Category: Press Releases

It May Not Be Easy Being an Octopus in a Kid’s World, But it Sure is Fun with Stacktopus!

BELOIT, Wis. (March 20, 2020) — PlayMonster cast a wide net in search of a new, exciting kids game, and caught a winner with Stacktopus™, where kids Slip on Silly Sea Fingers and Go!™

The fun kids game Stacktopus may seem easy—kids have to simply race to stack color cups to match the configurations on the colorful cards—but there’s a twist! Each player must wear three silly sea fingers and use only those fingers to grasp, hold and maneuver the cups! It ends up getting really silly and really funny!

It’s even more amusing when adults play with kids because everyone is on even ground, and what’s not funny about watching your dad or grandma wear octopus arms and try to pick up cups?! Even when not playing the game, kids end up wearing the silly sea fingers and having tons of fun with them!

Stacktopus is fun for ages 5 and up, and is great for 1 to 3 players.

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, SET® games, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

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For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Jonathan Siemens
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x330
lisaw@playmonster.com                    jsiemens@chizcomm.com

Photo caption: The KIDZ BOP Kids and influencer Hails_World wearing Face Paintoos™

December 16, 2019 – BELOIT, Wis. – Last night, PlayMonster LLC launched Face Paintoos™ in grand fashion with a kick-off at the sold-out KIDZ BOP World Tour concert at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, CA.  Joined by prominent fashionista and influencer Hails_World, and her hundreds of thousands of fans online, attendees got the opportunity to jam out to their favorite songs and be some of the first consumers to get a look at Face Paintoos live!

Created to change the way people think about face painting, Face Paintoos is the mess-free, inexpensive way to paint a child’s face. Face Paintoos makes the process easy and long-lasting with no professional artist required. All you have to do is apply the design like you would a temporary tattoo for a smudge and transfer-proof design!

The #FacePaintRevolution encourages children everywhere to get creative and join in on the endless designs that can be created with Face Paintoos, making each design their own in a unique way. Perfect for dressing the part at a KIDZ BOP concert, hosting a birthday party or a day out at the zoo!

“We wanted to create something that allowed kids to express their personalities and make parent’s lives easier… and we’ve done that with Face Paintoos,” said Lisa Wuennemann, Associate Vice President of Marketing at PlayMonster. “Kids can switch their Face Paintoos with ease and don’t need to worry about smudging their face or transferring it onto clothing.”

The removal process is just as easy. Simply use one of the wipes that are included in the package to wipe off the Face Paintoos. With three different theme packs (wild, magical and pet), there’s a design for every mood — and song!

We’re ready for the #FacePaintRevolution…are you?! Follow the action on the PlayMonster social channels:

• Facebook: @PlayMonsterFun
• Instagram: @PlayMonsterFun
• Twitter: @PlayMonsterFun
• YouTube: @PlayMonster

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, SET® games, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

About KIDZ BOP

KIDZ BOP connects with kids and families through its best-selling albums, music videos, consumer products and live tours. In the US, KIDZ BOP is the No. 1 music brand for kids, featuring today’s biggest hits “sung by kids for kids.” KIDZ BOP has sold over 21 million albums and generated over 3.5 billion streams since the family-friendly music brand debuted in 2001. The best-selling series has had 24 Top 10 debuts on the Billboard 200 Chart; only three artists in history—The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Barbra Streisand—have had more Top 10 albums. For more information, visit www.kidzbop.com.

KIDZ BOP is a part of Concord.

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For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Jonathan Siemens
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x330
lisaw@playmonster.com                    jsiemens@chizcomm.com

November 14, 2019 – BELOIT, Wis. – PlayMonster LLC has taken its next big step in solidifying its fast growth as a multi-category toy and game company by acquiring the assets of the kids arts and crafts company, Kahootz Toys, based in Ann Arbor, MI. Kahootz Toys is the company behind 17 award-winning brands including Y’ART®, SPIROGRAPH®, COLORFORMS®, FASHION PLATES®, LATCHKITS®, PLAY-DOH® and WATERFULS®.

