GENE MURTHA

Gene has been working in the Toy & Games industry for over 25 years, and is currently President of Gund, the leading brand of soft toys and giftable plush.

Prior to joining Gund, Gene served in a variety of senior executive functions at Mattel including Brand Marketing, Sales, Product Development, and in international business as General Management of Mattel UK and Ireland.

In July 2006 Gene was asked to begin the exploration of the first-ever retail store for Mattel’s premier brand Barbie.  The project culminated in March 2009 when “Barbie Shanghai” opened as a 35,000 square foot store on the main shopping street in Shanghai.   The six story building is an “experienced driven” retail store with a computer center where visitors can design a Barbie doll, a fashion runway,  spa, hair and nail salon, and a stylish restaurant and bar.  Drawing over 1 million visitors in its first year, the store has been recognized an s masterpiece of design, was named as the Chain Store Age Retail Store of the Year and won the Business Week/Architectural record “Award of Excellence in Design”.