Toy Wars

Toy Wars PDF Author: G. Wayne Miller
Publisher: Crown Business
ISBN: 0307818802
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 456

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Book Description
This is the real toy story, an unprecedented behind-the-scenes journey through a world of influence, fantasy, and multimillion-dollar Hollywood deals, a world where the whims of children make millionaires and topple titans. This is also the story of an unusual man. Alan Hassenfeld, the chief executive officer of Hasbro, never intended to run a Fortune 500 company. A free spirit who dreamed of being a writer and exploring Asia, he was content to remain in the shadow of his older brother Stephen, a marketing genius who transformed a family firm established by immigrant Jews into powerhouse and Wall Street darling. Then tragedy struck. Stephen, and intensely private man, died of AIDS, a disease he had not acknowledged he had, even to his family. Alan Hassenfeld was named CEO, just as Hasbro was facing a daunting onslaught of challenges. Toy Wars is about Alan's struggle to balance the demands of the bottom line with his ideals about the kind of toys children deserve, as well as the ethical obligations of management. Wayne Miller, an award-winning journalist and novelist, was granted unprecedented access to Hasbro, the maker of G.I. Joe, Star Wars toys, Mr. Potato Head, Batman, Monopoly, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, and countless other favorites. For five years, he sat in on design sessions, marketing meetings, and focus groups, and interviewed employees in every part of the company. He witnessed a major corporate restructuring; crucial deal with Dreamworks SKG; a hostile takeover bid by archrival Mattel; the collapse of a $45 million virtual reality game; and the company makeover of G.I. Joe, Hasbro's flagship product and one of the most popular toys of all time. Toy Wars is filled with many colorful characters, including: Hollywood moguls Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, whose kid-friendly movies can translate into licensing gold for toymakers Mighty Morphin Power Rangers creator Haim Saban, who tapped into a popular Japanese TV series and made it a worldwide television and merchandising phenomenon Mattel CEO Jill Barad, the second-highest-paid woman in corporate America, who promotes and defends Barbie with the zeal of a religious crusader Hasbro executive Al Verrecchia, the loyal second in command who did not let friendship or tradition stand in the way of a dramatic restructuring Larry Bernstein, arguably the best toy salesman ever, a riotous raconteur whose divisional presidency crumbled when he was unable to meet Hasbro's profit goals Rich in family drama and written with sly wit, Toy Wars is a deeply compelling business story, a fascinating tour through a billion-dollar industry that exerts tremendous influence on the lives of children everywhere.

Toy Wars

Toy Wars PDF Author: G. Wayne Miller
Publisher: Crown Business
ISBN: 0307818802
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 456

Get Book

Book Description
This is the real toy story, an unprecedented behind-the-scenes journey through a world of influence, fantasy, and multimillion-dollar Hollywood deals, a world where the whims of children make millionaires and topple titans. This is also the story of an unusual man. Alan Hassenfeld, the chief executive officer of Hasbro, never intended to run a Fortune 500 company. A free spirit who dreamed of being a writer and exploring Asia, he was content to remain in the shadow of his older brother Stephen, a marketing genius who transformed a family firm established by immigrant Jews into powerhouse and Wall Street darling. Then tragedy struck. Stephen, and intensely private man, died of AIDS, a disease he had not acknowledged he had, even to his family. Alan Hassenfeld was named CEO, just as Hasbro was facing a daunting onslaught of challenges. Toy Wars is about Alan's struggle to balance the demands of the bottom line with his ideals about the kind of toys children deserve, as well as the ethical obligations of management. Wayne Miller, an award-winning journalist and novelist, was granted unprecedented access to Hasbro, the maker of G.I. Joe, Star Wars toys, Mr. Potato Head, Batman, Monopoly, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, and countless other favorites. For five years, he sat in on design sessions, marketing meetings, and focus groups, and interviewed employees in every part of the company. He witnessed a major corporate restructuring; crucial deal with Dreamworks SKG; a hostile takeover bid by archrival Mattel; the collapse of a $45 million virtual reality game; and the company makeover of G.I. Joe, Hasbro's flagship product and one of the most popular toys of all time. Toy Wars is filled with many colorful characters, including: Hollywood moguls Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, whose kid-friendly movies can translate into licensing gold for toymakers Mighty Morphin Power Rangers creator Haim Saban, who tapped into a popular Japanese TV series and made it a worldwide television and merchandising phenomenon Mattel CEO Jill Barad, the second-highest-paid woman in corporate America, who promotes and defends Barbie with the zeal of a religious crusader Hasbro executive Al Verrecchia, the loyal second in command who did not let friendship or tradition stand in the way of a dramatic restructuring Larry Bernstein, arguably the best toy salesman ever, a riotous raconteur whose divisional presidency crumbled when he was unable to meet Hasbro's profit goals Rich in family drama and written with sly wit, Toy Wars is a deeply compelling business story, a fascinating tour through a billion-dollar industry that exerts tremendous influence on the lives of children everywhere.

