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NEWS Toy Fair outlines credentials to retailers Big names such as WH Smith and Toys R Us signed to attend Organiser confident of a strong showing
By Samantha Loveday NEXT YEAR’S Toy Fair has highlighted its attractions to retailers, as it looks to pull in a plethora of big names - from major multiples to independents – across all three days in London. Visitor registration has
already got off to a strong start, with current numbers double where they were at this point last year. High profile retailers such as Wilkinson’s, WH Smiths and Toys R Us have already signed up to meet over 220 exhibiting companies, which will be showcasing thousands of
products including many new launches for 2014. Retailers attend the
show from a number of different territories including the UK, Ireland, US, Italy and Belgium. Last year’s attendees included Amazon, Asda, Boots, Debenhams and Costco. “Our toy teams attended
every day of Toy Fair and find the event very productive and worthy for all aspects of our more unique business requirements from buying to marketing, and it enables us to make timely, and more effective decisions going forward,” said Paul Sanders,
A number of exhibitors will be running exclusive show offers to tempt retailers, while the Toymaster Members Lounge will return. Toy Fair TV – which is
broadcast on screens on the show floor – will also be back, along with the Relaxation Garden. Simon Pilling, head of Toy
senior buyer at
Amazon.co.uk. “The event is considered the most important in
our toy calendar and the only way to cover everything is to attend every day.”
Fair operations and sales, said: “We continue to listen to feedback in order to improve on the visitor’s experience as much as possible, and make Toy Fair a must attend three days.” Toy Fair 2014 runs from January 21st to 23rd at London Olympia. You can register here:
toyfair.co.uk.
Chocolate Picture Maker eyes global success Company has a range of licensing projects in the pipeline that look set to come to fruition in 2014
By Robert Hutchins MAGIC CHOC is gearing up to take its Chocolate Picture Maker global, outlining its plans to deliver a number of licensed projects for the brand in 2014. Launched in August, the Chocolate Picture Maker has already been met with positive response in the UK including recognition from some of the leading kid’s consumer titles including Toxicand Go Girl. Following a number of successful meetings at this year’s Licensing Expo in Las Vegas, the team is optimistic that the innovative chocolate bar making kit will enjoy the
same success on a global licensing scale. “We travelled to Vegas Licensing Show and we had a number of very positive appointments with particular licensors that we have in mind for Chocolate Picture Maker,” Kieran Murphy, head of marketing at The In Thing, told ToyNews. “We have some very
exciting licensed projects in the pipeline that includes world famous characters and we plan to introduce these in 2014.” This year, the Magic Choc team has much to keep it occupied, launching an extensive UK campaign for the Chocolate Picture Maker,
including a nationwide creative competition and a project partnering with the UK attraction, York Chocolate Story. “We’ve been blown away
so far by the reaction from all parties,” continued Murphy. “And to celebrate National Chocolate Week, we’ve partnered with UK attraction York Chocolate Story, having a Chocolate Picture Maker Play Day. Visitors to the attraction will engage with the new product to create their own chocolate bar.” Supporting retailers with TV and print features, alongside an extensive sampling and outdoor advertising exercise, Magic
Picture Maker a global success.
“With Chocolate Picture
Maker going full steam ahead in the US and UK, we’ve got a very exciting year ahead.
Choc is looking to maximise on its original Chocolate Picture Maker in the run up to Christmas.
With the appointment of VPD as the product’s US distributor, the firm is eyeing up the prospects of making the Chocolate
“But the US is only the beginning – we welcome potential international partners to step forward. We want the world to create and taste Chocolate Picture Maker and see why we love it so much,” concluded Murphy. The In Thing: 0845 365 3030
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