Toy Makers Hitch Products to IPod Craze
Feb 13, 10:09 PM (ET)
By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO
NEW YORK (AP) - After bemoaning the emergence of the iPod as children's latest must-have toy, toy makers are now looking at the digital musical player as their own marketing strategy.
After the success last year of Zizzle Inc.'s iZ and Hasbro Inc. (HAS)'s I-Dog, both of which can be hooked up to Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL)'s iPod, competitors are coming up with their own iPod-friendly products, aimed at pre-teens. The toys, being shown at this week's American International Toy Fair trade expo, range from electronic drumsticks and other musical instruments to chairs and electronic playmates that act as speakers.
For even younger children, Baby Einstein Co. has a rocking chair that connects to an iPod so parents can sing along while the child rocks. And Emerson Radio Corp. has a SpongeBob SquarePants speaker system that plugs into an iPod, part of its line of electronics sold under the Nickelodeon brand.
"The iPod is the No. 1 toy. My view is why fight them? Why not join them?" said Isaac Larian, chief executive of MGA Entertainment Inc., which has a chair under its popular Bratz brand that serves as an iPod speaker.
Full article: apnews.excite.com
Gives a whole new meaning to "rocking the baby", doesn't it?
- Allen |
