January 8, 2019 – NEW YORK – Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT) will honor Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products’ President, Pam Kaufman, with its Wonder Woman Mentorship Award and Target Corporation’s veteran, Gaye Dean, as its Wonder Woman in Retailing, at the organization’s 15th Annual Wonder Women Awards held during the New York International Fall Toy Fair on February 17, 2019.

Pam Kaufman, President of Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products

WIT will honor Pam Kaufman, President of Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products, with its 2019 Mentorship Award. Kaufman leads the multi-billion-dollar global consumer products business across Viacom Media Networks and Paramount Pictures, which includes Viacom’s portfolio of brands and iconic franchise properties, including Nickelodeon’s PAW Patrol, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, SpongeBob SquarePants and teen sensation JoJo Siwa; MTV’s Jersey Shore: Family Vacation; Comedy Central’s South Park; and Paramount Pictures’ Top Gun, Mission Impossible, The Godfather and Grease, among others. A dynamic leader with an impressive career launching many iconic Nickelodeon properties, she embraces transformation and innovation and has made a bold commitment to empowerment and mentorship throughout her career and within WIT over the past years.

Gaye Dean, Marketing Director for Licensing at Target

WIT will present the 2019 Wonder Woman in Retailing Award to honoree Gaye Dean, Marketing Director for Licensing at Target. She is responsible for leading the global retailer’s marketing strategy development and execution of key license merchandise programs across all key categories. She is the key liaison for a large segment of the entertainment, brand and license industries. Dean is a 30-year Target veteran and has held a variety of positions across the company. In these roles, she has worked on multiple areas of Target’s business including apparel, branding and seasonal campaigns.

“Pam is not only an inspiration, she’s a movement unto herself! Not only does she drive Viacom’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, but her passion to develop the next generation of leaders is infectious,” said Jen Caveza, SVP, Toys, Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products and Wonder Women Awards Co-Chair. “She has created a culture and environment where team members feel empowered, respected and constantly learning.”

“When Pam decided to lean-in to WIT, the effect was immediate. She lent her personal support along with funding and resources from Viacom to help drive WIT’s global programming,” continued Genna Rosenberg, CEO of GennComm and Wonder Women Awards Co-Chair. “It’s been thrilling to see her impact and passion for advocacy work first-hand, as she makes a difference for both women working within our industry and future leaders through countless programs like #SeeHer and more.”

“Gaye Dean has an extraordinary creative vision, strategic approach and collaborative spirit that bring brands to life at Target for millions of customers who experience the immersive programs she executes hand and hand with our industry,” said Janice Ross, Managing Partner at Brand Fresh Licensing and Wonder Women Awards Co-Chair. “Her incredible reputation and knowledge of licensing and retailing have positioned Target as a much-loved shopping experience during a time when retail disruption has shaken up the shopping experience and executing visionary programs is more important than ever.”

15th Annual Wonder Women Awards honors top female executives, thought leaders, entrepreneurs and other changemakers for their extraordinary accomplishments and impact within the toy, licensing and the entertainment industries.

Award winners will be announced and celebrated at WIT’s annual Wonder Women Awards on Sunday, February 17, 2019 at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers in New York, coinciding with New York International Toy Fair. Widely considered to be the most prestigious recognition program honoring the industry’s most remarkable women, the event is attended by top executives from the world’s leading companies in the kids’ global toy market.

WIT would like to show its appreciation to Hasbro, Viacom Nickelodeon Consumer Products, Disney, Spin Master, Mattel, LEGO, PlayMonster, Jazwares, The Bandai Foundation, and the many sponsors who help contribute to the success of the Wonder Women Awards. Proceeds from this event are used to fund scholarships, develop and maintain a full calendar of programs and networking events and support initiatives for WIT’s members and its community.