PlaymoFriends

General => News => Topic started by: JLMatterer on March 18, 2021, 14:36:19

Title: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: JLMatterer on March 18, 2021, 14:36:19

(https://i.imgur.com/yKsUhK6.png) (https://www.toynews-online.biz/2021/03/18/no-kiddin-around-why-playmobil-is-taking-the-adult-fan-market-seriously-this-year-and-beyond/amp/?fbclid=IwAR206zvnf4n_lVinqDS7m_Ih4LWc2zT0N94ZaErak0dD6Lzwzzhse2S0nX4)

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: Macruran on March 19, 2021, 00:37:22

lol I wish they were taking the adult collector market seriously

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: tahra on March 19, 2021, 07:28:56

Quote from: Macruran on March 19, 2021, 00:37:22

lol I wish they were taking the adult collector market seriously

Agree. Kidult. SERIOUSLY?

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: GrahamB on March 19, 2021, 08:59:58

What an anodyne interview! Adam Moore gave very uninspiring answers to most of the questions. No figures. The only references to future releases were to stuff that's already in the catalogue (understandable I suppose). No acknowledgement of the large number of adults who love and collect PM and have done so long before the recent License themes. It's like this is a new phenomenum, hence that atrocious neologism 'kidult.' Because the media now have a derogatory label with which to ridicule such neotenous adults, there is suddenly a whole new area of behaviour to explore.

But maybe I'm a bit embarrassed about being so obsessed with Playmobil?

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: tahra on March 19, 2021, 09:44:43

(I admit I had to look up a couple of those words  :-[ )

Quote from: GrahamB on March 19, 2021, 08:59:58

No acknowledgement of the large number of adults who love and collect PM and have done so long before the recent License themes.

This. So much THIS. Adult playmobil collectors collect.. PLAYMOBIL.  :o  Such a .... outlandish concept!! :omg: BTTF adult collectors collect... BTTF. Yes, you may (and do) catch some BTTF collectors with BTTF playmo sets. But those are NOT adult playmobil collectors. That's us. The ones they discarded like garbage, but I don't think he remembers that... or maybe doesn't even know? Since playmbil clearly has that problem - completely disconnected within itself.

Quote from: GrahamB on March 19, 2021, 08:59:58

But maybe I'm a bit embarrassed about being so obsessed with Playmobil?

That... I never was.

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: Redmao on March 19, 2021, 10:06:46

Quote from: GrahamB on March 19, 2021, 08:59:58

But maybe I'm a bit embarrassed about being so obsessed with Playmobil?

Be loud, be proud!

I'm glad that they are exploring licenses that we grew up with. I mean, as a kid I used the yellow car without its roof along a white klicky to play Miami Vice.
I wish that they would have revealed something beyond what we already know. They hinted at something, but the interviewer didn't push on. This is why we need Toy Fair, reveals beyond what we've seen in the catalog.

Not a fan of the word kidult. Sounds like something a marketing "genius" came up with during in a meeting. Collectors sound so boring, let's make up a brand new hip word...

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: tahra on March 19, 2021, 10:45:53

Well.. there's those two teasers, that we all assume to be A-Team and some James Bond car... 

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: GrahamB on March 19, 2021, 11:40:07

Quote from: tahra on March 19, 2021, 09:44:43

(I admit I had to look up a couple of those words  :-[ )

My apologies, I swallowed a dictionary when I was a child!

Quote from: tahra on March 19, 2021, 09:44:43

...BTTF adult collectors collect... BTTF. Yes, you may (and do) catch some BTTF collectors with BTTF playmo sets.

I wonder about how many hard-core collectors there are of toys/ figures from particular themes.
Star Wars, yes. Lord of the Rings / Hobbit, yes. Harry Potter, yes.
But Scooby Doo, A-team, Ghostbusters, etc? I'm not so sure. These were 'big' for maybe a couple of years back then and remembered by many people sure, but how many people actively collect toys for those themes now? I wonder if part of the market is made up of partners or friends of people who remember those films/TV series with fondness; they buy one of the toys to give as a birthday or Christmas present. I know I have had quite a few non-PM gifts like this (a plush toy Moomintroll, Bayko, a clockwork metal train set; all things I enjoyed as a child and my DLW (dear lady wife) has given me because I mentioned them), but they are "nostalgia items" not "collectibles."

