HIT Entertainment Announces Michael Carrington as New Head of Content, Production

HIT Entertainment, one of the world’s leading children’s entertainment producers and rights owners, has appointed Michael Carrington to the newly created position of head of content and production, HIT Global Brands.

Based in HIT’s London office, Carrington will be responsible for enhancing HIT’s center of excellence for content and development, reporting into Edward Catchpole. Marion Edwards will continue in her role as executive producer of HIT’s brands, reporting to Carrington.

Carrington joins HIT from Turner Broadcasting where he headed up the EMEA kids content team. Previously, he was controller of CBeebies and responsible for developing some of their most successful pre-school brands. A date has yet to be announced for his arrival.

PHOTO: The Toy Book Previews TMNT Line from Playmates Toys

Jackie Breyer and Laurie Schacht have some fun at Playmates ToysTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Toy Fair Preview in New York last week. Aside from the fun role-play lineup, we also love the Mutagen Ooze Action Figures, and the Pop-Up Pizza Playset Anchovy Alley. The pizza box pops open into a subway scene that stands 18-inches tall. Ninja action features in the play set include a portable pizza oven that flings fresh pizzas, floor traps, a tricky sewer cover that throws the bad guys for a loop, and an abandoned subway tunnel. 

PHOTO: Toy Insider Mom Joins Barbie’s Moving Crew

Toy Insider Mom and The Toy Book publisher Laurie Schacht helps Barbie move out of her Malibu Dreamhouse. For more info on Barbie’s move, click here.

What Do Bloggers Want? Part I

By Julie Livingston, Senior Director, Client Development, CarrotNewYork

The number of bloggers attending Toy Fair has dramatically increased over the past five years. However, from the numerous conversations I’ve had with industry colleagues and bloggers alike, there is significant confusion about the most effective means of working together.

To clarify these misconceptions, I interviewed Debbie Bookstaber, a leading parent blogger and the publisher of Mamanista, who was recently named one of the “25 Parent Bloggers Who Are Changing The World” by Babble.com. A thought leader in the social space, Bookstaber has spoken at many blogger conferences, including SXSW, BlogHer, Type-A Parent, Springboard, and Affiliate Summit. She has worked extensively in the toy industry with associations, toy companies and brands. Connect with Debbie on Twitter at @buzzmommy. [Read more...]

LeapFrog to Webcast Analyst Event

LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. will webcast a presentation to investors and analysts on February 12 at 8:30 a.m. EST. The webcast will include presentations given by members of the company’s management team, including Chief Executive Officer John Barbour, Chief Financial Officer Ray Arthur, and Chief Marketing Officer Greg Ahearn. [Read more...]

Sesame Workshop VP Added to Roster of Speakers at Content Connection

Courtesy of Toy Industry Association

Ann Kearns, vice president of licensing at Sesame Workshop, has been added to the Content Connection roster of speakers. The Toy Industry Association’s (TIA) Content Connection will take place February 10 to 11 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.  [Read more...]

Kidz Bop Announces Grand Prize Winner of Annual Kidz Star USA Talent Search

Kidz Bop has announced that 15-year-old Dallas Wayde is the grand prize winner of its annual Kidz Star USA Talent Search, America’s biggest national talent competition for kids ages 15 and under. As part of the grand prize, the Dallas native won a recording contract from RCA Records. The KIDZ Star USA Grand Finale event showcasing Dallas’s big win premieres across VEVO. Recording artist Gavin DeGraw mentored this year’s contests, and Nickelodeon star Ashley Argota hosted the series. To check out all the episodes in the Kidz Star USA series, visit VEVO: KIDZ Star USA. [Read more...]

Child’s Play Communications Expands Social Media Division, Adds New Social Media Specialist

Paula Bernstein has joined Child’s Play Communications’ social media division as a social media specialist.

Child’s Play specializes in connecting companies with moms through traditional public relations, social media, word-of-mouth communications, and online marketing. [Read more...]

K’NEX CFO Named Superhero by North Penn United Way

Robert Haines, chief financial officer of K’NEX, is being honored at the North Penn United Way’s Superheroes United for Kids fundraising event on May 3. [Read more...]

Instagram Builds Toy Fair Momentum, Community

By Julie Livingston, Senior Account Executive, CarrotNewYork, formerly Senior Director, Public Relations, Toy Industry Association

The adage “a picture tells a thousand words” perfectly describes the free, mobile-sharing app Instagram. The simple act of setting up your Toy Fair product line, exhibit booth, or private showroom can be turned into a compelling narrative easily and effectively. The free application has a simple interface; the bottom part of the app allows you to access the feed and see all of the photos added by you and the individuals you follow. You can click comment to voice your opinion and like a photo by clicking on the heart icon. To give Instagram photos a promotional edge, add a caption including a hashtag or two, such as #BrandXYZ and #TF as well as other, common Instagram tags such as #toys,  #love or #photooftheday that are relevant to your show posts. The site Webstagram is a helpful tool for identifying which hashtags are trending. Remember that although Instagram is a terrific mobile marketing tool, it works best in tandem with other visual content sites such as Facebook, Pinterest, and Tumblr, as these offer the best viral impact for sharing and discussing photos. [Read more...]