Toys Go to War

Toys Go to War PDF Author: Jack Matthews
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780929521954
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Filled with toys and propoganda that bring back memories of times past. Matthews offers a history of toys in WWII, plus chapters on the home front, punch and stock, box tops and dimes, scrapbook collectibles, plus a whole lot more. Dynamic war-era playthings for every toy collector and enthusiast. Includes a value guide.

Star Wars: the Vintage Collection Archive Edition

Star Wars: the Vintage Collection Archive Edition PDF Author: Rich Alot
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781734029000
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
A comprehensive guide to Hasbro Star Wars: The Vintage Collection 3.75-Inch Action Figures and Toys released between 2010 -2019.

Toy Wars

Toy Wars PDF Author: Thomas Gondolfi
Publisher: Tansaafl Press
ISBN: 9781938124051
Category : Toys
Languages : en
Pages : 230

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Book Description
Don wakes from a normal manufacturing process as a two-meter, sentient teddy bear sporting purple fur. He learns he is the result of a desperate gamble by an autonomous factory with hashed programming. To protect his home, his way of life, and his creator, Don must lead other killer toys across a harsh alien landscape to battle the native fauna of Rigel-3 and even his own kind. His discoveries change not only his view of the wars, but his own Human gods. In spite of these trials, Don's harshest test may be getting his own brethren to believe his adventures and the soul-churning changes needed to survive.

Funny Little Wars

Funny Little Wars PDF Author: Padre Paul Wright
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9780615959825
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 150

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Book Description
Author Paul Wright has written an "instant classic" already receiving wide praise from readers and hobby magazine editors. FLW both leads and follows the growing interest in 54mm (1:32) war games and figures. Written in part as a tribute to HG Wells' ground breaking "Little Wars," FLW is a much expanded and broadened modernization. There is a fascinating chapter devoted to Wells the Man and his journey with his "Little Wars" from inception to the day in 1916 when he put the game away for good. For Wells' fans, the author may surprise with information you did not know, or could even guess. Retaining many of Wells' original rules (spring-loaded toy cannon, etc), there are additional rules for Shell Bursts, machine guns, observation balloons and aircraft, field hospitals, supply wagons and dumps, spies, military bands, unit Colors and Standards, Brigade and Division Commands, hidden movement, skirmishers, snipers, signals, morale, variable effects of terrain and more. Infantry units are 20 figures strong, Cavalry 12, and Artillery can appear as single Guns with crews, or as Batteries up to three strong. From 2 to 4 such units typically form a Brigade, the perfect command for each Player. Two or more Brigades form a Division, allowing a Player to act as his side's C-in-C. Brigade and Divisional HQ's are represented by variable numbers of Staff and ADC's, marching on foot, mounted on prancing steeds, or even seated in Rolls Royce, Cadillac, Renault, or other grand Staff Cars from the Golden Age of Motoring. These HQ's send orders to the units on the firing line, and back to the Brigadiers and Generals, come reports from scouts--and desperate messages from the front delivered by Runners-- and even Pigeons! There is far less abstraction in "Funny Little Wars" on your lawn than on the traditional table top, yet games can be played there as well. Toy soldiers can range from antique and modern "Collectibles," to readily available plastics. There are detailed lists for 14 different Armies identified by their "Colors" ("Army Red," "Army Black," "Army Red/Gold," etc) with complete information to build your favorites. Each Army has unique strengths and weaknesses, and a personality suggesting its historical counterpart. FLW represents the years prior WW I, when war was still romantic, the uniforms were dashing, and the Generals still waltzed. The rules reflect the late Victorian/Edwardian spirit in both substance and his delightful writing style. Designed for "The Better Sort of Chap," the book contains suggestions for proper Dress during the game, etiquette on the field, and more. Nor are the Ladies and "Girls of the better sort" forgotten. The authors's Wife, Georgina, provides a charming account of a proper dinner served after an especially Gentlemanly game at Dover Castle during one golden Summer. The Basic Rules actually occupy only 10 pages, but the many Optional Rules allow players to set their own levels of play. There are lists of providers of toy soldiers in every price range, as well as accessories. Sections describe how to set up a yard, park, beach, etc, to be your Battlefield. Rules for basing figures are flexible, there are no complex rules, with only 6 sided dice and measuring tapes required--and a beautiful day under the shade of the trees. Childlike, but never "childish," FLW returns to the Hobby's roots as we play once more with toy soldiers as we did as kids. There are optional record sheets included, many color photos of toy soldiers at play throughout, and the author's wit, charm, unabashed love of toy soldiers. Read "Funny Little Wars" and relive a time when the world was young!