I don't know. I guess research into online fan groups would reveal how many people are fans of these themes. Perhaps Playmobil did such research. Or perhaps they are picking up scraps of newly available licences after Lego has had their pick.

Quote from: Redmao on March 19, 2021, 10:06:46

Be loud, be proud!

Being called a kidult doesn't fill me with confidence to be loud or proud!

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: tahra on March 19, 2021, 13:38:56

Quote from: GrahamB on March 19, 2021, 11:40:07

My apologies, I swallowed a dictionary when I was a child!

:lmao:  Oh, no, that's positive ;)

Quote from: GrahamB on March 19, 2021, 11:40:07

I wonder about how many hard-core collectors there are of toys/ figures from particular themes.
Star Wars, yes. Lord of the Rings / Hobbit, yes. Harry Potter, yes.
But Scooby Doo, A-team, Ghostbusters, etc?

No idea about Scooby, Ghostbusters, YES. I believe BTTF too - ages and ages ago I remember I won a playmoitem from the UK and the seller collected BTTF...

A-Team, not sure.... I would LOVE to have them, and that thief van was in the buy list for it... actually, it was the first thing both me and my sister saw in the scooby van. I hope it IS the A-Team coming. And that they do proper klickys. Unlike the speedo mess they did with Scooby. But if they mess up the A-Team... well.. those I WILL fix.


Collectors... for example an ancient show like Galactica (the REAL one) = LOADS!! I forbid myself from looking for Galactica on ebay and such.. because... well.. 

Oh, and Star Trek too - though I am not included in those! :P


But we are PLAYMOcollectors. I don't give a darn about ghostbusters, or Scooby, or BTTF (as collecting them, movies are ok), or Star Trek - however... make that PLAYMOsomething... I'm in. I am so easy  ::)  :-[

Quote from: GrahamB on March 19, 2021, 11:40:07

I don't know. I guess research into online fan groups would reveal how many people are fans of these themes. Perhaps Playmobil did such research. Or perhaps they are picking up scraps of newly available licences after Lego has had their pick.

Yes, the choices are... odd. Though apparently they were ON with Ghostbusters and BTTF. Like you, for me it was lame 30 years ago (was it 30?)...  The ony one that makes true sense to me is HTTYD... And Heidi.  But apparently the Spirit one is on too.. Last time I was at the Funpark I crossed a herd of girls coming in, and they were screeching "Spiriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit"  - I had never heard of the thing (besides the movie with the Bryan Adams song, I think? IF it's the same Spirit!) before playmobil had it.  Like "advent calendars", I suppose ;D

Quote from: GrahamB on March 19, 2021, 11:40:07

Being called a kidult doesn't fill me with confidence to be loud or proud!

No, not that. But everyone knows I am a playmocollector.. hight school, college, work... I mean, I DO take my playmoshirts (and the playmomask :( ) to work...  :D

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: Macruran on March 20, 2021, 01:37:40

Thought I'd split this topic out as I think it's an interesting one.

Quote from: GrahamB on March 19, 2021, 08:59:58

that atrocious neologism 'kidult'

Agree - I much prefer the term 'chilownup'  ;D

Seriously though, there are two phenomena here: one is the modern trend of people in postindustrial societies not growing up the way prior generations did. Staying home, not getting married, not having children, indulging in games and so on...this is a real thing with many causes, and it's not clear it's a good thing. The other phenomenon though is the preservation of the childlike sense of play and imagination into one's adulthood. Personally I think this is very good and very healthy. For us it's little plastic toys, for others its goldfish or paper airplanes or something - the important thing is to keep this ability to approach things freshly, with wonder and joy, at least from time to time in our adult lives that can be tedious on occasion.

Like all things this can be taken too far and become a permanent escape from one's life and responsibilities, but in prudent doses I think keeping that little inward child alive is an essential part of being fully adult.

