February 2008 Ty News

... "Talk 2 Ty" - What do you think? Got an Idea?
So what's hot? What's not? What do you think??? Now you can submit a suggestion / comment to Ty; there's a new link located on Ty's main page. You can also visit it by clicking on the link below:
Click here to visit Talk 2 Ty

... Ty Newsflash - Introducing ...
Today Ty (finally) announces the introduction of 'Love to Mom' and 'Motherly' (a Hallmark Gold Crown Exclusive) - both are Beanie Babies 2.0.
Click here to view the announcement

Note: Earlier this month, we posted photos (shared by John) of the 'Love to Mom' Beanie Baby, which can be viewed by clicking here.

... Ty Newsflash - Retirements
Today Ty announces the retirement of four Beanie Babies. Click on the links below to view the announcement.
Garfield; Sungoliath (Suntory Sungoliath Exclusive (Japan)
BAYSTARS, WINSTAR (Japan Exclusives)

... (Silent) Retirements
The following Ty products have (silently) retired, and are now listed in Ty's retirement lists:

Classics - Grizzles, Heartford (Walgreens), and Weensy
Pluffies - Leapers
Baby Ty - Cubby Cuddles, Pretty Pony (blue)

Note: Li Mei and SpongeBob Frankenstein Beanie Buddies are also now listed as 'retired'. Since they were both silent retirements, the actual date is unknown.

... Thanks to Daniel of Beanie Universe for sharing this news

... New 'Ask Ty' Q & A
A new 'Ask Ty' question and answer has been posted on Ty's website:
Q: Do you sometimes visit the dolphins at the Ty Warner Sea Park? (submitted by puppykins)
A: I haven't visited the Sea Center in awhile. I've been traveling extensively this winter, but I'm looking forward to spring and hoping I can take some time to visit soon !
Click here to visit 'Ask Ty'

... 'McLucky' and 'Luckier' - Photos (Comparisons)
The two St. Patrick's Day Beanie Babies 2.0 ... 'McLucky' and 'Luckier' are quite interesting when placed side by side. We've been anxious to see an actual photo showing the similarities; Sakurako of Japan (Bottega Beanies) shares some great photo comparisons for you to view.

'McLucky' Beanie Baby 2.0 (Ty Store Exclusive) ... introduced February 13, 2008 (current)
'Luckier' Beanie Baby 2.0 (retail) ... introduced January 2, 2008 (current)

... New SoftBank HAWKS 'White' Beanie Baby - Photos
Our thanks to Sakurako of Japan (Bottega Beanies) for sharing several photos of the new SoftBank HAWKS 'White' Beanie Baby. This Club HAWKS Exclusive Bear was introduced by Ty on February 14th.
... More information and additional photos can be viewed on her site.

The above photos are property of Sakurako. Do not use without prior written permission.

... New 'Ask Ty' Q & A
A new 'Ask Ty' question and answer has been posted on Ty's website:
Q: If you could have a puppy right now, which kind would you like? (submitted by puppykins)
A: Actually, I just got three new puppies . . . Rascal, Pico and Duchess !
Click here to visit 'Ask Ty'

... Product Listings on Ty's Website
When viewing the dropdown menu of the various products on Ty's website, you will now notice BB2.0 has a separate listing from the 'regular' Beanie Babies. The current list of Beanie Babies 2.0 can be viewed by clicking here.
... Thanks to Daniel of Beanie Universe for sharing this news

... Ty Store Exclusive 'Hutches' - Photos
Our special thanks to Marilyn for sharing photos of 'Hutches' Beanie Baby, the new BB2.0 Ty Store Exclusive introduced on February 8th. Included are photos of the front and back of this new Bunny, as well as the tissue paper that accompanied this Beanie.
Click here to view the photos

... New Ty Home Page
There's a new look on Ty's website, on the home page ... including a featured video and lots of fun on-line activities. Check it out at the following link:
Click here to visit Ty's website

Next Generation Of Beanie Babies(R) Joins Imaginative And Interactive Play
OAK BROOK, Ill., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ --

     Fifteen years after their original introduction, the next generation of Beanie Babies, Beanie Babies 2.0, have made their debut. These new Beanies have been created in conjunction with their own interactive virtual world and are designed to appeal to people of all ages. Beanie Babies 2.0, available now at Ty retailers worldwide, have a suggested retail price of $6.00 - $7.00.

