Bittersweet news today, as friend of AFi, Steven Anne has left his position as Toy Buyer/Catagory Manager at Walgreens for a new opportunity within the toy industry.  Steven single-handedly put Walgreens on the map as a destination for toy runs with not only with his exclusives program with Hasbro, Mattel and Diamond Select Toys, but also expanding Walgreens toy aisle far beyond “the big 2” or generic rack toys.  With the limited space he was given in each store he brought a diverse line of products to the Walgreens aisles for toy manufacturers big and small.  You only have to look at the new diversity in product in the most recent reset at Walgreens with products such as Bandai Gundam, DST’s Tron, Westworld and upcoming Avatar, The last Airbender lines, various McFarlane lines to see the impact he has had on toy retail in his time there.     He extended the lifespan of McFarlane Toys’ The Walking Dead line as well as keep a retail presence for Minimates (before and) after the collapse of Toy R Us and several times ended up first to market with Hasbro’s Star Wars Black collector line.   As I told Steven when he first told me he was thinking of leaving Walgreens for this new opportunity, “I’m happy for my friend, but sad for my collection.”  I know Steven already has some big plans in his new role that collectors will be excited for.  Thank you Steven for all of your help and support of us here at Action Figure Insider.  Steven appeared on multiple AFi convention panels, was always eager to hear about the collector’s feedback with their shopping experience and answered countless questions for us over the years.  You haven’t seen the last of him on this page.  We can’t wait to report on your new releases!

BIG G CREATIVE HIRES TOY INDUSTRY VETERAN STEVEN ANNE TO EXPAND TOY BUSINESS

Nashville, Oct. 1, 2019 – Big G Creative is proud to announce that toy industry veteran Steven Anne has joined the company as its new Creative Director. In his new position, Anne is charged with growing Big G Creative’s core product offering and helping the company expand into other categories of the toy business.

Big G is known for its high-quality, licensed board games including CBS Consumer Products’ Carpool Karaoke Game, inspired by The Late Late Show with James Corden’s popular segment, Kenny G Keepin’ It Saxy Game, and the Trapper Keeper® Game.

Anne joins Big G from Walgreens where he served as the Category Manager for all of Walgreens’ toys, art, plush, games and puzzles. During his seventeen-year tenure, Anne helped build Walgreens’ licensing program to where it is today, and he developed hundreds of exclusive items including toys, seasonal goods, novelties and more. Walgreens is one of the top brick and mortar toy retailers in the United States.

“Steve has creative talent, market knowledge and the ability to predict trends, a rare combination that will enable us to widen our reach in the industry,” said Rob Stevens, President. “Big G Creative has always been known as an innovator and a provider of leading-edge licensed products, and Steve will help us achieve our bigger goals to innovate in other categories.”

Anne will oversee licensing, development and have creative authority over Big G’s next generation of products.

“I have a personal passion for toys and a reliable network of toy collaborators that I am excited to leverage for Big G Creative to bring the most innovative and novel products to life. My goal is to develop toys that change play patterns and forge trends,” said Anne. “I’m truly excited to have this opportunity.”

Anne will join Big G Creative’s team of top-talent and will remain located in Chicago.