DailyFinance.comhttp://www.dailyfinance.comDailyFinance.com%http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/BlogURL%/media/feedlogo.gifDailyFinance.comhttp://www.dailyfinance.comen-usCopyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Netflix Faces Challenges From Blockbuster, Walmarthttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/28/netflix-faces-challenges-from-blockbuster-walmart/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/28/netflix-faces-challenges-from-blockbuster-walmart/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/07/28/netflix-faces-challenges-from-blockbuster-walmart/#commentsFiled under: ,

NetFlixCall it opportunism, playing to weakness, or just marketing to pissed-off people: Targeting your competitor's customers after an unpopular move, one like that made by Netflix earlier this month, is kind of a no-brainer.

NPR's Marketplace Tuesday called it "anger marketing." And Blockbuster knows from anger. Through the late 1990s until 2005, the company dealt with millions of customers angry over excess late fees and what many considered ungentlemanly collections practices. Netflix was virtually founded as a response to consumer anger over Blockbuster's late fees -- at least, it was marketed as a low-cost alternative to punishing daily fees.

So how pleased was Blockbuster, then, when Netflix launched its volley into the dead of mid-summer with a pricing change that it called "lowering rates" and Twitter screamed was a price hike, a rip-off, a sacrilege to all we hold near and dear? I only wish I could have been a fly on the wall in the office of Blockbuster's marketing executives when they realized, after all the ignomy of becoming a dinosaur, then being taken to their knees by the DVDs-by-mail upstart, they finally had a chance to turnabout. It must have been grand.

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]]>angeranger marketingblockbusterdvddvd rentalmarketingnetflixstreaming videovideovideo rentalwalmartSarah GilbertThu, 28 Jul 2011 08:45:00 ESTAre Theme Park Admission Fees Going Up?http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/06/17/are-theme-park-admission-fees-going-up/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/06/17/are-theme-park-admission-fees-going-up/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/06/17/are-theme-park-admission-fees-going-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Theme park ticketsWill amusement parks be taking you for a ride this summer? (And I'm not talking about the roller coaster kind.)

This month, after Disney raised the one-day admission price at its Anaheim theme parks by 5.3% (from $76 to $80) and the cost of the three-day pass to visit Disneyland and Disneyland California Adventure Park by 8.7% (from $206 to $224), we were a little worried what other parks around the country were doing.

But despite Disney's substantial price increases, amusement park admission fees have barely nudged in recent years. According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, the average general admission price for 72 parks across the nation -- including both small and large parks, destination parks and regional parks -- was $49.75 as of Spring 2011, rising just about 2% more per year since Spring 2008, when the association surveyed 68 comparable parks.

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]]>AmusementParkAdmissionFeesDisneyThemeParksBarbara ThauFri, 17 Jun 2011 09:00:00 ESTFour Frugal Memorial Day Celebrationshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/05/26/four-frugal-memorial-day-celebrations/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/05/26/four-frugal-memorial-day-celebrations/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/05/26/four-frugal-memorial-day-celebrations/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Traditionally, Memorial Day is the official kickoff of summer, more revered in some circles than Christmas. As a young professional on the East Coast, I learned that there was absolutely no work done during Memorial or Labor Day weekends; these were sacrosanct, meant for mysterious managing director rituals involving expensive sunny vacation homes and actual time spent within 100 yards of their wife and children.

Memorial Day was also the one holiday when my friends -- young investment bankers and attorneys and consultants -- could schedule a party utterly without fear it would be pre-empted for a client crisis or sleepless weekend preparing for a merger. And so, we went all out: weekends in Charleston or the Hamptons, catered barbecues, road trips to New Orleans for jazz or Montreal for sightseeing or Chicago for baseball.

But times and careers have changed, and frugality is the new buzzword in my circles today. Memorial Day may be the kickoff of summer, but it's also a great time to cut costs and save money for whatever will be the expenses of summer -- camp for kids, family trips, in-season fruit for canning, the inevitable splurges on sunny-weather house projects and garden investments.

