– Canada’s Toy Authority Announces Its Newest Chief Play Officer –
– Get to know the new CPO at toysrus.ca –
TORONTO (March 14, 2016) – There’s a new kid in town and he has big shoes to fill. Out of hundreds of submissions from across Canada, 12-year-old Émile Burbidge from Saint-Bruno (Québec) has been hired by Toys“R”Us, Canada as its new Chief Play Officer (CPO). Émile will spend a fun-filled year playing with and becoming the expert on the hottest new toys, games and gadgets from Toys“R”Us and providing his recommendations to parents and gift-givers. He will also take part in English and French media appearances and attend events across the country on behalf of the company.
While Émile already has more than a decade of toy experience behind him, he can expect a year of play like no other as Toys“R”Us, Canada’s top toy expert. To prepare for the role, he has been busy getting hands-on toy training with toy manufacturers and receiving the first delivery of the coolest new toys to his home. His first task as CPO will be to hit the road to share his top picks for the best toys and games for spring.
“I feel like the luckiest kid in the country and still can’t believe I was chosen as Toys“R”Us, Canada’s newest Chief Play Officer,” says Émile Burbidge. “I was so excited when I found out I got the job and couldn’t wait to get started. I know it’s a very important role and will work hard to be the best CPO yet.”
Parents and guardians from across Canada helped their kids apply to be the next CPO by submitting a video online showing their passion for toys. The top finalists were then invited to meet with Toys“R”Us to show that they had what it takes to step into the coveted role. Émile came out on top with an unforgettable pitch for why he should be the next CPO.
“We had so many talented kids apply from across the country, and it was a really tough decision. Émile’s enthusiasm and outgoing personality are contagious. He’s definitely a Toys“R”Us kid, and we know that he will make a great addition to our team,” says Liz MacDonald, vice president of marketing and store planning, Toys“R”Us, Canada. “The CPO position was created because, as Canada’s toy authority, we know that kids are the experts in teaching parents and gift-givers about the hottest new toys.”
Émile takes over the position from Alex Thorne, who served as CPO from August 2013 to December 2015, when he retired at the age of 13 to focus on high school. Alex’s last task as CPO was to help pick his replacement.
About Toys“R”Us, Canada:
Toys“R”Us (Canada) Ltd. and Babies“R”Us are part of Toys“R”Us, Inc., the world’s leading dedicated toy and baby products retailer. Toys“R”Us, Canada operates 82 full-sized stores across the country. For store locations and convenient online shopping visit www.toysrus.ca and www.babiesrus.ca.
For more information:
Sheri Papps / Kay West
Paradigm Public Relations
416-413-5207 / 416-413-5209 spapps@paradigmpr.ca / kwest@paradigmpr.ca
