Crazy Aaron’s Taps Ahren Hoffman to Lead Marketing Team

Ahren Hoffman | Source: Crazy Aaron’s/The Toy Book

When Crazy Aaron’s hit Minneapolis for the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA)’s  Marketplace & Academy last weekend, the company behind Thinking Putty did so accompanied by a new team member: Ahren Hoffman

Hoffman, formerly of ASTRA and the Chicago Toy & Game Group, assumed the role of marketing team lead for the growing company.

“Ahren’s long list of accolades and incredible work made it easy for us to select her for the role of marketing team lead,” says Crazy Aaron’s Founder and Executive Chairman, Aaron Muderick. “We look forward to seeing where she takes our brands.”

Related: ASTRA’S INSIGHTS: 5 Reasons to Join ASTRA Today

Prior to her role as business development director for ASTRA, Hoffman served as the manager of industry relations and partnerships at the National Lekotek Center where she evaluated toys and play products for kids — especially those with disabilities — for ableplay.org.

“When I began my career in the toy industry back in 2007, I couldn’t have imagined this journey,” Hoffman says. “Although the start of my career included influence from the toy industry, my degree was in Therapeutic Recreation and focused on leisure experiences for people of all ages with disabilities. I am beyond excited to settle into my role with an incredibly talented team behind me. I know this is only the beginning of a great journey with the Puttyworld family.”

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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