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2017 Toy Fair

CONTACT: KidStuff Public Relations

Lisa Orman, 608-767-1102

or Lisa@KidStuffPR.com

NEW YORK, NY (FEB 28th, 2017) - I decided to stay in NYC to

reflect on a Toy Fair that I felt had a lot of potential. Unlike most

years, I don't believe there to be one toy or booth that dominated

the exhibition recaps. Instead vendors focused on capitalizing on

proven play patterns, established licenses from major studios,

and of course the Hatchimal craze. I saw quite a lot of non-plush

product with Hatchimals licensing, FYI… A lot of plush

introductions with little tooling risk seemed to be more prevalent

than other years. While some played it safe, below you will find

my recap on trends, new innovations, and some risk-taking

products for Holiday 2017.

CONSTRUCTION SUPER-CATEGORY (DOWN 3%)

Did I read that, right? Construction is down?? That’s the first time in over three years that the category

saw a decrease. While its biggest player LEGO will surely have a huge rebound year with Star Wars

Episode VIII: The First Jedi (Dec 15th, 2017), it does show that there is room for a new player that can

connect with consumers on a new way to build.

The New Construction Mediums

1. Strawbees - Sometimes

simplicity wins. This Swedish

brand is all about using common

household components, previously

thought to be common household

items, to create a fun new way to

build. This product inspires

creativity and drive home the idea

that construction toys are the basic

blocks for adulting; aka solving

problems with what you have.

3. Roller Coaster Challenge -

Games + Puzzles was the

highest growth super category

in 2016 with an 18% increase.

This product has you building

coasters to solve challenges

and practice spatial thinking

and design to overcome

obstacles.

2. Pushinz - This product inverts

the way block builds snap together;

not from within, but instead by

poking the patented lacquered

foam like material from the top.

Instead of relying on a base or

stuck in the play room, these can

be stuck to the refrigerator or even

played with during bath time.

Bonus points for the inventor's

super cute child on packaging.

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Fashion Super Star (Crayola) - This app/art set

hybrid rethinks a classic theme of fashion

designer. Physi-digital is top of mind for

retailers now and this product seamlessly

combines challenges from the app and the

physical coloring/design book.

‘ vendors focused on capitalizing on proven play patterns’

Super Category Top Picks

Games & Puzzles (+18%)

Soggy Doggy (Spinmaster) - Sure skill and action, or

rather reaction, is the new trend for TV advertised

games but this one is the cutest. Easy roll and push

play pattern builds up excitement for that moment

when our canine friend does his best "shake it off"

audition and reenacts a big laughable real life

moment.

Arts & Crafts (-5%)

Miscellaneous Toy (aka the Fidget Category in 2017)

Thumb Chucks (ZING) - Although this isn't an official

category occurring to NPD, this was the most used (and

overused) word at Toy Fair. Fidgeting is the new rainbow

loom and I've covered it before in Hong Kong to Atlanta to

Dallas; Diverse Insights' top trends from January Trade

Shows. This is my favorite NEW product for this trend pod

and it's super addictive!

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Best in Show, Innovation

Last year it was all about 90s is the new retro while this year felt like it was early 80s. With the new

My Little Pony movie debuting later this year (Oct 6, 2017), complementary brands can be used to

create nostalgic retro sections for a more complete consumer experience.

Early 80s Licenses that have 2017 Appeal

3. Beast of Balance - What if tech toys were of heirloom

quality? This true physi-digital twist to Jenga is beautiful.

It's thoughtful enough for a museum store while also being

positioned for the premium mass market. Living somewhere

between Cards Against Humanity & Sphero.

1. Goblies - A party in a can and my favorite new product from

Toy Fair. 50 ready-to-throw, washable plant-based paintballs

already hydrated in a can! This is the most fun you can have for

$7.99 retail. The canning factor adds to the charm of the item and

that the owner/inventor is doing it her way.

2. Moonlite - I love when something intuitive is also

low-fi. Instead of making you buy some oversized

piece of plastic; Moonlite uses your phone's flash light

to project stories on the wall as you tuck your little

ones to bed. The included app comes with three

stories with more available for download. It doesn't

hurt that their kickstarter raised $340,000 on a $20k

ask!

1. Care Bears - This brand

debuted in 1981 as artwork

for American Greetings for

a card line and is now seen

in the RC category (JADA)

and in blind egg plush

impulse (Surprizamals by

Beverly Hills Teddy Bear

Company).

3. So technically Pokemon

debuted in 1996 but I just

want to tell you how hot the

license still is and that it's

not going anywhere! New

licensors like Pop Sockets

continue to offer newness

within this content-rich

property.

2. Classic Disney from

FUNKO, 80s Pony & Thun-

dercats from The Loyal

Subjects, Ghostbusters from

Playmobil, Pokemon from

Pop Sockets.

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Thank you for taking the time to read this, if you would like to discuss anything in this trend report in

more detail please don't hesitate to contact me SteveS@DiverseMail.com or follow my adventures

visually on Instagram at @RedStarArmy1.

Steve Starobinsky

Chief Discovery Officer

Diverse Insights

Slither.IO the new APP that you need to know

600 Million played this app in December

2016. Almost 50/50 male/female breakdown

for players for kids while simultaneously

reminding millennials of the classic Nokia

Snake game. Although the blind bag is

projected to be the top product, a full range

of toys is coming from UCC Distribution.