Contact: Andrew Worob / Adrienne Citrin
GS Schwartz / TIA 
(845) 304-6521 / (646) 207-3724
aworob@schwartz.com / acitrin@toyassociation.org

Buyer Attendance Increased 12% at Toy Fair ‘08

Green Toys and Online-Offline Play are Hot Trends

New York, NY, March 17, 2008 – More than 13,000 buyers attended the 105th annual Toy Fair in 2008, an increase of 12% from 2007, and brisk sales were reported by the 1200+ exhibitors.  The four-day event is the largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere, and is renowned as the showcase for hot new trends and intense media coverage from more than 1000 journalists.

“The energy and optimism at Toy Fair ’08 gives tremendous momentum to the year ahead,” said Carter Keithley, TIA President. “Consumers will be delighted with the creativity and innovation – and sheer range of the 7,000 toys that will be introduced this year.”

A total of 1,211 exhibiting companies from 323 countries showed thousands of products, more than 7,000 unveiled for the first time. The total attendance number which includes buyers, trade guest and media, was up over 10% as well, with a total of 18,305.

Hot Trends: Going Green and Online-Offline Play
With everything organic in the spotlight, it should come as no surprise that toy manufacturers are launching new products that use sustainable materials including bamboo, wood, cotton and hemp. Some toys even teach kids the ins and outs of recycling and caring for the world around them in an entertaining format, while keeping earth conscious parents happy too.

There are so many mediums competing for kids’  attention or “share of day”, a marketing term used to understand how kids spend their leisure time, with the Internet at the top of the list. Innovative toy makers have merged the world of physical toys with online play, introducing kid-safe sites featuring games and interactive play. Whether it is learning or social networking, kids can enjoy a variety of activities through these “cyber playground” products.

TIA’s Toy Trend Expert, Reyne Rice is available for interview upon request and can elaborate on key trends and provide specific examples.

About Toy Fair
Toy Fair is the largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere. More than 1,200 manufacturers, distributors, importers and sales agents from nearly 30 countries showcase their toy and entertainment products, from classic toys to interactive entertainment and everything in between. Products include: action figures and dolls, games and puzzles, bicycles, tricycles and ride-ons, radio-controlled vehicles, infant and preschool toys, cars, trucks and trains, puppets and plush, audio and video cassettes, computer software and video games, playground and sporting equipment, Halloween, Christmas, books, stationery, party supplies, and more!

Toy Fair '09 will be held February 15th-18th at the Jacob K. Javits Center and showrooms in New York City.

Information about new products for 2008 introduced at Toy Fair will be available throughout the year on the Toy Fair website.