Childs Play Communications

Influential Online Parenting Media Receive In-Person Sneak Peek at Products, Services Just in Time for Holiday Shopping Season

New York, NY, November 17, 2008 – Child’s Play Communications, the leading public relations and marketing communications agency specializing in reaching moms, last week held its first annual Bloggers Brunch. Designed to connect top brands with influential mom bloggers just in time for the holiday shopping season, the brunch attracted two dozen representatives from leading parenting blogs including People.com’s Celebrity Baby Blog, Glamour.com’s Storked! and Parents.com’s GoodyBlog, which reach a total online audience of more than 4 million moms.

 

“We were thrilled with the turnout, both in terms of bloggers and exhibitors,” said Stephanie Azzarone, president of Child’s Play. “Online media relations is an imperative for any successful communications campaign today. At the Bloggers Brunch, companies had a rare opportunity to meet with and provide in-depth, one-on-one product demonstrations to many of the country’s top online parenting media.”

 

The event, held November 11 at the elegant Williams Club in New York City, consisted of product displays, beauty treatments, raffle prizes, luncheon and ample time for one:one meetings between bloggers and exhibitors. Each blogger received product samples, press kits and promotional materials.

 

Exhibitors included: Disney Publishing, DK Publishing,  Elmer’s Products, Fathom Studios, Genius Products, JAKKS-Pacific, Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Petite Palate and StainedGlassNYC. Beauty services were provided by Clarins.

 

Online media relations is a major focus at Child’s Play Communications, which has specialized in connecting brands with moms for 20 years. In addition to the Bloggers Brunch, the agency offers two proprietary services focused on engaging consumers through online and social media: Web Mom Directory, an extensive, exclusive, exhaustively researched compendium of parenting websites, blogs, ezines, podcasts and electronic newsletters; and Team Mom™, the agency’s own team of more than 100 mom bloggers, who have agreed to write about Child’s Play clients’ products and services on an ongoing basis. Together, these services deliver tens of millions of targeted online impressions for Child’s Play clients each year.

 

For more information about the Bloggers Brunch, including photos and video from the event, or to learn more about Child’s Play Communications’ Web Mom Directory and Team Mom programs, visit www.childsplaypr.com, or contact Stephanie Azzarone at 212-488-2060 x11 or sa@childsplaypr.com. 

Oct. 13, 2008, New York City — Child’s Play Communications, specialists in publicity and marketing communications for products and services targeted to moms, will host a roundtable titled Marketing to the Motherhood, Online: How to Reach Mommy Bloggers at the 4^th annual Marketing2Moms Conference. Taking place in Chicago October 22-23, M2Moms is the nation’s premier conference on marketing to moms.

At lunchtime on Thursday, the 23^rd, Child’s Play Communications president Stephanie Azzarone and Digital Media Manager Sarah Fraser will share their experiences working with online mom-focused media through the company’s Web Mom Directory and Team Mom™ programs. They will offer tips on how companies can communicate effectively within this increasingly important and influential channel.

“Forget the park bench,” says Azzarone. “If you’re looking for moms today, head directly to the blogosphere. Parenting is the #1 topic among Gen X women publishing blogs. It’s essential for marketers of products targeted to moms to have a significant presence where opinions are being formed and purchasing decisions finalized.”

Child’s Play launched Web Mom Directory two years ago and Team Mom in January 2008. Web Mom Directory is an extensive and exclusive compendium of parenting Web sites, blogs, podcasts, ezines, electronic newsletters and more, delivering millions of targeted impressions each year for the company’s clients. Team Mom is the agency’s network of mommy bloggers, who regularly review Child’s Play clients’ products and services, delivering key brand messages to hundreds of thousands of loyal readers.

CHILD’S PLAY COMMUNICATIONS

Child’s Play Communications is the leading agency specializing exclusively in public relations and marketing communications for products targeted to moms. Clients have included leaders in their fields such as Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Hasbro, CVS/pharmacy, Parents magazine, Elmer’s, Sylvan Learning Center, Samsonite, National Geographic, Gund and Kidz Bop. Based in New York City, Child’s Play is celebrating its 20^th anniversary in 2008 by launching exciting new services to help clients reach moms most effectively, through traditional media, online and directly. When it’s important to reach this influential market, Child’s Play is the agency to call. For more information, please visit www.childsplaypr.com.

Contact: Sarah Fraser, Child’s Play Communications, 212-488-2060 x14, sf@childsplaypr.com 

 

Companies showcase their hottest products to influential online parenting media, just in time for holiday shopping season

 

There are 32 millions moms online today and 67% of them are researching products. The Web sites and blogs that reach these moms are incredibly powerful when it comes to influencing what a mom buys for herself and her family.

