iPod accessories: a growing niche
By Staff -- Playthings, 2/1/2006
Plug in your guitar and watch a handheld light show. The guitar and illuminating skins, or plates, plug into iPods. iPod skins, cases and other accessories for the newest electronic “toy” for tweens and teens are about to arrive.
Blue Box Toys, New York, launched a new division, b2, to target this music-loving demographic with product for the latest technology while also leveraging a basic teen need: individuality. “Peer pressure makes them want to be a part of the group,” says Mike Murphy, vice president of marketing and business development for Blue Box. “But at the same time, they are always trying to stand out—to make the statement that 'this is me.'”
The division's debut products include Mi-Blue, three assortments of tween accessories and toys for the iPod. Launching this spring will be three main categories of accessories: Mi-Jam, an electronic guitar, drumsticks, microphone and DJ mixer that can all be played from an iPod; Mi-Flower, with nine pedals of LED light that flash along with the mood of the tunes; and Mi-Lites plates that attach to any iPod and put on a light show to the rhythm of the music.
In-store visual aids such as video presentations will be provided to retailers to help educate consumers about the new iPod playthings.
