Link Group International is a consumer product development, marketing and licensing firm located in Fairfield County, CT.
We develop products for a variety of industries including children’s toys, pet, home improvement, seasonal, technology, fashion and arts & crafts.
We combine an extensive internal capability along with an impressive network of individuals and companies, each an expert in it’s field, which enables us to progress new product concepts through the various development stages right to pre-production level.
Since its inception, we have successfully brought to market hundreds of products for clients such as Mattel, Hasbro, Kodak, Alex Toys, Petmate, Matchbox, Corgi, Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, Tyco, Pressman, Lemada, Sega, Galoob, Mego, Toy Biz, Toymax, Azrak-Hamway/Remco, Panosh, Schaper, Tomy, Q-Kidz, Kurt S. Adler, Hornby Hobbies (UK), Spears (UK), Planet Toys, Madame Alexander Dolls, LA Toy Zone, Cadaco, International Playthings, DSI Toys, Think Tank, Toy Island, Giocchi Preziosi (Italy), Polyconcept USA (Coleman “Bird Finder”), Estes and Buzz Bee toys.
We specialize in bringing new business opportunities to companies large and small.
Some of the developments that have been more visible are:
KARATE KID:
Action figures and related accessories developed for Columbia Pictures and Azrak-Hamway from script to production. Novel “Tri- Action” mechanisms introduced into miniature 4 1/2″ action figures qualified for patents and resulted in the best-selling new Action Figure line in its year.
BATMAN:
Action Figures and related accessories developed for Warner and Toy Biz from the “Batman” movie. This line took a small company, Toy Biz, from $4 million to $50 million in one year. Since the company had no international operation, Link took on this responsibility and successfully marketed the Batman line in 10 countries worldwide generating an additional $20 million in sales!
MARVEL:
Action figures and accessories. “X-Men” figures alone generated sales in excess of $40 million in the first year. Link negotiated and secured the licensing agreement with Marvel as well as undertaking the complete product development program for Toy Biz taking their sales volume over the $100 million mark.
SESAME STREET:
Created a comprehensive line of art and activity products for very young children featuring the well known Sesame Street characters. This involved the Link marketing group in a very extensive series of focus groups with pre-school children and mothers which provided an invaluable insight into mother’s desires and concerns and children’s capabilities at varying age levels.
KODAK FOR KIDS:
A program to achieve Kodak’s goal to introduce children to the world of imaging. This line was spearheaded by a Link developed, FX camera system which allows children to create special effects and capture images through equipment such as microscopes and telescopes. As the world’s largest photographic company, it was particularly rewarding to have Kodak appreciate Link’s insight into what appeals to children in play.
SANTA’S ACTION WORLD:
A line of animated Christmas ornaments and feature displays that created a whole new business for Kurt S. Adler, a leader in the Christmas ornament business. Bradley- The Bubble Blowing Christmas Bear achieved record sales for Adler and won the “Best New Christmas Ornament” and two Retailer Recognition awards! Link has kept this category fresh and growing with new concepts for more than 14 years.
LINK owns the Intellectual Property rights and have re-developed and re-introduced classics like:
* DOMINO RALLY : A 70’S ‘DOMINO EFFECT’ CRAZE
* CREEPY CRAWLERS: A 60’s CREATIVE MOLDING TOY
* CROSSBOWS & CATAPULTS: A CHALLENGING MEDIEVAL GAME
* LIDDLE KIDDLES: A LATE 60’S MINI-DOLL PHENOMENA
* POPSY: A CHILD’S FIRST FASHION DOLL.
Through acquisition of tooling, trademark and/or patent rights and adding today’s technology into proven concepts, these revivals have generated sales in excess of $300 million.
Link can also assist inventors with all aspects of getting a product to market.