 

With that in mind, Child’s Play Communications (www.childsplaypr.com) is launching its first Bloggers Brunch, a special event specifically for representatives of mom-targeted Web sites, blogs and other online media. Child’s Play specializes exclusively in publicity and marketing communications for products targeted to moms.

 

On Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the Williams Club in New York City, Child’s Play will display and demonstrate a select group of products to the leaders in mom-focused online communications. The agency will demonstrate how the products work and present all key points: what makes the items unique, overall features and benefits, age range, retail availability and other information. Upon departure, guests will receive press kits and samples.

 

Online media relations is a major focus at Child’s Play Communications, which has marketed to moms for 20 years. The Bloggers Brunch builds on the success of the company’s current online outreach programs – Web Mom Directory™ and Team Mom™ – as well as its hit Child’s Play Media Luncheon.

 

The Bloggers Brunch will feature children’s products, products for moms, and general consumer products targeted to women.

For more information, please contact Child’s Play Communications president Stephanie Azzarone at (212) 488-2060 x 11 or sa@childsplaypr.com.

 

 

ABOUT CHILD’S PLAY COMMUNICATIONS

Child’s Play Communications is the leading agency specializing exclusively in public relations and marketing communications for products targeted to moms. Clients have included leaders in their fields such as Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Hasbro, National Geographic Kids Entertainment, CVS/pharmacy, Music World Entertainment, Parents magazine, Elmer’s, K’NEX, Sylvan Learning Center, Samsonite, Gund and Kidz Bop. Based in New York City, Child’s Play is celebrating its 20^th anniversary in 2008 by launching exciting new services to help clients target moms most effectively through traditional media, online and directly. When it’s important to reach this influential market, Child’s Play is the agency to call. 

NEW YORK, NY (June 6) – Child’s Play Communications, specialists in publicity and marketing communications for products targeted to moms, today announced that it has been named agency of record for TripFLIX, a travel video series for kids and families. Child’s Play will be responsible for generating awareness and excitement for the company’s debut DVD, which can be purchased on Amazon.com as well as through the company’s website, www.tripflix.com.

Created by media professionals Ilana and David Bittner, the first TripFLIX video is a fun-filled, interactive DVD that features 25 of the coolest kid-friendly places to travel across the United States. TripFLIX is designed not only to help families plan unique vacations, but to keep kids entertained en route – the 120-minute video features engaging teen hosts and is packed with trivia, interesting facts and blooper reels. The company is based in Columbia, MD. A second TripFLIX video is expected to go into production this summer.

“We are delighted to support TripFLIX as we head into the busy travel season,” said Stephanie Azzarone, president, Child’s Play Communications. “TripFLIX is a one-of-a-kind, must-have video for any family planning a vacation. It also exposes kids to many unique, educational and interesting destinations across the United States,” she said.

“We’re thrilled to be working with Child’s Play to help publicize TripFLIX to parents,” said TripFLIX co-founder Ilana Bittner. “Child’s Play Communications is a respected expert when it comes to reaching our target audience, they provide a desirable mix of traditional and online outreach, and most importantly, they deliver results.”

ABOUT CHILD’S PLAY COMMUNICATIONS
Child’s Play Communications is the leading agency specializing exclusively in public relations and marketing communications targeted to moms. Clients have included leaders in their fields such as Hasbro, CVS/pharmacy, Parents magazine, Sylvan Learning Center, KidzBop, Samsonite and Gund. Based in New York City, Child’s Play is celebrating its 20^th anniversary in 2008 by launching exciting new services to help clients target moms more effectively through traditional media, online and directly. When it’s important to reach this influential market, Child’s Play is the agency to call. For more information, visit www.childsplaypr.com.

ABOUT TRIPFLIX
TripFLIX is the creator of award-winning travel media designed to inspire and entertain kids. Founded by parents and media professionals Ilana and David Bittner, it was launched to help families make the most of their vacation travel. TripFLIX is based in Columbia, MD. For more information, visit www.tripflix.com.

 

Contact: Stephanie Azzarone, Child’s Play Communications, 212-488-2060 x11, sa@childsplaypr.com

– Proprietary Online, 1:1 Outreach Programs Mark Agency Milestone;

‘Mom Market’ Totals $2.1 Trillion –

March 18, New York City — Child’s Play Communications, the leading agency specializing exclusively in public relations and marketing communications for products targeted to moms, is celebrating its 20^th anniversary in 2008 by launching an extensive array of timely new services to reach this important market. Moms today are responsible for $2.1 trillion in annual spending.

