Managing the Marketing Team

The Business of Toys and Games is an authoritative, insider's perspective on the ins and outs of the children's toy industry and the strategic thinking behind running a toy company. Featuring senior management from the nation's leading toy and game manufacturers, this book provides a broad, yet comprehensive overview of the current shape and future state of this fast-paced industry. As they raise critical points around the unique aspects of creating merchandise for a young audience, these authorities offer practical and adaptable strategies for succeeding on the shelves and with their customers. From conducting market research and developing new products to creating a company vision and building a winning team, these leaders articulate the finer points of an industry where work and play intersect. The different niches represented enable readers to get inside some of the great strategic minds of today, as experts explore in detail what it takes to stay ahead of trends and compete on a global scale.

Inside the Minds provides readers with proven business intelligence from C-Level executives (Chairman, CEO, CFO, CMO, Partner) from the world's most respected companies nationwide, rather than third-party accounts from unknown authors and analysts. Each chapter is comparable to an essay/thought leadership piece and is a future-oriented look at where an industry, profession, or topic is headed and the most important issues for the future. Through an exhaustive selection process, each author was hand-picked by the Inside the Minds editorial board to author a chapter for this book.

Chapters Include:

• 1. Thomas J. Kalinske, Vice Chairman and Former Chief Executive Officer, LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. - "Putting Education First in the Toy and Game Industry"
• 2. Ryan Gunnigle, President and Chief Executive Officer, Kids II - "Kids II: Innovation at Play"
• 3. Neil Friedman, President, Mattel Brands, Mattel, Inc. - "Putting the Fun in Play"
• 4. Joel Glickman, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, K'NEX Industries, Inc. - "Building to Succeed in the Toy and Game Industry"
• 5. Joe Hauck, Executive Vice President, Sales, Marketing, and Product Development, WizKids Games - "Focusing on the Toy and Game Customer"
• 6. Arete Passas, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manhattan Toy Company - "Challenges in the Toy and Game Industry"
• 7. Debra Fine, Chief Executive Officer, Small World Toys - "Success in the Toy and Game Industry"