ZAG Sets Up New Global Toy Division

The animation studio ZAG has launched a new global toy division, which will be spearheaded by Helena Perheentupa.

Perheentupa, former ZAG VP for Central, Northern and Eastern Europe and Russia, now serves as senior VP of the new ZAG Play Toy Division. She is charged with developing a broad range of innovative toy products that offer synchronization between storytelling and the physical and digital world that will be tied to the DNA of the company’s brands.

The new toy arm is a division of ZAG Play, formerly known as ZAG Lab, which includes the licensing and merchandising, promotions and gaming groups.

“We tell stories at ZAG that feature fresh and relevant superheroes to inspire children to love themselves and to discover themselves through the story,” said Founder Jeremy Zag. “At the new ZAG Play Toy Division, we will leverage our unique point-of-difference as both an animation content powerhouse and a high-quality toy company to develop state-of-the-art products that empower children to see themselves as heroes through imaginary and aspirational play.”

“We will continue to work closely with Playmates, our master toy partner, and other trusted licensees in the toy space as we develop imaginative and complementary products that keep our brands highly visible at retail,” added Perheentupa. “Among the products we develop will be toy lines that, for example, due to economies of scale, are not viable at the regional level for licensing partners, but with global retail placement, we will reach critical mass to manufacture them. Together with our partners, our new ZAG Play Toy Division will offer a wider range of inventive and original toys for fans to engage with our brands.”