An industry vet with experience at Hasbro, Disguise, and the Rubie’s Costume Co. will lead the charge at Jazwares‘ new costume play division.
Stephen Stanley was named general manager and senior vice president of the department that will focus on the year-round development of licensed costumes. Following its recent deal with Marvel, Jazwares’ costume business is swinging into action with plans to develop products for all ages and interests, from everyday dress-up to high-end cosplay outfits, masks, and accessories geared toward convention enthusiasts. The range will span dress-up trunks with outfits, masks, roleplay, pet costumes, Halloween decor, and treat carriers.
Stanley will lead a team of fellow industry vets and report to Jazwares Executive Vice President and Partner Michael Rinzler.
Jazwares’ costume play team also includes divisional design lead Anthea Koveos Rodgers, previously head of costume design at both Disguise and Palamon; Halloween and Party Senior Sales Director Michael Esposito, who was most recently national sales manager at Rubie’s; Senior Brand Director Thomas Schilling, previously category manager at FunWorld and the Marvel and Star Wars brand manager at Rubie’s; and Vice President and General Manager of Jazwares Costumes in China, Terry Ma, who joins the company from his previous role as General Manager of Disguise China. The team also includes Angelina Castro as marketing director, Maxwell Lux as senior brand manager, and Daniel Jung as associate brand manager.
The company plans to have its first range of everyday costume play products and dress-up trunks in stores next spring.
Additional items will roll out at retail leading into Halloween 2022 as Jazwares preps “hundreds” of items inspired by Squishmallows, the Marvel Universe, the Spider-Man Spiderverse, and the Star Wars galaxy.