Almost 350 attendees from 20 countries gathered to honor the winners of People of Play (POP)’s 2023 Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards . Sponsors included Disney, Oxford Games, Mattel, The Michael Kohner Corporation, Hasbro, Longshore, Spin Master, ASTRA, Nextoy, Super Impulse, Backdrop.com, Baby Paper, Jazwares, Peggy Brown Creative and Barry & Jason Entertainment.
Jill Barad, former CEO and Chairman of Mattel, and Rouben Terzian, Co-Founder of BMT Big Monster Toy were honored for Lifetime Achievement Award – presented by Jeffrey Breslow, co-founder BMT.
“The evening was celebratory, entertaining, emotional and full of surprises!” said Mary Couzin, President of People of Play.
The evening opened with the Anima Children’s Choir dressed in Spiderkids costume singing a parody, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Play in Perfect Harmony” and was interspersed with “The Toys that Didn’t Make It” and other entertaining interstitials.
Congratulations to the 2023 TAGIE winners:
Toy Innovator
Sara Farber, Bryan Wilson and Will Sakran for Burstin’ Bubble Clouds with Funrise and Rescue Tales Tickle Pup with MGA/Little Tikes
Game Innovator
Scott Brady for Boop with Smirk & Dagger
Rising Star Innovator
Disney’s John “Cody” Hampton for Limited Edition Cal Kestis Legacy LIGHTSABER
Most Innovative PR and Marketing Team
Mattel and Barbie PR and Marketing Team for Barbie Movie Promotion & Painting the World Pink
Most Innovative Art and Design Visuals
Design Edge and Spin Master for Rubiks Influencer Box
Most Innovative Supplier
Grant Lyon for Grant’s Game Recs
Most Innovative Retailer
Hilary Key for the Toy Chest in Nashville
Most Innovative License
Mattel & Barbie Licensing, Consumer Products, and Product Teams for Barbie the Movie
Young Innovator (under 18 years old)
Zoe Oli for Beautiful Curly Me
Alongside the winners, POP honored for Games Changers: Unsung Heroes:
Michael Gramelspacher, Jon Harter, & SG Labs for Club Organizers for St. Clare School Innovator Club
Tara McGrath. Creative Director, Inventor Relations and Innovations, Mattel.
Entertainment throughout the evening was provided by Barry and Jason Entertainment, Magician Mark Setteducati and Skip Town and the Greyhounds.