You can still celebrate and enjoy, though, without spending more than the $20 you have in your wallet. Here are four common Memorial Day celebrations that cost big -- and how to do it the WalletPop way.

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]]>ball parkbaseballcelebrationfrugalfrugal entertainingfrugal partiesfrugal travellittle leaguememorialmemorial daypartiestravelvacationSarah GilbertThu, 26 May 2011 14:45:00 ESTNew-Release Movies in Home for $30: A Bad Dealhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/21/new-release-movies-in-home-for-30-a-bad-deal/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/21/new-release-movies-in-home-for-30-a-bad-deal/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/21/new-release-movies-in-home-for-30-a-bad-deal/#commentsFiled under: , ,

How much would you pay for new movies quicker?Although the prices and release speeds of theatre-to-DVD movies seem to change mildly every year, as consumers, we've gotten pretty comfortable with the new millennium mechanism of delivering movies to consumers.

First, you have your movie theatres, where the blockbusters and more successful indies come to live for a few months (at $8 to $12 a ticket), before being passed off to the cut-rate theatres (at $2 or $3 a pop), then on to Netflix, iTunes, On Demand and DirectTV ($4.99 for 24 hours). Eventually, the movies pass to Starz or HBO or some other premium channel, and then on to network and basic cable for free.

But DirectTV is looking to shake up our cushy movie delivery world and change our expectations -- and maybe how we watch movies, too. With Adam Sandler's new movie, Just Go With It, DirectTV will offer its viewers the chance to watch it starting today -- just two months and 10 days after its release and while it's still in first-run theatres -- for $30.

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]]>directtvmoviemovie theatermoviesnew moviesnew releasestheatertheatreSarah GilbertThu, 21 Apr 2011 12:00:00 ESTSorry, Doll: World's Biggest Barbie Store Closeshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/07/sorry-doll-worlds-biggest-barbie-store-closes-in-china/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/07/sorry-doll-worlds-biggest-barbie-store-closes-in-china/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/07/sorry-doll-worlds-biggest-barbie-store-closes-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , ,

a Barbie with hair in disarray - BarbieIn China, we know one blonde who isn't having more fun. Barbie, the quintessential American doll, packed her perfectly accessorized bags after her Shanghai flagship store closed. It was the world's second Barbie store, but it dwarfed the scale of the first, established in Buenos Aires.

The 35,000 square-foot, six-story Mattel merchandising mecca in Shanghai lasted two years, with profits apparently as wobbly as Raggedy Ann's legs. The store was intended to be the centerpiece of Barbie's excursion into Chinese retail, opening on her 50th birthday. It even had a spa and cafe so Mom could drop a few yuan on herself.

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]]>Barbie DollBarbie storeChinese BarbieShanghaishoppingRon DickerMon, 07 Mar 2011 17:30:00 ESTOur Hearts vs. Our Wallets: A Valentine's Day Special Infographichttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/14/our-hearts-vs-our-wallets-a-valentines-day-special-infogra/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/14/our-hearts-vs-our-wallets-a-valentines-day-special-infogra/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/14/our-hearts-vs-our-wallets-a-valentines-day-special-infogra/#commentsFiled under: ,

Love is a many splendored thing, but sometimes money is not one of its most splendid aspects. Our friends at Deals.com have put together this lovely infographic that explores the relationship of our hearts vs. our wallets.

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]]>couple financesCoupleFinanceshousehold financesHouseholdFinanceslove and moneymarriage financemarriage spendingMarriageFinanceTom BarlowMon, 14 Feb 2011 07:00:00 ESTSuper Bowl Brings Out Scams: Ticket, Hotel and Check-Cash Ripoffshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/27/super-bowl-brings-out-scams-ticket-hotel-and-check-cash-ripoffs/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/27/super-bowl-brings-out-scams-ticket-hotel-and-check-cash-ripoffs/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/27/super-bowl-brings-out-scams-ticket-hotel-and-check-cash-ripoffs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

super bowlThe Super Bowl is ripe for scam artists looking to lure excited fans away from their money. Pennsylvania's Acting Attorney General Bill Ryan says he's seeing bogus sweepstakes offers, fake travel packages and phony ticket offers, and wants people to beware.

