The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly affected us all in some way. Work routines have changed, the retail environment is altered by the day and toilet paper reserves are dwindling. It’s a tough time.

Spin Master’s consumer products team is adapting well to this new climate, as it sees an increased popularity in its kids' mobile game properties including Toca Life, its learning-based digital brand Sago Mini and across its games' division and activities offering, as parents look for ways to entertain and educate their kids at home.

“Among the changes at Spin Master, we’ve successfully migrated our complex design and engineering functions to home-based operations – no small feat,” says Shane Mang, global licensing director, Spin Master. “We also implemented Zoom companywide. To keep things fun, we are using virtual backgrounds from our top brands like ‘Paw Patrol,’ ‘Bakugan,’ ‘Toca Life’ and Tech Deck.

“Meanwhile, virtual team events like life-drawing classes and regular happy hours are helping to keep us connected,” adds Mang. “While the team is managing to maintain an efficient work flow and everyone has pulled together, admittedly, the day-to-day uncertainty caused by the pandemic is stressful. Staying healthy and happy is the next challenge, especially when I find myself having full-on conversations with my house plants.”

Mang suggests one of the best ways to continue working from home is by staying healthy and fit with yoga classes on Zoom, workouts on the Peleton app and numerous free exercise programs on YouTube. He’s even using his free time to learn how to hip hop dance.

According to Mang, the licensing industry was already in a constant state of change even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. With any luck, this new challenging situation will be just one more opportunity for industry leaders to demonstrate resilience, be innovative and continue succeeding.

Though Spin Master is finding successes each day amid its new normal, Mang says he is already looking forward to the next time his team can get together in person, and he hopes he gets to bust a move when the DJ plays some tunes from “Biggie Smalls” at the Eyecandy lounge inside Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay.

To learn more about Spin Master's winning licensing program and industry-leading initiatives, click here.