Each product nomination must include a brief (50 word) product description AND a statement (up to 100 words) explaining to the nomination committee why the product is deserving of recognition on the TOTY Awards ballot. Consideration will be given to:
Finalists Selection
Finalists will be selected by a nomination committee comprised of industry experts. Members of the nomination committee represent a cross-section of:
Toy Specialists:
- Academics
- Industry professionals
Journalists:
- National consumer magazine toy editors
- Trade magazine editors
Committee members will receive all the nominations submitted for review. Each committee member will rank the nominations on a scale of 1-5 on the following criteria:
- Creativity and Originality
- Design and Quality
- Play Value
- Marketing and Promotion
Following the online evaluation, all committee members will meet for an in-person session to discuss and decide the TOTY finalists for each category. The selection of finalists will be based on both the data and personal statements provided in the nomination materials.
No company will be allowed to have more than 2 products in a single category.
Each product selected as a finalist will be featured on ToyAwards.org.
Toy of the Year Voting
For the individual product and property categories, the ballots are weighted as follows: consumers (15%), retailers (40%), media (30%), and Toy Association members (15%).
The People’s Choice Award winner is determined 100% by the consumer vote. Consumer voting is completed on ToyAwards.org.
The overall Toy of the Year will be chosen by a panel of industry representatives who, using their professional expertise, will consider multiple factors in making their decision, including Toy of the Year votes, holiday sales, and media buzz (traditional, online and social).
*Any attempt by finalists to manipulate the voting process by offering compensation in exchange for votes will result in disqualification.