2022 Virtual Education

From Board Games to Beer: Inside Champion's Catan Beer Collection

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From Board Games to Beer: Inside Champion's Catan Beer Collection

Billy Langsworthy, Co-Founder, Mojo Nation

Carrie Throckmorton, Marketing Director, Champion Brewing Company


Champion Brewing Company teamed up with Asmodee’s Catan Studio for a series of beers celebrating the much-loved board game, Catan. This session will see Brands Untapped’s Billy Langsworthy talk to Carrie Throckmorton, Marketing Director at Champion Brewing Company, LLC, to find out more how they approached bringing an iconic board game brand into beer – and whether it’s a sector more brands should be embracing.

The Toy Association's Toy Trends Briefing

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The Toy Association's Toy Trends Briefing

Isabel Carrion, Senior Director, Digital Communications, The Toy Association

Kristin Morency Goldman, Senior Advisor, Strategic Communications, The Toy Association

Jennifer Lynch, Content Developer, The Toy Association


The Toy Association’s trends team provides an exclusive look at the top toy and play trends predicated to drive consumer spending on toys in 2022.

STEAM Toys & The STEAM Accreditation Program

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STEAM Toys & The STEAM Accreditation Program

Dr. Amanda Gummer, Founder at Good Play Guide


An insightful look at the importance of STEAM toys for child development and how the STEAM Accreditation Program can help companies assess their product with a validated framework. Hear from Dr. Gummer about the scientifically proven method to evaluate age appropriate, engaging toys and ways to ensure a product's developmental benefit from product invention through marketing execution with examples from accredited products.

A UNICEF Playbook: Diversity & Inclusion in Licensed Product, Development, Marketing, and Packaging

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A UNICEF Playbook: Diversity & Inclusion in Licensed Product, Development, Marketing, and Packaging

Moderator: Maura Regan, President, Licensing International

Madeline Di Nonno, President & CEO, Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media

Shreyasi Jha, Senior Advisor, Gender Equality, UNICEF


Examine the toy industry’s culture and blind spots that hinder the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work during this series of educational sessions hosted by The Toy Association.

Children need diverse role models who can positively impact their perceptions of themselves, their own empowerment, and the world around them. Engaging business to promote positive representation through the marketing, packaging and advertising of products designed for children is a vital part of achieving equality and inclusion – and inspiring more diverse and equal worlds of play. Join us as we discuss a path forward.

The American Kid Consumer: what companies should know about U.S. toy consumers and kids’ routines

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The American Kid Consumer: what companies should know about U.S. toy consumers and kids’ routines

Philippe Guinaudeau, CEO Kidz Global

Marinette Dalbard, Client Service Director, Kidz Global


This session will examine findings by market research consultancy, Kidz Global on opportunities, obstacles and key success factors for growth in the U.S. toy market. To help toy companies understand how best to position their product lines, this session will provide an overview of U.S. child population trends, consumer behavior and holiday shopping trends. It will explore kids’ entertainment brands and characters, favorite super-heroes, kids’ routines and play habits, use of screens and digital media and pocket money spend.

Introducing... The Class of 22 with The Insights Family

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Introducing... The Class of 22 with The Insights Family

Tanya Sarakinis, Commercial Director North and South America, The Insights Company


The attitudes, behaviors and consumption patterns of this generation of families are not only different from their predecessors, but constantly changing. From how they spend their time and money, to their favourite to categories, The Insights Family, use their trend and forecast data, to unveil... The Class of 2022. As well as covering demographic, societal, and educational factors, the session will dig into the core play trends which are set to drive change in 2022. The research will look extensively into the latest cohort of kids leaving Kindergarten (aged 5) and Elementary School (age 10) to see how their words have changed. Focusing on actionable insights to help drive your marketing and product development strategies, this session will utilize Kids Insights and present insights from the US and beyond.

Getting Started Making Reels

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Getting Started Making Reels

Anita Demetropoulos, Principal Strasmark & Dee Farrel, Principal and Founder at Strasmark Inc.


Did you know that over 60 percent of businesses are using video marketing as a tool in 2021? Instagram Reels are a captivating way to engage!

In this session, Strasmark will share the value of Instagram Reels for toy retailers and manufacturers. Learn why and how tagging products in Reels videos can increase your sales. Get a customized look at how easy Reels can be as we demonstrate how to make a quick video with one lucky audience member. After attending this session, you’ll be ready to get started on Reels!

This session is brought to you in partnership with ASTRA.

Getting Started on Tik Tok

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Getting Started on TikTok

Anita Demetropoulos, Principal, Strasmark Inc.

Kat Moraros, Director of Design & Social Media, Strasmark, Inc.


Did you know that the TikTok video sharing app is forecasted to reach 37.3 million Gen Z users this year, surpassing Instagram's 33.3 million, according to a forecast from eMarketer?

