Sydney – 2011 will mark 30 years since the launch of VTech electronic learning products in the Australian and New Zealand Market. The first product, aptly named “Lesson One” was a revolutionary addition to the toy industry in 1981 and reflected the core elements of all VTech toys by combining quality, learning and fun.
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Lesson One (1981) |
Precomputer 1000 (1988) |
To commemorate this occasion and celebrate 30 years of distribution partnership, Modern Brands will have a special presentation at the Melbourne Toy, Hobby & Nursery Fair. On display will be original VTech learning toys from the past, side by side with the future of electronic learning including the much anticipated launch of VTech’s latest learning platforms, Storio™ and MobiGo™.
VTech, the creator of the electronic learning products category and a leader in merging technology, education and fun, will unveil its 2011 product line at the fair. The most talked about and innovative toys coming to market this year include Storio, the world’s first children’s interactive e-reading system and MobiGo, a touch-screen handheld game console. Parents can trust these new cutting-edge products to aid in their children’s development while showcasing how learning can be fun.
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MobiGo Touch Learning System (2011) |
Power Xtra Laptop (2010) |
Storio Interactive E-Reading System (2011) |
VTech’s Lesson One was first launched at New York Toy Fair in 1981, and it was at this event that the partnership between VTech and Modern Brands began. Specialising in delivering educational solutions to schools and parents, Modern Brands business principal was an ideal partnership with VTech’s electronic learning range.
Len Optland, Education Buyer, has worked with the Modern Group of Companies for more that 35 years and has seen the momentum created by the launch of Lesson One in 1981. “Lesson One was the first of its kind and was a best seller in VTech’s range for many years. At the launch it had particularly strong appeal to educators looking for new ways to engage kids and develop their literacy and numeric skills – there was simply nothing else like it”.
While the styling has changed the core principals remain the same – deliver an educational toy in a fun and engaging package.
Simon Whiston, Managing Director at Modern Brands, predicts that “the future of electronic learning products is driven by product innovation that reflects kids, parents and teachers embracing new ways to learn. Today’s kids are surrounded by new technology in the home and in the class room. Electronic learning products that utilise this innovation such as touch screen technology, progressive learning systems and internet connectivity will be the future of learning toys.” “Parents are looking for electronic learning products that are age appropriate and offer quality, longevity and value for money” says Whiston.
Product innovation is at the core of the VTech business. With over 36,000 employees and an annual turnover exceeding US$1,500 million, VTech’s product innovation is taking the business from strength to strength since its first product launched in 1978. VTech owns three state-of-the-art manufacturing plants ensuring exceptional levels of quality. In recognition of this, VTech has won a wealth of international and local toy awards, including 2009 Australian Preschool Toy of the Year with V.Smile Motion and most recently VTech’s Storio was awarded 2011 Preschool Toy of the Year at the Nürnberg Toy Fair held in Feburary 2011.
VTech’s range will be on show at the Melbourne Toy Hobby & Nursery Fair including an exhibition of the original toys from 1981, to the future product innovation launches for 2011.
About VTech
VTech, the creator of the Electronic Learning Products (ELP) category and the award-winning V.Smile TV Learning System, is a world leader of age-appropriate learning toys. Since 1980, VTech has been developing high-quality, innovative educational products that enrich children’s development, from birth to preteen, through fun and smart play.
2011 marks the 30 year anniversary of VTech Toys distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Modern Brands, based in Brookvale, NSW. VTech Electronics Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with distribution throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
For more information on VTech’s product lines for the Australian and New Zealand Market, visit www.VTechkids.com.au
