The Meaning and Value of a Teddy Bear

Vermont Teddy Bears is a private company that specializes in the manufacture of novelty items based on an e-commerce business model. Company management aims to generate new revenue streams through modifications to the retail system and the

3. Barbie dolls came into existence in 1959. During that time all dolls were infant dolls and Ruth Handler creator of the barbie dolls saw that “children will enjoy giving the Barbie adult roles” because it is different than playing with infant dolls. It has evolved over time, due to the improving technology, the dolls these days look very realistic. The social impact it has made is that it gives children a chance to play with more advanced toys and gives them the ability to admire Barbie’s achievements through her various career

This paper will summarize the ERR articles from the bulleted topics and issues. This paper will also include summaries on toys that may encourage violence and aggression, toys that may promote pro-social behavior, gender stereotyping in toy selection, and cultural stereotyping or, lack of cultural awareness in toys.

Vermont Teddy Bear was founded by John Sortino, who began selling plush bears from a mall kiosk in Burlington and a few years later turned the company into a multi-million dollar business. Throughout the years, VTB has had some major successes, such as the implementation of its ‘Bear-Gram’ service, which allows customers to call a toll-free number and order a personalized bear. In addition, VTB has expanded beyond teddy bears and into other successful managed brands like flower delivery and clothing (pajamas). However, the company has also faced some adversity after going public including off-seasonal jams, partnership failures (Zany Brain), and a rise in competitors, which has reflected in VTB’s overall market share. Since then VTB has repurchased its stock.

Today, I can walk into almost any toy store in America and expect to get bombarded by plastic figures with extreme bodies. But if I were to play this same scenario out in previous time periods, I would find it difficult to encounter the same types of products. This is because children’s toy trends have shifted in America throughout the 20th century. I recently came across an article from TIME magazine that reflects this idea. In it, author Allie Townsend, managing editor of Facebook, ranks 100 of the most influential American toys since the 1920’s.25 I moved through the list from the beginning, and rarely did I come across a toy resembling a doll or action figure until decades later. The toys that populated the store shelves during the first

In a world that continues to advance technologically machines titled “sociable robots” acquire life-like characteristics once exclusive to humans. They are able to express artificial emotions that seem real to the user. In “Alone Together” by Sherry Turkle we see how sociable robots interact with children. They begin to feel emotions that were once exclusive to human interaction. In the narrative “An Army of One: Me” by Jean Twenge we see how prominent the generation gap is. Those under the age of thirty-five tend to focus more on themselves and making sure they feel worthy. Twenge appropriately titles this generation as “Generation Me,” highlighting the fact that boosts of “self-esteem” leads to a rise in individualistic focus. Parents expose their children to toys that industries manufacture to fill the emotional needs children have at a young age. This consequently decreases the need for human interaction. As technology develops and become more “alive,” researchers are able to find what children desire and are able to give those desires to them in a toy. These new toys shape how children think and grow, directly affecting them for their entire lives. By changing the notions of aliveness, sociable robots “cultivate” behaviors representative of Generation Me by manipulating values important to one’s well-being through their expression of life-like emotions and behaviors.

Although Vermont Teddy Bear is a company with a rich track record in the business of "last-minute gifts", its mission statement lacked its basic goals and philosophies that aim to shape its strategic posture.

When you were a kid, you probably carried around some sort of toy that you liked. For girls it might have been barbie dolls or the life-sized baby dolls. If you were a boy it was probably little toy cars (and we all carried around a blanket at one point in our life). But for me it was always stuffed animals that hung around in my hands. I was hardly interested in the dolls and doll houses that other girls had. My mother tells me that wherever I went (and there are pictures to prove it) I always carried a stuffed animal around. Whether it be a pig, cat, or monkey, I was always holding a stuffed toy. When I was told that there was a job for caring for the animals that I cherished, I was overcome with joy, I wouldn’t stop answering the question,

Toys are artifacts created by humans that come in all shapes, sizes, and form used for entertainment, therapy, or simply to past time. One of the earliest toys was a doll made of stone that was estimated to be four thousand years old. What is really interesting is the fact that archaeologists have found that the majority of human civilization produced toys. Nowadays, toys are mass produced and have become an essential item in the human lifestyle. So much so that these toys have the ability to shape children or adults to act or be a certain way. Companies take advantage of their products and advertising to have customers continually buy their products so that these paying customers can achieve their desires. However, some products actually

As Curry took their home ice on Saturday night, they were greeted by a crowd full of fans looking to donate one of their teddy bears to a child in need. The Colonels immediately gave thanks to many of the children in the stands, who were excited to see the home team make a splash during the third annual Teddy Bear Toss. By the end of the night, it felt like almost every kid in attendance got the chance to take home a souvenir puck from one of the players.

WRITE UP: One of the most aspect and trait that was evident was the identity of Canadian Military personals and families. During World War One, Ten-year old Aileen Rogers sent her teddy bear with her father, hoping that it would keep him safe, companied, and bring home some good luck. Aileen seemed to understand what war was like, and meaning of her father being overseas serving in the proud Canadian Expeditionary Force. Nevertheless, as the father fought in the muddy battle of Passchendaele in Belgium in 1917, Lawrence Roger’s was killed, and as the soldiers noticed they retrieved his body, and found the teddy bear in his pocket. It was returned to the Rogers family, along with other personal items, including his spare jacket and Cap. These mementoes served as a family artefact with a deep thoughtful message between husband and father. This resembled the strong Canadian family’s values and identities, a one filled with a strong family connection. This artefact kept the father with hope, and he cherished the true connection of home to the brave Canadians serving overseas. These are the true connection of Canadian family values during times of despair where they can be

When I read “Super-Toys Last All Summer Long”, I somehow got sad on behalf of David and Teddy. They think they are humans, but they are just advanced machines that are constructed with only one purpose; to serve the human being. After reading the last quote, I actually

1) How would you describe Vermont Teddy Bear (VTB)’s business model (the products and services it sells, target market/s to whom it sells them, the value proposition it offers, and its financial model)?

In 2005, the Vermont Teddy Bear Company produced a controversial bear for the Valentine holiday. The bear that was made was called “Crazy for You” and wore a straitjacket. It became an issue when the company was confronted for offending the mentally ill. After the problem became apparent to the organization, it responded by saying that it would continue selling the toy until the inventory was empty. It was put out for the public in January and was sold out by February 3. The ethical issue in this case is whether or not Vermont Teddy Bear Company handled the situation ethically correct.

When I cuddle up on the couch with my blanket, waves of emotion overflow me. As a baby, I adored the cartoon “The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,” which prompted my parents to buy me my blanket. The pictures decorating the cloth present two of the most popular characters from when it was made, Pooh Bear and Piglet, showing the two friends giving each other a hug seemed to create a higher aura of kindness and love that further improves bad emotions. Small patches of patterns surround the centerpiece, the multicolored squares, plain white clouds, and colorful minimalistic depictions of bees. The previously bright and