The Toy Association has confirmed that Greg Ahearn will join as its new president and ceo on 1 June.
Greg (pictured) will be responsible for leading the next chapter of the association as it continues to evolve and best serve its close to 900 members, as well as the needs of the entire US toy industry.
He will have oversight of the key objectives, which include industry trade shows and events, regulatory affairs and representation, toy safety and ethics initiatives, member education, as well as consumer outreach to champion the importance of play. The role also extends to partnership with The Toy Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the organisation.
“As a part of the strategic evolution of The Toy Association, our goal is to better serve the wide and changing needs of our industry. I am delighted to announce that Greg Ahearn is joining this passionate team as its president and ceo,” commented Sharon Price John, president and ceo at Build-a-Bear Workshop and newly appointed chairperson of The Toy Association board of directors.
“For over 100 years, The Toy Association has played the role of protectors and evangelisers of our industry, promoting the pivotal role of play. We believe Greg’s diverse and multi-decade toy background in senior roles across top manufacturers and retailers has built a valuable, trusted, and far-reaching network of relationships that will further the association’s objectives both now and as they continue to evolve.”
Greg’s appointment comes at an important moment for The Toy Association with the reestablishment of the flagship industry event, Toy Fair New York, as well as the recent creation of an association-run Los Angeles market preview.
Greg’s career includes experience in a variety of executive roles at companies including Mattel, Hasbro, LeapFrog and Toys R Us.
“This is an amazing moment to continue elevating and uniting the toy industry to optimise our greatest opportunities and meet our biggest challenges together,” commented Greg. “Having first-hand experience at both emerging toy companies and large global corporations involving almost every aspect of the toy business, I am looking forward to bringing a fresh, well-informed perspective as we build on and develop new ways for The Toy Association to bring value to its members.
“I am incredibly excited about the future of our industry and look forward to collaborating with our broad membership to help them be successful as individual companies and as part of the industry as a whole.”
