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Launch at Andrew Jackson Elementary School (12/1/06)
Toy Making Workshop at Louisiana Children's Museum (12/2/06)
Thank You Cards from Students at Andrew Jackson Elementary School (8/7/07)

C-TPAT Certified Factories

As of September 26, 2007

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N P Q R S T V W X Y Z

3I Manufacturing Factory
Ji Yuan Industrial Zone, Hong Tian
Sha Jing Town, Baoan District
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Animal Magic Asia Ltd.
Sanjiaoling, Shadun, Zeng Bu
Cha Shan, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Baixing Toys Factory Limited
No. 2, Jianxin San Road
Guanyao Nanhai District
Foshan City, China

Best-Lock (China) Ltd.
7 Li Bridge Industrial Area
Jiangpu County, Nanjing 211800
Jiangsu Province, China

Billion Team (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
No. 470 Dongzhong Road,
Pingshan, Lungkong District, Shenzhen City,
Guangdong Province, China

Blue Sky Plastic Factory
No. 1, 178 Ind. Area, Tangxia Town
Dongguan, China

Bu Ji Sui Jin Po Shun Plastic & Hardware Toys Factory
Shang Sui Jin, Sui Jin, Bu Ji District, Baoan County,
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Cape Fear Distribution
382 Tom Starling Road
Cumberland Industrial Park
Fayetteville, NC 28306

Carpenters Manufactory Limited
Ge Keng Yan Jiang Industrial Zone,
Heng Li Town, Dongguan City,
Guangdong Province, P. R. China

Carpenters Manufactory Limited
Gekeng Yanjing Industrial Zone
Hengli Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

Cheong Hing Plastic Jewelry Factory
Wu Tung Village, Tin Kin Town,
Shanmi County, Guangdong Province, China

Cherryfield Factory
Yu Kai Industrial Park, Huan Hsiang Tung Lu
Wusar, Chang An, Dongguan, China

Chia Te Arts and Crafts
Rd. Xing-Sheng, Long-He Industry District
Long-Gang Town, Long-Gang Village
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Chit Wang Toy Factory
Xin Xing Industrial District, Er Huan Road
Xin Gong Ye Chu, Dongguan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Chiva Industries Ltd.
Dayangtian Industrial Area
Wanfeng, Shijing, Baoan, Shenzhen

Chiva Industries Ltd.
Dayangtian Industrial Area, Wanfeng
Shijing, Baoan, Shenzhen

Combine Will (Dongguan) Industrial Co. Ltd.
Heng Li Zheng, Xin Cheng Ind. District
Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

Deevan Electronics (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
5th Industrial District, Gong Ming, Baoan,
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Denny Plastic & Metal (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd.
8 Industrial District, Shi Yian Reservoir
Gong Ming, Baoan, Shenzhen City
Guangdong Province, China

Dong Fang Hung Kai Plastic & Metal Toys Factory
Block 4, 13th Region, Dong Fang Da Tian Yang Ind. Zone
Song Gang, Baoan, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

Dongguan Armando Shoes Factory
Yong Qing 2nd Industrial City
Dao Jiao Town, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Fenggang Yantian Rixing Plastic Electronic Toys Factory
Yantian, Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Gao Bao Kam Yuen Toys Manufactory Ltd.
2nd East of Gao Bu Da Du, Gao Bu Town, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Gaobao Kam Yuen Toys Manufactory Ltd.
Sanheng Road, Zhen Xing Avenue, Gaobu Town
Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Hengli Winghang Toys Ltd.
Zhang Shan Road Industrial Zone
Heng Li Town, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Hua Yi Metal & Plastic Products Co. Ltd.
Shui Kou Management Area, Da Long
Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Jumbo Plastic Products Co. Ltd.
Changkeng Village, Liaobu Town, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Lung Cheong Toys Co., Ltd.
Zhou Wu Industrial District,
Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Maoxu Furniture Co. Ltd.
Da Dian Mei Village Market Place
Daling Shan, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Meilian Toys Co., Ltd.
Tri-S Industrial Building,
Bo Tou Shang, Cha Shan Zhen,
Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan On Tai Toys Co., Ltd.
18 Pa Tat Industrial City,
Pa Co Tung District, Zhangmutou Town
Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Polyfilm Plastic Product Co.
Nam Moon Village, Kiu Lik, Cheung Ping,
Dongguan, China

Dongguan Polyfilm Plastic Products Co., Ltd.
Nam Moon Village Kiu Lik
Sheung Ping, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Qiao Tou Sun Wing Ming Toys Factory
Deng Wu Industrial Village, Qiao Tou Town
Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Sha Tian Bao Hui Toys Factory
3 Hui Tian road, Mintian,
Sha Tian, Dongguan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Tang Xia Ovation Toys Manufactory
Qiao Liang Village
Tang Xia Town, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Tang Xia Ovation Toys Manufactory
Qiao Liang Village, Teng Xia Town
Dongguan, Guangdong, China

Dongguan United Toys Factory
No.2, Chen Chek Ru
Shui Bei Industrial District, Shi Pai, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Xin Yang Metal & Plastic Product Co. Ltd.
Da Li Industrial Area
Qing Xi Town, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Xinda Giftware Company Ltd.
Industrial Lot in Xincheng, Industrial District
Hengli Town, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Dongguan Yat Fung Toys Factory Limited
Deng Wu Xin Wu Industrial Zone (2),
Qiaotou Town, Dongguan, China

Dongguan Yat Fung Toys Factory Ltd.
Dengwu Sun Woo Industrial Zone 2,
Qiaotou Town, Dongguan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Eastern Progress Plastic Electronic Manufactory
Hua Xing Industrial Zone, Xin Tian District
Qiao Tou Town, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Eiko Electronic Products (M) SND. BHD.
452, Permatang Batu
14000 Bukit Mertajam, P.W.
Malaysia

Ever Lucks Bags Company
Fu Man Road Industrial Area
You Kou, Hou Jie Town, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Fast View Industrial Ltd.
Dong Fong Industrial Road, Shatou
Chang An Town, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Feng Yu Toys Factory
Jianglong Industrial Zone,
Shalang, Zhongshan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Fenghua City Shunfa Package & Color Printing Factory
8-2 Juying Road, Industry Zone
Jiang Kou Town, Fenghua, Ningbo
Zhejiang Province, China

First & Best Furniture Co. Ltd.
Shenhu Rd. Shenhu Village, Longxi Town
Buoluo County, Huizhou, China

Fortune Plastic Toys Factory
Yin Hu Industrial Zone, Qing Xi
Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

Foshan City Gaoming Lihe Daily Necessities Co., Ltd.
No. 202, Heshun Road, Yanghe Town, Gaoming Area,
Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China

Foshan City Onli Electrical Appliances Enterprise
No. 47, Xi Jiao Road, Si Ji, Ronggui Town,
Shunde District, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China

Fuk Hing Toys Manufactory
Bo Chung Industrial Area, Sar Chin
Po On, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Full Champion (Dongguan) Ltd.
Zhong Han Qiao Industrial Area
Wang Niu Dun Town, Dongguan, China

Fung Yu Toys Factory
Jinlong Industrial Zong
Shalong, Zhongshan, China

Furtek Toys Factory
Block A65, Fu Cheng Ao Industrial Area, Ping Wu,
Longguang District, Shenzhen City
Guangdong Province, China

Golden Bell Toys Factory
Fu Cheng Ao, Ping Hu
Baoan, Shenzhen,
Guangdong, Province, China

Golden Camphora Toys Manufactory
30, Hu Zhu Xia, Wu Tong Shan
Luo Hu, Shenzhen City
Guangdong Province, China

Goldlok Toys Manufactory Holdings (Guangdong) Co. Ltd.
Puning City, Jieyang
Guangdong Province, China

Great Eagle Manufactory
Block 6, Tung Fu Ind. District
Da Peng, Long Gong County, Shenzhen

Green River Wood & Lumber (Vietnam) Co. Ltd.
Ap18 Xa An Phu, Huyen Thuan An, Tinh Binh Duong, Vietnam

Green Toyland Toys Manufactory
Wu Lam, Feng Gang
Dongguan, Guangdong, China

Green Toyland Toys Manufactory
Wu Lam, Feng Gang, Dongguan
Guangdong, China

Guangzhou City Fashion & Traveling Product Co.
Xiaobu Industrial Zone, Huashan Town
Huadu District, Guangzhou City
Guangdong Province, China

Guangzhou Guang Ze Wan Ju You Xian Gong Si
No. 12 Yan Jiang North Road
Yahu Village, Tan Bu Zhen, Hua Du Qu District
Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China

Guangzhou Panyu Fantasia Creation Toys Co., Ltd.
Block 3, Tai Shi Industrial Park, Yu Wo Tou,
Panyu Area, Guangzhou City,
Guangdong Province, China

Guangzhou Vanguard Watersports Products Co. Ltd.
No. 16, Hao Ke Zhou East Street, Shi Xi Cung Gong Ye Road
Guangzhou, China

Guangzhou Well Power Industrial Co., Ltd.
No. 1&2 Building, Thirteen Section, Canglian Country,
Nangang Town, Huangpu District, Guangzhou City,
Guangdong Province, China

Hai-Lien Sporting Instrument Co., Ltd.
128 Industrial Park
Tang-Xia, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Hai-Lung Sporting Instrument Co. Ltd.
128 Ind. Park, Tang Xia Town
Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

Hang Fung Plastic Toys Factory
No. 2 Heng Feng Road, Liu Yue,
Heng Gang, Long Gang District,
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Hang Shun Industrial Manufacturing Factory
21, Feng Huang Gang Ind. Estate, Xi Xiang Town
Bao An, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

Hangzhou Xiaoshan Qianhong Traffic Material Co. Ltd.
No. 1 Branch, Qianjiang Farm
Xiaoshan, Hangzhou City
Zhejiang Province, China

Hangzhou Xiaoshan Qianhong Traffic Materials
No. 1 Branch, Qianjiang Farm, Xiaoshan
Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China

Hanson Industrial Factory No. 1
He Ping East Road, Gong Village
Long Hua Town, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Harvest Wealth Development Ltd.
The First Industrial City, No. 3 Harvest Wealth Ave,
Lo Tian Village, Songgang, Baoan,
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Heng Gang Sam Wai Plastic Manufactory
Heng Gang 128 District
Bao An County, Shenzhen City
Guangdong Province, China

Highest Grade
Huang Hua Yuan Industrial Park,
Tai Ping Zhen, Shi Xing County,
Guangdong Province, China

Hing Yip Electronic & Plastic Manufactory
Ann Tian, Feng Gang Town
Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

Hip Chun Toys Co. Ltd.
Jinfa Industrial District, Jin Ting Tong Jia Van Town
Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China

Ho Cheuivg (2.S) Electronics Factory
Industrial Area 5th Village East District
Xiaolan, Zhongshan City
Guangdong Province, China

Hoi Ming Plastic Products Factory
No. 10 Kai Ming Road, Heng Gang,
Long Gang District, Shenzhen City,
Guangdong Province, China

Home Baby Toy Product Co. Ltd.
Nanwu Industrial Zone of Houjie
Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China

Hong Seng Knitting Ltd., Part.
649/4-5 Moo 2, Suksawad 30
Bangpakok, Rahjaburana
Bangkok 10140, Thailand

Hop Lee Cheong Industrial Company Ltd.
No. 41 Factory Building, Nantou Shiye Gongsi,
Ma Jia Long Industrial Village,
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Hou Un Toy (Zhongshan) Co. Ltd.
2nd Ind. Area, Sanxiang town,
Zhongshan, Guangdoing, China

Hou Un Toy (Zhongshan) Co. Ltd.
Second Industrial Area, Sanxiang Town
Zhongshan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Hua Ziang Product Factory
Building 64A, No. 4 Industrial District, Ma Shan Tou,
Gong Ming Town, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Hualida Ceramics Making Co. Ltd.
Shanglin, Gubantou
Fengxi, Chaozhou City
Guangdong Province, China

Huatong Metal & Plastic Products Co., Ltd.
Yonggeng Industrial District,
Henglan Town, Zhongshan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Huizhou Winfung Handbag Enterprises Ltd.
Cha Yuan Shun Ju Industrial Area
Jiang Ju Road, Qia Chang Town
Hui Yang City, Guangdong Province, China

Hyuet Manufacturer
Block B, Lao Keng Industrial Area,
Shenshan Road, Hang Zi Zhen,
Shenzhen City,
Guangdong Province, China

Intex Plastics (Fujian) Co., Ltd.
Shang Zhen, Hong Road,
Fuqing, Fujian Province, China

Intex Plastics (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.
Xin Yang Industrial Zone
Hai Cang, Xiamen City,
Fujian Province, China

J&C Industrial Ltd.
No. 15 Zhou Yeoung Industrial District,
Dongting Town, Xishan, Wuxi City, Jiangsu Province, China

J.Y. Plasteel Toys Co.
Gang Bei Industrial Zone
Wong Tian, Xixiang Zhen, Baoan
Shenzhen City, Guangdong, China

Jenwell Plastic & Metal Factory
Zeng Tian District, Kai Hou
Cheung On, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Jia Feng Plastic Toys Factory
Chun Ping Ling Industrial Area, Liao Bu Zhen Tang,
Dongguan City, Guandong, China

Jiada Toys (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd.
No. 6 Shiyan Village Council Ind. Area
Baoshi South Road, Shiyan Town, Baoan
Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China

Jiada Toys (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd.
No. 6 Shiyan Village Council Ind. Area
Baoshi South Road
Shiyan Town, Baoan
Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China

Jianda Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
Jinda Industrial Estate, 88 Zhen Xing Lu
Changping, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Jinlong Electronics (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
5/F Block 9, Huai De Cui Hai Industrial Park,
Feng Tang Lu, Fu Yong, Baoan, Borough Long Hua Town,
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Join Win Toys Manufacturing Factory
Wamg Sze Wei Industrial District
Shek Ket Chun, Dongguan, China

JY Toys Plasteel Toys Co.
Gang Bei Industrial Zone, Wong Tian
Xixiang Zhen, Bao An, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

Ka Shun Toys Manufactory
Shatou Changan, Dongguan
Guangdong, China

Ka Wai International (HK) Ltd.
48 Xingqiao Road, Qiaobei Industrial
Longdong, Longang District, Shenzhen City
Guangdong Province, China

King Ball Toy Product Co. Ltd.
Nanwu Industrial Zone of Houjie
Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

Lee Ming Investment Co., Ltd.
Dong Keng Industrial Village
Gong Ming Zhen, Baoan
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Liang Huang (Jiaxing) International Company Limited
No.90 Xiuxin Road, Xiu Zhou Industrial Garden
Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province, China

Liantong Industries Limited
30 Yu Dong Yi Road, Xian Cheng Industrial Zone
Yang Dong County,
Guangdong Province, China

Lianyungang Kifa Toys & Gifts Co. Ltd.
Ganyu Economy Development Zone
Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, China

Lien Tai Crafts Development (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Block 1, Section 3, Cuigang Industrial Park
Huai De Village, Fuyong Town, Baoan
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Litestar Electronic and Technology Co.
Shenwan Jurisdiction Panfu Town
Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, China

Lizhen Electronics (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Building No. 9, Dakan Industrial Estate
Xili Town, Nanshan, Shenzhen City
Guangdong Province, China

Llang Huang (Jiaxing) Enterprise Co. Ltd.
No.90 Xiuxin Road
Xiu Ahoy Industrial Zone, Jiaxing City
Zhejiang Province, China

Longgang Sam Wai Plastic Manufactory
Next to Li Wu Cun, Dafa Ind. Zone
Long Xi District, Long Cheng St.
Longgang, Shenzhen, China

Longgang Tongle VJ Electrics and Plastic Manufactory
No. 18 Tongde Road, Tongle Chang Hu Wei Village,
Longgang District, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Lucky (Shenzhen) Plastic Factory Ltd.
9 Cai Yun Road, Long Teng Industrial District,
Long Gong, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Lucky Charm Plastic & Metal Factory
4th Industrial Zone, Shenshan Road,
Pingshan Town,
Longgang District, Shenzhen City,
Guangdong Province, China

Lung Wah King Wah Plastic Manufactory
Block B, Chi Ling Tou Cun Industrial Estate,
Lung Wah Village, Baoan District,
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Major Toys Limited
No. 8, Gongye Er Road
Shengping 2nd Industrial Zone, Longgang
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Marsline Plastic Products Factory
Bai Shi Xia, Fu Yong
Bao An County, Shenzhen City
Guangdong Province, China

May Tat Toy Products Factory
Feng Kang, Chu Wei Tian
Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

May Tat Toy Products Fty. Ltd.
Feng Kang Chu Wei Tien
Dongguan, China

Merton Plastic & Electronic Manufactory
Shong Yuen Industrial Area, Dongcheng,
Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

Micami Toys Factory
Sha Guo Industrial Zone
Ban Fu County, Zhongshan City
Guangdong Province, China

Ming Fai Plastic Manufactory
Block 16, He Shui Kou, Xia Lang Industrial Area,
Gongming, Bao An, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Musical Electronics (Qing Yuan) Ltd.
Tai He Industrial Park, Qingxin County,
Qingyuan City, Guangdong Province, China

Musing Plastic Factory
Xing Long Six Road, Li Wu Village
Miao Bian Wang Area, Shi Pai Town
Dongguan City, Guangzhou Province, China

Nadfinlo Plastics Industry (SZ) Co., Ltd.
2nd Industrial Estate, Qing Hu, Long Hua, Bao An,
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Nam Char New Time Plastic Factory Co. Ltd.
Estate 5, Nan Zha, Hu Men
Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China

Nam Char New Time Plastic Fty
Estate 5, Nam Char
Hu Men
Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China

Nantian Plastic (Chaozhou) Co. Ltd.
64 Xirong Road
Chaozhou,
Guangdong Province, China

Nantian Plastic Toy Factory (Chaozhou) Co. Ltd.
64 Xinrong Road
Chaozhou, Guangdong, China

Nice Plastic & Metal Products Factory
Jiang Bei Village, Dai Sha Dun Industrial Estate,
Changan, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China

Nidec Talent Top Industrial Co., Ltd.
Bei-Wei Industrial A8 Building
Guangzhou Economic & Technology Development District
Guangzhou, China

Ningbo Neco Housewares Co., Ltd.
No.5 Dong Jiang Road
Hi-tech Zone, Fenghua, Ningbo City
Zhejiang Province, China

Nittsu Electronics (ShenZhen) Co. Ltd.
Jin Qiao Industrial Centre, Ping Di Longgang District
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Pacific Industrial Corp. Ltd.
Shenwan Jurisdiction Panfu Town
Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province China

Pan Yu Play Safe Sporting Goods & Toys
No. 1 Kuang Chi Road, Qian Feng N. Avenue
Shi Ji Cun, Shi Ji Zhen, Panyu City
Guangdong Province, China

Panan Lulin Arts and Crafts Factory
No. 88 Xin Yun Road, Industry Zone
Anwen Town, Panan County
Zhejiang Province, China

Playwell Industry Ltd.
72 Xian Wei Da Dao
Zhang Mu Town, Guangdong Province, China

Qing Xi Chong He Toys & Metals Factory
Xia Tang Village, Chong He District
Qing Xi Town, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Qingdao Fine Toy Co. Ltd.
Haier Road 20, Laoshian District
Zhongshan Town, Qingdao City
Shandong Province, China

Quanzhou New Century Light Industry Co. Ltd.
Binnan Road, Dongbin Industrial Zone
Donghaibin City Wall, Fengze District
Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China

Quanzhou New Century Light Industry Co. Ltd.
Binnan Road, Dongbin Industrial Zone, Donghaibin City Wall
Fengze District, Quanzhou City
Fujian Province, China

Ralot Industries Ltd.
33 Hualu Road,
Heng Gang District, Shenzhen City
Guangdong Province, China

Red Eagle Toys Factory (China) Ltd.
Zhenan Road, Shangjiao District
Changan Town, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Regent Oriental Industry, Ltd. / Regent Oriental Toy Manufactory
Cai Wu 5th Industrial Zone, Wu Sha, Changan
Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China

Regent Oriental Toy Manufactory
Cai Wu 5th Industrial Zone, Wu Sha, Changan
Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China

Rixing Plastic Electronic Toys Factory
No. 7, Fenggang
Yantian Bulong Industrial District
Dongguan, Guangdong Province, China

Root Land Plastic Factory
Bai Yun Keng Industrial Area, Dan Shui Town, Hui Yang Zone
Hui Zhou, China

Sane Toy Factory
B32, Zhen Kou 1st Industrial Estate,
Zhenkou Humen Town, Dongguan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Sang Sang (Dongguan) Handbag Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Niushan Adm. Area, Fucheng
Dongguan, China

Sanshui Sanlian Plastic & Cement Material Products Co. Ltd.
No. 27, Hau On Tai Road,
Xinan Town Sanshui District, Foshan

Sha Jiao South America Plastic Mfy. Co.
Mgt. Area, Sha Jiao, Humen
Donguan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Sha Jing Sun On Tai Plastic Toys Manufactory
The First Industrial Estate Bo Gang
Sha Jin, Shenzhen,
Guangdong Province, China

Shanghai Haoda Plastic Co. Ltd.
No. 1543, Xin Zhen Road, Qi Bao Zhen
Min Hang District, Shanghai China

Shanghai Jilong Economy Development Co. Ltd.
No.460-520 Lanxue Road, Huanglou Town
Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China

Shanghai Jilong Plastic Products Co., Ltd.
No. 460-520 Lanxue Road, Huanglou Areas,
Chuansha Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai City, China

Shenzhen Easmen Printing Co.
9, Jin Yuan 2nd Road,
Jin Yuan Gong Ye Qu, He Ao Heng Gang,
Long Gang, Shenzhen, China

Shenzhen Easmen Printing Co., Ltd.
Block E-G Jin Yuan Gong, Ye Qu, He Ao,
Henggang, Longgang, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Shenzhen Hing Fat Toys & Plastics Co. Ltd.
849 Bao Li Lu, Buji Zhen
Long Gang Qu, Shenzhen City
Guangdong Province, China

Shenzhen Songgang Eastern Sky Holdings Corp.
No. 3 Songbai Industrial Zone,
Tangxia Yong Village
Songgang,
Guangdong Province, China

Shenzhen Tongda Communication Equipment Co., Ltd.
No. 1 Building, Nan Ling Long Shan Ind. Area
Buji, Long Gang,
Guangdong Province, China

Shun An Tundion Plastic Metal Factory
Tundion Industrial Building
Xi Li Da Kan Ind. Village, SZ Nan Shan District
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Smart Union Toys Factory
Bo Shen Industry Village
Zhangmutou, Dongguan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Song Gang Li Feng Plastic Factory
Block B7, Section 2, Xi Bu Industrial Area, Tantou, Songgang, Shenzhen City,
Guangdong Province, China

Songgang Harvest Wealth Manufactory
Songgang Luolian The 1st Industrial City
No. 53 Gaotianda Dao, Luotian
Bao An, Shenzhen, China

Srimitr Intertrade Ltd. Partnership
559-19 Rama 3 Sathon Road
Bangklo Bangkuolaem
Bangkok 10120, Thailand

Standard Furniture Vn Co. Ltd.
Duong So #, Khu Cong Nghiep Dong An
Thuan An, Binh Duong, Vietnam

Summco Guitar & Toys Factory
Ling Hwu Industrial District,
Chiu-Chang Town, Huiyang City,
Guangdong Province, China

Sun Wing Ming Industry Ltd. / Dongguan Qiao Tou Sun Wing Ming Toys Factory
Deng Wu Industrial Village, Qiao Tou Town
Dongguan
Guangdong Province, China

Sun Yick Plastic Products (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd.
Yu Lu Ind. Zone II, Gong Ming
Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China

Sunlight Electronic Toys Manufacturing. Co., Ltd.
Zhenxingwei Industrial Area
Tangxia, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Sunway Electronics Manufactory
Building No. 1, The First Shangxin Industrial District,
Haoshan Village, Shajing Town, Bao An District,
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Suzhou Danu Toy Co. Ltd.
No. 183, Mingshi Road, Luzhi Town
Wuzhong District, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China

Suzhou Taiyun Toy Co., Ltd.
No. 183 Mingshi Road, Luzhi,
Wuzhong District, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China

Tai Tung Metal Manufactory Limited
No. 3 Street, Bu Long Industrial District
Yiantian, Dongguan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Tak Yuen Plastic Products Co., Ltd.
Area 5 Nan Chai, Humen Town, Dongguan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Tao Lee Co., Ltd.
No. 30-1, She Ling Li, 3 Lin, Yuanli Town
Miaoli County, Taiwan

Tianjin Jinbao Musical Instruments Co., Ltd.
No. 28, Hai Tai Road
Baodi County
Tianjin City, China

Tianqi Sports Goods (Ningbo) Co., Ltd.
No. 98, Song Hua Jiang Road, Da Gang Industrial City
Economic & Technical Development Zone
Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, China

Tomy (Thailand) Ltd.
60/59 Moo 19 Tambol Klongnuang
Amphur Klongluang
Pathumthani 12120, Thailand

Top Smart Toys Factory
Poshan Industrial Area, Zhangmutou
Dongguan, Guangdong, China

Tung May Toys Manufacturer
Po On Yu, Ping Wu, Pak Nei Hang
Shenzhen City,
Guangdong Province, China

Varicraft Plastic Toys Factory
Bo Gang No. 3 Industrial Estate
Sha Jing, Baoan, Shenzhen
Guangdong Province, China

VJ Electronics & Manufactory
18, Tong He Road, Chang Hu Wei Village
Longgang, Shenzhen City, China

Vtech Electronics, Ltd. / Dongguan Vtech Electronics Industries
Sam Tuen Management Zone, Hou Jie
Dongguan
Guangdong Province, China

Wah Fung Toy (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Building No. 51-54, 78 & 80, Fu Chong Ao Industrial,
Pin Wu, Longgang District,
Shenzhen City,
Guangdong Province, China

Wahfai Toys (Yu Nan) Co. Ltd.
Du Cheng Industrial zone,
Yu Nan Country, Yu Fu,
Guangdong Province, China

Wahtech Toys Factory
Shang Sha District, Chang An, Dongguan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Wai Dick Toys Mfg.
Nan Ling Village, Bu Ji Town,
Baoan County, Shenzhen City,
Guangdong Province, China

Walter Toys Co. Ltd. - 4K Factory
Nam Ling Village, Sawan, Buji, Longgang Town
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Wan Wai Die Cast & Plastic Factory
Da Tian Yang Industrial Area, Hong Xing Men Village,
Song Gang Town, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Wan Wai Diecast & Plastic Factory
Da TianYang Industrial Area
Hong Xing Long Men Village
Song Gang, SZ, China

