HOW TOY COMPANIES GET KIDS TO BUG THEIR PARENTS TO BUY THEM MORE TOYS

____________, (2004) “Kid Power/ Talking the Talk” U.S.NEWS&WORLD REPORT, September 13, p. 50.

According to one study, kid’s first words are about mom and dad. Their second are about

toys. That is brands of toys.

American kids make up 4.5% of the world population, but have 45% of the toy market.

They see 40,000 commercials a year and get about on average 70 new toys a year.

What do the marketers do to get parents to pay?

KAGOY – KIDS ARE GETTING OLDER YOUNGER. In other words, get kids to want to buy things their older brothers and sister want when things get real expensive. In other words, create the desire to be Brittney Spears at 6 years old with make up and a starter bra.

NAG FACTOR- There is numerous strategies to nag parents, so include them in commercials.

SHUT UP TOYS- These toys are by impulse racks, cost less than 5 dollars, and the parents can get it to shut up the child.

TRANSTOYING- This is the ultimate comidification of life. If there is fun in playing there must be a toy that can compliment the play.

VIRAL MARKETING- Find out in focus groups what the popular kids like and then package it with other popular products and sell it to the wannabes.

What happens if a child gets everything that they want? They aren’t very happy when they grow up because there is never enough. It is as bad a neglect, abuse, and very harsh punishment which is on the other end of the continuum.

Entitled children are not easy to be around. It takes them years to figure out why they are unhappy.