Playthings back issues from August 1991:
Robert Sansone, former Mattel president, dies at 49. (Mattel Inc.) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Robert Sansone, former Mattel president, dies at 49EL SEGUNDO, CALIF. -- Robert Sansone, former president of Mattel USA, died at his home in Marina Del Ray, Calif. on July 15, after an eight-month battle with cancer. He was 49. Sansone spent three years at Mattel, where ...
Court allows Galoob Toys to manufacture Game Genie. (Lewis Galoob Toys Inc.) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Court allows Galoob Toys to manufacture Game GenieSAN FRANCISCO -- U.S. District Court Judge Fern Smith has ruled in favor of Lewis Galoob Toys in its pending lawsuit with Nintendo of America Inc., regarding the manufacture and sale of Galoob's Game Genie. The Game ...
Mattel agrees to acquire Aviva Sport. (Mattel Inc.; Aviva Sport Inc.) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Mattel agrees to acquire Aviva SportLOS ANGELES -- Mattel and Aviva Sport Inc. announced an agreement by which Mattel will acquire the San Francisco-based maker of sport toys. In making the announcement, John W. Amerman, Mattel's chairman and chief executive officer, ...
Western acquires unreleased Hi-Tops titles. (Western Publishing Company Inc.; Media Home Entertainment Inc.'s Hi-Tops library of video recordings for children) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Western acquires unreleased Hi-Tops titlesRACINE, WIS. -- Western Publishing Company has reached an agreement with Heron Communications to acquire the rights to 60 unreleased children's video titles from Media Home Entertainment's Hi-Tops library. Under the terms of the ...
Electronic Arts acquires Distinctive Software Inc. (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Electronic Arts acquires Distinctive Software Inc.SAN MATEO, CALIF. -- Electronic Arts has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Distinctive Software Inc. (DSI). In the transaction, which will be accounted for as a pooling of interests, Electronic Arts will pay $782,900 and ...
Tyco agrees to repurchase company ownership. (Tyco Toys Inc.) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Tyco agrees to repurchase company ownershipMT. LAUREL, N.J. -- Tyco Toys Inc. announced that it has reached an agreement in principle with chairman Benson A. Selzer and John and Geoffrey Selzer for the purchase by the company of their ownership interest in the company, the ...
Playmates establishes sponsored ADR program. (Playmates Holdings Ltd.; American depository receipts) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Playmates establishes sponsored ADR programLA MIRADA, CALIF. -- Playmates International Holdings Ltd. has established a sponsored American Depository Receipts (ADR) program to broaden its shareholder base in the United States. Initially, up to 10 percent of the company's issued ...
Mattel calls for redemption of debentures. (Mattel Inc.)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Mattel calls for redemption of debenturesLOS ANGELES -- Mattel Inc. announced that it has called for redemption of the balance of its 14 3/4 percent subordinated sinking fund debentures at par plus the call premium and accrued interest to the date of redemption. "This ...
Hasbro takes $59 million charge. (Hasbro Inc.)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Hasbro takes $59 million chargePAWTUCKET, R.I. -- Hasbro Inc. said it would take a $59 million charge against earnings in the second quarter for restructuring costs incurred partly because of its acquisition of the Tonka Corporation. Hasbro said the one-time charge would lower ...
California leads in toy industry dollar sales. (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... California leads in toy industry dollar salesPORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. -- California leads in percentage of toy industry dollar sales for 1990, according to a study from NPD Research. The most populous state garnered 12.1 percent of toy industry dollar sales. New ...
David Galoob resigns from Galoob Toys. (Lewis Galoob Toys Inc.) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... David Galoob resigns from Galoob ToysSAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. -- Lewis Galoob Toys, Inc. has announced that David Galoob, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of the company, has submitted his resignation. He has also resigned his seat on the company's board of directors ...
Larami squirt gun shoots to the top. (Larami Corp.)(Los Angeles)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Larami squirt gun shoots to the topDefying public appeals to conserve water, Larami's Super Soaker series of squirt guns catapulted to the top of June's bestseller list. The Super Soaker 30, 50 and 100 water guns were selling like mad for retailers in Los Angeles and ...
Super Soaker makes a big splash. (squirt guns)(Philadelphia)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Super Soaker makes a big splashNearly all kids like to wet each other down in water fights and they've been doing it with special gusto this record-breaking hot spring and early summer. Many are using what one dealer stated was the hottest item since the Cabbage Patch doll. ...
F-P boasts early summer standouts. (Fisher-Price Toys Inc.)(Twin Cities)
Aug 01, 1991 ... F-P boasts early summer standoutsJune was cold and rainy, with a few sweltering days that tended to keep shoppers homebound in air-conditioned comfort. Hence, some frantic end-of-the-month ad campaigns, aimed at sell-through before the make-or-break summer goods merchandising ...