Recognized for its successful outreach to top media for the past two decades, and more recently for its broader online and direct-to-mom capabilities, Child’s Play is introducing initiatives that will impact the purchasing decisions of today’s multi-tasking, all-demanding, time-crunched mom. Designed to reach contemporary moms where they live, the 2008 programs include:

• Team Mom.  Child’s Play’s very own network of mom bloggers, influencers who will share their opinions and product recommendations with a minimum of 500,000 other moms per month.
• Blogger Brunch. A special invitation-only gathering for the most important online media reaching the mom market.
• Mom Fests. Live events featuring product demonstrations and hands-on opportunities for targeted moms in major markets around the country.

The new features are in addition to current Child’s Play services, including:

• Web Mom Directory. An extensive online program currently reaching more than 10 million moms annually. 

• Insider Mom Network™.  This unique relationship with mom networking groups across the country permits product sampling and feedback opportunities.
• Child’s Play Media Luncheon. A major event for media that cover products for kids and moms.
• Child’s Play Holiday Media Tour. Highly successful morning talk-show segments devoted exclusively to Child’s Play clients and featuring a Child’s Play spokesperson.

In addition, Child’s Play will continue to offer its extensive media relations program that creates outstanding corporate positioning and product promotion opportunities among parenting, business and general print and broadcast media. This results in awareness and credibility – among mothers, retailers and the business community as a whole – that demonstrably leads to increased sales for the agency’s clients.

Marketing to Moms
Child’s Play founder and president, Stephanie Azzarone, a former journalist and public relations executive at top-10 agencies, launched Child’s Play when she became pregnant with her son, Evan. While reading everything she could find about how to be a mom and what to buy for her child, she realized that moms were a very large and increasingly important niche market that no agency was specifically addressing. “We were the first,” said Azzarone.

Today moms are responsible for 85% of all household spending, and companies recognized as leaders in their fields have chosen Child’s Play specifically to reach this important and influential mom market. The agency’s clients have included Hasbro, CVS/pharmacy, Music World Entertainment, Parents magazine, Elmer’s, K’NEX, Sylvan Learning Center, Samsonite, Gund and Kidz Bop, among many other well known brands.

Child’s Play has marketed a wide variety of goods and services to moms, including products for their children; products created specifically for moms and moms-to-be; and general consumer products for which moms make up a significant portion of the buying public. Categories represented include toys, books, TV shows, DVDs, music, baby care, Web sites, clothing, technology, education, foods and beverages, home furnishings,  health and travel, to name a few.

“It’s been an incredible two decades, both for Child’s Play and for marketing to moms,” said Azzarone. “Our target market has evolved from Baby Boomer moms to Gen X moms to the earliest round of Gen Y moms.” The most dramatic change in 20 years? “When we started, there was no Internet. Now, 32 million moms are online and 67%* are there researching products. It’s crucial for marketers to communicate in this space. Child’s Play has adapted its services to the changing media and the changing mom alike.”

As a result, “Today we enable our clients to communicate with moms in every possible way, to convey the messages that will motivate this audience to choose a specific product or service. We know what moms want and how to reach them. With 20 years of experience, we really are the experts when it comes to connecting clients with the mom market.”

ABOUT CHILD’S PLAY COMMUNICATIONS
Child’s Play Communications is the leading agency specializing exclusively in public relations and marketing communications for products targeted to moms. Clients have included leaders in their fields such as Hasbro, CVS/pharmacy, Music World Entertainment, Parents magazine, Elmer’s, K’NEX, Sylvan Learning Center, Samsonite, Gund and Kidz Bop. Based in New York City, Child’s Play is celebrating its 20^th anniversary in 2008 by launching exciting new services to help clients target moms most effectively through traditional media, online and directly. When it’s important to reach this influential market, Child’s Play is the agency to call.

*NPD Research

-30-

Contact:
Sara Levin/Sarah Fraser
Child’s Play Communications
212-488-2060
sl@childsplaypr.com/sf@childsplaypr.com

NEW YORK, NY - February 8 – Child’s Play Communications, specialists in publicity and marketing communications for products targeted to moms, today announced that Elmer’s Products, Inc. has joined the agency’s roster of clients. Child’s Play will be responsible for spreading the word about Elmer’s children’s arts & crafts and education divisions and for launching new products for Toy Fair and the holiday season.