The Ultimate Guide to Vintage Star Wars Action Figures, 1977-1985

The Ultimate Guide to Vintage Star Wars Action Figures, 1977-1985 PDF Author: Mark Bellomo
Publisher: Krause Publications Incorporated
ISBN: 9781440240591
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 271

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Book Description
Showcases and details the rare, popular, forgotten, and beloved figures coveted by fans the world over.

Star Wars Toys

Star Wars Toys PDF Author: Geoffrey T. Carlton
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing
ISBN: 9780764341601
Category : Action figures (Toys)
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Assembled for the first time are all the Star Wars toys from that galaxy far, far away. This edition focuses solely on the toys, with the thorough text and exhaustive listings dedicated to the documentation and appraisal of generations of favorites from around the globe. Over 8,600 color photos, many not seen in any other publication, help to decipher finds from the common to the rare and exotic at local shops, online, and abroad. Covered here are toys ranging from action figures and their vehicles to weapon toys and yo-yos. Designed as an independent authority on Star Wars toys from 1977 to 2012, this book is a complimentary companion to the Star Wars Super Collector's Wish Book. For anyone with a passion for toys past and present or the epic Star Wars films, this book is a rare gem.

Star Wars: The Ultimate Action Figure Collection

Star Wars: The Ultimate Action Figure Collection PDF Author: Stephen J. Sansweet
Publisher: Chronicle Books
ISBN: 9781452111308
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Here at last is the complete and definitive collection of the more than 2,500 Star Wars® action figures produced over the last 35 years. Fans and collectors can finally trace the evolution of each character in toy form from the time of their first appearance through the designs of today, with pages of amazing and inventive variations crafted to tell the stories of Luke Skywalker, Darth Maul, and literally hundreds more. Compiled by Stephen J. Sansweet, owner of the world's largest private collection of Star Wars memorabilia, the book also showcases and details the rare, popular, forgotten, and beloved figures coveted by fans the world over, drawing figures from the feature film, video game, and cartoon realms of the vast Star Wars universe.

Anticipation

Anticipation PDF Author: Jonathan Bowen
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595347320
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 252

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Book Description
In 1999, the first new Star Wars movie in sixteen years came to theater screens worldwide. Leading up to the release of the film, the hype and media coverage reached epic proportions. The Phantom Menace graced every cover from Vanity Fair to Newsweek to Entertainment Weekly. Fans began camping in line for more than a month in Los Angeles just to be first to see the new film. Anticipation tells the real-life story of a movie that faced expectations unlike those of any other film in history, but had the advantage of years of anticipation and excitement from eager fans and the public. The Phantom Menace deserves a place in film history not only as the most anticipated film ever made, but also for its place as the first film presented to the public with digital projection technology, its status as one of the highest grossing films ever made, and the unbelievable devotion of thousands of fans who demonstrated the great meaning movies can have to people of all ages and social backgrounds.

The Star Wars Craft Book

The Star Wars Craft Book PDF Author: Bonnie Burton
Publisher: Titan Publishing Company
ISBN: 9780857686176
Category : Handicraft
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Chewbacca sock puppets. Jabba the Hutt body pillows. Hanukkah droidels. This guide offers a variety of fun and original projects to bring the many beloved elements of Star wars to life.