Debut of TIA's Brand & Entertainment Showcase Will Bring Added "Sizzle" to Toy Fair 2012

Brand & Licensing Execs, Media and Youth Entertainment Community to Converge in New York

NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New York City is slated to become the next stop on the global licensing circuit as the Toy Industry Association (TIA) launches its new Brand & Entertainment Showcase in February 2012.   Co-located with the 109th American International Toy Fair, February 12-15, the Showcase offers an impactful and convenient content connection for entertainment licensors and brand owners alike.  The event provides opportunities for exclusive access to top-tier media, marketing agencies and an audience of 30,000+ tradeshow guests from more than 90 countries.

The new Brand & Entertainment Showcase satisfies increased demands from the licensing community to collaborate in a formalized setting at the show.  Content providers will be able to simply show up and show off in small, private meeting spaces or large, public theatres.  Turnkey presentation solutions and an audience of marketers ensure that all participant needs will be met.

"Licensing has always had a presence at Toy Fair," said Marian Bossard, TIA vice president of meetings and events.  "TIA's new Brand & Entertainment Showcase gives these activities an appropriate platform by dedicating the space, facilities and services that brand owners and licensors need to pitch their hottest ideas and properties to the key decision-makers, influencers and A-list journalists who are already gathered at The Javits Center."

As the largest and most important gathering for youth entertainment in the Western Hemisphere, Toy Fair last year welcomed an unprecedented surge in entertainment executives (+31%) and licensors (+8%). In 2010, licensed toys represented 25% of total industry sales.  In addition to Toy Fair's global audience of media (1,000+), youth entertainment buyers (10,000+), exhibitors (10,000+), and trade guests (10,000+), the co-located Brand & Entertainment Showcase gives participants access to the important ancillary advertising, marketing and promotion-oriented industries that are concentrated in and around the media epicenter of the world.

"The licensing industry continues to grow and remains a vital part of the toy and youth entertainment marketplace," said Jennifer Coleman, founder of JC Inc. and Showcase partner. "TIA's new Brand & Entertainment Showcase offers a terrific opportunity for brand owners and licensors to reach their target audiences and present a sneak preview of the 'latest and greatest' the industry has to offer.  It's exciting to be able to offer licensors the ability to participate in a high profile industry gathering in New York City once again and as an integral part of this world renowned Toy Fair."

Rounding out the Brand & Entertainment Showcase event team is exclusive media partner Adventure Publishing Group, the leading publisher of magazines for the toy and licensing industries for nearly 30 years.  Adventure Publishing's signature publications – Total Licensing Report and The Toy Book – and its online communities will be a primary conduit of information and updates about the Showcase to the global community and the key vehicles for brand advertisers during the event itself.

For more information about participating in TIA's Brand and Entertainment Showcase, contact Jennifer Coleman, Sales Executive and Producer (973.760.8181; [email protected]); for information about advertising opportunities, please contact Jonathan Samet at Adventure Publishing (212.575.4510, [email protected]).

About the American International Toy Fair    (toyfairny.com)
The American International Toy Fair will be held February 12-15, 2012 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City.  Toy Fair is an annual event that is owned and operated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA).

About the Toy Industry Association (TIA)    (www.toyassociation.org)
TIA is the not-for-profit trade association for producers and importers of toys and youth entertainment products sold in North America, representing more than 500 companies who account for approximately 85% of domestic toy sales.  For more information, please visit www.toyfairny.com, www.toyinfo.org or www.toyassociation.org.

About JC Inc.
Jennifer Coleman is a 15+ year marketing veteran of the licensing, branding and children's entertainment industries. As the recent founder of JC Inc., Ms. Coleman works with a variety of clients to maximize business opportunities in the licensing, marketing and retail space for niche brand owners. In her previous position as senior vice president of marketing and new business development for the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers' Association (LIMA), Ms. Coleman worked at the forefront of the licensing industry, successfully developing strategies and programming to address the changing marketplace. She has worked on brands such as Chanel, Thomas & Friends, Discovery Zone, Country Road Australia and Broadway's WICKED.  

About Adventure Publishing    (adventurepublishinggroup.com)
Adventure Publishing Group Inc. is the leading publisher of magazines for the toy and licensing industries since 1983.  Its portfolio of magazines include: The Toy Book, The Licensing Book and Specialty Toy & Gifts. The Toy Book provides retailers with the latest in merchandising, trends, licensed products and new marketplace introductions and is published bimonthly.  The Licensing Book focuses on character properties, brands and trademarks with topical features, editorials, legal advice and exclusive retailer information. Two Adventure Publishing-produced newsletters, The Toy Report and The Licensing Report, are weekly newsletters that keep their readers up to date on all breaking news and deals in the toy and licensing industries and are available in email format.

SOURCE Toy Industry Association