Canada's Toys "R" Us has hired Emile Burbridge for a very important job. The 12-year-old boy has been tasked as the companies new chief play officer (CPO) after a search among hundreds of "applicants."
Burbridge, who hails from Saint-Bruno in Quebec, will be expected to fill the role for a year, where he will help Toys "R" Us develop and test products, as well as offer recommendations to parents and adults looking for gifts for kids. He will also be expected to grace Toys "R" Us events around the country and speak with Canada's media. The young boy was chosen in part because he's fluent in both English and French.
"I feel like the luckiest kid in the country and still can't believe I was chosen as Toys 'R' Us, Canada's newest Chief Play Officer," the young executive said. "I was so excited when I found out I got the job and couldn't wait to get started. I know it's a very important role and will work hard to be the best CPO yet."
One of Burbridge's first tasks as CPO is to embark on a nationwide tour to show kids and parents his favorite toys from the store's selections. "I've already received toys and I've started testing them," the 12-year-old said. "I'm looking forward to the tour, it's going to be fun."
Burbridge, the fourth CPO to land the job, will assume the post that Alex Thorne left in December since the latter will focus on becoming a high school student. Toys "R" Us first hired the Ontario native for the job in August 2013 and he helped the company pick his replacement.
"The CPO position was created because, as Canada's toy authority, we know that kids are the experts in teaching parents and gift-givers about the hottest new toys," Toys "R" Us Canada's vice president of marketing Liz MacDonald said. Applicants were asked to submit their videos and then those who made the shortlist were then invited to meet with the company's executives.
But make no mistake, the job at hand might look like fun but it is still work. Check out how Thorne did during his first few months as the CPO in the video below:
