The Toys Association elected four new members and four term renewals at its annual shareholder meeting last week. The conference held at the 119th Toy Fair is open to all members of the Toy Society and participants of the Toy Fair.
The new board members include Erica Buxton, CEO of Razor, U.S.; Jason Larian, President of MGA Studios; Mark McColgan, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Commercial Advertising at MATTEL; and Melvin Wells, CEO of Sunshine Times Entertainment.
“I am deeply committed to the broader mission of the toy industry to inspire gaming and promote creativity,” Wells said. “I believe in the importance of collaboration and advocacy to address industry challenges, including changing consumer behavior, the complexity of supply chains and sustainability programs.”
Four members were selected for two-year term: Zabina Kaur Bhasin, MD, CEO and founder of KIDZ; Jared Carr, Senior Vice President and General Manager of LEGO; Jeremy Padawer, Chief Brand Officer of Jazwares, was elected for his second term. Zigazoo Kids president Ashley Mady was elected for his third term. Members of the association’s board of directors will serve two years and may be nominated twice before requesting to leave the board.
The conference opened with Sharon Price, Chairman of the Toys Association Board and President and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop.
“Through 2024, the Toys Association has achieved significant milestones that promote the mission of its members and industry. From expanding opportunities for those who bring members to their network to the successful launch of the first ever Los Angeles Fall Preview Market, combined with ensuring El Segundo’s new toy building opens around the Fall Market held in September this August, the Toys Association continues to grow to better serve the industry.” “And the New York Toys Fair continues to maintain its iconic position as the largest toy trade fair in the Western Hemisphere, currently in New York City, with thousands of global buyers, sellers, trade guests and media, building partnerships, and engaging in opportunities with leading thinkers in the fields of toys, toys, and children’s entertainment.”
President and CEO Greg Ahearn briefly outlines the Toys Association’s three-year action plan. The program will meet the needs of its members and offer game room programs in 23 hospitals nationwide in 2025; last year, the Toys Association established a tariff task force and steering committee to promote toy exclusion of blanket tariffs at all levels and launched an ethical supply chain program to support member compliance needs. Through its charity The Toy Foundation, it provides $35.5 million worth of toys to three million children, while providing immediate relief to families affected by Helene Helene and Milton Hurricanes and LA Wildfires.
“From the biggest household names to entrepreneurial startups and independent inventors, each company plays a crucial role in driving innovation, growth and success in the toy and gaming industries,” Ahearn said. “The Toy Society is committed to ensuring that all members, regardless of size or concentration, have the resources, connections and advocacy they need to thrive.”
For more information about Toy Association, visit ToyAssociation.org.
