and the winner is.....

so Toy(s) of the Year was announced today.

Infant/Preschool TOTY - The best toy developed for infant and/or preschool children.
Hokey Pokey Elmo
Fisher-Price, Inc.

What's the No. 1 group dance for the pre-school set? You guessed it, and so did Elmo: the "Hokey Pokey." In this innovative update to the beloved character, he masters the Pokey quite convincingly, to the delight of toddler fans everywhere.

the other nominees included Care Bears Bedtime Bear Lullaby Friend from Play Along; Little Touch LeapPad Learning System from LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.; Speedstars Maximum Thrill Raceway from Hasbro, Inc.; and The Wiggles Musical Guitar from Spin Master Ltd


Girl TOTY - The best toy developed specifically for girls of any age.
Bratz Super Stylin' Runway Disco
MGA Entertainment

This playset turns into five high-glamour hang-outs: an upbeat disco, a catwalk, a full-service beauty station, a smoothie bar, VIP clubhouse, and more. The set comes with more than 60 accessories, including a fashion rack with hangers for quick runway changes, flashing lights on the catwalk, a designer studio chair, full-length mirror, dramatic stage/dressing room curtain, water bottles, makeup, and more.

the other nominees were Furreal Friends Go Go My Walkin' Pup from Tiger Electronics; My Little Pony Celebration Castle from Hasbro, Inc.; Polly Pocket Groovy Getaway Jet from Mattel, Inc.; and Strawberry Shortcake Berry Happy Home from Bandai


Boy TOTY - The best toy developed specifically for boys of any age, not including r/c, ride-on and other vehicles.
Hulk Hands
Toy Biz

These foam rubber hulk hands emit crashing sounds and throaty screams upon impact and emulate the sounds of the Hulk himself.

the other nominees were Beyblade Remote Control Top with Launcher from Hasbro, Inc.; Power Rangers Ninja Storm from Bandai; Justice League from Mattel, Inc.; and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figures from Playmates


Game of the Year - Including children's board, card, CD-ROM or electronic game formats. (For CD-ROM or electronic games, formats must have ESRB's "Early Childhood" rating: content may be suitable for persons ages 3 and older. Contains no materials that parents would find inappropriate.)

Cranium Hullabaloo
Cranium

Kids listen closely and think fast as they bounce, twist, spin, dance and high-five in response to Hullabaloo's music and friendly voice. It's a high-energy game full of cool tunes, fun sounds and all kinds of surprises.

the other nominees were Bulls Eye Ball from Tiger Electronics; Scene It from Mattel/Screenlife, LLC; Twister Moves from Hasbro Games; and TV Games Namco from Jakks Pacific


Outdoor TOTY - The best toy designed for outdoor play.
Bounce 'Round
Spin Master Ltd.

This product brings home a classic carnival favorite and provides a great alternative to outdoor activity playsets. This inflatable jumping room is 8' x 8' of inflatable fun.

the other nominees were Electric Scram Micro Monkey Bike from Huffy; Rainbow Reef Fish from Swimways; Razor XLR8R Electric Scooter from Razor USA LLC; and Wave Hoop from Maui Toys


Educational TOTY - The best toy that through play help children develop special skills and/or knowledge.
Leapster Multimedia Learning System
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.

With one interactive system children can play action-packed learning games, read electronic books, create works of art, and watch interactive videos! Skills include: reading, math, critical and creative thinking, story comprehension, vocabulary, and much more!

the other nominees were 3-D Space Projector from Uncle Milton; Barbie B-Creative Education Center from Oregon Scientific, Inc.; Learn Thru Music from Fisher-Price, Inc.; and Teaching Cash Register from Learning Resources


Activity TOTY - The best toy that inspires creative play through various forms of activity.
CLIKITS
LEGO Company

Jewelry, hair accessories, room decor and more -- you can design and make it all with these new activity sets from LEGO. Clikits makes it simple and fun for you to create eye-catching new styles for your room, outfits…and life.

the other nominees were Easy Bake Real Meal Oven from Hasbro, Inc.; ello from Mattel, Inc.; Dragons Man O'War from Mega Bloks, Inc.; and Mighty Beanz from Spin Master Ltd.


