Maddie Michalik

Adventure Media and Events LLC, publisher of the Toy Book, the Toy Reportthe Toy Insider, and the Pop Insider, named Maddie Michalik editor-in-chief of the Toy Book effective immediately. The announcement was made by Laurie Schacht, CEO. Michalik previously served as managing editor of the Toy Book, a position she has held since November 2018.

Maddie Michalik joined Adventure Media and Events as an intern in 2014. As an enthusiastic young journalist, she quickly demonstrated a love for the toy industry and was excited to learn and grow and make a difference. She rose through the ranks of the company to become the youngest managing editor in the Toy Book‘s more than 35-year history.

In addition to spearheading all of the editorial content for the magazine — working with hundreds of toy companies and PR agencies to make sure retailers and industry analysts have all the information they need to make informed decisions throughout the year — Michalik can be seen appearing in regional and national TV segments across North America, presenting the best toys for kids of all ages.

Ahead of her promotion to editor-in-chief, Michalik was named as a finalist for the 16th Annual Wonder Women Awards presented by Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT). Maddie is nominated in the category of Rising Star Corporate.

The awards, which honor top female executives, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and other changemakers for their extraordinary accomplishments and impact within the toy, licensing, and the entertainment industries, will be presented at a special celebration on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers in New York City, coinciding with Toy Fair.

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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