LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading international toy and consumer products company, ZURU, is pleased to announce two of their new innovations are finalists for the Toy Association’s annual Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY), which recognizes the best and most ground-breaking toys in the industry. The X-Shot Flying Bug Attack is a contender in the ‘Outdoor Toy of the Year’ Category and Rainbocorns in the ‘Plush Toy of the Year’ Category. Finalists in each category also compete for the coveted overall ‘Toy of the Year’ Award.
“We’re thrilled to be nominated for two TOTY awards this year for two brand new innovations that we’ve brought to market,” said Nick Mowbray, Co-Founder and CEO, ZURU. “It’s fabulous to see the team’s hard work and creative thinking recognized by industry leaders.”
Rainbocorns is a new line of adorable collectible plush that has performed exceptionally at retail and is the most tracked item this holiday on Tracker.com. The innovative plush are hatched from mystery eggs to reveal multiple layers of surprises. The whimsical toys combine some of the year’s hottest trends in toys, including surprise unboxing, unicorns, and reversible sequins. This is the first time ZURU has a product nominated in the Plush Category.
The X-Shot Flying Bug Attack is the latest addition to ZURU’s X-Shot successful dart blaster range, which is expected to grow globally by 66% in 2018 year over year. The innovative Flying Bug Attack takes the action to the next level with a motorized launcher, real moving bug targets and an exclusive new rapid fire blaster. No stranger to the category, ZURU’s Bunch O Balloons innovative water balloons won the Outdoor Toy of the Year Award for two consecutive years.
Known as the “Oscars” of the toy industry, competition for the TOTY award is fierce with this year's finalists selected from over 550 nominees submitted by more than 200 companies of all sizes. The judges, including toy and play experts, retailers, academics, and journalists, review and rank the products in specific categories. Consumer voting is also part of the judging system.
The winners will be announced at the dazzling TOTY Awards gala to be held on Friday, February 15, 2019 in New York City. The celebration will help kick-off the 116th North American International Toy Fair. For more information and to vote for TOTYs, visit ToyAwards.org.
About ZURU
ZURU is a disruptive and award-winning company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets innovative toys. Inspired by kids and imaginative play, ZURU is one of the fastest growing toy companies and is known for their agility, creativity and new-age manufacturing techniques. The company employs more than 400 staff, has 10 offices and supplies most major retailers in 120+ countries. ZURU has delighted millions of families all over the world through partnerships with entertainment properties, including Nickelodeon, Disney, Universal Studios and DreamWorks as well as successfully building their own global brands such as Bunch O Balloons™, ZURU Fidget™, 5 Surprise™, X-Shot™, Robo Alive™, Micro Boats™ and Smashers™. Let’s reimagine play, everyday!
Visit us at www.zuru.com, Like us on Facebook @ZURUToysCompany, or Follow us on Twitter @ZURUToys.