Way Guide Daily Use Manufactory Co., Ltd.
The First Industrial District, Shalang
Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, China

Wealthwise Industrial Ltd. / Wealthwise Plastic Factory
Block 3-12, Wealthwise Industrial Centre,
Song Mu Shan, Da Lang Town
Dongguan
Guangdong Province, China

Well Hopes Plastic & Metal Manufacturing Factory
Shatou South Industrial Area, Shatou
Changan, Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Wey Hing Plastic Factory
Block E., Yang Gang Ind'l Area
Nian Tian, Xintian, Baoan,
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Wicheong Plastic Mould Factory
#30 Huan Shan Road, Da Kang Xia Zhong Village
Henggang Town, Shenzhen City
Guangdong Province, China

Wooden Design Co. Ltd.
King Fu Industrial Area, Shibu Village
Liaobu Town, Dongguan, China

Xiamen Xiang Jiang Plasticity Co. Ltd.
No. 1 Guang Ming Road
Xinlin, Xiamen City
Fujian Province, China

Xin Hui Changjiang Plastic Welding Factory
Jiang Zui, Jiang Hui Road, Xin Hui Area,
Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province, China

Xin Me Toys Factory
Yongan Ind. Zone, Guan Yao Town
Nanhai District, FoshanCity
Guangdong Province, China

Xin Mei Toys Factory
Yong An Ind. Zone, Guan Yao Nan Hai District
Foshan, China

Yong Guo Artcraft Co. Ltd.
Tong Jia Yang
Cheng Jiang Town, Huangyan
Zhejiang Province, China

Yong Hao Chang Toys (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
Tang Xya Yong, Song Guang Town, Baoan,
Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China

Yuen Yiu Electronic Toys Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
Tao Qian Industrial Zone Shan Dong Town
Huizhou City, Guangdong Province, China

Zhaoqing City Golden Rich Toys Co. Ltd.
Muo Gang, Textile Road, Zhaoqing City, China

Zhaowng City Golden Rich Toys Ltd.
Muo Gang, Textile Road
Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province
China

Zhejiang Haina Sporting & Touring Goods Co. Ltd.
Kaiyuan Road, Binhai Industry Park
Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China

Zhejiang Panan Lulin Arts and Crafts Factory
No. 88 Xin Yun Road, An Wen Industrial Park
Panan, Zhejiang, China

Zhejiang Xinyun Art & Crafts Co., Ltd.
378 Zhongshan Road
Yunhe County
Zhejiang Province, China

Zhengxing Hardware & Plastic Musical Instrument Mfg. Ltd.
No. 8 Baini Industrial District
Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China

Zhenxing Hardware & Plastic Musical Instrument Mfg. Ltd.
Bai Xi Industrial Zone, Ban Fu Town
Zhong Shan City, Guang Dong, China

Zhi Jia Furniture
Jiu Cun, Huang Jiang Town
Dongguan City
Guangdong Province, China

Zhong Chen Electronic Factory
41 Cao Pin Lu, Da Cao Po, Pin Hu
Shenzhen City,
Guangdong Province, China

Zhong Shan Tat Shing Toys Co. Ltd.
Bai Xi Industrial Zone, Ban Fu Town
Zhong Shan City, Guangdong, China

Zhongshan International Toys Ltd.
Sha Bian Industry District, Torch Hi-Tech Industry Development Zone
Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, China

Zhongshan Pleasure Time Plastic Industrial Ltd.
Da You Industrial Area, Fusha Town
Zhongshan, China

Zhongshan Qi Shun Plastics Products Co. Ltd.
Industrial Park, Nan Sha, Shen Wan Town
Zhong Shan City, Guangdong Province, China

Zhongshan Tat Shing Toys Factory
Bai Xi Industrial Zone, Ban Fu Town,
Zhongshan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Zhongshan Yili Electronic Co. Ltd.
No. 5 Lian He street, Yan Jiang Road,
Torch Hi-tech Development Zone
Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, China

Zhongshan Yili Electronic Co. Ltd.
No. 5, Lian He Street Yan Jiang Road,
Torch Hi-tech Development Zone,
Zhongshan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Zhongshan Yong Sheng Toys Factory
West Mountain District,
San Xiang, Zhongshan City,
Guangdong Province, China

Zhuhai Tsuimei Chi Wai Toys Factory Limited
No. 138, West Cuiwei Avenue,
Qianshan, Zhuhai City,
Guangdong Province, China

Participating Exhibitors

As of September 26, 2007

10VOX Entertainment

200 Toy Inc.
Contact: Kyle Devlin, (508) 478-5531

21st Century Toys, Inc.
Contact: Chapman Chan, (510) 483-5700 x 17

4Kidz, Inc.
Contact: Ken Lewis, (203) 327-7949

Action Products International, Inc.
Contact: Jerome Sage, (407) 481-661-7211

Agglo Corporation Limited
Contact: Karl Lomberk, (908) 783-5177

A-Ha! Toys Inc.
Contact: Alan Ratskoff, (847) 477-5053

ALEX (Panline USA, Inc.)
Contact: Stuart Sentner, (201) 750-8010

Alexander Doll Company, Inc.
Contact: David Morgenstern, (212) 979-7936

All Things Equal, Inc.
Contact: Eric Poses, (310) 490-6803

Amav Enterprises Ltd.
Contact: Peter Lowe, (630) 761-3077

American Classic Toy, Inc.
Contact: Brian Lemasters, (330) 938-2001

American Plastic Toys, Inc.
Contact: Steve Mellos, (800) 521-7080

Amloid Corporation
Contact: Eric Kiel, (973) 328-0654

Amos Marketing
Contact: Travis Cho, (866) 266-7458

Anatex Enterprises, Inc.
Contact: Alex Chesler, (818) 908-1888

Aviva Sports, Inc.
Contact: Ran Mason, (573) 346-1402

Back Pack Toys, Inc.
Contact: Ed Hames, (603) 459-2116

Balitono, Inc.
Contact: Yu Oen, (609) 936-8807

Ball, Bounce and Sport Inc. - Hedstrom
Contact: Raquel Karpinski, (630) 539-4390

Bandai America Inc.
Contact: Sales Team, (714) 816-9500

Bao Ltd.
Contact: Claudianne Laine, (+852) 2269-8704

Basic Concepts
Contact: Dean Tzembelikos, 011-852-9669-2975

Basic Fun, Inc.
Contact: Danielle Borbon, (800) 662-3380 x 113

Battat Inc./Adica Pongo, Inc.
Contact: Dany Battat, (514) 497-9192

BAZOO GLOBAL LLC
Contact: Akira Yoshimura, (646)456-7676

Be Amazing Toys
Contact: Renee Whitney, (801) 583-1846

Best Play International
Contact: Jordan Kurtzman, (508) 881-2232

Best-Lock Construction Toys
Contact: Stephen Minsk, (305) 918-0022

Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Company
Contact: Randy Clark, (661) 257-0750

Big Time Toys, L.L.C.
Contact: Karen Bomar, (615) 383-2888 x 216

Blue Box Toys, Inc.
Contact: Cliff Seto, (973) 740-8882

Blue Orange USA
Contact: Julien Mayot, (415) 252-3885

Bojeux, Inc.

Boley Corp.
Contact: Florence Lee, (909) 993-5868

Bossa Nova Concepts
Contact: John Feghali, (412) 657-1798

Brainytoys Ltd.
Contact: Rand Brenner and (646) 361-0191

Breyer Animal Creations Div Reeves Intl
Contact: Lois Speer, (973) 694-5006

Briarpatch, Inc.
Contact: Alex Fazio, (973) 376-7002

Brighter Minds Media
Contact: Nikki Lange, (314) 430-3152

Buffalo Games Inc.
Contact: Chris Thorpe, (716) 827-8393

Cadaco, Inc. A Division of Rapid Displays, Inc.
Contact: Laura Orozco, (773) 579-2840

Cardinal Industries, Inc.
Contact: Scott Canner, (718) 784-3000

Carrera of America
Contact: David Creed, (949) 677-3039

Carta Mundia Inc.
Contact: Jon Wiebusch, (651) 578-6517

Ceaco
Contact: Trudi Lazans, (617) 658-9223

Century USA, LLC
Contact: Pablo Esteves, (561) 495-0648 x 2

Character Direct
Contact: Bill Beebe, (562) 733-2481

The Chenille Kraft Co.
Contact: Patrick Mueller, (847) 249-2900

CHH Quality Products Inc.
Contact: Lillian Hsu, (626) 303-9536

Chicco USA, Inc.
Contact: Caterina Faraca, (908) 756-1110 x 204

Color Loco

Colorbok
Contact: Maria Dimaria, (520) 749-2062 x 104

Columbus Closeouts/Global Products
Contact: Jerrey Lebowitz, (614) 775-9500

Commonwealth Toy & Novelty Co., Inc.
Contact: Lee Schneider, (212) 242-4070

Corgi International, Ltd.
Contact: Sarah Murphy, (925) 979-1500

Cranium, Inc.
Contact: Neil Kohler, (615) 668-9500

Creative Design International, a division of JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

Creative Education of Canada
Contact: Reid Campbell, (519) 337-5685 x104

Creative Innovations & Sourcing, LLC
Contact: Jim Graves, (413) 496-4789

Custom Quest
Contact: Dennis Mitman, (513) 346-2254

Darda(tm); a division of Wm. K. Walthers, Inc.

Darice
Contact: Kort Masteller, (800) 321-1494 x 3022

Dekko Toys Company Ltd.
Contact: Edmund Hui, (+852) 3620-2298

Delta Enterprise Corp.
Contact: Corinne Ehrenhaus, (212) 736-7000 x 718

Dexton LLC
Contact: Dennis Joe, (714) 256-9888

Diamond Select Toys
Contact: Mike Leavey, (410) 427-9333

Diggin

Dipak North America
Contact: Jose Azocar, (905) 956-0658

Discovery Bay Games LLC
Contact: Craig Olson, (360) 385-8498

Dowling Magnets
Contact: Jennifer Ord, (707) 935-0352

Drybranch / Sport Design

DuneCraft
Contact: Grant Cleveland, (440) 220-2163

Dynatech Action, Inc.
Contact: Richard Desrouches, (647) 998-0455

Eastcolight (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Contact: Edith Lai, (+852) 2333-6688

Educational Insights, Inc.
Contact: Kent Brings, (888) 204-3610

Edushape Ltd.
Contact: Melora Loffreto, (540) 895-0808

Elmer's Products / Giddy Up
Contact: Doug Cass, (734) 302-4444

Elope, Inc.
Contact: Tempe Krieger, (719) 328-1312

Endless Games
Contact: Brian Turtle, (732) 721-1032

ERECTOR

Creativity For Kids / Faber-Castell
Contact: Cathy Blankenship, (216) 643-4660

Fantasma Toys
Contact: Roger Dreyer, (212) 924-8345

Fascinations Toys & Gifts, Inc.
Contact: Franz MacMaster, (206) 870-3000

Fashion Angels Enterprises (formerly The Bead Shop)
Contact: Mark Miller Sarah Koth, (441) 961-9200 x 121

Fiesta
Contact: Rich Hammond, (323) 581-9988 x 116

First Act, Inc.
Contact: Dave Donovan, (617) 226-7888

FoamHeads / ActionHeads
Contact: Craig Collier, (636) 798-2087

Friendly Toys, Corp.
Contact: Pete Pirmann, (201) 919-5000

Fun Slides Toys and Games
Contact: Candace Holsing, (724) 863-5680

Fundex Games, Ltd.
Contact: Jonathan Johannessen, (317) 472-4132

Funrise Inc.
Contact: Nadja Lewis, (929) 989-6516

Funtastic
Contact: Tom Almistedt, (713) 864-3412 x 16

Gayla Industries, Inc.
Contact: Gerald Austin, (214) 364-0670

Gee Wiz Entertainment
Contact: Bob Davila, (516) 833-7869

Geomag USA
Contact: Chris Merakis, (315) 676-3460

Giddy Up

Goffa International Corp.
Contact: Carleon Sy, (718) 361-8883

The Goldberger Company LLC
Contact: Steve Strauss

Gracelyn, Inc.
Contact: Heather Allen, (623) 581-5515

Great American Puzzle Factory, Inc.
Contact: Steve Griggs, (203) 838-4240

GreenLight LLC
Contact: Kevin Davey, (317) 287-0600 x 1

Guidecraft USA Inc.
Contact: Ira Kizner, (201) 894-5401 x 112

H2O! Recreation (2007) Inc.
Contact: David Gregoire, (450) 682-3269

Hanzawa (HK) Ltd.
Contact: Paul Finn, (561) 776-0167

Hasbro, Inc.
Contact: Steve Edwards, (401) 727-5445

Hauck Group

The Haywire Group, Inc.
Contact: Mike Fisher, (413) 543-3020

Hidden City Games

Hilco Corporation
Contact: Ronald Rycek, (610) 279-8280

Hit Toy Company
Contact: Marty Feinberg, (516) 349-3096

Hooked On Phonics
Contact: Laura Fick, (410) 843-6814

HugFun Int'l Inc/Passport Plush Ltd.
Contact: Laurie Dawson, (626) 330-8800

Hurricane Toys / Time to Play
Contact: Wai So, 011-852-2369-3332

Imagination Entertainment
Contact: Susie Hernandez, (310) 395-1354

Imperial Toy LLC
Contact: Ted Verrier, (213) 489-2100

Insect Lore
Contact: John White, (661) 342-2314

Interactive Toy Concepts Ltd.
Contact: Gary Thomson, (416) 444-6873

i-STAR Entertianment
Contact: Jim Kaiser, (860) 227-4817

IToys, Inc.
Contact: Chris Troyak, (416) 703-5886 x 227

J & L Toys, Inc.

J. Lloyd International Inc.
Contact: John Olsen, (630) 248-1301

Jada Toys, Inc.
Contact: Bill Simons, (626) 810-8382

JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

JA-RU, Inc. - General Trading
Contact: Danny Bergman, (904) 733-9311

Jasman, Inc.
Contact: Summer Herrmann, (858) 320-0550 x 106

Jax Ltd., Inc.
Contact: Cindy Levine, (763) 449-9699

Jazwares

JC Toys Group, Inc. - Dolls By Berenguer, Inc.
Contact: Richard Cerda, (305) 592-3541

Jmac International
Contact: Allen Goldberg, (905) 738-3351

John N. Hansen Co. Inc.
Contact: Lars Larsen, (800) 582-5858

Joovy, LLC
Contact: Rob Gardner, (214) 761-1809

JSA Toys LLC
Contact: Judy Shackelford, (805) 870-0330

Jumpin Banana LLC / Cheatwell Games

Kellytoy USA
Contact: Jean Yoon, (323) 923-1300

Kid Galaxy, Inc.
Contact: Lisa Couture, (603) 792-0701

KIDDESIGNS Inc.
Contact: Jeff Kahan, (732) 392-1760 x 325

Kiddieland Toys Ltd.
Contact: Carmen Chong, 011-852-2116-3020

KidKraft, LP
Contact: Chris Light, (972) 385-0100

Kids Only, Inc.

Kids Preferred, Inc.
Contact: Louis Premselaar, (732) 274-1144

Kidz Delight Ltd.
Contact: Kelly Christensen, (603) 724-0222

Kidz Toyz Inc.
Contact: Scott Spiegel, (914) 241-3434

Kittrich Corporation
Contact: Tony Iazzo, (714) 736-1043

K'NEX Industries, Inc.

LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.

Learning Curve Brands, Inc.

The Learning Journey International L.L.C.
Contact: Jaye Ross, (602) 787-1115

Learning Resources Inc.
Contact: De Primack, (888) 227-2857

Lexibook America
Contact: Maurice Oujevolk, (305) 651-8887

Life-Like Products®; a division of Wm. K. Walthers, Inc.
Contact: Lynn Santulli, (800) 877-7171

Little Kids, Inc.
Contact: Jim Gunderson

Lovee Doll & Toy Co., Inc.
Contact: Sam Horowitz, (212) 242-1545

Mag-Nif, Inc.
Contact: Jay Knox, (440) 255-9366

Maisto International, Inc.
Contact: Darren Grani, (909) 357-7988

Makit Products
Contact: Teri Fittz, (972) 709-1594

Manhattan Toy
Contact: Amy Reitsma, (612) 337-3811

Marshmallow Fun Company
Contact: Jeremane Blackwood, (877) 894-6073

MasterPieces Puzzle Company
Contact: Jenna Loving, (520) 741-1315 x 172

Maui Toys

The Maya Group

McWiz Games
Contact: Bob McDuff, (819) 691-1252

MEGA Brands Inc.
Contact: Geraldo Yepez, (212) 620-7520

Megatech International
Contact: David Deans, (201) 662-8500

Melissa & Doug, Inc.
(800) 284-3948

Moose Mountain Marketing, Inc.
Contact: Daniel Wescott, (973) 884-8900

Neat-Oh! International, LLC
Contact: Dee Farrell, (847) 441-4290

NECA
Contact: Jon Bizarro, (800) 969-8322 x 209

New Adventures LLC
(973) 325-9915

New Bright Ind. Intl.
Contact: Carly Longmate, (248) 960-7800

New Star Wholesale, Inc.
Contact: George Lee, (323) 581-6888

New-Ray Toys (California) Inc.

Nextsport Inc.
Contact: Ed Dua, (510) 684-4050

Nikko America, Inc.
Contact: Beth Sherman, (469) 360-3328

NKOK, Inc.
Contact: Sannicia Koh, (626)330-1988

Nomaco Inc.
Contact: Jeff Slater, (919) 280-8799

Norman & Globus, Inc. - The ScienceWiz Co.
Contact: Penny Norman, (510) 222-2638

Norscot Group, Inc.
Contact: Jeff Bender, 9262) 518-5305

North American Sales & Marketing Corp.
Contact: Wendy Halitzer, (303) 469-1888

Nova World Inc.
Contact: Rod A. Smith, (563) 587-1941

NSI International, Inc.
Contact: Raina Konigsberg, (631) 386-1169

Ohio Art Company
Contact: Dede Walters, (419) 636-3141

one2believe

Oregon Scientific
Contact: Bill Uzell, (508) 479-4508

Out of the Box Publishing, Inc.
Contact: Al Waller, (800) 540-2304

Pacific Play Tents, Inc.
Contact: Brian Jablon, (323) 269-0431

Paddywhack Lane LLC
Contact: Nancy Schilling, (866) 495-7700

Peachtree Playthings
Contact: Bob Carter, (770) 579-7640

Peg Perego USA, Inc.
Contact: Barb Weiford, (260) 482-8191 x 6310

Pelican International Inc.
Contact: Jean-Noel Basque, (450) 664-1222

Peter Fish (HK) Ltd.
Contact: Peter Fish, (+614) 1826-2331

Pint Size Productions, Inc.

Plasmart Inc.
Contact: Sylvia Jackson, (877) 289-0730

Play Along, Inc. a division of JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

Play Visions Inc.
Contact: Mario DiPasquale, (425) 482-2836

Playhut Inc.
(909) 869-8083

Playmates Toys, Inc.
Contact: Phil Jacobs, (714) 428-2045

Playmobil U.S.A. Inc.
Contact: Renne Watson-Fink, (609) 395-5566 x 835

POOF-Slinky, Inc.
Contact: Michelle Landin, (734) 454-9552

Pressman Toy Corporation
Contact: Mike Hines, (508) 699-4832

Promotions Unlimited
Contact: Scott Weaver, (262) 681-6978

Puzzle Makers
Contact: Charles Farber, (508) 740-3523

Radio Flyer Inc.
Contact: Brian Simms, (773) 797-9177

Ravensburger-F.X. Schmid USA, Inc. & SIMBA Toys USA, Inc.
Contact: Phil Aberbach, (603) 382-3377 x 529

Razor USA, LLC
Contact: Jessica Smith, (562) 345-6014

RBI Toys, Inc.
Contact: Maurice Chan, (909) 930-2788 x 101

Reeve & Jones LLC

Revell-Monogram LLC
Contact: Kathie Lietzau, (847) 897-5862

Rhino Toys, Inc.

RLA Marketing, Inc.

Rocket USA, Inc.
Contact: Cesar Vargas, (708) 358-8888

Rubie's Costume Company, Inc.

Safari Ltd.
Contact: Lissette Paez, (305) 621-1000 x 155

Sakar International
Contact: Isaac Saka, (732) 248-1306

Sandylion Sticker Designs
Contact: Jack Stern, (416) 434-9693

SAS Group, Inc.
Contact: Scott Zecker, (914) 333-7404

Savvi

Schoenhut Toy Piano Company, Inc.
Contact: Renee Trinca, (904)810-1945

Schylling Toys
Contact: Anne Leahy, (978) 948-3601

Scientific Explorer

Screenlife, LLC
Contact: Melissa Donovan, (206) 812-1551

Senario LLC

Shure Products Inc.
Contact: Irina Uskova, (773) 227-1001

Small Miracles Inc.

Snap TV, Inc.
Contact: Jennifer Maurus, (310) 828-1700 x 102

SNS International

SoftPlay, Inc
Contact: Dan Blau, (773) 509-0707

Sound Learning LLC
Contact: Kelly Karp, (214) 350-9929

Spanish Assn. of Toy Manufacturers

Spin Master Ltd.
Contact: Chris Beardall, (416) 364-6002 x 297

SRM Entertainment, Ltd.
Contact: Lance James, (267) 625-6602

Summit Products LLC
Contact: Susan Dye, (205) 661-1774 x 226

Sun-Mate Corp.
Contact: Dave Schwartz, (818) 700-0572

Tara Toy Corp.

TDC Games, Inc.

Team Up International
Contact: Bronwyn Pressley, (704) 578-8523

Tech Group USA, LLC
Contact: Bart Germaine, (949) 488-3784

Techno Source
Contact: Rich Migatz, (212) 929-5200

Tek Nek Toys International, L.P.
Contact: Jerry Gibson, (817) 329-6655 x 225

Tenderkidz, Inc.
Contact: Peter Schneider, (973) 901-5630

The Orb Factory Limited
Contact: Melissa Milne, (902) 477-9570

The Step2 Company
Contact: Sherry Albertson, (330) 656-0440

The United States Playing Card Co.
Contact: Bonnie Ison, (513) 458-7544

Thinkativity/Tot Tutors
Contact: Lisa Kinney, (561) 995-8940

ThinkFun Inc.
Contact: Chuck Barrow, (703) 549-4999 x 3302

Thinkway Toys
Contact: Rob Embelton, (905) 470-8883

TikTokTech Ltd.

TMI Toymarketing International, Inc.

Tollytots Ltd.
Contact: Mark Greenstein, (314) 803-6673

Tomy Corporation
Contact: Ichiro Sasaki, (646) 290-5311

the Toy Group / New Age
Contact: Jerry Dank, (631) 682-9100

Toy Industry Foundation

Toy Island
Contact: Kimberly Arezzi, (646) 839-7644

Toy State
Contact: Steve Springer, (781) 349-1000

Toy Things

Toymonster Ltd.
Contact: Nir Pizmony, 011-613-9526-0011

Toyplace International, Inc.
Contact: Howard Abrams, (954) 796-7586

Toysmith
Contact: John Mirch, (800) 356-0474

ToyTeck Corporation / Division of Manley Toys
Contact: Mitch August, (248) 767-9800

Trends International Corp.
Contact: Paul Hay, (800) 667-8500

U.S. Games Systems Inc.
Contact: Kathryn Cooperman, (203) 353-8431

Uncle Milton Industries
Contact: Hillary Fine, (818) 707-0800

Uneeda Doll Co.
Contact: Larry Hogge, (252) 438-6888

United Model

Upper Deck

Verdes Toys
Contact: Jackson Lai, (626) 964-1111

VTech Electronics North America L.L.C.
Contact: Linda Parr, (847) 385-0801

WeGlow International
Contact: Matt Smith, (757) 313-7000

Well Made Toy Mfg. Corp.
Contact: Susan Cook, (718) 381-4225

Westminster, Inc.
Contact: Gary Jordan, (800) 332-1864

What Kids Want, Inc.
Contact: Jordan Kort, (818) 775-0375

Wild Planet Entertainment, Inc.
Contact: Kristie Raycroft, (415) 705-8300 x 145

Winfat Industrial Co. Ltd.
Contact: Raymond Leung, 011-852-2790-6898

Winscott Corporation
Contact: Gail Jackman, (603) 293-4455

Yanoman U.S.
Contact: Don Melcher, (714) 838-6644

Yat Ming Industrial Factory
Contact: Alex Yiu, 011-852-2327-0225

Yomega Corp.
Contact: Chris Sullivan, (800) 338-8796

Zaptoys International Ltd.
Contact: Roger Yiu, 011-852-2429-6441

Zen Design Group
Contact: Alex Hardesty, (517) 398-5209 X109

Zizzle
Contact: Brad Slavin, (248) 209-0001

Zobmondo Entertainment LLC
Contact: Randy Horn, (310) 820-1270

Zocker Toys
Contact: Melanie Pearson, (916) 721-4848

Eligibility

There are two types of TIA membership: Regular and Associate.

Regular Membership is open to:

• Any North American corporation, North American-based partnership, or resident individual actively engaged in the manufacture, importation, sale, and general distribution of toys and kindred lines in the U.S. (except those who are primarily contractors or subcontractors for other toy manufacturers).
• Any corporation, partnership, or individual based outside North America, with or without offices or warehouses in North America, that or who is actively engaged in the manufacture, importation, sale, and general distribution of toys and kindred lines in the U.S. (except those who are primarily contractors or subcontractors for other toy manufacturers).
• Licensors actively involved in manufacturing and/or importing, sale and general distribution of toys and kindred lines into North America

NOTE: Applicants cannot be engaged in the retailing or jobbing of toys not labeled or marked with their own brand name(s). Companies wishing to applying to regular membership, are required to pledge their participation in the ICTI CARE process.

Associate Membership is open to any North American corporation, partnership or individual primarily engaged in the business of:

• Inventing or designing toys and kindred lines.
• Providing professional testing laboratory services.
• Licensing toys or kindred lines, but not actively manufacturing, importing, distributing, selling, or retailing toys or kindred lines (unless such retailing is primarily under its own labels, brand, or trademarks).
• Acting as an independent sales representative for toy companies.
• Promoting and marketing children’s toys and other children’s products (excluding promotional premiums).
• Consulting that relates to toy safety or communications.
• Working with other trade associations that have overlapping membership or interests and concerns with TIA.
• Publishing a trade or consumer magazine or newsletter that primarily covers the toy and children’s entertainment industry.
• Retired executives from companies that are or were full members of the Association, including: (i) past Association Chairmen; (ii) former Association directors who served two or more terms on the Association Board of Directors; (iii) members of the Toy Industry Hall of Fame; or (iv) anyone from the industry that the Board of Directors determines to be entitled to special recognition (all of the above are eligible once retired from the industry).

