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RetailToys R Us

Toys ‘R’ Us Wants to Hire A Kid To Professionally Test Toys

By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
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By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 26, 2016, 12:00 AM ET
Black Friday
ALEXANDRIA VA- NOVEMBER 27: Lizzy Antwi, 8, (center) spots a toy set of Power Rangers as she and her siblings and parents shop for toys at Toys R Us in Alexandria, Virginia on November 27, 2015 . Black Friday is here, and experts are projecting it will be part of an epic coda for what is shaping up to be the best year for toy sales in a decade. A variety of factors are contributing to this being a particularly monster season for the toy industry, including the arrival of a new Star Wars movie and the launch of new tech-enabled toys such as Lego Dimensions. We interview shoppers about what they're buying on Black Friday and tie it back to broader trends in toy spending. (Photo by Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post)Photo by The Washington Post The Washington Post/Getty Images

The world’s largest toy specialty retailer is giving one kid the dream job of a lifetime.

Toys ‘R’ Us on Tuesday officially is launching a job search for a new role at the retailer: “President of Play.” To be eligible, applicants need to be between the ages of 9 and 13 years old. Toys ‘R’ Us also advises that the kids are comfortable on camera, well spoken and of course, love playing with toys. Entries have to be submitted in video form. More details can be found here.

The retailer has had a position like this in the past in the Canadian market, a “Chief Play Officer” title. The kid who last filled that role was Alex Thorne, who retired late last year. Toys ‘R’ Us says the President of Play role is “somewhat similar” to the job in Canada, though it is only open to American children and there hasn’t been a similar job in the U.S. in the past.

Toys ‘R’ Us told Fortune that the position is a paid job and the winning kid will receive a variety of toys across all product categories. The toy tester could also be asked to play with toys and give his or her feedback for items that haven’t yet hit shelves.

Big toy manufacturers like Hasbro (HAS) and Mattel (MAT) often test new toy concepts in the home, to ensure that the toys are safe, easy to use, and fun. Those companies also send those toys to influential toy bloggers and toy-specific publications. All of that feedback can result in alterations to the toys in a bid to make them more alluring to kids.

But having a specific job for just one kid to test toys in such an elevated, high profile role is unique.

About the Author
By John KellContributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence

John Kell is a contributing writer for Fortune and author of Fortune’s CIO Intelligence newsletter.

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