Irene Chen
About Irene Chen
Irene Chen serves as the Senior Vice President of Design & Creative Innovation at Basic Fun!, bringing extensive global experience in product development and creative brand strategy. With a background in design and marketing, she has held key positions at several prominent toy companies, including Mattel, Playmates Toys, and Hasbro.
Current Role at Basic Fun!
Irene Chen serves as the Senior Vice President of Design & Creative Innovation at Basic Fun! since 2022. In this role, she leverages her extensive experience in driving product development from creative brand strategy to market. Basic Fun! is known for marketing toys such as Tonka, Care Bears, and Lite Brite in over 60 countries. Chen's leadership focuses on fostering innovation across various toy categories, including classic heritage toys, collectibles, and youth electronics.
Previous Experience in Toy Industry
Irene Chen has held several significant positions in the toy industry prior to her current role. She worked at Hasbro as Senior Director of Product Development and Category Lead from 2008 to 2019, where she contributed to various product lines. Before that, she was the Senior Director of Design & Development at Playmates Toys Inc. from 2005 to 2008. Additionally, she served as Manager of Design at Mattel, Inc. from 1998 to 2004, gaining valuable insights into design and development processes.
Educational Background
Irene Chen studied at ArtCenter College of Design, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) with Honors in Advertising Design. She also attended El Camino College, achieving an Associate of Arts with Honors in Graphic Design. This educational foundation has equipped her with the skills necessary for her roles in design and creative innovation within the toy industry.
Expertise in Marketing and Design
Irene Chen possesses a diverse skill set that includes expertise in marketing communications, design and development, entertainment, licensing, and manufacturing. Her background enables her to effectively drive product innovation and strategy in the competitive toy market. Chen's contributions span various categories, including plush toys, vehicles, dolls, and building toys, showcasing her versatility in the industry.
Contributions to Product Development
Throughout her career, Irene Chen has made significant contributions to product development across various toy categories. She has been involved in the innovation of classic heritage toys, collectibles, and youth electronics. Her experience in leading teams and projects has helped businesses achieve new heights in product offerings, demonstrating her commitment to advancing the toy industry.