Ed Gartin’s Post

#throwbackthursday to London Toy Fair 2020! I've now totally lost count of the number of Toy Fair events I've been to, either in London or overseas. Each one has been completely different from the others, with new products, new publicity stunts, and new faces (and plenty of familiar faces too!) at every event. We old-timers know the drill.... stay hydrated, wear comfy shoes, prepare in advance, and stock up on energy bars! I'd love to hear advice from other seasoned #ToyFair professionals - what's the best advice you can offer for newbies at the show?

Exciting news for soft toy lovers! The new Kaloo products for 2024 had a great reaction at the recent toy fair. If you missed out on seeing the beautiful new ranges, don't worry! Check out this quick video recap to get a glimpse of what's in store. It's safe to say that the range has never looked better! If you're interested in learning more about these amazing new products, feel free to message me for details. #Kaloo #ToyFair #NewProductLaunch

Did you know? Spielwarenmesse Nuremberg (Jan 30 - Feb 3) is your gateway to the global toy market! But it's more than just a toy fair. It's a hub of innovation and trends, happening from Jan 30th to Feb 3rd. Here's what most miss out on: The chance to personally connect with industry leaders and innovators. 🌟 Book an exclusive meeting with us at Hall 4, B25, from Jan 30 to Feb 4: https://lnkd.in/dHzSje9V 🌟 Discover PepPlay's latest creations that are setting new trends in the toy industry. 🌟 Engage with our team to explore unique opportunities for collaboration and growth. Remember: Personal connections drive business forward. Don't miss your chance to be part of the world's largest toy fair! 👉 Follow us for more insights into innovative toy design and industry trends. 📢 Found this exciting? Share with others looking to revolutionize their toy business at #SpielwarenmesseNuremberg #ToyInnovation #IndustryLeaders #2024trends #toyfair

The highly anticipated BIG Toy Book is out! See my article reviewing the U.S. toy industry performance last year as well as my thoughts on the 2024 U.S. toy industry on page 34. Also this year, Circana has provided stat shots for the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Brazil toy markets starting on page 30. #toys #toynews #toyindustry #licensing #entertainment #retail #wearecircana

Attending London Toy Fair this week or perhaps Nuremberg next week? Perhaps we could have a chat? How would you like to amplify awareness of your product to your target audiences cost effectively, at scale and affordably? How about achieving 1.1M impressions / 80,000 engagements within 5 days? How about we then multiply that by 3?  Give us the opportunity and we’ll deliver the consumers and importantly the data to back that ^^ up. DM me here or via the usual channels and I’ll ensure we find a moment to chat. #londontoyfair #nuremberg #spielwarenmesse #brandlicensing #licensing #licensingexpo #socialmediamarketing #influencermarketing

Starting a business is quite the ride! My latest adventure took me all the way to the Toy Fair in London. Despite waking up at 5am and braving the London rain, I wouldn't change a thing.   Here's what I learnt:   1. Getting up early really does help. 2. It's great to bump into someone you know. 3. Just showing up can make a big difference. 4. Keep trying, even when it's tough. 5. Sometimes, you just have to wait and see.   Read all about it in my new blog post.   What's something you've learnt from starting something new? Drop me a comment!   #MyJourney #LearningEveryDay #ShareYourStory #ToyFair

Secret crush Day 1 of London Toy Fair This is me with ‘Benny’ Ben Varadi one of the famous 3 co-owner/founders of the incredible Spin Master toys and entertainment company, now publicly listed in Canada - and one of Canada’s biggest and best exports. Over 25+ years the 3 founders have built great teams and a multi-billion dollar business. I can’t recall the very first time I met Benny but I can always recall his insights into what makes a toy great - and as importantly not great. He always speaks his mind, he’s never one for BS, he admits his mistakes freely and he’s always ready to talk from his experiences in the hope it might inform others. He is supposedly ‘retired’, but who retires from the toys and games industry? Whenever we meet he greets me with an Air Guitar and a short rif by one of the greatest rock bands of all time, The Who. Why? Benny has always believed I am the real Roger Daltry. And he’s met the other one, and is freinds with Pete Townsend - so surely he knows I’m not? Yep, completely utterly nuts as anyone who knows Benny will testify, and all the better for it. Good seeing you Benny. What an industry this is. #toys #toyindustry

Make sure your documents are purrfect…😹

PROST! der Beifall I survived my first Toy Fair, Nuremberg Spielwarenmesse (I was always a Kowloon guy) and it was an amazing, gratifying experience. It was massive…too vast for my eye to grasp.  To me, it was a strategy game, plotting my way from Hall 12.0 to 12.1 to 4.0 and back.  It was fast, strangely calm, organized, and fulfilling.  Aside from a hell of a cardio workout, it was fun schmoozing with our global clients, colleagues, and friends old and new, and looking at the toy world from a macro lens. It was Weiner Schnitzel and beer, smiles and handshakes, and products too numerous to count across every category of play. My experience at Nuremberg was a reminder that I work and play in an industry unlike any other. How lucky am I to be among such an interesting, quirky, empowered, passionate, international group of big kids?  As I walked the halls, I couldn’t help but notice that everyone I passed had a twinkle in their eye, a hop in their step, and a smile on their face.  And that was before the Red Night parties started. Nuremberg kicked off 2024 and set the stage for an exciting year ahead. If we managed to miss each other, feel free to reach out and say hi. #blueplatemedia #bpms #NurembergToyFair #Nuremberg #ToyFair #toyindustry #marketing #mediaplanning #licensing

With no New York Toy Fair in 2024, the industry is seemingly scrambling to find the ideal meeting place. While many are currently exhibiting at the London Toy Fair and some are soon to be off to Nuremberg for Spielwarenmesse, others will be heading to NETs and Toy Fest in the next few weeks. While some say that trade shows are a thing of the past, it is important to remember that trade shows play a pivotal role in the success of the toy industry by providing a platform for manufacturers, retailers, and enthusiasts to converge. These events offer a unique opportunity for industry players to showcase their latest products, innovations, and trends. The face-to-face interactions foster networking, partnerships, and collaborations that are crucial for the growth of the toy sector. Additionally, trade shows serve as a valuable market research tool, allowing businesses to gauge consumer preferences and stay ahead of competitors. The exposure gained at these events can significantly impact brand visibility and market presence, making trade shows an indispensable component of the toy industry’s landscape. What are you thoughts on trade shows? #toyindustry #Spielwarenmesse #Londontoyfair #toybusiness #newyorktoyfair #tradeshows #tradeshowsuccess