FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Toy Industry to Induct Three Outstanding Individuals into Esteemed Hall of Fame
New York, NY | December 1, 2016 – The Toy Industry Association (TIA) announced today that it will induct Peter Eio, former president of LEGO Systems, Inc., the late Ray Larsen, founder of RLA Marketing and the late Sydney Rosen, former owner of Rose-Art, Cra-Z-Art, into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame
These individuals were selected for induction by members of TIA in recognition of their significant contributions to the industry and the impact they have had on the lives of children through a lifelong commitment to toys and play. They will join an impressive roster of 71 toy industry luminaries, including Jim Henson and George Lucas, who have been inducted into the Hall since it was established in 1984. Their induction ceremony will be held on February 17, 2017 in conjunction with the annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards gala in New York City.
“We are honored to welcome three true pioneers in the business of toys, Mr. Eio, Mr. Larsen and Mr. Rosen, into the prestigious Hall of Fame,” said Steve Pasierb, TIA president & CEO. “These extraordinary individuals led careers that continually demonstrated a deep personal dedication to bringing joy, magic and learning to children around the world. Having their induction ceremony as part of the Toy of The Year Awards gala in February will be a highlight during the evening’s celebration of our great industry.”
ABOUT THE 2017 INDUCTEES
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Peter Eio, the former president of LEGO Systems, Inc., has more than 50 years of experience in marketing and general management with leading global consumer brands. For nearly 20 years, he was responsible for building LEGO businesses, first in the UK and subsequently in the U.S., with a compound internal growth rate of 12% per annum. For over 12 years he served as president of LEGO in the Americas, developing the LEGO brand into one of the most respected in the U.S. toy industry with a penetration of over 70% among families with children. During his tenure he headed the negotiation team that established a successful long-term relationship with Lucas Film with LEGO STAR WARS. Mr. Eio served on the board of the British Toy and Hobby Association from 1985 to 1988 and was chairman of the Toy Manufacturers of America (now the Toy Industry Association) from 1998-2000. Since retiring in 2001, he has retained a deep interest in the toy industry and was a founding member of the ICTI CARE Foundation that monitors and seeks to improve working conditions in the global toy industry.
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Ray Larsen, founder of RLA Marketing, was a pioneer in the toy industry who got his start at age 19 when he took over Arthur Pisner’s toy business and renamed it Ray Larsen Associates. He remained active in managing the company for over 40 years, until his sudden death in 2012. Mr. Larsen grew the company through perseverance, tenacity, strong salesmanship, and personal relationships, transforming it into the nation’s leading sales agency in the toy industry. In his expansive showroom in Manhattan’s iconic Toy Building, he hosted top-level meetings for executives and personally escorted groups through the showroom, selling programs and products as he painstakingly pointed out the subtle advantages of his products along with enhanced profitability for retailers. A true innovator, Mr. Larsen introduced an independent in-store service organization for retailers in the mid 1960s. He was also instrumental in guiding manufacturers on packaging and on-shelf presentation. Mr. Larsen was gracious, well-mannered and an entertaining professional in his approach. He was a strong, persistent negotiator whose high personal ethics and integrity were never compromised.
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Sydney Rosen, the former owner of Rose Art, Cra-Z-Art, got his start in the toy industry at his father’s company, Rosebud Art Company, eventually taking over the business and renaming it Rose Art Industries. Under his leadership, the company grew from a small supplier of toys to one of America’s largest toy manufacturers, with $350 million in annual sales and more than 2,500 employees in the U.S. Throughout his career, Mr. Rosen was recognized for his sharp eye for toy trends and his knowledge of manufacturing and product design, holding numerous toy patents. He was also intimately involved in many kid-focused and Jewish philanthropic programs, including the March of Dimes, Hadassah and the United Jewish Appeal (UJA). He was adored by all who knew him including family, friends and his loyal employees, whom he also considered to be family. Mr. Rosen died in 2011 at the age of 94. His enthusiasm and devotion to the industry during a 60-year career is unmatched. His success, leadership, innovation and charitable contributions are proven.
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The Toy Industry Hall of Fame lives alongside the National Toy Hall of Fame in a special exhibit at The Strong museum in Rochester, New York. The cutting-edge installation features inductees of both halls under one roof, showcasing the toys beloved by generations and the toy industry trailblazers who helped bring those toys to life.
The 2017 ceremony honoring the latest inductees will take place at the 17th Annual Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards on Friday evening, February 17, 2017 at The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City. The event is open to industry stakeholders only; tickets are available for purchase through February 10th.The ceremony will kick off the 114th North American International Toy Fair.
For complete biographies and more information please visit toyassociation.org/HOF.
About the Toy Industry Hall of Fame www.toyassociation.org/HOF
In 1984, the Toy Industry Hall of Fame was established to recognize the people who have brought the value of play to the lives of children and adults. Every year for the past three decades, members of the industry have proudly nominated hundreds of men and women — from toy inventors to toy retailers — who have made their mark on the industry and created a love of play in the hearts of children of all ages.
About the Toy Industry Association (TIA) www.toyassociation.org / www.thegeniusofplay.org
Founded in 1916, the Toy Industry Association™, Inc. (TIA) is the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. Over the past 100 years, TIA has led the health and growth of the toy industry, and today its 950+ members account for an estimated 90% of the annual $25 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Association serves as the industry’s voice on the cognitive, physical, social, emotional and creative benefits of play, and promotes play’s positive impact on childhood development to consumers and media. TIA 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, government, consumers and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play.