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NEWS > BUSINESS > TICKLE ME ELMO TO INTEGRATE FACEBOOK, XBOX FOR NEW GENERATION
TICKLE ME ELMO TO INTEGRATE FACEBOOK, XBOX FOR NEW GENERATION
December 18 2010
El Segundo, CA – In 1996 the world was a much different place. The internet was only in its infancy, cultural events like Harry Potter and Taylor Swift were still to come, and one toy above all others dominated the imaginations of parents and children alike. 
That toy was of course Tickle Me Elmo, one of the rare consumer products that bled into popular culture in profound and affecting ways. However, unlike other products such as the pet rock or Cabbage Patch Kids, Tickle Me Elmo exploded onto the scene causing panic, injury, broken hearts and broken banks all across the world.
It has been a long time since those wonder days of Tickle Me fever and the world has certainly moved on. New and more elaborate toys now dominate the wish lists of children across the country and even Tyco, the maker of the doll, have started to demur their expectations of future potential in the toy. No new version has been released since 2009 and despite repeated attempts to modernize the doll, most efforts have fallen flat. Now though the company has announced plans to totally revamp their one-time cash cow for the modern era, adding the sophistication that most young people expect of toys such as an iPod dock and full broadband access.
“This is a much different era than the one in which we launched the original Elmo line. While he has been incredibly successful for us and has entertained millions of children across the world, it’s clear that the world has grown up and changed and it is time for Elmo to change alongside,” said a spokesperson for the company. “Too long companies have relied on gimmicks to boost sales for their products, but we are looking to change that. We are announcing a new version of the Elmo doll that when released next year will change toys forever by integrating and embracing all of the modern conveniences that people of all ages have come to expect.”
The company has already struck deals with both Apple and Facebook and is reportedly in negotiations with dozens of others.
“I remember the phenomenon with Tickle Me Elmo back when they first appeared. People were being trampled and the dolls were going for ridiculous prices but that ended and things just kind of went away. The doll was still around but other things kind of took its place and now we are in a totally different era with totally different tastes and appetites,” said Scrape TV Business analyst Ken Green. “That is the fate of many toys unfortunately. Tastes come and go and things that were fundamental for one generation become totally antiquated. If they do come back, they are in an almost entirely new form that in many ways alienates the older fans. Star Wars, Transformers, those are just a few examples but it inevitably happens to all toys, they often just can’t keep up.”
Elmo has remained a popular character on Sesame Street.
“By integrating newer elements of popular culture it’s entirely possible that the makers will be able to appeal to a new generation, a younger generation, but there are risks of alienating older fans, especially those now in their early twenties who are starting to have children of their own and may simply stray away from something too different,” continued Green. “However you have to try. There is a recurring interest in this character and there is no reason to assume that it is gone forever. It is still very popular on the show and I think if they can modernize even a little bit they will have a chance at recovering some of those glory days.”
The company confirmed that new versions of the doll will have onboard GPS and Xbox 360 Kinect integrated.
William Ashford, Business Correspondent
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