Hi Matt! Thanks for taking the time to speak with us! What can you tell us about your journey into the industry and journey/role within Hasbro’s global experiences, partnerships, and music division? I’ve been with Hasbro since 2007, and my journey really mirrors the company’s own evolution into the global games, IP, and toy powerhouse it is today. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work across multiple parts of the business – from managing the TRANSFORMERS brand through its first three films to overseeing marketing and business development for Hasbro’s entertainment studio. Having the opportunity to touch so many iconic brands along the way laid the foundation for where I am now.   Today, I lead teams within Hasbro’s Global Licensed Consumer Products division, where we focus on big‑picture, long‑term strategies across experiences, music, partnerships, and promotions. The goal is to bring brands like PEPPA PIG, Dungeons & Dragons, and MY LITTLE PONY to life in bold, unexpected ways – whether that’s through immersive attractions, live shows, original music, or standout partnerships. It’s an incredibly exciting space to play in, and it’s all about creating unforgettable moments that deepen how fans connect with our brands around the world.   What live experience trends are you seeing among brands and licensing that excite you? How much has this space grown globally/regionally and why? Live brand experiences have become one of the most exciting growth areas in licensing and entertainment globally. What’s especially compelling is how these experiences resonate differently across regions while tapping into a shared desire for immersion, play, and connection.   At Hasbro, our live experiences portfolio has expanded rapidly in recent years, spanning themed restaurants such as the newly announced CANDY LAND Café coming soon to San Diego, elevated immersive experiences like CLUE: A Mystery at the Mansion, community activations like the upcoming TRIVIAL PURSUIT Leeds Takeover to celebrate the city’s 400th anniversary, brand-focused retail experiences like the first-ever standalone PEPPA PIG and TRANSFORMERS stores in London, plus so much more.     We’re also continuing to build long‑term partnerships, including Dungeons & Dragons experiences with Universal and the newly announced D&D Fan Expo coming to London’s O2 in 2026. These aren’t one‑off pop‑ups – they’re culturally resonant, repeatable experiences designed to become part of fans’ everyday lives. The growth in this space is being driven by audiences who want to step inside the brands they love and share those moments with others.   Are there any insights/key learnings you’ve observed from opening a variety of live experiences (i.e. theme parks, touring shows, active play destinations, restaurants, etc.)? What is unique to each? What we’ve learned across theme parks, touring shows, active play destinations, and restaurants is that fans are craving memorable, immersive experiences that let them step into the worlds they love and not just observe them. Our brands span generations, from TRANSFORMERS to PEPPA PIG to Dungeons & Dragons, and each audience connects to them for different reasons. The key is understanding those motivations through deep consumer insights and then amplifying them by partnering with best‑in‑class operators who bring strong regional and category expertise.     One of the most rewarding insights has been seeing how eager fans are to fully engage and share these moments. Experiences like MONOPOLY Lifesized and PEPPA PIG Theme Parks attract both lifelong fans and first‑timers who want to play together, create memories, and share their experiences socially. That level of engagement speaks to the strength of our brands and reinforces that when experiences are done authentically, they don’t just entertain, they build lasting loyalty.     What music trends are you seeing among brands and licensing that excite you? How much has this space grown globally/regionally and why? Music has become an incredibly powerful extension of brand storytelling, giving fans yet another way to connect emotionally with the worlds they love. Across Hasbro, we’re seeing music succeed in multiple forms – from cinematic soundtracks like the D&D: Dungeon Masters Official Soundtrack and the upcoming, just announced THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE: THE SOUNDTRACK: THE REFORMATTED EDITION to story‑driven original songs for brands like MY LITTLE PONY and PEPPA PIG, to bold pop collaborations with PEPPA PIG and JEM AND THE Each approach meets fans where they are, while reinforcing the heart and personality of the brand.     This space has seen significant growth for us over the past few years, particularly as streaming and social platforms have made music more discoverable and shareable globally. PEPPA PIG has been a standout example, with collaborations including Peppa‑fied versions of Katy Perry’s “Roar,” Wham!’s “Last Christmas,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger,” Rihanna’s “Diamonds,” and our recent Peppa Pig Pop covers album. The fan response has been overwhelming, with audiences fully embracing Peppa as a pop star in her own right. It’s a great example of how music can expand a brand’s cultural footprint while deepening fan connection across generations.   How has the industry evolved with respect to brand storytelling and licensing for live experiences and music? The industry has evolved dramatically as fans look for deeper, more meaningful connections with the brands they love – far beyond traditional merchandise. Today’s audiences bring their own lifestyles, values, and personal memories to these brands, which creates an opportunity to treat them as fully connected ecosystems spanning entertainment, storytelling, consumer products, live experiences, music, and licensing.   A great example of this approach is PEPPA PIG, where thoughtful, real‑world storytelling sits at the center of the brand. Recent narrative developments, such as the arrival of baby sister Evie and George being diagnosed with moderate hearing loss in one ear, were introduced through new television episodes and then thoughtfully extended across licensing and live experiences. From updated costume characters at Peppa Pig Theme Parks to music releases designed to help families talk about these moments together, these stories live consistently across every touchpoint.   This kind of interconnected storytelling is increasingly essential. When licensing, live experiences, and music all reinforce the same narrative, brands feel more authentic, relevant, and emotionally resonant. It’s not just about expanding into new categories, it’s about building cohesive brand worlds that fans can engage with in multiple, meaningful ways.     What is your favorite project at the moment? One project I’m especially excited about right now is Hasbro’s “Apology Tour,” a year-long campaign that playfully acknowledges the emotional impact of THE TRANSFORMERS: THE MOVIE while celebrating its enduring legacy. As part of the film’s 40th anniversary, we’re bringing it back to theaters, reimagining its official soundtrack with original artists and new special guests, and reengaging fans in a meaningful, culturally relevant way.   The original film delivered one of the most unexpected and emotional moments in animated cinema, the fall of Optimus Prime, and decades later, fans are still talking about it.   Now, thanks to our collaboration with Fathom Entertainment, audiences get to experience it the way it was meant to be seen: together, on the big screen. It’s not just about reliving the action or the iconic music – it’s about revisiting that moment, collectively, and celebrating the lasting impact it’s had on generations of fans.   You are attending Licensing Expo in Las Vegas this year. What do you enjoy most about attending industry events? Licensing Expo is one of my favorite industry events because it brings the global licensing community together in a way that really sparks creativity. It’s a chance to reconnect face‑to‑face with longtime partners, meet new collaborators, and have meaningful conversations about where brands and the industry are headed.   For Hasbro, it’s also a vital moment in the year. We’re able to showcase the breadth and momentum of our iconic brand portfolio, highlight our latest collaborations, and build excitement around what’s next. Just as importantly, the conversations that happen at Licensing Expo often set the tone and create real momentum for the months ahead, making it an invaluable touchpoint for our business.   Did you have a favorite toy or game growing up? TRANSFORMERS was definitely one of my favorites growing up. What drew me in was how big and bold the world felt – the characters, the mythology, and the idea that these robots were more than heroes and villains. Fast forward to today, getting to work on TRANSFORMERS at Hasbro truly feels like coming full circle. I grew up as a fan, and now I get to help shape how the brand shows up for fans around the world!   What advice do you have for people beginning their careers in the industry? My biggest piece of advice is to stay curious and be open to every opportunity that comes your way. This industry is constantly evolving, and some of the most valuable experiences come from stepping outside your comfort zone and learning different parts of the business.   I’d also emphasize the importance of relationships. This is a highly collaborative industry, and building strong, authentic connections with colleagues, partners, and mentors can open doors and create opportunities that you might not expect.   Fill in the blank: I’m lucky that… I’m lucky that I get to collaborate with incredibly creative teams and partners, and that the work we do has a real connection to people — whether it’s creating experiences, music, or moments that fans genuinely care about. Being part of that kind of impact, across generations and around the world, is what makes it so meaningful.
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Job Description Are you ready to lead the LEGO® Group's Canadian operations? We are seeking a commercially savvy General Manager to oversee the strategic and operational aspects of our Canadian business. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of the LEGO® Brand in Canada — driving sustainable growth, strengthening customer and consumer engagement, and leading a high-performing team to success. Core Responsibilities Establish the strategic direction for the Canada business, adapting it into specific sales and marketing strategies and actionable implementation plans. Meet local financial targets, including sales, costs, and profits, while enhancing colleagues and customer satisfaction. Foster profitable growth by cultivating relationships with customers, IP partners, agencies, and key external stakeholders. Lead the market in digitalizing the consumer journey and expanding eCommerce. Manage the operational aspects of the Canadian business, actively participating in strategic projects and task forces at the Americas or Global level. Advance the team’s People and Culture Agenda, emphasizing Succession Planning, Capability Building, Inclusion, and Team Development. Prioritize innovation by leveraging experience and data-driven insights to support and challenge the team in testing, learning, and scaling. Lead a dedicated team of ~40 commercial colleagues. Play your part in the team succeeding! The General Manager (GM) will join the Americas leadership team, playing a key role in guiding the LEGO® Brand's Business-to-Business efforts, as well as national and regional marketing and operations throughout Canada. The GM will collaborate in developing the 3-year strategic plan, lead market-wide transformation projects, and be accountable for business performance. Do you have what it takes? General Management Expertise Proven experience in P&L ownership and a strong track record of driving commercial success. Sales Experience Extensive background in consumer products, lifestyle, FMCG, fashion, or consumer-focused e-commerce. Global Experience Demonstrated ability to deliver exceptional results in a global context. Leadership Qualities Inspiring and passionate leader with a growth mindset, capable of building high-performing B2B teams. Demonstrates authenticity, self-awareness, and flexibility, effectively influencing within a matrixed structure while adapting to changing circumstances. Stakeholder Management Ability to cultivate relationships with agencies, IP partners, distributors, specialist retailers, and e-commerce players. Digital Savvy Deep understanding of digital transformation affecting consumers, shoppers, and customers. Compensation The annual base salary for this position has a range from $281,356.00 - $422,034.00 based on anticipated responsibilities, market benchmarks, and organizational set-up. The LEGO Group carefully considers a wide range of compensation factors, including but not limited to prior experience, skills, expertise, location, internal equity, and other considerations permitted by law when determining the salary. A bonus scheme with a target Bonus of 30% of the annual base salary is in place for this position as well as a standard benefit package .The comprehensive remuneration details, incl. benefits, will be communicated upon finalization of the employment offer. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. However, please note we do amend or withdraw our jobs and reserve the right to do so at any time, including prior to any advertised closing date. So, if you're interested in this role we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. What’s in it for you? Here are some of what to expect Family Care Leave – We offer enhanced paid leave options for those important times. Insurances – All colleagues are covered by our life and disability insurance which provides protection and peace of mind. Wellbeing – We want our people to feel well and thrive. We offer resources and benefits to nurture physical and mental wellbeing along with opportunities to build community and inspire creativity. Colleague Discount – We know you'll love to build so from day 1 you will qualify for our generous colleague discount. Bonus – We do our best work to succeed together. When goals are reached and if eligible, you'll be rewarded through our bonus scheme. Your workplace – When you join the team you'll be assigned a primary workplace location i.e. one of our Offices, stores or factories. Our hybrid work policy means an average of 3 days per week in the office. The hiring team will discuss the policy and role eligibility with you during the recruitment process. Children are our role models. Their curiosity, creativity and imagination inspire everything we do. We strive to create a diverse, dynamic and inclusive culture of play at the LEGO Group, where everyone feels safe, valued and they belong. The LEGO Group is highly committed to equal employment opportunity and equal pay and seeks to encourage applicants from all backgrounds (eg. sex, gender identity or expression, race/ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age and religion) to apply for roles in our team. The LEGO Group is fully committed to Children’s Rights and Child Wellbeing across the globe. Candidates offered positions with high engagement with children are required to take part in Child Safeguarding Background Screening, as a condition of the offer. Thank you for sharing our global commitment to Children’s Rights. Just imagine building your dream career. Then make it real.
MoreSr Packaging Designer 333 Continental Blvd, El Segundo, CALIFORNIA Full-time Location: California - El Segundo Company: Mattel HQ, Inc. Compensation: USD 95,000 - USD 119,000 - yearly Company Description CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers. The Team: The company that invented Barbie and Hot Wheels is ready for its next breakthrough brand. Mattel Innovation Venture is responsible for launching breakthrough ideas - new brands, new business models, and new ways to play. The team builds from early insight and concept through visual identity, packaging, retail expression, omnichannel assets, and executive storytelling. Job Description The Opportunity: Mattel is seeking a Sr. Packaging designer to help define and lead the visual future of new Venture brands. This role is broader than packaging execution: it is responsible for establishing the brand visual identity systems that bring new ideas to life across packaging, digital, e-commerce, retail, marketing, presentations, and other consumer touchpoints. The ideal candidate is a highly experienced creative leader with exceptional taste, strong visual judgment, and a proven ability to translate strategy, consumer insight, and business ambition into distinctive, premium, scalable design systems. This person will create and steward brand guidelines and styleguides, lead design exploration from concept through production, and build persuasive executive-level presentations that clearly communicate a brand vision and the rationale behind it. This leader must be fluent in modern creative workflows, including the practical use of AI tools for ideation, visualization, storytelling, workflow acceleration, and design exploration. They will manage internal and external resources, partner closely with cross-functional teams, and guide illustrators, photographers, retouchers, vendors, and global partners to deliver work that meets a high creative bar. What Your Impact Will Be: The primary role is the creation of breakthrough brand visual identities for new Mattel Venture toy packaging from concept through production. Help Build brand guidelines, styleguides, visual toolkits, and design systems that clarify brand codes, graphic language, typography, color, photography/illustration direction, and packaging principles Partner on packaging strategy, concept development, and design execution from early exploration through production, ensuring the work is strategically grounded, emotionally resonant, and visually distinctive. Translate insights, raw concepts, and business strategy into clear creative narratives that secure alignment and buy-in from cross-functional partners and executive stakeholders. Create high-quality presentations, concept boards, visual frameworks, and storytelling materials that communicate design vision with clarity, taste, and strategic intent. Use AI tools thoughtfully and effectively to accelerate ideation, mood development, visualization, concept iteration, presentation development, and creative workflow efficiency. Set and maintain a high creative bar for design taste, craft, and consistency Partner with and direct, internal development designers and cross-functional creative contributors while effectively briefing and art directing external illustrators, photographers and vendors. Partner with product design, marketing, insights, structural engineering, program