A very few highlights from over the years

Working on a DARPA grant with a Sandia Laboratories spin-off company, we researched toy industry sources to provide low-cost platforms for special function robots that employed proprietary swarm technology for military and humanitarian (de-mining) uses.

For the Danbury Mint's Chatty Cathy collector edition, we developed a mechanism that married the original pull-string mechanism with state-of-the-art electronics so the phrases could be accessed the old way -- but with a new clarity and ease provided by the electronics hidden inside.  We also handled voice talent and song rights clearance. Awarded a DOTY in Doll Reader magazine.

We designed this collectible bear line for Papel Giftware and it debuted to sellout success.

Noted as one of the best bear designs of the year by Giftware News.

We researched then purchased the Ideal Doll image and trademark for "Toni" and licensed it to Robert Tonner for a successful four-year program.

First with Tyco Toys, then with Mattel, we initiated and negotiated the direct mail program creating porcelain commemoratives of the Ideal Doll Nursery inventory.

We assisted product development and handled licensor approvals.  This program ran an unprecedented ten years and garnered many awards and much special attention.

With the help of Sandia National Laboratories, we developed a new technology that adds eye and mouth animation to 2D and 3D objects.

We were granted a patent for TechTalk in 2014 and have passed further development to our new company, HBN-DSN.

Kurt Adler • Applause • Collegeville/Imagineering – Hallmark Cards • The Danbury Mint • Effanbee Doll • The Hamilton Group • Lenox Collections • Mattel • MGA Entertainment • Papel Giftware • Royal Doulton • Silvestri • Fitz & Floyd • Spin Master • Three Jays Imports • What Kids Want • Regency International - Celebration Designs

A partial list of our clients

     Valerie Heilbron, Principal Designer and President of Heilbron Associates started assembling her group of artists, marketing, licensing and product design professionals in 1985 after leaving Coleco Industries.

     Her interdisciplinary arts training – in art, story writing, music – is a natural fit for toy invention and design and coupled with her experience in project management promotes a strong focus on both imaginative construction and problem solving.

     Over the years, many companies have licensed the group's inventions and designs and also called on Heilbron Associates to consult in a variety of capacities. The group stays current on all – or most! – popular licenses and knows the defining criteria for each.

     Starting in 2015, Heilbron Associates forged partnerships overseas so the group could broaden its scope of deliverables and at the same time, refocus its work on patentable technologies, systems and designs.

     With a new focus and new partners, it made sense to organize into a new business - and that's just what we did.  The new company, HBN-DSN, now holds all intellectual property and latest projects.

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