POP announce winners of the TAGIES

Almost 350 attendees from 20 countries gathered to honor the winners of People of Play (POP)’s Toy & Game International Excellence Awards (TAGIEs). 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 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.

Source: The Toy and Game Innovation Awards Press Release