Share this on

Martine Redman Donofrio

Wonder Women of Toys Awards 2008: Entrepreneur

By Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 5/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

Martine Redman Donofrio is the first woman to be honored posthumously with a Wonder Women of Toys Award. The co-founder of game maker Briarpatch Inc., Donofrio died on April 4, 2007, at age 61. Known as Marty to her friends, Redman Donofrio played a vital role in establishing and building the company she and her husband John Donofrio founded in 1992. She also was an early supporter and board member of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association.

Redman Donofrio's 25-year career in the toy industry came later in life. She'd already raised two daughters by the time she answered an advertisement to work at Jeff Franklin's Be Beep–A Toy Store in Maryland. While there, she met Franklin's brother, Mike, a successful rep at International Playthings and who, when IPI was looking for someone to manage its Ravensburger line of German-import games and puzzles, recommended Redman Donofrio. She got the job, and while at IPI championed the idea of turning children's books into games and puzzles, the result of which was the debut in the late '80s of a line of Ravensburger-branded products based on the popular Madeline children's books. It went on to become, for a time, International Playthings' best-selling line.

"That experience was the starting point for Marty and I founding Briarpatch," says John Donofrio. "It gave us the inspiration to start a toy company developing games and puzzles based on our favorite children's books." And in the following years, the couple set about bringing that vision to fruition, a building process helped by Redman Donofrio's particular strengths and outlook on life.

"Marty was a savvy business person, a brilliant game inventor, and fun person to be with everyday," says Donofrio. "She was an inspiring person and created a culture where people thrive. She was always looking out for our staff and for ways to show that we cared about them. For example, she would personalize every paycheck with a sticker and an encouraging note, then would often say 'Hey, we're in the toy business … we like to have fun at it! In the 15 years that we worked together, I really only remember one day that she was ever discouraged."

One of the many things Donofrio says he'll always carry with him from his life with Martine is "to count your blessings each day and to get the most you can out of life. Marty greeted each day with a smile and spread her love and kindness to everyone she met. Her life was an example that when you give to others you will be rewarded in many, many wonderful ways."

Because of that, "it is really fitting for Marty to be recognized like this for her achievement," Donofrio says, "even though she never looked for recognition for herself. For her, it was always about what she could do for others. The toy industry needs more people like [Marty] and will not be the same without her."

Donofrio says that Briarpatch will continue to build on Marty's legacy "of making great games and puzzles for children." In her memory, he has established a foundation in her name with a mission "to encourage young people and adults to pursue a life that embodies ideals associated with Marty's life, work and spirit."

Share this on

Talkback

We would love your feedback!

Toy Industry Outlook 2012

Feb 25, 2012

BeginAgain Toys Launches, Buys ImagiPLAY

Sep 19, 2011

Pressman, Sesame execs joining hall of fame

Aug 26, 2008

Toy Trade: The Next Generation

Mar 3, 2011

Encouraging Variety

Aug 1, 2009

Also by this author

»MORE

Featured Company

Brandwise Inc.

Brandwise serves a model - not just an industry - by integrating, automating, and optimizing the entire sales channel, from wholesale Suppliers to their Reps and the Retailers they service. In short, our software helps Reps and Suppliers sell more and create... more