The Big Retirement and the Global Vote

Towards the end of 1999 the Beanie World was full of rumours that Ty was about to retire all current Beanies. Speculation was that this was to be the end of Beanie Babies. Speculation that had been fuelled by the introduction at the end of August that year of a small black bear called "The End".

These rumours turned out to be true - Ty Warner posted the following announcement on the Official Website:

I have been overwhelmed by the response to my announcement that all Beanies will retire on December 31, 1999. Since the announcement, there have been thousands of messages posted on websites worldwide discussing the discontinuation of Beanie Babies. I have received hundreds of letters from children, educators, hospitals, clinics, charities and collectors around the world asking me to reconsider my decision and create new Beanies.
After much thought, I am willing to put the fate of Beanie Babies in your hands. You make the decision. You have inspired the Beanie Babies line through your devotion to them. I will kickoff the new millennium by conducting the first live worldwide vote of its kind, a global vote to determine whether Beanie Babies should, or should not, be continued. Our Beanie Baby factories are shut down, but if you decide that new Beanie Babies should be created, I will re-launch production.
As the new millennium begins, people in every country and every time zone in the world will have an opportunity to participate in the "Beanie Babies Ballot". The global vote will begin on 12/31/99 at 6:00 a.m. EST, USA. When you access www.Ty.com you will be asked this question: "Should Ty create new Beanie Babies in the year 2000?" The website will give detailed instructions on how to cast a vote by internet or telephone at that time. On 1/2/00 at 6:00 a.m. EST, USA, the voting will come to an end. Results will be final and binding.
We will be charging an amount of U.S. $ .50 (fifty cents) per vote (which requires credit card validation). This charge should ensure integrity of the vote, as well as prevent over-voting. Ty employees/vendors/licensees are not eligible to vote. All proceeds (100%) from the vote will be donated to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Regardless of the outcome, children of the world will benefit from your vote. Remember that it is you that can make a difference in this world.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Ty Warner

On 23 December all the current beanies were retired. These were 99 Holiday Teddy, Spangle, Goochy, Paul, Luke, Roam, Slippery, Almond, Schweetheart, B.B. Bear, Mac, Slowpoke, Germania, Pecan, Amber, Sheets, Mooch, Scat, Jake, Fuzz, Jabber, Valentina, Flitter, Sammy, Rocket, Butch, KuKu, Honks, The End, Silver, Early, Gigi, Lips, Scaly, Kicks, Swirly, Cheeks, Goatee, Knuckles, Ty2K, Whisper, Beak, Neon, Hope, Tiny, Wallace, Chipper, Groovy, Scorch and Prickles

The vote duly took place on the web-site as advertised. For three days the Beanie world held their collective breath to see what the result would be. The results came in with a staggering 91% in favour of more Beanies.

These votes were displayed on the Ty website by country

Only just over 200,000 votes were cast in the global poll. This doesn't seem very much considering the popularity of Beanies (which was pretty much at its peak at that time). However, what must be taken into account is that a credit card was required to cast a vote - ruling out voting by anyone not over 18 years of age. Furthermore, at this time, the use of credit cards on the internet (which we all take for granted now) was in its infancy, and many people did not feel comfortable giving their credit card details over the internet. However, the results were in and the Beanie world breathed a collective sigh of relief.

The following newsflash was posted on the Ty Website:

RESULTS OF WORLDWIDE VOTE WOW!!! THE BEANIES WON!!!
91% voted "YES" and 9% voted "NO" I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Beanie Babies Ballot. We hope you have enjoyed the excitement of this event. Your vote in this "first of its kind" worldwide poll has made a difference to children all over the world and has helped a wonderful organization. Best wishes for this new millennium and continue to.....
Expect The Unexpected!
Ty Warner

At the New York Toy fair in February 20 new beanies were introduced, including the antithesis of "The End", a white bear with sparkling holographic stars, called "The Beginning".

Beanies were back, and beanies were back to stay.

Was this an amazing fund raising initiative? Was this one of the best marketing plans ever? Or was this nearly the end of Beanies? Who knows? It certainly rocked the Beanie world though!