Opening of the nominations coincides with the reveal of a name change, a new category, and new virtual programme for 2020.
Nominations for the annual TAGIE Awards have opened, with the Chicago Toy & Game Group announcing a number of changes which it says will make the toy and game industry design, innovation and marketing awards ‘even bigger and better’.
For 2020, the awards – which this year celebrate their 13th iteration – have been renamed the Toy & Game International Excellence Awards, reflecting the global reach of the awards and the support of people in over 150 countries that are a part of the Chicago Toy & Game Group’s community, whether online or in person.
2020 TAGIE Award Nominations are open until 15th August, and can be submitted here.
To recognise suppliers that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to get toys and games to retailers, Chicago Toy & Game Group is adding Most Innovative Supplier as a category for the TAGIE Awards.
As a result, the eight categories now open for nominations are as follows:
- Toy Innovator of the Year
- Game Innovator of the Year
- Rising Star Innovator of the Year
- Young Inventor of the Year
- Innovative Art and Visuals of the Year
- Innovative PR & Marketing Team of the Year
- Most Innovative Retailer Award
- NEW – Most Innovative Supplier
Ten finalists from each category will be announced on 15th September when voting opens to the general public, media and industry. Nominees will be revealed during a virtual programme with the theme of ‘Celebration.’ The date is still pending, but participants can expect an impressive line-up of their favourite toy and game innovators plus a number of celebrations marking the 90th anniversary of Fisher-Price, 85th anniversary of Monopoly, 75th anniversary of Mattel, 70th anniversary of Rummikub, 40th anniversary of Rubik’s Cube, 25th anniversary of Winning Moves, 20th anniversary of Razor, and 10th anniversary of the Rainbow Loom.
Returning to host the TAGIEs for a second year is Karri Bean, senior manager, Licensing, at Disney Consumer Products, Experiences and Consumer Products. The keynote speaker will be JoAnn McLaughlin, senior vice president of Hardlines Product Development, Disney Parks Experiences & Products.
