Playmates Toys
Playmates Toys Limited is a Hong Kongese toy company. The company was founded in Hong Kong in 1966 by Sam Chan as Playmates Industrial, manufacturing dolls for other companies.[1] In 1975, Playmates began marketing their own line of pre-school toys, and in 1977 opened an American subsidiary in Boston. Another subsidiary was founded in California in 1983, and in 1984 the company went public.[2]
Formerly | Playmates Industrial |
---|---|
Type | Public |
SEHK: 869 | |
Industry | Toy industry |
Founded | 1979 |
Founder | Sam Chan |
Headquarters | |
Key people | To Shu Sing (chairman) |
Website | playmatestoys.com |
The company's first big success was in 1986, with the marketing of an electronic baby doll named Cricket.[2] In 1989, the company marketed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures, which was a massive step forward for the company.[2]
Proprietary brands
- Amazing Dolls
- Amazing Pets
- Hearts For Hearts Girls
- Kinder-Garden Babies
- Nano Pets[3]
- R.E.V.s
- Waterbabies
- WOW Pals
- Yo Stick * R.E.V.s
- King Kong (2005-2020)
- Struts
- Ooglies
- Kuroba
- Tiny Toes
Playmates Interactive
Playmates Interactive Entertainment Inc. was founded was a subsidiary of Playmates Toys Holdings, also the parent company of Playmates Toys, in 1994, co-located with Playmates Toys' US branch in La Mirada, California.[4] In September 1996, Playmates Toys' US branch and Playmates Interactive relocated their headquarters, including 50 employees, to Costa Mesa, California.[4] At the same time, the company was joined by Gary Rosenfeld and Chris Archer as vice-president of business affairs and producer, respectively.[4] In August 1997, Playmates Interactive's president, Richard Sallis, resigned and was succeeded by Ron Welch.[5][6] Playmates Interactive was defunct by May 2000.[7]
References
- "History". Playmates Toys.
- Ward, Arthur (2020). Action Figures: From Action Man to Zelda. Crowood. ISBN 9781785006883.
- "Nano Babies Go Up Against Tamagotchi and Gigi Pets". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 97. Ziff Davis. August 1997. p. 26.
- Johnson, Greg (17 September 1996). "Playmates Toys to Move Offices to O.C." Los Angeles Times.
- Johnston, Chris (26 April 2000). "Konami, Playmates Appoint New Presidents". GameSpot.
- Johnson, Greg (8 August 1997). "President of Playmates Toys and Sister Company Resigns". Los Angeles Times.
- Nutt, Christian (2 May 2000). "Toshinden Subaru (Import) Review". GameSpot.