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 Coins2Day 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.