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Industry
FanTOYstic Fact For 80 years and running, kids everywhere have first been exposed to the economic term “monopoly” through the board game of the same name. Developed by Philadelphian Charles Darrow and published by Parker Brothers in 1935, Monopoly has been played by millions worldwide over the years. Certain aspects of the game have even entered popular culture: For example, the top hatwearing Monopoly mascot, Rich Uncle Pennybags, has been parodied in films. Similarly, the phrase, “Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200,” featured in the Chance and Community Chest card decks, is widely used to indicate an unfortunate outcome. But as popular as Monopoly, now published by Hasbro, has become, a little-known fact is that the game is based on a real-life place, Atlantic City, which contributed to a notable incident in 1972. The city’s Commissioner of Public Works in Atlantic City sought to change the names of the real Baltic and Mediterranean Avenues, considered among the least valuable properties in the game. Public outcry derailed the attempt and the streets kept their old names. In 2008, the colors of Baltic and Mediterranean Avenues were changed in the standard Monopoly game from purple to brown. To celebrate the milestone anniversary of Monopoly, Hasbro has released a Monopoly 80th Anniversary Edition featuring a vintage-styled game board, cards, money, and wooden houses and hotels. It also has the classic tokens, such as the lantern and the bag of money. Meanwhile, fans worldwide will gather for the Monopoly World Championship event, scheduled for September 7 to 9 at The Venetian in Macau.
Monopoly 80th Anniversary Edition
34 • THE TOY BOOK
CHRISTOPHER A. SINCLAIR NAMED CHAIR CEO OF MATTEL
AND INTERIM
Christopher A. Sinclair has been named the chairman and interim CEO of Mattel, effective immediately. The company also announced that Bryan G. Stockton has resigned as Mattel’s chairman and CEO and resigned from the board of directors. Sinclair has served as a member of Mattel’s board of directors since 1996 and as an independent lead director since 2011. He also served as chair of Mattel’s audit committee.
TOY STATE KICKS OFF FIVE-RACE SPONSORSHIP WITH TOMMY BALDWIN RACING Toy State has signed on as primary sponsor for the Tommy Baldwin Racing (TBR) No. 7 car. The Nikko/Toy State car is currently being prepped for NASCAR’s marquee race, the 2015 Daytona 500, scheduled to take place on February 22. This sponsorship will cover the initial five races of the 2015 Sprint Cup Series. In addition to car graphics, all driver and team apparel and signage will bear Nikko and Toy State logos, along with the redesigned branding of the company’s lights and sound brand, Road Rippers. This announcement builds on Toy State’s acquisition of Nikko last year. This year, Nikko-branded R/C vehicles will make their return to the U.S. market under the Toy State umbrella.
U.S., CANADA TO CONSIDER UNIFIED TOY STANDARDS U.S. and Canadian regulators, standards development organizations, and toy industry representatives held discussions in Ottawa, Canada, on January 7 to discuss the possibility of unified U.S.-Canadian toy safety standards that would be acceptable for both countries to use in regulating toys. Representatives of ASTM International, including members of the ASTM F15.22 Subcommittee on Toy Safety, Health Canada, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Toy Industry Association (TIA), and the Canadian Toy Association were present. A steering committee was appointed to begin the initiative, and will first look at similarities between ASTM F963, which was signed into U.S. federal law in 2008 under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), and Health Canada’s Toys Regulations under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA). Initial discussions will focus on coming to an agreement regarding the scope of a unified toy standard and a path forward that will be suitable to both countries. The TIA will keep members apprised of further developments.
FEBRUARY 2015