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: GrahamB on March 20, 2021, 10:34:38

Quote from: Macruran on March 20, 2021, 01:37:40

Thought I'd split this topic out as I think it's an interesting one.

Good call!

I think there is at least one other factor at play and that is disposable income. The standard of living of many people is such that they have 'spare money' which they can use to indulge hobbies and especially nostalgia. This influences the type and cost of gifts bought too, as I said earlier. Some people seem to feel their status amongst fellow enthusiasts is shown by how much they have to spend on the hobby.

For example, when I go birdwatching (a hobby I started as a child, a hobby which can be enjoyed with a minimum of equipment), I sometimes meet other 'birders' (don't call us twitchers!) who seem more interested in the equipment I am carrying (binoculars, camera equipment) than the birds. There is a lot of equipment available now which one can buy to improve the birdwatching experience, but if you don't ever see interesting birds or birds doing interesting things (spending too much time in the camera shop, stopping for frequent rests due to the weight of equipment you are toting, focusing on the next guy's equipment instead of the birds, worrying about keeping your expensive binoculars dry so you never take off the lens caps, etc), what's the point? And don't get me started on Hide* Etiquette (talking loudly, waving arms out of the window, taking up space with massive tripods, thumping about, banging the door, wonder why all the birds are so far off?). Or people who have all the gear but got no idea- can't identify even fairly common birds 'in the field' so take photos and post them on birding forums to get an identification.
*Hides (aka blinds) are those shed-like buildings birders like to lurk in to spy on birds!
Ornithological rant over. 8}

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: Hadoque on March 20, 2021, 10:52:49

'Kidults'... Maybe they could have added we come together in 'Ridicults' to play with one another´s toys and always go home before 8 p.m.

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: Ismene on March 20, 2021, 11:15:19

"kidult"    That's a no. Nope, nope.

PM may be making a half-hearted attempt at pulling in adult buyers with its outdated franchises and brand name vehicles, but they don't seem to have much strategy.

I wonder how much of the "increase" in toy collecting is because we're not counting model trains and boats as toys. My grandfather's (older) cousin dedicated his entire basement to a model train setup. There is a pop culture aspect to 21st century toy collecting, but the principle isn't new.

Re: disposable income
As a millennial, toys are an affordable alternative to house/wedding/children/therapy (and other things I can't afford, but boomers insist I need). It's not so much that I have extra money; it's more that my expectations in life have significantly decreased since college.  :lol: :'(

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: Tiermann on March 20, 2021, 15:27:19

Considering how much turnover Playmobil has had in upper management the last few years, I have difficulty believing they can stick to any strategy for very long. The resl underlying issue here is that kids these days have moved a big chunk of play to devices pretty early, cutting out years of pretend play with object toys like Playmobil. The company is trying to find new markets. What I think they should be doing is going after the modeling diorama type market.  Look at the big Pkaymo shows they have in Europe, and the fact CircusOliver has multiple diorama museum shows going on in Germany all the time. One of the huge advantages Playmo has is that they have a fully developed in scale world that can be used creatively. If they had used the PCC correctly they would have been having diorama and image contests and promoting them widely with booklets of the best photos by fans packaged in all set boxes to encourage people who are interested to increase the size  of their own worlds with more sets. You see it in kids who come to shows and want to go home and make their own. Also, why doesn't Playmobil have a pop up shop they take to shows with the latest sets and maybe some early release sets there? If they had a few August release sets at a June show they would sell out to the diorama makers if not to the public. But as Tahra says, the company doesn't seem to want to make money by making it easier to buy their product or use their existing market to its full advantage.

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: Macruran on March 21, 2021, 21:05:52

Quote from: GrahamB on March 20, 2021, 10:34:38

Ornithological rant over. 8}

Sounds like you've had run-ins with the people who are known as "birdults"  ;D

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: Hadoque on March 21, 2021, 22:53:15

Quote from: Macruran on March 21, 2021, 21:05:52

the people who are known as "birdults"  ;D

The most famous one is Arnult Schwaenenecker.