    Beanie Babies 2.0 have all the great ingredients of their predecessors, but with a twist -- these Beanies have their very own interactive website. Just scratch off the secret code on their Ty heart tag and unlock a world of fun, games, chat, and more. Each new Beanie Baby 2.0 is adorned with a blue and gold lightning bolt button that tells you this Beanie is special. And like all Beanies -- these will retire (and it could be soon).

    Like Ty's recently introduced Ty Girlz, each BB 2.0 comes with an individual scratch-off secret code that unlocks this new virtual world. Here you can chat in different environments, play games for hours, go on a scavenger hunt, care for your virtual Beanie Baby, and much more in a forum that's both fun and safe for kids.

    "My intention was to take the original concept of Beanie Babies, superior quality, affordability and overall cuteness, and reintroduce it to a new generation of children," said Ty Warner, Chairman and CEO. "Kids
today are so intelligent and computer savvy, so pairing an interactive computer world with something cuddly seems like a natural fit."

Click here to read the Press Release

... Ty Newsflash - New Exclusive Beanie Baby
Today Ty introduces ... 'White SoftBank HAWKS' - "Exclusively for Club HAWKS" (Japan).
Click here to view the announcement

... BB2.0 Collectors Card
Thanks to John (the phoenix) for sharing the following:
Hi Deb, I don't know if this is of interest to you - I got this Collectors Card for the BB 2.0s and card advertisement from my retailer today ( they arrived with an order yesterday). I notice that the Collectors Card appears to have an error - it says "collecters". I haven't heard anything much about advertising in the States or elsewhere in the world, so don't know if this is generally available, or if there is a corrected version.
John
the phoenix

... Ty Newsflash - McLucky
Today Ty introduces a new St. Patrick's themed Beanie Baby 2.0 ... 'McLucky', a Ty Store Exclusive. Click on the link below to view the announcement.

Birthdate: March 17, 2008
Poem:
Rabbit's feet and clovers, too
Might bring some good luck to you
But personally, I disagree
The luckiest charm you'll find is me !

... New York Toy Fair - Starts Soon
The American International 'Toy Fair 08' begins a week from today (February 17-20) in New York. And Ty is expected to be present again this year ... Booth 721. The American International Toy Fair® is the largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere. More than 1,500 manufacturers, distributors, importers and sales agents from 30 countries showcase their toy and entertainment products.
Click on the link below for more about the Show

Speaking of toys ....There's an interesting "Toy Timeline" you may want to check out as well, found on the toyassociation.org website. Did you know roller skates were invented in 1759? And before that? ... playing cards were begun to be used in Asia in the year 969? Check it out if you get a chance, it's worth the read.
Click here to view

... 'Love to Mom' Beanie Baby
John (the phoenix) shares photos of the new (currently unannounced) Mother's Day Beanie Baby ... 'Love To Mom'. It is a BB2.0 Bear, and a beautiful lilac color with pink roses embroidered on it's chest. You can click on the link below to view additional photos.
... Thanks for sharing, John

... Ty Newsflash - New BB2.0 Ty Store Exclusive
Today Ty introduces a new Ty Store Exclusive - 'Hutches' - a cute brown bunny and an addition to the BB2.0 family.

Click here to view the announcement on Ty's website

Birthday: March 23, 2008
Poem:
Each year when winter turns to spring
It's time to do my favorite thing
I hide some eggs and hand out treats
Like trinkets, toys and mostly sweets !

Karen also shares the following with Ms. Janie:
The Ty Retailer in Guam that was selling the I love Guam beanies, is the ABC Store. Once their headquarters in Hawaii learned how hot these were selling, they decided to sell them directly out of their website, ABCstores.com According to the source in Guam, they will no longer be shipping from Guam and are unsure if they will be receiving any more shipments there, since headquarters have taken over. The Guam store have told all USA people who were buying from them, to go to the website and they'll ship from Hawaii.
http://www.abcstores.com/index.htm
Love: Karen

... I (Love) Guam vs I (Love) Hawaii Beanie Babies - Comparison
Are you curious to see a comparison of the 'I Love Guam' Bear and the 'I Love Hawaii' Bear? Dan can help you out and shares the following:

... Update - 'Love To Mom' Bear
John (the phoenix) shares the following update on the 'Love To Mom' Beanie Baby (see February 5th news below):

Hi Deb, A little more information for you......

