Spotlight on TIA Members
September 27, 2016 | This month’s Toy Industry Association (TIA) “Member Spotlight” includes updates from Bachmann Trains, Hasbro, Learning Resources, PLAYMOBIL, Spin Master, and Wonder Workshop.
Learning Resources Donates Toys to YMCA Child Development Center
After news broke that a surveillance camera caught a burglar stealing play money out of a Learning Resources toy cash register at a YMCA Child Development Center in Indio, CA, the toymaker donated toys – and play money – to the community organization. A representative from Learning Resources arrived on-site at the YMCA with three boxes filled with hands-on learning toys for the kids, along with about $200 in play money for the toy register.
Bachmann Trains Launches New App-Controlled Train Set
Bachmann Trains has shipped its Blue Lightning Train Set with E-Z APP Train Control – a new toy that will allow players to control the train’s speed, direction, lighting and sound through their smart device. The ready-to-run train set includes an E-Z App-equipped diesel locomotive with operating headlight, three cars, tracks, and a wall power pack. The company says that this toy marks a “transformative change” in how consumers will interact with their toy electric trains.
“PLAYMOBIL Playroom” Unveiled at Children’s Hospital in Hackensack, NJ
The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center and PLAYMOBIL held a special ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this month to unveil the new PLAYMOBIL Playroom – a vibrant space for pediatric patients filled with playsets, a life-sized PLAYMOBIL character and themed backdrops from the toymaker.
Wonder Workshop Opens Robotics League Competition
Wonder Workshop has opened registration for its Robotics League Competition, which will bring together over 1,500 robotics clubs across the country to compete in a series of coding challenges for a chance to win a grand prize. Registration will close October 17, at which point the competition will open and run through December 15. Click here to see a video from The Unconditionals, last year’s winning team. Wonder Workshop is the maker of the programmable toy robots Dash and Dot that teach kids ages 6+ to code.
Spin Master Acquires Global Manufacturing and Distribution Rights for Cepia Product Lines
Earlier this month, Spin Master announced that it has acquired the exclusive global manufacturing and distribution rights for certain Cepia product lines, including the re-launch of the international phenomenon ZhuZhu Pets, which generated over $2 billion in global product sales. The agreement also provides Spin Master with the opportunity to negotiate for the distribution rights to additional new products from Cepia's Blue Whale Development, adding to Spin Master's innovation pipeline.
Hasbro Launches Fall 2016 Gaming Challenge
From now through October 23, game designers in the U.S., U.K., Canada (excluding Quebec), France and Germany are invited to submit their best family game ideas to Hasbro’s Fall 2016 Gaming Challenge. This year, entrepreneur Daymond John, creator of FABU and co-star of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” has been invited to help judge submissions. The Gaming Challenge offers independent game designers a prominent platform to promote their ideas and allows Hasbro to celebrate the growing gaming community and discover and develop new games. Designers will compete for the top prize of U.S. $25,000 and a chance to bring their product to market.
Want to be included in next month’s Member Spotlight? Email kmorency@toyassociation.org with company news and include “Member Spotlight” in the subject line.