What is your role at Ferrero? Toys Breakthrough Innovation at Ferrero. I research and develop new technologies for the toys inside of Kinder Surprise and Kinder Joy. &nbsp Why and how did you get into the toy industry? My background is in research and engineering. Before Ferrero I was a staff researcher and engineer at MIT Media Lab, making various electromechanical devices and running experiments. Media Lab is a place where research, engineering, design, and also play, are encouraged to come together. Kinder toys R&D involves a similar way of thinking. &nbsp Tell me about Ferrero’s North America innovation center. Ferrero launched an innovation center here in downtown Chicago in 2023. Without pulling the curtain back, I’ll say it’s an amazing place. Truly not unlike Willy Wonka––engineers 3D printing toys in one room, bakers pouring chocolate in the next. &nbsp A main reason we’re located here is to intake and participate in the innovation happening in North America, and to bring it into our products. For me, that’s Kinder. &nbsp What are you up to in the Toys Lab these days? All kinds of toys R&D projects––top secret ones! &nbsp A thing to know is that we’re growing the Toys Lab and currently looking to hire someone to work with me here. Tell all of your friends in Chicago. &nbsp Here’s the link to apply: https://www.ferrerocareers.com/us/en/jobs/toy-innovation-lab-project-manager-kinder-surprise &nbsp What do you think is unique about Ferrero? I’m impressed by how important innovation is to the company, in the product development process. It’s only a minority of companies that take innovation so seriously. &nbsp The heritage is also just super special. It’s really cool to be contributing to that legacy. Kinder toys have been around for 50 years now. Nutella, I think 60, and the recipe hasn’t changed. &nbsp What’s hard about what you do? Trying not to snack on too much Ferrero Rocher is a daily challenge. &nbsp The constraints of Kinder toys are tight. The toy needs to be small enough to fit inside of an egg. Coming up with ideas was difficult at first, but I think the right engineering mindset gets enabled by those kinds of constraints. &nbsp What is the most rewarding part of your job? Definitely the people and the team that I’m on. Everyone is super expert and passionate about what they do. I get activated by being around that level of expertise. Plus we each work on our own area—ingredients, recipes, packaging, toys, etc.—so there’s a real X-Men vibe that we have going. &nbsp What was your favorite toy or game as a child? I remember playing Super Mario 64 for the first time and being captivated by moving a character around in 3D space. Maybe cliché, but I’m not sure I would have caught the maker bug without Lego. &nbsp Are you a toy collector? I am! I collect newer age handheld game consoles. I admire the craft that goes into the circuit board design. &nbsp Beside Kinder, what is a toy everyone should know about today? Probably the Tetris Chicken McNugget. &nbsp What advice would you give a young adult graduating from high school or college today? Develop your skills through projects. And ones that personally interest you. Your enthusiasm for making something that you want to see in the world is a green energy for learning hard skills. &nbsp What is your favorite gadget, app or piece of software that helps you every day? My iPhone camera still hasn’t ceased to amaze me.

&nbspPEOPLE OF PLAY ANNOUNCES REGISTRATION IS OPEN FOR THE WORLD’S LARGEST AND LONGEST RUNNING TOY & GAME INVENTOR PITCH & INNOVATION CONFERENCE SHARON PRICE JOHN, PRESIDENT OF BUILD-A-BEAR, OPENING KEYNOTE November 7th – 9th, 2024 &nbsp &nbsp CHICAGO (July 24th, 2024) - Get ready to learn, pitch and network your way to success&nbspwith some of the most recognizable companies in the toy and game industry from around the world- registration for People of Play’s (POP) Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference is now open! Taking place during POP Week in Rosemont, Illinois, over 100 product acquisition executives looking for ideas are expected. No other event offers you so many fun and unique networking opportunities and is so easy for you to get to meetings! &nbsp POP is excited to announce the Welcome Keynote Speaker will be Sharon Price John, President and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop since 2013, where she has led the re-stuffing and re-building of the multimillion-dollar company. Sharon also serves on the board of directors at Jack in the Box, and as Chair of the Toy Association Board of Directors. &nbsp This year’s conferences, sponsored by Mattel and other soon to be announced sponsors, will be held November 7th through 9th at the Embassy Suites in Rosemont. Testimonials from the Conference include: “I look forward to the People of Play Inventor Conference and the TAGIEs every year. It’s an essential component of Hasbro’s external innovation strategy.” - Angus Walker, Hasbro &nbsp “Pitches, great conversations, meeting new people – we look forward to it every year and it always delivers."&nbsp-Dave Harris, Mattel &nbsp “POP Inventor Pitch/Conference is unique as the only industry show dedicated and specifically catering to game and toy inventors and the executives that influence the path of innovation for their respective companies. It’s also a terrific venue for networking as each year we emerge with new customers and stronger relationships. If you choose this vocation, it’s absolutely essential to attend.”&nbsp–Robert Fuhrer, NEXTOY &nbsp Conference participants can choose from four tracks:&nbsp New Inventor/Innovation Track; Professional Inventor Track; Product Acquisition Executive; Design Student.