WIT Southern New England Regional Chapter WIT Networking Event featuring Sharon John
Sharon John,
GM/Toy Marketing at Hasbro, guest speaker, will discuss topic
is "The
TIGER Case Study: Tweens, Technology and the Transfer of Knowledge."
When? Tuesday, October 30th
Where? Hasbro, Inc., 1027 Newport Ave, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
6:00 pm: Dinner Buffet
7:30 pm: Speaker, Sharon John, GM/Toy Marketing, Hasbro,
Inc.
Topic: "The TIGER Case Study: Tweens, Technology and the Transfer of Knowledge."
Sharon John serves as the General Manager of Marketing for several of Hasbro's key divisions--Boys, Girls and
Big Kids--and oversees a number of the company's blue chip and most well-known brands, such as
TRANSFORMERS, STAR WARS, MY LITTLE PONY, LITTLEST PET SHOP, FURREAL FRIENDS, NERF, SUPER SOAKER
and TIGER ELECTRONICS.
Ms. John joined Hasbro in 2003 as the Vice President of Tiger Electronics, the division responsible for creating
such hits as VIDEONOW and FURBY. Shortly after joining the Company, Ms. John was named Senior Vice President
of the Company's Big Kids Group, with responsibility for Tiger Electronics, as well as Hasbro's Sports
Action brands, including NERF and SUPER SOAKER. In 2005, she took on additional brand responsibilities as
General Manager of the Boys and Girls groups.
Under Ms. John's direction, the Company has strengthened its leadership position in the tween electronics
category. Its growing and successful Tiger Electronics line over the years has included a long list of tween
favorites such as VIDEONOW, I-DOG, VCAM NOW and CHAT NOW. That same tween insight has brought strong
growth to the NERF brand through its blaster and sports line of products.
Under Ms. John, the Girls business has grown over 200% with a succession of repositionings of some of our
historical brands. Specifically she has lead Littlest Pet Shop to be the fastest growing girls toy brand while
re-launching the Baby Alive business and pushing the envelope on Furreal Friends with Butterscotch Pony -
the reigning girls toy and most innovative T.O.T.Y winner.
Finally, the Hasbro Boys business has strengthened its arsenal with the recent addition of the Marvel brands
and is currently posting stellar results with sales driven by both the Transformers and Spiderman III movies.
Ms. John got her start in the toy industry at Mattel where she worked on the Barbie brand, and later served as
Vice President of International Marketing for the Disney Business unit. She went on to become Vice President
of Product Development and Marketing for V-TECH toys. Ms. John also launched her own toy company,
Checkerboard Toys. However, her extensive kid's marketing experience spans back to the beginning of her
career in the advertising industry at DDB/Needham in New York City working on the Hershey brands.
Ms. John, who lives in Norfolk, Mass., with her husband, Russ, and their three children, holds a bachelor's degree
in marketing/communications from the University of Tennessee and an MBA from Columbia University in New
York City.
