Steven Anne - Big G Creative

Big G Creative is expanding into other categories of the toy business.

The Nashville-based company known for licensed board games, such as Carpool Karaoke, Kenny G Keepin’ It Saxy, and Monster Crunch: The Breakfast Battle Game, hired industry vet Steven Anne to serve as its new creative director. At Big G Creative, Anne will work to grow the company’s core product offerings beyond games and into new areas.

“Steve has creative talent, market knowledge and the ability to predict trends, a rare combination that will enable us to widen our reach in the industry,” says Rob Stevens, president of Big G Creative. “Big G Creative has always been known as an innovator and a provider of leading-edge licensed products, and Steve will help us achieve our bigger goals to innovate in other categories.”

During his 17-year run at Walgreens, Anne served as category manager for toys, art, plush, and puzzles. He helped build Walgreens’ licensing program, and established the stores as destinations for both families and collectors due to its expanded selection and regularly updated assortment of exclusive items.

“I have a personal passion for toys and a reliable network of toy collaborators that I am excited to leverage for Big G Creative to bring the most innovative and novel products to life,” says Anne. “My goal is to develop toys that change play patterns and forge trends. I’m truly excited to have this opportunity.”

Anne will remain based in his home city of Chicago, and will oversee licensing and development, and have creative authority over Big G’s next generation of products.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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