People of Play Announces New Advisory Board Members

People of Play (POP) has announced Mattel’s Tara McGrath, Spin Master’s Mike Bisogno and Freeman PR’s Amy Friedland have joined Chicago Toy and Game (CHITAG) Group’s Advisory Board.

“Tara, Mike and Amy bring inventor relations, marketing, PR and even more visionary and ideation expertise to our extraordinary board,” says Mary Couzin, senior vice president, The Toy Association, founder and leader, People of Play. “We are fortunate to have their talents as we continue to grow our POP Week events, champion innovators and promote community, connection and the power of play.”

For over 20 years as creative director, inventor relations and innovation, Mattel, McGrath has worked on various product lines such as Barbie, Polly Pocket, Disney Princess, Uno Games and Disney Cars. Before Mattel and directly after graduating from the FIT Toy Program, McGrath worked at Pace Development Group in NYC. At Pace, she focused on toy inventing, dolls, games and preschool toys, ultimately placing products at companies such as Mattel, Parker Brothers and Tyco. McGrath was the recipient of the TAGIE Game Changer Award in 2023.

Bisogno is senior director, design and inventor relations for the games team, Spin Master. He leads design for the Rubik’s, family games and party games categories and leads inventor relations for all Spin Master Games. He graduated from the FIT Toy Design Program, and one month prior to graduation, he was hired by Cardinal Industries as their first full-time game designer where he created games and puzzles for the largest global licenses; Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, WB, Sony and more. Cardinal was acquired by Spin Master in 2015, and Bisogno was promoted to design director. Since then, he has worked in different roles across design, licensing and inventor relations and has led design for every game category.

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Friedland is executive vice president, Freeman PR. With more than 25 years in the toy, licensing and consumer product industries, Friedland is an experienced PR strategist who specializes in brand building, influencer and media relations, new product launches and special events. She has worked on brands, including Fisher-Price, Hape, Mattel and Playmobil, as well as non-toy brands, including Entenmann’s, Jeep and Sara Lee. She also leads the public relations efforts for People of Play and CHITAG.