JAKKS Pacific CEO and leadership

Stephen Berman co-founded JAKKS Pacific in 1995, serving as the company’s executive vice president, chief executive officer, secretary and director. In April 2010,Mr. Berman was appointed to the position of chief executive officer. In 2001, Mr. Berman received Los Angeles’ Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. From October 1991 to August 1995, Mr. Berman was a vice president and managing director of THQ International, Inc., a subsidiary of THQ, Inc. Prior to his position at THQ, from 1988 to 1991, Mr. Berman was president and an owner of Balanced Approach, Inc., a distributor of personal fitness products and services.

Mr. John J. McGrath is Chief Operating Officer of JAKKS Pacific Inc.He was our Executive Vice President of Operations from December 2007 until August 2011 and became Chief Operating Officer in August 2011. Mr. McGrath was our Vice President of Marketing from 1999 to August 2003 and became a Senior Vice President of Operations in August 2003 and Executive Vice President of Operations in December 2007. From January 1992 to December 1998, Mr. McGrath was Director of Marketing at Mattel Inc. and prior thereto he was a PFC in the U.S. Army. Mr. McGrath holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing.

I’m an adaptable, analytic financial executive known for translating corporate strategy into digestible operational initiatives as well as prioritizing decisions and activities in turnarounds. I enjoy connecting functional disciplines, establishing frameworks for performance measurement, and migrating data via analysis in to course-changing insights:

✔ Identifying economic drivers

✔ Optimizing value chains to maximize profits



Leading with transparency, creative problem-solving, and an accessible interpersonal style continue to be my hallmark. I’m known for getting things done (lots of things) and identifying the big-idea-hiding-in-plain-sight under the umbrella of realism and minimal drama. These characteristics have enabled my passion for growing high-quality/high-value consumer propositions in the global marketplace.

You’ll find I’m an expert in the trademark / character licensing business model, with uniquely deep experience gained via leadership positions for both the world's largest licensor and later the world's largest merchandise licensee.

♦ C-level Leadership and Business Partnership

♦ Brands │ Content │ Gaming │ Toys/Games │ Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)

♦ Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) │ Pricing │ Resource Allocation

♦ Product Portfolio Assessment & Management

♦ Strategic Planning & Business Review Processes

♦ Deal Structure, Negotiation & Analyses

♦ International Market Dynamics

♦ Alternative Business Models

♦ Activity-based Costing, Economic Analyses & Implications

♦ Navigating Operational Complexity

♦ Voice of Reason

♦ Recruiting, Retaining, Coaching & Motivating High-Performing Teams and Talent

Jack McGrath, a 25-year veteran of the toy industry, joined JAKKS Pacific in 1999 as Vice President of Marketing and Product Development, and advanced to Senior Vice President of Operations in 2000 and then Executive Vice President of Operations in 2008. Mr. McGrath worked at Mattel Toys in 1995 as an International Marketer and later Marketed the Hot Wheels brand from 1996 – 1998. He holds a Marketing Degree from California State University of Long Beach.

Stephen Berman co-founded JAKKS Pacific in 1995, serving as the company’s executive vice president, chief executive officer, secretary and director. In April 2010,Mr. Berman was appointed to the position of chief executive officer. In 2001, Mr. Berman received Los Angeles’ Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. From October 1991 to August 1995, Mr. Berman was a vice president and managing director of THQ International, Inc., a subsidiary of THQ, Inc. Prior to his position at THQ, from 1988 to 1991, Mr. Berman was president and an owner of Balanced Approach, Inc., a distributor of personal fitness products and services.

Stephen Berman co-founded JAKKS Pacific in 1995, serving as the company’s executive vice president, chief executive officer, secretary and director. In April 2010,Mr. Berman was appointed to the position of chief executive officer. In 2001, Mr. Berman received Los Angeles’ Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. From October 1991 to August 1995, Mr. Berman was a vice president and managing director of THQ International, Inc., a subsidiary of THQ, Inc. Prior to his position at THQ, from 1988 to 1991, Mr. Berman was president and an owner of Balanced Approach, Inc., a distributor of personal fitness products and services.