Press Releases
17th May 2007
BTHA announces MAX-IT awards short list
The British Toy & Hobby Association today announces the very special people, products and campaigns that have been short listed for the prestigious annual MAX-IT Awards.
The MAX-IT Awards are organised by the BTHA and were introduced in 2005 to reward excellence in the UK hobby, game and toy industry.
“These awards are intended to focus attention on achievement and excellence in design, marketing and communications across the industry,” said Roland Earl, deputy director general, BTHA. “They recognise individuals and teams who have displayed outstanding innovation and excellence - whether in large or small operations. Quite properly, not only do they reward some of the talented personnel inside the business, but also aim to excite people from outside about the prospect of working in the field of hobbies, games and toys.”
This year, the short listed nominees for the nine award categories are:
1. Best new UK toy design:
- Doodle Doug – Vivid Imaginations
- Matchbox Pop Up Adventures – Evolve NPD
- Noddy Draw & Drive – Golden Bear
2. Best new non-UK
toy design
- Butterscotch – Hasbro
- L’ill Luvables Fluffy Factory – Spin Master
- RC Thomas Steam and Sound – Tomy
3. Best new UK game design
- Deal or No Deal – Drumond Park
- Battleship Torpedo Attack! – Hasbro
- Monopoly Here and Now Electronic – Hasbro
4. Best new non-UK game design
- Wii – Nintendo
- Tumba – Noel Donnegan/Luz Java (for Flair)
- Deal or No Deal Electronic – Irwin Toys (distributor Drumond Park)
5. Best new UK hobby design
- Paper FX Dream Weaver – Flair
- Art Attack Craft Chest – Creativity International
- Golden Coin Maker - John Adams
6. Best new non-UK hobby design
- K’Nex Vertical Vengeance – K’Nex
- Cella sticker and magnet maker – Tomy
- Floam – The In-Thing
- Puzzleball – Ravensburger
7. Best marketing or PR campaign (company turnover over £5 million)
- Dr Who – SO PR
- TMX Elmo – Mattel
- Bratz Diamondz – Norton & Co
- Paper FX Dream Weaver – Flair/Evolution PR
8. Best marketing or PR campaign (company turnover under £5 million)
- Five-a-day wallchart – Fiesta Crafts/Evolution PR
- Bedlam Puzzles – Bedlam Puzzles
- Golden Coin Maker – John Adams
9. Best promising new talent
- Kerry Browne – Mattel
- James Wing – Vivid Imaginations
- Louisa Nigro – Hasbro
There is also a tenth MAX-IT Award, the Critics’ Choice. With no entry criteria, this award allows the judges to make a special award for a hobby, toy or game product they simply were really impressed with and would like to see played with by people. Specific nominations were not possible for this unique category.
The winners are chosen by a panel of independent judges with a broad range of expertise and are to be announced on May 24 at the BTHA AGM and toy industry day in central London. Some tickets are still available – please contact the events office at the BTHA on 020 7701 7127.
For further information, please contact:
Charlotte Le Rougetel or Avril Donnelly at Bastion
T: 020 7421 7600
E: charlotte@bastion.co.uk