Pop! Games: Twisted Metal
The most iconic face from the demolition derby game Twisted Metal is coming to Pop! vinyl!
A psychotic murderous monster that hides behind a vicious clown mask, Sweet Tooth features his head of flaming hair and mischievous grin!
Add Sweet Tooth to your collection this winter and get ready for mayhem!
Coming in January!
Consumers invited to vote for their favorites at ToyAwards.org – now until January 15, 2017
NEW YORK, Nov. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — From innovative tech toys and licensed characters to enriching playthings that teach and inspire, 100 finalists for the prestigious 2017 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards were unveiled today by the Toy Industry Association (TIA). Between now and January 15, 2017, consumers can visit www.ToyAwards.org to vote for their favorite toy picks in each of the 14 categories – including new categories for 2017, like Action Figure of the Year, Doll of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Vehicle of the Year. The TOTY winners will be announced in February.
“This year’s TOTY finalists represent the finest examples of play value, originality and innovation across the hundreds of companies that make the U.S. toy industry the strongest in the world,” said Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of the Toy Industry Association. “Perhaps most importantly, these outstanding nominees have brought joy, laughter and learning to millions of children and families around the globe. We send each TOTY finalist good wishes and look forward to honoring the top toys of the year at the TOTY Awards gala in just a few months!”
This year’s finalists were selected from 700 nominees submitted by more than 250 companies of all sizes. A more rigorous and transparent judging method was introduced this year, with 25 judges, including toy and play experts, retailers, academics, and journalists, reviewing and ranking products in specific categories relevant to their areas of expertise. The judges then participated in a live discussion to debate any categories that did not draw an undisputed roster of finalists during the judging period. They considered each product’s creativity, originality and innovation; design and promotion; excellence; and marketplace acceptance before narrowing the field to the slate of finalists.
The winners in each of the 14 categories and the coveted “Toy of the Year” will be selected based on votes from mass and specialty toy retailers, media, TIA members, and consumers. The “People’s Choice” award winner will be selected solely by consumer votes cast at www.ToyAwards.org.
The honorees will be announced at a TOTY Awards ceremony held on Friday, February 17, 2017 at the Intrepid Air and Space Museum as the kick-off to the 114th North American International Toy Fair. The celebration will include the induction of toy industry trailblazers into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
The TOTY Awards gala is open to industry stakeholders only. Tickets for the event are available for purchase through February 10th. Proceeds will benefit the Toy Industry Foundation, which partners with generous toy companies throughout the year to bring brand new toys to children in need.
See the finalists in each category below. Online images are available at ToyAwards.org/Press
More information about the TOTY voting and selection process can be found in the “About the Awards” section of www.ToyAwards.org.
ACTION FIGURE OF THE YEAR
Toys that include action figures and their play sets/accessories
ACTIVE/OUTDOOR TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are designed for active/outdoor play
ACTIVITY TOY OF THE YEAR
Arts and crafts, construction and other indoor toys that inspire creative play through various forms of activity
COLLECTIBLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that compose a set; can include novelty playthings, miniature versions of existing lines, licensed collectibles, etc.
CONSTRUCTION TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that include building and engineering sets
DOLL OF THE YEAR
Toys that include plush, baby, toddler, and fashion dolls, and their play sets/accessories
GAME OF THE YEAR
Children’s board, card, electronic, or other physical game formats or puzzles (does not include video games or apps)
INFANT/PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that are developed for infants/preschoolers (up to 5 years)
INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
Toys that utilize innovative design, technology, or manufacturing processes to enhance play value
LICENSE OF THE YEAR
Character or property that has had success spreading its brand throughout the industry
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
A new company (created within the last 2 years) that has brought to market an outstanding toy
SPECIALTY OF THE YEAR
Toys primarily distributed through specialty retailers
TECH TOY OF THE YEAR
Physical toys that are electronic or interact with a smart-phone, tablet or gaming device
VEHICLE OF THE YEAR
Toys that are powered or non-powered vehicles, and their play sets/accessories
Follow TOTY on Twitter at #TOTY2017
Media Assets Available at www.ToyAwards.org/Press
SOURCE Toy Industry Association
