Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, are all well rested and well fed. I also hope you were pleased with your Q4 sales. Some of the exceptional performers during the season included, Fart, Quelf, What?, Canadian Trivia 10th Anniversary Edition, MindTrap Classic, MindTrap Geometrical Riddles, CrossCribb, Chicago Cribbage and, of course, the Professor Noggin's card game series. These results were somewhat expected based, in part, on the very positive media reception to so many of our games earlier in 2007. This important early groundwork was laid by our publicist, Sherry Ewings Cournoyer, by connecting with our media contacts early in the year. When the writers were ready to put together their stories for the Holiday Season, the materials were already in place. Add to this the national and regional Outset Media Fall Flyer blitz and consumers were exposed to Outset Media games and puzzles like never before.

One of the real suprises of the year, however, was the consumer response to puzzles during the summer and fall of 2007. Right across the country we saw very steady sell-through on Cobble Hill, White Mountain and Serendipity puzzles that began in the summer and continued to accelerate right up until Christmas. Personally, I think the tremedous product range this year translated into additional shelf space in the stores and therefore increased visibility and exposure to the consumers.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the tremendous support we receive from independent retailers like you. Thank you!

Looking forward, it's no secret that Canada, the United States and the EU are forecasting some economic slowdown in 2008. The exact timing and amount of the impact at this point is still anyone's guess. Be conservative but, at the same time, remember this important industry fact: In tight economies, game sales are very, very good. It is thought that this is due in part to families tightening budgets on things like movies and dining out and, instead, staying home to play games. It's also a way of laughing and having fun through what are sometimes some very difficult days for many people. So remember, as sometimes we all need to be reminded, that we are not in the business of selling games, puzzles or toys. We are in the business of selling fun!

Look for the 2008 Outset Media games catalogue and the 2008 Cobble Hill Puzzle Company catalogue to arrive in the mail beginning in late March. The reason we will be releasing the catalogues during this time period is that we never really know what new items we may be adding until after Toy Fair in New York in February. We always seem to add some really cool stuff at that time so, with the high cost of shipping catalogues, it makes sense to delay the release and send you a package that gives you a better idea of what the complete Outset Media picture will look like for the entire year.

Check out the dedicated trade show schedule section of this blog to find out places and dates for some of the major industry trade shows we will be attending across North America this year. I will personally be at the Canadian Toy and Hobby Fair in Toronto and the Alberta Gift Shows. I hope to see you there!

Questions? Commments? I always enjoy hearing from you. Call or email me anytime. I look forward to talking with you soon!