contest to highlight their SmartMax construction talents for a chance to win a monthly SmartMax prize package. SmartMax builders can submit photos between the first and last day of each month and one winner per month will be announced on the SmartMax Facebook page.

U.S. residents can submit photos to contest@SmartToysAndGames.com. Each entry should include full name, age, and shipping address. Some shared photos will be posted on SmartMax’s Facebook page. There is a limit of one entry per month.

SmartMax allows children to explore the world of magnetism in a safe way, thanks to the large, strong, and easy to manipulate pieces. All SmartMax products, from the basic building sets to the themed vehicles, complement one and other and can be used together in structures.

For more information about Smart Toys and Games, visit www.SmartToysAndGames.com.

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