Kahootz Toys Explained

Industry:Toy Company
Founded:2012
Founder:Doug Cass
Colleen Loughman
Joe Yassay
Brent Oeschger
Defunct:2019
Fate:Acquired by PlayMonster

Kahootz Toys was a toy company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, best known for the relaunch of the classic toy Spirograph. Kahootz was founded in 2012 and acquired by PlayMonster in 2019.

History

Kahootz founded in January 2012 by Doug Cass, Colleen Loughman, Joe Yassay, and Brent Oeschger[1] after their previous company, Giddy Up, was sold. Kahootz' initial product offerings were Spirograph and Pomz.[2] In a 2013 interview,[3] Cass stated that they brought back the Spirograph because they saw an opportunity for success in the nostalgia market and felt that it would do well. The first shipment of Spirograph arrived just before Christmas in 2012.

The Spirograph (along with Kahootz' Lite-Brite) was exhibited at the 2013 Sweet Suite 13[4] show in Chicago, Illinois and the 2014 American International Toy Fair in New York City, New York.[5] Since then, Kahootz Toys has expanded and released numerous new products and lines.

In 2019 Kahootz launched Y'Art™, a brand of craft kits that allows consumers to color-by-number with yarn. The craft kits were debuted at Toy Fair of the same year and led to the puppy kit winning the ASTRA Best Toys for Kids award in the Arts & Crafts: 7+ category.[6]

Kahootz was acquired by PlayMonster in November 2019.[7]

Brands

Awards

AwardYearProduct
ASTRA Best Toys for Kids2019Y'Art™ Craft Kit - Puppy[8]
The Toy Insider Top Holiday Toys2016Spirograph Jr., Spirograph Shapes, Fashion Plates Superstar[9]
The Toy Insider Top Spring and Summer Toys2016Fashion Plates Superstar[10]
Cool Mom Picks Editor's Best2015Action Plates[11]
ASTRA Best Toys for Kids2015Fashion Plates Deluxe Kit[12]
The Toy Insider Top Holiday Toys2015Spirograph My Little Pony Design Set[13] [14]
EdPlay The Fabulous Award Runner-Up2015Original Spirograph Deluxe Set[15]
Toy Industry Association Toy of the Year Finalist2014Original Spirograph Deluxe Set[16]
ASTRA Best Toys for Kids2013Original Spirograph Deluxe Set[17]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Classic toy Spirograph makes a comeback thanks to Ann Arbor-based company . Freed. Ben. 2012-12-23. The Ann Arbor News. 2014-07-31.
  2. Web site: Kahootz Toys Is Hard At Play. 2013-01-09. Concentrate Media. Dunn. Patrick. 2014-07-31.
  3. Web site: Five Questions with Doug Cass, Co-Founder of Kahootz. 2013-05-01. The Big Toy Book. 2014-07-31. https://web.archive.org/web/20140808042943/http://www.thebigtoybook.com/sweet-suite-2/five-questions-with-doug-cass-co-founder-of-kahootz/. 2014-08-08. dead.
  4. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-big-toy-book-sweet-suite-event-2013-tickets-6770004265 The Big Toy Book Sweet Suite Event 2013
  5. Web site: Toy Fair 2014: Lite-Brite and other vintage toys stage a comeback. Kuperinsky. Amy. The Star-Ledger. 2014-02-18. 2014-07-31.
  6. Web site: 2019 Winners - Best Toys for Kids. besttoys.astratoy.org. en. 2019-06-14.
  7. Web site: ricky . 2019-11-15 . PlayMonster acquires Kahootz Toys . 2024-05-06 . Toy World Magazine The business magazine with a passion for toys . en-GB.
  8. Web site: 2019 Winners - Best Toys for Kids. besttoys.astratoy.org. en. 2019-06-14.
  9. Web site: The Toy Insider Unveils the Hottest Toys for Holiday 2016 with Hot 20, Top Tech 12 and STEM 10 Lists. Insider. The Toy. www.prnewswire.com. en. 2017-06-14.
  10. News: Best Summer Toys Of 2016 - Toy Reviews - The Toy Insider. The Toy Insider. 2017-06-14. en-US.
  11. News: The best kids' toys + playful gifts of 2015 CoolMomPicks. 2015-12-29. Cool Mom Picks. 2017-06-14. en-US.
  12. Web site: ASTRA Names 2015 Best Toys for Kids Winners Gifts & Dec. www.giftsanddec.com. 2017-06-14.
  13. News: Toy Reviews - 2015 Holiday Gift Guide - Toy Insider. The Toy Insider. 2017-06-14. en-US.
  14. News: Experience the Magic of My Little Pony Spirograph - The Toy Insider. 2015-12-19. The Toy Insider. 2017-06-14. en-US.
  15. News: Fabulous Awards 2015 - edplay. edplay. 2017-06-14. en-US.
  16. Web site: Toy Industry Unveils Nominees for 2014 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. Association. Toy Industry. www.prnewswire.com. en. 2017-06-14.
  17. Web site: ASTRA Announces Best Toys for Kids 2013. ASTRA. www.prnewswire.com. en. 2017-06-14.

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