Page 12 - Toy & Hobby Retailers Magazine Feb-Apr 2020
P. 12

NEWS
FROM THE NEWS DESK
IN BRIEF
◗ U.GAMES ADOPTS NEW GLOBAL LOGO
U. Games Australia kicked off 2020 with a brand refresh, adopting the new global logo and brand direction.
To celebrate the business’ 35th anniversary, University Games updated its logo and has scheduled events, parties and announcements throughout 2020 to celebrate.
A subsidiary of University Games based in San Francisco, U. Games Australia is also set to have an exciting 2020, U. Games Australia MD John Herbert said.
“We are excited about the reach
of the global corporation and incorporating the new branding direction into the Australian business.
“This year we are launching some of our biggest brands to date and are more focused than ever on delivering high quality, fun products that encourage learning,” he said.
Toy businesses come together to donate to Sydney Children’s Hospital
SYDNEY Children’s Hospital in Randwick received a large amount of toys in time for Christmas after representatives from Outliving, Sunnylife and Theatrix donated boxes full of goodies to the hospital.
Spurred on by a post from Mark Zimmermann on Linkedin, the toy businesses came together to donate three car loads full of toys to the hospital.
After the donation, Zimmermann commented on the power of using social media for good.
“With over 5000 views of this post, we were able to successfully drum up three car loads full of toys!
“We delivered to Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation and hopefully will put a few smiles on some faces!
“It’s tough out there in business guys, but everything is put in perspective when you see where the real tough stuff is: it’s in the kids who are putting up the real fight,” he said.
The donations were made on 20 December. ❉
◗ THE GOOD TOY SHOP BIDS GOODBYE Canberra-based independent
toy store The Good Toy Shop permanently closed on 14 February.
Announcing the decision on its Facebook page in January, the store said despite its love for customers and products, various factors including digital disruption and rising costs were to blame for the decision to close.
“Retail as an industry is changing. You have to think outside the box. “And I think we were in the right direction but then when you’re not supported by banking you go, ‘well how does this work?’
“It’s like holding your breath and seeing how long you can hold it for,” owner Lana Mitchell said.
ATA announces Bushfire Appeal
THE Australian Toy Association announced its Bushfire Appeal in January, focusing its efforts on improving the health, wellbeing and education of children in fire affected areas.
The first part of its appeal asked toy businesses to donate products to Save The Children’s nine Child Friendly Spaces which were established in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria in response to the crisis. So far, the spaces have been attended by more than 400 children where they and their families can express themselves through play.
The second element of its appeal is in discussion at the time of writing but is looking at ways that the ATA and its members can support the education and health needs of children in fire affected communities.
To ensure that the maximum amount of benefits flow to the children, the ATA will meet all administrative costs.
“The ATA is incredibly proud and thankful for the efforts of the firefighters and volunteers on the ground and our thoughts go out to any members and the communities as a whole
that have been affected by this disaster,” the Association said in a statement. ❉
12 TOY & HOBBY RETAILER FEBRUARY / MARCH / APRIL 2020


































































































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