CHICAGO, IL - (November 11, 2024) – 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 an insane time machine transporting us through decades of toy crazes,” said Mary Couzin, Founder of People of Play, Senior Vice President of The 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

Congratulations to all the finalists, winners and honorees and thank you to all the fun and thoughtful presenters!

Special shoutout to James Zahn and Grant Lyon, who presented the first award of the evening and took a fun selfie with the crowd after inviting Mary Couzin to the stage. 

Presenters:

• James Zahn and Grant Lyon
• Amy Friedland and Chris Byrne
• Ray Adler
• Robert Fuhrer
• Mike Bisogno and Randy Klimpert
• Rachel Griffin and Donna Moore
• Angus Walker and Naomi Brugnatelli
• Michael Kohner
• Peggy Brown and Shannon Swindle
• Elizabeth Moody and Eleanor Black
• David Fuhrer

The evening was hosted by Karri Bean, Senior Licensing Manager at Disney Consumer Products, Experiences, and Consumer Products. Serving as scriptwriters and co-producers were Barry McLaughlin and Jason Lautenschleger of Barry and Jason Games and Entertainment, along with Brent Roland. Entertainment was provided by Chicago's popular blues band, Skip Towne and the Greyhounds.

Special thanks to the TAGIE Awards Committee for their hard work in making the event a success: Karri Bean, Jason Lautenschleger, Barry McLaughlin, Brent Rolland, Robert Fuhrer, Peggy Brown, Danielle Reinhardt, Sari Wiaz, Kaye White, Alex Mackey, and Mary Couzin.

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.

CARVE COMMUNICATIONS FOR PEOPLE OF PLAY:

Amy Friedland (amy@carvecomms.com)

Emily Potrzuski (emilya@carvecomms.com)

Susan O’Sullivan (susan@carvecomms.com)

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