A Conversation with Steve Pasierb Teve Pasierb Is President and Emerged in 2015, and How Did TIA CEO of the Toy Industry As- Tackle Them? Ssociation (TIA)
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
#TFNY it’s here... Toy Fair 2016 t’s time to celebrate the extraordinary creativity of the toy community! The 113th North American International Toy Fair exists to serve tens of thousands of global guests eager Ito peer into the future of our great industry. From the lat- est technology to traditional play patterns, including board games and innovative playthings of all kinds, this one-of- a-kind marketplace will unveil the newest developments and biggest trends in toys, play and youth entertainment unseen at any other toy show in the world. Since its beginnings with just a handful of exhibitors in 1903, Toy Fair evolved into an essential event for buyers and sellers conducting business in Manhattan’s iconic Toy Center buildings. Today, it’s a world-class market- place for toy companies, retailers, importers, inventors, licensors, brand owners, and entertainment executives – all of whom are committed to bringing joy, laughter and learning to children through play. Toy Fair is now the largest toy and game marketplace in the Western Hemisphere, filling every available square foot of the Javits Center. Year after year, hundreds of first-time exhibitors look to the marketplace as the indispensable venue to launch new product lines that push the boundaries of our very definition of “play,” while toy industry veterans return to showcase their latest innovations and reintro- duce beloved classics for a whole new generation of fans. Recog- nizing New York City’s position as the epicenter of the North American toy industry, Toy Fair also attracts 10,000 retail buyers and over 1,000 global reporters and media executives anxious to discover the next hit ©The Photo Group CONTINUED ON TO PAGE 3 A Conversation with Steve Pasierb teve Pasierb is president and emerged in 2015, and how did TIA CEO of the Toy Industry As- tackle them? Ssociation (TIA). Prior to join- Steve Pasierb: The transition ing TIA, he served as president and into the toy industry has been very CEO of the Partnership for Drug- smooth thanks to our great staff, an Free Kids, one of the nation’s largest engaged board of directors, and fan- nonprofit organizations focused on tastic members who have welcomed adolescent public health. Toy Fair me as I've traveled the nation each Times sat down with Pasierb to dis- week. With my background in adver- cuss his first year in the toy world, tising and marketing together with his thoughts on the future of the toy over two decades intensely focused industry, and what’s in store for TIA. on the needs of kids, I feel like I've N.J. Bellmawr, arrived in a perfect place to combine 1239 No. Permit Toy Fair Times: Now that you're set- business discipline with a passion for PAID New York, NY 10010 NY York, New tled into your role, what are your bettering the lives of families. In fact, POSTAGE U.S. 1115 Broadway, Suite 400 Suite Broadway, 1115 impressions of the toy industry? I joined TIA right before we kicked STD PRSRT Toy Industry Association, Inc. Association, Industry Toy What important issues or topics CONTINUED ON TO PAGE 3 #TFNY 3 TOY FAIR 2016 international importers and distrib- an upbeat year that saw U.S. sales CONTINUED FROM COVER utors connect with U.S. exhibitors. gains in multiple toy categories. The Steve Pasierb, President toys that will inspire and cultivate the And this year’s show will be abuzz positive momentum carried into the & CEO, Toy Industry minds of children everywhere. with two very special happenings: holiday season and will surely be felt Association, Inc. As a vital stop on the worldwide celebrations commemorating the at Toy Fair, when the toy communi- toy buying circuit, Toy Fair strives to 100th anniversary of the Toy Industry ty’s inventiveness comes to life and exceed the expectations of its guests. Association, and the launch of “Play sets the stage for what we anticipate To streamline the show experience, Fair,” a completely separate family will be another prosperous year. To we are always implementing and event taking place at Javits Center all of the toy lovers, play-seekers, and updating our mobile and web tech- North designed to delight toy fans trend-spotters who will experience nologies, like our free Toy Fair Mo- of all ages. Details about these and Toy Fair 2016: thank you for making John Gessert, bile app, available for download on many other special events, educa- New York City your destination this Chairman, Toy iTunes and Google Play, and Shop- tional presentations, and networking February and