Playmobil on TV

[playmomac]

Last night while flipping through the channels unable to sleep, I came across a segment on Welt der Wunder about Playmobil.  It  showed how pieces are made/injected with plastic, the storage facility in Zirndorf as well as interviews with PM directors.  What I found most interesting to learn was that one of the worst sales for a PM set was 3467 from 1984/1985
(which I still own from my childhood collection!) as children didn't find winter sport play very enjoyable.
Also of interest was to learn that the best selling PM theme is Police.

Just thought y'all might like to know 

[Gepetto]

That really is interesting, I can understand how winter wouldn't necessarily resonate with a lot of children but the Police theme being the most popular! 

[Richard]

3467? I loved that set!

see attachment

[Martin Milner]

I woder why we have so many Fire theme adult collectors here on Playmo, but so few Police and Hospital collectors. I can only think of one or two people here who collect either as a main theme.

I've assembled a smattering of each of the above themes (and some rescue stuff) ready for possible modern stories, but people like Bill and Gordon have gone into such excellent detail and customisation with their collections, while mine is all standard issue Playmobil.

Do ex-firemen look back at their careers with more fondness than ex-policemen? I have a theory on this but I'll keep it to myself for a while.

[playmomac]

That really is interesting, I can understand how winter wouldn't necessarily resonate with a lot of children but the Police theme being the most popular! 

I was a little surprised myself at that, but as the segment was about PM for the kiddies, perhaps that is what is most popular (there was no mention of adult fans/collectors). They were also discussing safety issues with the toys (ie: an elephant's tusks are made of soft rubber to prevent any unpleasant eye punctures!) and other tests which provide "safe" play with the world of PM. 

My favourite part was the bit about the creative team who put together the displays for stores, toy fairs....wouldn't that be a dream job!!!

[Richard]

Do ex-firemen look back at their careers with more fondness than ex-policemen?

Maybe it's the "equipment", Martin!

Gordon and Bill have a variety of wonderful fire engines, lots of nifty life saving equipment, fire boats, search and rescue helicopters and many different specialized costumes for their firefighters and rescue crews! What do the police have ... other than handcuffs and guns? ... 

[WarriorOfToys]

My favourite part was the bit about the creative team who put together the displays for stores, toy fairs....wouldn't that be a dream job!!!

I have to agree PlaymoMac!!!
That would be an awsome job!

[playmofire]

That really is interesting, I can understand how winter wouldn't necessarily resonate with a lot of children but the Police theme being the most popular! 

That's a surprise to me, too, as the survey was a German one and in Germany, the fire brigade and the German Red Cross and German equivalent of the St John Ambulance Brigade have a very high profile, as has the volunteer THW service.  The German site klickywelth has forums for the main Playmobil themes and the "blue light" forum is the most popular of the forums in terms of the number of topics though fourth in terms of the number of posts.  Within the "blue light" forum, the fire service is most popular by far.