Press Releases
For Immediate Release
Contact: Carrie Leum, 414-443-0850, ext. 11; cleum@leumroberts.com,
Nancy Severson, 612-337-3822; nancys@manhattantoy.com
Toy Industry Association Names Groovy Girls® "T-Series" ® "Girl Toy of the Year" and "Specialty Toy of the Year"
March 4, 2003 (Minneapolis, Minnesota) — At the U.S. toy industry's most prestigious awards event, Manhattan Toy's Groovy Girls® were named Girl Toy of the Year and Specialty Toy of the Year by the Toy Industry Association, Inc. (TIA™). Honors for the Groovy Girls®, huggable playmates that sport trendy hairdos and funky removable outfits, were announced at the TIA's third annual Toy Of The Year (T.O.T.Y.) gala awards dinner at New York's Waldorf Astoria on February 15.
Despite a sluggish economy, Groovy Girls, which are only sold in specialty retail and fine department stores, have continued their rise as one of Americas most popular dolls amongst girls ages 2 to 12, parents, and other consumers.
According to Tom Conley, president of TIA, the T.O.T.Y. Awards honor the best toys and games for consumers in the United States. "We applaud Groovy Girls' originality and other positive messages, particularly for impressionable young girls," he said. "Manhattan Toy's Groovy Girls encourage imaginative play and that's what the T.O.T.Y. Awards are all about."
Inspiring a sense of personal style and positive self-image, each Groovy Girls character is non body-specific and has a unique, one-of-a-kind look expressed in her hairstyle, skin tone and outfit. Groovy Girls' award-winning "T-Series," Talli, Trini, and Tomiko represent diverse ethnic backgrounds.
"America has literally and figuratively embraced the Groovy Girls. Fans of the dolls have actually become the inspiration for additions to the Groovy line," says Roger Bildsten, president of Manhattan Toy. " Groovy Girls are a very special brand. You can look forward to some amazing innovation as their world continues to grow."
In addition to the "T-Series," Groovy Girls has launched more than 85 dolls and accessories since 1998. The dolls are introduced in letter-series, such as "K," "V," and "T." Thus, each doll features a first name starting with its series letter. Making them a hot collectable item, various Groovy Girls dolls "graduate" each year.
Groovy Girls offers sku's in fashion accessories, apparel, footwear, party goods, personal care, bedding, and entertainment. Groovy Girls currently licenses games and puzzles and is exploring other licensing opportunities.
Manhattan Toy, based in Minneapolis, MN, introduced Groovy Girls as part of its overall collection of distinctive soft toys that inspire creative play. Groovy Girls, the brand that teaches girls to celebrate their own sense of unique, personal style and diversity, distributes its products through more than 5000 specialty retailers worldwide. Groovy Girls also features two boy dolls. For more information on the entire collection of Groovy Girls and other products from Manhattan Toy, visit www.manhattantoy.com.
Founded in 1916, the Toy Industry Association (TIA™), formerly Toy Manufacturers of America, is recognized by government, trade, media and consumers as the authoritative voice of the U.S. toy industry. TIA ( www.toy-tia.org ) represents U.S. producers of toys, games, interactive products and holiday decorations. Its more than 280 members include manufacturers and importers (regular members), who account for approximately 85 percent of total domestic toy sales, as well as design firms, professional inventors and toy testing laboratories (associate members). TIA also owns and operates the American International Toy Fair™, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in February, 2003.