Sweet Spot Studio scoops Toy of the Year award from Mattel for work on Thomas & Friends TrackMaster Dino Escape

Posted on 3rd October 2018 By Billy Langsworthy


At this year’s Mattel Inventor Showcase, Michigan-based invention house Sweet Spot Studio Inc scooped the Toy of the Year award.

The award was given to the firm, run by Jon and Sarah Vanderbeek, for their work on the Fisher-Price Thomas & Friends TrackMaster Dino Escape set.

Having both been mentored under toy legends at Bang Zoom Design and The Obb, the Vanderbeek’s have gone on to develop major brand launches for IP spanning Jurassic Park, Nerf, Thomas the Train and Hot Wheels, and also spread the love for invention by putting on STEAM workshops with kids from local schools in their town of Saugatuck.

Jon Vanderbeek Mattel Inventor Showcase Sarah Vanderbeek Sweet Spot Studio Inc

More Recent News

Most read 2025

Our top 10 most read interviews of 2024

This year’s top 10 features interviews with Exploding Kittens’ Matthew Inman, Hasbro’s Angus Walker and Jazwares’ Magdalena Eichhorn.

AMIGO, Play Creators Festival, Mojo Pitch, Alessandro Montingelli

AMIGO to meet game inventors at Mojo Pitch 2025

“We are thrilled to be back at the Play Creators Festival in 2025,” said AMIGO’s Alessandro Montingelli.

Think Influence, Fisch, Roblox

Think Influence eyes toy partners for Fisch

The popular Roblox game launched earlier this year and has over 800,000 concurrent users.

Transformers, Hasbro

Transformers Age of the Primes figures land on Hasbro Pulse

The Transformers Age of the Primes Titan Class Thirteen Star Optimus Prime figure comes with a cannon blaster, shoulder blasters, and the Zodiac orb.

Shannon Swindle

People of Play welcomes Shannon Swindle as Director

“I look forward to creating meaningful experiences, celebrating the work of toy and game designers and continuing to support the incredible people in this industry that I love so much,” said Swindle.

Rubies, Bluey, Fran Hales, Anita Majhu

Rubies readies UK launch for Bluey costumes

“We are confident that Rubies’ new Bluey dress-up options will be popular with families on this side of the world, after the positive reception they received in Australia,” said Anita Majhu, Head of Licensing (Softlines) at BBC Studios.

Latest Jobs

View all jobs

Upcoming Events

View all events
Stay up to date with the latest news, interviews and opinions with our weekly newsletter
Back to top arro

Sign Up

Enter your details to receive Mojo updates & news.