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Toy Experts Offer a Sneak Peek of the Hottest Toys of 2012 and
Helpful Tips to Make Holiday Shopping More Convenient than Ever

With the official start of the holiday shopping season only weeks away, Toys“R”Us is ready to unveil its 2012 Holiday Hot Toy List, THE definitive selection of toys sure to top kids’ wish lists this year.

Carefully selected after a comprehensive review process, items on the list are organized by age, from “Baby’s First Christmas” to “Big Kids,” and serve as a starting point to help parents, friends and family find the perfect present for any child.

Finding the time to shop for friends and family throughout the holiday season can be difficult, but this year, Toys“R”Us is making it even easier for gift givers to find and purchase the “must-haves” of the season. With programs like Hot Toy Reservation and Free Layaway, the company is helping to ease the stress of securing the playthings little ones hope to find under the tree on Christmas morning.

Here are examples of the hot toys for this Christmas categorized by age group:

• Baby’s First Christmas: PLAYSKOOL Rocktivity Sit, Crawl ‘n Stand Band from Hasbro®
• 13 months to 2 years: Cruise Groove Ballapalooza from Fisher-Price®
• 2 to 4 years: Doc McStuffins “Time For Your Check Up” doll from Just Play
• 5 to 7 years: Micro Chargers Time Track from Moose Toys
• 8 to 11 years: Air Hogs® R/C Deluxe Battle Tracker from Spin Master
• Big Kids: Technic Jet Plane from LEGO® Systems, Inc.

Adrienne O’Hara and Kerry Smith, Toy Experts

About Adrienne:

Adrienne grew up playing with toys, including Barbie dolls, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Cabbage Patch Kids, Pound Puppies and Power Wheels – all of which are ingrained in today’s pop culture. Now, with a career at Toys“R”Us, she is lucky enough to relive her childhood daily, keeping her a “Toys“R”Us Kid” at heart. As a toy industry expert, Adrienne has participated in hundreds of radio and television interviews, providing parents with her unique insight about the hottest toys and helpful shopping tips.

About Kerry:

Kerry spent her childhood surrounded by classic favorites, including board games, Disney Princesses, Power Rangers and more. But, as the only sister in a family of six, it was all about construction, and her go-to plaything was her box of LEGO bricks. Working at Toys“R”Us is the perfect job, and has allowed Kerry to share the inside scoop on the season’s hottest toys and deals with audiences nationwide, while building her insights about the toy industry – just as she did her LEGO.

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Bank offerings are cited as providing the biggest ‘bang for your buck’ when it comes to everyday services

GUEST:  JOHN ROSENFELD – EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF RETAIL DEPOSITS PRODUCT FOR TD BANK

BACKGROUND:
When considering the overall value provided by services that involve a bill or fee, a poll released recently by TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank^®, finds over half of consumers (57%) cite day-to-day banking as providing the greatest value for their investment. This is relative to other services including, telephone/mobile phone (19%), cable/satellite television (19%) and financial advice (5%). 

Convenience Is Key – The TD Bank poll reveals that when it comes to value provided by their checking accounts and day-to-day banking needs convenience reigns supreme. The top elements considered to be the most valuable include: · Easy online banking (62%) · Convenient bank store locations (47%) · Convenient ATMs (45%) · Options for no, or reduced fees (41%)

Men vs. Women – Men are more likely to note easy online banking (63%) and convenient ATMs (46%) as the most valuable elements to their checking accounts. On the other hand, women cite convenient bank hours (30%) and branch locations (52%) as the most valuable. 

Banking on Your Watch – Online banking is the most frequent banking activity. Respondents noted going online to manage their finances an average of five times per month. According to the poll, consumers would like to visit banks in the evening or on weekends more than they currently do (30% versus 19%).

John Rosenfeld, Executive Vice President of Retail Deposits Product for TD Bank will be available for interview on XXX and will explain the survey results and how customers can take better control of their finances. 

SUGGESTED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS INCLUDE:

· What were the results of the survey?

· How can consumers take better control of their finances?

· Does gender make a difference in banking activities?

· What is the important factor consumers need to consider when choosing a bank?

· What can someone do if they’re unhappy with their banks choices?

· Where can our listeners go to find out more information? 

MORE ABOUT JOHN ROSENFELD:

John Rosenfeld is Executive Vice President of Retail Deposits Product for TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank Prior to joining TD Bank in September,2010, Rosenfeld was managing director, online engagement at TD AMERITRADE.  In that role, he was responsible for the online client experience and all engagement activities through their online channel.  He also managed the online, social media and mobile strategies for TD AMERITRADE.  He is noted for leveraging a virtual investment consultant (Avatar) to generate over $300 million in net new assets and over $3.5 million in revenue and cost savings in the first year of operation. Before entering the financial services industry, Rosenfeld worked with General Electric Aircraft Engines, where he was their first e-Commerce leader.  He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont.

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