Raving Toy Maniac

American International Toy Fair – February 10-13, 2013 – Welcomes Surge in Global Visitors

Numbers Spike for Licensors, International Attendees and Global Press

New York, NY -- February 19, 2013 -- The 110th American International Toy Fair opened its doors to a surge in international attendees last week, as tens of thousands of visitors from 92 countries descended upon New York City to preview 150,000 innovative toys, games and youth entertainment products at the largest toy tradeshow in the Western hemisphere.

Owned and operated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA), Toy Fair 2013 (Feb. 10-13) welcomed a 4% increase in international attendees, a 9% rise in licensors, a 6% increase in international manufacturer's reps, and an 18% surge in foreign press visiting from 20 countries. Total attendance during the four-day show was 24,145.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products Partners with Wonder Forge, Inc. to Create Exciting New Justice League Games

Seattle, WA (February 10, 2013) – Wonder Forge, Inc.™, ranked one of Washington State's fastest growing companies(1) and a stand-out in the game aisle, has teamed up with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, on behalf of DC Entertainment, to debut an innovative new lineup of Justice League games at the New York International Toy Fair this month.

Each table top game will feature favorite DC Comics characters such as Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and The Flash, designed for kids ages 8 and up.

"Wonder Forge has an inventive style and passion for family-friendly entertainment that makes them the perfect match to develop games for our loyal Justice League fan base," said Karen McTier, executive vice president of Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing for Warner Bros.

Stratego – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Game

The Unexpected Journey Comes to Boardgames Fall 2013

Los Angeles, CA – February 10, 2013 – Spin Master Games and Warner Bros. Consumer Products have teamed up to create Stratego – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Game based on The Hobbit Trilogy, including the blockbuster The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, as well as the highly anticipated second and third films, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and The Hobbit: There and Back Again, productions of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM).

"Building on the success of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, we are excited to partner with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on games for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," said Ivory Jones, Brand Manager Games at Spin Master. "Our 'Stratego – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' Game lets The Hobbit Trilogy fans and strategy-game fans alike relive the excitement and fantasy of the films."

Warner Bros. Consumer Products Unveils Wonderful Product Lineup for the 75th Anniversary of "The Wizard Of Oz"

Robust Roster of Toy and Collectible Licensees Led by Master Toy Partner Jazwares

Burbank, Calif., February 13, 2013 – Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) announced during New York Toy Fair an impressive roster of licensees set to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of "The Wizard of Oz" in 2014, with creative product lines that will excite fans of the classic film on both sides of the rainbow. Master toy partner Jazwares, as well as USAopoly and Mattel are among the partners helping to honor one of the most beloved properties in all of film history, which will inspire a range of product across multiple categories including toys, collectibles, games and more.

(RTM note: for pictures of the toys mentioned below, please check out the galleries over at AwesomeToyBlog.com.)

JAKKS Pacific 2013 Boys and Girls Product Highlights

Boys

Monsuno®

The JAKKS Pacific Monsuno® toy line continues to grow in 2013 with the addition of all-new collectible transforming action figures. The toy line, which brings the excitement of the Monsuno® boys action adventure series to life, will offer all-new fun, easy-to-learn, action-packed game play that is tightly integrated with Season Two of the Animated Series, Monsuno®: Combat Chaos™ which will premiere on Nicktoons this Spring. Also brand new for 2013 will be a dynamic lineup of accessories, battle sets and much more, allowing kids to fully immerse themselves in the world of Monsuno!

Mega Bloks Hot Wheels™ Construction Sets Unveiled At New York Toy Fair

MEGA Brands and Mattel continue to expand construction lines

MONTREAL/NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2013 - MEGA Brands launches its brand-new Mega Bloks Hot Wheels™ collection today at the 2013 American International Toy Fair. Toy insiders will get a full preview of the highly-anticipated construction line hitting stores this summer.

Following their successful launch of the Mega Bloks Barbie line in Holiday 2012, MEGA Brands and Mattel continue to expand the construction category with a full range of building sets based on the iconic and best-selling Hot Wheels® brand. Mega Bloks Hot Wheels brings together the speed, action and performance of this world famous boys brand with easy building fun, cool action features and the world's first collectible Hot Wheels micro-action-figures.

The Year's Finest Toys and Games Unveiled at "OSCARS®" of the Toy Industry

LEGO® Friends from The Lego Group Grabs Coveted "Toy of the Year" Title;

LeapPad2™ by LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. Bestowed Inaugural "People's Choice" Award

NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2013 -- Hundreds of toy executives and guests from around the world gathered in New York City this evening to honor the year's top toys and industry icons at the 13th annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards and Toy Industry Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

A Toy Industry Association (TIA)-administered event in support of the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF), the "Oscars" of the toy industry took place at the Plaza Hotel, kicking off the 110th American International Toy Fair. Throughout the evening, TOTY Awards were presented across 12 categories – from e-Connected and Innovative to Educational and Outdoor.

In addition, the overall "Toy of the Year" award was presented to LEGO Friends (The Lego Group), while LeapPad2 (LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.) received the inaugural "People's Choice" award.

Toy Trends for 2013 Announced by Toy Industry Association, Official Voice of Toy Fair

"So Retro!" ... "Pop Culture Persuasion" ... "360 Degree Play ... and "Enticing Teens & Tweens" Among Top Trends

NEW YORK, Feb. 11, 2013 -- From toys that are "So Retro!"... to arts and crafts inspired by "DIY Design" television shows... and playthings for sociable teens and tweens, the hottest toy trends of 2013 were unveiled by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) today at its 110th American International Toy Fair.

After searching high and low through 150,000 products now on display at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, TIA's toy trend experts have uncovered a new crop of trends that are sure to be on every child's holiday wish list this year.

NECA UNVEILS NEW PRODUCT LINE-UPS AT NEW YORK TOY FAIR

Agreements with Sanrio and DC Comics Intensify Extensive Movie and Video Game Licenses

(RTM note: for pictures of the toys mentioned below, please check out the galleries over at AwesomeToyBlog.com.)

NEW YORK, NY - February 10, 2013 - National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA), a world leader in licensed consumer goods, revealed a robust line-up of new products at the 110th American International Toy Fair in New York.

Along with a substantial list of movie and video game licenses, the company announced a new partnership with Sanrio for a line of products targeted at adult fans of Hello Kitty and friends.

"We are honored to be part of such a beloved brand with such a rich history," said Joel Weinshanker, President and CEO of NECA. "So many fans, our team included, grew up with the Sanrio brand, and we're thrilled at the opportunity to serve this adult market."

(RTM note: there are two press releases on this page, so keep scrolling...)

KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT TURNS UP THE HEAT WITH THE Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME

ONSLAUGHT OF THE FIRE KINGS STRUCTURE DECK

El Segundo, CA (February 7, 2013) - The raging fires of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (TCG) get hotter and hotter with the arrival of Onslaught of the Fire Kings Structure Deck from Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. (Konami). This ready to play Deck blazes into stores nationwide on February 8th.

With four new Monster cards and two new extraordinary Spell cards, Duelists now have that extra spark needed to build a FIRE-themed Deck based on the renewing flames of the Phoenix. Players can also Special Summon the new Fire King High Avatar Garunix card and unleash the sacred fires of victory!