Weekly Round-Up

1. Key Ninja. Starring: Justin Credible. Marketer: Vante. Pitch: "Modern-day key organizer that holds up to 12 keys of any size and can extend to fit up to 30." Comments: From the quirky creatives who brought you Wallet Ninja and already tried by Spark Innovators (see Clever Key). I applaud their attempt to create a unique DR style -- or mimic one -- but that style will only appeal to young men (i.e. not the typical TV buyer). Then again, that's probably the right target for this sort of gadget. [ss]
 
2. BoPo Nail Polish. Pitch: "The amazing kid-safe nail polish you brush on and peel off." Comments: With the exception of Hot Designs, this has been a low-success category. Going even younger doesn't seem like a winning strategy. That said, I can see young girls and their moms liking this concept. [ss]
 
3. Bunch O Balloons. Marketer: Zuru Toys. Pitch: "Fill and tie 100 water balloons in just 60 seconds." Comments: The brand version of Balloon Bonanza. [ss]
 
4. Catch A Critter. Producer: Cole Media. Pitch: "Keeps pets occupied and eliminates boredom." Comments: Pet boredom has been used to help pet owners rationalize a DRTV purchase, but I don't think it's strong enough to stand alone as a problem. The closest hit to this product, Crazy Critters, solved a different and more pressing problem for pet owners. [ss]
 
5. Hummingbird Cafe. Marketer: Spark Innovators. Pitch: "The amazing hummingbird feeders that lets you get up close and personal." Comments: A lesser, regional version of My Spy Birdhouse (a 2013 True Top Spender) -- and too soon after that Lenfest hit. [ss]
 
6. Magic Pens. Brand: Wham-O. Pitch: "Transform regular drawings into magical works of art." Comments: This strikes me as an analog toy in a digital world. [ss]