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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did PlayMonster say to its friend? "Let's paws for a game.

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

PlayMonster Group LLC
TypePrivate
IndustryInternational toy, game, craft, and activity company
Founded1985; 41 years ago (1985) (as Patch Products)
February 2016; 10 years ago (2016-02) (as PlayMonster)
FoundersFran Patch
Bryce Patch
HeadquartersBeloit, Wisconsin, U.S.
Products
Brands
  • Ann Williams
  • Colorforms
  • Craft-tastic
  • Craft-tastic Nature
  • Craft Crush
  • Fashion Plates
  • Glo Friends
  • Koosh
  • Latchkits
  • My Fairy Garden
  • Snap Ships
  • Spirograph
  • Take 'N Play Anywhere
  • The Original Magnatab
  • Waterfuls
  • Weeble
  • 5 Second Rule
OwnerAdams Street Partners and H.I.G. Capital
WebsitePlayMonster

PlayMonster (formerly Patch Products) is a manufacturer and marketer of family entertainment products that specializes in games, children's puzzles, toys, activities, and teaching tools founded in 1985. In February 2016, Patch changed its company name to PlayMonster.

History

[edit]

Patch Products

[edit]

In 1971, brothers Fran and Bryce Patch opened a commercial printing company, producing games and related items for other companies. They printed Trivial Pursuit game boards and Cabbage Patch Kids sticker books, among other products.

In 1985, Fran and Bryce Patch began their own toy and game company: Patch Products.[1] The company started a line of PuzzlePatch tray puzzles for preschoolers, which are still in production; the company produced its 100 millionth puzzle in 2008. The American Toy Institute, Great American Toy Contest, National Association for Gifted Children, Nick Jr. Magazine and Toy Tips have recognized the puzzles for helping educate children.[2]

In 1992, the company obtained the license for TriBond, its first board game, which was inducted into Games Magazine's Hall of Fame.[3]

Patch followed the success of TriBond with two other board games in 2000, Blurt! and MadGab. The company sold the brand rights to these games to Mattel in 2004.[4]

Patch Products acquired Smethport Specialty Co., the maker of Lauri Toys and specialty products, in 2008, adding educational items to Patch's lineup, including Tall-Stackers pegging and crepe rubber puzzles, along with the Wooly Willy magnetic personality.[5]

In 2009, Patch Products secured the rights to create a fresh version of the popular Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? board game based on the TV show hosted by Jeff Foxworthy.[6]

Patch Products introduced 5 Second Rule in 2010. 5 Second Rule would go on to be played on The Ellen Show for over six years. Patch Products also developed a nostalgic line called Treasured Toys, which included bringing back favorites Yakity-Yak Teeth, Shark Attack, and Bed Bugs.[7][8]

In 2011, 5 Second Rule was a finalist for Game of the Year TOTY Award.[9]

Patch Products was honored with a Wisconsin Family Business of the Year Award in 2012. The Work Hard—Play Hard Award was given to Patch to recognize the company's emphasis on family fun to promote togetherness.[10]

In 2013, Patch Products, was the distributor of the Perplexus 3D maze game to independent toy and gift stores.[11] It also became the new manufacturer and distributor of The Game of THINGS.[12] Patch debuted its new collectible soft doll line Planet Sock Monkey which adds attitude and style to the classic sock monkey: each doll features a its own name, personality, clothing, and accessories.[13]

Patch Products was acquired by the private equity firm Topspin Partners in 2014.[14] Shortly after, Patch Products grew with the acquisition of Onaroo, previously owned by American Innovative, LLC. This brand allowed Patch Products to expand into a new, complementary category of children's room décor.[15]

PlayMonster

[edit]

In February 2016, Patch Products changed its name to PlayMonster.[16][17]

In 2017, PlayMonster had multiple TOTY Award finalists, and won Game of the Year with their kids game Yeti in My Spaghetti.[18] PlayMonster also acquired Tinkineer and its Marbleocity line (laser-cut STEM kits).[19]

In 2018, Topspin sold PlayMonster to Audax Private Equity.[20] PlayMonster also acquired the UK-based toy company Interplay UK Ltd.[21]

PlayMonster acquired Set Enterprises in 2019.[22] PlayMonster also acquired Kahootz Toys.[23] Patriot Capital became an investor in PlayMonster at this time.[24]

In 2021, Interplay, acquired in 2016, rebranded to PlayMonster.[25] PlayMonster also acquired Ann Williams Group, a Michigan-based manufacturer of craft and activity kits for kids and adults.[26] Additionally, PlayMonster partnered with Dude Perfect to relaunch the Koosh brand, licensed by Hasbro, in time for the 35th anniversary of Koosh.[27]