NOTE: Associate Members shall not have the right to vote, hold office, or serve as a voting member of the Board of Directors, but they shall have such other member benefits or be entitled to such member services as the Board of Directors may determine.

Contacts:  Adrienne Citrin
   Toy Industry Association
646-520-4863
acitrin@toyassociation.org

TIA Calls for Nominations for the 2008 T.O.T.Y. Awards

NEW YORK, NY, October 5, 2007 – TIA invites the toy industry to nominate the year’s greatest and most innovative toys for the 8^th annual T.O.T.Y. Awards.  Nominations may be submitted online at www.totyawards.org through October 31, 2007. The twelve winning toys will be awarded at a gala ceremony in New York  on February 16, 2008.

The nominated toys must be sold in America and fulfill the following criteria, depending on the award category:

• Overall excellence of product, including design, safety standards, and play value.
• Outstanding, unusual, and creative execution of artwork or product/program design.
• Overall product/program/company performance on all levels, including sell-through.

Following the official nomination period, product will be reviewed by an independent committee of experts and five nominees will be selected for each of the 11 categories.  TIA members will vote their top choices from December 2007-January 15, 2008.  Winners will be announced at the annual T.O.T.Y. Awards ceremony, Saturday, February 16 at Pier 60. 

The categories for nominations include:

Visit www.toyassociation.org for further information on the T.O.T.Y. Awards program, and other TIA events including Toy Fair, February 17-20, 2008.

Contacts:  Adrienne Citrin
   Toy Industry Association
646-520-4863
acitrin@toyassociation.org

Toy Industry Regrets California Governor's Decision on Phthalates

New York, October 15, 2007. The Toy Industry Association (TIA) notes with regret the decision of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California to sign into law AB1108, restricting the use of phthalates in certain children’s toys and child care articles.

Phthalates are a broad class of chemicals and are widely used in consumer products, lifesaving medical supplies, automobiles, cosmetics and other products. While the ban would eliminate the use of certain phthalates in toys and children’s products, most of the phthalates named in the ban are not even used in toys.

DINP, the phthalate most commonly used in toys, is specifically selected for the safety it imparts to toys – by making vinyl products soft, pliable and break-resistant. DINP has been extensively studied, specific to its use in children’s products, and scientists have determined that it represents no risk to children.  This fact has been demonstrated again and again, and no known alternative has close to the same lengthy safety record.

The science in support of DINP has been reconfirmed most recently in an independent review conducted by Exponent of more than 140 different papers on the matter.  Both the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Chemicals Bureau of the European Union, among others, have also confirmed that DINP poses no health risk to children. To read the study, visit www.toyassociation.org/DINPStudy.pdf.

The health and safety of children has always been the toy industry’s primary concern, and we believe this bill represents an unscientific resolution to a political issue. Even Governor Schwarzenegger said in his signing message, “…I do not believe addressing this type of concern in the Legislature on a chemical by chemical, product by product basis is the best or most effective way to make chemical policy in California.” On this point, TIA wholeheartedly agrees.

A more appropriate resolution could have been developed had California’s legislators and scientists been brought together with experts from around the world “…to evaluate the health effects of chemicals, assess the risks they pose, and ensure the safety of possible alternatives,” as the governor said. 

Nonetheless, the toy industry will continue to work with scientists and other experts in California and elsewhere to ensure that decisions on any future regulation or legislation affecting toys will be based on scientific evidence and not on activist agendas or politics.

The Toy Industry Association has more than 500 members and represents about 85% of the toy sales volume for North American toy companies and importers. Of those members, 142 are located in the State of California, making California home to more toy companies than any other state and holding nearly 30% market share of the industry’s $23 billion toy market. TIA has a history of leadership in toy safety standards, advocacy on legislative and trade issues, visibility in the media, and philanthropy to children.  For more information, visit www.toyassociation.org.

Privacy Notice / Disclaimer / Terms of Use

Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA™) is committed to providing a safe Cyber environment for parents, children and people who are interested in the U. S. toy industry. We respect your privacy, and would like you to know what is done with any information that we collect through our web site:

Browsing the TIA / T.O.T.Y. Awards Web Sites - Our site logs certain activity of visitors (i.e. how many total visitors we have, what the most popular pages are, etc). However, that tracking is NOT done on a personal basis. There is one exception: In order to conduct the nomination and voting for T.O.T.Y. Awards, we may use personal "cookies" to identify and monitor individuals and their activities.

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By entering and using this Website you are deemed to have read and accepted these Terms of Use. If you do not accept these Terms of Use or any part of them, you should not use the Website.

TIA™ may modify these Terms of Use from time to time. Your continued use of this website (or any of TIA™’s other websites) following such change demonstrates your agreement to be bound by the modified Terms of Use.

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Changes to our Policy Notice / Disclaimer / Terms of Use

This Policy Notice / Disclaimer / Terms of Use document may be modified as time goes on so please check back! If you have any questions or comments, please direct them to info@toyassociation.org.

Government Findings

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Denies Petition to Ban PVC in Toys

February 21, 2003

Toy Industry Association (TIA™), as the trade group representing North American toy manufacturers, welcomes the decision of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to deny a 1998 petition by environmental groups to ban PVC in toys intended for children under five years of age. The decision, based on extensive study by Commission staff, and a review of years of research by an independent panel of scientific experts, puts to rest a long-running debate over the safety of toys containing PVC with the plasticizer, diisononyl phthalate (DINP).

TIA has a long history of commitment to toy safety and was especially concerned by allegations that DINP posed a health risk. There has been much discussion over the past few years among industry, regulatory agencies and non-governmental organizations about the chemicals used in toys that children mouth. Now, this CPSC decision assures parents that these products do not pose a hazard to children and confirms what toy manufacturers have believed all along. PVC Toys containing DINP have been safely used for over 40 years, and now parents can again be confident that they are safe.

For more information:

• Link to full report CPSC Denies Petition to Ban PVC Use in Toys
• CPSC Staff Report from September 2002 recommending that the petition be denied
• CPSC staff responses to additional questions posed on the safety of DINP (January and February, 2003)
• A study by Daland, R. Juberg, PhD of the International Center for Toxicology and Medicine (ICTM)
• The Industry's statement concerning the Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) Report on Diisononyl Phthalate, commissioned by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
• The CHAP Report, commissioned by the CPSC
• The Phthalate Esters Panel website
• Learn more about vinyl toys.

European Chemical Bureau Concludes That DINP is Safe for Use in Children’s Products

In 2003 the EU's own research arm - the Joint Research Centre of the European Chemical Bureau's Institute for Health and Consumer Protection reported the results of its study of the phthalate (DINP) most often used to soften toy products. Their research concluded that, "The end products containing DINP (clothes, building materials, toys and baby equipment) and the sources of exposure (car and public transport interiors, food and food packaging) are unlikely to pose a risk for consumers (adults, infants and newborns) following inhalation, skin contact and ingestion." View report in PDF format.

Government Risk Assessments of 6 Phthalates

There are six phthalates that are the subject of regulatory discussion in the USA and worldwide. Click here to view a chart showing how government research has consistently concluded that DINP, the phthalate most often used in toys, is not considered to pose a risk of harm to children - or anyone else.

Contact: Adrienne Citrin / Becca Hatton
(646) 520-4863 / (703) 907-4355
acitrin@toyassociation.org / bhatton@CE.org

Consumers Turn to Electronic Toys for Interactive Learning, Finds Research from CEA and the Toy Industry Association

Arlington, VA, October 17, 2007 – Consumers are turning to electronic toys to enhance a child’s interactive learning, according to research released today by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA^®) and the Toy Industry Association (TIA).  Three-quarters of consumers who purchased an electronic toy in the past year did so for its educational value, and three of the top five most purchased types of electronic toys were educational products.  The study focused on purchases made for children ages 0-15 years.

“Electronic toy purchasers recognize the value these toys provide to children, so much so that they are expected to account for two billion dollars in sales over the next 12 months,” said Tim Herbert, senior director of market research, CEA.  “We found that 48 percent of buyers purchased electronic learning systems and 36 percent bought electronic aids or electronic books.  An impressive 78 percent of consumers view the level of learning electronic toys provide as beneficial to children.”

“Toys produced for children’s learning and entertainment are highly sophisticated, integrating microchips and other technology,” said Daniela Weiss, vice president of strategic marketing and communications at TIA.  “Many toys have interactive components which teach kids important skills such as early language, spelling, social etiquette and math. There are even electronic toys that take children through the nuances of learning a foreign language, playing a musical instrument or learning new dance steps.”

The study found that online households expect to spend two billion dollars on electronic toys for children over the next 12 months, with the average household spending $172. Radio controlled toys and DVD games topped the list of electronic toy purchases, and the highest purchase potential is found in electronic/DVD games and electronic learning aids.  For purposes of this study, electronic toys are defined as having a power source, an educational or entertainment value and not having an adult equivalent consumer electronics product.

Electronic toy recipients are more likely to be boys. Fifty-eight percent of purchases are for boys compared to 42 percent for girls. The study found that gender appropriateness is important to more than half of electronic toy purchasers.

“Electronic toys facilitate creativity. Today, young children are picking up devices and experimenting with content in ways children would not have been able to five or 10 years ago,” said Herbert.

The Electronic Toy Market (October 2007) was designed and formulated by CEA Market Research in partnership with TIA. The complete report is available free to CEA member companies. Non-members may purchase the study at http://www.ebrain.org.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $148 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,100 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships.  CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES – Where Entertainment, Technology and Business Converge. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services.  Find CEA online at www.ce.org.

About TIA:

Toy Industry Association ^TM, Inc. (TIA) is the not-for-profit trade association for producers and importers of toys and youth entertainment products sold in North America, representing over 500 companies who account for approximately 85% of domestic toy sales. Associate members include licensors, designers, inventors, safety consultants, testing laboratories, communications professionals and the media. For more information, go to www.toyassociation.org.

TIA Directories

Search our directories to view the companies who support the ICTI CARE Process, and TIA Code of Conduct; identify media contacts at TIA member companies or shop for toys.

Promotional Opportunities

Maximize your return on Investment at Toy Fair with these proven growth, sales and profit programs in:

• Advertising
• Power-branding opportunities
• Sponsorships
• Pre-show marketing
• Customized experiential marketing
• Professional event marketing consulting (compliments of TIA)

Click here to see the full range of exciting marketing ideas that can help you achieve your show objectives – and fit your budget, too.

Contacts:  Adrienne Citrin / Julie Livingston
   Toy Industry Association
646-520-4863 / 646-520-4870
acitrin@toyassociation.org / jlivingston@toyassociation.org

TOY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION TO LAUNCH
MEMBER PAVILION AT 2008 MIDDLE EAST TOY FAIR

NEW YORK, September 25, 2007 - Toy Industry Association Inc.™ (TIA) will launch a pavilion showcasing TIA members at the Middle East Toy Fair in Dubai, March 31 to April 2nd 2008. This is the first time the U.S. based trade association has organized a pavilion for its members outside of the United States.

"We are delighted to participate in the Middle East Toy Fair, and give our members a venue to forge relationships with distributors and retailers in this high-growth region," said TIA president Carter Keithley.

The value of the Middle East toy market is estimated at 1.5 billion per year with about 11.8% annual growth. Contributing to the flourishing market for toys, shopping mall space has increased by nearly 50% per year and there are plans to spend $26 billion, bringing total retail square footage in the United Arab Emirates to 100 billion by 2012. The average yearly toy expenditure is $327 per child, second only to North America.

"This is a young but strong and growing fair and we are thrilled to bring this market expansion opportunity to our member companies," said Marian Bossard, TIA Vice President, Meetings and Events.

The Middle East Toy Fair is owned and operated by Messe Frankfurt and is in its seventh year.

Member companies interested in exhibit space should contact Leigh Rhein at lrhein@toyassociation.org or call 646-520-4862.

About TIA
TIA is the trade association for North American producers and importers of toys, games and entertainment products for the youth market., TIA owns and produces Fall Toy Preview, October 9-12, 2007, and Toy Fair, February 17-20, 2008,For more information, go to: www.toyassociation.org

Contact: Adrienne Citrin
Toy Industry Associaiton
646-520-4863
acitrin@toyassociation.org

Toy Industry Association Makes Three Year Commitment to Fall Toy Preview in Dallas

2008 Event To Be Held from October 14th -17th at Dallas Market Center

New York, October 30, 2007 - The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced today, that it has committed to holding the Fall Toy Preview shows in Dallas, Texas at the Dallas Market Center through 2010. The Trade Show Committee said that TIA will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the Dallas location to be sure that it meets the industry’s needs. The 2008 Fall Toy Preview will take place Tuesday, October 14th through Friday, October 17th.

“We are thrilled to confirm Dallas as the location of the Fall Toy Preview for the next three years,” remarked Carter Keithley, TIA President. “This is a pivotal event that serves such an important retail segment.”
TIA's Fall event is a by-appointment-only fourth quarter preview trade event for vendors who sell product to long-lead buyers, typically "mass merchants" that retail the highest volume of toys. The event is an important preview of product under development for the fourth quarter fall selling season the following year.

Although pricing for exhibit spaces is not finalized, there will be nominal increases in per square footage space to offset increased costs. TIA continues to be committed to minimizing the financial burden of the its trade events for both buyers and sellers. More information on Fall Toy Preview booth fees will be forthcoming.

The 2007 Fall Toy Preview event drew 775 buyers representing more than 400 retail outlets; 41 are among the top 250 global retailers (Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, 2007), including Wal-Mart (#1), Target and Toys “R” Us. Other key retailers attended including Walmart, Carrefour, Kroger, Target, Costco and Sears Holdings. This year’s show covered close to 148,000 net square feet – an increase of 60% over 2006 – and featured over 280 exhibitors (22% more than in 2006).

# # #

CONTACT: Adrienne Citrin
  Toy Industry Association, Inc.
  (646) 520-4863
acitrin@toyassociation.org

LEGO Legend Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen to Be Inducted Into the Toy Hall of Fame

NEW YORK, NY, October 31, 2007 – The third generation of the LEGO Family and principal shareholder, Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen has been named the 2008 Toy Industry Hall of Fame inductee.  The announcement was made today by Carter Keithley, president of Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA), sponsor of the event, and Alan Hassenfeld, Toy Industry Hall of Fame Committee Chairman.  Established in 1984, the Toy Industry Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the growth and success of the toy industry.

The ceremony inducting Mr. Kristiansen will take place as part of the eighth annual T.O.T.Y. (Toy of the Year) Awards event, set for the evening of Saturday, February 16, 2008 in Manhattan at Chelsea Piers/Pier 60.  Mr. Kristiansen will be on-hand to accept the award in person.

“LEGO revolutionized the way kids play and build with blocks,” said Alan Hassenfeld, Toy Industry Hall of Fame Committee Chairman. “We are honored to have Kjeld join many other industry icons in the Toy Hall of Fame.” 
 
Kjeld’s passion for the LEGO play experience and brand started at a young age.  Grandson of the company founder, Ole Kirk Christiansen, he demonstrated a natural talent for creativity as a boy, often inspiring and testing new LEGO® model concepts and their building instructions.  He and his sisters also appeared on many of the company’s packages and marketing materials. 

Kjeld is a company pioneer in projects and programs that have made the LEGO brand one of the strongest among families with children around the world.  He introduced the idea of creating a system within the LEGO System, and was the driving force behind grouping LEGO products into themes and product lines to sharpen the identity of the brand.  He led the introduction of the first LEGO figures to add role play to LEGO building in 1974, leading to the contemporary and iconic LEGO minifigure in 1978.  Kjeld launched the brand into the virtual world in 1996 with the introduction of LEGO.com, endorsed collaboration with MIT to develop LEGO MINDSTORMS® in 1998 and opened the door to licensing with the company’s first constructible entertainment property – Star Wars™ – in 1999.  

In 1979, he was appointed president and CEO of the LEGO Group.  In 2004, he stepped down as CEO to focus on his role as owner of the LEGO Group and Vice-Chairman of the Board, while maintaining his role as Chairman of the Board of KIRKBI A/S, LEGO Holding A/S and the LEGO Foundation. Additionally, he is an active member of the company’s Brand & Innovation Board, setting the overall strategic direction of the LEGO brand and the development of new business ideas, so he remains very close to the development of the company’s business and products.

Kjeld’s contributions to the creative development of children around the world have been recognized many times over.  In 1994, Kjeld was appointed a Knight of Denmark's Dannebrog Order.  In 1996, he received The Freedom Prize from the Max Schmidheiny Foundation, Switzerland, the "Distinguished Family Business Award" from the International Institute for Management and Development (IMD), Switzerland, and the Moran (Peony) insignia of the Order of Civil Merit by the Korean Government.  In 2005, he received the FIRST Founder’s Award from Dean Kamen for his work in inspiring children’s interest in science and technology through creative LEGO play via the FIRST LEGO League program.

Born in 1947 in Billund, Denmark – home town of the LEGO brick, Kjeld and his wife, Camilla, live in Denmark and have three children.

About the T.O.T.Y. Awards
The T.O.T.Y. Awards were conceived to honor the best toys developed by the international toy industry for consumers in North America. The Awards include eleven industry award categories, and one industry recognition category designed to recognize the best toys and children's entertainment, as well as outstanding individuals, companies and team achievements. The T.O.T.Y. Awards ceremony also includes a fundraising campaign to benefit the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF), the philanthropic and educational organization representing the North American toy industry.  The Foundation's mission is to make a difference in the lives of children in need, bringing them joy, happiness and comfort through the experience of toys and play.

About TIA
TIA is the trade association for North American producers and importers of toys, games and entertainment products for the youth market. TIA owns and manages Toy Fair, ToyCon, TIA’s Annual Meeting and Conference; and the Fall Toy Preview. Visit the TIA website at: www.toyassociation.org.

TOY INDUSTRY FOUNDATION AND RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES® ANNOUNCE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP

Unique Program Donates New Toys to Children Year-Round

NEW YORK and OAK BROOK, IL (November 7, 2007) -- Recognizing that play is an essential part of a child’s development, The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) today announced plans to significantly expand its Toy Bank program through a national partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®).

Through the partnership, children staying at Ronald McDonald Houses® across the nation and in Canada will receive toys and games that have been generously donated to The Toy Bank by hundreds of toy industry manufacturers.  Each House will be able to request shipments of toys online, up to four times per year, ensuring the gifts match the needs and ages of the children staying in Ronald McDonald Houses.

The Toy Industry Foundation will manage the ongoing toy drive, soliciting contributions from the toy industry.  Gifts In Kind International, the Toy Industry Foundation’s Toy Bank partner, will handle all logistics, including the launch of a customized website dedicated to RMHC featuring available inventory to facilitate toy requests, as well as the warehousing, shipping, and customer service aspects of the donation program.

“We can’t think of a more natural partner for The Toy Bank,” said Jean Butler, executive director of the Toy Industry Foundation.  “Ronald McDonald House Charities’ work on behalf of children worldwide is exceptional and we look forward to building a partnership to help serve children in need.”

“Ronald McDonald House Charities is thrilled to work with the Toy Industry Foundation and Gifts In Kind International to provide children with the opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun,” Marty Coyne, RMHC president and CEO, added.  “The importance of play in a child’s life is immeasurable and together with The Toy Bank, we will continue to support all aspects of a child’s health and well-being.”

Members of the toy industry are beginning to donate toys to this initiative for the upcoming holiday season.

About the Toy Industry Foundation
The Toy Industry Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring joy, happiness and comfort to children in need through toys and play. While other organizations provide food, shelter and support services to children and their families, TIF sees to it that these children have toys and opportunities to play in an attempt to restore both fun and a sense of normalcy to their lives. The Foundation currently fulfills its mission through core programs including public education, The Toy Bank and PLAY HELPS. For more information, visit www.toyindustryfoundation.org.

About The Toy Bank
The Toy Bank is the first industry-wide program of its kind between the Toy Industry Foundation and Gifts In Kind International, the leading charity in product philanthropy. Through The Toy Bank, charities serving children in need can obtain new toys, and manufacturers, retailers and distributors of toys can make a difference in the lives of these children. Since its inception in 2003, over five million new toys, donated by more than 550 companies and valued at over $38 million, have been distributed to children in need throughout North America. For more information, visit www.thetoybank.org.

About Gifts In Kind International
Gifts In Kind International is currently the seventh largest charity in the United States, and for more than 20 years has been a vital connection between communities in need and companies wanting to contribute essential products for emergency relief, community rebuilding and people in need.  Today, nearly half of the Fortune 100 consumer and retail product corporations rely on Gifts In Kind to design and manage their product donation programs.  Last year Gifts In Kind International placed nearly $900 million in urgently needed new product donations with worthy charitable and nonprofit organizations, impacting the lives of more than 13 million people.  Gifts In Kind International operates at less than one percent of the fair market value of product donations, making it one of the most cost-effective organizations in the world.  For more information, visit www.giftsinkind.org

About the Ronald McDonald House Charities®
Ronald McDonald House Charities®, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Its programs are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children need it most – right in their own communities. RMHC makes an immediate, positive impact on children's lives through its global network of local Chapters in nearly 50 countries and its three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®. RMHC and its global network of local Chapters have awarded more than $460 million in grants and program services to children's programs around the world. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org.

# # #

Media Contacts:

Toy Industry Foundation
Liz McKeveny 
(646) 454-5581
lmckeveny@toyindustryfoundation.org

Gifts In Kind International
Virginia Royal
(703) 299-7550
vroyal@giftsinkind.org

Ronald McDonald House Charities®
Jennifer Smith
(630) 623-6875
jennifer.smith@us.mcd.com

Member Code of Conduct

To affirm your company's commitment to highest conduct in product safety, ethical manufacturing, respect for intellectual property, truthful advertising, environmental protection, and non-discrimination, sign the TIA Member Code of Conduct (PDF) and fax or mail to:

Toy Industry Association, Inc.
c/o JoAnn Marengo, Member Services
1115 Broadway, Ste. 400
New York, NY 10010
Fax: 212-633-1429

To view the companies that have signed, click here.

2007 Harris Poll Findings

According to the most recent Harris Poll findings, recent toy recalls and media coverage on the topic have hurt China’s reputation as a manufacturer and have soured consumer attitudes toward Chinese products this holiday season.

One-third (33%) of Americans say they will be buying fewer toys this holiday seasons due to recent safety recalls and forty-five percent (45%) indicate they will avoid buying toys manufactured in China. This number jumps to nearly seven-in-ten (68%) among those who claim they have been directly affected by the recall. It doesn’t stop at toys – this negative attitude extends to all products manufactured in China, with nearly half (46%) of all Americans saying they will avoid buying Chinese manufactured products this holiday season.

Click here to view a summary of the findings.

Click here to download the complete report (available to TIA members only).

Contact:
Adrienne Citrin
(646) 520-4863
acitrin@toyassociation.org

TIA Announces Nominees for the 2008 TOTY Awards

NEW YORK, November 26, 2007 - Toy Industry Association (TIA) today released its list of 55 nominees for the 8th annual Toy Of The Year (TOTY) Awards, reflecting products from a wide range of small, medium and large companies

The TOTY Awards will be held at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers on Saturday, February 16th at 6:30 p.m., and this exciting annual event marks the annual kick-off to Toy Fair Week. Also this year at the TOTY Awards, Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, the third generation of the LEGO family and the principal shareholder of the LEGO Group, will be inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame.  Mr. Kristiansen will travel from Denmark, the “home of LEGO,” to accept his award in person.

Nominated products cover all aspects of the industry ranging from “Game of the Year” to “Most Innovative Product.” The TOTY ballot was overseen by the TOTY nominations committee, comprised of major retailers, TIA board members and toy trade journalists and academics.

Each TIA member and associate member company is granted one vote for each of the categories below, and for the overall “Toy of the Year.” Voting opens Monday, December 3rd through Monday, January 14th. The official TOTY Ballot appears below, which can be filled out and faxed to TIA at (212) 633-1429 or emailed to toty-info@toyassociation.org. It can also be viewed online at www.totyawards.org. To purchase tickets online for the TOTY Awards, please go to www.totyawards.org.

INFANT/PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
( ) Brightlings™ Exploration Station – LeapFrog Enterprises
( ) Cook n’ Learn Interactive Kitchen Set – Little Tikes
( ) iPlay Lift Off Rocket – International Playthings, Inc.
( ) Moon Sand Adventure Island – Spin Master Ltd.
( ) "T.M.X."™ Friends – Fisher-Price

GIRL TOY OF THE YEAR
( ) Barbie Girls™ – Mattel, Inc. 
( ) Hannah Montana Singing Dolls – Play Along®, a division of JAKKS Pacific
( ) High School Musical 2 Two-Pack Gabriella & Troy Dolls – Mattel, Inc.
( ) Littlest Pet Shop: Display & Play Round & Round Pet Town Playset – Hasbro, Inc.
( ) Troop Groovy Girls – Manhattan Toy

BOY TOY OF THE YEAR
( ) Air Hogs Havoc Heli Laser Battle™ – Spin Master Ltd.
( ) Cars Mega Mack Playtown – Mattel, Inc.
( ) Nerf N-Strike Disk Shot – Hasbro, Inc.
( ) Pokemon Action Figures – JAKKS Pacific
( ) Transformers Movie Deluxe Figures – Hasbro, Inc.

GAME OF THE YEAR
( ) Cranium WOW – Cranium, Inc.
( ) Flippin’ Frogs – Mattel, Inc.
( ) Hyper Dash – Wild Planet Entertainment, Inc.
( ) Rubik’s Revolution – Techno Source
( ) The Cat in the Hat, I Can Do That! – I Can Do That! Games

OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR
( ) ESPN® Better Batter Baseball – Fisher-Price
( ) RipStik® Caster Board – RipStik USA
( ) Sidewalk Paint Sprayer – Crayola
( ) Super Splash Water Park – Little Tikes
( ) Ultimate Family Wagon – Radio Flyer

EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR
( ) Bananagrams – Bananagrams LLC
( ) ClickStart™ My First Computer – LeapFrog Enterprises
( ) EyeClops Bionic Eye – JAKKS Pacific
( ) I Can Play Guitar™ – Fisher-Price
( ) Smart Cycle™ Physical Learning – Fisher-Price

ACTIVITY TOY OF THE YEAR
( ) Color n’ Carry Bag – ALEX
( ) Digital Arts & Crafts Studio – Fisher-Price
( ) Fashion Design Studio – Creativity for Kids/Faber-Castell
( ) LEGO City – LEGO Systems, Inc.
( ) Rose Art Smart Easel – MEGA Brands Inc.

ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT TOY OF THE YEAR
( ) American Idol Talent Challenge – KID Design, Inc.
( ) Easy Link™ Internet Launch Pad – Fisher-Price
( ) Power Tour Electric Guitar – Tiger Electronics
( ) Rescue Pets Myepets.com – MGA Entertainment
( ) U.B. Funkeys – Mattel, Inc.

MOST INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
( ) Air Hogs Havoc Heli Laser Battle - Spin Master, Ltd.
( ) DynaCar – SeeToys
( ) EyeClops Bionic Eye – JAKKS Pacific
( ) FLY Fusion™ Pentop Computer – LeapFrog Enterprises
( ) Smart Cycle™ Physical Learning – Fisher-Price

SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR
( ) Bananagrams – Bananagrams, LLC
( ) Fashion Design Studio – Creativity for Kids/Faber-Castell
( ) Karito Kids World Collection – KidsGive, LLC.
( ) Rok Jr. – Rokenbok Toy Co.
( ) Snap Circuits – Elenco

PROPERTY OF THE YEAR
( ) Hannah Montana – Disney Consumer Products
( ) High School Musical – Disney Consumer Products
( ) Pokemon – JAKKS Pacific
( ) Star Wars – Lucas Film
( ) Transformers – Hasbro, Inc.

TOY OF THE YEAR 
The "Toy of the Year" is an overall award for the entire program. You may refer to the list of nominated toys or fill in the name of another product in the space below.

Looking Forward

The toy industry is working day-in and day-out to ensure that toys on the shelves are safe.

Specifically, the industry is working with:

• The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to establish uniform, effective toy safety testing and inspection procedures for use across the U.S. toy industry - so that the testing process described above is done consistently and labs who perform the tests are competent and accredited to international standards.
• The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) - the federal agency responsible for product safety - to strengthen measures to ensure all toys are safe.
• Members of the U.S. Congress to make toy testing mandatory by accredited labs.
• Consumer Groups - to ensure the toy industry is listening and responding to consumer concerns and explore ways to work together to ensure safe play.
• Health and Safety Experts - to provide parents with the resources they need, which includes, for example, offering relevant health and safety information from Safe Kids Worldwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others.
• Chinese Authorities (AQSIQ) to help strengthen in-country testing protocols and inspections for toys intended for export anywhere and to partner in ongoing educational programs for Chinese toy factories.

In addition, a public education program in the U.S. has been established to ensure that there is open and complete communication with consumers of the steps being taken, including this Web site.

For more information on the industry's long-standing efforts in standards development and cooperation with government, visit the TIA website.

TIA-ANSI Conformity Assessment Initiative

TIA has invited the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to work with them to reinforce the toy safety system.

11.30.07 Meeting | Click here to read the minutes.

11.01.07 Meeting | Click here to read the minutes or donwload the presentation.  

08.31.07 Meeting | Click here to read the summary.

Designer Resources

Designer Resources provides information and inspiration for designers and product developers. This section is maintained by the FIT Toy Design Department.

2007 Contributors

• 200 Toy Inc.
• 4Kidz Entertainment
• 4Kidz Inc.
• Accoutrements, Inc.
• Action Products International
• Active International
• Aerobie, Inc.
• Aeromax Toys Inc.
• Agglo Corporation Limited
• Aleken Games
• ALEX
• All 4 Kidz Enterprises
• Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc.
• Amav Enterprises Ltd.
• Rick and Nurit Amdur
• American Plastic Toys Inc.
• American Specialty Toy Retailing Assoc.
• John W. Amerman
• Andex Electronics Co.
• Anjar Company
• AOL, LLC.
• Applehead Factory, Inc.
• Aquatoy, Inc.
• Ellen and Michael Araten
• Artbox Entertainment
• Aviva Sports LLC
• Baby Blanket Suncare
• Baffle Gab LLC
• Balitono, Inc.
• Ball, Bounce and Sport Inc.-Hedstrom
• Bananagrams
• Bandai America Inc.
• BAO LTD.
• Andrea Barthello and Bill Ritchie, Founders, ThinkFun, Inc.
• Basic Concept
• Basic Concepts International Ltd.
• Basic Fun, Inc.
• Beacon Street Girls
• Becker Associates LLC
• Bill Beebe
• Beijing Wenhaiyang Indl & Trading Co., Ltd.
• Bendon Publishing
• Marc Bertrand
• Bestever
• Bier Bros., Inc. (Sweet Dreams Press)
• Big E Toys
• Big Lots
• Big Monster Toys
• Big Red Toys
• Big Time Toys, LLC
• Anne and Roger Bildsten
• Blip Toys LLC
• Blongo Family Fun
• Blue Orange Games (Denmay Inc.)
• Ellen Hassenfeld Block
• Blue Plate Media Services
• Bojeux, Inc.
• Booker Martketing
• Books Are Fun, Ltd.
• The Boston Baked Bean
• Brendan Boyle, IDEO
• Brainy Baby Co. LLC
• Bratskier & Co., Ltd.
• Briarpatch Inc.
• Brothers Four Co., Ltd.
• Brown Shoe Company
• Brighter Minds Media
• Buffalo Games, Inc.
• Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
• Building Q
• Jean Butler
• BUYSEASONS, Inc.
• Cadaco, Inc.
• Canadian Toy Association
• Cannery Games
• Card Golf
• Cardinal Industries Inc.
• Carson-Dellosa Publishing
• Castor Printing & Publishing House
• Dave Charbonneau
• Wayne Charness
• Connie Chau, Wah Shing Toys Co., Ltd.
• The Chenille Kraft Company
• Children's Group
• Child's Play Communications
• Child's Play Inc.
• Choose Games Inc.
• Chorion Silver Lining
• Classic Media, Inc.
• Jerry Cleary, In-Sync Consultin, LLC.
• Judith and Stephen Clifford
• CMO Capital Markets
• Cogno Products (DoubleStar, LLC)
• Colorbok, Inc.
• Columbus Closeouts
• Conceptual Math Media, Inc.
• Corgi International, Ltd.
• Corolle Dolls
• Cranium, Inc.
• Crayola
• Creative Designs International, Ltd.
• Creative Outdoor Products, Inc.
• Creative Plush LLC
• Creativity For Kids/ Faber-Castell USA
• Dakin Premier
• Dalmatian Press/Piggy Toes Press
• Darice
• Delta Children's Products
• Delta Enterprise Corp.
• Dervish Toys, Inc.
• Design International Group (DIG)
• Design Your Own
• Diabolo Puppets
• Diggin
• Dimensions/Perler
• Discover Games.com/Game Geste
• Discovery Bay Games
• Discovery Communications, LLC
• Disney Consumer Products
• Doll Case Company
• Dover Publications
• Dowling Magnets Inc.
• Dream Green
• Drew Pearson Marketing
• DuneCraft, Inc.
• Dynatech Action Inc.
• Bob Eckert
• Edu-Science (Hong Kong) Limited
• eeBoo Corporation
• Jenny and Peter Eio
• Elenco Electronics Inc.
• Endless Games
• Enginuity Games
• Joan and Leonard Engle Foundation
• Mary and Rick Engle
• Robin and Jim Engle
• Evergreen (C.P.) USA Inc.
• Everrich Industries, Inc.
• Arlene and Norman Fabricant
• Fabricas Selectas USA, LLC (Mega Marbles)
• FamilyFunTime
• Kevin and Kristina Farr
• Fascinations Toys & Gifts, Inc.
• Fashion Institute of Technology
• Kathy and Pat Feely
• Fiesta Crafts Ltd.
• First for Magic
• Flimsmith/The Loft
• Foamheads
• Jay Foreman, Play Along Toys, Inc.
• Franklin Sports, Inc.
• Freddy & Friends, LLC
• Free Spirit Publishing
• Neil Freidman, Mattel Brands
• Friendly Toys Corporation
• Front Porch Classics, Inc.
• Fuel Transport, Inc.
• Fran and Len Fuhrer
• David Fuhrer, Funanuf
• Fun Brandz
• Fun Slides Toys and Games
• Fundex Games, Ltd.
• Funrise Toy Corporation
• Futterman & Dupree LLP
• Funrise Toy Corporation
• Galloping Minds
• Galt America
• Games for All Reasons
• Gemmy Industries Corporation
• Gentle Giant Studios
• GeoCentral
• Geomag USA Inc.
• Gibby Games, LLC
• GiftTRAP Enterprises
• Gil Educational Toys
• Global Software Publishing
• Globe IQ LLP
• Goldberger Doll Manufacturing Company Inc.
• Neil Goldberg, Goldberg Segalla LLP
• Brian Goldner, Hasbro Inc.
• Dana and Michael Goldstein, Toys 'R' Us Children's Benefit Fund
• Gotta Laff Games, Inc.
• Graphic Converting
• Greathall Productions Inc.
• Green Hasson & Janks LLP
• Michael Greenberg
• Stephen Greenfield
• Tricia and Dick Grey
• Daniel Grossman
• GT2 Fun & Games
• Guidecraft USA Inc.
• Guillow's
• Gumption Toys LLC
• Gund Inc.
• H & T Imaginations Unlimited, Inc.
• Elliot Handler
• Hanimex International
• Hanson Electronics Co.
• The Happy Kid Company
• Harcourt Trade Publishing
• Harper Collins Publishers
• Hasbro, Inc.
• Vivien and Alan Hassnfeld
• The Haywire Group, Inc.
• Scott L. Hazen, Otterbourg, Steindler, Houston & Rosen, P.C.
• Herald Metal & Plastic Works
• Hidden City Games
• Highlights for Children, Inc.
• Hilco Corporation
• HIT Entertainment
• Hit Toy Company
• Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC
• HSP Nature Toys
• HUB International Northeast
• Hurricane Toys Ltd.
• Idea Storm Products, LLC & Yamodo
• IDEO
• Ikoso Kits
• Illumination Arts Inc. (Inspire Every Child)
• Imagination Entertainment
• The Imaginative Child, LLC
• ImagiPLAY
• Imperial Toy LLC
• Infantino, LLC
• The Inner Child Inc. Learning Express
• Insect Lore
• Integrated Global Solutions, Inc.
• Intek S.A.
• International Council of Toy Industries (ICTI)
• International Playthings, Inc.
• International World of Toys
• Italtrike (Shamrock Industries)
• IToys, Inc.
• Jakks Pacific Inc.
• Jasman USA, Inc.
• Jax Ltd., Inc.
• JAX LTD., Inc.
• JC Toys Group, Inc.
• Jumpin Banana LLC/Cheatwell Games
• JumpingBalls.com (770 Imports, Inc.)
• Just For Kicks Inc.
• Just Jump It
• Just Me Music
• K&M International, Inc.
• Alfred Kahn, 4Kids Entertainment
• Kapla Toys
• Kappa Books
• Karmel Games, Inc.
• Carter Keithley
• Kellytoy U.S.A., Inc.
• KIDdesigns/Tech2Go
• Kid Galaxy, Inc.
• KidKraft, LP
• Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S)
• KIDS ONLY INC.
• Kidz Delight Ltd.
• Kidz Toyz, Inc.
• Heidi and Tim Kilpin
• Kish and Company
• Reuben Klamer, Reuben Klamer Toylab LLC
• K'NEX Industries, Inc.
• Kogee USA, Inc.
• Kraken Enterprises
• Kung's Trading Co., Inc.
• Kurt S. Adler, Inc.
• LaChance Associates
• The Lagoon Group
• Late for the Sky
• Laurali Collections Corp.
• Annette and Soren Torp Laursen
• Joan Lawrence
• LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.
• Learning Horizons
• The Learning Journey International LLC
• Learning Resources, Inc.
• Lee Publications
• Legendary Games
• LEGO Systems, Inc.
• Kenneth Lewis, 4Kidz, Inc.
• Libra Inc.
• LightUpToys.com
• Lion Games & Gifts Europe
• Little Colorado Inc.
• Little Kids, Inc.
• Michele Litzky, Litzky Public Relations
• Locker Greenberg & Brainin PC
• Jeffrey Locker, Locker Greenberg & Brainin PC
• LoLo Company Inc.
• David Long
• Lucasfilm
• Luen Tat Industrial Co.
• Lund & Co.
• Magazine Exchange
• MagicForest, Ltd.
• Magnetic Poetry, Inc.
• Mag-Nif Inc.
• Maisto International, Inc.
• Makit Products, Inc.
• Manhattan Toy
• Manley Toy Direct
• Marban Industries, Inc.
• Marianne Richmond Studios
• Marion & Co., Inc.
• Marlon Creations Inc.
• Marvel Education Co.
• Masterpieces Puzzle Co., Inc.
• Matony Products
• Mattel, Inc.
• Matter Group Inc. (Xeko)
• Maui Toys, Inc.
• Mayfair Games
• McWiz Games
• MEGA Brands Inc.
• Megatech International
• Melissa & Doug, Inc.
• Mercurius USA Ltd.
• Vivian and Chris Merrill
• MGA Entertainment
• The Michael Kohner Corporation
• Christina Miller
• Monsta Funk
• Moose Mountain Toymakers Limited
• Motion Plus Media
• Mudpuppy Press
• Myachi Industries Corp. (Flowlab)
• Karen Myers-Mettel, Sport-Fun, Inc.
• National Products, Ltd.
• Neat-Oh International, LLC
• New Star Wholesale, Inc.
• New-Ray Toys (California) Inc.
• New York Marriot Marquis
• Nex Products Inc.
• Nextoy
• Nick Nack, Shockley Hall Electronics Ltd
• Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products
• Nikko America, Inc.
• Nite Ize, Inc.
• Suan and Tom Neville
• Nomaco Inc.
• Noodle Head, Inc.
• Norman & Globus, Inc. (The Science Wiz Co.)
• North American Sales & Marketing Corporation
• The NPD Group
• NSM Resources Corporation
• Nuvo Accessories, Ltd. (Mascot/Nuvo)
• O.D.Y. Technologies, Ltd.
• The Ohio Art Company
• OKK Trading, Inc.
• OPI Products, Inc.
• The Orb Factory Ltd.
• Otis College of Art & Design
• Out of the Box Publishing Inc.
• Overseas Express Consolidators Inc.
• Pacific Play Tents, Inc.
• Paizo Publishing LLC
• Beatrice Pardo, Reuben Klamer Toylab, LLC.
• Ramona Pariente, Safari Ltd.
• Parkfield Industries Ltd.
• Rober Pasin
• Arete Passa, Manhattan Toy Company
• Patch Products, Inc.
• Heather Paul, PhD
• Peaceable Kingdom Press
• Peek-A-Boo Stuff
• PEL-USA, Inc.
• Pioneer Packaging & Display Cases
• Plak-Posse Palz / Paragon International
• Plan Toys, Inc.
• Play Along, Inc.
• Play Soft LLC
• Play Visions Inc.
• Playmobil U.S.A. Inc.
• Playroom Entertainment
• POOF-Slinky, Inc.
• Poppo Brands
• Cheryl A. Possenti, Goldberg Segalla LLP
• Potato Pals
• Prestige Toy Corporation
• Princess Paradise
• Product Enterprise Ltd.
• Prosperity Industrial Co.
• Pure Plushy Inc.
• Puzzle Makers
• Puzzled
• Qualidux Ind. Co., Ltd.
• Quiz Star Games
• Anton Rabie
• Radio Flyer
• Radio Flyer Inc.
• RandomLine, Inc.
• Randy Carfagno Productions
• Ravensburger-F.X. Schmid USA, Inc.
• Reeves International, Inc.
• Remarkable Toys
• Reuben Klamer Toylab LLC
• Rhino Toys, Inc.
• Michael L. Roberts, Kid-riffic Toys
• Rocket USA, Inc.
• Rogar Studios, Inc.
• Karen and Donald Rosenwinkel
• Royal Brush Mfg.
• RP Toys Limited
• RS2PLAY
• RSM McGladrey
• Arnie Rubin, Funrise Toy Corporation
• Sababa Toys
• Safari Ltd. USA
• SandyLion Sticker Designs
• Sargent & Berman
• SAS Games, Inc.
• SAS Group, Inc.
• Saturnian 1 Inc.
• SAVVI
• Schleich North America, Inc.
• Charles Schnaid, CPA, Miller, Kaplan, Arase & Co. LLP
• Scholastic Entertainment
• Scholastic Inc.
• School Zone Publishing Co., Inc.
• Mark Schwab, Crayola, LLC
• Schwartz Public Relations
• Schylling Associates, Inc.
• Schylling Toys
• Science Wiz
• Screenlife, LLC
• Sesame Workshop
• Shapescapes LLC
• Sharretts, Plaey, Carter & Blauvelt, P.C.
• Shelcore, Inc.
• Sibling Revelry Ltd.
• Signing Time! (Two Little Hands Productions)
• Silly Puppets
• Silver Dolphin Books
• Silver Dragon Asia Ltd.
• Simtec, Co./Funslides
• Skullduggery, Inc.
• Sleeping Bear Press
• Small World Toys
• Snap TV Inc.
• Sony BMG Music Entertainment
• Sophia's (Heritage)
• Soundprints
• Spanish Assn. of Toy Manufacturers
• Spin Master Limited
• SquidSoap LP
• Bruce Stein, The Hatchery LLC
• Stellar Defender, Inc.
• Stellar Toys
• Stephen Joseph Gifts
• The Step2 Company
• Bryan Stockton
• The Straight Edge Inc.
• Strategy XXI Group, Inc.
• Sufjan Stevens
• Sugar Mountain PR
• Summit Products, Inc.
• Sunstar Industries
• SuperToys, USA
• TableStar Games, LLC
• Tadatora Incorporated
• Taggies, Inc.
• Richard Tait
• Tara Toy Corporation
• Target
• Thinkativity
• Thinkativity/Tot Tutors
• ThinkFun Inc.
• Benjamin S. Thrush
• Timber Ocean Industrial Ltd.
• Timeless Toys, Inc.
• The Tin Box Company
• Tiny Love USA
• TLI Games
• Tollytots Ltd.
• Tonner Doll Co., Inc
• Tot Tutors
• Toy Industry Association
• Toy Mktg International, Inc. (TMI)
• Toy Quest
• Toy Shippers Association (TOYSA)
• Toy Wishes Magazine
• Toykimo-Clics (TSCI Global)
• Toymonster Ltd.
• Toys 'R' Us
• Toytech Industrial Co., Ltd.
• Trampolines USA, Inc.
• Paul Traub
• Treasure Dough
• Trends International Corporation
• Triking Games - MK3 International
• Trophy Music Company
• Uncle Milton Industries
• Universal Studios Consumer Products
• University Games Corporation
• UNKL
• USAopoly, Inc.
• Verbum Dei Hight School/David Reyes
• Verdes Toys Corporation
• Al Verrecchia, Hasbro, Inc.
• Vtech Electronics
• Warner Brothers Consumer Products
• Whacky Music, Inc.
• WickedCoolStuff.com
• Wictle Offset Printing Co.
• Wide Ball International Ltd.
• Wild Planet Entertainment, Inc.
• Winfat Industrial Co. Ltd.
• Winning Moves Inc.
• Nadine and Richard Woldenberg
• Wonder Works
• Wowwee Marketing, Inc.
• Yat Ming Industrial Factory Limited
• Yomax, Inc.
• Yomega Corporation
• Maggie Young, Maggie Young & Associates, Inc.
• Zabazoo Corp.
• Tina Zinter
• Zizzle, LLC
• ZOOB- Infinitoy, Inc.
• Nancy Zwiers, Funosphy, Inc.

TOTY Photo Journal

The TOTY Photo Journal is a commemorative book featuring TOTY Award winners and highlights from the annual ceremony.  It is produced approximately 8 weeks after Toy Fair and is sent to more than 1,000 industry representatives.  The Journal is an excellent marketing opportunity and networking tool.

Click here to reserve your ads for the 2008 TOTY Photo Journal.  All revenue from the Photo Journal goes to the Toy Industry Foundation.

In This April 2008 Issue:

TIA Responds to Washington State Law Governing Toy Sales
The Toy Industry Association released the following statement on April 1, 2008 regarding the new Washington State law that sets different standards than the Federal limits for lead, cadmium and phthalates in toys and other products.

We are encouraged that the Governor vetoed two key parts of the bill and issued strong cautions about the remaining sections, as the state legislators ignored complex issues in their rush to pass the law. As she indicated in her signing statement, the Governor is committed to fixing these issues in the rulemaking process and will work with legislators and regulators to address these unresolved issues.

We anticipate that other states will take a more deliberate approach and fully consider the impact of pending legislation related to toys before passing laws.

The toy industry is deeply committed to the health and safety of children. We have long supported tough national and international safety standards covering every aspect of toy manufacturing and our toys comply with these standards.

TIA supports federal legislative efforts to strengthen toy safety laws and believes the comprehensive, unified set of regulations is the best approach to ensure the safety of our nation's children.

Last Chance to Register for the Best ToyCon Yet
In just a few weeks – from May 1^st to May 3^rd – some of the best, brightest and most forward-thinking leaders in our industry will gather at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona for TIA's Annual Leadership Conference: ToyCon 2008.

This year's theme – Play in the Digital World – offers the ideal springboard for thought-provoking keynote and plenary sessions, panel discussions, networking luncheons and dinners and an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience at two of the world's largest and most influential retailers: Toys"R"Us and Wal-Mart.

At ToyCon you will receive valuable updates on the latest in designing, developing, marketing and selling products in a digital age. You'll also enjoy dynamic presentations by four truly remarkable speakers:

TIA members receive special discounted rates for both individual and group conference registrations, so please visit our website for complete session details, faculty biographies and registration instructions.

The NPD Group to Present Online Play Research at ToyCon
Gaming is driving the online experiences of all kids ages 2 to 14, and you will get the bigger picture at ToyCon from Anita Frazier, industry analyst at The NPD Group.Anita will weave together the newest research on online play and the digital experience, so you can walk away with big ideas for your company.

"When we see that about seventy-five percent of kids ages six to eight, and over ninety percent of kids older than that are accessing online content, it is obviously an integral part of most kids' lives," said Anita. "The implications and untapped opportunities for any business that considers kids to be an important consumer segment can be enormous."

Don't miss this compelling presentation that can make a huge impact to your bottom line. Reserve your place at ToyCon now!

Spring is Time for Renewals

Fall Toy Preview • October 14-17, 2008 • Dallas, TX

Toy Fair 2009 • February 15-18, 2009 • New York, NY

Even though the Early Bird rounds of space renewals for both Fall Toy Preview and Toy Fair 2009 have passed, we are now accepting applications for both events on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't miss these opportunities to showcase your products. Contact your Sales Manager today!

Companies beginning with:

Toy Fair May Be Over, But TIA is Still Promoting Top Toys
TIA media reps have been busy traveling across the country to key markets to promote hot toys from Toy Fair, creating a positive buzz and highlighting some great products.

Adrienne Citrin, Senior Manager of Public Relations, visited Seattle where she did a segment on KING-TV. She also appeared on Good Day LA while in Los Angeles, and presented a hot toy segment on the CBS affiliate in Miami.

In other news, the PR team is gearing up for summer travel segments, so all members who are interested in having their products featured should contact Sari Zeidler at szeidler@gsschwartz.com.

TIA, Generations United Partner to Promote Intergenerational Play
To promote the play value of toys to grandparents and influence purchase intent, TIA initiates activities with organizations serving the 50+ population, such as AARP.

This month, TIA rolled out The Benefits of Intergenerational Play, a brochure with recommended toys and games selected by Generations United, which facilitates intergenerational activities at schools and community-based sites across the country.GU is sharing the brochure with their board member organizations (AARP, Zero to Three, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Easter Seals, among others) to encourage distribution to their respective networks.

TIA members can post the brochure on their sites, and use this banner to promote the link.

The brochure distribution and promotion includes the ASA-NCOA conference on Aging in Washington D.C.; the Grand Rally in the Capitol with grandparents and community leaders on May 7; the GU website with 600,000 visits annually; and the GU Together Magazine sent to 10,000 consumers and professionals who lead community programs and/or administer local and national organizations.

Our Man in Moscow: TIA's Bill Osterholm at Toy Russia 2008
TIA Account Executive Bill Osterholm attended the first-ever Toy Russia event in Moscow, March 17-22, 2008. Here is his report:

"I was very excited to be invited to represent TIA at this inaugural event – a combined effort of the Russian National Toy Association (R.N.T.A.) and Spielwarenmess eG, of Nurenberg, Germany. My goal was to gather useful sales and trend information and obtain a perspective of present and future market opportunities for TIA's member companies in Russia.

"The event was held in the Moscow Crocus Center, located several miles outside Moscow Center. It is a new state-of-the-art exhibit hall whose third stage was completed in 2007and enlarges the total square footage to over 1 million square feet.

"More than 100 companies exhibited and most were from central Europe – although a few direct importers from Asia were in attendance. The 4,000 attendees, many of whom traveled from outside Russia, were retail buyers of all levels. I saw many familiar logos that grace Toy Fair at the Javits Center during February.

"I had several conversations with Russian distributors and wholesalers, all of whom expressed interest in the U.S. items offered by TIA members. I was also able to make some unscientific comparisons between U.S. and Russian toy interests and tastes. Consumer and retail buyers share a common interest in branded merchandise in a market that is estimated to be growing 30% annually.

"The R.N.T.A says their present market for toys is $4 billion with growth in toy chains and specialty retailing becoming more common. Russian parents traditionally spend a high proportion of income on children with 20% of all expenditures on their children being spent on toys.

"From everything I've seen and heard, Russia has very great potential ahead of her as incomes, commerce, finance and technology race ahead towards the future. While some sectors battle to keep pace, the momentum is there and the direction is definitely forward. Markets will be better defined years from now, but they are being shaped by a few key players – and U.S. toy companies who are willing to take the long view and some market risk will very likely reap the benefits of emerging opportunities."

"The Story of Toy Safety" Now Showing on the TIA Website
In case you missed the 3-times-a-day showings at Toy Fair ... or simply can't get enough of interesting toy safety factoids ... you have another chance to view "The Story of Toy Safety" presentation taped at the Javits Center. This informative 15-minute video can now be viewed here.

Feel free to share the link with anyone who should know about TIA's decades-long leadership role in establishing toy safety standards.

