PLUSH TOY CASE STUDY # 5 – Hit a Home Run

Little League Baseball is an international organization that is on a mission to develop, supervise, and encourage the participation of youth in the games of baseball and softball.  Their program assist communities improve qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork, and physical well-being in its players and volunteers.  The words Character, Courage, and Loyalty are branded on every baseball uniform and in the hearts and minds of some of baseball’s biggest fans. 

There are lots of non-profit organizations today with important missions but let’s face it there is no shortage of good causes.  Little League Baseball decided in the early 1980’s they needed to improve the connection with fans new and old.  They drew on deep of relationships with the world’s best brand experts.  Disney was selected because its founder, Walt Disney, had served on the Little League Foundation board of trustees for nine years.

  Dugout is the official mascot of Little League baseball was created by artists at Disney Consumer Products, who considered him a cross between a gopher and a beaver. Dugout was introduced by Disney’s Sport Goofy at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in 1985.  Every year since introduction, the antics of the Little League’s lovable mascot has brought smiles and laughter to a generation of Little League players and spectators, on and off the field, as well as on television. 

Whether or not you are a baseball fan or not I think you will agree that for the last 50 years baseball is synonymous American culture.  I can remember growing up and thinking there is something special about friends cheering as you hit the ball or parents bringing the team snack after the game.  It’s funny how we grow up, experiencing something special; however, not really knowing how special it is to you turn-over a printed tag on a toy 30 years later.

“I trust in God.  I love my country and will respect its laws.  I will play fair and strive to win.  But win or lose I will always do my best.” – Little League Pledge.

I am confident that growing an organization and raising a family with the mission of “Building Character” is all part of a journey started on the Little League fields.  Like many who play the game, most will not make it to the World Series.  Rest assured the lessons learned, memories created, and lives touched will be no less valuable.  Building an entertaining character is only the beginning of value creation.    

PLUSH TOY CASE STUDY # 4 - Technology Industry

Get the Signal from Groundspeak

Groundspeak is the pioneer in the geocaching industry.  Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online.  Over the last 15 years this privately held Company has expanded from 3 founders to 70 full-time explorers obsessed with building a worldwide community of adventure seekers.  Their passion for interactive outdoor technology has planted more than 2,000,000 trackable gps treasures, they are explored in 185 countries, and have more than 6,000,0000 customers worldwide.  

In addition to blazing the trail in the hi-tech outdoor technology they provide us some very valuable lessons in brand creation.  First, they have an incredible story that is fun and easy to tell in less than 1 min and 37 seconds (See video).  Their story and company create a unique community that is an easily identifiable; yet has unending mission.  Like any organization of people once they join they are continually looking for ways to connect personally, maintain uniqueness, and simplify their message.  Early on in the brand development at Groundspeak they decided a frog with and antenna to receive a signal would be a perfect way to represent their brand.  Launching Signal the Frog® has manifested a frenzy of supplies that are sold to a community with his character likeness printed on them.  Check out their retail shopping website to see how Signal has become the brand stamp on everything from bowling shirts to water bottles.

  

Signal the Frog® has become as important a character icon to Groundspeak as Mickey Mouse is to Disney Corporation.  Developing a brand character is extremely valuable to organizations that have complex, unknown, and unique attributes.  Human nature allows our minds to simplify content and to think in terms of images.  A frog symbolizes nature.  Young children have been known to chase frogs.  Antenna’s on cars or radios are known for receiving signals.  Let’s face it, Signal the Frog ™ is a lot easier to way to introduce the term and sport geocaching than explaining cache’s, global positioning satellites, and trackable technology. 

 

Developing a character brand icon like Signal the Frog™ is the best way to introduce people to your brand in a fun and memorable way.  When your character is accepted by your community it will also create an additional profit center for your organization.   When you create a brand character that is in demand from your community, you are one of the few organizations that have a measureable value on your brand and ROI.  (Return On Investment)                

Promo Product Secret Weapon # 2

Learn how plush toys are sold to corporate advertisers.  

See a $1,000+ plush toy order idea every Monday and Thursday directly to your Twitter feed.  

All you need to do is Follow US Artistic Toy’s Twitter page.   

Plush Toy Case Study # 3 - Insurance Company

Earning Center Stage - Dream Big

     MetLife Insurance Company has skillfully created a brand identity that has international acceptance.  The greatest advertising minds of our time looked intensely into the hearts and minds of MetLife’s clients and employees and found the Peanuts family.  There are not many people in the world who do not know Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, Sallie, Peppermint Patty, or Linus.   The focus of MetLife’s advertising is on getting you to associate them with the infamous Snoopy.  Snoopy simplifies their messaging and has become their brand’s character. 

