February 22, 2012 – The 8th Annual Wonder Women of Toys, Licensing and Entertainment Awards Dinner was held on the opening night of the 109th New York International Toy Fair and celebrated more than 50 of the most influential and impactful women business leaders in toys, licensing and children’s entertainment.  The Wonder Women Award Winners were announced at the newly revamped event hosted by Women in Toys and attended by more than 300 industry executives. The list includes remarkable women leaders from Walmart, Disney Consumer Products, Mattel, Hasbro, Imperial Toy, Green Toys, SpinMaster and more.
2012 Wonder Woman Award Winners
Designer or Inventor – Lori Rotter – Blip Toys
Entrepreneur – Laurie Zoob Hyman – Green Toys
Journalism and Social Media – Jackie Breyer – Adventure Publishing
Licensing Agent – Jennifer Richmond – Richmond Management Group
Licensee – Lauren Whitehead – JAKKS Pacific
Licensor – JoAnn McLaughlin – Disney Consumer Products
Life Time Achievement – Joanne Oppenheim  – Oppenheim Toy Portfolio
Manufacturer – Jennifer Caveza – JAKKS Pacific
Marketing, Advertising and Branding – Sasha Junk – Kidz Bop
Publishing – Laurie Schacht – Adventure Publishing
Public Relations and Communications – Janis VanTine – Imperial Toy
Retailer of the Year – Lori Costley – Walmart
Rising Star – Elizabeth Miller – Hasbro
Sales – Renee Lochhead – Spin Master
Social Responsibility – Deidre Lind – Mattel
You can see all of the nominees on the Women in Toys Facebook page.
www.facebook.com/womenintoys
“There is an enormous arsenal of talented women in this industry.  At WIT, we are working to create a forum to meet, work together and make things happen that might not have if our dynamic members had not met,” said Genna Rosenberg, Executive Vice President from Imperial Toy, a WIT Board Member and Wonder Woman of Toys, Licensing & Entertainment Awards Co-Chair along with fellow Board Member Ashley Mady, President of Brandberry. “This year’s winners are a diverse group of innovators, leaders and mentors within the industry that are extremely deserving of this prestigious honor.”
Founded in 1991 by Susan Matsumoto and Anne Pitrone, WIT is a member organization and a powerful networking tool for both men and women with chapters around the world, including in the U.S., Canada, Scandinavia and Israel. WIT provides social and informative events that give individuals at all levels a place to learn about new trends and to network with potential new business partners and seeks out ways to celebrate the accomplishments of those who are making their mark on toys, licensing or the entertainment industry.  www.womenintoys.com
CONTACT:
Genna Rosenberg
Imperial Toy/Women in Toys
818-536-6442