(City Tribune) — Dolls inspired by the blockbuster film “Barbie” have been nominated for Doll of the Year as part of the 2023 Toy of the Year Awards.
The Toy Foundation (TTF) announced the top 122 toys, games, and properties across 17 product categories Monday. The complete list of finalists is at ToyAwards.org.
Consumer can vote for their favorite toys through Sept. 8 to help determine the category winners.
Made by Mattel, the “Barbie” dolls include Disco Barbie, Gloria, President Barbie and Ken variations.
The “Barbie” doll franchise is also up for the License of the Year award.
The product finalists were selected by an independent panel of play experts, journalists, academics, retailers, and other toy experts, who narrowed down the pool from the hundreds of nominations submitted by top companies of all sizes.
The category winners, determined by votes from consumers, Toy Association members, retailers, and media, will be announced at the TOTY Awards on September 29 in New York City. As the kickoff to Toy Fair, the TOTY Awards are the biggest night of the year for toys, where the industry gathers to recognize innovation across every category of play. The night is also the ultimate fundraiser to support TTF’s work delivering the extraordinary benefits of play to children in need around the world.
The Toy of the Year and People’s Choice winners will be announced on Nov. 20, in time to create peak holiday shopping buzz. Voting for the People’s Choice Award, uniquely decided by online consumer votes will remain open through Nov. 10. The Toy of the Year will be determined by a panel of expert judges.
“This year’s TOTY Awards finalists are an unmatched lineup of toys, games, and professionals that represent the best of the best in the toy industry,” said Pamela Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation. “We look forward to celebrating all of the finalists at the industry’s biggest night of the year, plus advance the industry’s collective philanthropy for the benefit of children in need.”
TTF aims to be the uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry for the benefit of all children in need.
In 2022, the industry’s support helped TTF reach more than 925,000 children and all proceeds generated from the TOTY Awards will help TTF impact even more children through the distribution of toys through The Toy Bank, support of play therapy programs in children’s hospitals, and development of the next generation of diverse talent for the industry.
From press release