Zigazoo is making a push into consumer products.
The kid-focused social network and NFT education platform hired Ashley Mady to serve as its president of consumer products. In her new role, Mady will lead physical and digital consumer product initiatives, including NFTs and other digital assets, physical merchandise, and products that are a blend of the two. Mady joins the company from IT’SUGAR where she served as vice president of brand development
“Brands are engaging with fans in ways we’ve never experienced before, and Zigazoo is paving the way into the future where digital and physical products have an opportunity to collide,” Mady says. “We have ambitious plans for how brands can benefit from what we’re building, and I’m ready to dive right in.”
Zigazoo launched in 2020 as a project from UClass co-founders Zak and Leah Ringelstein. In April 2021, the company completed a round of $4 million in seed funding led by MaC Venture Capital with backing from some familiar names in the toys and entertainment space. Pocket.watch Founder and CEO Chris M. Williams and Jazwares Partner and Chief Brand Officer Jeremy Padawer joined Jimmy Kimmel’s Wheelhouse (in partnership with Brent Montgomery), Serena Williams’ Serena Ventures, Talis Capital, manager and producer James “Babydoll” Dixon, and MasterClass Head of Talent Matthew Rutler in providing funding for the startup.
“Ashley is a well-respected creator, connector, and thought leader in the toy, licensing, and entertainment industries, and we are pleased to welcome her to the Zigazoo team,” says Zak Ringelstein. “We look forward to putting her expertise to good use [in] launching exciting and innovative new initiatives and products that meet the needs of our consumers.”
Mady previously served as head of brand development at Basic Fun! and founded Brandberry, a brand licensing and creative agency. She currently serves on the board of The Toy Association and serves as committee chair for The Genius of Play. Mady previously spent six years as president of Women In Toys, Licensing & Entertainment.
The Zigazoo app features challenges prompted by celebrities, brands, and influencers that engage kids to participate, earning them badges and Zigabucks. Recent brand partners include Scholastic, Penguin Random House, Jazwares, Moonbug, and Warner Bros. Additionally, Zigazoo recently launched an NFT program built specifically for kids with safety and digital literacy top-of-mind, combining Zigazoo’s kidSAFE COPPA-certified community with a trusted digital marketplace on the Flow Blockchain.
Zigazoo will attend The Toy Association’s 2023 Preview & 2022 Holiday Market show in Dallas, Sept 20-22. To book a meeting with Zigazoo, email Ashley Mady, president of consumer products at ashley@zigazoo.com or Dave Yang, head of partnerships at dave@zigazoo.com.
