The Toy Association Names Industry Veteran Greg Ahearn as New President & CEO
The Californer/10280425

NEW YORK, May 20, 2024 ~ The Toy Association Inc. has announced the appointment of Greg Ahearn as its new President and CEO, effective June 1. Ahearn, a veteran in the toy industry, will be responsible for leading the Association into its next chapter and ensuring it continues to serve its close to 900 members and the entire industry.

Sharon Price John, President and CEO of Build-a-Bear Workshop and newly appointed Chairperson of The Toy Association Board of Directors, expressed her excitement about Ahearn joining the team. She stated that as part of the strategic evolution of the Association, their goal is to better serve the changing needs of the industry. With Ahearn's diverse background in senior roles across top manufacturers and retailers, she believes he will bring valuable insights and help further the Association's objectives.

The announcement comes at a crucial time for The Toy Association as they recently reestablished their flagship event, Toy Fair New York, and created a new market preview in Los Angeles. These developments are taking place amidst industry evolution and convergence in the post-pandemic economic environment.

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Ahearn's impressive career spans over several decades with experience in executive roles at various toy companies such as Mattel, OddzOn, Hasbro, LeapFrog, and Toys "R" Us on the retail side. He also has leadership experience outside of the toy space at Uber Technologies and Davis Elen Advertising. This diverse background makes him well-equipped to understand and address industry challenges.

In his statement about his new role, Ahearn expressed his enthusiasm for elevating and uniting the toy industry to capitalize on opportunities and tackle challenges together. He believes that his first-hand experience with both emerging toy companies and large global corporations will bring a fresh perspective to The Toy Association.

Ahearn holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California. He will be based out of The Toy Association's headquarters in New York City.

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The Toy Association, which represents a wide array of manufacturers, retailers, licensors, and others involved in the youth entertainment industry, has been in existence for over 100 years. Its main objectives include organizing industry trade shows and events, advocating for regulatory affairs, promoting toy safety and ethics initiatives, providing member education, and championing the importance of play through consumer outreach. The Association also works closely with The Toy Foundation, its philanthropic arm.

With Ahearn at the helm, The Toy Association is poised to continue its mission of protecting and promoting the toy industry while adapting to the ever-changing landscape. His extensive experience and fresh perspective are sure to bring value to the Association's members and contribute to the success of the industry as a whole.

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