August Spotlight on Toy Association Members
August 1, 2017 | This month’s Toy Association member spotlight features Walmart, LeapFrog, GoldieBlox, Spin Master, and Mattel.
Walmart Reaffirms Commitment to ICTI CARE Ethical Toy Program
Walmart has confirmed ICTI CARE – the ethical supply chain program for the global toy industry – as one of its approved third-party programs for monitoring social compliance. Walmart has accepted ICTI CARE audits for many years, and is encouraging its global toy suppliers to participate in the ICTI CARE’s Ethical Toy Sourcing Program. Walmart has also joined Committed Brands PLUS, ICTI CARE’s responsible toy sourcing membership program. ICTI CARE Committed Brands PLUS membership provides tools and support to help toy brands and retailers manage supply chain risks, improve standards at toy factories, and meet stakeholder expectations.
LeapFrog Launches Interactive Subscription-Based Learning Program, LeapFrog Academy
Learning and play experts LeapFrog recently launched LeapFrog Academy, a new subscription-based interactive program for 3- to 6-year-old children that guides them on fun learning adventures that can be played on a variety of mobile devices. The program offers access to more than 1,000 activities designed by educators to teach children core school and life skills appropriate for preschool through first grade.
GoldieBlox Unveils #BeLikeHer New Campaign
From Serena Williams to NASA’s Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, GoldieBlox has launched #BeLikeHer, a new social media campaign intended to celebrate female role models throughout many industries including entertainment, science, sports, and politics, and more. The company has created a YouTube video, featuring girls emulating their favorite role models, for fans (and their parents) to share. The campaign also inspires fans to share a post on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter featuring their favorite female role models. GoldieBlox will feature posts on its website.
Spin Master DebutsRusty Rivets Play Line, Inspiring Imaginative Play
Spin Master has launched an all new easy-to-build, preschool toy line inspired by its Rusty Rivets show on Nickelodeon. Kids can build their favorite vehicles and characters like Botasaur within their very own Rivet Lab Playset, while continuing to invent new builds inspired by the ingenuity and innovation seen through the show’s hero characters, Rusty and Ruby. Inspired by elements of the maker culture, the toy line combines an easy-click system allowing each of the pieces to work interchangeably, encouraging a sense of discovery and open-ended creative play. The toy line will be available at Toys"R"Us.
Mattel’s American Girl Launches Customizable Dolls; More Than One Million Design Combinations Available
American Girl has launched a “Create Your Own” online experience, offering fans the ability to customize and design their very own Truly Me doll, along with doll- and girl-sized apparel. The new online tool allows fans to tap into their creative side and design their own unique American Girl doll using an array of face molds, skin tones and freckles, eye and hair colors, hair textures, new cuts and styles – along with special extras like earrings, hearing aids, glasses or sunglasses, and braces. To complete the personalization, girls can choose from one of six exclusive outfits and accessory sets specifically created for their One of a Kind dolls. The new experience will go live on August 8, at americangirl.com/createyourown and at the brand’s flagship retail locations in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.
Want to be included in next month’s Member Spotlight? Email lchartorynsky@toyassociation.org with company news.