In 2022, PlayMonster promoted Tim Kilpin to CEO and gained investments from private market firms Adams Street Partners and H.I.G Capital. PlayMonster also relaunched Glo Friends, licensed by Hasbro. PlayMonster's take on the Glo Friends line introduces products featuring elements of Social–Emotional Learning.[28]

Tim Kilpin transitioned to the newly created role of Executive Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors in 2023.[29] Sitting President, Steve Adolph, was appointed Chief Executive Officer.[30][31]

Million Minute Family Challenge

[edit]

From September through December every year, PlayMonster sponsors the Million Minute Family Challenge, a grass-roots effort to promote interaction and communication among family and friends through playing board games. The goal is to encourage at least one thousand families, groups, or organizations in each of the fifty states to play a board game together for twenty minutes, or a cumulative million minutes.[citation needed]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Corporate Report Wisconsin, December 2003
  2. ↑ The Janesville Gazette, June 16, 2008
  3. ↑ Games Magazine Archived 2010-04-17 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Feb. 4, 2004
  5. ↑ "News : Smethport Web : Smethport PA's Online News Magazine". Retrieved January 7, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ↑ Westphal, Melissa. "Company cranks out '5th Grader' game". The Holland Sentinel. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  7. ↑ LLC, PlayMonster. "PlayMonster's 5 Second Rule game celebrates its 10th anniversary with a chance to win a virtual seat to one of "Ellen's 12 Days of Giveaways"". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  8. ↑ McCraw, Justin (June 8, 2010). "Patch Set to Reintroduce Three Retro Products • The Toy Book". The Toy Book. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  9. ↑ "2011 TOTY Winners". The Toy Association. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  10. ↑ Beloit Daily News, May 11, 2012
  11. ↑ Beloit Daily News, March 11, 2013
  12. ↑ The Toy Book, Feb. 8, 2013
  13. ↑ The Toy Book, Vol. 28, No. 2, Mar./Apr. 2013
  14. ↑ "Patch Products Purchased by Topspin Partners". Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  15. ↑ Engage121 (November 3, 2014). "Patch Products Growing Under Topspin Partners' Ownership With Acquisition of Successful Onaroo Line". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release) (in French). Retrieved February 14, 2023.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ↑ Michalik, Maddie (February 10, 2016). "Patch Products Changes Name to PlayMonster". The Toy Book. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  17. ↑ HELM, WHITNEY (February 10, 2016). "Patch Products changes name". Beloit Daily News. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  18. ↑ "2017 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award Finalists Unveiled by Toy Industry Association". The Toy Association. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  19. ↑ Michalik, Maddie (May 11, 2017). "PlayMonster Acquires Tinkineer and Its Marbleocity Line • The Toy Book". The Toy Book. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  20. ↑ Partners, Topspin (November 21, 2018). "Topspin Partners II Exits PlayMonster". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  21. ↑ Michalik, Maddie (May 29, 2018). "PlayMonster Acquires Interplay • The Toy Book". The Toy Book. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  22. ↑ "PlayMonster Bolsters Game Lineup with Set Enterprises Acquisition • The Toy Book". The Toy Book. April 30, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  23. ↑ "PlayMonster acquires Kahootz Toys | Toy World Magazine". toyworldmag.co.uk. November 15, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Patriot Capital Supports PlayMonster and Audax Private Equity's Acquisition of Kahootz Toys – Patriot Capital". Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  25. ↑ Zahn, James (January 19, 2021). "UK-Based Interplay Rebrands as PlayMonster • The Toy Book". The Toy Book. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  26. ↑ Michalik, Maddie (June 23, 2021). "PlayMonster Acquires Ann Williams Group • The Toy Book". The Toy Book. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  27. ↑ Zahn, James (May 11, 2021). "PlayMonster Teams Up with Dude Perfect for Koosh Relaunch • The Toy Book". The Toy Book. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  28. ↑ Pelletier, Ashley (September 12, 2022). "PlayMonster Introduces New Chief Parenting Officer in Tandem with Playskool Glo Friends Launch • The Toy Book". The Toy Book. Retrieved February 14, 2023.
  29. ↑ Magazine, Animation (April 21, 2023). "People on the Move: Exec Appointments, Artist Hires & Award Honorees". Animation Magazine. Retrieved August 25, 2026.
  30. ↑ Erd, Amanda (January 25, 2023). "PlayMonster President Promoted to CEO after Just 4 Months". Gifts & Decorative Accessories. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  31. ↑ Zahn, James (January 18, 2023). "PlayMonster Names Steve Adolph CEO; Tim Kilpin Executive Chairman". The Toy Book. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
[edit]
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