Kahootz, founded in 2012, grew quickly with several programs, including the relaunch of the iconic brand Spirograph, under license with Hasbro. Today that brand stands as one of the strongest performers in the category. More recently, the company has experienced great success with other classic brands like Colorforms in partnership with 9 Story Entertainment, and the girls’ favorite Fashion Plates. This year the company was excited to be awarded the ASTRA Best Toys for Kids award, and is a TOTY finalist for Creative Toy of the Year with a new line, Y’ Art, where kids can “color with yarn”!

Over the past few years, PlayMonster has made several acquisitions to strengthen their position in the toy industry, and Kahootz Toys was a natural fit with its commitment to classic and quality play, an initiative PlayMonster strives for, to meet the needs of today’s consumers.

Bob Wann, Chief PlayMonster of PlayMonster LLC said, “This is PlayMonster’s largest acquisition to-date and we’re thrilled to continue our multi-category growth strategy building and adding classic brands while expanding our footprint in the activity and stationery aisles. Kahootz has shown a commitment to providing innovative products to kids of all ages, and this philosophy aligns with our mission to make a positive difference in people’s lives through the power of play. Their team has done an outstanding job, and with our help, will continue to grow the Kahootz brand at retail.”

“We are very excited to be joining PlayMonster and the Audax Private Equity family of companies,” said Joe Yassay, CEO and founding partner of Kahootz Toys.  “The addition of our products to PlayMonster’s already impressive portfolio of children’s toys and games is a win-win for everyone involved–our companies, licensors, suppliers and customers.  We look forward to helping PlayMonster champion the power of play by supporting continued growth and market penetration in the mass, specialty and international marketplaces.”

Bambini Partners, LLC acted as Special Advisors to Kahootz Toys in connection with this transaction.

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, SET® games, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

 About Kahootz Toys

Kahootz Toys has been on a mission to use our skills and passions to bring great kids’ products to the world, founding our company with an award-winning relaunch of the classic brand, Spirograph® in 2013.  Since then, we’ve successfully launched a broad portfolio of children’s toy, craft and activity products, including Fashion Plates® fashion drawing sets, Colorforms® playsets, Latchkits®, Y-Art™ yarn crafts, and many others.  Kahootz believes in “Retro Fun for Everyone”!

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For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Kassandra O’Brien
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x356
lisaw@playmonster.com                    kobrien@chizcomm.com

Vote today to help PlayMonster win!

 BELOIT, Wis. (November 12, 2019) – PlayMonster is proud to announce that they have been named a finalist for two Toy of the Year (TOTY) 2020 Awards, the industry’s most prestigious achievement. This year, PlayMonster garnered recognition across two different categories: Game of the Year for Orangutwang and Collectible of the Year for My Singing Monsters!

The TOTY Awards are frequently referred to as the “Oscars” of the toy industry, and finalists are announced from a field of hundreds of nominations. Finalists are determined by elite members of the toy industry, including retail buyers, inventors, academics, trade media spokespeople and bloggers. For more information about PlayMonster’s TOTY Award finalists, and to vote, visit playmonstervote.com

“We are honored and excited to have been named a finalist for TOTY 2020,” said Bob Wann, Chief PlayMonster of PlayMonster LLC, and Chairman of the US Toy Association. “It’s an indication of the hard work and determination of our entire team to be recognized as the gold standard in toys by the industry and consumers alike.”

“Thanks to the expertise of our expert panel of judges, this year’s TOTY finalists embody all the best aspects of play – fun, discovery, and product innovation,” said Ken Seiter, executive vice-president of marketing communications at The Toy Association. “From games that put a new spin on classic play to toys offering new play patterns that speak to today’s generation of kids, we are excited to reveal these finalists. All are encouraged to cast votes at ToyAwards.org to help determine the winners!”