"It's important for football fans to carefully review the details of any ticket offer or travel promotion before handing over cash or credit card information," said Ryan. "Scam artists are counting on the fact that enthusiastic fans will get caught up in the excitement of the Super Bowl and will not be as attentive as they should be."

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]]>footballfootball scamsFootballScamsscamsuper bowlSuper Bowl scamsSuperBowlSuperBowlScamsticket scamsTicketScamsDawn FallikThu, 27 Jan 2011 16:00:00 ESTConsidering Gym Membership? Read Fine Print Carefullyhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/04/considering-gym-membership-read-fine-print-carefully/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/04/considering-gym-membership-read-fine-print-carefully/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/04/considering-gym-membership-read-fine-print-carefully/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

woman reads a contract at a desk -- gym membershipDecided that 2011 will be the year of the treadmill and spinning class for you? Better read all the fine print before signing an expensive gym contract.

Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray says checking the cancellation policy is particularly important (not that we're saying you're going to cancel 30 days after you promised you would exercise every single day. But just in case ...)

"The new year provides a popular opportunity to buy a gym membership, but it's also a busy time when consumers are distracted and fail to read contracts carefully," he said.

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]]>canceling gym membershipgymgym membership fine printmembershipnew years resolutions and working outDawn FallikTue, 04 Jan 2011 15:30:00 ESTDo It Yourself for Less: Nine Ways to Save Big Moneyhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/21/do-it-yourself-for-less-nine-ways-to-save-big-money/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/21/do-it-yourself-for-less-nine-ways-to-save-big-money/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/21/do-it-yourself-for-less-nine-ways-to-save-big-money/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Do It Yourself projects that save you moneyLast month we told you about some tasks you're better off letting the pros handle--because messing up could cost you way more than you'd ever save by doing it yourself. But if you're looking for ways to save money, there are a number of tasks you can handle.

Some are jobs anybody can do; others take a little bit of know-how and the willingness to plunge in and get your hands dirty (sometimes figuratively, sometimes literally). But you're nearly guaranteed to save big bucks, and there's also the satisfaction that comes from doing something for yourself.

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]]>brewing coffeebuilding a patioDIYdo-it-yourselfdog groomingmake curtainsmanicuresmowing the lawnpedicuresrenovating the kitchenrolling changesaving moneywashing the dogMartha C. WhiteTue, 21 Dec 2010 09:00:00 ESTFrom Furry to Feathery, Cheap Pets for the Holidayshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/17/from-furry-to-feathery-cheap-pets-for-the-holidays/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/17/from-furry-to-feathery-cheap-pets-for-the-holidays/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/17/from-furry-to-feathery-cheap-pets-for-the-holidays/#commentsFiled under: , ,

puppy - affordable pets for the holidayWant to give a living, breathing gift for Christmas?

Here are a few low-cost pets to ponder for the holidays. Unlike dogs or cats, which can run up big bills and require care your family might not be ready to provide, the following critters won't take a big bite out of your budget or lifestyle, according to our experts.

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]]>affordable petscheap petsfeathery petsholiday petspets for the holidaysscaly petsRon DickerFri, 17 Dec 2010 11:00:00 ESTShould Drew Brees be going long to teach kids finance?http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/04/should-drew-brees-be-going-long-to-teach-kids-finance/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/04/should-drew-brees-be-going-long-to-teach-kids-finance/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/04/should-drew-brees-be-going-long-to-teach-kids-finance/#commentsFiled under: ,

Drew Brees goes longWhile I applaud most efforts to improve kids' financial literacy, I still raise an eyebrow when famous jocks get involved. Such is the case with Super Bowl-winning quarterback Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints.

