May 11, 2015 With superheroes crushing box office numbers with Hulk style force and toy merchandisers frantically scrambling to address market demand for sheroes deleted from mass media like an … [Read more...]
Babies Movie: Through The Lens of a Young Teen
May 11, 2010 by 15 Comments
May 11, 2010 I tried to warn her, “This isn’t some wham- bam fast-paced action thriller or rom-com dramedy, but Babies IS my movie choice for Mother’s Day, ok?” In preparation, I showed her the … [Read more...]
Green Toys and Fun Finds With Big Kid Appeal: Ten Under $10 Pt. 2
December 22, 2009 by 4 Comments
Dec. 23, 2009 Shhhhhh...I'm snagging one of the new "Smencils" that just arrived today 'cause I figure 'less is more' and 'variety is the spice' when it comes to stocking stuffers...She doesn't need a … [Read more...]
CounterMarketing Consumption Cues: Think Geek Gifting Fun
December 15, 2009 by 5 Comments
Update: Dec. 21, 2014 Adding a few more fun finds of DIY holiday hack geekery to keep it simple, and am strongly considering ordering my first RaspberryPi credit card sized computer to inspire some … [Read more...]
“Bring Your Baby to Life With Your Wii Remote?”
November 2, 2009 by 4 Comments
Nov. 2, 2009 Not sure which part of this creeps me out more, the fact that 21st century baby dolls have a Wiimote crammed up the wazoo to ‘bring the baby to life’ as a Wii system accessory, the … [Read more...]
Shaping Youth is in the Philadelphia Inquirer Today
September 2, 2009 by 6 Comments
Sept. 2, 2009 For a media shy writer wonk who likes to fly under the radar, you might say I’m a ‘glutton’ for punishment each time I agree to making a comment to the press. The Bebé Glotón toy … [Read more...]
Wii Are Family: A French Look At A Global Gaming Phenom
January 15, 2009 by 12 Comments
Romantic that I am, I took French in 8th grade yet proceeded to live in locations where Japanese, Chinese or Spanish were the language of choice; yet somehow, French still sticks in my brain. There … [Read more...]
Facelifts for Kiddie Characters: Rebranding ’80s Icons?
June 17, 2008 by 15 Comments
Last week’s New York Times article on 21st century ‘facelifts’ for kiddie characters gave me the willies on a variety of fronts, despite the fact that I’ve personally ‘freshened’ many a brand in my … [Read more...]
Texting for Toy Safety: ‘Moms Rising’ Taps Into ‘HealthyToys’
December 17, 2007 by 8 Comments
Mobile moms will love this handy new alliance between consumer action orgs HealthyToys & MomsRising which lets you find out whether the toy you’re about to plop in that cart is toxic for your … [Read more...]
Pop Culture on Parade: JibJab’s Hilarious Manic Media Montage
Jan.2, 2010 My head is still spinning (no, not from ‘The Hangover’ post)... My brain is simply trying to catch up with my eyeballs in this frenetic musical media montage which salutes the past year … [Read more...]