Toy Industry to Induct Five Outstanding Individuals into Esteemed Hall of Fame
NEW YORK, Nov. 12, 2013 -- The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced today that it will induct Jill Barad, former chairman and CEO of Mattel; Horst Brandstatter, president of PLAYMOBIL/Brandstatter; the late Jack Friedman, former chairman, CEO & co-founder of JAKKS Pacific; and the late co-founders of Wham-O, Arthur "Spud" Melin and Richard Knerr, into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
The five individuals were selected for induction by members of the Association in recognition of their significant contributions to the industry and the impact they have made on the lives of children through a lifelong commitment to toys and play. They will join an impressive roster of 62 toy industry luminaries who have been previously inducted into the Hall since it was established in 1984. Their induction ceremony will be held on February 15, 2014 in conjunction with the annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards celebration.
The Strong and Toy Industry Association Form Halls of Fame Partnership
June 2013 - ROCHESTER, New York - The Strong and the Toy Industry Association (TIA) are pleased to announce a partnership to house TIA's Toy Industry Hall of Fame alongside The Strong's National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, New York. The two halls of fame - one recognizing classic toys and the other recognizing the individuals who designed, made, and sold them - will share a cutting-edge, $4 million state-of-the-art museum installation, 75 percent of which will be funded by TIA and the toy industry. The confluence of two prestigious halls and their uniquely high-tech housing is expected to draw regional and national attention as America's most beloved toys are recognized together with toy industry luminaries such as Walt Disney; George Lucas; F.A.O. Schwarz; the founders of Hasbro, LEGO, Mattel, and Radio Flyer; and others.
Toy Industry to Induct Judy Ellis and Russ Berrie into Esteemed Hall of Fame
NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2012 -- The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced today that Judith (Judy) Ellis, founder and chair of the nation's first baccalaureate program in Toy Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and the late Russ Berrie, former chief executive and chairman of Russ Berrie & Company, have been selected as the next inductees into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
Established in 1984, the Hall of Fame comprises an impressive roster of 59 individuals who have been previously recognized for their significant contributions to the growth and success of the toy industry. The two newest inductees were nominated from within the toy industry and selected by a vote of TIA members and previous Hall of Fame honorees.
"TIA is pleased to welcome Ms. Ellis and Mr. Berrie into the prestigious Hall of Fame," said Carter Keithley, TIA president. "They join a group of industry visionaries who have revolutionized the toy industry and have had a significant impact on the lives of children the world over."