The TICKeR
A Recap of Industry Headlines Visit www.aNbMedia.com for More Jack Friedman: July 9, 1939–may 3, 2010 Jack Friedman passed away May 3, 2010, from complications caused by a rare blood disease at age 70. Friedman was a pioneer in the toy, licensing, and video game industries. Many years ago, while working for toy rep company Norman J. Lewis, Friedman had an idea for a product. The two men started LJN Toys, Norman J. Lewis’ initials backwards, which was the manufacturing arm of the company. They went on to license the first WWF toys, Michael Jackson dolls, and E.T. toys for the movie. LJN was acquired by MCA Universal in 1985. Friedman then founded the video game company THQ, Inc., which originally stood for Toy Headquarters. From there, Friedman founded Jakks Pacific in January 1995. He served as its chairman and CEO through March 31, 2010. Under his leadership, the company has grown into a top five U.S. publicly traded diversified toy company. Friedman was a generous philanthropist and supporter of the company’s Jakks Cares program, which has benefited organizations such as The Toy Industry Foundation, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, The Special Olympics, Feed the Children, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Marine Toys for Tots, and more. Under the program, the company has donated more than $40 million worth of toys and school supplies to children around the world. Friedman, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and originally from Queens, N.Y., is survived by his wife Karen Friedman and his children, Brooke Porter and her husband Tom, and Tony Friedman, as well as his stepchildren Shannon and Andrew Farrell. Jakks CEO Stephen Berman said in a statement, “Jack was a legendary toymaker and a real titan in our industry. He dedicated his talents to Jakks Pacific for 15 years and he will be sorely missed.” In addition, Jakks’ board of directors said in a statement, “We are greatly saddened by the passing of Jack Friedman. He was a visionary leader who guided the company with wisdom and keen judgment. Toys were his passion and his legacy will live on in Jakks Pacific.” Jakks Pacific asks that, in lieu of flowers and in honor of Friedman’s 50-year commitment to the toy industry, anyone interested in making a donation contact The Toy Industry Foundation at www.toyassociation.org; or Toy Industry Foundation 1115 Broadway, Suite 400, New York, NY 10010; or at (212) 675–1141 to pay by phone with a credit card. Friedman loved golfing and was very proud of his yo-yoing skills.
12 TOYS & FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT JUNE 2010
Jack Friedman
Friedman with Jakks co-founder Stephen Berman ringing the closing bell at NASDAQ
Friedman with Disney’s The Cheetah Girls at Toy Fair