Don’t tell Santa, but the national infatuation with Silly Bandz and other shaped, silicone bands that were America’s hottest fad in 2010, seems to have snapped. USA Today reports that with Christmas just days away, many retailers say they have cut way back on the number of bands they carry and some have stopped selling […]
Silly Bandz Fad Fades Read More »
Even the charities are hip to social networking these days. AppScout has a story about how the Salvation Army in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is using Twitter to get toys for needy children. It’s encouraging people to use the hashtag #Tweet4toys in their tweets, and when they do their profile photo will appear on the Tweet4toys.org Web
Tweet4Toys Uses the Power of Social Media for Good Read More »
The New York Times is reporting that midway through last year, as analysts tried to predict where the economy was going, toy maker Bill Nichols decided he had the answer. He bet that the economy would still be so shaky this holiday season that a bargain-priced plastic toy would take off. With the help of
Maker Savors Demand for Holiday’s Hot Toy Read More »
A front runner hasn’t emerged in the toy-of-the-season race reports The Chicago Tribune. But there are some contenders. Something called Squinkies tops the list. The “soft and squishy figures” can be worn as jewelry, put on top pencils or collected. But more importantly–they’re cheap. Industry experts say inexpensive collectibles are one sector of the toy
Paul Blair was playing fetch with his dog, Razzle, when he noticed that the stick cut his mouth. Sure that there must be a better way to play fetch, Paul created Safestix reports the Salisbury Journal. The flexible rubber stick has won the approval of the Royal Veterinary College and The Dogs Trust charity. Professor
The Safer Fetch Stick Read More »
Want to get an extra early jump on this year’s holiday must-haves? Take an exclusive look at what products Google says are already burning up the Internet 14 weeks before Christmas. CNNMoney reports that Google’s trends spotting tool — “Insight for search” — which debuted in 2008, allows anyone to get a broad overview or
What’s Hot For The Holidays? Google Knows. Read More »
Reuters is reporting that Toys R Us Inc is betting on variety to hit its sales targets this holiday season, with toys ranging from Mattel’s $13 plush toys that sing in perfect harmony with every squeeze, to a $110 remote-controlled monster “Bigfoot.” The world’s largest dedicated toy retailer is also offering more exclusives and opening
Variety Is The Spice Of Holiday Picks Read More »
According to Entrepreneur magazine, it all began back in 2005, when Pat Cuartero–a high school 2A yoyo champ turned Merrill Lynch analyst–discovered a higher purpose: getting more people in New York City to play with yo-yos. He funded startup costs with about $8,000 of credit card debt, and in his first five months, he netted
Analyst Spins Yo-Yo Passion Into Million-Dollar-Plus Biz Read More »
We first brought you the story of Silly Bandz, the rubber bracelets that are all the rage among grade-schoolers back in March. Now they’re getting grown-up treatment at bars and clubs. Adults on the prowl are using the colorful bands instead of bad pickup lines to make love connections says the New York Daily News.
Silly Bandz Become Dating Tool Read More »
The Toy and Game Inventor Expo is the only industry event designed exclusively to help the new toy and game inventor and entrepreneur by providing networking and educational opportunities. Independent inventors are an important source for new products to the Toy Industry, but because the industry relies heavily upon professional toy developers for new products
Toy and Game Inventor Expo 2010 Read More »
