NEWS 5 SECOND FACTS A round up of the latest big numbers, stats and tidbits from the toy business
Proportion of UK parents surveyed by Loubilou who actively seek British-made toys and clothes.
1/5 17,777 Number of new trees
Wonderworld is committed to planting this year.
Amount raised by the Goshi Moshi initiative for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
£104,730
Character Options takes a bold leap with new-look Teksta
1990’s robotic pup to make a comeback in the UK in July Major marketing campaign planned including space stunt
by Samantha Loveday
CHARACTER OPTIONS is relaunching 1990’s robotic pup Teksta in July, with a worldwide marketing strategy including a planned space jump. The original Teksta sold eight million units in 1999, however the 2013 version has been brought bang up to date and bears only a visual resemblance to the Nineties toy. It will respond to a child’s voice, physical gestures, lights, sounds and a smart phone app. Artificial intelligence
and toyetic interaction offers emotions including barking, crying and expressive eye patterns to share its feelings. Teksta will also be able to
perform tricks including a back flip, which the owner can control with the hand gesture technology. The marketing plan will
reflect the importance of the launch to Character. Teksta will become the first robotic puppy in space, with a planned space jump lining up alongside TV and
digital advertising. Further PR and marketing will see a full blown puppy media tour, with Teksta appearing at Mums Show Live this month. More publicity will surround the space stunt. “Today’s children will demand more of their puppies than ever before and Teksta 2013 will not disappoint,” Jerry Healy, marketing director at Character Options told ToyNews. “Our launch dialogue will start with a day in the life of a child and his or her new friend, Teksta the puppy.
“This is something that
every child can relate to and they will relish in training their own Teksta into being the cleverest puppy in the world, as well as becoming a canine superhero that can even jump from the edge of space.” Character:
0161 633 9800
Percentage fall in Tesco’s before tax profit according to the grocer’s 2012/2013 financial results
51.5% 200,000
Number of LEGO pieces used by Mike Doyle in his ‘masterpiece’ The
Millennial Celebration of the Eternal Choir.
Alyss Toys grabs mic-o-mic
By Samantha Loveday
AMBITIOUS ALYSS Toys has further bolstered its portfolio with the addition of the mic-o-mic construction system. Created by German firm
Schaefer Toys, the line has had its packaging completely redesigned. Each model is now encased in a smart black litho-laminated front opening box, displaying graphics and images of the finished models contained within. The top flap can be lifted at the point of sale, allowing customers to view the component parts which are in a tray and covered with a tamper-proof protective die-cast plastic cover.
The inside is printed with written instructions and diagrams. Each kit comprises
textured parts which are connected by pins and clips to create models such as helicopters and sailing ships. Alyss Toys will roll out the new look line from this month. Elizabeth Nield, sales
director at Alyss Toys, said: “Our initial targets are premium independent establishments and we intend to build the brand steadily, but surely.” Alyss Toys: 01285 762039
Dice+ rolls to retail by Dominic Sacco
A FRESH type of die will make its toy retail debut in a matter of months. Dice+ will launch in August priced at £29.99, and will feature a point of sale-activated card system that also enables retailers to sell online games with it. The product, which can be used to play digital board games on tablets, will come with free iOS/Android games. Consumers will also be able to download from a catalogue of 50 titles including ‘triple-A traditional board games’. “We will bring the
product to market with all of the major board and game retailers, both
08 May
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national and independent,” said Steven May of Dice+. “We are close to signing with our UK distributor. We have principle agreements with all of the key players across Europe, US and Australia. Now we are focusing on the wider distribution into consumer electronics and video games markets.” Dice+ was shown off at the GDC in San Francisco earlier this year.
Steven.may@
dicepl.us
www.toynews-online.biz
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