The winners of the TOTY 2020 Awards will be announced on Friday, February 21, 2020, at the TOTY Awards Ceremony in New York City. The ceremony is the official kick off for the North American International Toy Fair, which takes place at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, February 22 through February 25, 2020.

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, SET® games, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.About The Toy Association

www.toyassociation.org / www.thegeniusofplay.org / www.playsafe.org
Founded in 1916, The Toy Association™, Inc. is the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The Toy Association leads the health and growth of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual U.S. economic impact of $107.5 billion, and its 950+ members drive the annual $26.5 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Toy Association serves as the industry’s voice on the developmental benefits of play, and promotes play’s positive impact on childhood development to consumers and media. The organization has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, government, consumers, and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play.

As a global leader, The Toy Association produces the world-renowned North American International Toy Fair and Fall Toy Preview; advocates on behalf of members around the world; sustains the Canadian Toy Association; acts as secretariat for the International Council of Toy Industries and International Toy Industry CEO Roundtable; and chairs the committee that reviews and revises America’s widely emulated ASTM F963 toy safety standard.

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For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Kassandra O’Brien
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x356
lisaw@playmonster.com                    kobrien@chizcomm.com

Come Out and Experience Hands-On Activities, Inventor Interactions and Exciting Play Events

BELOIT, Wis. – (November 6, 2019) Once again, PlayMonster has many exciting things to share at the 17th annual Chicago Toy & Game Fair beginning November 23, 2019. The weekend’s activities include the Young Inventor Challenge, toys for public meet and greets, hands-on craft and gaming demos and a photo op with the adorable and loveable Furcorn from My Singing Monsters. Additionally, the PlayMonster booth will feature the inventors of two PlayMonster games.

The Young Inventor Challenge
On Saturday, November 23, kids ages 6 – 18 will set up and display their submitted toy and game inventions to the general public, industry professionals and media hoping to win prizes in their category. As a sponsor of the Young Inventor Challenge, PlayMonster believes in inspiring the next generation to use creativity and critical thinking. This exclusive and educational experience provokes imagination, innovation and presentation skills that provide the means of taking these inventions to greater heights with professional critiques from industry experts.

PlayMonster’s Big on Fun Booth
All weekend long, PlayMonster’s booth (#707) will feature tons of fun for families! Kids can stop by and design their very own Fuzzikins, have a total #MeltdownMoment and pose with the Furcorn from My Singing Monsters.

Meet the Young Inventors
When kids aren’t busy playing at PlayMonster’s booth, they can meet and talk with actual game and toy inventors. A schedule will be posted at the booth letting consumers know when they can stop by to see Tiggy, the inventor of Draw Into Crime™, and Edie, the inventor of Goo on My Shoe™. Tiggy and Edie have learned a lot through the process of creating a game. They can’t wait to meet everyone and share their experiences with all the other young inventors out there!

If you’ll be in the Chicago area November 23 ̶ 24, stop by Navy Pier for some fun and early holiday shopping! Tickets available at the fair, or purchase early at chitagfair.com.

About PlayMonster LLC
Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, SET® games, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

About Chicago Toy & Game (ChiTAG) Fair
ChiTAG, founded in 2003, is the largest non-hobby toy and game fair open to the public in North America. The event is popular with families, inventors, media, educators and consumers, all of which can attend to play with and shop for the latest and greatest toys and games!

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For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Kassandra O’Brien
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x356
lisaw@playmonster.com                    kobrien@chizcomm.com

Respected and Accomplished Industry Leader to Head PlayMonster International Division

BELOIT, Wis. (July 29, 2019) — Richard Gill, well-known for international development and success in the toy industry, is the newest member of the PlayMonster management team as VP International, or Chief Explorer Monster as the playful company calls him! Gill brings over 30 years of experience to his new role, and will use that to develop and lead PlayMonster’s international division, covering all markets outside of the US, Canada and UK. Interplay will continue to be run as a separate subsidiary, managed by UK Managing Director Adrian Whyles.

