The Toy Man® 2012 Product Guide - Recommended Awards Programs & Information Resources

THE AWARD PROGRAMS IN THE "FIRST" SECTION BELOW ARE RECOMMENDED BY THE TOY MAN® PRODUCT GUIDE.

Whether a company is a startup or well established, investment in the right awards/product review programs is a critical concern.

With the assistance of other agencies, The Toy Man® Product Guide staff and legal representatives, have conducted extensive research on all of the awards programs listed on this page.

The programs which we recommend were determined from our research findings, to have the highest probablility of a positive return on investment.

We look forward to seeing you back soon to submit your products for our evaluation if you haven't done so already.

"There's nothing like being the pioneers in the establishment of a standard, then seeing the many variations that come from it over the years, from those who come after."

- Rev. James G.W. Fisher

Each listing in this section has the logo or award from each company and a brief quotation from a person independent of our company. There is also a direct link to the web site of each company in all sections below. Should you have any questions, please contact us. We will be more than glad to assist you.

* "First Established" is referring to when the awards program domain name was first registered for use on the Internet. This does not necessarily designate that the web site for the company was also in operation at that time. Careful and diligent effort was put forth by our staff and other agencies who assisted us, to research practical facts on each company to provide for our readers. This information will help you make intelligent decisions based upon what you know, not what may be printed on a web site.

An important fact to consider in selecting an awards program to submit your product to is accuracy! The Toy Man® Product Guide introduced the term "Seal of Approval" as a validation tool in 1971, long before any of the current awards programs ever existed. It continues to serve as a globally recognized emblem of validation for products submitted for our evaluation having met our strict evaluation standards.

Many awards programs have taken the same title and affixed it to serve as an award, not a validation tool. Any use of the term "Seal of Approval" by any current awards program has no direct or indirect association with The Toy Man® Product Guide.

AblePlay™ is a toy rating system and website that provides comprehensive information on toys for children with special needs. AblePlay was created so parents, special educators, therapists and others can make the best decisions when purchasing products for children in their lives with disabilities.

- "Safety in toys for Special Needs children is assured with this rating!"

Creative Child Magazine Awards Program is designed so that all reviews of products submitted, are based on the opinions of parents and educators during a 2 day event which occurs on an annual basis, providing a well balanced evaluation.

- "Well recognized, accurate and fair evaluation in each year's event."

The Good Housekeeping® Seal is completely different as well as the very first consumer product evaluation service. If a product which carries their seal proves to be defective within two years of purchase, Good Housekeeping® will replace the product or refund the purchase price to the consumer. The actual company was founded in 1909.

- "This is the evaluation system was used as the model for the development of The Toy Man® Seal of Approval evaluation process and emblem."

One of the Mensa Education & Research Foundation's purposes is to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity. To further this goal, several awards programs have been established to recognize the research and support of intelligence.

- "One of the most powerful emblems of quality and educational value."

The National Parenting Publications Awards for Parenting Resources showcase what they judge as the best in books, CDs, baby gear and innovative products from products submitted. Potential for front and center exposure on Parenthood.com.

- "One of the most in-depth and highly recognized product evaluation programs around."

The PTPA Media Awards celebrate product excellence as rated by you. According to PTPA representatives, manufacturers submit their products and services for evaluation by over 40,000 Volunteer parent testers.

- "A new kid on the block in comparison to others. Higher fees than other fee based awards programs yet the return on the investment is well worth it. The PTPA seal, (actually award) has a strong branding image that buyers will pay attention to."

Additional Award Systems Available

These listings are provided to make our readers aware of the majority of the other award systems available. Although they are not part of our "recommended group", that in no manner means they should not be considered.

It is of the utmost importance however that you are careful in your selection of ANY awards program. Be sure the program you select is applicable to your needs. If there is something you don't know or understand, ask questions!

* The award programs listed below have no affiliation, endorsement, or recommendation by The Toy Man® Product Guide.

Dr. Toy Web Site Domain First Registered: July 1995	Dr. Toy's Guide provides information on what she has judged as the best in toys, educational products which have been submitted, toy information, plus timely articles, and resources.
T.O.T.Y Web Site Domain First Registered: July 1995	The Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards honor the greatest and most innovative toys developed each year by the international toy industry for consumers in the United States.
The National Parenting Center Web Site Domain First Registered: October 1995	The National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval program is an independent testing procedure conducted to judge a variety of products submitted for review and approval for recognition. * Neither The Toy Man® Product Guide or any of their subsidiary companies or divisions have any association with The National Parenting Center, or any of its subsidiaries.
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Web Site Domain First Registered: July 1996	Oppenheim Toy Portfolio provides a source of information for toys and other products which have been submitted and met their judgment as the best toys and products. Some of the products that are accepted are featured on The Today Show.
Teachers Choice Awards Web Site Domain First Registered: April 1996	The Teachers' Choice Awards honor products of exceptional quality and outstanding performance in the classroom and at home! Our panel of teacher evaluators use each product in their classrooms and homes to find the best products for teachers and parents.
Toy Tips Web Site Domain First Registered: September 1997	Toy Tips provides product reviews of toy products submitted, articles and tips which their evaluators and staff have compiled as a public information source.
The Toy Guy Web Site Domain First Registered: February 1998	The Toy Guy provides an overview of what their staff judge as some of the most popular toys. The review features include a well balanced view of good and bad points of each product.
Mr. Dad Web Site Domain First Registered: January 1999	The "Mr. Dad Seal of Approval" and "GreatDad Recommends" awards recognize products and services that support giving men the resources, tools, and information they need to be better fathers. * The Toy Man® Recommends™ award has no association with Mr. Dad, or any of its subsidiaries.
Parents' Choice Awards Web Site Domain First Registered: August 1999	The Parents' Choice Awards program honors what their evaluators judge as the best material for children: books, toys, music and storytelling, magazines, software, video games, television and websites.
Mom's Choice Awards Web Site Domain First Registered: February 2005	The Mom's Choice Awards® program recognizes authors, inventors, companies, parents and others for their efforts in creating quality family-friendly media, products and services.
Tillywig Awards Web Site Domain First Registered: January 2009	In order to be selected as a Tillywig award winner, a product submitted must be determined by their testing team to have high entertainment and/or educational value.

Recommended Resources (Additions will be made soon!)

The resources listed below have been added to assist you even further in the branding / marketing development of your product. Ovber the next few weeks we will be adding a considerable number of additional recommended resources for your perusal.

Toys are annually selected as representative of those being offered on the market. These toys are then tested by Canadian children in everyday settings, to assess design, function, durability and play value.

Gives recognition to specialty products in the toy industry. Good venue for brand recognition.

In evaluating products that apply for the Green Good Housekeeping Seal, GHRI reviews and verifies a wide range of data related to the product's measurable environmental impact. Reduction of water use in manufacturing, energy efficiency in manufacturing and product use, ingredient and product safety, packaging reduction, and the brand's corporate social responsibility are among the factors considered.

- "This seal is not only a perfect example of the focus of The Toy Man® eco-Recognition Award, but provides a significant level of trust in reference to ecological concerns."

If you are a product developer, retailer, or just want the latest in-depth info on toy industry info, this is where to go. The Bloom Report is one of the most powerful weekly sources on industry news.