by Stephen Key | Jan 13, 2018 | Toy and Novelty Gift Industry
Post Views: 445 Open innovation takes many forms. One of the most exciting examples to hit my desk of late is the Next Great Game Challenge, a partnership between Hasbro, Inc. and Indiegogo that resulted in two independently designed games being brought to market in...
by Stephen Key | Jan 12, 2018 | Toy and Novelty Gift Industry
Post Views: 386 The last time I was at Toy Fair in New York City, I was pitching products and visiting a licensee, Ohio Art, which back then was launching the Michael Jordan Wall-Ball. The Wall-Ball had been my idea, to replace the back board of a Nerf basketball hoop...
by Stephen Key | Jan 12, 2018 | Toy and Novelty Gift Industry
Post Views: 447 I only spent a few years attempting to license my ideas for toys, but the takeaway was clear: This is one incredibly competitive industry! Toy companies have always relied on outside inventors to commercialize the most innovative new products. In...
by Stephen Key | Jan 12, 2018 | Toy and Novelty Gift Industry
Post Views: 537 When I worked at Worlds of Wonder, the startup that brought the hit plush talking bear Teddy Ruxpin to market in the 1980s, I didn’t fully feel the impact he had on kids because I didn’t have any. Today, I can clearly see that experience...
by Stephen Key | Jan 12, 2018 | Toy and Novelty Gift Industry
Post Views: 435 Calling all product developers, designers, engineers, inventors, artists, makers, tinkerers, and DIY enthusiasts! I have great news for you. The toy company Mattel is now accepting your ideas for new products online. Until recently, submitting an idea...