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Industry
FanTOYstic Fact Raggedy Ann celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The character was invented by cartoonist Johnny Gruelle, who, according to legend, drew Raggedy Ann’s face on an old rag doll that his daughter, Marcella, played with. In 1915, Gruelle received a patent on his creation, and a few months later, after Marcella tragically died from a smallpox vaccination, he began keeping the doll near him at all times. In 1918, Gruelle published the children’s book Raggedy Ann Stories, the first in a long-running series starring the character and her brother, Raggedy Andy. The dolls themselves have been licensed to different toymakers over the years, including Aurora World, which celebrates Raggedy Ann’s centennial this year with special-edition dolls. On September 7, the 100th anniversary of Raggedy Ann’s patent date, Aurora will host a contest asking fans to share their favorite Raggedy Ann moments online for a chance to win an anniversary doll. It will be part of a weeklong celebration of Raggedy Ann on Aurora’s social media channels.
Raggedy Ann 100th Anniversary Doll
8 • THE TOY BOOK
JAKKS PACIFIC PARTNERS WITH SKECHERS FOR NEW LINE OF TWINKLE TOES DOLLS Skechers USA Inc. has partnered with Jakks Pacific Inc. to launch a line of dolls based on Skechers’ popular Twinkle Toes characters. The launch includes four 6.5-inch dolls dressed in fashion-forward outfits and light-up Skechers Twinkle Toes shoes. Skechers and Jakks have also partnered to create original webisodes based on the dolls, animated by Cosmic Toast Studios, releasing bimonthly on twinkletoesusa.com. The Skechers Twinkle Toes doll line is available at Toys “R” Us and is scheduled to launch at select Target retail stores this fall.
SPIN MASTER CORP. RELEASES INFO ON INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING On July 30, Spin Master Corp. completed its public offering of 12,225,000 subordinate voting shares priced at C$18.00 per subordinate voting share. The offering raised total gross proceeds of C$220,050,000. The subordinate voting shares will commence trading today on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol TOY. Pursuant to a reorganization transaction completed in connection with the offering, the company’s founders—Ronnen Harary, Anton Rabie, and Ben Varadi—each became the beneficial owner of multiple voting shares of the company upon exchange of the prior holdings in the company and its predecessors.
THE STRONG NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR INDUCTION INTO NATIONAL TOY HALL OF FAME Toy enthusiasts are invited to nominate their favorite classic toy or game for induction into The Strong museum’s National Toy Hall of Fame. Submissions are being accepted through July 31. The National Toy Hall of Fame recognizes toys that have engaged and delighted multiple generations, inspiring them to learn, create, and discover through play. Nominated toys should be widely recognized and respected, have enjoyed popularity over multiple generations, foster learning and discovery through play, and be highly innovative. An internal museum advisory committee made up of educators, curators, and historians will review each submitted nomination and determine which toys meet these criteria. A national selection committee will then review the narrowed slate of toys, and members will vote for their top picks for induction into the Hall of Fame. People can submit their nominations online or by mailing their written selections
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JULY/AUGUST 2015