By Laurie Chartorynsky
Tim Kilpin, a veteran toy executive and Activision Blizzard’s new head of consumer products, is known for creating fresh ways for audiences to connect with beloved characters and brands. He will share insight into how brands can engage with fans during the new PlayCon, The Toy Association’s International Conference of Play Professionals, taking place May 8 to 9 in San Francisco, CA.
PlayCon continues to add to its formidable speaker roster. More than a dozen thought-leaders, industry analysts, toy influencers, consumer product executives, and motivational speakers will lead PlayCon’s short “TED Talk”-like sessions, delivering ideas as diverse as their professional backgrounds.
Kilpin, who was recently elected to The Toy Association’s board of directors, has been a leader and executive in the toy and children’s entertainment industries for nearly 30 years, setting brand strategies and creative direction for many of the world’s most iconic children’s brands, including Hot Wheels, Disney Princess, Winnie the Pooh, Barbie, Mickey Mouse, and Batman, while working for Mattel and The Walt Disney Company.
As Activision Blizzard’s president and CEO of its new consumer products division, Kilpin is tasked with accelerating the growth of the interactive gaming company’s franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Candy Crush across multiple product categories. His knowledge of creative product development and category expansion across the toy and gaming space will be beneficial to PlayCon attendees as they look to grow their businesses.
“Tim’s participation in PlayCon is another example of the growing list of leading experts from a variety of disciplines who will share their expertise and experiences with attendees,” said Marian Bossard, The Toy Association’s executive vice president of global market events. “With the theme #PlayForward, the valuable and actionable content provided at the new PlayCon will be unparalleled to any other toy industry conference.”
Visit www.ToyAssociation.org/PlayCon to register and for a list of up-to-date speakers, hotel information, and other news about the industry’s premier conference for play professionals.
Laurie Chartorynsky is a communications specialist and content developer for The Toy Association.