Business View Magazine - November 2016

Business View Magazine - November 2016 147 on behalf of the industry at the federal, state and local levels of government. The team works with policymak- ers and other key audiences in the U.S. and globally to promote and protect the industry and to provide TIA members with expert guidance on regulatory, techni- cal and safety issues. • Marketing Communications, which leads “The Ge- nius of Play” initiative to bring more play into kids’ lives; promotes toy safety, member products, and toy trends in front of consumer and trade media; and ad- ministers the annual Toy of the Year Awards and Toy Industry Hall of Fame programs. • Finance & Administration, which includes account- ing, technology, human resources and facilities ser- vices in support of the entire organization. It runs a credit interchange program that provides educational and networking opportunities for credit, finance and operations professionals in the industry. Additional- ly, the department conducts market research to help members make informed business decisions. • The Toy Industry Foundation (TIF), the philanthropic arm of the North American toy industry, which collects toy and game donations from generous toy manufac- turers and retailers and distributes them to children in need through its partnerships and programs. More than 4 million deserving children will be served this year alone, thanks to a record-breaking $65 million in donations to TIF’s Toy Bank. As a service organization that remains dedicated to supporting its members and the broader toy commu- nity, TIA is currently undergoing a transformation to meet the evolving needs of the toy industry and the new expectations of the 21st century consumer – while recognizing that the core benefits and types of play remain essential.