management, legal, licensing, e-commerce, and global teams to ensure packaging and graphic assets deliver on strategy and can be executed at scale. Balance creative ambition with cost, schedule, manufacturing, and retail realities. Advocate for the consumer and the brand, ensuring final creative work is compelling, ownable, understandable, and aligned with key business objectives. Successfully present and defend creative concepts to cross-functional teams, senior leadership, and executive management. Qualifications What We’re Looking For: 3-5+ years of progressive experience in packaging design, graphic design or related design roles, ideally across consumer products, entertainment, lifestyle, toy, fashion, beauty, tech, or culturally relevant brands. Team player (ability to work with immediate team members and cross functional partners) Ability to accept and give creative direction Up to date on current trends: graphics, advertising, fashion, technology, entertainment, social, etc. A portfolio that demonstrates exceptional taste, visual sophistication, range, strong packaging craft, and the ability to create distinctive design systems from the ground up. Experience establishing packaging brand guidelines, styleguides. Experience in packaging design from concept through production, including structure, graphics, hierarchy, typography, color, materials, finishes, retail impact, and manufacturing considerations. Demonstrated familiarity with AI-enabled creative tools and workflows, with the judgment to use them responsibly, efficiently, and in service of stronger creative outcomes. Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects with different delivery dates simultaneously, in order to meet tight deadlines Excellent communication and organizational skills Excellent presentation skills with the ability to articulate design and vision Experience managing external partners, freelance specialists, and global production partners. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, presentation tools, and modern design workflows; familiarity with 3D visualization, rendering, prototyping, and AI image/concept generation tools is strongly preferred. Self-directed, proactive, and comfortable working through ambiguity in a fast-paced innovation environment with multiple parallel-path projects. Preferred Experience Experience launching new brands, sub-brands, or franchise extensions from early strategy through consumer-facing execution. Experience in toys, entertainment, licensed IP, consumer products, or youth/family lifestyle categories. Experience developing omnichannel brand assets for retail, e-commerce, social, digital, and presentation environments. Experience working with overseas partners and managing creative quality through production and commercialization. *The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base pay will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential. Additional Information Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Join Mattel's Talent Community and start receiving exciting updates about our company, our employees, and our culture. Also, interested in signing up for job alerts? Do so here! How We Work: We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors: We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower. We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking. We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results. Who We Are: Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more. Visit us at https://jobs.mattel.com/ and www.instagram.com/MattelCareers. Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law. Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.
More    As headlines focus on tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainty, a quieter story is unfolding behind the scenes.   It's the story of thousands of small manufacturers, toy makers, and baby brands doing whatever it takes to keep their businesses alive.   Many of us have already spoken to reporters about the challenges. We've shared how tariffs have depleted cash flow, disrupted sourcing, and forced impossible decisions. Those stories are important.   But that's only half the story.   The other half is resilience.   While larger companies have resources to weather uncertainty, small brands are relying on grit, creativity, and determination. We're exhibiting at trade shows, even when our booths are overshadowed by bigger competitors. We're creating content, calling retailers, managing inventory, and finding new ways to connect with customers.   We're rolling up our sleeves and getting back to the basics of building businesses.   Every day, small manufacturers across the country are making difficult choices simply to keep moving forward.   There's no dramatic headline in that.   No viral moment.   Just real entrepreneurs working hard to preserve the businesses they've spent years building.   A group of approximately 40 creators, mostly in the toy and baby industries, meets quarterly to support one another through these challenges.   This week, many of us are gathering at the Astra Marketplace in Milwaukee, WI, where we will share the same retail floor as larger competitors while continuing to fight for space on store shelves.   We understand the reality we face as we pitch our products to specialty retailers from across the US, all small business owners themselves. Many of these retailers have been forced to make difficult purchasing decisions, which often includes eliminating the small brands. With some consumers are trading down to lower-cost alternatives, our task is getting ever more difficult.   Many small businesses are operating with less margin for error than ever before.   Yet we're still here. Still innovating. Still showing up. Still believing that thoughtfully designed, independently created products deserve a place in the market.   The story of small business right now isn't simply about what we've lost. It's about what we're doing to survive—and why we're determined to keep going.   About Baby Paper Founded by Sari Wiaz, Baby Paper is a sensory toy brand known for its crinkly baby products sold through specialty retailers and online across the United States and internationally. Phone: 847-272-5588 Email address: marketing@babypaper.com  
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