The "Love to Mom" bear is the new face style, lilac in colour, and has three pink roses embroidered on its chest. It carries a ribbon with the words "Happy Mother's Day" and the ribbon has a pattern of small hearts as well. It is a BB 2.0 bear, and can be glimpsed in animated form already in the leaked Youtube video we saw earlier, along with the Hallmark "Motherly" as well! There is no embroidery of the word "Mom" on the bear, which means that it can have general appeal in all countries that celebrate the occasion. (It does however have "Mom" on the tags, so it's a case of one style fits all this year).
Cheers,
John

... New Beanie Baby - 'McLucky'
A post on the Ty Cyberboard (by the Sloth) mentions a new Beanie (bear) named McLucky. The post reads:

NEW Beanie 2.0 named McLucky !!
Sloth It Up (Feb 07, 2008, 01:22 PM)
Message Id: 1177417
Sloth It Up writes:

If you go to the Forest games you can see a third game was added... it's for a new bear named McLucky. From the cartoon image, it looks like a wool bear with a green shamrock on its chest.
the Sloth~

Click here to view the post

... Doodle's note: With the recent release of the BB2 'Luckier', perhaps it's an upcoming new Ty Store Exclusive? We shall see :)

... New 'Ask Ty' Q & A
A new 'Ask Ty' question and answer has been posted on Ty's website:
Q: If you could have worked for anyone in history, who would you choose? (submitted by 9377527)
A: I think I'd have to choose someone creative, so maybe William Shakespeare ! I could help him with his sonnets *wink*.
Click here to visit 'Ask Ty'

... Beanies Help Win Hearts, Minds
By Samantha L. Quigley, American Forces Press Service
Feb 6, 2008 - 8:32:42 PM
WASHINGTON, D.C. - An organization led by a U.S. Army officer is helping children in Iraq and Afghanistan know the joy that Beanie Baby toys bring to so many American kids. "Beanies for Baghdad" began in 2003 while its president, Lt. Col. James Barker, was serving in Iraq. "During our ‘walkabouts' in the community, there were children (with) no toys of their own," Barker said. On one of these missions, Barker encountered Sara, a young Iraqi girl with whom he tried to talk. She remained hesitant until Barker remembered the small stuffed bear named Courage that his sister had sent him. He pulled it from his pocket and presented it to the little girl, whose reaction to the gift inspired Barker to do more. "When we got back from the mission that afternoon, I sent an e-mail to a Web site for Beanie Baby enthusiasts (asking) them to send Beanie Babies to me so that we could hand them out to Iraqi children," Barker said. "Within the first four or five days, there were about 2,000 Beanie Babies on their way to me for distribution." ....
Click here to read the article

... New Mother's Day Bear - 'Love To Mom' BB2.0
John (the phoenix) from the UK writes:

Hi Deb, A bit of news for you! The Mother's Day bear for 2008 - "LOVE TO MOM" BB 2.0 - is now available for release in the UK this week! Mother's Day here falls on March 2nd - very early this year - so the new bear, which is a new face style, is now available to Ty UK retailers, who can order for shipping by the end of the week. There will be no country variation available this year, but the bear is definitely part of the BB 2.0 range and has just arrived in the UK!
More details as I have them!
John
the phoenix

Super Bowl XLII - New England Patriots vs NY Giants
(Super Bowl Champions NY Giants: 17-14)

... 2008 Spring Fair Birmingham, England - Report & Photos
The 2008 NEC Spring Fair in Birmingham, England starts today (February 3-7, 2008). John (the phoenix) attended the Show, and shares his report along with various photos.
... Thanks for sharing your report, John. I'm sure it was a fun and exciting adventure!

Click here to view John's 2008 Spring Fair report & photos


White (extra) tag (front) with ST (Safety.Toy) mark seal	White (extra) tag (back) with caution seal	White tag (front) SoftBank HAWKS logo