By: Charles Bowen It May Be Kids Stuff, But You Can Look Like an Old Geezer
To get started, visit the site at http://www.toy-tma.com
Want to look like The Compleat Village Idiot? Then ask a kid if she wants a Bedtime Barbie
when everybody knows it's Millennium Princess Barbie, Barbie Baby Krissie, and Barbie Sit
'N' Style that are hot now. Bedtime Barbie was 'in,' what? Six years ago? That child wasn't
even born then!
Or talk to a little guy with 'Nintendo thumb' about Mario and completely miss his subtle
suggestions that it's the Super Smash Brothers you should be talking about now.
Or dare to venture into the world of Gameboys without knowing the difference between Pok?mon
Blue, Pok?mon Red, and Pok?mon Yellow (not to mention Pok?mon Pinball, Pok?mon Snap ... ).
Or not know that Play-Doh is back.
The point is that you can forget all about those edgy, with-it Net sites, alternative
magazines, and coffeehouse gurus. The true Keepers of the Cool are the kids, and talking the
talk means talking toys. Fortunately, you and your reporters can now cheat, assuming you have
time for a little surfing on the ultimate grown-up toy, the Web. For everything about toys -
from the Top 15 in terms of either dollar and unit figures to announcements of new releases
to the story behind some of the classic toys of the past - your one-stop research center
online is operated by the Toy Manufacturers of America (TMA).
To use the resource, visit the site at http://www.toy-tma.com, where a graphic interface on
the introductory page enables you to look up topics related to parents, kids, the industry as
a whole, toy safety, and so on. While the graphic is appealing, we found that for people in a
hurry - such as most journalists - the fast lane is reached by clicking on the 'Site Map' link
at the bottom of the introductory screen. The subsequent display provides direct links to key
subsections in each department.
For instance, the 'Industry' area includes data ranging from profiles of TMA members to the
text of its Code of Business Practices. Also here are industry statistics, calendars of toy
fairs, top sellers, and international data. Of particular interest to business writers and
editors will be the site's facts and figures on sales and imports and exports, all listed under
the 'Industry Statistics' section. Also here are reports on 'Distribution of Dollar Sales by
Retail Outlets,' 'Top Traditional Toy Retailers Estimated Dollars Share of U.S. Toy Industry,'
and 'World Toy Facts & Figures.'
The site also offers press releases, texts of speeches by TMA officers, and responses to
watchdog groups, including the regular dangerous toy lists, the allegations of toys contributing
to violence in society, and related issues. Elsewhere on the site map, you'll find
consumer-oriented articles about toy testing, safety concerns, contacts for related organizations,
new publications, and online links.
Other considerations in using the site for your reporting and editing:
1. Looking for a feature angle on toys? How about playthings that were introduced decades ago and
are still on the market? Check the 'Classic Toys' link in the 'Industry' section for an
eye-opening list. Did you know that Lionel Trains were introduced 100 years ago this year? Or that
Milton Bradley's Parcheesi Game has been around for 133 years? Or that Silly Putty started 50
years ago? Oh, say it ain't so!
2. Need basic statistics on the toy industry at large? There are several good snapshot articles.
Start with the 'Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Toy Industry' article in the 'Industry' department for a rundown on the latest sales figures, the estimates of how much is spent per child
per year, the breakdown of shipments by category (action figures, games, dolls, stuffed toys,
etc.) and top retailers. Also check the 'Frequently Asked Questions' section in the same department.
3. Columnists and feature editors might enjoy the 'Betcha Didn't Know' articles in the various
departments for toy trivia. Generally, the articles tell the unusual beginnings, including how
some hit toys were invented or named, even how some toy companies got started, as well as 'fun
facts' such as that two Barbie dolls are sold every second somewhere in the world.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here