Toy of the Year 2023, annunciati i vincitori

La celebrazione dei Toy of the Year 2023 (TOTY Awards) ha accolto quasi 800 membri della comunità del giocattolo per una notte di premi e beneficienza. La consegna dei premi, infatti, sono anche l’occasione per l’industria del giocattolo di unirsi al lavoro della fondazione per offrire gli straordinari benefici del gioco ai bambini bisognosi. Complessivamente, sono stati raccolti circa 800.000 dollari a sostegno dei programmi di TTF in partnership con Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Metro World Child e University of Maryland – oltre a centinaia di altre organizzazioni non profit nazionali e internazionali. 

25 vincitori hanno ricevuto l’ambito trofeo di cristallo dei TOTY Awards per la loro creatività e immaginazione in 17 categorie di prodotti e sei nuove categorie incentrate sulle persone e sulle campagne. Sono stati annunciati due ex aequo per il Giocattolo dell’anno per neonati/bambini e per il Playset dell’anno.

I consumatori sono invitati a continuare a votare su ToyAwards.org fino al 10 novembre per determinare quali finalisti dei TOTY Awards vinceranno il premio People’s Choice. Il vincitore assoluto del Toy of the Year sarà determinato da una giuria di esperti. I vincitori di entrambi i premi saranno annunciati il 20 novembre.

Durante la serata Ronnen Harary, Anton Rabie e Ben Varadi, co-fondatori di Spin Master, e Mary Couzin, fondatrice e presidente di Chitag & People of Play, sono stati inseriti nella stimata Toy Industry Hall of Fame.

Vincitori Toy of the Year 2023

• Action Figure of the Year: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem by Playmates Toys
• Collectible of the Year: Squishmallows – Pokémon Collection by Jazwares
• Construction Toy of the Year: Lego Disney and Pixar ‘Up’ House by Lego Systems
• Creative Toy of the Year: National Geographic Hobby Pottery Wheel by Blue Marble
• Doll of the Year: Barbie The Movie Dolls by Mattel
• Game of the Year: 5 Second Rule Relay by PlayMonster
• Grown-Up Toy of the Year: Lego The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell by Lego Systems
• Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year: Laugh & Learn Mix & Learn DJ Table by Mattel and Lego Duplo 3 in 1 Tree House by Lego Systems
• License of the Year: Barbie Franchise by Mattel
• Outdoor Toy of the Year: Monopoly Splash by WowWee
• Playset of the Year: Paw Patrol Mighty Aircraft Carrier HQ by Spin Master and Playmobil My Figures: Pirates’ Island by Playmobil
• Plush Toy of the Year: 16” Squishmallows by Jazwares
• Pre-School Toy of the Year: Magna-Tiles Downhill Duo 40-Piece Set by Magna-Tiles
• Ride-On Toy of the Year: Extreme Drift Go-Kart by Radio Flyer
• Specialty Toy of the Year: KAI: The Artificial Intelligence Robot by Thames & Kosmos
• STEAM Toy of the Year: Lego Technic NASA Mars Rover Perseverance by Lego Systems
• Vehicle of the Year: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem Pizza Fire Van by Playmates Toys

People-focused category winners

• Champion of Diversity & Inclusion: Brent Bell, Art director at Moose Toys
• Champion of Sustainability: G.B. Pillai, founder at Wild Republic
• Packaging Designer of the Year: Suzanna Lakatos, director of Packaging Design at Mattel
• PR/Marketer of the Year: Lisa McKnight, executive vice president & chief brand officer, Mattel

Campaign-focused category winners

Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative:

• Gold Winner: First Barbie Doll with Down Syndrome by Mattel
• Silver Winner: Playsponsible Campaign by Spin Master
• Bronze Winner: Lego Replay by Lego Systems

Marketing Campaign:

• Gold Winner: Barbie the Movie Marketing Campaign by Mattel
• Silver Winner: Moose Toys Makes Marketing Magic for Reveal of Magic Mixies Magical Crystal Ball by Moose Toys
• Bronze Winner: LankyBox Secret Mission Toy Launch by Bonkers Toys

Fonte: The Toy Association