At a Glance Schedule  |  Virtual Goods Schedule  |  Game, Toy and Tech Schedule

Sesssion

11:30 - 12:00 pm  - September 22, 1010 in Game, Toy and Tech
Web-Connected Toys:  Discussion on Standards with Disney Consumer Products
Web connected toys are now the norm but companies are left to their own devices when it comes to design and implementation. Perspectives, verbiage/jargon, expectations vary from company-to-company and sometimes from product-to-product. This discussion will address the benefits and issues surrounding the establishment of standards for the development and creation of web connected toys.  Topics to be discussed include:
- Overview of online developments
- Impact to kids and industry’s response
- Exploring the fit of current toy business models as compared
   to gaming industry
- Would standardization enable cost reduction and increase
   playability?
- How Disney is exploring standardization 

Speaker

Armen Mkrtchyan
Technology Manager
Toys and Consumer Electronics
Disney Consumer Products

Having recently taken the helms of Toymorrow – Disney’s internal R&D group supporting all toy categories, Armen leverages a vast network of technology providers, vendors, partners, inventors, and research groups throughout The Walt Disney Company to envision and create innovative products and platforms across a broad range of toys and consumer electronics devices for kids and teens. Prior to consumer products, Armen managed web and software development projects primarily in the digital media space. Armen holds a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from UCLA and is currently pursuing an MBA at UCLA Anderson School of Management.