Monatliche Archive: August 2015

The Toy Industry Association (TIA) Executive Committee and Board announced today that Fall Toy Preview – the toy industry’s singular Q4 preview event – will stay in Dallas, TX through 2018, taking place on the following dates: September 27-29, 2016; September 26-28, 2017; and September 25-27, 2018.

“After gathering participant feedback and holding extensive discussions about the pros and cons of various alternative locations, we are pleased to announce that we have recommitted to the Dallas Market Center for the next three years,” said Steve Pasierb, TIA president and CEO. “For the last decade, Fall Toy Preview has worked very well for many in the toy industry seeking another connection with key buyers. We look forward to further strengthening and enhancing the marketplace, as we continue to incorporate business, networking and educational opportunities to benefit attendees who annually attend the show from around the globe.”

TIA’s Trade Show Committee, made up of a range of member company types and sizes, conducted a 10-year review of Fall Toy Preview to determine whether the event’s current timing, location and strategy position the show for short- and long-term success. Alternate sites, date options, rental fees and ancillary costs were explored before it was determined that either Dallas or Los Angeles would be the best fit for the show. Because LA posed several challenges, including a lack of available venues for 2016 and 2017, the Trade Show Committee submitted a consensus proposal to keep the fall marketplace in Dallas through 2018. The proposal was recently approved by TIA’s Executive Committee and Board.

Fall Toy Preview 2015 will bring together hundreds of buyers from mass, mid-tier and specialty retail outlets who rely on the show to jumpstart Q4 planning and negotiate customized products and exclusive lines months in advance of in-store delivery. Nearly 350 innovative toymakers, many with open booths or display areas, will showcase new and beloved brands that will drive holiday ’16 toy sales. Every attendee – from exhibitors and buyers to importers and licensors – will also have access to the show’s educational and networking seminars and special events, including free keynote addresses by Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks owner and investor from the hit TV show Shark Tank during a special Women in Toys event, and Martyn Tipping, branding veteran and CEO of StoryScore.

To date, top retailers have already registered to attend the fall marketplace, including buyers from AAFES, Amazon.com, Bed Bath & Beyond, Family Dollar, Gamestop, Party City, Target, Toys“R”Us, Walmart Stores, and QVC, as well as from a number of specialty stores selling toys, gifts, school supplies and more.

“Fall Toy Preview will continue to evolve to meet the business needs of the global toy industry,” said Pasierb. “With more open booth formats, the ability to window shop and a range of new enhancement and growth strategies in place, we are committed to a successful marketplace for sellers and buyers alike along with an ever-growing audience of key industry players.”

Fall Toy Preview will take place October 6-8, 2015 at the Dallas Market Center in Texas. Buyers, trade guests and exhibitors may register for Fall Toy Preview online. Additional information, including hotel details, is available on the Fall Toy Preview website.

In the first half of 2015, the U.S. toy industry grew by 6.5 percent, or about $400 million, according to global information company The NPD Group. For the past four years, 34 percent of toy sales have occurred in the first half of the year, and using the same methodology NPD estimates that the industry will be up 6.2 percent, or just over $1 billion, for full-year 2015.

“With this kind of sales performance, 2015 could be one of the best years the U.S. toy industry has seen in well over a decade,” said Juli Lennett, senior vice president of the U.S. toys division at The NPD Group. “The success of Disney Frozen, Minecraft, Shopkins, and Paw Patrol are some of the key reasons why 2015 has thus far been a particularly robust year for toys.”

Category Performance

Despite the fact that Outdoor & Sports Toys—the largest super category based on dollar volume—had the most significant dollar gains during the first half of the year, Youth Electronics grew the fastest.

The two largest trend shifts seen year-to-date versus annual 2014 are in the Infant/Preschool Toys and Arts & Crafts categories. In 2014, Infant/Preschool Toys experienced the largest dollar declines, but is now number two in dollar gains. Conversely, while Arts & Crafts ended last year on the plus side, it is the only super category to experience declines.

“There are certain events that will likely make the close of 2015 even better for the toy industry,” added Lennett. “For example, the recent retailer promotions during the week of July 13 helped cause a surge of 16 percent growth in the toy industry. Also, with the movie releases of Minions and Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens falling in the second half, and continued momentum from Jurassic World, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and others, licensed toys will continue to invigorate toy sales.”

Mit der Hauptversammlung des Familienunternehmens am 29. Juli 2015 hat Dorothee Hess-Maier, seit 2000 Mitglied des Aufsichtsrats und stellvertretende Aufsichtsratsvorsitzende seit 2005, ihr Mandat niedergelegt. An ihrer Stelle wurde Albert Hess (44), Rechtsanwalt und Mitglied der Gesellschafter-Familie, gewählt.

Zum selben Zeitpunkt hat Carel Halff, seit 2008 Mitglied im Aufsichtsrat, sein Mandat niedergelegt. Als neues Mitglied des Aufsichtsrats wurde Dr. Thomas Vollmoeller (55), Vorstandsvorsitzender der XING AG, gewählt.

Weiterhin im Aufsichtsrat sind Dr. Dieter Kurz (67) als Vorsitzender, Dr. Wolfram Freudenberg (74), Claus-Dietrich Lahrs (52) und Dr. Valerie Maier (46).

Stephan Patrick Tahy (49), Geschäftsführer der Mattel GmbH in Deutschland und bisheriger Vice President und Country Manager Central- and Eastern Europe erweitert ab sofort als Vice President Central and Eastern Europe mit Frankreich und Belgien seinen Verantwortungsbereich.

Mit der neuen Position erweitert sich die internationale Gesamtverantwortung von Stephan P. Tahy nachdem er vor 8 Jahren als Director Sales/Trade Marketing bei Mattel Deutschland startete. In dem letzten Jahr verantwortete er als Vice President und Country Manager CEE bereits die Geschäftsentwicklung und erweitert diese nun auch auf Frankreich und Belgien. Der neu ernannte Christophe Salmon wird als Country Manager Mattel Frankreich und Belgien an ihn berichten. Tahy berichtet in seiner neuen Funktion weiterhin an David Allmark, Managing Director Europa, Russland, Mittlerer Osten und Afrika.

„Ich freue mich sehr auf die neue Herausforderung und die Möglichkeit die Geschicke dieser unterschiedlichen Länder zu leiten. Wir befinden uns bereits seit einigen Jahren auf einem spannenden Weg. Barbie, Monster High Fisher-Price und Hot Wheels, um nur einige Beispiele zu nennen, stehen schon jetzt für mehr als reine Spielwaren. Wir sehen noch großes Potenzial im Ausbau unserer Marken über verschiedene Produktkategorien hinweg. Die Entwicklung der Marken zu globalen Blockbuster Brands werden wir zukünftig weiter international vorantreiben. Diesen rasanten Prozess werden wir zukünftig weiter international fokussieren. Die Themen Licensing und Digitalisierung werden dabei weiterhin eine entscheidende Rolle spielen“, so Stephan Patrick Tahy.

Ab Mitte August sorgen Wii U- und Nintendo 3DS-Spiele in acht deutschen Ferienorten für Spaß und Spannung