Super Soaker in demand, unavailable. (Larami Corp.'s squirt guns)(Chicago)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Super Soaker in demand, unavailableJust before the Fourth of July weekend, Larami's Super Soaker squirt guns were in demand everywhere. As Chicagoans broiled in a prolonged string of 90s days, nearly everyone would have welcomed a squirt in the face. But, none of the ...
Outdoor play toys come on strong. (San Francisco)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Outdoor play toys come on strongSuper Soakers were clearly the big hit of the summer in San Francisco Bay area toy stores. All three sizes of the Larami water guns sold out fast everywhere at tags around $11.98, $16.98 and $29.98. One toywoman reported "90 percent of our phone ...
Backyard toys lift summer sales. (Boston)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Backyard toys lift summer salesJune proved a somewhat atypical month in the Boston area as dealers found cold season items moving almost as well as summer items. While the buying accent was on the backyard--pools, gyms, sandboxes, etc.--dealers found customers gravitating towards ...
Nylint establishes new sales network. (Nylint Toys) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Nylint establishes new sales networkROCKFORD, ILL. -- Nylint Toys has established a new sales network via its Lake Forest, Ill.-based International Toy and Sport (ITS) to serve the European, Australian, and Canadian toy markets. ITS sales representatives will enable Nylint to ...
Outdoor toys give stores a boost. (Atlanta)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Outdoor toys give stores a boostLittle Tikes' Airplane teeter totter was as hot as the weather in June at $49, dealers say. The Little Tikes Cottage, priced at $199, Motorcycle at $39, and Cozy Coupe at $43 were other winners in stores that specialize in Little Tikes as well as ...
H & W Product Originators introduces Mrs. Apple Bee. (H and W Product Originators Inc.; apple-shaped cassette player)
Aug 01, 1991 ... H & W Product Originators introduces Mrs. Apple BeeJACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- H & W Product Originators Inc. has developed a new way for kids to play school, with Mrs. Apple Bee and the Apple Kids. Mrs. Apple Bee is a bright red apple-shaped cassette player who teaches ...
Goody Products adds the magic of Disney. (Goody Products Inc.'s licensing agreement with the Walt Disney Co.)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Goody Products adds the magic of DisneyNEW YORK -- Goody Products has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with The Walt Disney Company. Under the agreement, Goody will manufacture and market Mickey's Shoppe, an authentic collection of original hair accessories faithful to ...
Disney Software releases three preschool programs. (Walt Disney Computer Software Inc.)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Disney Software releases three preschool programsBURBANK, CALIF. -- Walt Disney Computer Software has released three new premium preschool programs. The premium preschool programs are Mickey's ABC's: A Day at the Fair, Mickey's 123's: The Big Surprise Party, and ...
Totsy Manufacturing Co. makes some smooth moves. (new line of sports/leisure gear for fashion dolls)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Totsy Manufacturing Co. makes some smooth movesHOLYOKE MASS. -- Totsy Manufacturing Co. has developed a line of contemporary toy sports/leisure gear for 11 1/2-inch fashion dolls. The Smooth Moves Sports Accessories Sets are durable plastic pieces made for hours of play. Each set ...
Camerica debuts Micro Machines video game. (Camerica Games)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Camerica debuts Micro Machines video gameONTARIO, CANADA -- The Micro Machines video game is new from Camerica Games. It is compatible with the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) but does not have a Nintendo license. This 2 megabyte game can be played by one or two ...
Toy market study forecasts modest growth up to '96. (editorial)
Aug 01, 1991; ... Toy market study forecasts modest growth up to '96 Hampered by a sluggish U.S. economy, weaker sales of video games, and a lack of megahits in the pipeline, the U.S. toy market advanced 5 percent in 1990 to $9.5 billion at the manufacturer level, according to a new study from ...
Toy Village: it's the talk of the town.
Aug 01, 1991; ... Toy Village: it's the talk of the town Garden parties help keep doll sales rosy At Toy Village, customer traffic is heavy year round, thanks to a successful merchandising program. Betty and Dow Gillison, the husband-and-wife owners of Toy Village (she's president; ...
Country General Stores get down to specifics. (Country General Stores Co. to sell more traditional and do-it-yourself toys and games)
Aug 01, 1991; ... Country General Stores get down to specifics Defining customer needs helps pinpoint merchandise selections Toy sales are on the increase -- up 12 percent over the last three years -- at the 91-store Country General Stores chain, based in Grand Island, Nebraska. ...
Surge Entertainment formed to develop properties. (entertainment properties for children) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Surge Entertainment formed to develop propertiesJERICHO, N.Y. -- Mark Freedman, whose Surge Licensing led the international success of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, has announced the formation of Surge Entertainment to develop entertainment properties for children. ...
Science toys generate electricity. (educational/scientific toys) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991; ... Science toys generate electricity Category's broad product range attracts education-minded consumers Want an antidote for video game mania, slumping SAT scores, and toys that are played with once and never again leave the closet? Some retailers have found ...
