February 13, 2008 Volume 1, Issue 1

Upcoming Trade Events: Western States Toy and Hobby Show Date: March 8-11, 2008 Location: Pomona, CA Venue: The Fairplex Contact: Western Toy & Hobby Representatives Association Tel: (951) 277-1598 Fax: (951) 277-1599 Email: toyshow@wthra.com Web: www.wthra.com TransWorld’s 24th International Halloween, Costume & Party Show Date: March 16-19, 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Venue: The Sands Expo & Convention Center Contact: TransWorld Tel: (800) 323-5462 Web: www.hcpshow.com GAMA (Game Manufacturers Association) Trade Show Date: April 20-23, 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Venue: Bally's Las Vegas Exhibitor Contact: Matthew Ragsdale Attendee Contact: Christine Brucker Web: https://www.gama.org/ shows-and-events/gts For more information, please see our trade events calendar or email us! See our interactive ToyShow! For advertising opportunities please email us directly. Once again, TDmonthly Magazine will brave the snowstorms of New York City to capture the latest and greatest at the Toy Industry Association’s annual Toy Fair. This year, TDmonthly’s “TOY FRENZY! Only the Fun Survive” documentary will follow three companies — The Tails of Abbygail, Frolicking Floaters and ethiKids, inc. — to capture their experiences as first-time exhibitors, putting human faces to the recall-scarred toy industry and presenting both the excitement and challenges of the show. Not only that, but TDmonthly’s Video Crew is again hitting the aisles to shoot toy demonstrations by manufacturers that will be featured in the Toy Fair Highlights section at www.TDmonthly.com If you’re not on our list of 50 exhibitors receiving a free video but are interested in getting one, please contact tho@toydirectory.com immediately for more information. Every night after the show, wind down with TDmonthly’s special Toy Fair section. See if your company made a TDmonthly Top-10 List or other featured article, and pick up an “exhibitor tip” for the following day. We can’t wait to see you there! Boys Can be Crafty, Too Craft Toys for Boys Develop Vital Skills By Laurel DiGangi “Boys just aren’t that hot into arts and crafts right now,” said Teneen Dobbs, owner of Kit & Kaboodle in St. Carmel, Ind., during a recent TDmonthly Magazine survey of 66 specialty retailers. But with some recent offerings, they could be. Many retailers consider crafts “a girl thing,” while others perceive a needy niche. “There’s little on the market geared for boys,” noted Tricia Cooper, buyer for Le Jouet in Metairie, La. Dr. Mike Brody, a child psychiatrist and chair of the Television and Media Committee of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, believes arts and crafts help children develop concentration and better motor skills. “Unlike video games,” Brody told TDmonthly, “arts and crafts teach boys to be meticulous and how to pace themselves, as well as developing their olfactory and tactile senses.” Continue reading this article here.

Exhibitor Tips:  How to Connect at Trade Shows By Julie L. Jones Marketing before and after a trade show is just as crucial as the exhibition itself when it comes to attracting the right booth traffic and increasing sales, Charles W. Allen, chairman and CEO of The C.W. Allen Group and co-founder of the Trade Show News Network, told TDmonthly Magazine. But there are several things manufacturers should keep in mind at the show. CONNECT WITH POTENTIAL BUYERS Connect with Everyone. Smile a lot, make friendly eye contact and approach all booth visitors before they leave. Research indicates they're highly unlikely to return. Don’t Be General. Lure in all prospects passing by with a question that causes them to immediately engage and begin talking about themselves and their business objectives. “How are you doing?” will evoke the same response every time (the fading sound of “fine” as they're already 100 feet down the aisle). Craft a Distinctive, Open- Ended Invitation. If you provide a board game designed to teach children manners, you might engage passersby by saying, "Hello, John. I noticed that you're an attendee and that means you're obviously looking for new solutions. What sort of board games do you carry that help children learn manners?" Click here to continue reading this article. Hasbro Reports Strong 4Q. February 11, 2008 – Hasbro Inc.'s quarterly profit announced today exceeded analysts' expectations, with fourth-quarter earnings hitting 84 cents a share/$133.7 million thanks in part to its Nerf, Furreal Friends and Transformers toys. Reuters Baby Plays Rents Toys Online. February 10, 2008 – Houston mother Lori Pope began a Web-based toy rental company online last October, allowing subscribers to monthly receive, and then send back, toys suitable for newborns through preschoolers. Associated Press Chinese Company Copies Bruder. February 8, 2008 – Jusweet Candytoy of Guangdong, China won a 2008 Plagiarius Award for ripping off a line of toy trucks and packaging made by Bruder of Germany, BusinessWeek reported. Baby Bottles Host Dangerous Chemical. February 7, 2008 – A recent study revealed that the toxic chemical bisphenol A, a synthetic sex hormone found to have adverse effects on animals at low exposures, leaches from new plastic bottles when heated. press release Trek Recalls Bikes. February 7, 2008 – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Trek Bicycle Corp., has announced a voluntary recall of about 49,000 Trek MT220 Girls Bicycles because the frame can break and cause loss of control. For more up-to-date news stories from the toy industry please visit Toys in the News. Upcoming Awards: iParenting Media Awards 2008 Excellent Products Call Submission Deadline: 3/7/08 Parents’ Choice Award Toy Submission Deadline: 2/29/08 Book Submission Deadline: 3/14/08 Need more information on award-winning products? Questions on how to feature your award-winner in TDmonthly Magazine? TDmonthly Videos This month, we're highlighting some favorites of the more than 1,000 TDmonthly Toy Videos retailers can use to help make buying decisions. Did your product make the list? To submit your product to be considered for TDmonthly’s Toy Videos or review, send it to: TDmonthly Magazine Product Review Dept. 12340 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 226 Los Angeles, CA  90025 ToyDirectory.com, Inc. 12340 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 226 Los Angeles, CA 90025 Phone: (310) 979-4330 Fax: (310) 979-4350 contact@toydirectory.com