Brees is teaming with Visa to pump up students' knowledge about handling money. He tours high schools to tell personal
stories, like how his unpaid college cell phone bill jacked up the terms of his first home loan. He also referees a quiz competition called Financial Football, which NFL rookies are also encouraged to play. Every correct answer moves the ball down the field. Teachers and students can download the game for free, and the iPhone has an app for it.

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]]>Drew Breesfinancial literacykids and moneyNBApro athletes and bankruptcyRon DickerThu, 04 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST5 things working parents wished teachers knewhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/30/5-things-working-parents-wished-teachers-knew/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/30/5-things-working-parents-wished-teachers-knew/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/30/5-things-working-parents-wished-teachers-knew/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

5 things working parents wished teachers knewIn this back-to-school season, a few ideas for how the working parent-teacher relationship might function more smoothly:

1. Working moms don't appreciate Mommy Homework. I'm not sure any moms do, actually. Mommy Homework includes building ancestor dolls that require a trip to crafts stores. (Note to teachers: Most of your second graders don't yet drive, which means they must be driven there to spend their parents' hard-earned money on Styrofoam shapes and fabrics.) Mommy Homework is also building volcanoes for science and California missions for fourth grade social studies. Mommy Homework is anything that cannot actually be completely done by the child, your student. Mommies are not your students. Please go write that on the blackboard.

2. Working parents really cannot volunteer in your classroom. We'd like to, but we have jobs to go to -- the same as you do. We do not ask you to come to our offices and help us do our work and we would appreciate not being expected to come to your office -- the classroom -- to help you do yours. Yes, we know about budget cuts and overcrowded classrooms. We also know that taking time off in the middle of our work day will either eat into our paltry allotted vacation time or cost us our job entirely. Please don't make those of us who must work for a living feel guilty about our inability to participate in the classroom. Our contributions are called paying our taxes. P.S. to every PTA in America: We'd like to join you and have our voices be heard, so maybe you could actually hold your meetings in the evening? In 2008, there were 9,753,000 single mothers raising kids and 70.7% of those mothers were employed. That's a lot of missed PTA meetings.

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]]>5 things working parents want teachers to knowback to schoolexpensive field tripsPTAsingle momsAnn BrenoffMon, 30 Aug 2010 10:00:00 ESTCelebrity stylists advise how to get what you pay for at the salonhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/24/celebrity-stylists-advise-how-to-get-what-you-pay-for-at-the-sal/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/24/celebrity-stylists-advise-how-to-get-what-you-pay-for-at-the-sal/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/24/celebrity-stylists-advise-how-to-get-what-you-pay-for-at-the-sal/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Hairstylist at work in a salonA young teen entered a local beauty salon in Simcoe, Ont., with hair that hung below her shoulders. She requested long layers with a bit of a trim. What she got was a pixie.

"I'd been growing it out for a year and a half," she wrote in anguish on an online hair-care forum, "the hairstylist asked me to remove my glasses and started cutting my hair. It felt like she was cutting quite a bit, but when I asked she said she was putting in layers ... when she was finished, I put my glasses back on and looked in the mirror ... she had cut more than ten inches off my hair."

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]]>beautybeauty salonbeauty tipsHairStyleshairstylistBonnie McCarthyTue, 24 Aug 2010 14:00:00 ESTParents pay the tab when kids reach the Little League World Serieshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/18/parents-pay-the-tab-when-kids-reach-the-little-league-world-seri/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/18/parents-pay-the-tab-when-kids-reach-the-little-league-world-seri/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/08/18/parents-pay-the-tab-when-kids-reach-the-little-league-world-seri/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toms River baseball team winsToms River National of New Jersey's road to the Little League World Series was paved with hard work, clutch play -- and plenty of support at home. Larry Ciervo, whose, son, Jeff, plays on the squad, estimated he spent $2,000 alone on lodging and food during the team's recent ten-day trip to Bristol, Conn., for the Mid-Atlantic Regional. By the time the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pa., is over, the tab will likely spill over $3,000. "I try not to add the numbers and think about that," Ciervo said. "It's definitely a financial commitment once you start traveling and adding up hotels and dinner. It definitely affects you there."

