Bob Wann is the Chief Play Monster at Play Monster, the ​​makers of 5 Second Rule, Game of Things, Roominate, Lauri, and other branded toys, games, and educational products. Bob has experience leading at both Fortune 500 corporations and start-ups just getting their footing. 

Bob is known as a brilliant salesman, marketer, and negotiator. He has led and overseen the growth and global expansion of some of the best-known brands in the industry, including Fisher-Price, Milton Bradley, Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, Nerf, Mr. Potato Head, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, Monopoly, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Pictionary, Clue, Candyland, Yahtzee and Spirograph. Bob was instrumental in the development of the award-winning Family Game Night and Get Together Games marketing campaigns. As a negotiator, he was key in notable industry acquisitions such as Tiger Electronics, Wizards of the Coast, Kahootz and Interplay, and was instrumental in the breakthrough licensing negotiations of the Star Wars 10-year Hasbro deal. He has served as the head of Playskool and then went on to be the President of Parker Brothers, where he created many lasting and ahead of their time licensing deals. 

After a very successful run, and when most people would think of retiring, Bob took a big risk and joined Patch Products in Wisconsin. He used his diverse experience to lead the expansion of Patch Products from a small game company into the multiple award-winning PlayMonster. He continues to grow the business exponentially in the US and internationally. PlayMonster has seen great growth since Bob took over in 2009, celebrating 23 TOTY finalists in the last 12 years, including its first TOTY win with Yeti in My Spaghetti. Because of Bob’s leadership, PlayMonster operates at the level of a big company, and responds to retailer and consumer needs like a small company. 

In addition to Bob’s leadership and service to the industry through all of his company achievements, Bob has served and been a prominent and influential leader within the industry through his 10+ years of service on the Toy Association Board. He served eight years on its Executive committee as Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and seven years as Chairman and host of PlayCon. He combined this with eight years of service on the Toy Foundation Board including Chair of the Fundraising Committee. Through all of this, and his extensive Toy Foundation charitable work, Bob shares his passion and helps ensure that all children can experience the power of play.

Testimonials from Hall of Fame webpage:

Nominated by: Karen McTier, President, KMG Licensing

Bob Wann epitomizes the best of the best in the toy industry. He is smart, creative, professional and possesses many important attributes to be successful in the toy industry—a strong instinct for product, a passion for the industry and strong leadership skills. 

I first met Bob when he was the head of Playskool. I was charged with negotiating the deal on behalf of Warner Bros. and Amblin Entertainment for Tiny Toon Adventures. My team was extremely impressed with Bob. From his deft negotiation of the deal, to managing a talented team at Hasbro, Bob navigated all parties effortlessly. His enthusiasm for product, respect for the creative process, and management of all the business aspects of the toy business made him an ideal partner to licensors. 

He was part of a large corporation, but it was evident that Bob had a true entrepreneurial spirit and a sense of fun that is contagious—he loved what he was doing for a living—and positively impacted everyone around him. He understood the importance of play and creativity and was a strong and principled leader—who appreciated and was loyal to—the talented people he surrounded himself with. 

When Bob went to on to be President of Parker Brothers, we immediately pitched him the Batman license, which was still very early in the franchise and he signed on right away. He had great vision and enthusiasm for the potential of licenses on product. Over the years, Bob was a WB licensee at virtually every company he was involved in; we knew we wanted to be in business with Bob Wann. 

After a very successful run, and when most people would think of retiring, Bob took a big risk and joined Patch Products in Wisconsin. 

He took an ownership position in the company, convinced his former head of design, Ron Hayes, to run the toy development, and eventually bought the company with the help of investment bankers. He reinvented it from a small game and puzzle supplier— to a major player across many categories of product. He led a successful rebranding of the company to PlayMonster, which completely reflects Bob’s personality and sense of fun. 

Bob is very dedicated to The Toy Association and for many years was a fixture on the stage in New York and behind the scenes, dedicating his time and connections to the TA. He is committed to giving back and making the lives of children better by serving as head of the Fundraising Committee for The Toy Association, as well as, Chairman of the organization for many years. He ran the Association’s spring event, and was very focused on the educational aspects, as well as, bringing people in the industry together through the social and networking opportunities. 

Bob’s role as an ambassador and influencer in the industry, his contributions to children in need, his legacy of product successes, his strong inclusive leadership style, and his scrappy, entrepreneurial spirit make him uniquely deserving of a place in the Hall of Fame.

Nominated by: Kathleen Campisano, Global CMO & GM, ChizComm Beacon Media

I am not nominating Bob Wann because of his tireless contributions to the toys industry, its advancement and incredible evolution under his leadership. I am also not nominating Bob Wann because of his undeniable business success and indelible mark over 40+ years in service to innovation and the power of play. I am not nominating Bob Wann because of his unmeasurable contributions to such beloved brands as Fisher-Price, Playskool, Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, Patch Products and PlayMonster. And finally, I am not nominating Bob Wann because of all the titles he has held, committees he has chaired, and business opportunities he has created. Even though each of those accomplishments would individually, and most certainly, earn him a seat alongside the other honorees, there are truly only three reasons why I am nominating Bob Wann for our industries highest honor. His Humanity, His Humor and His Heart! Bob cares deeply about impact and others. He seeks people out for inclusion, brings people together around meaning and unites others for purpose. He does so in a way that only Bob can do, by sharing what is under his proverbial Scottish kilt… which of course is in reference to his notable Scottish charm. And he does so by being vulnerable, by sharing his insights, his point of view and embracing the thoughts, feelings and opinions of others. Bob has taken on some of our industries biggest challenges with humility and a leadership style that accepts diversity of thought and an openness to new ways of working. I believe with the utmost confidence that my nomination is representational of so many of my colleagues and peers who would agree that now is the right time and Bob Wann is the perfect candidate for the Toy Industry Hall of Fame. 