     When I reflect back on my 40 relationship with Snoopy, I realize that I loved him before I really knew him.  When I grew to know him, I loved him even more.  Wow!!! Would you love to work with or for a Company that had that kind of impact on people?  If you are not sure you love Snoopy, view the trailer for the new Peanuts movie DREAM BIG due in theatres November 6, 2015. 

     It is no surprise that MetLife uses a plush toy version of Snoopy to help communicate their brand story.  You may have received a miniature 5” Snoopy Dog with blue MetLife T-shirt at a conference or upon meeting with an insurance salesperson.  Even if you are not in the market for insurance or in the mood to speak with an insurance salesperson most people will make the time to check out the latest MetLife Snoopy costume looks like on the Snoopy plush toy. 

     A common question many corporate advertisers or small businesses want to know is how we can order Snoopy to give away at our next corporate event.  Unfortunately, for most business owners the licensing and royalty costs required outweigh the benefits.  Since Peanuts is a household brand it makes sense for companies like MetLife, Joe Boxer, Cannon, and Danskin, to invest in associating with a character that hasn’t let anyone down since the 1950’s.    

     While many businesses will never hit the “Center Stage” like MetLife and Snoopy, we can still learn valuable advertising lessons from them.  Audiences respond very well to familiar items and the stories associated with them.  So while you may not be able to use Peanut’s Snoopy in your advertising, you have access to dogs and stuffed animals that people relate to and love to collect in their homes.  In order to transform your dog into a Character for your brand, you must give him a unique purpose, a relatable flaw, unique traits, and find ways to tell his story.  So DREAM BIG like Peanuts creator and your corporation may end up making a large 12” Center Stage Snoopy Plush Toy to recognize well deserved employees around the globe.   

Promo Product Secret Weapon # 1

Learn how and where plush toys are sold to corporate advertisers.   

See a $1,000+ plush toy order idea every Monday and Thursday directly to your Facebook feed.  All you need to do is LIKE Artistic Toy’s Facebook page.  You will also receive opportunities to join our private case study email group, receive product safety information, and more about presenting plush toys to clients.    

COMING SOON: Character Marketing Catalog

Our first edition Character Marketing catalog will be published FALL 2015. This catalog will include some of the most successful case histories for using custom made plush toys within corporate advertising.

Preview below and order a copy of this limited distribution catalog today.

 

PLUSH TOY CASE STUDY #2: Snack Food Industry

Beef Jerky makes a mysterious return to prime time snacking fun! 

        Jack Link's Beef Jerky took building its brand around a character very seriously when the well-known Carmichael Lynch advertising agency recommended adopting the Sasquatch character as part of its marketing campaign over 10 years ago.  The Sasquatch appears in many television commercials and YouTube videos.

     Carmichael Lynch created an award winning ad campaign based on taunting a Big Foot.  Beef Jerky snack lovers are adventure seekers 18 - 49 years old.  They are high energy socially confident people who enjoy snacking as much as hiking, watching sporting events, and living in college dorm rooms together.  The ads have become a hit on the Internet with an almost cult-like following of people who post messages to Sasquatch and make homemade Sasquatch videos. 

        In 2008, Jack Link's reported sales have jumped 47 percent in a snack category that rose 12 percent overall, according to ACNielsen.  Jack Link succeeds in developing a memorable brand with a character.   

     With this much success you might think Jack Links must buy millions of plush toy Sasquatch's to promote their brand.   While showering the market with millions of plush toys works well for brands like Metlife and AFLAC, Jack Links decided to create a collectible plush toys that is only given out to its growing base on-line fans.  Jack Links decided a limited distribution of 2,500 pcs of a 12" Sasquatch would be perfect for a thank you mailer to the fans who helped them receive more than 4 million YouTube video views.   Jack Links has lots of opportunities to expand the distribution of its plush toy Sasquatch; however, for now they are happy creating more memorable brand experiences with high quality, high perceived value, and limited distribution Sasquatches for their biggest fans.        

         

PINK Plush Toy Catalog

Check out more than 50 styles 

of the cutest

 Pink Plush toys in the world!  

