by Carve Communications | 11 Nov 2024
Press Release
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:
Winners:
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:
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)
###
Film Review: High Score -- Limited Series
Bruce Lund - The Value of Toys
TAGIE Toy Innovator of the Year A First! Two Father Son Teams & Mentee Honored for Power Saber
The Toy Association™ Responds to Unsubstantiated Safety Claims in NGO Reports
Goliath’s Power Saber: A Revolutionary Leap in Toy Technology
The Toy Association™ Engages with Influential Members of Congress to Drive Positive Change for Industry
Moose Toys’ Epic First Comic-Con with MrBeast Lab and xoxKweenie
POP News July 2024
POP Group of Brands
Game Review: Stomp Rocket Space Collection
Randy Klimpert Shares his Ukulele Collection
Steve Casino Peanut Art
Everyone's Talking about POP!
Princess Etch - a Multi-Talented Etch A Sketch Artist
Joseph Herscher of Joseph' s Machines.
Connie Vogelmann designed Apiary & Wyrmspan!
Bob Fuhrer... Is THE Crocodile Dentist!
Tom Dusenberry... Bought Atari, Wizards of the Coast, and Avalon Hill!
Matt Leacock created Pandemic... the game!
Scott Brown and Tim Swindle... are Launching a New Sport!
POPDuo: Richard Dickson, Mattel’s President & COO, and Kedar Narayan, Young Inventor Challenge AMB
POPDuo: Will Shortz and Josh Wardle
POP Duo: Elan Lee, Co-Founder, Exploding Kittens.and Jeff Probst, Host and Exec Producer, Survivor
POP Duo: David Fuhrer, MNG Director, Blue Sq Innovations & Shawn Green, past Dodgers & Mets MLB Star
POP Duo: Bob Fuhrer, Founder, Nextoy and Tom Fazio, Golf Course Designer