Elmer’s Products, the number one brand for consumer adhesives, has become a major player in the children’s arts and crafts category through recent business acquisitions, the addition of creative, mom-friendly products and key licensing partnerships with companies including Disney, Warner Bros., Discovery and Nickelodeon. Elmer’s is based in Columbus, OH.

“We’re delighted to contribute to Elmer’s growth in the children’s category,” said Stephanie Azzarone, president, Child’s Play Communications. “For more than 60 years, Elmer’s has been famous for its adhesives. Child’s Play has the exciting opportunity to help it also become known for its children’s arts and crafts products.”

“Elmer’s is experiencing incredible growth in our children’s arts & crafts business through a major series of acquisitions, creative new products, and deals with some of the most popular kids’ properties, including Hannah Montana, High School Musical, Dora the Explorer and Bill Nye the science guy,” said Terri Brown, Elmer’s marketing services and communications manager. “Child’s Play Communications is a respected industry expert whose media savvy and innovative thinking gets results, and we are pleased to welcome them aboard.”

Contact:

Stephanie Azzarone, Child’s Play Communications
(212) 488-2060  sa@childsplaypr.com

ABOUT CHILD’S PLAY COMMUNICATIONS
Child’s Play Communications is the leading agency specializing exclusively in public relations and marketing communications targeted to moms. Clients have included leaders in their fields such as Hasbro, CVS/pharmacy, Parents magazine, Sylvan Learning Center, KidzBop, Samsonite and Gund. Based in New York City, Child’s Play is celebrating its 20^th anniversary in 2008 by launching exciting new services to help clients target moms more effectively through traditional media, online and directly. When it’s important to reach this influential market, Child’s Play is the agency to call.

ABOUT ELMER’S® PRODUCTS
Elmer’s^® Products, Inc., headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, has been a trusted brand and industry leader for over 60 years. Elmer’s produces a variety of well-known adhesives, arts and crafts, educational and office products for use at home, school or business. Elmer’s branded products are developed to provide project solutions and to fulfill the consumer’s inherent needs to create, build and learn.  Elmer’s also markets the number one instant adhesive in the U.S., Instant Krazy Glue^®, X-ACTO^®, a leader in innovative cutting blades, knives and office supply products, and Bienfang^® graphic art products. With recent acquisitions, Scientific Explorer^™, creator and distributor of science-based educational products for children, GiddyUp®, producer of licensed arts and crafts products for children, and ColorLoco®, maker of Blendy Pens, are now divisions of Elmer’s Products, Inc. For more information visit www.elmersbrands.com.

Amazing 7-Foot Dragon-Themed Working Roller Coaster Wins Annual Contest Sponsored by K’NEX, a Leading Made in U.S.A. Construction Toy Manufacturer

NEW YORK, NY December 6, 2007 - K’NEX Brands, one of the world’s leading
construction toy manufacturers and recipient of a 2008 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Lead Free Platinum Award, announced today the Grand Prize winner and nine finalists of its 2008 K’NEXpert Search. The contest, which asks kids to submit original designs made entirely out of K’NEX pieces, was won by 10-year-old Ian Culhane, who was awarded a $10,000 U.S. savings bond to use toward his college education for his creation, Belly of the Beast. Nine additional finalists each received a $1,000 U.S. savings bond.
“The K’NEXpert contest brings out the best and brightest K’NEX fans,” said K’NEX president Michael Araten. “I’m constantly amazed at the ingenuity of these awe-inspiring creations that seem to get more complex each year,” he said, noting that K’NEX in 2008 will introduce a K’NEXpert-inspired construction set.
Belly of the Beast, a seven-foot-tall working roller coaster with a jaw-dropping dragon-like creature attached to it, took center stage at the event, having been shipped all the way from Ian’s hometown of Olympia, Washington – with all 6,500 K’NEX pieces intact. 
Ian was honored along with nine finalists. They are: Ryan Deemter (Hudsonville, MI); Victor de Fontnouvelle (Wellesley, MA); Jack Felt (China Township, MI); Tim Gibson (Perkasie, PA); Kyle Hunt (El Cerrito, CA); Scott Landes (Lansdale, PA); Stephen Morawski (Sterling, MI); Brendan Parker (Livonia, MI); Christian Taylor (Wichita, KS).
                       
K’NEX is the world’s most innovative construction toy company. As the winner of more than 200 international awards and recognitions, K’NEX encourages youngsters to “imagine, build and play.” The K’NEXpert Search is an annual contest that asks kids to design an ultra-creative, original model made entirely from K’NEX parts.