Enhanced Retail Solutions: Retailing is a Numbers Game
No doubt you've heard the line, "history repeats itself". It holds true even in the world of retailing. Both manufacturers and retailers refer to history when estimating the potential of a new item. In most cases however, there is not enough data saved to do an accurate job. In this tip, we will give you the key statistics that every manufacturer should archive.

First, save data each week – not just the totals for the entire program. Note any major holidays or promotions to determine if there will be more or less weeks of selling the following year. Record Sales Units & Dollars and Inventory. By dividing the sales dollars by sales units, you can determine the average unit retail- illustrating whether a peak or lull in business was caused by a change in the retail price.

One often-overlooked statistic is the number of stores. This is important because it can show you how many units per store per week on average that item sold. When planning a new item, take the new store count, and multiply it by last year's average units per store per week to quickly estimate the unit potential. You should also save a list of your top and bottom performing stores. This helps minimize risk on test orders.

Finally, it is important to record store execution. By archiving the number of stores with on hand and no sales, and stores with no on hand by week, you can more accurately determine lost sales, plan receipts more efficiently and maximize sales and profit.

For more information about Enhanced Retail Solutions, contact David Matsil, President of Business Development and Marketing, at 212-938-1991, ext. 103 or dmatsil@ers-c.com.

Are Your Overseas Business Travelers Adequately Protected?
According to the insurance experts at HUB International, the typical Workers Compensation policy purchased in the U.S. will not cover for damages should an injury to a company employee happen overseas. Aside from that, many health plans simply don't cover for injuries or illnesses that occur in a foreign land.

Foreign Voluntary Workers Compensation policies are available for purchase, which likely include medical evacuation and return of remains when needed.Special coverage such as Travel Accident and Sickness/Accidental Death and Dismemberment are key coverages to consider if company executives do a significant amount of travel for business outside of the U.S.

Lastly, if an employee gets into a car accident when driving for business purposes outside of the U.S., the domestic Business Auto policy will not cover for damages.There are Foreign Commercial Auto Liability policies available for those who may face risks arising from these events.

For more information about HUB's insurance and risk management programs for the toy industry and TIA members, visit their website at www.hubinternational.com. If you wish, you may contact Benjamin Thrush directly at 1-866-820-3113.

April 2008

Toy Bank Distribution on April 25 to Benefit Military Families

The Toy Industry Foundation initiated a successful toy drive at Toy Fair and collected more than $225,000 worth of product from generous exhibitors. Working with staff and volunteers from Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.), TIF was able to collect toys from over 230 donor companies

Many of the toys collected at Toy Fair will benefit our nation's military families through Operation Homefront. The mission of Operation Homefront is to provide emergency assistance and morale to our troops, to the children they leave behind, and to wounded warriors when they return home. Not only does the organization give aid to families struggling with emergencies, but they also offer help for the families' everyday problems.

On Friday, April 25^th, Toy Industry Foundation representatives will travel to Fort Dix, New Jersey to distribute hundreds of toys to deserving children whose parents are stationed at the army base. Fort Dix is one of the largest bases for basic training, and since Vietnam, Fort Dix has sent soldiers to Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

To learn more about The Toy Bank or to make a donation, visit us online.

TIF Sponsors First-Ever "Fighter Mom Friday"

Made possible by a $35,000 grant from The Toy Industry Foundation, a special day-long workshop for mothers fighting diseases and health challenges that face their children will be held on Friday, May 9, 2008 at New York City's Palace Hotel.

The TIF-sponsored workshop is designed to provide parents with techniques and tools to be advocates on behalf of their children as they battle orphan diseases. It is presented by FightSMA, a non-profit dedicated to strategically accelerating research for a treatment or cure for spinal muscular atrophy.

TIF has assembled a panel of speakers who will explore the benefits of play to children with special needs and how parents can best incorporate play to ensure their children have the most beneficial experience. Panelists include:

Ellen Metrick, toy specialist, National Lekotek Center

Dr. Steven Kanor, founder and president of Enabling Devices

Amy Jaffe Barzach, founder of Boundless Playgroundsand author of Accidental Courage, Boundless Dreams

In addition to the panel, attendees will be treated to a variety of speakers who will cover topics ranging from motivating volunteers to advocacy to fundraising strategies. The afternoon will culminate with an address by award winning journalist Catherine Crier who will speak about leadership, women's empowerment and hope.

To learn more about Fighter Mom Friday, click here.

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Leader's Circle Grows as TIF is Highlighted at TOTY Awards

At this year's Toy Of The Year (TOTY) Awards, guests were able to see the work of the industry's own foundation during Executive Director Jean Butler's video presentation. Highlights included smiles and laughter filling the corridors of Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children during TIF's toy distribution after Fall Toy Preview and the new national partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities.

In addition to the awards, The Toy Industry Foundation had another reason to celebrate at the TOTY ceremony. More than $7,500 was raised for the TIF Leader's Circle during the evening's first-ever opportunity drawing. TIF Chairman Arnie Rubin of Funrise hosted the raffle that drew 38 new friends to the Foundation. Prizes were generously donated by LEGO.

To learn more about this year round campaign or to make a contribution, click here.

To see a list of the 2008 Leader's Circle donors click here.

TIF Spotlights Leader's Circle Platinum Giver Nurit Amdur, of ALEX

The Leader's Circle is a notable way to support the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) and our mission to bring joy, happiness and comfort to children in need through toys and play. The Leader's Circle launched in 2005 and is comprised of generous individuals who make personal contributions to the Foundation separate from any corporate donations or advertising.

Nurit Amdur, CEO of ALEX Toys and Leader's Circle Member since inception, shares a bit about herself and why she is a Platinum Member of the TIF Leader's Circle:

Why do you choose to give to the Toy Industry Foundation?
ALEX has been a part of the toy industry for over 20 years and the TIA has given us the opportunity to grow, expand and prosper. It has been a wonderful partnership. We believe that charity starts at home and our home is in the toy industry. The TIF exemplifies this ideal.

What would you say to someone who is thinking about giving to TIF?
All of us inthe toy business have the wonderful opportunity to watch children playing and exploring our toys and see first-hand the joy that a toy can bring to a child's life.

The TIF is a leader in building partnerships between the toy industry and the organizations working directly with children, providing opportunities through education, product donations and other kinds of assistance. Programs such as Play Helps are directed at bringing relief to families living in difficult circumstances.

In December 2006, Play Helps went to New Orleans to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. The TIF operates a Toy Bank that collects toys for Ronald McDonald House Charities, Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S) and other global need-based children's organizations.

What is your creative inspiration for the toys you develop today?
We are inspired by everything!

What three words would you use to describe yourself?
I'm an optimist!

With so many channels for your creativity, why did you choose toys?
I am a child at heart, so toys are a natural.

What is your greatest ambition that you have yet to achieve?
To complete the ALEX 2009 line!

Hotel Reservations

To book your room at the Sheraton Wildhorse Spa & Resort, click here. Availability is limited so reserve today.

Below are other alternatives to book your stay:

Radisson
Your closest alternative to the Sheraton Widlhorse Resort, rooms average $179 per night. Please make sure to mention ToyCon in order to receive the discounted rate.
7475 West Chandler Boulevard
Chandler, AZ
480-961-4444

Other nearby hotels:

Homewood Suites 
7373 West Detroit Street
Chandler, AZ
480-753-6200

Fairfield Inn by Marriott 
7425 West Chandler Boulevard
Chandler, AZ
480-940-0099

Hampton Inn
7333 West Detroit Street
Chandler, AZ
480-753-5200

Trade and Related Publications

Animation Magazine
30941 Agoura Road, Suite 102
Westlake Village, CA 91361
(818) 991-2884
www.animationmagazine.net

Baby & Children's Product News
1700 Witt Way Drive
Spring Hill, TN 37174
(615) 595-8980
www.babyandchildrensproductnews.com

Baby Shop
4136 Library Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15234
(412) 531-9742
www.babyshopmagazine.com

Balloons & Parties/Gift Basket Review
1205 W. Forsyth St.
Jacksonville, FL 32204
(904) 634-1902

Brandweek
770 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10003
(646) 654-5159
www.brandweek.com

Candy Business/Professional Candy Buyer
10225 Berea Road, Suite B
Cleveland, OH 44102
(216) 631-8200
www.retailmerchandising.net

Candy Industry/Confectioner
155 Pfingsten Road, Suite 205
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 205-5660
www.stagnito.com

Chain Drug Review
220 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(212) 213-6000
www.chaindrugreview.com

Children's Business
7 WEST 34th Street
New York, NY 10001
(212) 630-4500
www.childrensbusiness.com

Contemporary Doll Collector/Miniature Collector
30595 Eight Mile
Livonia, MI 48152-1798
(800) 458-8237
www.scottpublications.com

Costume Business
815 Haines Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
(904) 634-1902

Craft & Needlework Age/Hobby Merchandiser
207 Commercial Court
PO Box 102
Morganville, NJ 07751-0102
(800) 969-7176

Creative Child
2505 Anthem Village Dr, #E619
Henderson, NV 89052
(702) 837-2734
www.creativechild.com

Dealerscope
401 North Broad Street, 5th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19108-1074
www.dealerscope.com

Doll Reader/Teddy Bear & Friends
6405 Flank Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 657-9555

Dolls/Teddy Bear Review
170 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
(212) 989-8700
www.jonespublishing.com

Dollhouse Miniatures
420 Boylston Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 536-0100
www.dhminiatures.com

Retailing Today
425 Park Avenue, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 756-5100
www.giftsanddec.com

Earnshaw's Small World
440 Ninth Avenue, Suite 11C
New York, NY 10001
(917) 450-7584
www.earnshaws.com

EdPlay/ Educational Dealer
P.O. Box 1080
Geneva, NY 14456
(315) 789-0458
www.fwpi.com

Games
PO Box 750
Ft. Washington, PA 19034
(215) 643-6385

Gift & Decorative Accessories
360 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
(646) 746-6400
www.giftsanddec.com

Giftware News Baby & Kids
P.O. Box 5398
Deptford, NJ 08096
(609) 227-0798
www.talcott.com

Greetings, Etc.
4 Middlebury Blvd.
Randolph, NJ. 07869
(973) 252-0100
www.greetingsmagazine.com

Hobby Merchandiser
207 Commercial Court
PO Box 102
Morganville, NJ 07751-0102
(800) 969-7176
www.hobbymerchandiser.com

Juguetes y Juegos de España 
San German, 5-1
Barcelona 08004
SPAIN
www.juguetesyjuegos.com

Kazachok
44 rue La Bruyere
Paris 75009
FRANCE
www.kazachok.com

Kid Style
475 Fifth Avenue, #606
New York, NY 10017
(212) 447-9595

Kids Today
360 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
www.kidstodayonline.com

Kidscreen
366 Adelaide Street West, #500
Toronto, Ontario M5V 1R9
CANADA
(416) 408-2300
www.kidscreen.com

Knucklebones
170 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
(212) 989-8700
www.jonespublishing.com

LICENSE! Global
One Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
(212) 951-6695
www.licensemag.com

Licensing Letter
160 Mercer Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10012
(212) 941-0099
www.epmcom.com/html/licensing/tll/

Licensing Journal
P.O. Box 1169
Stamford, CT 06904-1169
(203) 358-0848

Licensing Today Worldwide
424 Valley Rd
Cos Cob, CT 06807

MMR (Mass Market Retailers)
220 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
(212) 213-6000
www.massmarketretailers.com

Miniatures Marketplace
32 Woodlake Drive
Rochester, MN 55904
(507) 288-5864

Model Retailer
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53187
(414) 796-8776
www.modelretailer.com

Modern Plastics
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
(212) 512-6243

Museums & More
70 New Canaan Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
(203) 845-8020
www.museumsandmore.com

Nickelodeon/Nick Jr. Family
1515 Broadway, 37th Floor
New York, NY 10019
(212) 846-7120
www.nick.com

Party & Paper Retailer
70 New Canaan Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06850
(203) 845-8020
www.partypaper.com

Playthings
360 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10010
(646) 746-6400 / (646) 746-7433
www.playthings.com

Progressive Grocer
440 Broadway, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10003
(866) 890-8541
www.progressivegrocer.com

Retail Merchandiser
440 Broadway, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10003
(866) 345-0296
www.retail-merchandiser.com

Selling Christmas Decorations/
Selling Halloween
4 Middlebury Blvd.
Randolph, NJ. 07869
(973) 252-0100
www.sellingchristmas.com
www.sellinghalloween.com

Selling to Kids
P.O. Box 61130
Potomac, MD 20859
(301) 340-7788

Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties
7000 Terminal Square, Suite 210
Upper Darby, PA 19082
(800) 284-5451
www.sgnmag.com

TDmonthly Magazine
12249 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 979-4330
www.tdmonthly.com

Total Licensing Ltd.
9 The Leas
Wadhurst, East Sussex TN5 6ES
United Kingdom
www.totallicensing.com

The Toy Book/Licensing Book
286 Fifth Ave, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10001
(212) 575-4510 / Fax (212) 575-4521
www.adventurepub.com

Toy Shop/Toy Collector
700 East State Street
Iola, WI 54990
(715) 445-2214

Toy Wishes
151 Wells Avenue
Congers, NY 10920
(914) 268-2000
http://www.toywishes.com

Toys & Family Entertainment/Royaltie$
200 Fifth Avenue, Suite 850
New York, NY 10010
(646) 654-5159

Toys Up
Aschmattstraße 8
76532 Baden-Baden
Germany

WebWholesaler
24 Stony Hill Road
New Haven, CT 06511
(800) 999-8281

World Screen News/TV Kids
1123 Broadway, Suite 401
New York, NY 10010
(212) 924-7620
www.worldscreen.com

FOCUS State Reports & Bill Database

FOCUS is the premier state legislative, regulatory and government information monitoring service that allows you to track and analyze legislation and regulations in all 50 states and abroad so that you know what is really happening on your issue.

To access the FOCUS database, click here.

PLAY HELPS™

PLAY HELPS™ is a comprehensive program that brings the joy of play to children and families in the midst of extreme hardship. Launched on December 1, 2006 in New Orleans, PLAY HELPS seeks to respond to the acute need for assistance in distressed communities across the country.

PLAY HELPS activities take place in three large geodesic domed structures known as Play Domes. Inside these Play Domes, children discover a vibrant interactive environment where they have can participate in art activities, music, puppetry, storytelling, and block-building. Learn more...

About PLAY HELPS™

PLAY HELPS™ was created in 2006 in partnership with the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and the Association of Children’s Museums; it was launched in New Orleans. Designed to nurture stability, self-confidence, and excitement, the program offers children a safe environment for open-ended play activities, including block building, painting, sculpture, storytelling, puppetry and music.

PLAY HELPS™ has been enriched by generous in-kind donations from the toy industry as well as children’s publishers Random House and First Book. Local partners in New Orleans include the Louisiana Children’s Museum and the Andrew Jackson Elementary School.

TIF is currently looking into ways to expand PLAY HELPS™ to other areas in the United States that have been affected by natural and man-made disasters.

Watch the PLAY HELPS Video

TIA Initiatives

Toy safety is the industry’s highest priority, and TIA supports this commitment with programs and services. We lead the ongoing review process for ASTM F963, the comprehensive U.S. toy safety standard, and we present educational seminars on toy safety standards and related regulatory developments.  We also initiate public education to guide consumers and caregivers on safe play.

Toy Safety Certification Program
In August of 2007, TIA engaged ANSI staff to coordinate a public-private partnership to develop technical and international policy guidance regarding conformity assessment solutions for toy safety. It resulted in a guidance document that was published in February 2008 for public comment. The comments that were received were discussed in detail at a two-day meeting in Atlanta, GA attended by key representatives from the toy safetycommunity. Read more...

TIA Testifies at CPSC Hearing
On June 18, TIA President Carter Keithley testified before a Senate Subcommittee and demonstrated the toy industry's excellent record in assuring toy safety. Under the banner of TIA, Keithley noted that the U.S. toy industry has led the world in the development of toy safety standards, and that the success of the standard is demonstrated by the low incidence of toy related injuries. Read more… 

TIA Showcases Our Members to the World In an effort to broaden the global toy market for our members' products ... introduce you to overseas networking opportunities ... and support overall industry growth, TIA is proudly hosting booths and international pavilions in toy-related trade shows around the world. Our goal is fourfold: To help our members learn more about the rapidly-growing markets in Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East To help get you up-to-speed on exporting requirements that can open your business to these new markets To help build your global network of manufacturers, retailers, importers, and other industry professionals To learn about the toy trends that are driving record sales abroad – and the opportunities open to you We invite you to read on about some of the fairs and expos we've already attended, or plan to attend, in 2008. And remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg: there are a slew of other international toy events we plan to attend in the months ahead. It's all part of TIA's commitment to continually survey the toy industry landscape and provide our members with the information, tools and resources you need to grow your business – both in the U.S. and abroad. TIA Participates in World's Largest Toy Fair Nearly 100 TIA member companies proudly exhibited at the International Toy Fair Nüremberg on February 7-12, 2008, with a dozen or so of those members choosing to exhibit at the TIA U.S./Canadian Pavilion. Read more. TIA in Russia? Da! From March 18-21, 2008, TIA hosted a booth at the Toy Russia fair in Moscow – marking the very first time TIA has been represented at this event. This was an ideal opportunity for us to learn of this rapidly-growing marketplace first-hand and become fully prepared to launch a TIA Pavilion in 2009. Read more. TIA at the Middle East Toy Fair TIA hosted its first international pavilion and cultural immersion program during the Middle East Toy Fair in Dubai. For three days – March 31 to April 2 – this international gathering of toy industry professionals highlighted the latest in toys, games, baby accessories and educational equipment from more than 23 countries. Read more. Next Stop on TIA's World Tour: Shanghai In October, 2008 TIA will launch its first members-only pavilion during the China Toy Expo in Shanghai. Read more.   IN OTHER TIA NEWS: Toy Industry Foundation Makes Toy Donation to Military Families at Fort Dix New Edition of Let’s Play: A Guide to Toys for Children with Special Needs Now Available Enhanced Retail Solutions: “The Buyer Just Doesn’t Get It” Are Your Account Receivables Adequately Protected from Default?

TIA Participates in World's Largest Toy Fair
The International Toy Fair in Nüremberg, Germany is the world's leading fair for toys, hobby and leisure-time articles. It is the perfect communication and order platform for international manufacturers as well as specialist traders and buyers from around the globe – and TIA believes that our strong presence there signals our interest in exploring international markets for our members' products.

The 2008 fair, held in February and open exclusively to the specialist trade, hosted approximately 2,750 exhibitors from 60 countries – including nearly 100 TIA member companies – and more than 80,000 trade visitors from 120 countries. If you're interested in receiving information on exhibiting at International Toy Fair Nüremberg in 2009, contact Marian Bossard at 646-520-4853 or Leigh Carleu at 646-520-4862.

TIA in Russia? Da!
All industry experts regard the Russian Federation as the No. 1 growth market in Eastern Europe. Sales in the toy segment are growing by approximately 30% a year, with current sales volume estimated at approximately $4 billion.

At this year's Toy Russia, 133 manufacturers presented their toys, hobby products, baby and sports articles for this growing toy market.The fair was a combined effort of the Russian National Toy Association (R.N.T.A.) and Spielwarenmess eG of Nurenberg, Germany, and was held in Moscow's Crocus Expo Center – Eastern Europe's most modern exhibition site with over 1 million total square feet of exhibit space. View the photo gallery.

Toy Industry Association Account Executive Bill Osterholm joined the over 4,600 exhibitors and buyers who attended Toy Russia this year. Bill's goal was to gather useful sales and trend information and obtain a perspective of present and future market opportunities for TIA's member companies in Russia.

Bill had several conversations with Russian distributors and wholesalers, all of whom expressed interest in the U.S. items offered by TIA members. He was also able to make a few "unscientific" comparisons between U.S. and Russian toy interests and tastes:

Many of familiar product and company logos that grace Toy Fair at the Javits Center each February were present at Toy Russia as well.
Consumers and retail buyers share a common interest in branded merchandise that is reflected in the rapid growth of toy chains and specialty retailing.
Russian parents traditionally spend a high proportion of income on children with 20% of all expenditures on their children being spent on toys.
There's little doubt that the Eastern European toy market is very promising, as Claudia Dittmar, License Brand Manager at Powerslide GmbH, put it: "The market is growing very quickly; you only have to jump on the bandwagon." As Russian incomes, commerce, finance and technology race ahead towards the future, markets will be better defined and shaped by a few key players. TIA believes that North American toy companies who are willing to take the long view and some market risk may very likely be poised to reap the benefits of emerging opportunities.

Check back with us about TIA's plans to launch a members-only pavilion in 2009.

TIA at the Middle East Toy Fair
According to trade show organizer Messe Frankfurt, the Middle East spends an annual average of $326.8 worth of toys and video games per child, bringing the toy market in the region to $1.5 billion – and Dubai alone imported $141.1 million worth of toys, baby products and education supplies in 2006.

With the UAE ranking eight in a listing of top 10 toy importing countries, the Middle East Toy Fair is an important platform for exhibitors to network with one another and meet major buyers, industry influencers, and educators involved in the shaping of the Middle East toy market.

At this year's event, TIA launched a U.S. Pavilion showcasing member companies Safari, Alex, Noodlehead, Huckleberry Toys and Neat-Oh. And in what was definitely an auspicious TIA debut, TIA members swept 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the "Most Innovative Toy at the Show" competition. Neat-Oh took first place, while two other members (Plasmacar, which was exhibiting on their own, and Uncle Milton, in their distributor's booth) took 2nd and 3rd place respectively. (Pictured here accepting the 1st place award are Wayne Rothschild of Neat-Oh, Eckhard Pruy, CEO of Messe Frankfurt, and Mr. Abdulrahman Obaid, Senior Vice President-Protocol & Security of Dubai World Trade Center.)

Company representatives and TIA staff were given the opportunity to tour Toys"R"Us Dubai and other retailers, and had the chance to personally meet with local children, parents and educators during a pre-school visit. TIA members were also treated to a Department of Commerce regional import specialists briefing by U.S. Commercial Service representatives Patrick Wall and his assistant, Anne de Souza, both from the U.S. Commercial Buying Office in Dubai. Mr. Wall documented many tips and techniques for doing business in the Middle East – including the restrictions and licenses required to forge an agreement with a UAE business partner – and outlined many of the programs and support that are available through this government agency.

Finally, Reyne Rice, TIA Trends Specialist, gave a standing-room-only trend presentation entitled Innovations in Toys and Beyond in 2008. Reyne included approximately 60 products, including top toys and games from all five of our participating TIA members as well as other TIA members attending the fair, throughout the well-received presentation. The key trends determined to be most relevant to the Middle East region were:

• Kids changing media habits (digital generation)
• Playdate on the CyberPlayground (social networking for kids)
• Educational Learning (exercise the mind)
• Active Toys, Exercise (exercise the body)
• Balance in the ToyBox (exercise creativity)
• Eco-Trends and Green Toys (exercise responsibility)
• Science & Discovery
• Dinos Roam the Earth in 2008
• Pop Culture, Celebrities, Entertainment and Character License Influences
• Toys That Come Alive, Tech Toys

For information on exhibiting at the Middle East Toy Fair in 2009, contact Marian Bossard at 646-520-4853 or Leigh Carleu at646-520-4862.

Next Stop on TIA's World Tour: Shanghai
Organized by the China Toy Association – the only national trade association for the Chinese toy industry authorized by the Chinese government – China Toy Expo (formerly Shanghai Toy Expo) is the specialized trading fair in Asia focusing on toys, hobby and baby articles. It is China's leading market platform and gives international manufacturers access to the booming Chinese market.

China's toy imports in 2007 increased 106% over 2006, and show no signs of abating. The 300 million children under the age of 14 in China comprise a huge market and create tremendous demand for toys of all categories. What's more, the multiplex development of China's retail market, joined by large retail chains such as Wal-Mart, Carrefour, and Toys"R" Us, offers exciting international growth potential for manufacturers, licensors and retailers alike.

This is a market that TIA member companies should definitely know about – which is why we plan to host our first-ever members-only pavilion at this year's China Toy Expo in October. Stay tuned to find out how you can participate in this important trade event in the weeks ahead.

Toy Industry Foundation Makes Toy Donation to Military Families at Fort Dix
In celebration of the Month of the Military Child, representatives from the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) and Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.) distributed new toys to children of military families stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey on April 25, 2008.The toys were contributed to TIF's Toy Bank program by hundreds of generous toy manufacturers during the 2008 Toy Fair. In total over $240,000 worth of product was donated. Children at the Pemberton Township Fort Dix Elementary School located on the base received a portion of these toys, while the remaining items collected at Toy Fair will be distributed to children of military families at 27 other bases across the country.

TIF was honored to have Colonel Ronald Thaxton, Base Commander of Fort Dix, and Tamara Garbutt, Principal of the Pemberton Township Fort Dix Elementary School, on hand at the school assembly to accept the toys on behalf of the Fort Dix community. Fort Dix is one of the largest bases for basic training, and since Vietnam, Fort Dix has sent soldiers to Operation Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

To learn more about The Toy Bank or to make a donation, visit us online.

New Edition of Let's Play: A Guide to Toys for Children with Special Needs Now Available
The Toy Industry Foundation is proud to announce that the newly revised publication Let's Play: A Guide to Toys for Children with Special Needs is now available. Over 6.2 million children live with disabilities, accounting for 13.2% of the child population.Expanded and enhanced, Let's Play offers recommendations and assistance to those selecting toys for a child with special needs such as visual, physical, speech and hearing impairments, as well as learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders (ADD and ADHD).

Each year, 100,000 copies of Let's Play are distributed to individuals, groups, corporations and institutions requesting brochures. In addition, thousands of users access the Guide through the Toy Industry Association, American Foundation for the Blind and Alliance for Technology Access Web sites as well as the Toy Industry Foundation's Public Education page.

The Toy Industry Foundation will premiere the new publication at Fighter Mom Friday, a special event hosted in partnership with Fight SMA.The day-long workshop for mothers fighting diseases and health challenges that face their children will feature CNN journalist Catherine Crier and expert panelists to discuss the lifelong benefits of play for special needs children confined by physical and developmental barriers.

Enhanced Retail Solutions: "The Buyer Just Doesn't Get It"
We commonly hear "the buyer just doesn't get it" from suppliers when their item or brand does not get selected by a buyer. Our response is to back up and review the pitch. In many cases we find that the item or brand was never a fit to begin with, or the expectations of the supplier were just not realistic. In other cases, the item or brand was a fit, but the idea was not pitched in a way that the buyer could relate to. Being a buyer is not as easy as it looks. It can be very frustrating for a number of reasons including: being held accountable for a business in which they have very little control, division or company directives supersede their department, limited resources to get the job done and short term gratification on a job well done.

