| atest incarnation of the Tickle Me Elmo line of plush | | | | announced in 2006. It expanded Elmo's laughing |
| dolls is the Fisher-Price Elmo Live! plush doll. Elmo Live! | | | | behaviors to include rolling around on the floor and |
| tops a proud line of very successful mechanical dolls. | | | | smashing his fist on the ground. |
| Here are 15 fun facts about the sales sensation that | | | | 9. In a well-executed marketing promotion, the |
| has rocked the toy world for several amazing years. | | | | manufacturer built excitement by shrouding TMX Elmo |
| 1. Tyco was the toy company who created the first | | | | in secrecy prior to its release. People who reviewed |
| Elmo doll in this line of plush toys. It was called Tickle | | | | the product prior to its release were required to sign |
| Me Elmo and introduced to United States markets in | | | | confidentiality agreements that prevented them from |
| 1996. It was an immediate hit. | | | | disclosing details about the doll early. The full look of |
| 2. Unexpected demand created massive supply | | | | the TMX doll was finally revealed on ABC's Good |
| shortages. Parents in North America actually fought | | | | Morning America. |
| each other in stores over who would get to purchase | | | | 10. The TMX Elmo marketing promotion included |
| the prized doll. | | | | pre-release sales of the doll. Amazon took more |
| 3. There was a report of injuries to a clerk at a | | | | presale orders than it could fulfill. |
| Wal-Mart in Fredericton, New Brunswick on December | | | | 11. The box for TMX Elmo hid the doll from view until it |
| 14, 1996. He was injured by a stampeding crowd when | | | | was purchased. A "preview flap" on the box only let |
| they spotted him with one of the last remaining toys in | | | | you see Elmo's eyes, and he said, "Ah, ah, ah, ah! No |
| stock. | | | | peeking!" |
| 4. Some of the Tickle Me Elmo dolls sold for prices | | | | 12. People's reactions to short supplies of TMX Elmo |
| much higher than the suggested retail price. Classified | | | | were so notable, they prompted the comedy show |
| ad in some newspapers sold the toy for hundreds of | | | | Saturday Night Live to feature a skit about problems |
| dollars. One report claims that the $28.99 toy sold for | | | | people had while purchasing the doll. |
| as much as $1500. | | | | 13. The 2007 version of the doll featured hidden |
| 5. The vibrating feature of Elmo uses a vibration motor | | | | messages that Elmo would only say if you did just the |
| similar to those found in cell phones and game | | | | right things to the doll. Rhyming clues on the |
| controllers. The doll's motor is just a larger version. | | | | manufacturer's web site helped consumers figure out |
| 6. In 1997 three new Tickle Me dolls were released: | | | | how to trigger the special messages. |
| Tickle Me Ernie, Tickle Me Big Bird, and Tickle Me | | | | 14. The 2008 version of the doll is called Elmo Live! He |
| Cookie Monster. None of them have matched the | | | | features a whole new set of actions and sounds, |
| mysterious success of Elmo. | | | | making him the most advanced version of the popular |
| 7. A complex contest came out in the Fall of 2001 with | | | | Elmo dolls. Sales of Elmo Live! are expected to be |
| the "Surprise Edition" of Tickle Me Elmo. Five specially | | | | brisk for the 2008 Christmas season. With the |
| made Elmos ceased their laughter on January 9, 2002 | | | | economic difficulties it will be interesting to see how |
| and announced to their owners that they had won a | | | | well Elmo Live! sells. |
| prize. The grand prize was an unthinkable $200,000. | | | | 15. Tickle Me Elmo has become an American icon, |
| 8. The Tickle Me Extreme or Tickle Me Ten (TMX, | | | | inspiring a slew of related themes in TV and movies. |
| where X can mean the Roman numeral 10) Elmo was | | | | |