Prior to joining the PlayMonster team, Gill successfully co-owned and managed McGill Assocs., an international sales and marketing consultancy, for nearly 20 years. With products placed in over 50 markets worldwide, McGill Assocs. provides instant international development function to small- to medium-sized toy industry clients looking for international partners, licensees or distributors. For the last seven-plus years, Gill has consulted and worked with PlayMonster to expand its games into 50 countries outside of the US and Canada. His greatest accomplishment with PlayMonster has been with the popular game 5 Second Rule, which to date, has reached 44 countries in 28 languages and is a top-seller both in and out of the US market.

Born in the United Kingdom, but living primarily in the US since 1993, Emmy-nominated Richard Gill was responsible for overseeing the phenomenal international successes of both Trivial Pursuit and Pictionary for 15 years, before the sale of the Pictionary business in 2001. As the former co-owner and developer of the Pictionary brand, Gill built an international network for the board game into over 60 markets and 35 languages while successfully extending the brand into a syndicated TV show, publishing, electronics, the gaming industry, party goods and the confectionary businesses, among others.

“Having known and respected Richard for over 20 years now, I am very excited to have him as part of the PlayMonster team,” said Bob Wann, CEO and Chief PlayMonster. “His vast experience and track record of success with our brands and others will be key in the company’s rapid growth and successful international expansion.”

“I’ve enjoyed working with PlayMonster over the last several years and am thrilled to be part of the team,” said Richard Gill. “It feels like the right time to join the company to focus on their international expansion goals. PlayMonster is a perfect fit for me with its culture of playfulness and determination, and commitment to innovation. It’s an honor to join the respected management team here and I look forward to working more closely with them to create a stronger global presence.”

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, SET® games, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

# # #

For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Kassandra O’Brien
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x356
lisaw@playmonster.com                    kobrien@chizcomm.com

Players Will Have a Blast with Pop Culture Trivia and Cheeky Humor!

BELOIT, Wis. (July 22, 2019) — Keep the party going strong with all new PlayMonster games! Game night fun just gets better with The Logo Game’s® trivia about America’s favorite brands, and the hilarious attitude of Kiss My Bass™–Pucker up, buttercup!

The Logo Game joins PlayMonster’s award-winning party game line for 2019. The game was a top-seller for years, and PlayMonster recently gained the license and is excited to release a new version of the game. The Logo Game will have all new content featuring new and nostalgic brands, and players will have fun with trivia about popular logos, commercials, facts and more! Plus, the new version features 3D pewter pawns of fun items and characters! For 2 to 6 players ages 12 to adult.

On the other end of the spectrum comes a sarcastic fish that’ll tell you to “Kiss My Bass!” This game, which could also be an amusing novelty gift, features a 3D electronic talking fish that dares/tells players to touch him in certain areas (touch points) and responds whether the player does it correctly or not—he’s not happy if you don’t do as he says! Players take turns touching his fin, back, etc. or kissing his lips or his…ahem…”bass.” If he farts on a player during a smooch, that player is out! It’s a hilarious game for two or more players, ages 10 to adult.

About PlayMonster LLC

Beloit, WI-based PlayMonster is a toy and game company that believes in the power of play to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Delivering great play value by designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative, fun products such as “TOTY Game of the Year” Yeti in My Spaghetti® and “TOTY Doll of the Year” Wonder Crew®, along with other award-winning toys and games like The Game of THINGS…®, 5 Second Rule®, Relative Insanity®, Mirari®, Farkle, SET® games, OK to Wake!®, My Fairy Garden®, Automoblox®, Marbleocity®, Kid O® and Super Spinner® is how PlayMonster helps keep play alive for all ages.

# # #

For More Information, Please Contact:                                        

Lisa Wuennemann                              Kassandra O’Brien
PlayMonster LLC                                Director, Marketing and Communications – ChizComm
(800) 524-4263 x1275                        (416) 551-0822 x356
lisaw@playmonster.com                    kobrien@chizcomm.com