ToyFair2013
London called, we answered
The BTHA Toy Fair 2013 was an important landmark in the show’s life; 60 years of Toy Fair demonstrates how important the show is to the trade. Toy World spoke to Simon Pilling, head of operations and sales at the BTHA, and some of the exhibitors present to find out how the show went. Tom Roberts reports
2013 was Toy Fair’s Diamond Jubilee celebration, and it was clear that the stops had been pulled out. Toy Fair innovated to celebrate its 60th birthday;
the show expanded into Olympia’s Upper West Hall to help accommodate 260 exhibiting companies as well as using the space to incorporate the 2012 Toy Industry Awards. Toy Fair TV, including the brand new Demo Zone, was introduced for the first time. Hosted by TV presenters Anna Williamson and Gavin Inskip, exhibitors had the chance to show off their products on the 17 screens broadcasting live throughout Toy Fair as well as on the Toy Fair website. I caught up with Simon Pilling, head of operations and sales at the BTHA, to find out how he thought the show went once the dust had settled. He said: “We are fortunate to have the continued support of our exhibitors, visitors and the wider industry which once again shone through over three fantastic days. Despite the current state of the economy, the toy industry continues to stand firm and we appreciate the value the industry places on the fair. Thanks to the efforts of our exhibitors, the show was once again a fantastic- looking event and drew in a high calibre of visitors from start to end. We took the decision to expand into the Upper West Hall allowing us to accommodate yet more companies, some of which were brand new exhibitors for 2013.” So what did the exhibitors think of 2013’s show?
Simon said that the BTHA had received “positive feedback with regards to the quality of visitors, the
general buzz of excitement in the hall and the new decor for the 60th anniversary fair. A brand new feature for 2013, the Demo Zone, which was broadcast live through Toy Fair TV throughout the hall and also streamed through the toy fair website, was well received and gave exhibitors extra exposure for their products. It was also praised for adding an interactive element to the show.” Likewise, Simon said that many visitors had fed back some “great comments” about the quality and range of exhibitors and products at the show. Regading how next year’s show was shaping up; he
said: “We have already had numerous applications for next year’s show, which bodes well, and also some interest from brand new companies. We will be collating all the feedback from the 2013 show and discussing within the committee to evolve the show in the best way possible.” And after 60 years there’s no concern about Toy Fair’s place in the show calendar; according the feedback we received it just gets better every year. Simon agreed: “We are very appreciative of the loyalty shown by our exhibitors, and the support of the wider industry which has allowed Toy Fair to maintain a key place in the buying calendar and to co-exist amongst the other trade fairs. Toy Fair not only provides many visitors with a first look at final versions of thousands of products but also provides an unrivalled networking opportunity for the wider industry in an exciting and intimate setting.”
Martin Grossman and one of his Megasaurs All in all the reactions from exhibitors at 2013’s Toy
Fair was very positive, as you’ll see from the comments over the next pages.
Best New Toy Awards 2013 The fifth annual Toy Fair Best New Toy Awards winners were announced on the first morning of the show predicting some of the top new toys for 2013.
Since the launch of these particular awards in 2009, over 150 toys have received a prestigious Best New Toys gong, with Character Options and Lego topping the chart with 12 awards each. Over the last five years, the awards have earmarked a number of emerging trends and landmarks in the toy industry, from the birth of app toys and the growth of licensed toys, to official merchandise for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics. The full list of Toy Fair Best New Toys 2013 is presented below:
Action Figures Ben 10 Omniverse Omni-Net Omnitrix (Bandai) Turtles Pop-up Pizza Playset Anchovy Alley (Flair) Star Wars Anakin to Darth Vader action figure (Hasbro)
Boys The Trash Pack Ultimate Fighting Trashies Battle Arena (Flair) Dinosaurs (Schleich) Horrible Histories Battle Arena (Worlds Apart)
Construction Mega Construction Mega Workshop – Dune Buggy (John Adams) Lego City: Starter Set (Lego) Lego Chima: The Lion ChiTemple (Lego)
Creative Disney Princess 3D Magic Projector (Famosa) 4M Glow-in-the-dark Fairy Buttons (Great Gizmos)
68 Toyworld myStyle Jewellery (Interplay)
Games and Puzzles Spot the Sillies – Pesky Pirates (Gibsons) Disney Hedbanz (Spin Master) Don’t Rock the Boat (University Games)
Girls Doc McStuffins Time for your Check Up Interactive Doll (Flair) Lego Friends: Heartlake City Pool (Lego) Style Me Up! – Color Freedom (Wooky)
Hobby Aqua Dragons Underwater World (Brainstorm) Scalextric Demolition Derby (Hornby) Airfix Quickbuild (Hornby)
Miscellaneous Freezy Squeezy (Character Options) Woolly and Tig Poseable Woolly (Golden Bear)
Craft Party – Pirate Party (Interplay)
Outdoor Helmuttz (H Grossman) Razor Berry Scooter (re:creation) Boomaring (Wicked Vision)
Pocket Money Fingerwhips (re:creation) Peaceable Kingdom – Stinky Scratch & Sniff stickers (Stepping Stones)
Preschool Go Mini HQ Playset (Golden Bear) Woofer (John Crane) Police Headquarters with Alarm System (Playmobil)
Youth Electronics Teksta (Character Options) HolograFX (John Adams)
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