The Blockbuster Toy! How to Invent the Next Big Thing [Hardcover]

Gene Del Vecchio (Author), Roderick Fong (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2003

Outlines the essence of a blockbuster toy and the various recent approaches used by Crayola, Disney, and other companies in choosing their products.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"The Blockbuster Toy! is a great source for anyone who wants to understand how toys make their special impact on child development and the joys of childhood. It is also great reading for those of us who love the toy industry and are inspired by its past." --Craig Spitzer vice-president of marketing research Fisher-Price, Inc. Toys are a significant part of pop culture. They reflect us and in many ways help shape us. Americans alone spend over $30 billion each year on toys. Toy-advertising expenditures hover around $790 million annually. Every holiday season brings throngs of parents into the stores, looking for the must-have toy of the season, ignoring thousands of others that don't hold their interest. What separates those clamored-for toys from those left behind? What does it take to create a toy that will have a massive impact on the cultural landscape? The Blockbuster Toy! explores the birth of today's massive toy brands to better understand how and why they became record-breaking sellers. Designed to help toymakers "follow the smile," this book is part history, part how-to, and part child and parent psychology--a superb reference for anyone marketing their products to kids. It's also an insightful peek into the toy world for all those intrigued to know the secrets that impact everyday pop culture.

About the Author

Author Gene Del Vecchio is a longtime entertainment researcher, writer, and president of his own consulting firm in Valencia, California. He has helped entertainment giants create, develop, and market blockbuster entertainment for over 30 years. Gene is also the author of two fantasy novels for young adults, one of which received the Young Adult Choice Award by the International Reading Association. His clients over the years have included The Walt Disney Company, Paramount Pictures, Starz, PBS Kids Sprout, Mattel, and MGA Entertainment.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing; First Edition ~1st Printing edition (September 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589801229
• ISBN-13: 978-1589801226
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,139,724 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gene Del Vecchio is a longtime entertainment researcher, writer, and the president of his own consulting firm in Valencia, California. He has helped entertainment giants create, develop, and market blockbuster entertainment for over 30 years. He has researched and consulted on well over a hundred TV shows, films, and franchise-based product lines from toys to apparel.

He's the author of six books, the latest being Creating Blockbusters! which details key principles that lead to blockbuster success in films, TV shows and books. Gene is also the author of two fantasy novels for young adults; The Pearl of Anton which received a Starred Review in Booklist and The Sword of Anton which received the Young Adult Choice Award by the International Reading Association. His clients over the years have included The Walt Disney Company, Paramount Pictures, Starz, PBS Kids Sprout, Mattel, MGA Entertainment, Nestle, Kraft Foods, Procter & Gamble, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ FOR PLAYMAKERS, December 26, 2003

By 

Stevanne Auerbach "Dr. Toy" (San Francisco CA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Blockbuster Toy! How to Invent the Next Big Thing (Hardcover)

Gene Del Vecchio's new book, The Blockbuster Toy-How to Invent the Next Big Thing, provides penetrating insights and well- honed experiences. His awareness helps to clarify the puzzle of creating a successful product from many complex dimensions.
The book is well written. It provides the vantage point of history, popularity, culture and values to show "playmakers" what works, what does not, and why.This book is a must read, providing valuable guidance for every "playmaker" and everyone in the business-from inventors to manufacturers and sellers.
You will be able to compare the experiences you have had with the products discussed that can be measured against his sensible and practical guidance.Perhaps more "playmakers" will ponder the fact that many successful toys were created not for fame and fortune, but instead for the love and laughter of children-basic values that have been superseded by avaricious investors and the eager quest for the "hot toy." The many concrete examples present classic icons that surpass time and trends and remain perennially, "Evergreen." There is a lot of value in understanding the essential components that make for success and to use his principles for careful study.
Who knows what will become the next "Furby" or "Teddy." Meanwhile read this book to get inspiration,knowledge and the map and compass before you venture forth.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of THE BLOCKBUSTER TOY, December 5, 2003

By 

Arthur Shulman (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Blockbuster Toy! How to Invent the Next Big Thing (Hardcover)

GENE DEL VECCIO'S BOOK ON THE BLOCKBUSTER TOY IS EASY TO READ, HOLDS INTEREST, AND SUPPLIES A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, AS WELL AS A CONCEPTUAL PERSPECTIVE, OF TOYS PROBABLY NOT FOUND ANYWHERE ELSE. IT SHOULD BE OF INTEREST TO ANY MANUFACTURER OR MARKETER OF PRODUCTS FOR KIDS (NOT JUST TOYS), AND OTHER MARKETING PRACTITIONERS, FOR THAT MATTER.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, November 6, 2004

By 

Aussie Mum "Aussie Mum" (Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Blockbuster Toy! How to Invent the Next Big Thing (Hardcover)

As an up-and-coming successful toy inventor, I thought this book was excellent. I have read a few others, but I found that this one inspired the most ideas. Del Vecchio's matrixes are a great tool for idea generation (or the checking of your ideas). Buy it and read it.