| PlayMonster Group LLC | |
| Type: | Private |
| Foundation: | (as Patch Products) (as PlayMonster) |
| Founders: | Fran Patch Bryce Patch |
| Location: | Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Products: | Criminal Minds UNknown SUBject Drone Home Farkle Five Crowns Koosh ball Loopdedoo Loopdeloom Quiddler Set (card game) Spirograph Animator The Magical World of Disney Trivia The Original Magnatab Utter Nonsense! Windward Wooly Willy Yeti in My Spaghetti 5 Second Rule |
| Industry: | International toy, game, craft, and activity company |
| Brands: | Ann Williams Colorforms Craft-tastic Craft-tastic Nature Craft Crush Fashion Plates Glo Friends Koosh Latchkits My Fairy Garden Snap Ships Spirograph Take 'N Play Anywhere The Original Magnatab Waterfuls Weeble 5 Second Rule |
| Owner: | Adams Street Partners and H.I.G. Capital |
| Homepage: | PlayMonster |
PlayMonster (formerly, Patch Products) is a manufacturer and marketer of family entertainment products that specializes in games, children's puzzles, toys, activities, and teaching tools. In February 2016, Patch changed its company name to PlayMonster.[1]
Brothers Fran and Bryce Patch opened a commercial printing company, producing games and related items for other companies. They printed Trivial Pursuit game boards and Cabbage Patch Kids sticker books, among other products.
Fran and Bryce Patch began their own toy and game company: Patch Products.[2] The company started a line of PuzzlePatch tray puzzles for preschoolers, which are still in production; the company produced its 100 millionth puzzle in 2008. The American Toy Institute, Great American Toy Contest, National Association for Gifted Children, Nick Jr. Magazine and Toy Tips have recognized the puzzles for helping educate children.[3]
The company obtained the license for TriBond, its first board game, which was inducted into Games Magazine's Hall of Fame.[4]
Patch followed the success of TriBond with two other board games, Blurt! and MadGab. The company sold the brand rights to these games to Mattel in 2004.[5]
In 2008, Patch Products acquired Smethport Specialty Co., the maker of Lauri Toys and specialty products, adding educational items to Patch's lineup, including Tall-Stackers pegging and crepe rubber puzzles, along with the Wooly Willy magnetic personality.[6]
Patch Products secured the rights to create a fresh version of the popular Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? board game based on the TV show hosted by Jeff Foxworthy.[7]
Patch Products introduced 5 Second Rule. 5 Second Rule would go on to be played on The Ellen Show for over six years. Patch Products also developed a nostalgic line called Treasured Toys, which included bringing back favorites Yakity-Yak Teeth, Shark Attack, and Bed Bugs.[8] [9]
5 Second Rule was a finalist for Game of the Year TOTY Award.[10]
Patch Products was honored with a Wisconsin Family Business of the Year Award. The Work Hard—Play Hard Award was given to Patch to recognize the company's emphasis on family fun to promote togetherness.[11]
Patch Products, was the distributor of the Perplexus 3D maze game to independent toy and gift stores.[12] It also became the new manufacturer and distributor of the well-known The Game of THINGS...[13] Patch debuted its new collectible soft doll line Planet Sock Monkey which adds attitude and style to the classic sock monkey: each doll features a its own name, personality, clothing, and accessories.[14]
Patch Products was acquired by the private equity firm Topspin Partners.[15] Shortly after, Patch Products grew with the acquisition of Onaroo, previously owned by American Innovative, LLC. This brand allowed Patch Products to expand into a new, complementary category of children's room décor.[16]
In February, Patch Products changed its name to PlayMonster. The new name better reflected the company’s values and commitment to providing play for all ages.
PlayMonster had multiple TOTY Award finalists, and won Game of the Year with their kids game Yeti in My Spaghetti.[17] PlayMonster also acquired Tinkineer and its Marbleocity line (laser-cut STEM kits).[18]
Topspin sold PlayMonster to Audax Private Equity.[19] PlayMonster also acquired the UK-based toy company Interplay UK Ltd.[20]
PlayMonster acquired Set Enterprises.[21] PlayMonster also acquired Kahootz Toys.[22] Patriot Capital became an investor in PlayMonster at this time.[23]
Interplay, acquired in 2016, rebranded to PlayMonster.[24] PlayMonster also acquired Ann Williams Group, a Michigan-based manufacturer of craft and activity kits for kids and adults.[25] Additionally, PlayMonster partnered with Dude Perfect to relaunch the Koosh brand, licensed by Hasbro, in time for the 35th anniversary of Koosh.[26]
PlayMonster promoted Tim Kilpin to CEO and gained investments from private market firms Adams Street Partners and H.I.G Capital. PlayMonster also relaunched Glo Friends, licensed by Hasbro. PlayMonster's take on the Glo Friends line introduces products featuring elements of Social–Emotional Learning.[27]
Tim Kilpin transitioned to the newly created role of Executive Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors. Sitting President, Steve Adolph, was appointed Chief Executive Officer.[28]
PlayMonster has won awards from Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, Dr. Toy, The National Parenting Center, iParenting Media Awards, Parents' Choice, and Toy Tips. Award-winning games include: What's Yours Like?, 5 Second Rule, Buzzword, Know It or Blow It, Malarky, Don't Rock the Boat, Big Little Games Flingin' Frogs, Toss Up!, Swap!, Roll-It Tic-Tac-Toe, Giant Spoons, 100 Wacky Things, Word Shout, Farkle Frenzy, and Tales to Play
From September through December every year, PlayMonster sponsors the Million Minute Family Challenge, a grass-roots effort to promote interaction and communication among family and friends through playing board games. The goal is to encourage at least one thousand families, groups, or organizations in each of the fifty states to play a board game together for twenty minutes, or a cumulative million minutes.