University Games announced the appointment of industry veteran, Jeff Pinsker, to the newly created role of Executive Vice President. Pinsker entered the toy industry in 1991 as a product manager at University Games. During his 9-year tenure with the company, Pinsker served as a marketing manager, general manager and president of the company.
The Pokémon Company International, the organization responsible for management of the Pokémon brand outside of Asia, has announced the initial development of a new unscripted series involving the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) and the opening of a casting call for fans of all ages and interests in the best-selling TCG. Casting for the series will be focused on fans located in the Los Angeles, California area, and those interested in applying can visit the casting agency website at https://pokemontcg.castingcrane.com/.
HABA USA has announced that President Lea Culliton will retire in June after two decades leading the company. Culliton, who led sales, marketing, and operations, helped introduce, establish, and grow the HABA brand name in North America. Cynthia Waruszewski now joins the company as head of North American sales and marketing with more than 15 years of experience growing brands including American Girl, Barbie, Fisher-Price, Disney, Carter’s and Pottery Barn Kids.
The Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) has announced the return of ToyFest to The Expo at World Market Center Las Vegas, February 27 – March 3, 2023. This newly opened, purpose-built tradeshow facility in downtown Las Vegas served quite well for the 2022 show. As an added benefit, ToyFest attendees have access to cross-over gift and accessory lines presented at the World Market Center’s permanent showrooms. Sandy Lepire, ToyFest President said, “ToyFest 2022 was filled with lots of excitement, buyers from all over the country, and manufacturers showing amazing new products! With the dates of ToyFest now set for 2023, We can’t wait to start planning. Our goal is to make this a great show for all to come play and learn.”
Families across the US are invited to participate in the Spirograph National Art Contest for the opportunity to have their Spirograph art featured at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York! Using the simple magic of pens, gears and paper, artists four and older are encouraged to create a unique design with any Spirograph product and add their own personal flair with color or added materials.
Western Toy & Hobby Representative Association will kick off their next ToyFest since 2020 during the week of March 7th, 2022. While this year’s show will be a departure from the format of previous years, with representatives showing in both showrooms as well as temporary booth spaces, many traditions will be the same. On the evening of March 9th, toy industry colleagues will celebrate the lifetime (to date) achievements of these toy industry veterans, partners Marlene and Charles Gabris, Stephanie Sala, and Brian Turtle, all of whom will be inducted into the WTHRA Hall of Fame. Additionally, toy retailer, Thinker Toys in Morgan Hill & Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA will be recognized as the WTHRA Retailer of the Year. The event will take place outdoors at a rooftop reception on the SkyView Terrace of the World Market Center Las Vegas (WMCLV) beginning at 6:00 p.m. All show participants are invited and encouraged to attend, to celebrate and congratulate these individuals while enjoying toy related camaraderie.
Some of the best moments in childhood are when kids are free to imagine with a prop – a cardboard box, dress up clothes, or Bunny Hopkins Wobble Boards. Purposefully minimal and inspired by the sheer joy of free open-ended play, Wobble Boards can be a fun balance board, teeter totter, pirate ship or a doll cradle (children can nestle on it as well). It’s an open-ended toy for kids that helps stimulate their creativity, promote physical play, and helps develop gross motor skills while they have fun. Flip it over to make it a slide, an obstacle course or magical rainbow fairy castle and spark creativity with so many more imaginative play scenarios! This activity toy with a simple curved design invites kids to balance and wobble which strengthens the core and muscles, improves reflexes and hones balancing skills which are critical for child development. Adults can get a peek into their child’s thinking and happily skip the cords, gadgets, and batteries.