Out of the Toy Box

May 8, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

Leapfrog has had a big hit with its popular “Fly Fusion” pen. Well, it looks like the next step in smart pen technology is coming. It’s called the Pulse smartpen and it’s the creation of a former member of the Leapfrog team named Jim Marggraff. 

A New York Times article, “Gadget Fanatics, take note” says the name of the company producing the Pulse smartpen is LiveScribe. For those unfamiliar with how the “Fly Fusion&...Read More

May 7, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

If you have been reading this blog for the last couple of days you know that we have things to be concerned about, but let’s take a minute and look at some good signs.

Toy R Us is doing great

The toy industry needs a healthy Toys R Us and it appears that we have one. Jerry Storch, Chairman and CEO, and his team have done an outstanding job of turning around the toy industry flagship chain. The company’s earnings went up almost 40% in the 4^th quarter. Storch listed number of reasons for the turn around when he stated: “Better gross margins, improved comparable store sales and the positive impact of ne...Read More

May 6, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (2)

In my last blog I discussed the great concern that we all have regarding the number and quality of the toy safety bills currently in play in the various states. Here is a list of states that have either passed or are considering toy safety legislation. I have listed the states in alphabetical order. Please contact your representative and senator and let them know that you want one Federal law. While you are at it, get your employees, co-workers, friends and family to do the same. If you are not sure who your representatives are, go to the TIA Advocacy link to find out.

• Alabama
• Alaska
• California

May 5, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (2)

The first thing I noticed at ToyCon was that TIA leadership looked intense and concerned.

It didn’t take long before I found out why. The toy industry is in trouble and everyone in toy nation is going to have to get involved to save it. 

Carter Keithley, Joan Lawrence and other TIA staff have been flying all over the country trying to forestall the passage of laws in 32 (that’s right I said 32) different states that, though in many cases well intentioned, will create a thicket of differing state laws that would add redundant costs and in some cases would eliminate whole categories of toys (battery operated toys and electronic toys to name just two). Some of these laws have timetables that are unachievable. The result w...Read More

May 1, 2008 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

I am in the airport waiting to board my plane for Phoenix. Its spring and that means it's ToyCon time. ToyCon for those who may not be familiar with it is a conference for toy industry leadership. It allows senior management of the many toy manufacturers to get together in one place and relax, learn as well as talk. 

I like it because it brings together a smart group of people with a common interest. The whole is far more than the sum of the parts and if you do some effective listening there is a great deal to learn.

Some of what I ...Read More