ABSTRACT
"Every year, there's a doll, and this is the year of Oopsie-Daisy", noted Howard W. Moore, executive vice-president of retailer Toys 'R' Us, Inc., in December 1989. Once a lack luster producer of boys' play things such as toy trains and racing cars, the company earned the nickname of "Little Hasbro" in recognition of its emulation of Hasbro Inc.s pioneering efforts in implementing a diversified approach to toy making so that success would not be dependent on a single product. The company's healthy financial status enabled it to keep the supply of Oopsie-Daisies down with the aim of managing the frenzy beyond one or two faddish years. Tyco's commitment to diversification began after sales of racing cars and trains tumbled in 1983. In September 1989, Grey paid 44 million dollars for View-Master Ideal Group, Inc., which gave Tyco control of such perennial big sellers as Betsy Wetsy, Tiny Tears, and View-Master 3-D viewers.
