Sherry is inspired by his mother to resurrect his game idea and focus on
developing and education based game over a year’s time a few hours each day,
every day while running the mortgage company.
The prototype is developed and tasted in the market at the New York Toy fair in February.
The game was mentioned in the Toy Fair trade magazine as one to watch, and proved to be
hit among retailers like Nordstrom’s, Scholastics and Highlights, demanding the mass
production of the prototype. The product is launched!y.
Retail outlets begin selling the game internationally, making it an international product.
Sherry Martin is inspired to study the origins of board games after watching a
show about inventors. He researches the history of board game development and
studies what is missing in the marketplace. While he is fascinated about the
creative process for game development, he resolves that he should return to his
life running a mortgage company at the time.
Sherry secures the patent for his first game design that would become
known as Sentence Says (later changed in 2013 to WITS).
Major distributor from Canada, New Zealand, Australia and United Kingdom
hear of the game and request to add the game to their product lines.
Provisional patent obtained for creating a “game using individual
letters to create words that make up a sentence. “
The game is tasted on a trial basis by Toys R Us in 50 of their stores across
the U.S and without any advertisement the game sells out in almost all of their
stores. The prompted Toys “R” Us to carry the product in most of their stores
nationwide.
The game is tasted on a trial basis by Toys R Us in 50 of their stores
across the U.S and without any advertisement the game sells out in almost
all of their stores. The prompted Toys “R” Us to carry the product in most
of their stores nationwide.
Patent request filled for Sherry Martins game creation Industry recognition such as
a Dr. Toy “Top 100” game, Parenting Media and Hot New Toy “are awarded along with a
Creative Child “Seal of Excellence.”
The game is a featured game at the Chicago Toy and Game show, and was the lead game
featured on Chicago’s major morning television network shows.
The Chicago Tribune named it as a Top Ten games of the year. Other national newspapers
and magazines did featured stories such as with the Washington Post, Essence Magazine,
and countless industry trade magazines and newsletters.
Retails distribution increases from 100 independent retail locations to well over 1000.
A Licensing contract with Arby’s© restaurant to produce a series of games for
their kids meal is offered. Over 2,500,000 units were produced and distributed
through Arby’s restaurants throughout the U.S.
and Canada. Sentence Says Man© was Created to be the face of the Arby’s Promotion and he tours
the country visiting Arby’s and encouraging kids to speak proper English.
A travel version of the game, was created.
Later that same year a group of television producers offered a contract of Sherry to do a
game show version of the game.
Distribution to Singapore was added and the game was featured at toy fairs in Germany,
Canada and China.
The next Year the game won two “Top Toy of the Year” awards in the U.S. and in Canada.
Four new spin-offs of the game as well as other games are created and readied for market.
After over four years of legal battel against a goliath, Sherry and the toy
company came to an agreement and the case was closed. The settlement agreement
prohibits Sherry from taking about the case in detail. It also financially burdens
the company and temporarily forces the cease of company expansion until all matters
are resolved by 2014.
Sherry Martin receives a challenge to one of his trademark fillings by a major toy company.
Legal counsel is retained and the multi-year defense begins.
Many attempts were made to settle. The case cost Sherry many thousands of dollars in legal fees and
went on for almost five years. Sherry was advised to cease any expansion until the matter was
resolved.
As a result of the case Sherry decided to change the name of game to one that more
appropriately reflects its intent and purposes to WITS: What Is the Sentence and start
a new corporation.
Product Improvement and redevelopment, and development of new brand extensions and new games restarts.
WITS: What Is The Sentence returns with a greater education focus and direct distribution
into educational environments.
The game is repackaged and readied for re-entry into the marketplace as WITS.
