Will you help to #SaveToysRUs? No matter what your take on it, most will agree that the saga of Toys “R” Us is nothing short of historic. With each new day, new information comes forth, and much of it is absolutely unprecedented. Today brings a new chapter as Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment, Inc. (MGAE), one of the world’s leading privately held toy and entertainment companies and the folks behind favorites like L.O.L. Surprise!, Little Tikes, Project Mc2, Num Noms and more has announced a GoFundMe campaign aimed at saving the iconic toy retailer Toys”R”Us. A crowdfunding effort to save a retailer is a unique proposition for sure, and Larian and various investor associates have already given the campaign a jump-start with personal contributions over $200 million toward a lofty $1 billion goal, which would be used in the formulation of a bid to acquire all or some Toys”R”Us assets through the bankruptcy process. This is a separate endeavor from the previously-reported bid that Larian and his group placed toward the operations of Toys “R” Us Canada. If you’re interested in getting involved, I’m sharing the full details on the campaign here on The Rock Father™ Magazine, as provided this morning via press release from Larian.
More From the Official Announcement: $1 billion may seem like a staggering goal, but it would take a very large sum to create a successful bid for the acquisition of such a large entity. If the $1 billion goal is reached, it would make this campaign the highest-funded crowdfunding to date. In addition to this initial contribution, Larian has pledged to commit 10% of all proceeds from Little Tikes purchases made between now and the end of this campaign. “If there is no Toys”R”Us, I don’t think there is a toy business,” said Larian.
Toys”R”Us is an American icon with global relevance and Larian is devoted to saving the retail chain. For over 65 years, Toys”R”Us has played a vital role in the growth, education and creative development of millions of children, giving Larian his first break when he entered the business more than 30 years ago. The consummate entrepreneur, Larian won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2007. The endeavor to #SaveToysRUs is both professional and personal for Larian. As a new grandfather, he appreciates the significance of how deeply Toys”R”Us is embedded in American culture. Per Larian, “There is nothing quite like the joy and awe of a child walking through the aisles of a Toys”R”Us store. I want to preserve that innocent experience for future generations. We can’t sit back and just let it disappear. Everyone deserves to be a Toys”R”Us kid.”
The public is invited to be a part of this historic opportunity to #SaveToysRUs by donating to the GoFundMe campaign. The aim of this campaign is twofold, ensuring that generations to come can “always be a Toys”R”Us kid” and saving employee jobs that are at stake should the company cease operation. Larian plans to develop a special program to benefit Toys”R”Us employees who participate in this campaign. Donations are currently being accepted via GoFundMe at www.savetoysrus.com. The deadline for reaching the $1 billion goal is Memorial Day, May 28, 2018. This is not a charitable donation, and certain donor disclosures apply.
Contributor pledge gifts are as follows:
- $5-$49 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker
- $50-$99 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker AND #SaveToysRUs Special Edition Num NomsTM1
- $100-$499 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, AND #SaveToysRUs Special Edition L.O.L. Surprise! TM 1
- $500-$999 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, AND customized #SaveToysRUs Special Edition Little Tikes® Cozy Coupe®.1
- $1,000-$4,999 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys”R”Us Kid” t-shirt AND Little Tikes® Build-a-HouseTM. 1
- $5,000-$9,999 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys”R”Us Kid” t-shirt, AND Little Tikes® Super Slam ‘n DunkTM. 1
- $10,000-$24,999 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys”R”Us Kid” t-shirt, invite to a local Toys”R”Us reopening block party AND a Little Tikes® backyard makeover. 1, 2
- $25,000-$49,999 pledge: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys”R”Us Kid” t-shirt, invite to a local Toys”R”Us reopening block party AND a tour of the Ohio Little Tikes®factory – the oldest toy factory currently operating in the U.S. – including travel and accommodations. 1,2
- $50,000-$74,999: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys”R”Us Kid” t-shirt, AND a personal block party for your friends and family including Little Tikes® products, food and all associated items. 1
- $75,000-$249,999: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys”R”Us Kid” t-shirt, invite to a local Toys”R”Us reopening block party AND attendance at a special taping of “Unboxed!” series including travel and accommodations. 1, 2
- $250,000-$999,999: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys”R”Us Kid” t-shirt, invite to a local Toys”R”Us reopening block party AND toys for 5 years from Toys”R”Us. 1, 2
- $1,000,000-$9,999,999: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys”R”Us Kid” t-shirt, invite to a local Toys”R”Us reopening block party, AND a signed thank you letter from Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment, and “I helped save Toys”R”Us” hero plaque at a Toys”R”Us location of your choosing. 1, 2
- $10,000,000+: #SaveToysRUs bumper sticker, pin, magnet, “I’ll ALWAYS be a Toys”R”Us Kid” t-shirt, invite to a local Toys”R”Us reopening block party, a signed thank you letter from Isaac Larian, CEO of MGA Entertainment, AND Kid CEO for the Day experience including a trip to a southern California theme park, travel and accommodations, and Toys”R”Us store dedication naming rights for location of your choosing and toys for life from Toys”R”Us. 1, 2
1 – All toy and experience related prizes are contingent upon a successful acquisition of Toys”R”Us. This includes special edition #SaveToysRUs toys, Little Tikes® products, any prize inclusive of travel and accommodation, block parties, store plaque, store naming, and Toys”R”Us toys.
2 – Actual quantity and selection of product shall be made at our reasonable discretion.
Will you help to #SaveToysRUs? Visit http://www.savetoysrus.com to learn more and get involved.
