In writing The Toy and Game Inventor's Handbook about
the business of creating new playthings, Richard C. Levy and I used the words of nearly one hundred
professional inventors to describe their approaches when creating their next new
product. In fact, in our inventor profiles published in the book, we asked the
question, "What sparks original ideas?" Answers were quite varied.
Among the replies: following trends, studying objects, watching
children, daydreaming, fitful sleep, a refreshing shower, and perhaps
most unique, sunbathing au natural on an isolated tropical beach!
Some inventors use a more
pragmatic and traditional approach to "spark" new ideas. They envision an unmet need/try to fill a void. That certainly was the spark for new games by Donna Christian and
Leslie Lawrence who had a
vision to create games that respect and celebrate the Hispanic culture.
The first two entries in a new product line marketed by Cass Group, LLC focuses
on the celebration of young Latina girls' Quinceañera, a very important
coming-of-age event in the lives of Hispanic girls. These “first of a
kind” games hope to enhance the lives of young Hispanic girls as they
dream about and prepare for their all-important 15th birthday.
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| My Quinceañera™ Countdown Game |
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| My Quinceañera™ Angry Old Godmother Game |
Both
Donna and Leslie were volunteer mentors in Springfield, MA schools for years.
During this time, these two former Milton Bradley Company
creatives developed many relationships with young Latina girls which
ignited a spark to fill a market void. They have since licensed My Quinceañera™ Countdown Game
and My Quinceañera™ Angry Old Godmother Game to Cass Group, LLC, a start-up marketing
group made up of three former Hasbro Game executives: Phil Jackson,
Mark Sullivan and George Reich.
The
link below shows these first products in what is foreseen as a line of games
and activities targeted for a growing audience.
My Quinceañera™
Website
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