Vehicle TOTY - The best vehicle toy, including remote and radio controlled, die-cast, and other non-powered automobiles, planes etc.
Crash Force Regenerator™ R/C
Spin Master Ltd.

With ground breaking R/C technology, this vehicle can take a thumping. Kids can side-swipe, rear-end and fender-bend it into a crumpled heap; with the push of a button, the vehicle is good as new.

the other nominees were Fast and the Furious Power Raceway from RC2; Hot Wheels T-Wrecks Playset from Mattel; R/C Hummer H2 from New Bright Industries; and Speedeez Hummer H2 Speed City from Playmates


Most Innovative TOTY - The best toy that combines the most unique blend of innovative technology and play value for children today.
Leapster Multimedia Learning System
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc.

This new system from LeapFrog teaches the way children love to play. The interactive system allows children to play action-packed learning games, read electronic storybooks, create works of art, and watch interactive videos! Essential pre-K through 2nd grade skills include: reading, math, critical and creative thinking, story comprehension, vocabulary, and more.

the other nominees were HandBand from K-Group Industries Inc.; Video Now from Tiger Electronics; Waterball from Wild Planet Toys; and Vectron Ultralite from Science Tech


Specialty TOTY - The best toy primarily distributed through specialty retailers.
It's My Life Scrapbook
Creativity for Kids

Kids can design 24 different layouts to capture special memories and good times. The kit includes decorative paper in trendy patterns, stickers, a scallop-edge scissors, stencil and marker.

the other nominees were Old Century Baseball from Front Porch Classics; Supermag from PlastWood; Teaching Cash Register from Learning Resources; and Viking Longboat from Playmobil USA Inc.


Property of the Year - The licensor that had the greatest success spreading its brand or property throughout the industry while generating interest and excitement.
Bratz
MGA Entertainment

From publishing to sleepwear, there are now more than 45 domestic licenses in North America expressing their Passion for Fashion through Bratz Inspired consumer products.

the other nominees were Care Bears from American Greetings; Dora the Explorer from Nickelodeon; My Little Pony from Hasbro, Inc.; and Wiggles from The Wiggles Touring Pty. Limited


Retailer of the Year (25+ locations) - The most innovative retailer offering a wide variety of popular toys and games. They should have innovative operations systems, creative in-store marketing and merchandising, and quality customer service.


the other nominees were eBay, KB toys, Wal Mart, and Toys R Us


Retailer of the Year (under 25 locations) - The most innovative retailer, offering diverse merchandise presentation and giving specialty brands and product categories clear focus and value-added appeal. They should offer a wide array of new and innovative products, displayed in an inviting, creative and entertaining environment and serviced by knowledgeable and helpful personnel to ensure customer satisfaction.


the other nominees were Be Beep A Toy Shop; FAO Schwarz; The Toy Shop of Concord, Inc.; and The Toy Store.


Marketing Campaign of the Year - The individual, team or company whose work represents the highest level of creativity and implementation in creating an integrated marketing, advertising, public relations or promotion campaign for a toy or children's entertainment product. The company and specific product must be designated on the nomination form; one company and one marketing representative may accept the award.
Monopoly
Hasbro

Hasbro implemented an integrated plan featuring a new television campaign, promotion elements with McDonalds, The Monopoly Cereal Edition from General Mills and a giant Monopoly Board game at Harrahs. The National Championship generated more than 450 broadcast hits as 48 competitors played on board a chartered train from "GO" in Chicago to the Boardwalk in Atlantic City.

the other nominees were PowerTouch Learning System from Fisher-Price Inc.; CLIKITS from LEGO Systems; Lionel and Mervyn's 2003 Holiday Licensing Partnership from Lionel L.L.C.; and Air Hogs 2003 Van Tour from Spin Master Ltd.
- posted by yeah...about that... @ 1:48 PM