Please join the KidScreen team as we tip our hats in honor of our inaugural Hall of Fame inductee Fred Gaffney, whose outstanding achievements can be chalked up to a dynamic mixture of ability to identify opportunities, tireless efforts to establish and nurture key relationships, unbridled enthusiasm and boundless energy.

The Hall of Fame was launched in February at the second annual KidScreen Summit in New York with a roast to the irrepressible Fred Gaffney. The idea behind building a Hall of Fame was to recognize leaders in the international kids business by saluting one executive each year who has contributed to the overall development and growth of the marketplace across all sectors. When we decided to make it a roast, Gaffney instantly came to mind as an international statesman for kids properties, someone who would thoroughly enjoy a good laugh at his own expense, and someone who is truly loved by everyone who has ever worked with him. What better qualities could we ask for in an inaugural inductee?

‘I had no idea that I deserved this sort of thing,’ says Gaffney. ‘But I guess showing up, keeping a positive attitude, staying on the road and, above all, wanting a healthy, happy industry pays off.’

Read on for a play-by-play of Gaffney’s many gaffes from our panel of roasters, as well as a roundup of personal anecdotes from industry friends and colleagues. And get to know the international man of licensing a little better by checking out our selection of ‘Fred’s Favorite Things’ and ‘Fun Fred Factoids.’

Congrats again, Fred! You’ve truly set the bar high for next year’s Hall of Famer!

Regards,

Donna MacNeil – KidScreen Publisher

Jocelyn Longworth – KidScreen Editor

Amanda Burgess – KidScreen Assistant Editor