Nominated by: Mary Couzin, President and Founder, Chicago Toy & Game Group 

Bob Wann has either discovered the secret of the space-time continuum or he has a clone. It just isn’t physically possible to do everything Bob does so exceedingly well with humor, intelligence, insight, passion and compassion. Whether it is wearing a kilt to entertain colleagues, sending an unexpected note to see how you are doing, championing a product or brand to success, taking care of family, or mentoring a colleague to the next level, Bob is there for you.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Bob well while working with him when he was Chair of the PlayCon Committee. Although his financial, sales and marketing acumen are widely known, I believe his special sauce is bringing everyone to consensus while encouraging and inspiring all to contribute in a meaningful manner, whether it is hosting successful events, supporting causes, creating hit global brands or transforming companies.

The latter includes the transformation of Patch Products from a small game company to a multi-category dynamic global player with countless award winning products. And, leading by example, Bob still finds time for himself and his team to champion play, serve disadvantaged youth and nurture future leaders of all ages. PlayMonster is a sponsor of our CHITAG Young Inventor Challenge and their commitment goes far beyond financial. They mentor Toy Industry Hall of Fame Nominations for Induction in 2021 Page 19 of 20 the young inventors and they get behind the products invented by these kids. I spent an entire day at PlayMonster a year ago with Bob and his team. They welcomed two winners they licensed games from to their offices, explained their roles and the toy business in great detail, treated these kids like they were an integral part of their team and brought them into the process from top to bottom. It literally brought me to tears. Because of PlayMonster, one of the winners recently said in a TV interview that her life goal is to work at a toy company.

Bob has brought many classics to market such as Nerf, Elefun, 5 Second Rule and Fisher-Price Bubble Mower, 123 Skates and 123 Bike. Although too many to list here, the brands he has grown over the years include Mr. Potato Head, Monopoly, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Pictionary, Candyland, Yahtzee, Spirograph, Fisher-Price, Playskool, Fisher-Price, Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, PlayMonster, and so many more. Bob has left an indelible mark on our industry via the Boards he served, the companies he led, the brands he built and the people of all ages he nurtured and inspired, including yours truly. 

Nominated by: Scott Flynn, Chief Fun Monster, PlayMonster & Soren Laursen, Director, Mattel

"Anyone in the Toy Industry understands the power of play to make a difference in the lives of people of all ages, and Bob Wann lives and breathes that philosophy as he passionately champions play through his example, work ethic and exemplary leadership. 

Bob is well-known throughout the industry for his unbridled passion and enthusiasm. Whether he’s working, attending events or volunteering, his energy is contagious. For 40+ years, his presence in the industry has inspired others to champion the power of play, and to reach for greatness in their careers, for their company, and for the industry. He has mentored many industry leaders, and with his great eye for product, he has brought to market some of the classics like Nerf, Fisher-Price Bubble Mower, Fisher Price 123 Skates and Bike, Elefun and 5 Second Rule. 

Bob is a brilliant salesman, marketer, and negotiator. As such, he has led and overseen the growth and global expansion of some of the best-known brands in the industry, including Fisher-Price, Playskool, Milton Bradley, Parker Brothers, Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, Nerf, Mr. Potato Head, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, Monopoly, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Pictionary, Clue, Candyland, Yahtzee and Spirograph. Bob was instrumental in the development of the award-winning Family Game Night and Get Together Games marketing campaigns. As a negotiator, he was key in notable industry acquisitions such as Tiger Electronics, Wizards of the Coast, Kahootz and Interplay, and was instrumental in the breakthrough licensing negotiations of the Star Wars 10-year Hasbro deal. 

Bob is one of the few leaders in the industry who has worked for both large and small companies, and he used that experience to lead the expansion of Patch Products from a small game company into the multiple award-winning PlayMonster. He continues to grow the business exponentially in the US and internationally. PlayMonster has seen great growth since Bob took over in 2009, celebrating 23 TOTY finalists in the last 11 years, including its first TOTY win with Yeti in My Spaghetti. Because of Bob’s leadership, PlayMonster operates at the level of a big company, and responds to retailer and consumer needs like a small company. 

In addition to Bob’s leadership and service to the industry through all of his company achievements, Bob has served and been a prominent and influential leader within the industry through his 10+ years of service on the Toy Association Board. He served eight years on its Executive committee as Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and seven years as Chairman and host of PlayCon. He combined this with eight years of service on the Toy Industry Hall of Fame Nominations for Induction in 2021 Page 20 of 20 Toy Foundation Board including Chair of the Fundraising Committee. Through all of this, and his extensive Toy Foundation charitable work, Bob shares his passion and helps ensure that all children can experience the power of play. 

This unique combination of company and industry leadership and service is why Bob is such a deserving candidate to be in the Toy Industry Hall of Fame.