More to celebrate
By Staff -- Playthings, 2/1/2006
Buffalo Games, Buffalo, N.Y., celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2006 by revamping its logo to incorporate a buffalo icon. Kevin Renaud, Buffalo's marketing communications manager, tells Playthings the change was prompted as a response to how many customers generally referred to the company as simply “Buffalo” rather than “BGI,” the acronym that was the focus of the company's most recent logo.
Renaud says the official anniversary will not occur until this summer, when he predicts the company will host an in-house “gala event” for the local media at its manufacturing facilities. He says the event will be both a celebration of the anniversary and an opportunity to show off recent additions to the facility.
In the meantime, look for a revised version of Buffalo's Imaginif game, which Renaud says should debut at Toy Fair.
In celebration of the golden anniversary of its Play-Doh brand, Hasbro, Pawtucket, R.I., is sponsoring a year-long “Birth-doh” Party. Highlights include the launch of a birthday-theme Play-Doh 50-pack, featuring 1-oz. cans of modeling compound, each in a different color. The product, for kids ages 3 and up, comes in birthday cake-theme packaging.
Customers are also invited to celebrate Play-Doh's 50th by participating in its “Celebration of Imagination” sweepstakes. Numerous prizes are available, including one grand prize of $50,000. Winning game pieces can be found inside specially marked packages.
Douglas Company, Keene, N.H., is also celebrating 50 years in business. The company plans to kick off its Fifty Years of Smiles Celebration at the New York International Toy Fair this month, and they plan to keep the party going at a number of trade shows through the summer. A birthday bash will be held in the company's New Hampshire hometown for locals and invited guests to celebrate as well.
At Toy Fair, Douglas' booth will boast cake, champagne, and even commemorative anniversary buttons. Erica Radich, Douglas' marketing manager, also hinted to Playthings about the possibility of “show specials” for retailers who place orders during the show.
