Raving Toy Maniac

Toy Industry Unveils Nominees for 2014 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards

Consumers invited to vote for their favorites at ToyAwards.org - now until January 13, 2014

NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2013 -- The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced today the 84 toy, game and property finalists for the prestigious 2014 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY). The annual awards program is sponsored by the toy industry itself to recognize the top toys available across 12 categories -- from e-Connected and Activity to Educational and Outdoor toys. Because the finalists have been nominated from within the industry and winners are selected by a combined vote of toy manufacturers, retailers, media and consumers, the TOTY Awards are known as the "Oscars" of the industry.

The Makers of Cut the Rope Reveal Expanded Licensing Program at Toy Fair, including an Interactive 3D Game, Unlocked by New Plush Toys

NEW YORK, Feb. 7, 2013 -- ZeptoLab®, the entertainment and gaming company behind the global mobile phenomenon Cut the Rope®, is bringing even more ways for fans to interact with the lovable monster, Om Nom. With over 300 million downloads plus successful media extensions, Cut the Rope and Om Nom have become major icons of the digital entertainment era.

Debuting at this year's Toy Fair is Om Nom: Candy Flick™, a new augmented reality game that allows fans to interact with Cut the Rope's candy-chomping star Om Nom, like never before! Om Nom: Candy Flick, available on Apple's App Store, is unlocked via a special tag that can be found on a variety of Om Nom plush toys from toy partner, Round 5. Once downloaded, fans can bring Om Nom to life by positioning their smartphone or tablet's camera on the tags and watch as he virtually pops out of the tag ready to devour his favorite treat... candy.

Tonner Doll Company Takes a Bite Out of Zombie Love with Latest Collection: Warm Bodies

World-famous doll company tackles zombie romance with their latest release of R and Julie from Summit Entertainment's #1 film Warm Bodies. The figures are now available for pre-order at http://www.tonnerdoll.com.

KINGSTON, N.Y., Feb. 11, 2013 -- Tonner Doll Company, an award-winning designer and manufacturer of high-end collectible dolls and figures, has released Character Figures® based on Summit Entertainment's Warm Bodies. The film was released nationwide by Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE® company, on February 1, 2013, and was the #1 box office hit its first weekend.

"I read the book a while ago after a friend had suggested it," said Robert Tonner, doll artist and company CEO. "When I found out there would be a movie, I just had to jump at the chance to get this license."

Sculpted in the likenesses of the film's lead characters, R and Julie, Tonner's figures will allow fans and collectors alike to bring home their very own, collectible example of the power of human connection.

DARK HORSE DELUXE PARTNERS WITH TOY2R TO DISTRIBUTE LIMITED EDITION HELLBOY MINI-QEE VINYL TOYS!

MILWAUKIE, OR - February 2013 - At this year's International Toy Fair, Dark Horse revealed what is sure to be one of the year's most-talked-about toy releases! Hong Kong's innovative designer-toy company Toy2R will produce a new range of 5" vinyl figures in their popular "Mini-Qee" format, putting their unique design spin on Mike Mignola's popular Hellboy character.

Mike Mignola's Hellboy has emerged as one of the classic comic book characters of the modern day, spawning a successful series of graphic novels, motion pictures, animation, interactive games, and toy lines. Excitement around this character is at an all-time high, as Mignola takes him back to whence he came in the smash-hit series Hellboy in Hell, currently in its third issue.

American International Toy Fair – February 10-13, 2013 – Welcomes Surge in Global Visitors

Numbers Spike for Licensors, International Attendees and Global Press

New York, NY -- February 19, 2013 -- The 110th American International Toy Fair opened its doors to a surge in international attendees last week, as tens of thousands of visitors from 92 countries descended upon New York City to preview 150,000 innovative toys, games and youth entertainment products at the largest toy tradeshow in the Western hemisphere.

Owned and operated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA), Toy Fair 2013 (Feb. 10-13) welcomed a 4% increase in international attendees, a 9% rise in licensors, a 6% increase in international manufacturer's reps, and an 18% surge in foreign press visiting from 20 countries. Total attendance during the four-day show was 24,145.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products Partners with Wonder Forge, Inc. to Create Exciting New Justice League Games

Seattle, WA (February 10, 2013) – Wonder Forge, Inc.™, ranked one of Washington State's fastest growing companies(1) and a stand-out in the game aisle, has teamed up with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, on behalf of DC Entertainment, to debut an innovative new lineup of Justice League games at the New York International Toy Fair this month.

Each table top game will feature favorite DC Comics characters such as Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and The Flash, designed for kids ages 8 and up.

"Wonder Forge has an inventive style and passion for family-friendly entertainment that makes them the perfect match to develop games for our loyal Justice League fan base," said Karen McTier, executive vice president of Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing for Warner Bros.

Stratego – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Game

The Unexpected Journey Comes to Boardgames Fall 2013

Los Angeles, CA – February 10, 2013 – Spin Master Games and Warner Bros. Consumer Products have teamed up to create Stratego – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Game based on The Hobbit Trilogy, including the blockbuster The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, as well as the highly anticipated second and third films, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and The Hobbit: There and Back Again, productions of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM).

"Building on the success of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, we are excited to partner with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on games for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," said Ivory Jones, Brand Manager Games at Spin Master. "Our 'Stratego – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' Game lets The Hobbit Trilogy fans and strategy-game fans alike relive the excitement and fantasy of the films."

Warner Bros. Consumer Products Unveils Wonderful Product Lineup for the 75th Anniversary of "The Wizard Of Oz"

Robust Roster of Toy and Collectible Licensees Led by Master Toy Partner Jazwares

Burbank, Calif., February 13, 2013 – Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) announced during New York Toy Fair an impressive roster of licensees set to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of "The Wizard of Oz" in 2014, with creative product lines that will excite fans of the classic film on both sides of the rainbow. Master toy partner Jazwares, as well as USAopoly and Mattel are among the partners helping to honor one of the most beloved properties in all of film history, which will inspire a range of product across multiple categories including toys, collectibles, games and more.

(RTM note: for pictures of the toys mentioned below, please check out the galleries over at AwesomeToyBlog.com.)

JAKKS Pacific 2013 Boys and Girls Product Highlights

Boys

Monsuno®

The JAKKS Pacific Monsuno® toy line continues to grow in 2013 with the addition of all-new collectible transforming action figures. The toy line, which brings the excitement of the Monsuno® boys action adventure series to life, will offer all-new fun, easy-to-learn, action-packed game play that is tightly integrated with Season Two of the Animated Series, Monsuno®: Combat Chaos™ which will premiere on Nicktoons this Spring. Also brand new for 2013 will be a dynamic lineup of accessories, battle sets and much more, allowing kids to fully immerse themselves in the world of Monsuno!

Mega Bloks Hot Wheels™ Construction Sets Unveiled At New York Toy Fair

MEGA Brands and Mattel continue to expand construction lines

MONTREAL/NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2013 - MEGA Brands launches its brand-new Mega Bloks Hot Wheels™ collection today at the 2013 American International Toy Fair. Toy insiders will get a full preview of the highly-anticipated construction line hitting stores this summer.

Following their successful launch of the Mega Bloks Barbie line in Holiday 2012, MEGA Brands and Mattel continue to expand the construction category with a full range of building sets based on the iconic and best-selling Hot Wheels® brand. Mega Bloks Hot Wheels brings together the speed, action and performance of this world famous boys brand with easy building fun, cool action features and the world's first collectible Hot Wheels micro-action-figures.