CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Almost 350 attendees from 20 countries celebrated the finalists, winners and honorees of People of Play's (POP) Toy & Game International Excellence Awards (TAGIEs). Sponsors included Disney, Oxford Games, Mattel, The Michael Kohner Corporation, Hasbro, Longshore, Spin Master, Nextoy, Super Impulse, Backdrop.com, Baby Paper, Peggy Brown Creative, and Barry and Jason Entertainment.
"The evening was celebratory and entertaining. The theme 'Toys Though Time' was amplified by a insane time machine transporting us through decades of toy crazes," said Mary Couzin, Founder of People of Play, SVP, Toy Association.
Honorees:
- Mary Danby, British designer of many innovative toys and games
- Dan Romanelli, the Founder of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, transformed the studio's licensing and merchandising division
- Alan Dorfman, Co-Founder/President of Super Impulse USA known for the world's smallest, fully functional, playable toys and games
Winners:
- Toy Innovator of the Year - Yair Shilo and Nextoy
- Game Innovator of the Year - April Mitchell
- Rising Star of the Year - Hasbro's Ava Garfinkel
- Most Innovative PR & Marketing Team of the Year - LEGO and Disney
- Most Innovative Art and Design Visuals of the Year - Brady Lang and Brittney Hassinger
- Most Innovative Supplier of the Year - Product Counsel
- Most Innovative Retailer of the Year - Hilary Key, The Toy Chest
- Most Innovative License of the Year - BBC Studios and Moose Toys
- Young Innovator of the Year - Evelyn Halbach
Karri Bean, Senior Licensing Manager at Disney Consumer Products, Experiences, and Consumer Products, hosted, Barry and Jason Games and Entertainment were the co-producers with band Skip Towne and the Greyhounds on stage.
People of Play:
People of Play (POP), a division of The Toy Association, leads the global toy and game industry in promoting innovation, creativity, and connectivity. A one-stop source of community for industry professionals, aspiring inventors, and people of all ages who love to play, People of Play hosts a play platform packed with resources and connection points as well as a wide range of events including the Chicago Toy & Game (CHITAG) Fair, the Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIEs) Awards, the Young Inventor Challenge, the Toy & Game Inventor Pitch and Innovation Conference, Thought Leaders Summit, Toy Takedown and more.
Contacts
CARVE COMMUNICATIONS FOR POP:
Amy Friedland (amy@carvecomms.com)
Emily Potrzuski (emilya@carvecomms.com)
Susan O'Sullivan (susan@carvecomms.com)
