Toy Inventors Get Their Day

September 21, 2008

As those who have been reading this column know, I consider toy inventors to be the soul of the industry. Their creativity and passion for the new and better shape every aspect of who we are as an industry.

So, I think it’s pretty cool that they are finally going to be recognized for their contributions. After all we celebrate the toys they make with the National Toy Hall of Fame and we honor the manufacturers who produce them with the TOTY awards. So, why not give an award for the people who thought up those products.

Well, their long overdue day in the sun in Chicago on November 21, 2008 at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Hosted by the Chicago Toy and Game Fair, the dinner will honor those inventor(s) deemed by their peers as deserving of a TAGIE award. The name for this new award which honors the Excellence in Game Inventing - Excellence in Toy Inventing and "Rookie" Rising Star Inventor of the Year.

Also honored that evening will be Jeffrey Breslow of Big Monster Toys (BMT) who will be recognized for his contribution to the toy and game industry with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Jeffrey is retiring after one of the most (if not the most) prolific careers in toy industry history. He will be missed.

If you would like to nominate someone, you need to do soon as the deadline for nominations is October 1.

Posted by Richard Gottlieb on September 21, 2008 | Comments (4)

September 21, 2008

In response to: Toy Inventors Get Their Day
Kim Vandenbroucke commented:

I too am looking forward to it. Thanks to Mary and the rest of the gang for putting together an evening honoring the inventors behind so many great toys, games and happy memories.

September 21, 2008

In response to: Toy Inventors Get Their Day
Tim Walsh commented:

Thanks for pluggin' what will surely be a playfully fun evening, Richard. I'm really looking forward to it! Tim Walsh www.theplaymakers.com

September 21, 2008

In response to: Toy Inventors Get Their Day
Mary Couzin commented:

Thank you, Richard, for mentioning the Toy and Game Inventor of the Year Awards! November 21st will indeed be a very special evening. As Tim Walsh, Master of Ceremonies for the dinner as well as game inventor, author, filmmaker and consultant, www.theplaymakers.com, says, “If you sell 1 million books, you are on the NY Times Bestseller List. If you sell 1 million CD’s, you are on the cover of Rolling Stone. But if you sell over 100 million toys or games, no one knows who you are.” No more! We are grateful to our generous sponsors for the evening – Hasbro as our Presenting Sponsor, Mattel as our Supporting Sponsor and Playthings as our media sponsor. Without them, this evening could not be so special. This is a night filled with top name presenters and speakers such as Richard Gill, the mind that made Trivial Pursuit and Pictionary household names, and Reyn Guyer, the inventor of Twister and Nerf. Tim will be showing a preview of his toy industry documentary. This is one of the top events associated with the Chicago Toy and Game Fair this year. We hope everyone not only nominates their favorite inventor, but also attends the dinner to honor our industry’s soul. Make your reservation soon as there is limited seating, the MCA space is intimate. Please contact me if anyone has questions, info@toyandgameinventors.com. Mary Couzin

September 21, 2008

In response to: Toy Inventors Get Their Day
Mary Couzin commented: