Tag: toy industry association

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Toys & Collectibles

Alicia Keys Cuts Ribbon to Open 2014 New York Toy Fair

Alicia Keys and Toy Industry Association executives greet NY Toy Fair attendees at opening ceremonies.
Alicia Keys and Toy Industry Association executives greet NY Toy Fair attendees at opening ceremonies.

Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter Alicia Keys headed the commencement of the 111th American International Toy Fair at the Jacob K. Javitts Center in New York City on Sunday February 16th. Surrounded by Power Rangers, a brass driven rhythm band, and thousands of attendees, Keys cut the ribbon to officially open the annual Toy Industry Association (TIA) gathering. Toy Fair brings together creators, licensors, vendors and buyers from all over the world. This year’s gathering, the biggest ever, will span over 400,000 square feet of the sprawling event center.
Alicia Keys explains the concepts behind her App's interactive play.
Alicia Keys explains the concepts behind her App’s interactive play.

Keys was onboard to announce Mookie the second installment of her Journals of Mama Mae and Lee Lee project, a downloadable digital App. Aimed at teaching youngsters life lessons through music, storytelling and journaling the interactive play is driven by the bond between the title characters, a grandmother and granddaughter, inspired by Alicia’s own familial experiences. Within the virtual walls of Lee Lee’s room children can play her piano, notate a journal or read a book. Via Mama Mae’s multi-cultural parables Lee Lee learns how to cope with the social and moral challenges all youngsters face on their path to adulthood. The Mookey tale, which takes place in India, specifically deals with social bullying.

Keys’ original music is part of the app experience and Mama Mae is voiced by veteran actress Della Reese. There are versions for iPad, iPhone and Android devices available. Follow this link to the official App site for more information

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Toys & Collectibles

Super Romantic in the DC Comics Universe

superman and wonder woman kiss
Diana and Kal's Kiss to be Immortalized in Resin

Saint Valentine’s Day seems the perfect opportunity to share this photo with you. It’s a little romantic surprise snapped at this week’s American International Toy Fair in New York City.

The Smooch Heard ‘Round the World Cast in Resin…
Yes, even the “Man of Steel” and the most empowered woman on the planet need love. Superman and Wonder Woman’s hook-up in the New 52 era of DC Comics has been cause for much fan discussion over the last year. The photo above is a unique shot of DC Entertainment’s prototype for their upcoming resin statue depicting Kal and Diana in a lost-in-the-stars embrace.

Love Hurts…
Unfortunately, the at the moment one of a kind piece was damaged in transit and was not officially on display at DC Entertainment’s booth. Thanks to the kind folks behind the scenes Ken Pierce and I got a sneak peak at part of this beautiful sculpt, though not its entire tableau. They’ll be more to come as the release date and ordering information is announced.

Much More To Come…
Keep an eye out here and at PiercingMetal.Com for lots more coverage and photographs of DC’s awesome array of collectibles to be released this year.

Categories
Toys & Collectibles

More Massive, More Effective: Dark Horse Unveils Mega-Sized Normandy SR-2

Dark Horse Alliance Normandy SR2
Dark Horse's 18 Inch Alliance Normandy SR-2 and it's Baby Brother

First up from Toy Fair 2013 is a treat for all fans of Bioware’s Mass Effect franchise. As they did last year the fine folks at Dark Horse Deluxe allowed me an advance look at their upcoming collectibles tied to this popular video game.

Size Counts…
Although last year’s announced miniature Reaper replica did not leave the prototype stage, Dark Horse did make up the difference with their astounding 18.5 inch limited edition, which sold out almost immediately.

Limited Edition Large Reaper Replica Sold Out Instantly

Based on the large Reaper’s instant success the company has just revealed its plans for a similarly sized Alliance Normandy SR-2. The 18 inch beauty, on its own base, will be coming your way in late August of 2013. It will be a limited edition of 1,500 pieces.

Dark Horse notes, “The Normandy is a Systems Alliance starship. She is a deep-scout frigate, optimized for solo reconnaissance missions, using advanced stealth technology powered by an experimental drive core.”

Additionally, “The Normandy will also include an insert card, with a unique code for each ship, that will enhance the Mass Effect experience for individual consumers.”

SX-3 Fighter Miniature Will Be Available in April 2013

You can see a nice comparison of this grand display piece and its miniature brethren in the photos. It was great to get a first hand look at the sold out Reaper and the SR-2 protoypes, as well as additional miniatures soon to be released.

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Categories
Toys & Collectibles

American International Toy Fair 2013 Coverage Begins

The 110th Annual American International Toy Fair…
Setting foot into the Toy Industry Association’s Annual Toy Fair in New York City has always been a head spinning experience. There are so many visual enticements to report on. This year is no different in it’s “where do I look first” excitement. Fortunately during our last few expeditions Ken Pierce of the PiercingMetal webzine and I have been able to hone a sense of the collectibles readers are clamoring to see. You can expect lots of photos and information in the days, weeks, and months to come from us both.

What It Is…
Toy Fair is a gigantic industry-only event that encompasses the entire span of the Jacob Javits Convention Center on two floors. It’s where and when toy manufacturers from all over the world unveil their newest products and book the sales for the year-end holiday season. It’s center stage for all things fun, but it’s also serious bottomline business. That said, I’d like to thank the vendors who took time out of their schedules to offer a look at their merchandise for your enjoyment. In many cases – where permitted – you will be getting an insider’s view of prototypes for proposed products or license/tie-in items yet to be approved. I hope you enjoy the upcoming posts.

Toy of the Year Awards Go To…

  • Recognizing an outstanding toy that inspires creative play through various forms of activity, the Activity Toy of the Year was presented to LEGO® Friends(The LEGO Group)
  • Recognizing an outstanding toy developed for boys of any age, the Boy Toy of the Year was presented to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shellraiser (Playmates Toys)
  • Recognizing an app-cessory or other physical toy that interacts with a smartphone, tablet or gaming device the e-Connected Toy of the Year was presented to Skylanders Giants™ (Activision Publishing, Inc.)
  • Recognizing an outstanding toy that helps children develop special skills and knowledge through play, the Educational Toy of the Year was presented to LeapPad2™ (LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.)
  • Recognizing an outstanding children’s board, card, CD-ROM or electronic game, the Game of the Year was presented to Perplexus Epic™ (PlaSmart Inc.)
  • Recognizing an outstanding toy developed for girls of any age, the Girl Toy of the Year was presented to LEGO® Friends (The LEGO Group)
  • Recognizing an outstanding toy developed for infants and toddlers up to 36 months, the Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year was presented to Tranquil Turtle™ (Cloud b)
  • Recognizing an outstanding toy that combines innovation and play value, the Innovative Toy of the Year was presented to Digital Light Designer (Crayola)
  • Recognizing an outstanding toy that is designed for outdoor play, the Outdoor Toy of the Year was presented to The Original Big Wheel™ (Kids Only, Inc., a division of JAKKS Pacific, Inc.)
  • Recognizing an outstanding toy developed for preschool-aged children (ages 3-5) the Preschool Toy of the Year was presented to Doc McStuffins “Time For Your Check-Up” Doll (Just Play)
  • Recognizing a property that has had the greatest success spreading its brand throughout the industry, Property of the Year was presented to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Nickelodeon)
  • Recognizing an outstanding toy that is distributed primarily through specialty toy retailers, the Specialty Toy of the Year was presented to LEGO® Architecture (The LEGO Group)

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