Jeremy Padawer of Jakks Pacific recaps the Toy Fair 2006!

Jeremy Padawer the VP of Entertainment Marketing at Jakks Pacific provided a recap of the 2006 Toy Fair on his blog....

Here is a brief summary of today’s announcements from New York Toy Fair:

Over 70 media participants braved blizzard, white-out conditions to come to the Jakks NY headquarters in the famed Toy Building.  Today was the second biggest blizzard in terms of single day accumulation in the history of New York City.  I believe in some parts of the city 24′’ were measured… or at least this is what the doorman told me.  Who knows!?  I grew up in the south and have lived in CA for the last 6 years, so it seemed like the apocalypse.

I announced Droz, Al Snow and Slick have joined the Classic Superstars Jakks WWE figure lineup!  This represents the 18th, 19th and 20th announcements for new CS figures released in 2006… our most aggressive roll out year ever.

Bobby Heenan kept the crowd of 70 in stitches, as the reeled off stories of Andre, Studd, Hogan and Bundy, along with what seemed like a one-liner per minute.  Heenan is one of the most entertaining, engaging people I’ve ever had the opportunity to meet.  I know that all at New York Toy Fair shared this feeling. 

We then distributed gift bags that included two 1:100 action figures: The first was the famed Bobby Heenan weasel suit.  The second was Jimmy Hart with megaphone in his signature black suit.  Images of these figures should be available on the net at some point.  Will some brave soul open their figures for display?

As many of you know, Bobby Heenan has been battling throat cancer for the last 4 years.  Thankfully, he is in remission and has held off the cancer beast.  This morning we met in the lobby of our hotel at 8:00AM.  It was literally impossible to see across the street with the buckets of snow falling.  Rather than ditching the event, Bobby walked several blocks with me to the icy subway stairs.  He beared the snow, the ice and the cold in order to make this event… and through it all, he was absolutely hilarious and optimistic.  Bobby and I ate dinner at the Roxy deli this evening.  Between the one-liners, he reflected that he was sincerely touched by the turnout.

I have to say, Heenan is not just a brain… he’s got a big heart.