best wishes for a suc- Industry Association, Inc. and President & ToyFair365.com, our year-round on- activities taking place during Toy Fair cessful and fun-filled show! u CEO, American Plastic line marketplace. We have also in- week can be found in this issue of Toy Toys, Inc. troduced complimentary resources, Fair Times. like our Export-Ready Guide, to help We are fortunate to be coming off A Conversation with Steve Pasierb CONTINUED FROM COVER sometimes illegal laws that don't at spotlight on the wonderful benefits as well, all of whom play an import- off our GeniusOfPlay.org consumer all help advance safety. As such, we of play as we develop and grow the ant role in the Association and in campaign, a massive, industry-wide are not going to let this climate of Genius of Play initiative. helping to shape the future of the initiative that aims to promote the rumors and fear-generating stand industry. We should discuss taking benefits of play (whether cognitive, and are actively pushing back with TFT: How do you think the toy in- this inclusiveness a few steps further physical, social or emotional). While hard data, verifiable facts and spe- dustry will fare in 2016? by widening the scope of TIA’s mem- many of us in the toy community are cifics about today's toy industry and SP: 2015 was a banner year for bership to include any play-relat- aware that play can be transforma- our collective commitment to safety. the toy industry, both in the U.S. ed professional who wishes to join tive in a young child’s life, the act of The truth of the matter is that each and globally. Early reports from The – that is, anyone whose business play (especially open-ended play) is and every toy sold in the U.S. must NPD Group projected that U.S. toy centers on bringing playful experi- waning in the face of families focused comply with over 100 rigorous safe- industry sales would grow roughly ences to children. I truly believe that on improving a child's standardized ty and regulatory requirements that 6% by year-end, and toy sales across TIA is on a path to one day evolving test scores, extracurricular activities, have been carefully developed by 11 countries, including the UK, into the association representing the and time in front of digital screens. the government, medical commu- Canada, Poland, Russia and France, broad toy and play industry and will So, it’s been TIA’s goal to make sure nity, industry, and consumer groups. grew 7% for the first three quarters do that in a manner that measurably that parents are still finding time in The bottom line: toys are safe. of 2015. Final numbers will only be fosters overall industry growth and their busy lives to allow their kids to At TIA, we’ve been working released in late January, but as of this success. just be kids – to have fun and build around the clock to educate and in- writing, all signs point to a very pos- Finally, I continue to preach the important skills that simply can’t be form the general public and political itive year. concept of “membership excel- developed only in a rigid classroom decision makers about the absolute Experts are predicting that 2016 lence.” Strengthening TIA's offer- setting. The campaign has been very safety of toys and the fact that U.S. will be another successful year for ings, services, and resources across successful in digital and social me- toy safety standards are among the toy companies, and I’d have to agree every level of membership is my dia – to date, parents and caregivers most protective in the world. We’ve with that vision. At TIA’s Fall Toy Pre- personal top priority. We have to ex- nationwide have pledged more than also been tying in a lot of the posi- view in October (which showcased cel. We also have to continually rein- 5 million collective hours of play tive messaging from our Genius of product for Q4 2016), we saw an ex- force our go-to-market events – the with their kids. It’s incredible to see Play campaign to underscore the traordinary range of highly creative North American International Toy such a positive response from par- point that toys are the tools of play new toys and games. The mood was Fair and Fall Toy Preview – to make ents when they are reminded about that help children of all walks of life very upbeat, exhibitors reported sure that we’re meeting the needs of the joy of play. to develop lifelong skills. strong traffic and sales, and overall our various audiences and keeping That said, with all of the optimis- Looking ahead to 2016, we’ll con- it was clear that toymakers are push- pace with the rapidly evolving toy tic play research and statistics that tinue to work hand-in-hand with all ing the boundaries to produce truly industry.