Santa makes his First Toy Recommendation

Santa's First Toy Recommendation

Of all the toys I've seen over thirty years portraying the Jolly Old Elf, this simple ring launcher called the Cyclone is likely the best!

I judge a toy on five standards:

1. Is it Fun? (Oh, yes! The Cyclone shoots an 8 inch foam ring in a near straight line for 40-50 feet)

2. Is it Elegant? (Simple construction, hardy, near unbreakable. I've bought three to kid-test. On one a heavy elastic band worked it's way out of the connection. It was simple to fix, but kept breaking down. The other two units are still functioning)

3. Does it have a WOW Factor? (I took the Cyclone and three rings--one comes with the unit--to a planning meeting for a radio promotion. We played with it all during the meeting and wowed the customers of this ice cream store. If had carried half a dozen in the trunk of my car, I could have sold every one that day)

4. Is it Reasonably Priced? (At $25 it seems pricey at first blush, but in a measurement formula of Dollars Spent for Fun Produced, The Cyclone has a rating of 9.5 on a scale of 10. If there is an Envy factor the Cyclone is a toy virtually everyone wants to try.)

5. Would you Recommend this Toy to your Best Friend? ( I've sold this toy to some of my best friends. They gotta have it in the world of marketing and promotion. It has a display factor that is perfect for indoor and outdoor demonstrations, malls, promotions--where ever people gather.

Year 'round Santa becomes VP of Munchkin Radio

Munchkin Radio President and CEO Mike Peer announced today that Jon Robert Howe, also known as the Year Round Santa will join Peer' management team as Vice President of Marketing. The appointment is effective immediately.

"We love having Santa Claus on our Staff," explained President Peer. "It's so coincidental that Jon "The Wizard" Howe has taught Marketing and Product Development on the college level and is even terrific at distribution just like the real guy from the North Pole. May he really is him!"

"I'm proud to bring my experience to the many clients of Munchkin radio," Howe responded. "Mike has built a gold mine for our customers that makes it fun and profitable to listen to radio again."

Howe came out of semi-retirement to accept this new assignment. His last major radio marketing position was with WPGC-AM&FM radio in Washington D.C. in 1982, the year that Howe's morning co-host Joe Theisman, the Redskin Quarterback won the Superbowl.

Since then, Howe has developed his personna as Wizard of Computer Bells and Whistles with the National Speakers Association. For thirty years he travelled and appeared on the Donny and Marie Show with the Osmond Family as their Santa Claus and as Marketing Director for the Osmond Family Theater in Branson, Missouri. He still finds time during the Christmas Season for visiting large ward and company parties and famous clients like Robert Redford and Larry King.

"After I retired," Howe said I often thought it would be fun to apply the things I learned in the Training Department at Mrs. Fields Cookies, TCBY Yorgurt, Great American Cookies and Pretzel Time franchise training for the mom and pop shops around the country who need to harness the power of Munchkin radio. The Internet and other technical advancements are designed especially for the Promotion Magic that Munchkin radio and the Year 'Round Santa can do so well. The effect is pure magic!"

President Peer and his new Vice President will kick off a series of special promotions for Munchkin Radio in July and August with a Big Back to School Special slated for December.

"Christmas should be celebrated Year Round," President Peer concluded. Jon Robert Howe, as my Vice President is going to make that Job 1 on Munchkin Radio from now on."

Welcome Backstage at the North Pole

Here is where the rubber meets the road for parents and party organizers of Santa Projects that I get a chance to visit. Here you will find:

1. Outlines for Santa Visit Party Success.

2. Toy Ideas from my friends at the Red Balloon Toy Store.