The International Toy Magazines Association (ITMA) elected James Zahn, Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book (U.S.), and Kerstin Barthel, Editor-in-Chief of das spielzeug (Germany), as co-presidents. The unanimous decision was made at ITMA’s annual meeting held this week at Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg, Germany, and is effective immediately.
Founded in 1979, The International Toy Magazines Association (ITMA) represents leading trade publications from key global regions, influencing B2B toy industry partners worldwide. Its member’s print magazines and websites provide reliable information, news, analysis, opinion, interviews, product features, and more to a global audience.
Barthel and Zahn will serve a two-year term and will focus on growing ITMA’s ranks by recruiting new members and increasing awareness and visibility of the association and its members worldwide through content collaborations and partnerships with leading toy industry organizations.
The toy industry is a global business in which every member of the ecosystem, from the C-suite to the frontline retail workers, plays a role in delivering memorable play experiences to kids and families everywhere. Through ITMA, we have a real opportunity to leverage the knowledge and passion of our member publications to support that ecosystem, including retailers, manufacturers, inventors, and others involved in the business of play in new ways as we connect, inform, and grow the global toy industry.”
Our trade magazine ‘das spielzeug,’ has been a member of ITMA for many years. I am therefore delighted to be working with James as co-president to drive the association forward and raise its international profile. I really appreciate working with the members, who are all real industry experts in their countries.”
— Kerstin Barthel, ITMA Co-President, Editor-in-Chief, das spielzeug
Outgoing co-presidents Reyne Rice, Global Trend Hunter & CEO/Founder of ToyTrends, and Jackie Breyer, Vice President & Group Publisher at Adventure Media & Events, will remain active advisers within ITMA.
ITMA members include industry experts from Belgium, China, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. ITMA’s network of international editors and publishers collaborates to share articles, insights, industry resources, and connections.
For more information, visit toymagazines.org.
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