Discovery Unveils #Mindblown Brand
Discovery Consumer Products, the licensing arm of Discovery Communications unveiled a new global brand, Discovery #Mindblown. Found at the intersection of exploration, curiosity, and STEM-based edutainment, #Mindblown was originally created for Science Channel’s on-air promotion and is meant to serve as a gender-neutral STEM toy brand targeting Gen Z-ers. The brand will launch at retail with global toy partner Merchsource, in 2018.
Drawing inspiration from Discovery’s STEM programming from Discovery Channel and Science Channel and new shows such as Street Science, and supported by Discovery Education’s in-school digital curriculum. The Discovery #Mindblown program will include toys and games, publishing, apps, apparel, and live events.
Thought Leader to Headline ASTRA’s 2018 Marketplace & Academy
Peter Sheahan, an award-winning thought leader, bestselling author, and advisor, will headline ASTRA’s 2018 Marketplace & Academy. This year’s event, themed Mighty Together: Inspired by the Power of Play, is June 10–13 in New Orleans.
Sheahan will open the third day of the Marketplace exhibit hall with a keynote titled FL!P: Proven Strategies for Turning Challenge into Opportunity, and Change into Competitive Advantage! He will draw on his experience as a CEO of a global consulting firm with employees in 23 cities across seven countries to explore best practices from multiple industries that have experienced transformative change, and unpack the key insights from those who profited from the change compared to those that became victims to it.
The keynote will be held 8:30–10 a.m., Wednesday, June 13. Following the keynote, ASTRA Marketplace attendees will have a third day on the exhibit floor to find new products and to take advantage of show-only discounts. Deeply discounted Early Bird registration rates for ASTRA’s Marketplace & Academy are available through Tuesday, February 20. Register online or at the ASTRA Booth at Toy Fair (booth 6415).
ToyFest West Announces 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees
The Western Toy & Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) will induct Harry Clayton, Leonard Lieberman, Eugene McKeown, and Manny Rocha into its Hall of Fame. The Wee Loft, located in Dana Point, Calif., will also be recognized as Retailer of the Year by WTHRA for outstanding customer service, community involvement, and many years of distinguished service in the toy industry.
They will be honored at the Annual ToyFest West Gala Dinner hosted by WTHRA at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 11 in the South Point’s Grand Ballroom during ToyFest West. All show participants are welcome to attend.
In addition speakers and events have also been announced for the show. Steve Starobinksy, vice-president of marketing & product discovery at Diverse Marketing will present a seminar on Trend Predictions at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday in South Point’s Redwood Room. A second seminar will follow at 8 a.m. on Monday, March 12, featuring a panel of retail store owners and one manufacturer to discuss customer service, loyalty, product training, and retention. The panel will include Jenny Bouma, owner at Chicken Little; Jeremy Cain of Puzzle Zoo; Melissa Moore, owner from Toy Crazy; and a soon-to-be-announced manufacturer. Betsy Molito, West Coast account executive from Gifts and Decorative Accessories, will moderate.
Buyers are also invited to attend the TFW Game Night at 6:30 p.m. on Monday evening, in South Point’s Sonoma Room. The event invites guests to challenge friends while learning new games to demo from companies such as ACD Games, Blue Orange Games, Carma Games, Continuum Games, Czech Game Edition, Endless Games, Enginuity Games, Family Games America, Outset, Haba, KnucknFutz, Northstar Games, PlayMonster, Smart Toys and Games, Thames & Kosmos, Top Trumps, and Winning Moves. Hosted dinner and drinks are provided by WTHRA.
ToyFest West is hosted by WTHRA and will take place at the South Point Hotel & Casino March 11-13, 2018. For more information on the show, visit toyfestwest.com.