Discovery Toys
Encyclopedia
Discovery Toys is a 34-year-old direct sales company specializing in educational toys. It functions with the typical direct sales model using party plan
marketing, offering incentive trips and the earning of free merchandise. Its products are sold in the U.S. and Canada, and its headquarters are in Livermore, California.
Discovery Toys is a member of the Direct Selling Association
.
who sold it in 2002 to a private equity group. DT was again purchased in 2008 by Draupnir, LLC and is led by its Chairman and CEO, Jeremy W. Hobbs.
One of the company's top selling toys is Marbleworks. Released in 1982 it consists of colorful, sloped, plastic half-pipes of different designs. The individual pieces interlock, creating a track on which marbles
are run. Marbleworks was included in Discovery's product line when Discovery Toys expanded into China
in 2003.
Most of its product line is exclusive to Discovery Toys, and many of the products have garnered awards from Dr. Toy, the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and other independent reviewers.
The company's website makes it easy for consumers to find an Educational Consultant in their locale simply by entering their zip code (U.S.) or postal code (Canada).
Party plan
The party plan is a method of marketing products by hosting what is presented as a social event at which products will be offered for sale. It is a form of direct selling...
marketing, offering incentive trips and the earning of free merchandise. Its products are sold in the U.S. and Canada, and its headquarters are in Livermore, California.
Discovery Toys is a member of the Direct Selling Association
Direct Selling Association
The Direct Selling Association is the name of several similar trade associations in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, and New Zealand that represent direct selling companies, including those that use multi-level marketing compensation plans or party plan product...
.
History
Discovery Toys was founded by early childhood educator, Lane Nemeth, in 1978 with a $5,000 family loan. By 1982, the company had $4.6 million in revenue and 2,500 sales "consultants." Ms. Nemeth grew the company to a $100 million in annual revenue by 1997 then sold the company to AvonAvon Products
Avon Products, Inc. is a US cosmetics, perfume and toy seller with markets in over 140 countries across the world and sales of $9.9 billion worldwide as of 2007.-Business Model:...
who sold it in 2002 to a private equity group. DT was again purchased in 2008 by Draupnir, LLC and is led by its Chairman and CEO, Jeremy W. Hobbs.
One of the company's top selling toys is Marbleworks. Released in 1982 it consists of colorful, sloped, plastic half-pipes of different designs. The individual pieces interlock, creating a track on which marbles
Marble (toy)
A marble is a small spherical toy usually made from glass, clay, steel, or agate. These balls vary in size. Most commonly, they are about ½ inch in diameter, but they may range from less than ¼ inch to over 3 inches , while some art glass marbles fordisplay purposes are over 12 inches ...
are run. Marbleworks was included in Discovery's product line when Discovery Toys expanded into China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
in 2003.
Most of its product line is exclusive to Discovery Toys, and many of the products have garnered awards from Dr. Toy, the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and other independent reviewers.
The company's website makes it easy for consumers to find an Educational Consultant in their locale simply by entering their zip code (U.S.) or postal code (Canada).