Raving Toy Maniac

Toy Industry to Induct Five Outstanding Individuals into Esteemed Hall of Fame

NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2013 -- The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced today that it will induct Jill Barad, former chairman and CEO of Mattel; Horst Brandstatter, president of PLAYMOBIL/Brandstatter; the late Jack Friedman, former chairman, CEO & co-founder of JAKKS Pacific; and the late co-founders of Wham-O, Arthur "Spud" Melin and Richard Knerr, into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame.

The five individuals were selected for induction by members of the Association in recognition of their significant contributions to the industry and the impact they have made on the lives of children through a lifelong commitment to toys and play. They will join an impressive roster of 62 toy industry luminaries who have been previously inducted into the Hall since it was established in 1984. Their induction ceremony will be held on February 15, 2014 in conjunction with the annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards celebration.

The Strong and Toy Industry Association Form Halls of Fame Partnership

June 2013 - ROCHESTER, New York - The Strong and the Toy Industry Association (TIA) are pleased to announce a partnership to house TIA's Toy Industry Hall of Fame alongside The Strong's National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, New York. The two halls of fame - one recognizing classic toys and the other recognizing the individuals who designed, made, and sold them - will share a cutting-edge, $4 million state-of-the-art museum installation, 75 percent of which will be funded by TIA and the toy industry. The confluence of two prestigious halls and their uniquely high-tech housing is expected to draw regional and national attention as America's most beloved toys are recognized together with toy industry luminaries such as Walt Disney; George Lucas; F.A.O. Schwarz; the founders of Hasbro, LEGO, Mattel, and Radio Flyer; and others.

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.

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.

2012 Toy Trends Unveiled by Industry Experts at American International Toy Fair

"Generation App" ... "Glowing Wild" ... "Little Learners" ... "Save 'n' Splurge" Among Key Trends

NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2012 -- A slate of hot new toy trends for 2012 that keep pace with advancements in the tech world, mirror societal trends and aim to produce well-rounded, lifelong learners were unveiled today by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) at its 109th American International Toy Fair.

After scouring through 100,000+ products now on display at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, TIA's trend experts have laid out a fresh crop of trends that will connect, glow, teach, "WOW" and hit a "high note" with kids of all ages. Significant for 2012 is a resurgence of toys on the higher end of the price scale as well as an influx of educational toys for tots, indicating that post-recession wallets – and families – are expanding.

Top Toys and Games of the Year Unveiled at "OSCARS®" of the Toy Industry

LeapPad Explorer from LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. Garners Coveted "Toy of the Year" Title

New York, NY | February 11, 2012 - More than five hundred toy industry executives and guests from around the globe gathered in New York City tonight to honor their peers at the 12th annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards and Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

A Toy Industry Association (TIA)-administered event in support of the Toy Industry Foundation, the glittering gala held in Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center kicked off the 109th American International Toy Fair and paid tribute to today's superstars, tomorrow's bright up-and-comers and illustrious toy industry icons.