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Dream Toys 2012 review


Playmobil Collectors Club launches worldwide


Playmobil announced the launch of its first international community for collectors and enthusiasts at the Dream Toys event in London on the 31st October. The Playmobil Collectors Club has been in development for over two years. Registered members will have access to exclusive collector-specific content, such as previews of the ranges and offers. Member benefits also include discounts, free entry to the Playmobil FunPark and Playmobil Collectors Club merchandise. There are plans to introduce special collectors’ sets via individual countries’ online stores and guided tours of the German flagship factory. Jamie Dickinson, marketing manager for Playmobil, said: “There is a strong community of Playmobil fans across the globe of all ages and we’ve seen some incredible creations, photos, videos and stories over the years. It’s wonderful that we are now able to give back to Playmobil enthusiasts and bring them closer together with the Playmobil Collectors Club. This latest development allows those with a love for our world full of play and imagination to take it to the next level.”


Spin Master acquires key brands from Wild Planet


The TRA revealed its predictions for the official Top Toys for Christmas at the Dream Toys media preview in St Mary’s Church, Marylebone, London, on Wednesday 31st October. “We had a very difficult decision this year, and we took the easy way out by choosing a ‘top 13’ instead of a ‘top 12’. We had some fantastic items to consider this year, all with some fantastic stories to tell,” said Miles Penhallow of the Toy Retailer Association, speaking to the Telegraph. He added: “We have items such as Furby, who we all remember fondly


from 1998, but now you can feed it with your smart phone. And did you ever wonder what Furby was saying? Now it’s got a translator. We have also seen the return of Cabbage Patch Dolls, which come with their own personalities and own birth certificates.” In agreement, Gary Grant, chairman of the TRA’s Dream Toys selection panel, said: “There are some toys that hold an enduring place in the hearts of children for generations, and this year we’ve seen the toy industry come up trumps by reinvigorating these classic favourites for 2012. We also continue to see technology being woven into toys to add extra dimensions to the play experience; whether this is the use of apps, interactivity, touch screens or integrated multi-functions such as e-readers and cameras.”


Spin Master is pleased to announce the acquisition of the worldwide rights to Wild Planet’s Hyper Dash and Spy Gear brands. Anton Rabie, co-CEO and founder of Spin Master, said: “We are very excited with the acquisition of Spy Gear and other key Wild Planet assets. We feel that there is great opportunity to breathe freshness, excitement and engage kids for these new Spin Master brands. Over the last two years we have been extremely focused on building the company by searching for the right acquisitions that fit with our core capabilities to innovate and market.” Spin Master is energised about the opportunity to reinvent and bring a fresh


approach to these exciting brands. Spy Gear and Hyper Dash all have proven track records and will provide new and sustainable growth for the company. Ben Gadbois, president and chief operating officer of Spin Master, said: “Spin


Master has experienced incredible organic growth over the past 18 years. We are taking the next step in our company’s evolution with focus on growth by targeting the right acquisitions. We anticipate today’s announcement will be the first of many new business opportunities over the next 24 months.”


The 2012 Dream Toys winners were: Cabbage Patch Kids, Jakks Pacific Furby, Hasbro InnoTab 2, VTech Jake and the Never Land Pirates – Pirate Ship Bucky, Mattel LeapPad 2, LeapFrog Lego Friends: Olivia’s House, Lego Lego The Lord of the Rings: The Mines of Moria, Lego Mike the Knight’s Deluxe Glendragon Play-set, Character Options Monster High Ghouls Rule Dolls, Mattel My Moshi Home, Vivid Imaginations Nerf N-Strike Elite Hail-Fire, Hasbro Twister Dance, Hasbro Web Shooting Spider-man, Hasbro


Toys R Us reports losses of £2.6m


The struggling UK economy has seen Toys R Us enter the red in the latest set of accounts for its 79 British stores. A pre-tax loss of £2.6 million in the year to 28 January 2012 was reported on a turnover of £476 million, down from a profit of £9.9 million the previous year. Directors are blaming a 6.6% decline in sales as well as the tough, competitive market for the loss. Profits were wiped out by distribution costs, administrative expenses and


£11 million in interest payments. Toys R Us stores are mainly in out-of-town retail parks, but the company has opened several temporary ‘pop-up’ stores in shopping malls to take advantage of the busy Christmas shopping season.


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Let’s Play! New for 2012 DKL Marketing Ltd 11 Deer Park Road, Northampton NN3 6QD, UK 08 Toyworld t. 01604 678780 f. 01604 676787 e. dkl@dkl.co.uk w. www.dkl.co.uk


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