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June 2008 | Vol. VII - No. 6

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ASTRA Trade Show Highlights

TDmonthly Films Tomorrow’s Hottest Specialty Toys

By: Chelsea Whitaker
May 8, 2008

The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association’s annual Marketplace & Academy is set for June 22-25 in Mashantucket, Conn. At the largest specialty toy industry gathering, the aisles will be packed with specialty manufacturers, retailers, media members and more. For those who don’t have 10 clones to scour the aisles and check out every single toy, TDmonthly Magazine can help! In our July issue, TDmonthly’s videos from the show will highlight the products you missed or want to see again.

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•Therapeutic Stuffed Animals Offer Function and Style
•TDmonthly’s Top-10 Most-Wanted Construction Toys
•TDmonthly’s Top-10 Most-Wanted Activity Kits and Playsets
•What Toys to Stock
•Hollywood ToyBoy: Shows Set Stage for Toy Sales
•How Wal-Mart’s Beating Target at Toy Placement
•Video Game Market Sees a Slowdown
•Notable and New Toys by Category
•June Staff Picks: Crafts and Critters
•Toys in the News: 6-30-08
•Deadline Extended for Specialty Toys Report!
•See Your ASTRA Colleagues on Video!
•How to Get the Time You Need
•Bumpy Ride Ahead, Economists Predict
•Get These Toys!
•TDmonthly's Book Expert
•My Best Sellers: LB Toys
•Retailing Tips: How to Be a Famous Store
•Bananagrams Maintains Ap’peel
•TDmonthly’s Top-10 Most-Wanted Licensed Goods
•ASTRA Trade Show Highlights
•Get Ready to Order!
•Doll Companies Recreate Old Favorites
•Indiana May Trump Iron Man at Toy Sales
•Watch Playsets and Licensed Toys
•Yesterday’s Marketing is Dead: Part 3
•In This Issue
•Weekly Toy Newscast: 6-15-08
•First Nominees for TDmonthly Report and Awards
•Clicking Into Christmas: Find New Toys
•Critical Thinking Series Challenges Homeschoolers' Thought
•Doll Reviewers Applaud Flatsy's Poseability and Style
•Panel Finds Monkey a Potty Training Expert
•Retailer Spotlight: LB Toys
•TDmonthly’s Psychologist Mom

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