VIETNAM — Vietnamese toy company TOSY Robotics has chosen Text100 and Path Interactive to handle marketing communications duties worth $1.5m for the launch of a new gaming robot to be released at the end of 2017.

In a one-year contract finalized at the end of March, the firms are tasked with delivering integrated services spanning media relations, influencer relations, social media, content creation and design. TOSY has not had agency representation for several years. 

"We are launching a new robot in the US at the end of the year. It's a robot for gaming, the players control it and compete with each other. We're aiming to bring what players see on video games to real life so gamers get a realistic feeling while playing," said Trang Pham, TOSY's international PR manager. She added that it will also be marketed in other countries. 

While Text100 is a global marketing communications agency with a focus on technology, Path Interactive is an SEO, PPC, social and digital agency specializing in paid search campaigns. 

"It's been a great process since we first met in October. It's been very thoughtful with a lot of synergy, openness and the opportunity to be as creative as possible," said Erica Pompen, senior vice president, Text100.

"We were completely impressed with Text100's proposal. Their concept totally matched with our vision and we were excited to see someone else with the same passion and vision," said Pham. 

TOSY has designed and manufactured robots and other high tech toys since 2002. Its products are now available in over 60 countries where the company has registered for patents, patent designs and trademarks.