Myron Levin shared with us that Corky Philip H. Steiner has sadly passed. Corky was born into a remarkable legacy. His father, Phil Steiner, helped build Kenner Toys into one of the most creative and influential toy companies in America. Corky treated his family’s legacy as something to protect and to carry forward. Corky began his distinguished career at Kenner in 1967, and he rose the ranks at Kenner and Hasbro Toys, holding multiple executive roles, including most recently, VP of Hasbro Toys - Latin America. Kenner was built on imagination—the belief that play matters, that creativity matters, that childhood matters.

  CBS Affiliates Premiere New Season of “Toys of Our Lives,” the Talk Show Exploring Toy Culture, Celebrity Toy Memories, and New Play Trends   MELVILLE, NY - March 11, 2026 - Toys of Our Lives, a television talk show about toys, toy culture, and the stories behind the world’s most beloved playthings, returns for a new season beginning March 13 on CBS affiliates across 10 major U.S. markets.   Hosted by toy industry executive and designer Matt Nuccio, president of Design Edge and a Toy of the Year (TOTY) and TAGie Award–winning inventor, the 30-minute series explores the creativity, nostalgia, and innovation that shape the toy industry. The new season features celebrity guests sharing their favorite childhood toys while discovering classic and new playthings from leading toy brands.   Toys of Our Lives appears as the opening segment of The Donna Drake Show, hosted by Emmy Award–winning broadcaster Donna Drake, and is produced at Drake Media Studios in Melville, New York.   The premiere episode highlights companies exhibiting at Toy Fair New York, the largest toy industry trade show in the Western Hemisphere, including Mattel, Wonder & Wise, Hape, Exploding Kittens, Speedy Monkey, Vango, Loops Lab, Cuddle Barn, and Blue Orange. The episode also features a special appearance by Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe, who shares his own toy memories and experiences.   Toys of Our Lives premieres March 13 on CBS affiliates in New York, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, Boston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Atlanta, Detroit, Seattle, Sacramento, and Pittsburgh. Check local listings for airtimes.   “The toys we grow up with stay with us for life,” said Nuccio. “They shape our imagination, creativity, and sometimes even our careers. Toys of Our Lives celebrates those memories while introducing audiences to the toys that could become the future toys of our lives.”   Drake added, “Toys spark creativity, imagination, and nostalgia. Toys of Our Lives celebrates those joyful memories while introducing audiences to the toys of today.”   Episodes will also be available across digital platforms including YouTube, with additional content launching on TikTok and Instagram beginning in April.  

  People of Play’s Annual Fall Events Will Bring Together Inventors, Influencers, Consumers, Media, and Industry Leaders from Around the World. CHICAGO, IL | March 10, 2026 – Industry professionals are now invited to register for POP Week 2026, a four-day series of events dedicated to the inventors, fans, and leaders shaping the toy and game industry. Presented by People of Play™ (POP), a division of The Toy Association™, the events will run from November 5 to 8 in Rosemont, IL, featuring professional opportunities designed to bring the global play community together in the spirit of innovation and play.    “POP Week is where connections turn into collaborations and ideas become reality,” said Mary Couzin, senior vice president and founder/leader of People of Play at The Toy Association. “We’ve seen incredible stories unfold here, from new inventors stepping into the spotlight to bold ideas winning the attention of global companies and lasting partnerships born from chance conversations. The energy of POP Week is contagious, and it truly shows the power of our industry when people come together to support and celebrate play.”   From lively social gatherings to career-making pitch meetings, POP Week 2026 highlights include:   Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference (November 5 to 7, Embassy Suites Chicago O’Hare Rosemont)  Inventor Opportunities: New inventors can pitch ideas, attend educational sessions, and receive mentorship from product development, licensing, and marketing experts. Professional inventors can pitch one-on-one to product acquisition executive teams for licensing and partnership opportunities. Keynotes & Mentoring: Hear from industry leaders on emerging trends, strategies behind successful product launches, and more. Networking Receptions: Build relationships with toy and game industry executives and dealmakers in casual evening settings. A ticket to the TAGIE Awards is included with conference registration. Toy & Game Innovation Excellence Awards (TAGIEs) (November 6, Joe’s Live Concert Venue) – Celebrate the best and brightest in toy and game innovation at the prestigious TAGIE Awards, which honors the inventors, marketers, retailers, and rising stars behind the most impactful products in the industry.  Chicago Toy & Game Fair (CHITAG) (November 7 to 8, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont) — North America’s largest consumer toy and game event returns this year to bring brings kids, parents, inventors, influencers, and the media together during peak holiday season excitement to discover the toys and games that belong on every wishlist. CHITAG’s “Wishlist Weekend®” is a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their hottest holiday products, spark buzz, and connect directly with their end-consumer. Click here for more information on exhibiting at the fair.   Whether you’re looking to learn, pitch, partner, launch, or interact with consumers and influencers, POP Week 2026 is your gateway to the toy and game industry. Learn more at chitag.com and follow along on social media using #chitag, #chitag2026, & #peopleofplay.   About People of Play™ peopleofplay.com / chitag.com People of Play (POP), a division of The Toy Association™, 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 a play platform packed with resources, the largest toy and game directory in the industry, and a wide range of events, including the Chicago Toy & Game (CHITAG) Fair, the Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIEs) Awards, the Young Inventor Challenge®, the Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference, and more.   About The Toy Association™ toyassociation.org / toyfoundation.org / peopleofplay.com / thegeniusofplay.org / playsafe.orgFounded in 1916, The Toy Association™, Inc. is the business trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The Toy Association leads the health and growth of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual U.S. economic impact of $155.7 billion, and its roughly 800+ members drive the annual $45.6 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Toy Association serves as the industry's voice on the developmental benefits of play and promotes play's positive impact on childhood development. The organization has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, governments, consumers, and the industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play.    As a global leader, The Toy Association produces the world-renowned Toy Fair™ in New York City; hosts marketplace activities in Los Angeles; engages in state, federal, and international advocacy on behalf of its members; supports the inventor and design community through People of Play™ and its numerous assets and events, including the consumer-facing Chicago Toy & Game Fair; sustains the Canadian Toy Association; acts as secretariat for the International Council of Toy Industries and International Toy Industry CEO Roundtable; and chairs the committee that reviews and revises America's widely emulated ASTM F963 toy safety standard. The Toy Association's philanthropic arm is The Toy Foundation™, a 501 (c)(3) children's charity that acts as the uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry. To date, The Toy Foundation has delivered the joy of play to 33 million children in need worldwide.