&nbsp &nbsp Conference tickets also include tickets to The Toy & Game Innovation Awards (The TAGIEs) on November 8th at 6pm, Taking place at Joe’s LIVE, this gala celebrates the outstanding achievements by people in the toy and game industry. &nbsp Other POP Week events include a fun kickoff event on November 6th, the TAGIEs on November 8th, the Young Inventor Challenge and PlayCHIC on November 9th and the Chicago Toy & Game Fair on November 9th and 10th.&nbsp &nbsp To register and view more details, visit this page https://www.chitag.com/2024-inventor-pitch-innovation-conference ### &nbsp About People of Play People of Play (POP) leads the global toy and game industry in promoting innovation, creativity, and connectivity. A one-stop source of community for industry professionals, aspiring inventors and people of all ages who love to play, People of Play hosts an play platform packed with resources and connection points as well as a wide range of events including the Chicago Toy & Game (CHITAG) Fair, the Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards, the Young Inventor Challenge, the Toy & Game Inventor Pitch and Innovation Conference, POP Roast, Toy Takedown and more. &nbsp Media Contacts:&nbsp Amy Friedland (afriedland@freemanpr.com) Emily Potrzuski (epotrzuski@freemanpr.com) Susan O’Sullivan (susanos@freemanpr.com)&nbsp 973-470-0400

&nbsp The 1/350 scale premium diecast U.S.S. Enterprise will showcase unique details and features. The crowd-funding window open for 42 days only. &nbsp JULY 24, 2024, OAKBROOK, IL – TOMY announced a large-scale crowd-funded Star Trek &nbsp U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 will be available for pre-order starting August 1, 2024, through September 12, 2024. Based on the starship from the first motion picture, this offering for Star Trek fans, creates a unique opportunity to own the definitive version of the iconic starship.&nbspThe crowd-funded project, culminating in the creation of the highly detailed 1:350 scale premium die-cast U.S.S. Enterprise, is the second collaboration for the partners. &nbsp “This TOMY Plus crowd-funded U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 will be the centerpiece of any avid Star Trek fan’s collection,” said Bill Walters, Senior Vice President at TOMY International. “Coinciding with the launch of pre-sale, and eager to showcase the offering to the devoted fanbase, we will be attending the Las Vegas Star Trek Convention – and I can’t wait!” &nbsp &nbsp TOMY International Inc. continues to work with noted Star Trek experts, such as Gary Kerr, to ensure this replica is as accurate as possible to the original motion picture studio model. “As far as I'm concerned, this is the most accurate model of the Motion Picture Enterprise that has yet been produced, as its design incorporates reference materials not available previously,” said Kerr.&nbsp“TOMY, to their credit, has listened to the critiques and advice of our team of out and proud nerds. Getting the shape of the ship correct is one thing, but the icing on top of the Refit cake is the use of the same type of color-changing interference paints that were used on the studio model.&nbspModelers who want a replica of the Motion Picture ship, but who are unwilling to invest countless hours and yards of masking tape in painting their model, can now purchase a pre-painted replica of the ship.&nbspTrek fans, you're gonna need a bigger shelf!” &nbsp Exciting features include: 1:350 scale, 34.29" x 16.00" x 11.15” in dimension Iridescent paint pattern to mimic the original motion picture studio model Diecast saucer, main body, and neck of Enterprise Viewable detailed interior of hangar deck and officers’ lounge to match the first motion picture Three different light modes (start, warp and impulse/cruise mode) light up an array of features including the Nav Deflector, Impulse Drive, Nacelles, Phaser Banks, and Photon Torpedo Launchers Viewable detailed interior of Arboretum to match the first motion picture SURAK Shuttlecraft with Warp Sled- 5.6” long and display stand (not attached) Enterprise display base with Type-C USB power port (no cable included); no batteries required Premium collector packaging &nbsp The TOMY Star Trek™: The Motion Picture U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 will weigh 20lbs and be priced at $699 USD (continental United States only and before shipping) and production will begin in the fall after the goal of 5,000 pieces is met. TOMY is supporting the announcement of the limited-time, crowd-funded starship offering with a robust digital campaign targeting U.S. Star Trek fans and will also promote the preview on https://startrek-signup.tomy.com/. The TOMY Plus U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 starship is scheduled to deliver to buyers in October 2025.&nbsp ### &nbsp About TOMY International TOMY International (www.tomy.com) is a leading global designer, producer, and marketer of a broad range of innovative, high-quality toys sold to preschoolers, youths and adults under the TOMY® and Ertl® brands as well as products for parents, infants and toddlers marketed under Lamaze®, The First Years®, JJ Cole® Collections and Boon® brands. TOMY International's mission is to make the world smile. TOMY International reaches its target consumers through multiple channels of distribution supporting more than 25,000 retail outlets throughout North and South America, Europe and Australia. TOMY International is a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan-based TOMY Company, Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Code No. 7867). © TOMY. &nbsp &nbsp