Valve Software’s portal 2, Justin Hillgrove’s imps & monsters and whimwhams trend mashup toys and products debut at toy fair 2013 #TF13

Seattle, Washington  – Gamers, geeks and monster-lovers will be sated with the merchandise A Crowded Coop is unveiling at their booth at Toy Fair 2013 (#TF13) in New York February 10-13th.  Some of what the consumer product agency’s booth will showcase includes:

-          new products from the award-winning Portal 2 video game by Valve Software

-          plush toys bringing artist Justin Hillgrove’s Imps & Monsters family to soft, furry life

-          plus a brand new line of WhimWhams trend mash-up characters that give the proverbial finger to trends like vampires, geek glasses and Abe Lincoln

Joining their already robust catalog of Valve Software game-related merchandise from game titles including DOTA, Portal and Portal 2, A Crowded Coop will debut its new 80’s Logo Aperture Laboratories Messenger Bag.  (The Aperture Laboratories Messenger Bag launched in Winter 2012 is on its third round of reorders with retailers such as Think Geek.)  At the show A Crowded Coop is introducing the Team Fortress Archimedes Plush which portrays the game’s blood-splattered white dove owned by the medic.  In the category of home décor and accessories, the agency will show the new Portal 2 Weighted Storage Cube inflatable ottoman.  Their Weighted Companion Cube string lights sold out over the holidays and the consumer products firm anticipates this home décor game-themed accessory will sell well with gamers and teens looking to personalize their room with affordable, pop culture inspired game motifs.

Collectors of Justin Hillgrove’s Imps & Monsters paintings have been anticipating the release of his first plush toy collection to be rolled-out at Toy Fair.  Since 2005 he’s taken poignant themes like bullying, sharing and overcoming obstacles and artfully conveyed them with a cast of friendly monsters, creatures and imps.  The new line of Imps & Monsters plush toys will include backpack clips, 6 and 12” plush and other toys depicting creatures like Dominic, Slime Monster and Popo.  On Tuesday, February 12 from 10-11:30 Hillgrove will headline a Press and Blogger event at the A Crowded Coop Booth 4884 where he will sign prints featuring his various works and sign up press to receive signed, advance samples of the first plush toys from his collection.

A Crowded Coop founders Brandy Tanner and Mary Olson, veterans of TOY FAIR, will be introducing their own collection this year: Whim Whams.  Each WhimWhams plush toy takes three pop-culture trends and throws them into a blender of silliness.  Look for Yeti, Abe, Bunny, Monkey and Owl—each combined with two other pop culture sensations.

A Crowded Coop is a Pacific Northwest-based marketer and creator of consumer products released globally.  Their product design satisfies consumers in the categories of apparel, accessories, toys, pet and more.  In 2010 Olson and Tanner formed A Crowded Coop which serves clients such as Valve Software with its Portal 2, Team Fortress 2 and Dota 2 games, along with Dickies and many more.  More info is at www.crowdedcoop.com.