Toy Industry Association (TIA) announces Top Toys of the Year

Brandora News (Judith Jakobs) - February, 2007

Eleven of the year's greatest and most innovative toys were recognized on February 10th. at the seventh annual T.O.T.Y. (Toy of the Year) Awards ceremony, organized by the Toy Industry Association (TIA) in New York. The gala awards celebration was attended by hundreds of leaders and innovators, including George Lucas who was inducted to the Toy Hall of Fame at the event.

"The T.O.T.Y. Awards pay tribute to the top innovators and products on the eve of American International Toy Fair, where the next wave of innovation will be introduced," said Carter Keithley, president of TIA. "Toy Industry Association is proud to bring the industry together and honor what it does best, create innovative play products for children."

In the stores, consumers can look for the gold TOTY seal on the packaging of the winning toys, and a silver TOTY seal on the nominated toys.

The evening's festivities also included the 2007 Toy Industry Hall of Fame induction ceremony, where entertainment industry icon George Lucas was honored for his contribution to the North American Toy Industry.

 Congratulations to all 55 nominees… and 13 winners of the 2007 T.O.T.Y Awards:

• Toy of the Year, representing the best toy of the year - TMX™ Elmo from Fisher-Price®
• Infant/Preschool Toy of the Year, for toys designed for infant and/or preschool children - TMX™ Elmo from Fisher-Price®
• Girl Toy of the Year, for toys developed specifically for girls of any age - FurReal Friends Butterscotch Pony from Hasbro, Inc.
• Boy Toy of the Year, for toys developed for boys of any age - Spy Video Car from Wild Planet
• Game of the Year, including board, CD-ROM, electronic and card game formats - Cranium's Zooreka from Cranium, Inc.
• Outdoor Toy of the Year, focused on toys designed for outdoor play - Fold 2 Go® Trike from Radio Flyer Inc.
• Educational Toy of the Year, recognizing a toy that, through play, helps children develop special skills and/or knowledge - Smart Globe™ 2.0 from Oregon Scientific.
• Activity Toy of the Year, recognizing a toy that inspires creative play through various forms of activity - Moon Sand™ from Spin Master Ltd.
• Electronic Entertainment Toy of the Year, for toys that merge high-technology with creativity and imagination - Kid Tough™ Digital Camera from Fisher-Price®.
• Most Innovative Toy of the Year, for the most outstanding, unique and creative toy - FurReal Friends Butterscotch Pony from Hasbro, Inc.
• Specialty Toy of the Year, for toys distributed primarily through specialty retailers - Webkinz from Ganz.
• Property of the Year, for the licensor that had the greatest success spreading its brand or property throughout the industry while generating interest and excitement - Disney Pixar's Cars from Disney Consumer Products.

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