Playmobil : a never ending success story and an insight in the new DVD

[playmovictorian]

Link to Felicitas Bachman's book "The Story of a Smile"...



PLAYMOBIL-The Story of a Smile

This is the story of Hans Beck`s ingenious invention, the 2.9inch Playmobil figure and how within 30 years with the help of 1.7 billion figures he had conquered his very own country, now known as Playmobil Land. Hans Beck`s ingenious invention very nearly made only one public appearance. In 1974, Horst Brandstätter attempted to rescue the company, geobra Brandstätter GmbH & Co. KG, from looming bankruptcy by introducing the new play system in to the market. Toy shops, initially greeted the idea with a lack of intelligence, but the children understood it right away... In this book, you can learn more about the genesis of PLAYMOBIL and its inventor, Hans Beck, and take a peek behind the otherwise closed doors of the development and production departments. Hardback Book: 168 pages

Amazon.co.uk :

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Playmobil-Story-Smile-Felicitas-Bachman/dp/3898806235

Amazon.com :

http://www.amazon.com/Playmobil-Story-Smile-Felcitas-Bachmann/dp/3898806235

[playmovictorian]

An insight in the powerful Toy Industry Association inc. which issues the TOTY Awards...

Toy Industry Association™, Inc. (TIA) is the not-for-profit trade association for producers and importers of toys and youth entertainment products sold in North America.  TIA’s more than 550 toy manufacturers and importers account for approximately 85% of the annual U.S. domestic toy market of $21.6B.*

TIA has a long history of leadership in toy safety, including responsibility for the development of the first comprehensive toy safety standard. TIA members and staff continue to work with government officials, consumer groups and industry leaders on ongoing programs to ensure safe play.

TIA serves as the industry’s advocate on legislative and trade issues; enhances the image and growth of the industry by promoting toy products at its trade shows and events , in the media, and via other means; and fosters philanthropy to children via the Toy Industry Foundation and its Toy Bank.

For an overview of TIA and its activities, please view our organizational profile.
 
Mission
 To lead the growth and health of the toy industry.  [more]
 
Founded
 April 21, 1916
(founded as the Toy Manufacturers of America, Inc.)
 
Legal Status
 A 501(c)6 private, not-for-profit organization
 
Address
 Headquarters
1115 Broadway
Suite 400
New York, NY  10010
+1 (212) 675-1141

info@toyassociation.org
 
The 2009 TOTY Award winners are...

Activity Toy of the Year – Crayola Color Wonder™ Magic Light Brush™, Crayola LLC

Boy Toy of the Year – Bakugan Battle Brawlers Battle Pack Series 1 Spheres, Spin Master

Educational Toy of the Year – LeapFrog TAG™ Reading System, LeapFrog

Girl Toy of the Year – Playmobil Horse Farm, Playmobil USA, Inc.

Electronic Entertainment Toy of the Year – FurReal Friends Biscuit My Lovin' Pup, Hasbro

Game of the Year – Bananagrams® – Bananagrams LLC

Infant/Preschool Toy of the Year – Elmo Live, Fisher-Price, Inc.

Most Innovative Toy of the Year – Air Hogs Zero Gravity Micro, Spin Master

Property of the Year – Bakugan Battle Brawlers, Cartoon Network

Outdoor Toy of the Year – Crayola® 3D Sidewalk Chalk, Crayola LLC

Specialty Toy of the Year – Create Your Own Pop-Up Books, Creativity for Kids®/Faber-Castell USA

Toy of the Year – Bakugan Battle Brawlers Battle Pack Series 1 Spheres, Spin Master

NYC Toy Fair

With over 20,000 attendees, 350,000 square feet of exhibit space, 100,000 products with over 7,000 never before seen in the world, 1200+ exhibitors, 1000 global media representatives, the latest updates on Safety legislation and what they mean for your business and four days under one roof to do an entire year’s worth of business, Toy Fair is where the industry gathers.

Whether you are a buyer searching for the hottest trends, an exhibitor ready to showcase your innovative products, a trade professional wanting to discover the next great toy or a member of the media looking for the toy story of the year, Toy Fair has it all!

Fall Toy Preview - 06 to 09 October 2009 - Dallas Market Center

Dallas Market Center
2100 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 655-6100

[AndrewL]

Unlike the majority of large international toy manufacturers, Playmobil does not have factories in China.  Playmobil's production centres are located in Germany, Chechnya, Spain and Malta.  The firm is based in Zirndorf, near Nürnburg.

I think they mean the Czech Republic here, don't they? Chechnya seems a bit too, how shall I put it, volatile to host a Playmobil factory.

AndrewL

[playmovictorian]

Here is a picture of the very first Playmobil prototype ever produced...

[kaethe]

wow!
not being as knowledgable about playmobil history as the rest of you folks, were those legs originally intended to move independently?
kaethe

[Rasputin]

So does the 3rd edition bible come with the clear klicky ?

Edit I just found it 

[playmovictorian]

Here is a really interesting video celebrating the 35 years of Playmobil with archives pictures and a presentation from Playmobil MD Andrea Schauer...

Playmobil 35 years ( in German but the pictures speak for themselves )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4951SuS21M

Enjoy

Karim

[cachalote]

thank you so much for the video karim. 
it has beautiful shots of playmo-pirates. 
not understanding a word of german i need an information - is the designer matali crasset (the one with the heavy galsses and stange hair) working for playmobil? 
... if this is the case, i think we should prepare ourselves for dark times ahead. 

[Coyote]

Awesome video- Thanks!    Though that designer did sort of give me the jibblies...   

[CountBogro]

.. is the designer matali crasset (the one with the heavy galsses and stange hair) working for playmobil? 
... if this is the case, i think we should prepare ourselves for dark times ahead.

erm ... why ?

Bogro