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: tahra on March 22, 2021, 07:21:51

I suppose you are right about the constant top changes - it is hard to have ANY strategy like that... Like series done by different people with different ideas, who did NOT watch the show... the only possible result is.. well.. kindergarten language... but you know.

Quote from: Tiermann on March 20, 2021, 15:27:19

If they had used the PCC correctly (...)

Don't forget it was a decision to keep the pcc under wraps. Except us die hard connected collectors, nobody knew about it.

Quote from: Tiermann on March 20, 2021, 15:27:19

But as Tahra says, the company doesn't seem to want to make money by making it easier to buy their product or use their existing market to its full advantage.

Well.. fact, right?  I don't know why, but...

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: AgeOwns on March 22, 2021, 15:23:36

Can I rant for a moment!
I'm sorry to be that guy, but this is the time and place for me to say it.

I went to Toy Fair (US) back in 2001, and then consecutively for about 13 years.

The first time I got an appointment to tour the Playmobil booth, for coverage for my toy blog, they really didn't know what to do with me. The press (especially the new "collector press" and blogs) did not visit playmobil. They'd get general interest news "Hey look we're at Toy Fair" that may do a fly by, but nothing in depth.

For several years playmobil was always my first appt at Toy Fair. I got to know their folks pretty well, but I was the only real media person (well "real" is up for debate, I was a blogger) that would come by and photograph every single toy. Girls stuff too (bleh)

Then other blogs started visiting them too, and it became harder for me to get the best time slots. I was like "I told you (bloggers) to go visit the playmobil booth and you laughed. I invited you to come along on my appt, and you shrugged it off. Now you're blocking me out". However, playmobil recognized I had been doing it for years, and many years was the only press, so they got me in after all.

I remember when they got their first licensed property (NHL hockey) and they had no idea how to handle the press, so they just would not book an appointment for me. I went by and talked to them, they knew I had been doing it for 10 years, but upper mgt was so worried I'd leak a photo of their hockey player. Finally at the end of the week I was allowed to shoot the booth, because someone else had leaked it. (some buyer, not press)

SO, haha, sorry. That was long winded. But yeah! I was there when it wasn't cool. I constantly would give suggestions like "oh the collectors would love XYZ". of course the PR rep at the AMERICAN toy Fair would not be able to send ideas up the chain. Everything came from Germany and down, one way street. Ah well.

Again, sorry. I agree "Kidult" is repulsive. I'm glad they're able to "keep the lights on" by selling licensed stuff. The BTTF and Ghostbusters stuff is amazing.

Rant over.

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: tahra on March 22, 2021, 20:30:40

Interesting  - thank you for sharing...

However:

Quote from: AgeOwns on March 22, 2021, 15:23:36

Girls stuff too (bleh)

 ::)

IMPORTANT: How To Tell If A Toy Is For Boys Or Girls In One Easy Step (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-tell-if-a-toy-is-for-boys-or-girls_n_4372629) (huffpost link), VERY IMPORTANT.

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: Indianna on March 22, 2021, 21:41:01

Quote from: tahra on March 22, 2021, 20:30:40

IMPORTANT: How To Tell If A Toy Is For Boys Or Girls In One Easy Step (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-tell-if-a-toy-is-for-boys-or-girls_n_4372629) (huffpost link), VERY IMPORTANT.

 :clap: Thank you, tahra, I love that chart!! 

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: tahra on March 22, 2021, 22:21:59

Quote from: Indianna on March 22, 2021, 21:41:01

:clap: Thank you, tahra, I love that chart!!

Me too. It's PERFECT.

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: Macruran on March 24, 2021, 02:22:24

Quote from: AgeOwns on March 22, 2021, 15:23:36

The first time I got an appointment to tour the Playmobil booth, for coverage for my toy blog, they really didn't know what to do with me.

Sounds like this "out of touchness" (I bet there's a great German word for that!) goes back a long way at PM, and is probably part of their "company culture". Kind of makes me like them more actually - how many companies do you know of that aren't trying to squeeze every last  :2c: out of as many people as possible?

