The future of toy licensing will take center stage this fall as Entertainment XTracks brings its executive summit to The Toy Association’s new Toy Building in El Segundo, California, on Sept. 10.
Billed as The Future of Toy Licensing, the half-day program is stacking the deck with a powerhouse lineup: Hasbro President Toys, Licensing, and Entertainment Tim Kilpin, Tetris CEO Maya Rogers, Toy Association President & CEO Greg Ahearn, and Toy Book Editor-in-Chief James Zahn will headline an afternoon packed with strategy and insight.
Panels and sessions will explore everything from Gen Z buying habits and new tech to the challenges of expanding toy IP into entertainment, lifestyle, and retail. With retailers, trend experts, and licensing leaders in the mix, the program is being positioned as a masterclass for anyone charting the next wave of growth. The event will conclude with cocktails and networking, and perhaps some onsite deal-making.
The Future of Toy Licensing Agenda:
Licensing Power Plays: From Game Boards to Blockbusters
How Hasbro turns iconic IP — from Monopoly to Dungeons & Dragons — into global entertainment and licensing success stories.
Speakers: Tim Kilpin, President, Hasbro; Sid Kaufman, CEO, Kaufman Licensing
Fandom to Fortune: Licensing To Kidults Across Generations of IP
Exploring how licensing bridges both nostalgic classics and emerging IP to build enduring consumer engagement with adult toy collectors.
Moderator: James Zahn, Editor-in-Chief, The Toy Book
Speakers: Jonathan Cathey, CEO & Founder, The Loyal Subjects; Bart Silberman, Founder, Golden Sombrero Licensing
You Don’t Own Me – IP Protection and Monetization in the Age of AI
Understanding the challenges and opportunities of IP ownership in an AI-driven world, and how licensing adapts.
Speakers: David Schnider, Partner, Nolan Heimann; Steven Ekstract, Creator, XTracks Licensing Summits
Getting Shoppers into Stores: Experiential Retailing for Today’s Audiences
From the moment guests step through the doors, the magic begins. Experiential retailing, theatrical productions, and Instagrammable moments are the DNA of brick and mortar retailers winning with licensed merch.
Moderator: Andre’ Lake Mayer
Speakers: Sean Gorman, President of CloudCo Entertainment, Stacy Moscatelli, CEO, Original X Productions, Other Top Retail Brand TBA
Powering-Up for Licensing Success: A Look at 40 Years of Tetris and Winning IRL
Strategic licensing, retail partnerships, and trend-driven play patterns fuel long-term brand equity for Tetris and other key brands from Spin Master.
Speakers: A Conversation with WiT Wonder Women, Maya Rogers, CEO of Tetris and WiT Vanguard Award Honoree; Laura Henderson, EVP, Toy Brands & Marketing Creative, Spin Master and Wonder Women Awards Finalist for Brand Franchise Leadership, and Genna Rosenberg, CEO, GennComm and WiT Wonder Women Awards Catalyst for Change Finalist.
Cracking the Gen Alpha Code with New Tech Tools
Fresh Data and insights, optimizing media buys on YouTube, the power of collaborations, the world’s largest social network for kids, and how the hottest licensed brands from K-Pop Demon Hunters, Bluey, LEGO, and the NBA are winning the attention of the most connected generation yet.
Moderator: Rachel Griffin — Co-Founder, Playwise Partners
Speakers: Ashley Mady, President of Zigazoo, Holly Gibb, SVP at PreciseTV, Suzy Lee Raia, SVP, Global Consumer Products at BBC Studios.
PlaySpace: Is Healthcare the New Whitespace for IP
CEO Matt Cohen will present how licensed brands can help revolutionize healthcare for kids and families.
Tariffs, Trade & Toy Licensing: Strategies for a Shifting Global Market
Understanding tariff impacts on the licensing business and how to navigate global trade changes to protect profits and supply chains.
Moderator: Ted Larkins, Octane 5
Speakers: Greg Ahearn, President & CEO, Toy Association; Kathrin Belliveau, Chief Policy Officer; Daniel DeLapa, CEO, Born to Play.
Cocktails & Connections: At 5 p.m., the conversation continues as attendees and panelists gather to forge new partnerships over drinks.
The Future of Licensing is brought to you through the generous sponsorship of The Toy Association, GennComm, Kaufman Licensing Agency, Nolan Heimann, Octane 5, PlaySpace, and Precise TV.
Founded by Licensing Hall of Fame honoree Steven Ekstract and curated with Sid Kaufman and Genna Rosenberg, The Future of Toy Licensing runs Sept. 10 from 2 to 5 p.m. at LA Fall Previews. Space is limited, and tickets include access to the cocktail party and networking. More info: entertainmentxtracks.com.
While you’re in Los Angeles, pick up a copy of The Toy Book‘s 2025 LA Fall Toy Preview Issue at the following locations:
- The Toy Building by The Toy Association — Lounges
- 1960 on Grand — Suite 320 Toy Lounge
- 400 Continental — Suite 200 and 230 Lounges
- OPEN — Suite 3015 and 3035 Lounges
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source toybook.com ’