By incorporating the buyer's perspective into their pitch, a supplier can increase their chances of capturing the buyer's imagination. Here are a few things they can do:

Prepare a detailed competitive review of the buyer's category, ensuring the top two retail competitors are involved. Study price points, presentation, marketing and depth and breadth of assortment. Does the item being pitched fill a void in the assortment?
On one page, provide all the statistics a buyer needs to make a decision. Provide a mock assortment plan, units per store, pricing, recommended promotional cadence and marketing highlights.
Show them how the item will bring more bottom line profit than the current assortment. If you can't do that, your expectations are not realistic.
For more information about Enhanced Retail Solutions, contact David Matsil, President of Business Development and Marketing, at 212-938-1991, ext. 103 or dmatsil@ers-c.com.

Are Your Account Receivables Adequately Protected from Default?
Since account receivables are vulnerable to the risk of payment default or bankruptcy by a customer (like other assets), they also need to be protected. This can be accomplished through commercial credit insurance. The primary purpose of credit insurance is to safeguard a company's account receivables in the event that a company does not receive payment due to default or bankruptcy of the customer.

Credit insurance policies can be tailored for specific credit risks, so coverage details vary. Some policies may cover an entire portfolio of account receivables while others may cover only the top ten customers or only overseas customers. Some policies may contain both deductibles and coinsurance – it all depends upon the needs of the policyholder and the risk within the portfolio.

As credit insurance greatly strengthens a company's credit risk management system, it works in tandem with strengthening a company's overall risk management goals.

For more information about HUB's insurance and risk management programs for the toy industry and TIA members, visit their website. If you wish, you may contact Benjamin Thrush directly at 1-866-820-3113.

Matching Gifts

You can increase your donation to the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) by asking your employer about a corporate matching gift.

To make a matching gift check with your company's human resources department to find out about its matching-gift policy. Many employers will provide a form for you to fill out and send to TIF with your donation. The Toy Industry Foundation will verify your gift and return the form to your company, which will then issue a matching gift contribution directly to the Foundation.

Please send all gifts and forms to:

Toy Industry Foundation
ATTN: Amanda McDorman
1115 Broadway, Suite 400
New York, NY 10010

In This June 2008 Issue:

• TIA Advocates for National Toy Safety Standards in Over 30 States
• TIA Board Unanimously Approves Toy Safety Certification Program
• Elizabeth Borrelli Rejoins TIA as Executive Director of Toy Safety Certification Program
• ToyCon 2008 the Biggest and Best Yet!
• Summer Credit Conference: Final Call for Registration
• Save 10% on Exhibit Space at Chicago Toy and Game Fair
• TIA Hosting Members-Only Pavilion at China Toy Expo in Shanghai
• Submit Your Space Applications for Fall Toy Preview & Toy Fair
• Event Sponsorship & Advertising Opportunities
• NEW Webinar Program for TIA Members
• TIF Sponsors “Fight SMA” Event and Program
• The Awards Keep Coming
• HUB: Taking Advantage of a Soft Insurance Market
• Media Tip of the Month: No Late Fees On Your Media Message

TIA Advocates for National Toy Safety Standards in Over 30 States
TIA has expanded its legislative advocacy efforts to over 30 states which have introduced almost 200 individual bills affecting the toy industry. The federal government has also continued its work to pass a Consumer Product Safety Commission reauthorization bill. Although the legislative effort is far from over, the past several weeks have provided both positive and negative news.

With the grassroots support of its members, TIA has seen a few states begin to outright reject the unscientific, non-risk based claims of those supporting various legislative proposals. TIA staff has also been able to work with other legislatures to amend legislation so it accounts for the realities of the industry and sets standards that are achievable and are risk based using sound science.

Unfortunately, still other states have continued down the path of regulating at any cost without a true understanding of the needs or consequences. TIA remains engaged in these states and has been continuing to testify before committees, meet with legislators, conduct grassroots and set out a more general public affairs strategy. TIA and its members are leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to ensure the industry continues to be regulated by uniform national standards based on risk, using sound science.

On the federal level, both the U.S Senate and House have appointed conferees to sit on the Conference Committee for HR 4040, The Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act. This committee consisting of members of the House and Senate will decide what the final federal legislation will say. HR 4040 has several potential provisions that will directly affect the toy industry: lowering the allowable lead limits, federalizing the ASTM standard, cautionary language at the point of sale for toys, traceability requirements, a new conformity assessment program and a phthalate limiting provision. TIA is actively working with the members of the Conference Committee to relay the concerns of the toy industry.

To stay informed or to get involved in TIA's legislative effort, click here.

TIA Board Unanimously Approves Toy Safety Certification Program
TIA's Board of Directors unanimously approved the new Toy Safety Certification Program (TSCP) at its meeting in Phoenix on May 1. In response to pending U.S. federal law requiring certified toy safety testing, TIA has been working closely with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and members of the toy safety community to develop a program for implementing the anticipated requirements. The TSCP is the product of that work.

"TIA recognized that more must be done to ensure toy safety and stepped up to the plate and took a leadership position to facilitate the process," said Carter Keithley, TIA President." The formal approval of the TSCP by our Board on May 1 provides us with a platform upon which we can develop the detailed implementation procedures."

The three pillars of TSCP are:

1. Toy design hazard and risk analysis attestation;
2. Factory process control audits; and
3. Production sample testing to validate that the factory is producing toys that meet U.S. standards.

These three elements will be verified by certification bodies that are accredited by ANSI. Input from a wide range of stakeholders including consumer groups, government, international bodies, manufacturers of varying sizes, retailers, accreditation bodies, testing organizations and auditing companies has been taken into considerationas the TSCP proposal was being developed.

TIA will continue to provide updates on the progress of the program.

Elizabeth Borrelli Rejoins TIA as Executive Director of Toy Safety Certification Program
TIA has named Elizabeth Borrelli as Executive Director of the TIA's Toy Safety Certification Program and Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility. The appointment marks a return to the TIA for Ms. Borrelli, who served as TIA's Director of Standards and Regulatory Affairs and Secretary of the International Council of Toy Industries from 1992 to 1998. With 20 years of experience in strategic communications, Ms. Borrelli has led several major corporate positioning, social responsibility and reputation management programs.

"Now that TIA has approved the Toy Safety Certification Program, we have hired Ms. Borrelli, an expert in the field with a long and impressive track record, as a first step to ensure that the program's goals are met," said Carter Keithley, TIA President.

Ms. Borrelli will be responsible for leading and managing TIA's new initiative to track and enhance confidence that toys sold in the U.S. market are safe. She will also provide leadership, strategy, and counsel to TIA staff and members regarding corporate responsibility issues.

Ms. Borrelli has previously worked for the TIA as Director of Standards and Regulatory Affairs and Secretary of the International Council of Toy Industries. During that time she managed revisions of ASTM and ANSI toy safety standards, organized TIA's first toy safety seminars in China, was Secretary of the ISO U.S. Technical Advisory Group on toy safety, and served on the Board and as Vice Chair/President Elect of the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization.

Prior to returning to the TIA, Ms. Borrelli was First Vice President, Manager of Corporate Reputation and Responsibility at Washington Mutual where she led a team focused on issues, crisis and reputation management. Before joining Washington Mutual, she managed the corporate social responsibility and public affairs departments for Eddie Bauer, where she developed and led the retailer's global factory labor compliance program and served on the Board of the Fair Labor Association.

ToyCon 2008 the Biggest and Best Yet!

Kudos to ToyCon Chair Andrea Barthello and Vice Chair Bernie Tenenbaum for an outstanding ToyCon 2008: Play in the Digital World.

This year's event was by all accounts the most successful ToyCon to date. With more than 200 attendees and an unmatched line-up of esteemed presenters, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa was alive with toy excitement from the minute everyone arrived.

Our golf and tennis outings allowed for networking under the Arizona sunshine while the official program kicked off with an evening keynote presentation by Iron Man Producer and Former Chairman & CEO of Marvel Studios, Avi Arad.

Day 2 was an intellectually stimulating assembly of panel discussions and keynotes, complete with the latest research findings from The NPD Group, a robust discussion of marketing in the digital age, a healthy debate focused on digital retail and an evening under the stars with Hollywood visionary Peter Guber.

ToyCon concluded on Day 3 with a timely presentation on Sustainability, plus an open, candid panel discussion about the highlights and pitfalls of buying and selling your company. Before the final handshakes and goodbye hugs, a few lucky attendees went off-campus to Goodyear, Arizona where they received a behind-the-scenes tour of Wal-Mart and an insider's view at the future of Toys "R" Us.

ToyConleft no topic untouched and provided the ideal environment for an executive gathering of this caliber. Be sure to look for details on ToyCon 2009 in the coming weeks and for those of you who were unable to attend this year, you can read all the details on the ToyCon Blog!

Summer Credit Conference: Final Call for Registration
The year's most important gathering of toy industry credit professionals is filling up fast, and you don't want to miss your opportunity to attend. TIA's Summer Credit Conference in Chicago promises an exceptionally strong educational program featuring top-notch speakers from ShopKo, Calendar Club, Eastern Bank, EXIM Associates, and Creditntell.com. Click here for the meeting agenda.

Jean Butler, TIA Vice President of Membership and Executive Director of the Toy Industry Foundation, will greet conference participants – members of the TIA Credit Interchange – at the opening reception on Monday, July 14. The program will include:

• Expert presentations on hot credit issues
• Interactive hands-on vendor compliance workshop
• Confidential Review of Accounts
• Unique open discussion forum

Attendees will enjoy a trip to a networking dinner at top-rated Italian restaurant Topo Gigio as well as The Second City Comedy Show. Click here to register before June 21.

Save 10% on Exhibit Space at Chicago Toy and Game Fair
When was the last time your company spent a little quality time with your customers?We're not talking about your retail customers; we're talking about children and their families.

As you know, TIA events are strictly business-to-business by design.By contrast, the Chicago Toy and Game Fair is the only U.S. toy and game event outside the hobby category developed for and open to the public.The 2008 event will be held at the Navy Pier November 22-23, 2008 – and, for the first time, TIA members will receive a 10% discount on exhibit space. For more information, visit the website.

Immediately preceding Chi-TAG on November 20 and 21 is the Toy and Game Inventor Event, a conference with top industry executives from the U.S. and abroad. Sessions will cover key topics, and there will be plenty of networking opportunities including an Inventor Cruise on Lake Michigan.

The Toy and Game Inventor Awards will honor Jeffrey Breslow, co-founder of Big Monster Toys, for his lifetime achievement. In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award, there will be a Toy and Game Inventor of the Year Award. Nominations are being accepted now. Contact Mary Couzin at 847-677-8277 for details. Click here for more information.

TIA Hosting Members-Only Pavilion at China Toy Expo in Shanghai

TIA continues to provide international market expansion opportunities for its members by hosting a Members-Only Pavilion for the first time at the China Toy Expo in Shanghai October 9-11.

Boasting more than 25,000 attendees at the 2007 event, the China Toy Expo provides manufacturers access to the booming Chinese market. If your strategic goals include reaching sales agents/wholesalers, importers/exporters, retailers and chain/department store product decision makers from China, then we encourage you to join us in the TIA pavilion. For details, please contact Ava Slepicoff at 646-520-4852.

Submit Your Space Applications for Fall Toy Preview & Toy Fair
TIA will again host its annual Fall Toy Preview where over 750 long-lead buyers from mass market retailers such as Toys "R" Us, Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, Sears, Amazon.com and many others are expected to gather for 4 days of pre-scheduled appointments. 90% of all available exhibit space has already been reserved – so if you don't want to miss out on this perfectly-timed event to preview your Q4-2009 product to your biggest customers, call your Account Executive or submit your application today!

And of course it's never too early to submit your space application for Toy Fair!

Although the renewal season for Toy Fair exhibit space ended in March, we are still accepting applications and will make assignments on a first-come, first-serve basis. But the best way to insure your preferred location is to submit an application now. With over 13,000 buyers expected can you really afford to not be there? PLUS, the sooner you confirm your participation, the sooner we can begin to market you to our attendees. For questions about exhibiting, please submit your application or contact your Account Executive directly.

Event Sponsorship & Advertising Opportunities
OK, you've decided to exhibit. Now what? There is no better way to enhance your presence at Fall Toy Preview or Toy Fair and increase buyer awareness of your participation than choosing any of our many advertising and sponsorship opportunities. For complete details, availability and pricing, contact Charles Allen.

NEW Webinar Program for TIA Members
Toy Industry Association, in conjunction with Richard Gottlieb & Associates and Gameplan Europe, presents Europe on $50 a Day! Highly-regarded industry analyst Richard Gottlieb and Andrew Dobbie, former European Marketing Director for Mattel Toys, Inc., will present a new four-part webinar series dedicated to educating North America-based toy and youth product companies about the benefits of expansion to the European market. Each 1-hour webinar is only $50 for TIA members, $150 for non-members, but when you register now the FIRST WEBINAR IS FREE!

See what we have in store:

• Selling Your Toys in Europe - Thursday, June 5^th 1:00pm
  
• The European Market 101 - Thursday, June 12^th 1:00pm
• Doing Business in Europe - Thursday, June 19^th 1:00pm
• Getting the Best ROI from Nuremberg - Thursday, June 26^th 1:00pm

TIF Sponsors "Fight SMA" Event and Program
On Friday, May 9, 2008, The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) kicked off Mother's Day weekend by sponsoring the inaugural Fighter Mom™ Friday symposium in partnership with Fight SMA, an organization dedicated to accelerating the search for a treatment and cure for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Thanks to a $35,000 grant from TIF, the day-long workshop featured an expert panel that discussed issues of advocacy, activism and the lifelong benefits of play for children confined by physical and developmental barriers.

Award-winning CNN journalist Catherine Crier was the keynote speaker of the day, inspiring audience members to remain hopeful and empowering them to keep fighting. Noted one attendee: "I feel encouraged to continue to fight for my son. It will be a fight for life but I now feel geared up for the challenges." The event provided caretakers with the tools they need to both effectively and efficiently battle the challenges that face the child in their lives.

Fighter Mom was created by a group of moms fighting to beat SMA, but has since become a program for any mom (or other family members or caregivers) fighting any disease or health condition who wants to become an advocate and activist. Fighter Mom Friday audience members represented Autism, Sudden Unexplained Death in Children, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Deafness, Developmental Issues as well as other illnesses. The event served as a forum for attendees to share their stories and inspire others who face similar challenges.

"It was great to meet other parents who have the same pain, worries, and frustration you experience when you have a child with a disability" said one guest. "When your child is diagnosed with SMA, profound hearing loss, or any disorder, you as a parent have an urge to do all you can to make their plight much easier."

Also at the event, TIF premiered its publication Let's Play: A Guide for Children with Special Needs. The guide serves as one of two educational brochures that TIF is able to produce and distribute to parents, schools, and other childcare facilities free of charge thanks to generous supporters.

To help support TIF partnerships like Fighter Mom Friday and to facilitate the production and distribution of TIF's educational brochures, please click here.

The Awards Keep Coming!
TIA has been recognized by several prestigious organizations this month. First, our 2007 ToyFair event has been honored by Tradeshow Week as one of the 200 largest tradeshows in the United States. TIA received notification that Toy Fair 2007 ranked #63 in the Tradeshow Week 200, up from #66 in 2006. Shows are ranked by net square feet of paid exhibit space.

Then, TIA's website, won two major awards in the 14th Annual Communicator Awards competition. The first award – the Gold Award of Excellence for Best Corporate Communications Website – is The Communicator Awards' highest honor, given to those entries who ability to communicate places them among the best in the field.

The second award is the Silver Award of Distinction for Best Association Website – presented for projects that exceed industry standards in quality and achievement.

TIA is proud of this recognition and honored to represent you, our members, with award-winning events and Web services that reflect the excitement, creativity and innovation of the toy industry.

HUB: Taking Advantage of a Soft Insurance Market
Taking advantage of the current soft insurance market is a great way for businesses in the toy industry to save money. There are numerous strategies that many businesses will find beneficial given the current market conditions. For example, now is a great time to reduce your risk exposures by expanding your coverage options. Many coverages that were once too costly to purchase are now priced much more reasonably. It is a good idea to work with your agent or broker to conduct a coverage audit. Your insurance advisor can analyze your current policies to make sure that the coverages in place are appropriate for your needs, and that they are properly priced. Coverage audits are key in determining whether you are adequately covered against current exposures in the industry. Your insurance requirements are ever-changing due to trends in the business (i.e. product recalls) and in the economy (i.e. the increasing cost of fuel), and it is important to keep your policy up-to-date.

In addition to reviewing the coverages that you have in place, now is a good time to ask yourself "What else can I do to ensure that I am getting the best deal?" Make sure that you are able to take advantage of the value-added services that your agent or broker provides as part of their offering. A strong broker should be able to provide some claims management, risk management and loss control services to help guide you through your insurance concerns.

If you have any questions, or would like a free analysis of your current policy, contact Benjamin Thrush, Vice President of Business Development, HUB International, at 1-800-706-3023.

Out on the Street

Multi-Colored Sneakers

• Happy, multicolored sneakers continue in casual footwear
• Mixed print, pattern and color combine for an artistic collage effect 
• Still popular are ankle-high shapes 
• Mix-n-match shoelaces, illustrative placement prints and mismatched shoes

Why it’s important: The return of bright color in mix and match combinations. Think about fabric pens, patterned laces, stickers, patches – collage kits.

Stars

• Star-shaped earrings
• Simple graphics are oversized, bold and comic-like 
• Neons and brights pop and clash together

Why it’s important: A simple, graphic print is easy to replicate. Interesting for home decoration, and stationery ideas.

CND Peace Signs

• CND logos are currently making a return, along with a renewed anti-war sentiment 
• Inspired by early 90s style on oversized T-shirt dresses 
• Glitter and diamanté versions of the look offer a more commercial and accessible direction

Why it’s important: Kids are incredibly politically savvy and more socially active than ever before. CND symbols and peace flowers are a fun way to express this mood with face paints, and home personalization kits.

Day-Glo Accessories

• Plenty of color is found here
• Fun pompoms, rainbow hoops, dyed day-glo feathers
• Fake award pins
• Tongue-in-cheek and quirky pieces

Why it’s important: Neons and day-glo colors are a fun and easy way for kids to express themselves. Use pompoms and feathers for make-your-own jewelry kits.

Tie-Dye

• Tie-dye is set to be a key fabric direction in the youth markets in 2008
• The trend is less about a Haight Ashbury hippy look and more about considered and subdued diffused color.
• Mottled effects, ombrés and blurred pattern are all important.
• This look would work well for hoodies, loose-fit tees and tanks and extend into summer dresses and swimwear.
• Take inspiration from tie-dye to experiment with home dying and crafting kits or heat sensitive products reminiscent of 1980s hypercolour tees, bags etc.

Fuse Beads Craft Accessories

• From street art to jewellery and accessories, fuse-beads (think: Hama) are cool again
• Spotted across Europe and the US, fuse-beads are used by entrepreneurial crafters to adorn the streets of their city like a mosaic; as a new take on street art; or to wear as fun accessory items.
• Designs are often heated so that beads melt and bond together to create one piece. 
• Love hearts, butterflies, skulls, cassettes, stars, Pac-Man and pixelated computer game characters are all popular motifs. 
• This again confirms the idea that crafting, beading, and jewellery-making are popular not just for kids but the youth market too.

Retro Cartoon Characters

• Retro cartoon characters are popular again on kids T-shirts, tanks, dresses and accessories
• Think Bambi, Smarties Candy, Pippi Longstocking
• Fun vintage-inspired characters in bright candy colors
• Old-school fonts and branding 
• A handcrafted feel is still important
• Look to the archives and pull out the popular characters of the 70s and 80s to inspire a new generation of children

Other Trends

Bold, Rainbow Brite-colored bangles, beads and bags set the scene at a recent Hilary Duff concert in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, European fashionistas are donning pendants and charms in the shape of scissors for a quirky “cutting edge” look.

• Hilary Duff Concert, Gibson Amphitheatre, Universal City Walk, CA, August 15, 2007
• Scissor accessories spotted during the summer of 2007

Trade Shows

Catch the latest trends from key trade shows around the world.

2008 Shows

• National Stationary Show, New York
• Bubble New York
• Playtime, Paris, France, January 26-28, 2008

2007 Shows

• FAME, Manila, Phillipines, October 17-20, 2007
• Children’s Club, New York, NY, October 14-16, 2007
• Brand Licensing Europe, London, UK, October 2-3, 200 7

Designer Resources > Events & Opportunities

	AIGA NEXT Design Conference In our rapidly changing world, what is the relevance of Design? How do designers meet tomorrow's demands for the future? From October 11–14, 2007, more than 2,000 like-minds met in Denver to explore the value of design and answer the question: what’s next? The AIGA Design Conference brings together some of the most inspiring and unique perspectives. Below are some of the distinct voices attendees heard from! Go to "Post Next" to experience podcasts and presentations from the conference.
	Biomimicry Guild Through workshops, research reports, biological consulting, and field excursions, the Biomimicry Guild helps innovators learn from and emulate natural models. Their goal is to create products, processes, and policies that create conditions conducive to life.
	Bubble Kids' Trade Shows Bubble's philosophy is to bring a new kind of kids trade show to the marketplace. Retailers meet exhibitors from 360 degrees of a kid's world: clothing to toys, shoes and accessories, etc. The exhibitor's list features a global mix of brands, both young/upcoming and established. It runs twice yearly in New York and London. The New York show takes place mid-March and early August. The London show, launched in 2008, takes place late January and early July. Their website has a long list of their exhibitors websites, which makes it a handy portal for researching new/known brands.
	Xperimania Attracting young talent has become a major challenge for the chemical industry and the petrochemical industry in particular. The European petrochemical industry is very much concerned by the lack of scientifically-educated young people and is putting every effort into trying to boost their interest in science. Xperimania helps students in lower and secondary school classes and their teachers to understand the wide variety of applications of petrochemistry and how this relatively new and fascinating science has contributed to the evolution of many day-to-day items.
	Thinkering Space ThinkeringSpace is a system, made of both physical and virtual environments, that aims to promote and support thinking skills for school-aged children in libraries. It is part of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Digital Media and Learning Initiative. ThinkeringSpaces are interactive environments that encourage users to tinker with objects, both physical and virtual, reflect upon what they discover, and elaborate their ideas in ways they can share with others. The environments will be based on an understanding of how kids actually perceive, interpret, use and extend the opportunity for open-ended thinking as a way to explore and understand the physical world.
	MoMA: Design and the Elastic Mind As the way we go about our daily lives changes with technology, our minds adapt and acquire enough elasticity to be able to synthesize the altered many aspects of human life. Design plays an important role in aiding this adaptation, helping us cope with change, enabling us to fully capitalize on its benefits. A new exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City showcases the latest iterations of this circumstance. Examples run the gamut in scale and sector, highlighting and systems that people understand and use. If you cannot make it to New York before May 12, the exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue that you can order online.
	Y – Conference The 13th annual Y conference, Seeds of Change, will examine how individuals, communities, and nations are developing new paradigms for a more healthy and sustainable culture. As designers, they are asking, "How can we become better stewards of the earth -- to our clients, to our community, and to ourselves?" Speakers include environmentalist and entrepreneur Paul Hawken, and 16 other "green" visionaries. The conference runs March 27-29 in San Diego.
	TED TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started in 1984 as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become broader. The annual conference now brings together the world's foremost forward-thinkers and over-achievers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. Attendance is limited to 1,000 members who must apply for approval, but the talks are now available on their website for free. Click here to view the presentation by artist Theo Jansen.
	ACM SIGGRAPH Short for Special Interest Group on GRAPHics and Interactive Techniques, is an annual conference on computer graphics (CG). The conference, attended computer professionals, will be held in Los Angeles (2008). Some highlights of the conference are its Animation Theater and Electronic Theater presentations, where recently created CG films are played. There is a large exhibition floor, where several hundred companies set up elaborate booths and compete for attention and recruits. Most of the companies are in the engineering, graphics, motion picture, or video game industries. There are also many booths for schools that specialize in computer graphics or interactivity.
	Etech Now in its seventh year, the O'Reilly Emerging Technology Conference presents ideas, projects, and technologies “that alpha geeks are thinking about and inventing.” ETechs past have covered peer-to-peer networks to person-to-person mobile messaging, web services to weblogs, big-screen digital media to small-screen mobile gaming, hardware hacking to content remixing. “Expect much of what is presented in early form here to show up in the products and services you're taking for granted in the not-too-distant future.”

