'Let Toys Be Toys' Organising Thread - Part 2

[OneHandWavingFree]

"Let Toys Be Toys - For Girls, and Boys" is a campaign started by a group of Mumsnetters, to convince retailers to categorise their toys by theme or function, rather than gender.

We're inviting everyone to 'like' us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter (@LetToysBeToys) and join us right here for discussion and collaborative decision-making about the next steps of our campaign.

Himalaya has been hard at work compiling the information gathered by our fantastic LTBT Mystery Shoppers, and we will be agreeing right here how the surveys will be ranked, which retailers we will be targetting with our message, and how we will go about it.

If you think that girls and boys should feel free to play with whatever toys that interest them most, and that they shouldn't walk into a toy store and feel pressurised to conform into archaic gender roles and stifling stereotypes, please join in the discussion!

Yoi should be able to grt it on iplayer or a downloadable pod cast?

I missed it too caught a tiny bit at the end

Well done! I just watched it on TV, but missed the radio broadcast.
The ball is really rolling now, so what do we do next?

Should we write a generic press release and try to get in into loads of local papers?
Anyone expert at this? I can help out, but have no training and am not an expert.
Still need to get some celebs on side, any ideas who migt be interested. I thought "Nina and the Neurons" actress might be good, but someone contacted her on twitter(can't remember who, sorry), not sure if we got any response from her though.

I think the next stage is to finish off our survey and then we can really target our campaign ie "Jamie Oliver - what do you think about Toys R Us marketing kitchens for girls only?" or whatever.

so, Himalaya, do you need help number crunching?

For celebs, do we need to collect a list of gender defying celebs?! Or has that been done so. Then we could tweet them and see who is keen?

Perhaps we could also do media releases- both national including all those women magazines, and local press and radio in the areas we have covered.

Good list joyfuljumper. Ill have a think of celebs. Anyone write press releases professionally?
And is Maya going to be the public face of our campaign? Would you be willing to do that, Maya

the Dr Laura Nelson part of the interview.

Oh loridie, I'm a bit scared about tweeting Brian Cox! He's like a god in our family! Someone give me some wordage!!

I think we need more than one spokesperson both for logistical reasons and to reflect that it is a group project.

I know OHWF wants to speak, and can do Ireland TV + radio.

trishawisha, ashesgirl, Aufaniae, ConsiderCasey, Himalaya, MurderofGoths, onehandwavingfree are the FB + twitter admins and have been coordinating the media response today. We could do with a few more joining this media SWAT team

Anyone who can help on the media speaking/ outreach/coordinating side please put your hand up, and send a FB message to lettoysbetoys.

Happy to.do.radio and get involved with newspaper stories etc just not tv!

You did great newsworthy i really thought radio guy was a bit of a jobsworth. companies pat mases to advertise and to retailers for product placement etc, they do it because it works! You would have to be incredibly naive to.think rhat doesnt have an impact on children!

Btw thats a point i meant to mention, some brands etc will pay or dictate to retailers whete and how they can stick.products ie whi h shelf it is on, what it is placed next to. I have no.idea how much toy companies do this btw.

Life is fairly hectic at the moment but I'll do what I can! I'll send a FB message.

Billie Piper and Karen Gillan?

Well done newsworthy

Feelathome - on the number crunching - yes need some help and others inputs - have just got a bit stuck for time.

Will try to have something to share over the weekend.

Bear with me (and keep doing more surveys!)

Himalaya - when you get the chance, let us know which surveys are outstanding. Thanks.

i found this group on fb
:)

Don't know if this group might be an interesting contact: Boys Do Ballet Too.

Started after the founder visited friends:
"The youngest boy had just started dancing too and really loved it. I was reminded of my own passion for dance at his age.
"I stopped by the bookshop at the Palais Garnier to try and find him a suitable book. To my shock, I found that all the books aimed at children were covered in pink and pictures of ribbons and tutus. And, worse, not a single one contained an illustration of a boy dancing or any reference to the fact that men are just as important in ballet as women."

Are the male dancers and judges on Strictly any good for the tweet list?