Toms River opens the Little League World Series on Saturday, August 21 against Hamilton, Ohio, leading off what could be a stay until Aug. 29, the day of the championship game. Little League began covering the transportation, sleeping quarters and food for the players from the moment Toms River qualified, Ciervo said. A bus took the team Tuesday morning to South Williamsport after Toms River defeated Council Rock-Newtown, Pa., 8-5, in the regional title game on Monday.

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]]>cost of children recreationcost of childrens sportscost of organized sportsCostOfChildrenRecreationCostOfChildrensSportsCostOfOrganizedSportsLittle League World SeriesRon DickerWed, 18 Aug 2010 17:30:00 ESTChicago Greeters give anyone a free customized tour of the Windy Cityhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/07/28/chicago-greeters-give-anyone-a-free-customized-tour-of-the-windy/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/07/28/chicago-greeters-give-anyone-a-free-customized-tour-of-the-windy/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/07/28/chicago-greeters-give-anyone-a-free-customized-tour-of-the-windy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The city of Chicago sponsors one of America's coolest budget travel deals for tourists. It grants free tours of Chicago to vacationers who want one. The volunteer-fed Chicago Greeter program offers individual walking tours of two to four hours, customized to tourists' interests, at no cost.

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]]>Chicago greeterscity guidesNYC greeterstouristtravelVideovolunteer tour guidesJason CochranWed, 28 Jul 2010 06:00:00 ESTHey kids, design a Coke bottle and win a triphttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/07/20/hey-kids-design-a-coke-bottle-and-win-a-trip/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/07/20/hey-kids-design-a-coke-bottle-and-win-a-trip/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/07/20/hey-kids-design-a-coke-bottle-and-win-a-trip/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's mid summer, and the kids are starting to whine louder than the cicadas. Time to break out the Coke bottles. As part of a year-long campaign to find out what happiness means around the world, the Coca Cola company is asking consumers in 206 countries to design a Coke bottle showing what makes them happy and optimistic. This month, the contest became available to residents in the U.S.

The contest calls for designs executed on a glass (8oz., or 12 oz.) or plastic Coke bottle (12 oz, 14 oz, 16 oz., 20 oz.), asing whatever craft materials and art supplies at hand, to show what makes you happy. For some, that might look like the first day of school, for others perhaps a field of daisies, a sky full of rainbows or a house that's completely paid off.

Winners receive an all-expenses paid VIP trip to New York City to meet Coke's "Happiness Ambassadors," although, if it keeps a bored teen busy for a few hours everybody wins.








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]]>coca-colacontestsContestsForKidsfamily activitiesBonnie McCarthyTue, 20 Jul 2010 11:45:00 ESTFamilies turn to <i>Minute to Win It</i> for free kids' entertainment ideashttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/07/06/families-turn-to-minute-to-win-it-for-free-kids-enterta/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/07/06/families-turn-to-minute-to-win-it-for-free-kids-enterta/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/07/06/families-turn-to-minute-to-win-it-for-free-kids-enterta/#commentsFiled under: , ,

NBC's Minute to Win It is a show on which you will never hear these words: "Don't try this at home." The Sunday night family fare, a throwback to the game shows of the 1950s, is as simple as a kid's birthday party: perform simple tasks, usually with household objects, in less than a minute. As the games get more difficult, the jackpot grows, up to $1 million. Meanwhile, contestants content with the most difficult task of all: avoiding puncture by host Guy Fieri's hyper-styled hair.

Maybe it was inevitable, but families have started picking up on the games and adapting them for inexpensive home play. It was also probably inevitable that videos of their (often embarrassing) shenanigans have cropped up on YouTube, where they can attract the attention of casting directors.

