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Toy Fair 2001
Toy Industry Salutes First Annual T.O.T.Y. ® Award Winners
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• Toy Fair 2001
NEW YORK, February 12, 2001 - For the first time in its history, the American toy industry paid tribute to the year's greatest, most creative achievements in toys and play with the presentation of the T.O.T.Y. (Toy of the Year) Awards. The gala awards celebration, organized by Toy Manufacturers of America, Inc. (TMA®) and emceed by ABC-TV's The View co-host Joy Behar, was held at New York City's Cipriani 42nd Street on February 10, 2001 as a festive kick-off to the 98th annual American International TOY FAIR®.

The first annual T.O.T.Y. Awards recognized the industry's creativity and innovation during the year 2000. Walking away with top honors in 12 industry categories - plus one People's Choice award - were the following winners:

People's Choice Toy of the Year, representing the best toy of the year, according to consumers across the country - LeapPad, LeapFrog

Most Innovative Toy of the Year, for the most outstanding, unique and creative toy - LEGO & Steven Spielberg MovieMaker Set, LEGO Systems, Inc.

Infant/Preschool Toy of the Year, for toys designed for infant and/or preschool children - Tinkertoy Classic Building Sets, Hasbro, Inc.

Educational Toy of the Year, recognizing a toy that, through play, helps children develop special skills and/or knowledge - LeapPad, LeapFrog

Game of the Year, including board, CD-ROM, electronic and card game formats - Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Board Game, Pressman Toy Corp.

Specialty Toy of the Year, for toys distributed primarily through specialty retailers - Madeline's Doll House, Eden, LLC

Spring/Summer Toy of the Year, focused on toys designed for outdoor play during the summer months - Razor Scooter, Razor USA

Girl Toy of the Year, for toys developed specifically for girls of any age - Poo-Chi, Tiger Electronics

Boy Toy of the Year, for toys developed for boys of any age - LEGO Soccer Championship Challenge, LEGO Systems, Inc.

Best Licensed Toy of the Year, for the most successful marriage between a property and a toy - Who Wants to be a Millionaire Board Game, Pressman Toy Corp.

Retailer of the Year, for the most innovative toy retailer during calendar year 2000, including mass, specialty and online - Target

Best Marketing Campaign of the Year, recognizing the highest level of creativity and implementation in developing a unified marketing, advertising, public relations or promotional campaign for a toy or children's entertainment product - Plan a Family Game Night, Hasbro, Inc.

Friends of Children, for the company with a public service program that makes the most profound impact on the lives of children in its community or beyond, bringing credit to the toy industry - Hasbro, Inc.

Inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame, Betty James of James Industries, creator of the classic Slinky toy.
The T.O.T.Y. Awards (pronounced Toh-Tee) were conceived to honor the best toys developed by the international toy industry for U.S. consumers. "TMA is proud to create an exciting new annual program and forum to salute the tremendous work of toy manufacturers and marketers," said David A. Miller, president of TMA. "We're confident that the spirit of the awards will heighten the sense of pride and excitement within the industry - and generate greater public awareness of the contributions our industry makes to children and their families."

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