Unfortunately, Legal

My new Microsoft brand keyboard comes with a 60 page booklet. The entire booklet has been created to protect Microsoft from lawsuits in the event the keyboard malfunctions.

The keyboard cost $14.99 (+ 40¢ government electronics recycling fee).

The booklet, complete with "Terms and Conditions" doesn't explain the features of the keyboard, but I guess they're self-explanatory.

Working with some of the world's largest and most successful toy companies, we always had to concern ourselves with the ramifications of product malfunctions. Instead of creating a 60 page manual for a simple product, though, we tended to focus on making products that were genuinely safe and worked properly.

Just saying.

Somebody Lives in My Office

I recently stumbled upon a website called Toronto Standard that did a nice feature on the toy industry in Toronto. I'm fortunate to have worked with all the Toronto companies mentioned in the article, including Irwin Toy, whose old building is now called The Toy Factory Lofts. I wonder who lives in my third floor office.

If you'd like to know more about Toronto's thriving toy industry, read the pleasant and informative article here.

Toy Tuesday: Cereal Maker Learns from Toy Co.

Some of the best (and some of the worst) marketers I've worked with in the toy industry come from the world of consumer packaged goods.

Those who adapt to the faster pace and creative nature of the toy industry are often hugely successful. It's interesting and gratifying to read in February's Strategy Magazine that "Recent team trips to Spin Master Toys and Microsoft [from General Mills Canada marketers] have focused on building a culture of innovation and inspiring staff. Yes, big consumer packaged good companies can learn something from entrepreneurial toy companies. I have worked extensively with Spin Master and agree that their admirable culture of innovation is definitely something worthwhile for others to learn about.

I'm off to New York tomorrow for Kidscreen Summit and Toy Fair. Looking forward to reconnecting with industry colleagues and friends.