The Toy Man™ - 2008 Product Guide

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

Fee-Based and No-Fee Based Product Evalution Award Systems

Following with the spirit of striving to be unbiased in our efforts to serve both the consumer and business industry, we have chosen to provide a list of all primary product evaluation systems. Most are based upon award systems while others are based upon accolades, including fee-based product evaluation.

PLEASE NOTE: We do not endorse or recommend any of these companies. They are provided strictly for your perusal and as a common courtesy.

As with any business, we strongly suggest that you exercise caution in your decision of making use of any product evaluation system before you make use of it. Before you submit your product(s), inquire that all potential fees have been brought to your attention and make sure that you fully understand the process of their product evaluation process. If you fail to do so, you may soon discover the price you paid for the product evaluation obviously does not include licensing, award stickers, and "other" fees you were not expecting.

You also need to realize that just because a company's award system is "popular", doesn't guarantee it is a good investment. As with anything else in life, you always have the good with the bad; for some it's simply a matter of viewpoint.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADE BASED COMPANIES

NAME OF COMPANY/SERVICE	*BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SERVICE*
Canadian Toy Testing Council	Non-profit organization. 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. We have no information on their product submission rates, (if applicable).
Creative Child Magazine	A national bi-monthly publication that provides parents with the latest information on how to nurture their child's creativity. We have no information on their product submission rates (if applicable).
Dr. Toy	A fee-based product evaluation service which provides year-round information about Dr. Toy award winning products. These include toys, dolls, games, puzzles, books, software, CD-ROMs, audio and video discs and tapes, creative materials, construction toys.We have no information on her product submission rates (if applicable), currently available.
iParenting Media Awards	A fee-based product evaluation service which gives recognition to the best in children's and parenting resources. A $300 submission fee is required regardless of evaluation approval/denial. Additional fees can be required if product is approved.
NAPPA	A fee-based product evaluation service which gives recognition to the best in children's and parenting resources. Well established and highly recognized, it is a popular fee-based award system. We have no information on their product submission rates, (if applicable).
Oppenheim Toy Portfolio	A consumer review of children's media which provides awards to products which pass the evaluation. Although there is a high level licensing fee for use of the image for award recipients, it is a well established and highly recognized award system. We have no information on their product submission rates (if applicable).
Parents' Choice Awards	A fee-based product evaluation award system that honors what they feel are the best material for children: books, toys, music, storytelling, magazines, software, videogames, television and websites. We have no information on their product submission rates (if applicable).
TDMonthly	*A non-fee* based product evaluation award system and product review source** that gives recognition to specialty products in the toy industry. A vital feature found at Toy Fair with reviews of the latest products from that show and throughout the year. Well established and highly recognized, it is one of the most popular publications.
Teachers' Choice Awards	An annual awards system that honors the very best in classroom-tested, teacher-recommended products of exceptional quality and outstanding performance in the classroom and at home! We have no information on their product submission rates (if applicable).
The National Parenting Center	A fee-based award system which uses an independent product evaluaton testing procedure. This testing is conducted to judge a variety of products introduced and marketed to the parent/child consumer market. Well established, it is one of the more popular fee-based award systems used. A licensing fee is required for use of their award image if product is approved.
The Toy Man Product Guide	A no-fee based product guide designed to identify, give recognition, and add distinctive value to products. This is accomplished, by use of "The Toy Man™ Seal of Approval", (established in 1974), and awards. The seal and awards are exclusive to products which pass the strict and highly definitive evaluation process of "The Toy Man™ Product Guide".
T.O.T.Y	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. We have no information on their product submission rates, (if applicable).
Toy Tips	Provides well researched information on toys that build skills and enhance a child’s personal development. Toy Tips is not an award system, there is no fee for product submission. Each quarter, a select group of products which have passed the evaluation, are featured in the Toy Tips publication available at bookstores and supermarkets. Well established and highly recognized, it is one of the more popular product evaluation services.