 

About K’NEX Brands
Founded in 1992, K’NEX Brands was established to make and sell what has become one of the world’s leading integrated construction systems for children. Winner of over 200 international awards and recognitions, K’NEX seeks to build young minds with its exciting product line and critically acclaimed K’NEX Education program. For more information, please visit www.knex.com.

 

Contact:          Sara Levin/Van Scott
                        Child’s Play Communications
                        212.488.2060
                        sl@childsplaypr.com/vs@childsplaypr.com

 

Child’s Play Communications, specialists in publicity for products and services targeted to kids, tweens, teens–and their moms, is pleased to announce one new and one returning client.
Detroit-based Zen Design Group has selected Child’s Play to launch SEE Toys, an innovative line of environmentally friendly electronic toys. Instead of having batteries that have to be regularly replaced, SEE Toys all come with rechargeable batteries, which children themselves recharge through play, learning a valuable environmental lesson in the process.
“We’re very excited about working with our first “green” focused client,” commented Stephanie Azzarone, president of Child’s Play Communications. “We love the fact that SEE Toys not only contribute to the health of the environment but also help children to understand the importance of taking care of their world.”
Meredith Corporation, publisher of Parents magazine, has assigned the Parents licensed line of infant and toddler toys and other products to Child’s Play. This is the agency’s fourth year representing the toy category. In addition, this year Child’s Play will launch the Parents line of DVDs and CDs. Meredith is based in Des Moines, IA.
“We are always delighted to promote the Parents line,” commented Azzarone. “As the nation’s premier parenting publication, Parents puts its stamp on only the highest-quality products.”
About Child’s Play Communications

Child’s Play Communications specializes in public relations and marketing communications for products and services targeted to kids, tweens, teens – and their moms.  The agency is recognized for its expertise in reaching this market: Company representatives are frequent speakers at industry seminars on marketing to families and have been quoted often on the subject in media. Child’s Play also publishes Marketing Communications: Kids, an electronic newsletter. Child’s Play Communications builds brands, by heralding companies’ uniqueness and strengths to targeted audiences through media relations, events management, cause marketing and online visibility, as well as through a selection of mom-focused proprietary services.

 

Contact:

Stephanie Azzarone, Child’s Play Communications
(212) 488-2060, sa@childsplaypr.com

Contact:
Stephanie Azzarone, Child’s Play Communications
212-488-2060 x 11; sa@childsplaypr.com

 

 

NEW YORK, NY, August 22, 2007 – Sara Stern Levin, a former PR executive with 4Kids Entertainment and Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products, has been named Vice President of Child’s Play Communications.

 

Child’s Play specializes in public relations and marketing communications for products and services targeted to kids, tweens, teens – and their moms. In her new role, Levin will spearhead Child’s Play accounts including KIDZ BOP, K’NEX, Zen Design Group and Parents magazine and identify new business opportunities for the agency.

 

As Vice President of Communications at 4Kids, the licensing and merchandising agency for such kids’ classic properties as Cabbage Patch Kids and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Levin was charged with leveraging the company as a leader in the kids’ TV and merchandising businesses in both consumer and trade press as well as through the company’s corporate website.

 

As Communications Director at Nickelodeon, Levin specifically handled all public relations for Nickelodeon Enterprises, the ancillary business unit of Nickelodeon that included the consumer products, online, publishing and recreation divisions. Most recently, she devoted her expertise to handling communications for Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products, which expanded in recent years to a $6 billion retail business that included merchandising for nearly all of Viacom, Inc. including Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and Paramount Pictures.

 

Prior to Nickelodeon, Levin handled marketing and communications for New Line Cinema’s consumer products division and specifically developed PR programs for the Austin Powers movie franchise. She has also headed the U.S. merchandising and licensing department at BBC Worldwide Americas and served as a marketing manager at United Media Licensing. Levin began her career as a reporter for Advertising Age magazine, where she specialized in business stories about children’s marketing.
 
Sarah Fraser, who joined Child’s Play as Assistant Account Executive in June 2006, has been promoted to Account Executive. Sarah is responsible for clients including CVS/pharmacy, KIDZ BOP, Parents and Zen Design Group.

 

 

About Child’s Play Communications
Child’s Play Communications specializes in public relations and marketing communications for products and services targeted to kids, tweens, teens – and their moms.  The agency is recognized for its expertise in reaching this market: Company representatives are frequent speakers at industry seminars on marketing to families and have been quoted often on the subject in media. Child’s Play also publishes Marketing Communications: Kids, an electronic newsletter. Child’s Play Communications builds brands, by heralding companies’ uniqueness and strengths to targeted audiences through media relations, events management, cause marketing and online visibility, as well as through a selection of mom-focused proprietary services.