Click Here for Digital Flip Catalog 

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2016 PPAI AWARD SUBMISSION: Messin with Sasquatch

Mascot/Character or Persona Product

Artistic Toy took on the challenge of Messin with Sasquatch for Jack Links.  Over the last 10 years several manufacturers have tried create a plush toy that personifies the infamous Jack Links Sasquatch.  

This series of photos shows progression of character development for custom plush toy.

1. Client Provided Photo  

2.   Artistic Toy U.S. Custom Toy Prototype (Version 1)

3,  First Factory Counter sample in shorter fabric.

4. Improving the fabric color, testing a different style fabric, and start setting up the t-shirt with imprint.

5. Client wants different style fabric used on top of head versus bottom of chin.

6. Client wants China fabric to be darker on the bottom of the chin.

7.  Clients send us old Sasquatch they had to match fabric color, style, and length.

8. The matching and fabric ordering process takes  place.

9. The mouth and head shape are finalized in the correct fabric.

10. Client wants to test smaller size and different fabrics on top and bottom of head.

11.  The final approved pre-production sample!

2015 Holiday Plush Toy Catalog

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PLUSH TOY CASE STUDY #1: Healthcare Industry

   
    A hospital group decided building a brand character would be a good way to embed the hospital name and core messaging.  They developed a character named Reege.  Reege got his name from Regions Hospital.  Reege is a friendly guy that often encounters difficult life situations.  Reege has big "Goose Egg" on his head as visual reminder of the troubles he has faced in his life.

    Reege first took life in the form of a walk around mascot. He has been seen playing the piano in the hospital lobby.  Sometimes he goes for a walk in the mall.  Reege has his own Facebook page and lots of fans.  Reege's famous tag line is,  "Ouch....Take Me To Regions Hospital!"

   This character became so popular the hospital group cloned him in the form of 5,000 pcs custom plus toy with a sound chip.   Reege has helped spread the hospital's message of healthy living and better decision making at community events for many years.

    All healthcare providers want to remind people to make better decisions for their life. This can be done easily with friendly soft teddy bear gifts for new patients, supper soft pillow surgery gifts, or completely custom character that becomes a spokesman for your organization.

NEW PRODUCT RELEASE: Direct Embroidery or Print Bears

Remove the stuffing from our new line plush toys.

It allows direct embroidery and printing.

No minimums on blank product and 24 pcs. minimum on decorated product.

Inspiring the Use of Plush Toys In Advertising!

Custom Plush Toys / + 2,000 In Stock Styles / Safety Tested Guaranteed
 

www.artistictoy.com 

"Follow us" on:                        for inspiring plush toy promotions. 

  1405 S. Albert Street, Allentown, PA  18103  / 484-788-0888 / info@artistictoy.com

Artistic Toy Honored with PPAI Supplier Achievement Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jim Socci

jsocci@artistictoy.com

484-788-0888 

ARTISTIC TOY HONORED FOR EXCELLENCE

IN PRODUCT INNOVATION AND DESIGN

Allentown, PA, February 2, 2015 – Artistic Toy Manufacturing, Inc., won the Gold Level in the 2015 Suppliers Achievement Award Competition sponsored by Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). Fifty-five Gold and Silver winners were recognized at the PPAI Awards Presentation & Reception held January 13, 2015 at the House of Blues in conjunction with The PPAI Expo in Las Vegas.

Winners of PPAI Suppliers Achievement Award are honored for their superiority in craftsmanship, graphic arts, creativity, innovation and service. These winners were selected by a panel of industry professionals along with independent, print, marketing and advertising professionals.

"PPAI is pleased to recognize Artistic Toy with the distinguished Suppliers Achievement Award,” said Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO at PPAI. "Through its leadership and commitment to superior service, creativity, craftsmanship and innovation, Artistic Toy is leading our industry with a broad offering of products and decorating solutions that deliver impactful promotional messaging in the most powerful way.”

Artistic Toy was presented a Gold Level for the 2015 PPAI Suppliers Achievement Award in the category of Character Mascot Development. For more information about the PPAI awards program visit www.ppai.org/awards or contact the PPAI Awards and Recognition department at awards@ppai.org.

About Artistic Toy

Artistic Toy designs, decorates, and manufacturers stuffed toys used for corporate advertising.  Unlike other toy companies they only sell through a network of independent distributors and promotional consultants. They sew and stitch stuffed toy prototypes in the U.S. that go on to be mass produced in overseas factories.  They also warehouse and decorate thousands of different styles of stuffed animals that are delivered in a matter of days. For more information visit www.artistictoy.com and find them on Twitter @artistictoy, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.

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