The Toy Association made a lot of moves during Toy Fair New York. Elections and appointments for The Toy Association Board of Directors, Board Executive Committee, and Chairman’s Advisory Committee took place during the Association’s annual general meeting.
Toy Association Board of Directors:
Four new members were elected to The Toy Association Board of Directors for two-year terms expiring in February 2021. John Frascotti, president and COO, Hasbro; Aaron Muderick, president, Crazy Aaron’s Puttyworld; Michael Rinzler, co-president and founding partner, Wicked Cool Toys; and Steve Totzke, chief commercial officer, Mattel, have all been elected to first-term positions. The Toy Association’s Board of Directors Nominating Committee chose to leave one board seat vacant for future consideration.
“I would like to welcome our new Board Members whose collective expertise and experience will deeply enhance the value the Association brings to its members,” says Bob Wann, chairman of The Toy Association and Chief Play Monster of PlayMonster LLC. “This is a time of great change and opportunity for our members. I look forward to hearing the diverse perspectives and contributions from our new representatives on how the Association can continue to innovate and successfully operate in a global toy landscape.”
Departures, Term Conclusions:
Barbara Finigan, executive vice president and chief legal officer, Hasbro Inc. will depart the Executive Committee and Board. Board members Bruce Raiffe, president, GUND, and Richard Barry, president and CEO, TRU Kids Inc. have concluded their terms. In addition, Nancy Zwiers, chief marketing officer, Spin Master Corp. will depart the Board, while Eva Lorenz, general manager, toys and games, Amazon has concluded her term of service on the Chairman’s Advisory Committee.
Board Executive Committee:
The Toy Association’s Board Executive Committee elected by the Board Members on Feb. 15 will include: Chairman Wann; Skip Kodak, senior vice president, Americas, LEGO Systems Inc. as vice chairman; Geoffrey Walker, president and CEO, KidKraft, Inc. as the Association’s secretary-treasurer (previously Walker served as acting secretary-treasurer); and Jennifer Caveza, senior vice president, toys, Nickelodeon Consumer Products, and Tim Kilpin, formerly of Activision, as members at large. Toy Association president & CEO Steve Pasierb will serve in an ex officio role.
Chairman’s Advisory Committee:
Wann named five executives to the Chairman’s Advisory Committee 2019-2020: former Association chairman John Gessert, president & CEO, American Plastic Toys; former Association chairman Soren Torp Laursen, who sits on the board of Mattel Inc.; Ashley Mady, director of brand development, Basic Fun!, and president, Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT); Richard Barry, president and CEO, TRU Kids Inc.; and Anne Carrihill, general manager, toys and games, Amazon.
“Together with our new and returning Board Members – all who possess significant experience and leverage in the toy community – the Association is certain to effectively continue its essential work to protect and promote both our member companies and the broader toy manufacturing and retailer community,” says Toy Association CEO Steve Pasierb. “A deep note of gratitude to our departing Board Members who have selflessly donated their time, ensuring The Toy Association thrives as a strong, productive global organization.”
