by KRISTIN MORENCY GOLDMAN, Senior Advisor, Strategic Communications, The Toy Association
The TOTY Awards brings the industry together this fall with top toys, new categories, and philanthropy at its core.
Preparations for The Toy Foundation’s Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards are well underway, and the industry is buzzing about which products and people will take home top honors.
The industry’s biggest celebration of toys and innovators — and The Toy Foundation’s biggest annual fundraiser for children in need — will be held Friday, Sept. 29 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
As is tradition, the ceremony will be held on the eve of Toy Fair (Sept. 30-Oct. 3) and serve as the official kickoff to what has become known as “Toy Fair Week.”
The 24th edition of the TOTY Awards will unveil the toy, game, and property winners across 17 categories of play, from outdoor and preschool toys to action figures, dolls, plush, and more. The event’s fall timing will give product finalists and winners a promotional boost, driving consumer engagement and media exposure at the start of the critical holiday shopping season thanks to an influencer program, TOTY winner and finalist seals for marketing materials, prominent placement for visibility in front of thousands of attendees at Toy Fair, and more.
In addition to the toys, the evening will also honor the lifetime achievements of the latest inductees into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame. And, new for this year, the individuals and businesses that make the toy industry exceptional will be honored in four people-focused and two campaign-focused categories:
- Champion of Sustainability: recognizing an individual who has made outstanding environmentally friendly programs and contributions to create a better future for the toy industry
- Champion of Diversity & Inclusion: recognizing an individual who has shown a strong commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable industry
- Packaging Designer of the Year: recognizing an individual who has demonstrated exceptional creativity in designing toy packaging
- PR/Marketer of the Year: recognizing an individual who has achieved outstanding results in promoting toys
to consumers - Marketing Campaign of the Year: recognizing the best marketing campaign that captured the attention of its target audience and drove sales
- Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of the Year: recognizing a program that demonstrates a commitment to corporate social responsibility, either through charitable causes; environmental sustainability; or fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the toy industry
Toy Association members will vote for the people-focused category winners, while a panel of experts, professionals, and creatives in the advertising, marketing, education, public relations, and tech fields will decide the winners in the campaign-focused categories.
Mixed in with the excitement of gathering for the anticipated awards, networking with old and new friends, honoring the incredible winners, and celebrating the creativity and success of the toy community, the event will also celebrate the toy industry’s collective philanthropy.
“TOTY is the premier night for the toy community,” says Pamela Mastrota, Executive Director of The Toy Foundation. “We look forward to the industry joining us for an unforgettable evening that will celebrate the year’s successes across toy innovation and philanthropy. The Toy Foundation is your Foundation, and our success is only possible with the collective industry’s support. Every award nomination and ticket purchase automatically supports our success in creating a world where every child experiences play and we are grateful for your participation. See you on Sept. 29!”
A version of this article was originally published in the 2023 Licensing & Entertainment Issue of The Toy Book. Click here to read the full issue! Want to receive The Toy Book in print? Click here for subscription options!