And, of course, they can be a resource for moms and dads who are stumped for ideas for free summer activities for their kids.

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]]>Jason CochranTue, 06 Jul 2010 09:00:00 ESTNo more panty-hose at Disneyland and other park changeshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/06/17/no-more-panty-hose-at-disneyland-and-other-park-changes/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/06/17/no-more-panty-hose-at-disneyland-and-other-park-changes/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/06/17/no-more-panty-hose-at-disneyland-and-other-park-changes/#commentsFiled under: ,

No more panty-hose at Disneyland and other park changesIt was announced yesterday that Disneyland would no longer require its women workers to wear stockings. For readers who are under 30, stockings are leg coverings that cling like leggings but aren't nearly as comfortable. Think tights, but sheerer, prone to snags and generally good for one or two wearings at the most.

Disneyland, located in the desert bowl of Anaheim, California, gets blistering hot in the summer. Despite promotional material that would have you believe otherwise, the theme park is not close enough to the ocean to benefit from cooling breezes. Sometimes on crowded weekend days in August, there are even lines for a resting spot in the shade. For real, people.

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]]>DisneylandDisneyland dress codefamilyfamily vacationsFamilyVacationsways to save at DisneylandWaysToSaveAtDisneylandAnn BrenoffThu, 17 Jun 2010 17:15:00 ESTBaseball giveaways that pack a wallophttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/06/09/baseball-giveaways-that-pack-a-wallop/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/06/09/baseball-giveaways-that-pack-a-wallop/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/06/09/baseball-giveaways-that-pack-a-wallop/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Baseball giveaways that pack a wallopAs I stuffed my free "Let's Go Mets!" beach towel into my backpack after Sunday's game at Citi Field, I pondered the price of a silk-screened strip of terrycloth and figured it probably paled next to the $60 I just dropped on food and beer. Then I turned to the bigger picture. Which Major League Baseball giveaways are really worth something? This WalletPopper combed the websites of every MLB team and came up with some of the top values.

Just so I wouldn't operate in a vacuum, I called Maury Brown, the founder and president of the Biz of Baseball, to second my choices. He researches this kind of stuff all the time. "Promotions for the most part are designed by the club to get people to come out to the ballpark to spend money," he told WalletPop. "If they can minimize the money spent on promotion and get people to come out, all the better."

Still, we found a few solid contenders far beyond the usual key rings, bobbleheads and fridge magnets.

1. IBEW Local 98 Charlie Manuel Louisville Slugger Bat Day, July 6, at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia. Bat giveaways have mostly gone the way of flannel uniforms, but the Phillies are welcomed holdouts. The 30-inch genuine wood bat features the name and signature of Philadelphia's beloved manager, Charlie Manuel. A Louisville Slugger youth bat online can run $29.99.


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]]>baseballfreebiesgiveawaysMLBswagRon DickerWed, 09 Jun 2010 09:00:00 ESTComing soon to a toy store and theater near youhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/04/28/coming-soon-to-a-toy-store-and-theater-near-you/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/04/28/coming-soon-to-a-toy-store-and-theater-near-you/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/04/28/coming-soon-to-a-toy-store-and-theater-near-you/#commentsFiled under: ,

movie toys buzz lightyearMovies are expected to generate $1 billion in merchandising this year, according to Time To Play Magazine, so you can bet your Buzz Lightyear that studios and toymakers are going full-throttle for the summer popcorn season.

The Time to Play Spring Showcase in New York City this week highlighted the matinee-manufactured inventory. It doesn't matter that some films might be PG and out of reach for the young. The kind folks in the toy industry have made sure your little ones can still nag you to buy the tie-ins. Since everyone's a critic, you be the judge of whether they're worth the nagging.

"We'll see affordable movie-themed toys available across all categories of products, from action figures, child-sized role-play, games and more," Adrienne Appell, a Toy Industry Association spokeswoman, told WalletPop.

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]]>buzz lightyeartoysRon DickerWed, 28 Apr 2010 14:30:00 EST