FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE TOY ASSOCIATION™ NAMES SMITH HOLLAND, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CRAYOLA, LLC TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

May 22, 2017 | New York, NY – The Toy Association™ – the not-for-profit trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages – announced that Smith Holland, president and CEO of Crayola LLC, has joined its Board of Directors, effective immediately. The board, chaired by David Hargreaves, strategic adviser at Hasbro, Inc., includes representatives from all areas of the toy industry, including manufacturers, retailers, and entertainment companies.

Crayola LLC, a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Incorporated, is the worldwide leader in children's creative expression products. Known for the iconic Crayola crayon first introduced in 1903, the Crayola brand has grown into a portfolio of innovative art tools, crafting activities, and creativity toys that offer children innovative new ways to use color to create everything imaginable.

“We are thrilled to have Smith Holland join our board,” says Steve Pasierb, president and chief executive of The Toy Association. “Crayola is an iconic company and great global brand that has brought the joy of play to kids for generations. Smith’s team at Crayola continues to innovate bringing great new products to market and is at the core of where the business of toys and play is headed.”

Holland and the Crayola leadership team have been instrumental in shaping the company's strategic priorities — especially the company’s expansion into international markets and the launch of Crayola Experience attractions in several U.S. cities.

The Toy Association Board of Directors elected Holland during its May meeting to fill a vacancy. Holland will be up for re-election for his first full two-year term in February 2018 at The Toy Association’s Annual General Meeting, taking place during its premier global trade show, the North American International Toy Fair.

About The Toy Association www.toyassociation.org / www.thegeniusofplay.org / www.playsafe.org
Founded in 1916, The Toy Association™, Inc. 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. The Toy Association leads the health and growth of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual U.S. economic impact of $80.25 billion, and its 950+ members drive the annual $26 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Toy Association serves as the industry’s voice on the developmental benefits of play, and promotes play’s positive impact on childhood development to consumers and media. The organization 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.

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