In this session, Strasmark will share the value of TikTok for toy retailers and manufacturers. Participants will have fun learning how to get started on this trending social platform. Learn why and how TikTok can benefit your brand and identify key elements to consider when starting and managing your account. Get a customized look at how easy TikTok can be as we demonstrate how to make a quick video. After attending this session, you’ll be ready to get started on TikTok using 4 key steps to success!

Tiptoeing into the World of NFTs

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Tiptoeing into the World of NFTs

Moderator: Tamra Knepfer, President at METABRANDS

Benyamin Ahmed

Mike Shaman, Chief Executive Officer at NFHeroes


We unpack the world of NFTs and the toy industry should be getting involved. Benyamin Ahmed is a 12 year old who’s made a fortune minting NFTs in the metaverse. Mike Shaman is designing NFHero, a collective for NFT creators to let them create and earn. Our moderator, Tamra Knepfer, looks at their stories and shows you how toy companies can begin to think about their audiences and properties in new ways.

Why Every Toy Company Should Be Thinking about Minting an NFT

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Why Every Toy Company Should Be Thinking about Minting an NFT

Moderator: Dean Takahashi, GamesBeat

Jacqueline Vong, Principal & Co-Founder, Playology Intl

Cole Gurman, CEO, Wooshi World

Jeremy Padawer, Chief Brand Officer, Jazwares


You’ve seen them by now, The Bored Apes, The Gucci bags, and Vans sneakers that don’t exist anywhere but as digital representations. And they’re selling like hotcakes. So what do you need to build an NFT strategy for your brand?

How The Pandemic Changed Play

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How The Pandemic Changed Play

Moderator: David Kleeman, SVP, Global Trends, Dubit

Susanna Pollack, President, Games for Change

Mary Couzin, Founder & CEO, Chicago Toy and Game Group

Amanda Gummer, Founder, Good Play Guide

Jim Margraff, Founder & CEO, Kinoo


The pandemic shone a new light on how kids play. In part, it’s because the screen became the kids’ portal to school, entertainment, and socialization. And in part, because parents had time to observe their kids play patterns, and even play alongside them. How much of this will remain when the pandemic subsides? How has play changed forever?

The Pragmatic Metaverse

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The Pragmatic Metaverse

Moderator: Robin Raskin, Founder, The Virtual Events Group

Steve Leamer, Founder and Executive Producer, NewSky Productions

Andrew J. Nash, CEO, Americas, Rooom, Inc

Tom Burg, CEO, Americas, Touchcast

Stas Zavlasky, CEO, Vii Events


The metaverse can be a great destination for experimentation, gameplay, and creating loyalty but it’s still very new and begs many questions about how it will work. A few forward-thinking companies are concentrating on metaverse experiences you can use today to monetize a variety of experiences for the toy industry. We’ll look at how these companies are focusing on the pragmatic metaverse that you can begin to use and monetize today.

Changing Face of Toy Retail

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Changing Face of Toy Retail

Moderator: Christopher Byrne, Author, Speaker, Consultant at Byrne Communications, Inc.

Juli Lennett, SVP, Toys Industry Advisor at The NPD Group

Richard Gottlieb, Founder and CEO, Global Toy Experts

Sue Warfield, President at American Specialty Toy Retailing Association

Joshua Loerzel, Co-Founder and President at Sky Castle Toys


We’ll kick things off with a state of toy report from NPD and then look at the trends and opportunities that will shape 2022. From supply chain issues to inflation, from new distribution channels like DTC and in-game purchases to new experiential retail, the toy industry is undergoing a digital transformation.

Influencers, Virtual Showrooms AR and VR: Discover the Trends to Help You Grow Your Business

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Influencers, Virtual Showrooms AR and VR: Discover the Trends to Help You Grow Your Business

Moderator: Robin Raskin, Founder, The Virtual Events Group

Tom Emrich, VP of Product, 8th Wall

Melissa Hunter, Founder & CEO, Family Video Network

Michel Tzsfaldet, CEO, Tekle Holographics

Jeremy Whitt, Chief Strategy Officer and CTO, SeekXR


Virtual showrooms, holograms, AR, VR, and mixed realities: We’ll look at some of the top ways to extend your brand in a digital world.

Playing the Future

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Playing the Future

Moderator: Sharon Weisman, CEO, PowerStation Studios US

Brian Trunzo, Metaverse Lead, Polygon Studios

Hamutal (Tula) Schieber, Founder & CEO, Schieber Research, LLC

Sydney Wiseman, VP of Brand Development & Creative Strategy, Wowwee


The promise of the metaverse is that every object in the physical world will have its twin in the digital world. Gaming and kids’ changing behaviors about gaming are leading the way. This panel looks at what some of the most innovative game companies are doing, based on input from research into kids media and buying habits.