New York Toy Fair Welcomes 'One Big Family'

Wednesday, 18 February 2009 10:04

Posted February 18, 2009

Just back from Toy Fair in NYC, surely the greatest city on Earth. Chicago may the best city in the world to live, but New York takes one's breath away with scope, diversity, and the relentless pulse of its hive of human endeavor.  My apologies for not offering updates from the show.  Being new to this, I have not yet mastered the art of blog entries while traveling.

It was a great show for our team with back-to-back presentations of our new concepts to US toy companies, as well as others from around the world.  I was honored to be one of the presenters at the Toy of the Year, or T.O.T.Y., awards presentation.  It was a well staged event, held at the Chelsea Pier with nighttime skyline views across the river.

Mr.  Jack Pressman, founder of Pressman Toy, and one of the pioneers of the modern toy industry was honored and inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame - richly deserved recognition.  Mr. Alan Hassenfeld of Hasbro, and another scion of one of the great toy families, delivered a warm, richly detailed history of Jack Pressman and Pressman Toy.  His widow, sons, and extended family were all there to share in this honor.  It was a touching moment in which the industry felt almost like one big family.

And Ms. Joan Ganz Cooney, the founder of the Children's Television Workshop, the non-profit corporation behind Sesame Street, was also inducted into the Toy Hall of Fame. As a contributor to the lives of children and modern society, as well as a wellspring of beloved characters that have become popular toys, (Elmo for instance) few could deserve this honor more than Ms. Cooney. Neil Friedman of Mattel, and Elmo himself (with his large human counterpart) gave an extraordinary live tribute and presentation in her honor.  It was true entertainment, and I felt most fortunate to be witness and part of it all.

There was more - much more. Spin Master deservedly won several Toy of the Year awards, especially for their Bakugan line. They have done what few toy companies today would undertake. To develop from scratch a line of this scope is testament to their vision and energy, and ‘coulones’ (sp?  Italian). From a sketch, and in collaboration with a team of many partners, they have created a blockbuster, highly innovative product.

I doff my hat to them. And to cap it, in receiving their award they gave a most gracious speech acknowledging all of the parties and people on the teams that made Bakugan happen, from inventor to licensing agent, to development partner, and animation creators - everyone, including Ben Dermer who on Spin Master's behalf first identified the potential of the concept from a drawing, and brought it in house for the rest to see.  More tomorrow.

My best to you and yours.

B. Lund

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written by Julie, February 18, 2009

Hi Bruce,

You are so right what you say about New York, I love the city and to attend a toy fair....what could be bad!! Great to read the blog entries, getting to know you, I am finding out all kinds of wonderful things about you - are we related??

Love Julie

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written by bruce, February 18, 2009

thanks Julie, for you kind words, and taking the time to comment. I have had the pleasure of being a part time resident of NYC for 25 years. In the early days we were in NYC for the toyfair a full two weeks, and over the years it became shorter and shorter, until now, it is only a few days. But what a city she is.
I especially love NY on a Sunday morning when all the steets are so empty you could bowl a ball down the Avenues and not hit a thing, and in every neighborhood people are out buying fresh food for breakfast and the days meals. And who knows, we might be related.

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written by susan adamo baumbach, April 06, 2009

Thanks, Bruce, for recognizing Jack Pressman's induction--and Joan Ganz Cooney's, as well--into the Toy Hall of Fame this year. In less than a year, I'll be celebrating my 25th anniversary at Pressman. Where on earth did the years go? Best ever, Susan

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Bruce Lund, Founder
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