Justin Bieber doll a strong contender for the 2011 Toy of the Year award

Noonan/News, Jeanne

Justin Bieber dolls are tipped to be among the hottest toys for the 2010 holiday season.

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Toymakers are hoping it's Justin Bieber's world.
A singing figure of the pop idol will compete with 69 other new toys for the 2011 Toy of the Year award.
The Bieber doll, made by Bridge Direct Inc., was a hit at a Toy Industry Association event in Manhattan Monday.
"Oh my God, I love Justin Bieber!" an excited Joelle Bracco, 17, a LaGuardia High School student, said of the 11 1/2 inch toy.
"I like it that he's life-size too!" she joked.
"I love all of his songs!" chimed-in friend Jesse Leston, 17. "If you know him, tell him to call me!"
The girls sang at the event as part of the LaGuardia High School Choir.
The toy group predicted other hot toys for the holidays would include a "Toy Story 3" Blast Off Buzz Lightyear figure, Barbie Video Girl and her real camcorder and a SpyNet Video Watch, which can secretly record sound and images.
"'Toy Story' is big this year," said Adrienne Appell, spokeswoman for the Toy Industry Association.
"Boys like to role play and play spy. For them, it's all about role play."
Industry experts and consumers can vote separately for their favorite toys in 11 categories, including Educational Toy of the Year, Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year and Innovative Toy of the Years at www.toyawards.org.
Winners will be announced Feb. 12 in New York.
Toy experts said shoppers spent big bucks in toys this year and they don't see any signs of slowing down for the holidays.
As of September, Americans had spent more than $11 billion on toys, said Anita Frazier, an entertainment industry analyst with the NPD Group.
"Despite the recession toys had held their own in 2010," said Carter Keithley, TIA's president. "Consumers are shopping early and often."
esandoval@nydailynews.com


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