NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SUBMITTED!
The Toy Book® has been on the Pulse of Play™ as the leading trade publication serving the North American toy industry since 1984. This year, to celebrate its 40th volume and the forthcoming 40th anniversary of its first print edition (released in February 1985), The Toy Book reveals plans for the inaugural Pulse of Play Awards™ — a celebration of the individuals, companies, and activations that shape the heartbeat of the toy industry and drive its pulse across toys, licensing, entertainment, and the overall business of play.
The Pulse of Play Awards program is designed to be by the industry for the industry, and backed by its leading media organization.
A portion of proceeds from the inaugural Pulse of Play Awards will benefit a selection of nonprofit organizations to assist ongoing efforts to provide support to kids and families across the U.S. We encourage all of our readers to give generously to these organizations. Click the logos below to learn more.
- DISPLAY OF THE YEAR (Mass, Mass Specialty — specialty retailers with 10+ locations)
Honoring achievements in merchandising and display at retail across major channels, including special sections, themed pull-togethers, endcaps, main aisle features, pallet trains, PDQs, and window displays. - DISPLAY OF THE YEAR (Independent, Specialty, and Hobby)
Honoring achievements in merchandising and display at independent toy stores, comic shops, gift shops, and hobby shops, including special sections, themed pull-togethers, endcaps, pallet drops, PDQs, window displays, etc. - REP GROUP OF THE YEAR
Honoring the sales teams that represent the toy and game industries to retailers across North America - DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR
Honoring the distributors that serve retailers across North America - RETAILER OF THE YEAR (Mass, Mass Specialty)
Honoring the best achievements in overall toy and game retail across all fronts — in-store, e-commerce, digital marketing, brand activations, etc. - RETAILER OF THE YEAR (Independent, Specialty, and Hobby)
Honoring the best achievements in overall toy and game retail across all fronts — in-store, e-commerce, digital marketing, brand activations, etc.
*Open to parties in North America, including the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
- PRODUCT LAUNCH OF THE YEAR
Honoring the best campaign for a new product/brand introduction across all channels - CULTURAL MOMENT OF THE YEAR
Honoring the products that connected to a wider audience beyond the toy industry and became a part of the mainstream conversation - VIRAL HIT OF THE YEAR
Honoring the biggest hits on social media, including individual products - INFLUENCER ACTIVATION OF THE YEAR
The best use of digital influencers and product advocates - THE CINEMATIC ART OF SELLING FUN: COMMERCIAL OF THE YEAR
The best TVC (TV commercial) for a toy or game intended for TV, digital, streaming, or display in a public forum (movie theaters, etc.) - CROSSOVER COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR
Honoring the best crossover or brand mash-up toy or game - OUTBOUND LICENSING PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
Honoring the best outbound licensing program for a property originating as a toy or game and extending into additional CPG categories - ENTERTAINMENT-DRIVEN PROPERTY OF THE YEAR
The best overall brand tied to a film, TV series, or video game
- TOY INVENTOR OF THE YEAR
Honoring individual inventors or design firms for outstanding achievement in toys - GAME INVENTOR OF THE YEAR
Honoring individual inventors or design firms for outstanding achievement in games - DIGITAL STUDIO/TEAM OF THE YEAR
Honoring outstanding achievements in video gaming
- RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Honoring achievements in toy retail outside of North America - LOCATION-BASED EXPERIENCE (LBE) OF THE YEAR**
Best brand-, toy- or game-inspired activation or initiative at a family entertainment center (FEC), theme park, live tour, or pop-up event - MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR**
Honoring across-the-board achievements in delivering great play experiences to kids and families worldwide
**Open to ALL parties worldwide
- THE 2025 PULSE OF PLAY AWARD***
Honoring the overall biggest achievement in the business of play
***Chosen by the industry panel
Submission Details: Authorized individuals may submit nominations in any category from Sept. 1 through Oct. 4, 2024.
Please have the following information ready for your submission:
- Nomination Category
- Project/Initiative/Party you wish to nominate
- Description + explanation of what makes this submission stand out (no more than 500 words)
- Date of the campaign/launch/initiative
- Images (one required; up to three accepted)
Submission Fees:
- $250 per nomination, per category, if received by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 15, 2024.
Eligibility: Nominees will be considered for work and activations occurring between Sept. 1, 2023 and Oct. 1, 2024.
Judging will be conducted by an industry panel with finalists to be revealed on, about, or before Dec. 16, 2024.
- Finalists will be promoted heavily across The Toy Book website and social media platforms. Each finalist will also receive a custom graphic for promotional use.
- Categories subject to change
- Each category is anticipated to have between 3-10 finalists based on the overall number of nominations received.
Voting will be conducted by an industry panel and members of the Adventure Media & Events (AM&E) team.
Winners will be announced in January 2025 in a streaming award presentation and honored in a print edition of The Toy Book.
- Winners will receive a trophy, certificate, and a custom digital graphic for promotional use.
Program details, terms, and conditions subject to change.
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