Quote

Girls stuff too (bleh)

 :**:

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: AgeOwns on March 24, 2021, 05:21:23

Haha, agreed.
They really weren't trying to do it just for the money. (Or that's how it seemed) I was glad that they stuck to what was just a good toy, regardless of marketing trends. However, apparently, that doesn't keep the lights on. I had some real issues at first with them starting licensed lines. It went against everything Playmobil's philosophy stood for. Give kids a toy with no stories, and they'll instantly invent their own. Case in point, my favorite playset is the Colosseum. You're literally buying an empty circle. But you put up a fence, gates, stands for an audience, and then kick in some lions, some gladiators, and a chariot and you instantly have stories and adventures.

But then the Ghostbusters came out. The entire set is beautiful. You can tell the designers love Ghostbusters. All the little details were fantastic, and the design was still firmly from the Playmobil style book.
And then Back to the Future started coming out, and its fantastic as well.

I applauded their attempts with Super 4 and the Playmobil movie. They had a great premise, you start out with a story and some characters, but they constantly visit existing playmobil lands and themes. So if you get just the Super 4 flying car, they can visit your existing pirate or knights or fantasy toys. You could buy up old sets on eBay. But... alas, it was just too apparent of a commercial and the kids(and parents) didnt take to it.

So, if they're doing well, better even, by introducing licensed stuff. That's ok with me. I just hope it doesn't go the LEGO route where 90% of their stuff is licensed and the innovation and heart doesn't get a chance to make it to the shelves.

Here is the earliest gallery I could find on my Flickr, from 2011 Toy Fair. https://flic.kr/s/aHsjtz3FHv. BONUS: This was the year they introduced the
FI?URES - Series 1. I was super excited.

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: GrahamB on March 24, 2021, 08:13:21

Great pictures, Andy. That was a good year.

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: tahra on March 24, 2021, 09:02:30

Yes, great pics :love:

What DID you whisper to that top agent?  ???   :P

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: AgeOwns on March 24, 2021, 15:16:12

I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. haha

I believe I said something like "that Top Agents secret mountain base will be mine... oh yes"

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: tahra on March 24, 2021, 15:27:25

Quote from: AgeOwns on March 24, 2021, 15:16:12

I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. haha

I believe I said something like "that Top Agents secret mountain base will be mine... oh yes"

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: Joshua D on March 26, 2021, 06:42:26

Being mainly interested in historical themes, I haven’t bought much of the licensed stuff. I did get the BTTF advent calendar for the telephone pole which will go perfect alongside my steaming mary train. Just need like 11 more of them  :D the figures were great too of course. I ended up swapping parts with my old klickies to make new random 50’s era people. I would like to see sets for BTTF 3. I could easily incorporate that into my western collection.

 Also, the Dana Barrett figure made a perfect Roman/Greek citizen. There isn’t a whole lot that I’m buying this year, one or two mystery figures and that stargazer set. The Novelmore Zeppelin has potential but I don’t care for the look of the figures or sets. I do like the steampunk element of it though. I guess I’m a very selective kidult   :P

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: Macruran on March 27, 2021, 22:35:48

Quote from: AgeOwns on March 24, 2021, 05:21:23

Here is the earliest gallery I could find on my Flickr, from 2011 Toy Fair. https://flic.kr/s/aHsjtz3FHv. BONUS: This was the year they introduced the
FI?URES - Series 1. I was super excited.

Although the Agents theme doesn't appeal to me, I felt compelled to get that Robot Laboratory set when it was on sale one month. Never opened it. I think I like it because it reminds me of the Star Wars Droid Factory set, which I either had or wanted so badly I FELT like I had.

Title: Re: No Kiddin’ Around
Post by: gloobey on May 01, 2021, 21:10:20

Nice pictures!

Here is the earliest gallery I could find on my Flickr, from 2011 Toy Fair. https://flic.kr/s/aHsjtz3FHv. BONUS: This was the year they introduced the
FI?URES - Series 1. I was super excited.
[/quote]

That was my first year at Toy Fair, and it was a good year for Playmobil. The buildable figures are still really great.