Designer Resources > Art & Entertainment

	Ketty Sean Ketty Sean creates whimsical and irreverant knit plush toys, in the style that is both retrograde and forward thinking. They're presented here for enjoyment and respite.
	Playtime Jacques Tati’s precisely choreographed, nearly wordless comedies about confusion in the age of technology reached their creative apex with Playtime. For this monumental achievement, a nearly three-year-long, bank-breaking production, Tati again thrust the endearingly clumsy, resolutely old-fashioned Monsieur Hulot, along with a host of other lost souls, into a bafflingly modernist Paris. With every inch of its superwide frame crammed with hilarity and inventiveness, Playtime is a lasting testament to the modern age.
	Souther Salazar Souther Salazar makes collages, paintings, drawings and sculptures of otherworldly landscapes, where nothing is realistic, yet everything familiar creating characters and environments executed in a stream-of-conscious style. His exhibitions include large-scale mixed media works on panel, ink renderings on paper, and sculptures created using a variety of materials and found objects. He exhibits his work in dense and complex installations that encourage exploration and participation by the viewer.
	The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics A book written and illustrated by Norton Juster, two years later, animator Chuck Jones adapted the story into a 10-minute short film winning the 1965 Academy Award for Animated Short Film. This is “the anguished tale of a sensible straight line who falls in love with a dot. The dot, however, finding the line stiff, dull, and conventional, turns her affections toward a wild and unkempt squiggle.” It is an amusing film, and, in Juster's words, perhaps, "in these uncertain times when man stands alienated from the very meaning of life itself, more like a beacon -- a shaft of light illuminating a path to some higher understanding." It depends on your outlook…
	Paper Toys  Here are some free paper toys that you can make yourself. Just print, cut, glue and enjoy. Many are amusing in their simplicity and serve as a fantastic reminder that more complex doesn’t always mean more better.
	G4 Network G4 is a television network for those who must have the latest tech gadgets, follow web culture and play video games. They are planning to push the boundaries of TV by providing original content with groundbreaking interactive features. They reportedly offer greater amounts of exclusive broadband video, mobile content, and Podcasts than any other U.S. network. They are a worthwhile source to watch for what is popular with teen and college culture.
	Theo Jansen Theo Jansen experiments with the creation of new life forms using plastic yellow tubes as the basic material of his science. He makes skeletons, which are able to walk, powered by the wind. Eventually he wants to put these animals out in herds on the beaches, so they will live their own lives. You can see amazing video of his work at the ted.com website, as well.
	Royal de Luxe Royal de Luxe is an extraordinary European street theatre company. They have visited countries all over Europe as well as Korea, China, Vietnam, Chile and Africa. In the past dozen years, they have created a series of spectacular shows involving giant figures as big as 40 feet high. Shows are simple – the animal or giant arrives in town and lives its life, going about its business for a few days. Click here to view a You Tube Video of their work.
	Streb Elizabeth Streb’s trademark risky choreography combines the visceral impact of extreme sports with the poetry and split-second timing of dance. In 1997 she was awarded a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Award. STREB tours extensively throughout the United States and internationally, presenting performances and residencies and conducts year-round activity at its home studio/laboratory, the STREB ACTION INVENTION LAB, open to the public in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Designer Resources > Product & Design

	Creative Close-up So you think you are a perfect geek? then take a look at this gallery of uber-cool home and office appliances, furniture and other decorative elements built just for for the new geek-chic. Many are expensive, and others are just prototypes, but that isn’t an obstacle for designers in search of the ultimate in nerd-savvy innovation.
	Daily Dump Daily Dump helps their customers manage household waste and convert it to useful high-quality compost with  the goal of creating globally green citizenship. They’re involved in developing a range of composting solutions, and have a number of simple home Composters. At the other end of the spectrum is the Nature Mill, which does the same operation housed in a high tech, modern casing. All of these products are designed to ensure that composting at home is convenient and hygienic.
	Esthex Esther Schuivens has designed children’s toys, dolls and accessories since 2003. Esthex was born one Sunday afternoon while Esther got very inspired looking through her own childhood drawings that she found in the attic of her parents house.Esther had several exhibitions in textile galleries.  She is a graduate of the school of Arts in Maastricht the Netherlands.
	Gestalten Product Blog Gestalten specializes in developing content for aficionados of cutting-edge visual culture worldwide. They publish books on the subject but also provide curation, art direction, consulting, production, distribution and design services to international clients such as Volkswagen and Diesel. Always working directly with young designers and artists, they convey an understanding of visual culture in an attempt to present trends with timeless substance.
	Karim Rashid Karim Rashid is a well-known figure in the fields of product, interior, fashion, furniture, and lighting design. He has designed for an array of clients including: Alessi, Dirt Devil, Umbra, Prada, Miyake, and Method. He has had some 2500 objects put into production to date. He believes that design is about a rigorous beautification of our environments; that if human nature is to live in the past - to change the world is to change human nature.
	Street Use This site by Kevin Kelly features the ways in which people modify and re-create technology. It is a collection of personal modifications, folk innovations, street customization, ad hoc alterations, wear-patterns, home-made versions and indigenous ingenuity. In short -- stuff as it is actually used, and not how its creators planned on it being used. Kelly welcomes suggestions of links and contributions from others to include in this interesting compendium.
	Design Boom designboom.com is an independent publication for contemporary issues and the critique of all aspects of design - especially those which develop the dialogue between design, creative professionals, industry and society. The Milan-based, free internet resource offers snapshot reports from major international design shows, architecture and art exhibitions; interviews and portraits of the protagonists in the contemporary creative scene; design history and in-depth information on the creators of classic designs. We especially liked the toaster from a designer thinking outside the box.
	d3o (Dee-three-oh) is a specially engineered material made with “intelligent” molecules. They flow with you as you move but on receiving any quick blunt collision, lock together to absorb the impact energy. Impact protection in active sports has traditionally been provided by bulky, rigid protectors, which forces a compromise between the level of protection you can wear and inhibited freedom of movement.
	Sirch Design The Sirch family in Germany has been producing products in wood for over 300 years. During the last part of the 20th century, the Sirch Company specialized in industrial shipping pallets, which they continue to manufacture today. After the death of his father Isidor Sirch, Wolfgang Sirch, an interior architect, became president. He brought Christoph Bitzer, a sculptor, into the company and the Sirch-Bitzer team began designing and producing special items for children under the brand name Sibi. All Sibi products are handmade in the Sirch factory in Bavaria, primarily in wood.
	Muji Store SoHo This minimalist Japanese emporium hosts a multitude of interesting, ever-changing wares in its newly opened store on Broadway in New York City. From soap to organizers, clothes to furniture, MUJI is not a brand whose value rests in frills and extras. Their streamlining is the result of the careful elimination and subtraction of gratuitous features and design unrelated to function. Their deliberate pursuit of the pure and the ordinary is the reason people embrace it – and why some of their items are carried by New York’s Museum of Modern Art store.
	Moco Loco Mocoloco is a blog for contemporary and modern product design. It covers the subjects of furniture, house wares, art, food, and events, among other categories.
	UniQlo (株式会社ユニクロ Kabushiki-gaisha yunikuro) This Japanese casual wear fashion designer, manufacturer and retailer. UNIQLO is Japan’s leading clothing retail chain in terms of both sales and profits. The company also operates in China, Hong Kong, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
	Material ConneXion M-C is an archive for information about new and innovative materials. Through their comprehensive innovative materials libraries located on three continents and their project-specific custom materials research group - the Advanced Material Solutions Team - Material ConneXion provides all disciplines of design development: product, packaging, architectural, interior, apparel and more, with both creative and competitive brokering of specialized raw and pre-fab materials.
	Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada is an independent, idealistic Spanish fashion designer. Her original bright-colored designs often feature motifs such as moons, stars, suns or hearts. She designs clothes, furniture, kitchenware, and soft for children, men and women. Her designs represent humor, bold colors and nature.
	Design*sponge Design*sponge features reviews, articles, features, rant and raves on all things design related. specializing in independent and local brooklyn and new york design. It features store and product reviews, sale and contest announcements, new designer profiles, trend forecasting and store/studio tours. In addition, Design*Sponge features a unique section dedicated to covering student design, national and international design shows. The site is updated constantly throughout the day (with an average of 6-10 posts a day).
	Zoogami The trend in providing web audiences with a lifestyle based around product continues to rise.  Zoogami is another complexly designed immersive website selling product under the guise of lifestyle management. Users take tests unrelated to fashion, which tell them what clothes will best suit them. What makes the site interesting is not what they are doing, but rather, the extent to which they are willing to go to sell their “story.”

Designer Resources > Web & Technology

	Adobe Creative Mind Website An Interactive site for Adobe Creative Suite in France - you don't have to speak the language, because the interface is completely visual. It is an entertaining and idea provoking immersive set of worlds that are in parity with the creative thinking one would expect from the Adobe team.
	Adobe Kuler Palate Adobe Labs provide you with the opportunity to experience and evaluate new and emerging innovations, technologies, and products from Adobe - such as...the Kuler website, an online community where you can explore, create, and share color themes. The color themes in kuler are contributed by its users, many of them designers or in the creative business. You can share with the community your own chromatic ingenuity, too, even sampling color palates from your photoshop files, photos and graphics.
	Classroom of the Future The modern education system has not changed much in the past 50 years. The goal of The Classroom of the Future Project is to create an environment where a post-modern generation of students has the ability to fully experience education through immersive digital content.
	Pharos Project The Mission of the Pharos Project is to establish a materials evaluation tool to be used by green building and procurement professionals.Through informed specification and selection of building materials, they plan to measurably enhance the environmental, human health, and social benefits associated with the contemporary building industry, and contribute towards the type of future we would want our children to inherit.
	Perceptive Pixel and Surface Multi-touch screens are not a new concept; they come standard with iPhones - but Jeff Han an engineer with a background in graphics and founder of Perceptive Pixel, Inc., a spin-off of the NYU Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, and Microsoft and independently developed the technology with advanced sensors and user-friendly interfaces to create valuable tools. Han’s device is an interactive media wall that is being used by doctors and the military, but can be purchased through Neiman Marcus for a mere $100k. Microsoft’s version of the technology, with interface called Surface is as impressive at a fraction of the cost.
	Harvard Microrobotics Lab Following the current trend in biomimicry in robotics is Harvard Microrobotics Lab where research focuses on all aspects of mobile microrobot design, fabrication, control, and analysis. But their best feat to date may be creating a robotic fly. Although still in the development stages they have utilized their expertise in microfabrication and microsystem design combined with insights from nature to enable them to create the high-performance microrobots. Someday microrobots like these will be used for search and rescue, hazardous environment exploration, environmental monitoring, and reconnaissance. The lab was founded within the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences by Prof. Robert Wood and contains some facilities for the creation of articulated and actuated devices with feature sizes ranging from micron to centimeter.
	Photo Synth Using photos of subjects from around the Web, Photosynth (based on Seadragon interface technology) analyzes collected images for similarities, and then displays them in a reconstructed three-dimensional space, showing how each one relates to the next – all with zoom and navigation features on an colossal scale. Its architect, Blaise Aguera y Arcas, transforms the way we manipulate and experience digital images by allowing access to gigabytes of photos in seconds. It allows users to view a scenes from nearly any angle, find similar photos with a single click, and zoom in to make the smallest detail as big as their monitor. Click here to see  Mr. Aguera y Arcas speak at the 2007 TED conference.
	Cornell Computational Synthesis Lab Scientists at the CCSL are trying to find a way to put together machines to achieve high-level functionality; for instance: those that can move or empower themselves or that can design other machines. This is the problem of Synthesis. Although engineers practice it and teach it all the time, they do not have a formal model of how open-ended synthesis can be done automatically. The possible applications are innumerable. CCSL focuses on self-organization and evolutionary phenomena, and their application to engineering design automation and understanding the complexity in natural systems.
	Plushie Interactive Design System Plushie is an interactive system that allows non-professional users to design their own original plush toys. It facilitates the construction of an appropriate two-dimensional pattern on the fly during the creation of a virtual 3D modeling. In this way, the models on the screen are always a good approximation of the final sewn result, which makes the design process much more efficient. They use a sketching interface for 3D modeling and also provide various editing operations tailored for plush toy design. Internally, the system constructs a 2D cloth pattern in such a way that the simulation result matches the user's input stroke. The goal is to show that relatively simple algorithms can provide fast, satisfactory results.
	Information Lab Informationlab was founded by Auke Touwslager, initially as a reflection of his personal interests, but it has grown into an international network for research, collaboration, exchange of knowledge and concept development. Its main goal is to create new ways of interfacing with the diverse flows of information in public spaces and constructing the info as, what they refer to as architecture, but which could also be described as art. Touwslager received his design degree from the Design Academy in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
	Reconfigurable Robots Biomimicry is a discipline that studies nature’s best ideas and then imitates their designs and processes to solve other problems. Numerous university robotics programs are developing reconfigurable modular robots. One of the most interesting is The M-TRAN II that can move using a variety of techniques, it can walk, rolls, wiggle, and climb. Because it is modular, it can take itself apart and put itself back together to address whatever task it wishes to engage. Watch another video of biomimicry in robots.
	Google Android The Android platform is a software stack (a set of layered programs that communicate with one another) for mobile devices. It includes an operating system, middleware, and key applications. Developers can create applications for the platform using the Android SDK (Software Development Kit, using the Java programming language. The Open Handset Alliance, a group of more than 30 technology and mobile companies, is developing Android: the first complete, open, and free mobile platform. Developers are welcomed to start developing new applications, and Google is offering $10 million dollars to split among the best, most creative applications.
	Gizmodo Gizmodo is a blog with the sole purpose of writing about tech and gadgets as fast as possible. It has grown to be Gawker Media's largest blog, bringing in upwards of 50 million page views a month in traffic. They post about a variety of gadgets, including computers, cellphones, video games, cameras and anything else on which you can push a button.
	del.icio.us del.icio.us is a social bookmarking website -- the primary use of which is to store bookmarks online, which allows users to access and add the same bookmarks from any computer. Lots of websites are adding a del.icio.us button to their sites to easily add the site to del.icio.us.
	Facebook Over the last nine months social network has become the hottest new development platform (a showcase for mini user-created games and widgets) on the web. When Facebook opened up its platform to independent developers in May, it became a hotbed for hungry startups eyeing the network's rapidly expanding base of 31 million members. This is why Facebook, which turned down a reported $1 billion purchase offer from yahoo earlier this year was recently valued by Microsoft at $15 billion.
	Stumble upon This social bookmarking site helps users share favorite websites, pictures and videos that they “stumble upon” while surfing the net. Like similar sites, users can put a Stumble Button on their toolbar to attach new sites to their online profile; pages are soon matched to users’ personal preferences, recommended by friends or one of 3,5 million other web surfers with similar interests. They utilize a Facebook application platform as well.

China Toy Expo

Organized by the China Toy Association – the only national trade association for the Chinese toy industry authorized by the Chinese government – China Toy Expo (formerly Shanghai Toy Expo) is the specialized trading fair in Asia focusing on toys, hobby and baby articles. Boasting more than 25,000 attendees at the 2007 event, it is China's leading market platform and gives international manufacturers access to the booming Chinese market.

China's toy imports in 2007 increased 106% over 2006, and show no signs of abating. The 300 million children under the age of 14 in China comprise a huge market and create tremendous demand for toys of all categories. What's more, the multiplex development of China's retail market, joined by large retail chains such as Wal-Mart, Carrefour, and Toys"R" Us, offers exciting international growth potential for manufacturers, licensors and retailers alike.

This is a market that TIA member companies should definitely know about – which is why we plan to host our first-ever members-only pavilion at this year's China Toy Expo in October. If your strategic goals include reaching sales agents/wholesalers, importers/exporters, retailers and chain/department store product decision makers from China, then we encourage you to join us in the TIA pavilion. For details, please contact Ava Slepicoff at 646-520-4852.

June 2008

Partners and Programs - The Summer Toy Drive Aims to Have Children Swimming in Toys Leaders and Friends - Innovative Company Chelsea & Scott Honored as the First Toy Bank Power Player Announcements - Support TIF While You Surf the Web with GoodSearch.com Y TIF? - Billy’s Story: Finding Worthwhile Causes and Joining the Fight

The Summer Toy Drive Aims to Have Children Swimming in Toys
On May 1, 2008, The Toy Industry Foundation kicked off its annual Summer Toy Drive. Under the leadership of committee chairs Tom Neville and Rick Neitz, the effort is already off to a successful start with more than $1 million worth of toys collected so far! Over the course of the Summer Toy Drive, which lasts from May 1 – September 1, the Foundation hopes to collect even more product so that children everywhere can have the chance to be Swimming in Toys!

"The Summer Toy Drive is the perfect time to remind the toy industry that the need for play is year-round" said Jean Butler, executive director of The Toy Industry Foundation. "Often companies wait until the holiday season to donate product, but our recipient charities are constantly in need of product. The drive encourages people to make a donation that will make a significant difference in a child's life."

In addition to the committee chairs, several other industry executives are helping The Toy Bank reach its goal:

Toy Bank Committee Members:

• Brendan Boyle, IDEO
• Bill Campbell, LeapFrog
• Rick Neitz, Richard Neitz and Associates
• Tom Neville, The Canadian Group
• James Slifer, The Joester Loria Group
• Julie Stern, LEGO Systems

If you are interested in contributing to the Summer Toy Drive or have any questions about The Toy Bank, please contact Carrie Smith at (646) 454-5581.

Innovative Company Chelsea & Scott Honored as the First Toy Bank Power Player
The Toy Industry Foundation is grateful to Chelsea & Scott Ltd. for their generous donation to The Toy Bank and has selected the company as the first Toy Bank Power Player. The Power Player title recognizes outstanding members of the toy industry whose generosity and charitable spirit towards the Toy Bank set an example for the industry as a whole. The Foundation will honor companies and individuals who, like Chelsea & Scott, show such immense benevolence.

To celebrate the 20^th anniversary of her company, Karen Scott, president of Chelsea & Scott Ltd. decided to give back to the people who keep her business going – children! After researching her options, Scott chose to donate $1 million of their original products to The Toy Bank™. Because of The Toy Bank's broad reach and ability to affect communities all over the United States and even abroad, Scott knew that it would be the best destination for her generous donation.

Scott left her corporate America office to spend more time with her children a few months after the birth of her second child. In a matter of time, she was creating products to address the problem of out of date, unusable hand-me downs. She and her husband Ian turned feedback from a homemade questionnaire into items that fit seamlessly into families' lives while also withstanding the test of time. Their creations were then included in catalogs of Scott's design, One Step Ahead and Leaps and Bounds. The catalogs have become one of the most trusted sources for parents in search of quality toys, clothing, bedding, and other children's accessories.

To see a list of other Toy Bank contributors, click here.

Support TIF While You Surf the Web with GoodSearch.com
For most people, searching for something on the Web is part of their daily routine. Now there is a way to support the Foundation while you search!

GoodSearch.com, the Yahoo-powered search engine, gives a penny to the Toy Industry Foundation every time you search and select the Foundation as your recipient charity. To make it even easier, click here to download the GoodSearch toolbar for your computer.

GoodSearch also gives back with their GoodShop service. With GoodShop, hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Best Buy, Macy's and others donate a percentage of each online purchase to TIF without any extra cost to the shopper. Every time you place an order, you'll be supporting TIF!

To begin searching and shopping, or for more information, visit GoodSearch.com.

Billy's Story: Finding Worthwhile Causes and Joining Their Fight
At age 3, Billy Therriault is interested in playing with dinosaurs, watching his favorite television shows, and playing games with his family. Unlike other children his age, Billy was diagnosed at birth with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a genetic disorder that affects the motor neurons of the spinal cord and brain stem making it difficult, and for Billy, impossible to swallow, breathe or move on his own. Eventually, Billy may even lose his ability to smile.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy is the number one genetic killer of babies under two. In addition, one in every forty Americans carries the gene for the disease. Awareness about the disease and more importantly, resources for parents of children like Billy, are slim.

The Toy Industry Foundation heard Billy's story along with the stories of other children affected by Spinal Muscular Atrophy and wanted to help. We provided a grant to FightSMA, an advocacy group for the disease, and hosted the first annual Fighter Mom™ Friday, a symposium giving parents with children facing health challenges the tools to best fight their child's disease. The event took place on May 9 at the New York Palace Hotel and resulted in new dialogue among a determined group of Fighter Moms.

Through grants, sponsorships and partnerships, TIF is able to offer assistance to organizations like FightSMA so that all children, regardless of circumstance, are able to find comfort and joy through play. To make a donation to help make play possible for all, click here.

July 2008

TIA Rolls Out Toy Safety Certification Program^SM
Register now to learn more about the new TIA Toy Safety Certification Program (TSCP^SM) set to launch in 2009 via a special webinar and live seminars this month. Participants will learn how to prepare for, implement and comply with TSCP requirements and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Reform Act.

Elizabeth Borrelli, Executive Director of the TIA TSCP and Vice President of Corporate Responsibility, will join representatives from Bureau Veritas (webinar sponsor) and STR (seminar series sponsor). The webinar will be held on July 10^th; the seminars will be held on:

Tuesday, July 15^th – Los Angeles, CA
Thursday, July 17^th – Rosemont, IL
Tuesday, July 22^nd – New York, NY

Click here for locations, agenda, and registration information.

Save 10% on Exhibit Space at Chicago Toy and Game Fair
As a member of TIA you are entitled to a 10% discount on exhibit space at the Chicago Toy and Game Fair – the only U.S. toy and game event outside the hobby category developed for and open to the public.

This year's Chi-TAG, being held at the Navy Pier, November 22-23, 2008, is the largest focus group and play testing opportunity you will ever find! It's the perfect event to showcase your product(s) directly to your customers – the children and families who actually play with your toys and games – and we have secured a discounted rate for any member who wants to participate. Click here for details.

If your schedule allows, please consider arriving early for TAGIE 2008 – the Toy and Game Inventor Expo, November 20- 23^rd, at the Navy Pier. TAGIE is designed to help the new inventor and entrepreneur by providing an invaluable opportunity to learn and meet face-to-face with top industry professionals and successful toy and game inventors. There will be two packed days of discussions, meetings, seminars and information that you need to know about the toy and game industry. Join your industry colleagues as they honor Jeffrey Breslow, co-founder of Big Monster Toys, for his lifetime achievement, and be on hand for the Toy and Game Inventor Awards. Nominations are being accepted now. Contact Mary Couzin at 847-677-8277 for details. Click here for more information.

TIA Hosting First-Ever Members-Only Pavilion at China Toy Expo in Shanghai
Did you know that imported toy sales in China grew 106% between 2006 and 2007 to a value of $800 million?

Fueled by the increased number of distribution channels available and the chance to showcase your product to an international gathering of decision-makers, TIA is excited to provide you with the opportunity to join our Members-Only pavilion at the China Toy Expo in Shanghai, October 9-11, 2008.

With more than 22,000 importers, sales agents, wholesalers and retailers from all provinces of China in attendance at the 2007 show, the China Toy Expo is an unmatched opportunity for TIA members to penetrate the Asian market – and we have made exhibiting smooth and easy!

We have created an all-inclusive exhibit package which includes stand construction, carpet, reception counter, table and chairs, shelves and spotlights. TIA will also handle the advance work with the stand builders and we'll be there to help you navigate on-site logistical requirements. We are committed to making your experience as simple as possible.

For details please contact Ava Slepicoff at 646-520-4852.

Discounted TIA Member Packages for 2009 Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair
The Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers is offering an exclusive package to TIA members during the 2009 Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair.

The Stay and Showcase Package delivers "Suite Success" by providing a spacious suite with sleeping accommodations and an adjacent area that can be converted to meeting or showroom space to display product.

Enjoy 25% off the best available suite rate and additional privileges including:

Early Bird Saver
Book before October 31, 2008 to enjoy an additional daily discount of HK$200! For complete details and to make reservations at this special TIA member rate, please contact Ms. Louisa Wu.

Submit Your Space Applications for Fall Toy Preview
More than 95% of exhibit space at Fall Toy Preview has already been sold – so if you need to meet with your key accounts, call your Account Executive today! Over 750 long-lead buyers from mass market retailers such as Toys "R" Us, Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, Sears, Amazon.com and many others are expected to gather for 4 days of pre-scheduled appointments.

If you sell to mass, you need to ACT NOW! Don't miss out on this perfectly-timed event to preview your Q4-2009 product to your biggest customers. Submit your application today or contact your Account Executive directly. Company names beginning with:

It's Not Too Early to Think About Toy Fair 09
It's simple: if toys are your industry, Toy Fair is your show. You know you're going to be there – so why not cross one thing off your "to do" list and submit your Toy Fair 09 exhibitor application right now?

Toy Fair brings together more of the key players in the toy and youth entertainment industry together than any other event in the Western Hemisphere:

PLUS, with 1000+ global media in attendance, there is no better opportunity for you to grab the attention of the A-list media than by exhibiting at Toy Fair.

For questions about exhibiting, please submit your application or contact your Account Executive directly. Company names beginning with:

Event Sponsorship & Advertising Opportunities
Enhance your presence at Fall Toy Preview and/or Toy Fair and increase buyer awareness of your participation by choosing any of our many advertising and sponsorship opportunities. For complete details, availability and pricing, contact Charles Allen.

NEW Public Relations Webinar Program for TIA Members
Toy Industry Association is proud to present a FREE 1-hour webinar designed to provide you with the tools you need to attract media attention and build media coverage for your product and your brand:

Key Strategies to Successful Media Relations
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
1:00pm Eastern Time
Register Now!

Julie Livingston, TIA Senior Director of Public Relations, and Tom Cherry, Co-Founder and COO of Virtual Press Office (VPO) will walk you through the key steps and strategies necessary for a winning media relations campaign including:

This program is a benefit of membership in TIA and is provided at no cost, but you must register now!

TIF Kicks Off Summer at Ronald McDonald House in Manhattan
On June 24, 2008, The Toy Industry Foundation hosted a summer kick-off party for the children and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Manhattan. The largest facility of its kind, Ronald McDonald House Manhattan provides temporary housing and a strong, supportive and caring environment for more than 80 pediatric cancer patients and their families from all over the world.

TIF and TIA staff joined the children and families on the beautiful terraces at the house to enjoy sundaes and refreshments, build creations from blocks generously donated by LEGO and concoct "dirt pudding" complete with fake flowers and gummy worms!

"Participating in such an event and being able to laugh and play with these children, makes you remember why we work in the toy industry – to bring smiles to the faces of children everywhere" said Toy Industry Foundation Manager Amanda McDorman.

By the end of the event children and staffers alike were covered in pudding and swimming in LEGOs! Judging by the elaborate LEGO creations, and the empty cartons of ice cream, the event was a great success and fun for all.

To make a donation to TIF to help facilitate events like this, please click here.

Enhanced Retail Solutions: Practice Your Pitch
Bringing a new product or brand to market is both exciting and challenging in the current retail environment. Convincing a retail buyer that you have the next big thing requires a well thought out strategy, and a pitch that enables them to fully grasp your concept. Here are five things you can do to increase your chances of getting to retail:

Buyers hear hundreds (maybe thousands) of pitches, each one claiming to be a "must-have". When developing your pitch, remember that – and prove to the buyer how your product or brand will make their department more productive.

For more information about Enhanced Retail Solutions, contact David Matsil, President of Business Development and Marketing, at 212-938-1991, ext. 103 or dmatsil@ers-c.com.

Online Play: Earning Mom's Trust and Children's Interest

Did you know that among kids 2-14 who have access to the Internet, 1 out of every 2 are getting online without their parents and surfing solo, downloading content to cell phones, game systems, computers, or portable digital music/video players?

Which sites are kids drawn to and why? What are the different patterns by age group? Which sites are most trusted by moms and why? What are the new opportunities that may be relevant to your business?

You can learn this and more in Online Play: Earning Mom's Trust and Children's Interest, an in-depth research study conducted by the NPD Group Inc. and commissioned by TIA. The findings will help your company find creative ways to engage boys and girls in a new play experience that mixes online and physical play.

For more information and to reserve a copy, email kidsreport@npd.com.

