A Day in the Life of … TIA Staff Spotlight

September 20, 2016 | Pulling together an annual event like Toy Industry Association’s Toy of the Year Awards, taking place on February 17, 2017 at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, takes lots of strategizing and coordination. So does executing long-term initiatives, such as The Genius of Play, TIA’s campaign to promote the value of play to consumers. TIA’s marketing communications team handles these two initiatives and others with ease. Toy News Tuesday editors recently spoke with Jackie Retzer, TIA assistant marketing manager, on what it’s like to work in marketing communications. Here is what she had to say.

How long have you been with the company and what is your background?

October marks my fifth anniversary at TIA! I interned at a public relations firm that had represented TIA and I immediately fell in love with the organization’s mission. Luckily, right after I graduated college, there was an opening for an assistant position within TIA’s communications group and I applied and got it.

Over the past five years I’ve grown from an assistant to an assistant manager here. I am currently working on getting my master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications.

Why do you love your job?

What’s not to like about working with toys? The marketing communications team plays a hand in everything the organization does, both internally and externally. I love connecting with our members, working with our committees and digging into projects. Of course, the highlight of my year is the Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards because I am so involved in it.

How far in advance does TIA start working on the TOTY Awards? Is there still time for members nominate their toys, games or licenses for the 2017 awards?

Yes! We start working on the next year’s TOTY Awards during the summer before. Nominations for TOTY 2017 opened a few weeks ago. The process is still open and the industry has until 5 p.m. (Pacific) on Friday, September 30 to submit their nominations. Go to our TOTY webpage to read about this year’s categories and submit nominees.

Of course if members have any questions, they can always contact me for more information.

What are some other marketing initiatives that you are responsible for at TIA?

We launched the The Genius of Play initiative in November 2014. What I love about The Genius of Play is that it’s a positive proactive campaign that everyone stands strongly behind – from members to parents. 

What are your hobbies outside of TIA?

I love to travel. Some of my favorite trips have been to Ireland, Iceland and New Zealand. I’m also a big Pittsburgh Steelers fan and every year, I make the trip to Pittsburgh to see the team play.

Contact Jackie Retzer, assistant marketing manager, by email or phone (646.454.5587).