Toy maker strikes gold with Beanie Babies of the online era

Iria · Apr 8, 2007, 04:15 AM

Source: The Globe and Mail
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First came Google. Then came MySpace, Facebook and Second Life — all created by hip young techies from California. But the biggest new Internet innovation comes from an unlikely place: a Toronto-based company best known for cheesy giftware and stuffed toys.

If you have a kid in elementary school, chances are you've heard of Webkinz — a line of plush toys made by Ganz Inc. What makes Webkinz possibly the most sought-after toy ever is that each one comes with a secret code that gives its owner access to the vast online Webkinz World. There, users can create an avatar, or online identity, for their pet and “adopt” it.

Apr 8, 2007, 04:15 AM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Toy maker strikes gold with Beanie Babies of the online era Source: The Globe and Mail ________ First came Google. Then came MySpace, Facebook and Second Life — all created by hip young techies from California. But the biggest new Internet innovation comes from an unlikely place: a Toronto-based company best known for cheesy giftware and stuffed toys. If you have a kid in elementary school, chances are you've heard of Webkinz — a line of plush toys made by Ganz Inc. What makes Webkinz possibly the most sought-after toy ever is that each one comes with a secret code that gives its owner access to the vast online Webkinz World. There, users can create an avatar, or online identity, for their pet and “adopt” it.