Trucks sound off and spark basics' revival. (toy trucks) (Cover Story)
Aug 01, 1991; ... Trucks sound off and spark basics' revival Sound, light, other action features capture retailers' attention Trucks are making noise again in the toy industry. Their sound and speech effects may not be loud enough to drown out the blips and bleeps of video games, but ...
Licensing '91 draws record number of attendees. (Licensing and Merchandising Conference and Exposition)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Licensing '91 draws record number of attendeesNEW YORK -- A record number of attendees helped make the June Licensing and Merchandising Conference & Exposition the most successful show in its 11-year history. According to show director Susan Reuter of Expocon Management Associates, ...
Off-season plush makes in-season impact. (toy retailers customize their plush for holidays)
Aug 01, 1991; ... Off-season plush makes in-season impact Retailers who customize their plush for holidays see results With a little creativity, retailers can make every season rabbit season, duck season, bear season, or even koala season. Although sales of seasonal plush ...
Kalweit Sales moves to new location. (Kalweit Sales Co.) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Kalweit Sales moves to new locationMINNETONKA, MINN. -- Kalweit Sales Company has moved to new offices. The new facility will enable Kalweit Sales to show lines to buyers in the comfort of a private showroom. Kalweit represents both Halloween and play/learning ...
Brio to distribute Lundby in U.S. (Brio Scanditoy Corp.; dollhouse product line) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Brio to distribute Lundby in U.S.MILWAUKEE, WIS. -- Brio Scanditoy Corp. and Lundby of Sweden have jointly announced a partnership to distribute Lundby's dollhouse product line in the United States. "This is a natural partnership between two Swedish toy makers. We both ...
Cutbacks set at Parker Brothers. (Hasbro Inc. to eliminate 370 jobs at Parker Brothers' plant in Salem, Massachusetts) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Cutbacks set at Parker BrothersPAWTUCKET, R.I. -- Hasbro has announced that it would shift production of Parker Brothers games to its Milton Bradley operation by the end of the year. Milton Bradley acquired Parker Brothers in its takeover of the Tonka ...
International flavor permeates Stationery Show. (National Stationery Show) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... International flavor permeates Stationery ShowNEW YORK -- The international flavor of the 45th National Stationery Show was emphasized May 19-22, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, with both foreign buyers and exhibitors broadly represented at the annual market ....
NEC, Paramount Pictures ink 'Addams Family' pact. (NEC Technologies Inc.'s licensing agreement with Paramount Pictures Corp. to produce a video game based on the movie "The Addams Family") (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... NEC, Paramount Pictures ink |Addams Family' pactHOLLYWOOD, CALIF. -- NEC Technologies has signed a licensing agreement with Paramount Pictures to produce a compact disc video game for its Turbo-Grafx-16 home entertainment system based on the much-touted fall movie, "The Addams ...
Nuvision, Angels team up for video game. (Nuvision Entertainment Inc.; The Guardian Angels, crime stopping group) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Nuvision, Angels team up for video gameNEW YORK -- Nuvision Entertainment and the New York City-based crime stopping group, The Guardian Angels, have joined forces creatively to design a new video game for the 16-bit Sega Genesis system. "Curtis and Lisa Sliwa and The ...
OddzOn reinforces management team. (OddzOn Products Inc.) (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... OddzOn reinforces management teamAs part of reorganization, OddzOn Products has made several promotions and additions to strengthen its executive staff. John Barbour, vice president of marketing and sales for OddzOn, was promoted to chief operating officer and president ....
Schwartz Public Relations Associates, Inc. (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Schwartz Public Relations Associates, Inc. has promoted K. Elaine Wellman to the newly created position of manager, marketing services. Since joining the agency in 1989, Wellman had served as account ...
Marketing/Trademark Consultants Inc. (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Marketing/Trademark Consultants Inc. (MTC) has named Adina T. Finkelstein director of licensing, sales and marketing. Finkelstein will be responsible for developing new license and ...
Sports Impressions. (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Sports Impressions has announced the appointment of Scott Bryson to national sales manager. In this newly created position, Bryson will direct the 70 independent sales reps for Sports ...
Imaginarium. (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Imaginarium toy stores, headquartered in Walnut Creek, Calif., has announced two executive promotions. Jana Machin has been appointed senior vice president and general merchandising manager. Machin was ...
Leisure Concepts, Inc. (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Leisure Concepts, Inc. has named Joseph Garrity as senior vice president and chief financial ...
Mattel Inc. (Brief Article)
Aug 01, 1991 ... Mattel Inc. has announced the formation of an office of corporate environmental affairs, which will be headed by Maki Papavasiliou, vice president, corporate environmental affairs. The office of corporate environmental affairs will have responsibility for formulating and ...
Public relations gets things moving. (boosting toy businesses thru creative marketing)
Aug 01, 1991; ... Public relations gets things moving Creative marketing can give your business a boost These are challenging times in the toy industry. But for the creative manufacturer and merchant, a challenge should be met by using every tool available. When business ...