Introduction and new invention

[patrick]

Hi all,

I am new to toy invention. However, in the past I invented a fitness product and produced and aired an infomercial featuring Susan Anton. I have a new product for the youth market that involves getting fit through the martial arts way. The product is utterly unique and inexpensive to produce, although of an extremely high value as to usability, learning, and getting results.

The product is the result of having nearly 50 years in martial arts, beginning with my first teacher, Bruce Lee. The nature of the product is based on my professional product to be marketed through sporting goods stores, health clubs, martial arts schools, etc., and has to do with original lessons learned from Bruce, himself.

I have a patent pending, actual production models for youth and expert, concept packaging, drawings, etc. What I'm looking for now is the best way to proceed in contacting distributors, such as Jaxxs Pacific, Hasbro... My understanding is that in most cases it is necessary to work through a toy agent/broker. In truth, I prefer to present the product myself, since I would know how to better explain its values and educational properties to kids.

Would anyone have any op\pinions?

My thanks and appreciation in advance.

[Inventoy]

Hi Patrick and welcome to the forums.

You can approach Jakks Pacific directly via an invention submission enquiry form on their web site. Hasbro are slightly more tricky to get to see unless you have a proven record of existing toys. They do indeed recommend you contact them via an agent. Marra Design Associates and Seven Towns are a couple that springs to mind from the Hasbro “approved” agent/broker list. You may also like to try hy-pro here in the UK who manufacture more sport related outdoor toys as it sounds more like the area where you idea lies. I would say you are best off speaking to those slightly smaller companies in the first instance who will allow you to present the concept yourself. It sounds like you have a virtually shop ready product and with the Bruce Lee / martial arts elements I am sure you will gain interest from someone very soon. Have a look at our ‘inventor friendly’ list as a good starting point. Hopefully you will get a few pointers from others here on the forums too. Will Yuen of Elite Toys (OEM manufacturer of Sylvanian family characters for Flair) may also be able to offer some valuable advice.

I will be interested to see how you progress. I used to run a web site selling jianzi kicking shuttlethingys also known as da cau (Vietnamese variant) or Chinese kicking shuttlethingys. People have said to me in the past that these too can be good for practicing martial arts as the moves involve using the legs or body only.

Best of luck.

Inventoy

[patrick]

Hi Inventory,

I'm sorry, I have been so up to my ears in getting things ready for presentation on our product line that I have completely overlooked coming back to the forum. Just now had a chance to see your reply and I wish to thank you. We've progressed a lot and are now ready to contact toy companies, as well as companies for our professional models. We've made contact with JAKKS, and are presently waiting to present the product in person, as we have already sent to them video and artwork via email.