Nomination and Selection Process
Deadline
The nomination period is now closed.
Submission Forms
There is no limit on the number of products or properties a nominator may submit for a single category; however no more than two products from one company will be named as finalists in any single award category.
- Property of the Year (.doc file download)
Property that had the greatest success spreading its brand throughout the industry
- Toy of the Year (.doc file download)
- Activity: Toys that inspire creative play through various forms of activity
- Boy: Toys developed for boys of any age
- e-Connected: An app-cessory or other physical toy that interacts with a smartphone, tablet or gaming device
- Educational: Toys that help children to develop special skills and knowledge through play
- Game: Children’s board, card, CD-ROM or electronic game formats
(NOTE: All electronic games must have an ESRB “Early Childhood” rating)
- Girl: Toys developed for girls of any age
- Infant/Toddler: Toys developed for infant children and toddlers (ages up to 36 months)
- Innovative: Toys that utilize innovative design, technology, or manufacturing processes to enhance play value
- Outdoor: Toys designed for outdoor play
- Preschool: Toys developed for preschool-aged children (ages 3-5)
- Specialty: Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers
IMPORTANT NOTE
- Please complete the entire form as each submittal is provided to members of the category nomination committee for review and consideration in the selection of TOTY finalists.
- The “Toy of the Year” winner is selected from among the products appearing on the TOTY ballot. There is no separate nomination form for consideration as a Toy of the Year candidate.
- Processing of a nomination package will not begin until all product/property nomination forms, high-res images and the nomination fee summary form have been received.
- Each product category or property marked on the Nomination Submittal form is considered a separate nomination and requires the appropriate fee.
- Before returning to toty@toyassociation.org, please rename the file to replace “product name-company name” with the appropriate details.
Nomination Fee Summary
- $ 75 per product nomination TIA Members
- $125 per product nomination TIA Non-members
IMPORTANT NOTE
- The Nomination Fee Summary is an important checklist used by TIA staff to verify that all nominations have been received and processed. Processing of a nomination package will not begin until the summary form, all product/property nomination forms, and high-res images have been received.
- Each product category or property marked on the Nomination Submittal form is considered a separate nomination and requires the appropriate fee.
- Before returning to toty@toyassociation.org, please rename the file to replace “COMPANY NAME” with the name of the submitting organization.
Eligibility
- Nominators
Products or properties may be nominated by any individual authorized to submit the nomination on behalf of the product manufacturer, importer or licensor. Membership in TIA is not a prerequisite for submitting a nomination.
- Market Availability
All TOTY 2013 nominated products must:
- be available at retail in the United States on or before November 19, 2012
- have been introduced to the marketplace within the last two years.
(NOTE: This can include a new version of an older product line, as long as the “new” product or reiteration has been introduced within the last two years
- Safety Reports
If a product herein is selected for the TOTY Award Ballot, the manufacturer, private labeler, or importer of record must agree to provide copies of all relevant safety test reports to TIA for reference should any safety issues be called into question by regulatory or consumer groups during the fourth quarter holiday shopping season or beyond.
- Representation
If a product is selected as a TOTY finalist, the nominator (or his/her designee) of every product or property selected as a TOTY finalist must attend the awards presentation ceremony on February 9, 2013, in New York City.
Award Criteria
Each product nomination must include a brief (75 word) product description PLUS a statement (up to 300 words) explaining to the Nomination Committee why the product is deserving of recognition on the TOTY Awards ballot.
- Creativity, Originality and Innovation
Application of design, technology, manufacturing processes, etc.
- Design and Promotion
Outstanding, unusual and creative execution of artwork, product/package design, promotional strategy and execution, etc.
- Excellence of Product
Description of play value and how play value has been evaluated
- Marketplace Acceptance (OPTIONAL)
Units produced, sell-through expectations, etc.
Selection of Finalists
Finalists will be selected by Nomination Committees comprised of ten (10) to fifteen (15) experts knowledgeable of the category. Each category will have its own nomination committee. Qualified individuals may be invited to sit on more than one committee. Members will represent a cross-section of:
- Retail Buyers
- Mass (not included for “Specialty” category)
- Specialty (only for “Educational”, “Game”, “Innovative” and “Specialty” categories)
- Journalists / Bloggers
- National consumer magazine toy editors
- Trade magazine editors
- Mommy bloggers
- Toy Specialists
- Academia, Graduate (e.g., FIT, OTIS, etc.)
- Academia, practical application (e.g., preschool teacher, etc.)
- Inventor (requires signed statement affirming no conflict or special interest in category)
- Professionals (e.g. developmental psychologists, play therapists, etc.)
Committee members will receive all of the nominations submitted for a category; the selection of finalists will be based on both the data and personal statements provided in the nomination materials.
Each product selected as a finalist will be featured on ToyAwards.org, a website designed specifically to highlight the TOTY candidates.
Voting
In conjunction with the TOTY press conference, voting for TOTY 2013 winners will commence on November 19th and close on Sunday night, January 13, 2013 at 11:59 pm (Eastern).
All category ballots will be weighted as follows:
- Consumers 20%
- Journalists and bloggers 20%
- Retailers (mass + specialty*) 30%
- Members of the Toy Industry Association 30%
*Specialty retailers vote in the following four categories: educational, game, innovative and specialty.
The People’s Choice Award will be selected solely be consumer votes received via the ToyAwards.org website.
The overall Toy of the Year award shall be selected from among the 12 category winners, based upon the following weighted voting formula:
- Journalists and bloggers 20%
- Retailers (mass) 40%
- Members of the Toy Industry Association 40%
All results will be confidential until they are announced at the awards ceremony.
Questions / More Information