Because there's often more that we want to say than our pages will allow, Up Close is where you'll find stories "carried over" from Playthings, our monthly print magazine.
Up Close: Dark Horse Comics’ David Scroggy By Karyn M. Peterson - 01/01/2008
Dark Horse Comics is bringing Domo, the fuzzy Japanese cave-dweller, to the specialty market in 2008, along with toys for new licenses Dilbert and Will Eisner’s The Spirit. As the company prepared for Toy Fair, we spoke with David Scroggy, vice president of product development, about his plans for these and Dark Horse’s other core brands. (An abbreviated version of this story appeared in the January 2008 issue of Playthings magazine.)More
Up Close: Manufacturers' Forecast 2009 By Karyn M. Peterson - 02/03/2009
Just ahead of the New Year, Playthings spoke with dozens of toy manufacturers about their plans for 2009. Here's what they told us was highest on their agendas. [Editor's note: An abbreviated version of this story appeared in the January 2009 issue of Playthings magazine.]
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Up Close: Scholastic's The 39 Clues By Karyn M. Peterson - 10/01/2008
Move over, Nancy Drew! Today’s young super sleuths are about to be drawn into an even more intriguing mystery series, one that combines chapter books, online gaming and card collecting into an expansive two-year treasure hunt with real-life rewards.
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Up Close: Jill Wilfert on Lego's licensing efforts By Staff - 04/04/2008
For 2008, Lego grows its licensed toy assortment with additions like Lucasfilm’s Indiana Jones franchise and Warner Bros.’ update of Speed Racer. Playthings spoke recently with Jill Wilfert, Lego’s vice president of global licensing and entertainment, about the toymaker's efforts to tap into entertainment properties.
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Up Close: IPI for Sale? It's All Grand, in Varda's Opinion By Brent Felgner - 02/07/2008
Feb. 7, 2008—In an exclusive interview, International Playthings' president Mike Varda tells Playthings that contrary to industry buzz, it's his "belief" Grand Toys will "stay together."
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Up Close: 2008 Forecast By Tina Benitez - 01/01/2008
In a year full of concerns over toy safety and consumer scorn when it wasn't met, most toy industry professionals were happy to see 2007 come to an end. This year, Playthings spoke with industry leaders in manufacturing, retail and licensing to get their reflections on last year and some predictions for the new one ahead. Most agree: it’s sayonara to ’07, and hello to a 2008 of promise and new beginnings for the toy business.
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Up Close: Hulala Girls' Christy Hui By Cliff Annicelli - 01/01/2008
One could forgive Christy Hui for taking some time off. In a whirlwind career, Hui went from trailblazing cable television executive to creator of the Emmy Award-winning children's animated series Xiaolin Showdown. Over the course of three seasons, Xiaolin Showdown gained a devoted following, even if neither the series nor the toys it inspired broke out of the clutter of competing properties to attain must-see status. But for Hui, it offered a next step.
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Up Close: Playmobil's Andrea Schauer By Peter Lang, Das Spielzeug magazine - 01/01/2008
A model of a new building site sits on Andrea Schauer’s desk—it is hinged, accessible from both sides and would be an ideal portable toy for children. It is a perfect example of how the Playmobil brand has advanced in recent years.
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Out of the Toy Box Richard Gottlieb, President, Richard Gottlieb & Associates January 4, 2008 Hong Kong Day 1
There are certain rituals that are reassuring. Just as the birds (and the retire... More
Out of the Toy Box Richard Gottlieb, President, Richard Gottlieb & Associates January 2, 2008 Things to watch for in 2008
I leave tomorrow for Hong Kong and am looking forward to working with my clients and ... More
Out of the Toy Box Richard Gottlieb, President, Richard Gottlieb & Associates December 28, 2007 Grown Up's Toy of the Week
The Grown Up's toy of the week is a set of these Russian nesting dolls that g... More
New York Comic Con 2008: Mattel Product highlights from Mattel at the 2008 New York Comic Con, including figures from its Batman The Dark Knight, DC Universe and DC Universe Infinite Heroes series; Target-only Justice League Unlimited figures; and San Diego Comic-Con exclusives.
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