Second Annual Toy Industry Association & Toy Wishes Holiday Preview Offers Exclusive First Look at ``Must Have'' Toys for Holiday 2004

Business Wire, Sept 27, 2004

NEW YORK -- Announcement of Toy Wishes Holiday 2004 Hot Dozen at 10 AM Press Conference; Over 50 Exhibiting Toy Manufacturers, Over 500 New Toys on Display

Designated as the "official" industry kick-off to the holiday toy buying and editorial season, the Toy Industry Association (TIA) and Toy Wishes Magazine, The Ultimate Guide to Family Entertainment, will host its second annual Toy Industry Association & Toy Wishes Holiday Preview Tuesday, October 5th, at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City.

The Toy Industry Association & Toy Wishes Holiday Preview was created last year as a means for industry manufacturers to showcase their lead items for the holiday season - all under one roof - and an opportunity for members of the press to "shop" for toys to feature in their holiday and gift editorial.

The highlight of the day-long event will be the announcement of this year's Toy Wishes Holiday 2004 Hot Dozen - the toys predicted to be the most in demand and toughest to find once the buying season gets underway. The "Hot Dozen" will be unveiled at a 10 AM press conference hosted by Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of Toy Wishes, and Chris Byrne (AKA The Toy Guy(TM)), a respected member of the Toy Wishes editorial board, and will be on display throughout the day.

Over 50 manufacturers - from large companies like Hasbro, Mattel and Fisher-Price Brands, LeapFrog and LEGO to other well-known manufacturers such as Wild Planet, Binney & Smith (Crayola) and Spin Master - will display a wide range of new toys that will hit store shelves in time for the holiday crunch. Media will also preview the Toy Wishes 2004 "All Stars" - selected by the Toy Wishes editorial board as the brightest, most innovative toys in over twenty different categories.

Toy Wishes hits newsstands October 5th. Gift givers who frequent Toys "R" Us stores nationwide will receive a complimentary issue of Toy Wishes Holiday 2004 with purchase, while supplies last.

The Toy Industry Association & Toy Wishes Holiday Preview will be held on Tuesday, October 5th, at the Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street, New York City. The press conference announcing the Toy Wishes Holiday 2004 Hot Dozen will be held at 10 AM promptly. Exhibitor displays will be open from 10:30 AM to 3:00 PM. For press credentials and more information or to schedule an interview with Reyne Rice, toy trend specialist for the TIA, or Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of Toy Wishes, please contact Josslynne Lingard at Litzky Public Relations (201/222-9118, ext. 13).