August 2008

• New Toy Safety Legislation Passed by Congress
• Thanks to Our Members Who Participated in the DC Fly-in
• TIA Co-Sponsors First Ever Multi-Industry Safety Summit on Import Safety
• Retailer Registration Strong for Fall Toy Preview
• Don’t Miss the Year’s Biggest Networking Bash
• The Heat is ON – Apply for Toy Fair 2009 Space Today
• TIA Hosting First-Ever Pavilion in Shanghai This Fall
• Export Webinar Series Available Online
• Exclusive Education for Toy Fair Exhibitors
• Save the Date for ToyCon ’09
• Successful Summer Credit Conference
• TIA to Participate in Toy Wishes Event
• Tracking the Trends with WGSN
• Special Advertising Opportunity in the Hong Kong Vendor Pocket Guide
• Maximize Your Media Dollars with The Toy Channel^TM on VOD
• TIA to Moderate a Panel at the Virtual Worlds Conference

New Toy Safety Legislation Passed by Congress
Congress last week overwhelmingly passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 – the most significant expansion of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) since it was created in 1973. This sweeping measure, which passed the Senate 89 to 3 and the House 424 to 1, is now awaiting President Bush's signature, which is expected.

According to Carter Keithley, President of TIA, this new safety legislation is "a historic change for the industry. It adds a remarkable level of additional toy safety assurance."

TIA applauds Congress for working hard to develop this legislation, which we have supported through educational outreach to legislators, committee testimony, meetings with third-party agencies and grassroots efforts. We regard this bill to be mostly fair and balanced legislation that will help ensure that the industry continues to be regulated by uniform national standards based on sound science. Our principle concern – that the toy industry would end up with a confusing patchwork of individual state limits on chemicals such as lead and cadmium – seems to have been avoided.

We are also pleased that the CPSC is emerging from this process much stronger and better financed. We look forward to working with them as they develop regulations to implement the new legislation.

TIA is currently in the process of preparing an overview summary of the legislation for the convenience of our members. This summary will be posted on our website shortly, and you will be alerted as soon as it is available for review.

Thanks to Our Members Who Participated in the DC Fly-in
TIA members traveled to Washington DC on July 7^th through July 9^th to participate in the 2^nd Annual DC Fly-In.

A big thank you goes to the TIA member participants this year who took time away from their busy schedules to travel to our Nation's Capitol to advocate on the industries behalf during this crucial time. The group had nearly 25 meetings with Members of Congress, Congressional staff and White House officials where participants carried the industry's message of support for federal uniform national standards when legislating on toy safety issues.Participants also shared valuable information about their businesses, their employees and revenues generated in their elected officials' states.

For more information on this event or to inquire about joining us next year for the 3^rd Annual DC Fly-In, please contact Peter Sandel at 646-520-5580. More details on possible dates will be forthcoming in the next few months.

Please view a photo gallery we have created from the event.

TIA Co-Sponsors First Ever Multi-Industry Safety Summit on Import Safety
The Toy Industry Association was among 12 trade groups sponsoring an inter-industry summit on import safety on July 9, 2008 in Washington, D.C. Carter Keithley, TIA President, presented the opening remarks and Elizabeth Borrelli, Executive Director of TIA's Toy Safety Certification Program and Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, previewed the industry's proposed Toy Safety Certification Program^TM as part of the Standards and Certification Panel.

"The Toy Industry Association was pleased to be part of this groundbreaking opportunity to bring together private industry, government and consumers in order to identify and act on import safety solutions. The global marketplace is dynamic and, while our record for safety is exemplary, we must continuously improve in order to protect consumers," said Mr. Keithley.

"Standards and certification issues play a critical role in global supply chain solutions.This kind of cooperation and sharing of best practices will help improve import safety," said Ms. Borrelli.

Co-sponsors of the summit were American National Standards Institute; Biotechnology Industry Organization; Consumer Healthcare Products Association; Food Marketing Institute; Generic Pharmaceutical Association; Grocery Manufacturers Association; Healthcare Distribution Management Association; National Fisheries Institute; National Restaurant Association; Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America; Retail Industry Leaders Association and Toy Industry Association.

Retailer Registration Strong For Fall Toy Preview
It's only August and already 617 buyers from 263 retail outlets have registered to attend Fall Toy Preview. (Check out the full list of registered attendees here). Held from October 14-17 at the Dallas Market Center, this is the perfectly-timed event to preview your Q4 product to your biggest customers.

With more than 95% of available exhibit space already sold, you MUST call your Account Executive or submit your space application today! And for those of you already exhibiting, be sure to register early and avoid the lines for your show credentials.

Don't Miss the Year's Biggest Networking Bash
If you're planning to attend Fall Toy Preview, be sure to purchase your ticket for the Opening Night Party – THE networking event of the season. Tuesday, October 14 is the night TIA will be hosting this incomparable opportunity to socialize with your clients, colleagues, and friends – and most importantly, support a worthy cause.

Your ticket donation of $25 includes open bar, food and entertainment, and will directly benefit the Toy Industry Foundation, an innovative organization that gives children in need and at risk the opportunity to meet a vital, yet frequently overlooked, developmental need – play.

Feeling generous? If you want to do something ultra special consider buying extra tickets and inviting your clients to attend as your guest – or buy as many tickets as you want just to show you care. Your big night on the town and your big heart will help provide toys, smiles and endless hours of fun to children in need around the world.

Exhibitors - Buy your tickets now!
Attendees - Buy your tickets now!

The Heat is ON – Apply for Toy Fair 2009 Space Today
Temperatures aren't the only thing rising this summer! Over 290,000 square feet of exhibit space has already been sold for Toy Fair 2009 and the numbers keep growing. If you have not already submitted an application, don't wait a minute longer. Contact your Account Executive today! Company names beginning with:

Click here for an application.

TIA Hosting First-Ever Pavilion in Shanghai This Fall
TIA will be hosting an outstanding event this October to assist our members in bringing their products to an exciting new market.

Join TIA as we host a Members-only pavilion for the first time at the China Toy Expo in Shanghai, October 9-11, 2008.The all-important Asian market is at your fingertips when you participate in the TIA pavilion – and to make joining us as easy as possible, we have created an all-inclusive exhibit package for just $159 per square meter!

TIA will handle the advance work with the stand builders and be there to help you navigate on-site logistical requirements. In fact, we'll do everything possible to make your experience simple and profitable. PLUS, TIA pavilion participants will receive access to the international VIP Lounge for the duration of the event.

If your strategic goals include penetrating the Asian market, then consider showing your products in Shanghai. View the exhibitor brochure or view a sample package. Exhibiting is easy, but time is running out. For more information, please contact Ava Slepicoff at 646-520-4852.

Export Webinar Series Available OnlineThroughout June, TIA, in partnership with Richard Gottlieb, Gottlieb & Associates and Andrew Dobbie, Gameplan Europe presented a series of one-hour webinars focused on the importance of being export-ready, as well as the ins and outs of exporting products to Europe.

If you were unable to join us for any of the programs, you may visit our website and experience the presentations at your convenience.The first program, Selling Your Toys in Europe, is available with our compliments and the remaining sessions are just $50 each for members, $150 each for non-members.

Exclusive Education for Toy Fair Exhibitors
In September 2007, TIA launched its first exhibitor webinar series to resounding acclaim. Beginning this Fall, we will bring you the second year of our virtual "Masters Degree" in event marketing program.Noted marketing guru Charles W. Allen will once again share his expertise and provide you with valuable knowledge on how best to increase your ROI at Toy Fair and beyond.

This complimentary five-part series is an exclusive benefit of exhibiting at Toy Fair and we look forward to your participation.Details on dates and times will be available in the coming weeks, so be on the lookout!

Save the Date for ToyCon '09
ToyCon 2009 will be held May 6 – 8^th at the luxurious Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Simple, understated elegance and luxury, indigenous charm and the prestigious AAA Four-Diamond Award make this destination and this conference one you will not want to miss!

Keep your eyes out for further details about this extraordinary leadership event.

Successful Summer Credit Conference
The 2008 National Summer Credit Conference was held in Chicago on July 14-16, and was deemed a major success by all who attended.

Hosted by the TIA for the members of Toy Industry Association's Credit Interchange – a popular complimentary TIA member benefit – the conference attracted nearly 40 participants, including Credit Managers, Vice Presidents of Finance, and Chief Financial Officers from toy companies large and small. Conferees were greeted by TIA President Carter Keithley and Vice President of Membership Jean Butler.

The program featured a Review of Accounts session and presentations byspeakers from retailersCalendar Club and ShopKo, and as well as expert presentationson Letter of Credit and compliance issues by Eastern Bank and EXIM Associates. Participants also received an update on financials and credit risk analyses by Creditntell.com.

For thefirst time, the conference offeredits participants a Credit Manager workshop focused on the challenges of today's credit and collection environment. Nicole Hill, Credit Committee and Northeast Chapter Chair, andDarlene Duggan, Co-Chair, moderated the session which, according to member feedback, was a major highlight of the conference.

This year's event also featured a networking dinner at Chicago's cozy Topo Gigio restaurant and a comedy show at the legendary Second City comedy club.

TIA to Participate in Toy Wishes Event
TIA will have a booth at this year's Toy Wishes event at the Jacob Javits Center on October 7, 2008. Representatives will be on hand to answer questions about the industry, TIA membership and all other pertinent topics. In addition, the Toy Industry Foundation will be conducting a Toy Bank collection for all companies who are interested in donating product to the Foundation.

For more information on the Toy Bank donation, please contact Amanda McDorman.

Tracking the Trends with WGSN
To help our members stay on top of youth fashion and lifestyle trends, TIA has enlisted the services of WGSN, the global fashion trend forecasting service. Each month, in PDF format, TIA members can see a mélange of photos which illustrate youth fashions from around the globe including kids trade shows like Playtime (France) and Pitti Bimbo (Italy), street fashions from London and Japan, as well as cutting edge entertainment news.

The toy industry and fashion are closely intertwined, says Julie Livingston, Senior Director, Public Relations, TIA. "Both industries need to capture the hottest trends – music, fashion and pop culture – in order to thrive; our partnership with WGSN will help enlighten our members with a monthly flow of information."

Click here to connect to TIA's Track the Trends section. You must login to the TIA website to access this page. For assistance, contact webmaster@toyassociation.org.

Special Advertising Opportunity in the Hong Kong Vendor Pocket Guide
ANB Media, in conjunction with TIA, will publish a stand-alone pocket guide of manufacturers that have showrooms and/or hotel space in Hong Kong in early 2009. The Hong Kong Vendor Pocket Guide will be mailed to Toys & Family Entertainment's subscribers in the December issue. In addition, it will be distributed in Hong Kong at hotels, showrooms, and other non-convention center venues coinciding with/in anticipation of the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair.

The take-along guide (at 4" wide x 8.5" high) will offer a number of options to direct buyers to your Hong Kong location and deliver your brand's message.

For more information, contact Nancy Lombardi at 646-763–8722. To place an ad or company listing, contact Bob Glaser at 646-763–8720.

Maximize Your Media Dollars with THE TOY CHANNEL^TM on VOD
TIA and Blue Plate Media Services would like to introduce THE TOY CHANNEL™ – the first-ever TV channel dedicated entirely to toys.

This video-on-demand (VOD) channel launches October of this year and is sure to deliver long form content that will drive your holiday message! In addition to your Media Pod on VOD, you will also receive FREE :30 second branded commercials on leading Kid and Mom networks driving viewers to your product on The Toy Channel.

For more information and to learn how to participate in this exciting VOD platform, call David Becker of Blue Plate Media Services at 908-918-0202. For every unit sold, a donation will be made to the Toy Industry Foundation.

Maximize your media dollars this holiday season and be a part of the The Toy Channel buzz!

TIA to Moderate a Panel at the Virtual Worlds Conference
Julie Livingston, Senior Director, Public Relations, Toy Industry Association, will moderate a panel on "Evolution of Toys and Online Play" at the Virtual Worlds Conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Wednesday, Sept 3^rd from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Panelists include Ethan Wood, Senior Industrial Manager, Mattel ... Ginny McCormick, Interactive Director, Techno Source (maker of Clickables) ... Brenda Elliot, Vice President, Marketing, iToys (maker of Me2) ... and Joshua Howard, Senior Vice-President of Online Development/Bella Sara, Hidden City Games.

TIA members save an additional 15% off the registration rate using the promo code TIAVIP during the registration process.

For more information on The Virtual Worlds Conference, click here.

Gifts of Stocks & Securities

Making a stock gift to the Toy Industry Foundation (TIF) may allow you to reduce your tax liability while still receiving a charitable contribution deduction.

Gifts of stock are valued at the average market price on the day the donated securities enter TIF’s account. Making a contribution of a long-term appreciated asset generally entitles you to an income tax deduction for the current fair market value of that asset (if you have owned them for a year and a day) no matter what your original cost. The asset you donate is usually removed from your taxable estate, which means an additional tax savings for your heirs and you avoid capital gains taxes. (Please consult your tax advisor.)

To help support TIF’s mission of bringing joy, comfort and learning through children in need through play, please contact Amanda McDorman at amcdorman@toyindustryfoundation.org or call (646) 520-4878 to arrange a donation.

September 2008

• Toy Industry to Focus on Implementation of Toy Safety Legislation
• TIA and ANSI Partner on Toy Safety Certification Program^SM
• LAST CHANCE to Join TIA's First-Ever Pavilion in Shanghai
• NEW! Fall Toy Preview Buyer Invitation Program
• Everything's Bigger in Texas - Even Your Heart!
• TIA Tracks the Trends with WGSN
• 2009 Toy Industry Hall of Fame Inductees Named
• FREE Toy Fair Webinar Programs to Resume in October
• Toy Fair Exhibitors EXCLUSIVE: Promote Your Product for FREE!
• Have You Connected With TIA's ToyConnections^SM Yet?
• Register Now for Sandbox Summit®: September 24, 2008 in NYC
• A Tax-Advantaged Way to Support the Toy Industry Foundation
• Media Clip of the Month
• HUB: Understanding Risk Exposures of Doing Business Abroad
• TIA Media Tip of the Month: Want to Reach Kids? Head to the Classroom!

Toy Industry to Focus on Implementation of Toy Safety Legislation

On August 14th, 2008, President Bush signed the long awaited Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (HR 4040) into law. The act reauthorizes the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for 2010-2014 and expands the Commission's role in ensuring the safety of consumer products, especially those designed for children.

The signing triggers the enactment timeline for a number of provisions that will significantly change how the toy industry is regulated. TIA has posted a summary of the major provisions of the law here.

In order to begin implementation of the new law, the CPSC held a public meeting on September 4th to initiate the conversation with stakeholders as to how the Commission will go about writing the implementation regulations. TIA was well represented at the CPSC meeting and will continue to notify and educate members of relevant regulations and how they are being interpreted.

With the signing of HR 4040, the toy industry has passed one phase of the legislative process and will now focus on the next phase as the CPSC prepares to clarify and implement nearly 40 mandates handed down by Congress. 
 

TIA and ANSI Partner on Toy Safety Certification Program^SM

TIA and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in support of the accreditation program of TIA's developing Toy Safety Certification Program (TSCP).

"We are proud that ANSI is a part of the TSCP and the official accreditor of its product certification bodies," said Elizabeth Borrelli, Executive Director, TSCP, Toy Industry Association. "The Toy Safety Certification Program goes beyond what is required by the new federal legislation and identifies and remedies problems before toys enter the supply chain. ANSI's involvement lends credibility, strength and rigor to our system."

The TSCP was created by TIA with the help of ANSI, consumer advocates, conformity assessment experts, toy companies, and retailers to improve toy safety, restore consumer confidence, and implement the new federal law requiring that manufacturers have their toy products tested by a qualified lab and certify that they meet safety standards. The program will be further developed and tested through 2008.

Under the MoU, ANSI's assessment of the competence of product certification bodies will be determined by requirements in the international standard ISO/IEC Guide 65, General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems, the associated International Accreditation Forum Guidance Document, and program requirements for the TSCP.

"ANSI is pleased to partner with TIA and play an ongoing role in the development and implementation of programs that help to keep our children safe," said Lane Hallenbeck, Vice President of Accreditation Services at ANSI. "The Toy Safety Certification Program marks a significant step forward assuring integrity and consistency in toy safety certification. We look forward to adding value as a globally recognized, neutral, third-party accreditor."

LAST CHANCE to Join TIA's First-Ever Pavilion in Shanghai 

If your strategic goals include penetrating the Asian market, then you should be showing your products at the China Toy Expo in Shanghai, October 9-11, 2008. For the first time, TIA will be hosting a Members-only pavilion to assist our members in bringing their products to this exciting new market.

To make joining us as easy as possible, we have created an all-inclusive exhibit package for just $159 per square meter. TIA will handle the advance work with the stand builders and be there to help you navigate on-site logistical requirements. In fact, we'll do everything possible to make your experience simple and profitable. PLUS, TIA pavilion participants will receive access to the international VIP Lounge for the duration of the event.

Exhibiting is easy, but time is running out. View the exhibitor brochure or view a sample package. For more information, please contact Ava Slepicoff at 646-520-4852.

NEW! Fall Toy Preview Buyer Invitation Program  

Fall Toy Preview is fast approaching and, as always, TIA wants your experience to be productive and profitable. That's why we've designed a brand-new Buyer Invitation Program to specifically target the buyers on your "wish list" - those retailers who you'd love to meet but who haven't yet come to Dallas.

It's FREE ... it's EASY ... and it creates an ideal opportunity for a new group of buyers to schedule appointments with you. Simply click here to enter up to six "wish list" buyers who you feel should be attending the show but are not currently doing so. TIA will then create an invitation and send it directly to the buyers you want to see!

We ask that you submit your invitation list no later than September 15, 2008.

Everything's Bigger in Texas - Even Your Heart!

We know you care about children. We know you support the Toy Industry Foundation. And we know you want to have a good time at Fall Toy Preview in Dallas. Now, you can do all three at the same time when you buy your tickets for the Opening Night Party on Tuesday, October 14th.

For only $25 per ticket you can enjoy the industry's premier networking event, complete with open bar, endless food, and a convivial atmosphere with good friends, coworkers and clients. Best of all, all ticket proceeds will help children at risk by directly benefitting the good works of the Toy Industry Foundation.

This is a perfect opportunity to have fun, conduct business AND support an extremely worthy cause. And let's face it - this is the least expensive Happy Hour in town! Where else can you eat, drink, network and be generous for only $25?

Show your toy industry colleagues you care and buy your tickets now!

TIA Tracks the Trends with WGSN 

TIA has teamed up with WGSN, the world's leading online research, trend analysts and news service for the fashion style industries, to bring you a taste of what's hot for kids this coming season. Since kids are always in the know - and track trends more than any other age demographic - it's important for everyone in the toy and youth industry to keep up on trendy colors, people, licenses and even attitudes.

WGSN experts span the globe and visit, stores, trade shows and observe people on the street to give you the most comprehensive overview of what the trends are – right now!

Click here for their August report.

2009 Toy Industry Hall of Fame Inductees Named

Joan Ganz Cooney, co-founder of Children's Television Workshop (renamed Sesame Workshop in 2000) and Jack Pressman, founder of J. Pressman & Company (Pressman Toys) will be inducted into the 2009 Toy Industry Hall of Fame. Established in 1984, the Toy Industry Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have significantly contributed to the growth and success of the toy industry.

The Hall of Fame ceremony honoring Ms. Cooney and Mr. Pressman will take place as part of the ninth annual TOTY (Toy of the Year) Awards event, set for the evening of Sunday, February 15, 2009 in New York City at Chelsea Piers/Pier 60. Ms. Cooney will be present to accept her award in person.

FREE Toy Fair Webinar Programs to Resume in October 

TIA is set bring you another year of FREE webinar programs designed exclusively for Toy Fair exhibitors. In 2007, we launched our first 5 part series to great acclaim – and we will begin the sophomore year of our virtual "Masters Degree" in event marketing program in October. Marketing guru and webinar leader Charles W. Allen will return to the head of the class and provide you with the next steps in your event marketing education.Mark your calendar for this and the other programs in our series:

• October 7 - Extreme Marketing Makeover
• November 11 - The Science of Event Marketing 2.0
• December 2 - The Mastery of Boothmanship 2.0
• January 20 - Today's 5 Essential Steps to Every Winning Presentation
• March 10 - Harvesting Leads into Sales 2.0

PLUS, join us on Saturday, February 14th at the Javits Center for a live session with Charles Allen himself.

Want a refresher course? Click here to access last year's webinars and get up to speed before October.
 

Toy Fair Exhibitors EXCLUSIVE: Promote Your Product for FREE!

The Toy Fair Times Preview Issue is mailed to thousands of pre-registered attendees prior to Toy Fair and is used as a resource for on-site appointment and schedule planning.

Take advantage of this timely opportunity to reveal your latest product launch details or share important company news.

Editorial submissions deadline for the Toy Fair Times Preview Issue is Monday, November 17, 2008*.

Questions / Submissions? Write us at toyfairtimes@toyassociation.org.

*Submission does not guarantee placement and Toy Fair Times reserves the right to edit all materials for style, length and content.

Have You Connected With TIA's ToyConnectionsSM Yet?

To date, more than 2,000 participants from more than 50 countries have signed on to TIA's ToyConnections – the exciting new 24/7 online community for the toy and youth entertainment industry.TIA members, event attendees (Toy Fair, Fall Toy Preview and ToyCon), and toy industry professionals including media, PR, retailers, licensors, and more regularly visit ToyConnections to:

• Create personal profiles
• Connect with their peers
• Post photos and exchange files
• Schedule meetings
• Share information with blogs and email notifications
• Reach out to contacts with built-in Instant Messaging
• Join conversations in public and private Chat Rooms

In fact, more than 200 one-on-one discussions take place in any given week. Some hot topics that people are currently talking about include:

• Online Toys & Gaming - a discussion of what's in store for 2009
• Product Safety & Compliance - an open forum for discussion about safety issues
• Promoting Your Product at Toy Fair - expert guidance from TIA's Public Relations team
• The Little Guys - Small toy manufacturers who want to support each other

If you haven't yet experienced all the excitement of ToyConnections, we invite you to join now .

Register Now for Sandbox Summit®: September 24, 2008 in NYC 

As more and more kids' toys have become embedded with chips, buttons, and controllers, the way kids play is changing. It is the responsibility of businesses, educators, and parents to make sure that how kids are playing today - and the toys that they're using - provide them with the kind of open-ended experiences that stimulate creativity and foster the critical thinking skills they need to succeed in the 21_st century.

Sandbox Summit: The New Playing Fields is a ground-breaking one-day event that includes speakers from all factions of the industry and all venues of play: from Google to Sesame Workshop; LeapFrog to Lego; academic luminaries to net-smart gen-Y-ers; and real worlds to virtual ones and even a few not yet discovered. For information and a full agenda, click here .

A Tax-Advantaged Way to Support the Toy Industry Foundation

Like all donations to Toy Industry Foundation, gifts of securities help provide joy, comfort and learning to children in need. When you make a stock gift to the Toy Industry Foundation, however, you can also reduce your tax liability.

A contribution of a long-term appreciated asset generally entitles you to an income tax deduction for the current fair market value of that asset (if you have owned them for a year and a day) no matter what your original cost. Gifts of stock are valued at the average market price on the day the donated securities enter TIF's account.

To arrange a donation to support the Toy Industry Foundation, please consult your tax advisor and contact Amanda McDorman at (646) 520-4878.
 

Media Clip of the Month

TIA's Adrienne Citrin appeared this month on NY-1 News discussing what toys are appropriate for children with special needs, as featured in Toy Industry Foundation's Let's Play guide. Click here to view the segment. 

HUB: Understanding Risk Exposures of Doing Business Abroad

There are a wide variety of risk exposures associated with companies and their executives doing business abroad or traveling overseas. It is important for businesses within the toy industry involved in these activities to fully understand all of their exposures to loss while dealing with international affairs, making sure they have the proper insurance policies in place to cover for any potential incidents.

More often than not, companies learn the hard way that they may not have the right insurance in place once a claim is made and the damage has been done. There are a number of international policies and packages, designed to work seamlessly with domestic insurance programs, now readily available to be purchased at relatively low costs. HUB International Northeast, an endorsed insurance broker of the Toy Industry Association, works closely with many TIA members, focusing on educating them about the right policies for their business, creating tailored insurance solutions for their needs.

Learning Your Exposures
There is a laundry list of risks many toy companies face, many of which are product liability related. Claims arising from flammable issues with a toy; injuries caused by a child choking on a toy, etc. are just a few situations that can result in a product liability suit. A company with only a U.S. products liability policy may not be covered for damages resulting from any of these scenarios if the incident happened outside of this country. It's important for executives to have an in-depth understanding of the laws, customs and business practices of each country in which they do business. From there, they should work with their insurance advisors to accurately evaluate their exposures and customize a products liability policy to cover claims made in another country where the product is being sold, distributed, manufactured, etc.

Business Travel Overseas
Should an injury to a company employee happen overseas, the typical Workers' Compensation policy purchased in the U.S. will not cover for damages. Aside from that, many health plans don't cover for injuries or illnesses that occur in a foreign land. Foreign Voluntary Workers' Compensation/Employers Liability policies are available for purchase, which likely include medical evacuation and return of remains when needed. Special coverage such as Travel Accident and Sickness/Accidental Death and Dismemberment are key coverages to consider if company executives do a significant amount of travel for business outside of the U.S.

Lastly, if an employee gets into a car accident when driving for business purposes outside of the U.S., the domestic Business Auto policy will not cover for damages. There are Foreign Commercial Auto Liability policies available for those who may face risks arising from these events.

Directors and Officers Liability
New products are now available to obtain local admitted Directors and Officers Liability policies for foreign subsidiaries of U.S. based parent companies. This is needed as many countries do not have clear regulatory guidelines as to whether or not a non-admitted policy is acceptable. If a claim occurs and local law prohibits payment by the parent organization's worldwide policy due to it being non-admitted in the local jurisdiction, the subsidiary may need to pay for the loss, leading to regulatory, financial or other implications.

Package Policies
Many countries have legal requirements mandating locally issued policies. If a company maintains an office in a foreign country, sells goods internationally, etc., they may be in violation of local laws if they do not have this local policy. A good option for these businesses and others with extensive transactions and business dealings overseas is a Foreign Package Policy. This package offers a roll-up of many of the necessary coverages needed when dealing with international affairs. Though the offerings of these policies differ by insurance company, some of the coverage types one should look for when seeking the best possible insurance program should include:

• Commercial General Liability
• Commercial Auto
• Employers Responsibility
• International Medical & Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• Commercial Property and Business Income
• Kidnap & Extortion

Having a package policy in place with all of these lines of coverage will help protect your business against the many financial and personal risks of doing business overseas. For more information about HUB's insurance and risk management programs for the toy industry and TIA members, visit their website or contact Benjamin Thrush  at 1-800-706-3023.