Raving Toy Maniac

The Year's Top Toys Showcased at ToyAwards.org
Vote and Register to Win Fantastic Prize Packages

New York, NY | January 5, 2012 - Now that the holiday gifts have been unwrapped, families are invited to visit the Toy Industry Association's (TIA) ToyAwards.org website through midnight on Sunday, January 15th, 2012, to vote for their favorite toys and games and register to win fantastic prizes that will be perfect for birthdays and special occasions throughout the coming months.

"From dolls and board games to innovative and specialty toys, the winners of TIA's annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards go down in history as the most influential playthings of our time," said TIA president Carter Keithley. "We invite everyone who loves toys to help decide which toys and games make it to the top of this year's coveted list!"

Universal Partnerships & Licensing and Illumination Entertainment Sign Thinkway Toys as Global Master Toy Licensee for the Upcoming Motion-Picture Event Despicable Me 2

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Jan. 5, 2012 -- Universal Partnerships & Licensing (UP&L), Illumination Entertainment and Thinkway Toys today announced that they will partner on the global production of toys based on the highly anticipated follow-up to Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's blockbuster hit Despicable Me. Thinkway Toys has been awarded the master global toy license for the motion-picture event Despicable Me 2, which arrives in theaters on July 3, 2013. The announcement was made by UP&L President, Stephanie Sperber, and Thinkway Toys CEO, Albert Chan.

The enormous success of Despicable Me, which grossed more than $543 million at theaters worldwide, made its sequel one of the most sought after properties in Hollywood. Despicable Me was released in July 2010 and went on to become the 10th-highest-grossing animated film in U.S. history and the second highest-grossing animated film of 2010.

January 5, 2012 - Listed below are the toy (and child-related) recalls from this week; these links go to the official announcements on the Consumer Product Safety Commission web site.

Children's Chairs and Stools Recalled by Elegant Gifts Mart Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Target Recalls LED Flashlight Sets Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

IKEA Recalls to Repair High Chairs Due to Fall Hazard

Bicycle Pedals Recalled by Performance Inc. Due to Fall Hazard

Hi - Here is a quick update from http://www.bigbadtoystore.com about a
great new batch of arrivals and many more new preorders:

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NEW ARRIVALS
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BBTS EXCLUSIVE GI JOE SEVEN-PACKS - SLAUGHTER'S MARAUDERS, DREADNOKS
Our new exclusives have arrived at the warehouse. The Slaughter's
Marauders pack includes Spirit, Red Dog, Mercenary (Mercer), Falcon, Low
Light, Barbeque and Bull (Taurus), and the Dreadnoks pack includes Road
Pig, Zanzibar, Gnaw (Gnawgahyde), Burn Out, Zanya, Zandar and Thrasher.
Each pack is priced at $49.99; we also have them available as a set for
$89.99, and as a four pack with the Resolute GI Joe and Resolute Cobra
Seven-Packs for $139.99.
http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/search.aspx?search=BBTS+Exclusive+GI+...

January 3, 2011 - Hasbro has sent a message regarding the 2012 Star Wars toys:

We wanted to take a moment and quickly clarify a discrepancy in the retail launch date of Hasbro's first 2012 items that began popping up online over the holidays. January 30, 2012, is the date for Hasbro's STAR WARS product to go on shelf in all countries except the U.K., which is setting now. If you've posted any other date, or have received questions from your readers, please note that 1/30 is the set date. Thanks!

Also, please keep an eye out in the weeks ahead for an announcement of Hasbro's New York Toy Fair news and activities!

January 3, 2011 - The Four Horsemen are proud to announce their upcoming gallery show TOYPOCALYPSE 2: FUTURETRO!

Their second annual show at the TT Underground showroom in New York City will feature many all-new, never before seen items and even some fan favorites and toy industry classics from the Four Horsemen's past, present and future! Get an up close and personal look at action figure work that's seldom (if ever) been seen outside the Four Horsemen's own studio.

Toypocalypse 2: Futuretro will begin with a special opening night for friends and fans at TT Underground Friday night - February 10th 2012, and will run through most of the following week. Specific dates and times to be announced soon.