Miko, the company behind AI-powered educational robots for children, has taken another step toward expanding its footprint in the United States. The company has hired Melanie Schniepp as Vice President of Retail Sales and Marketing, a move aimed at accelerating U.S. growth and improving brand visibility among parents and major retailers.
Schniepp brings experience from several consumer technology and entertainment companies, most recently Tonies, where she spent nearly five years. During her time there, she played a key role in increasing the brand’s retail presence, including helping triple distribution at Target and contributing to a reported 40% growth in wholesale revenue during the first half of 2025. Before Tonies, Schniepp held marketing and sales leadership roles at Dolby, Ecovacs Robotics, GoPro, and PlayStation, blending children’s tech experience with broader consumer electronics strategy.
Her role at Miko will focus on expanding product availability in big-box retail, strengthening brand recognition among U.S. families, and supporting broader marketing initiatives. That expansion is already underway. Miko recently secured nationwide Costco placement for its Miko Mini+ robot and announced a promotional partnership with iHeart Media to broaden consumer engagement.
Company leadership sees the hire as a strategic move as Miko steps deeper into the educational technology space. “We know Melanie will be a huge asset to the Miko team,” said Ritvik Sharma, senior vice president of growth at Miko. He added that her background aligns with the company’s goal of rethinking how children interact with technology.
Schniepp said the new role represents an opportunity to build on past experience. “My time at Tonies was incredibly rewarding,” she said. “I’m excited for this new adventure with Miko where I can apply my big-picture thinking to a growing company.”
Miko’s current lineup includes AI-enabled robots and interactive chess products designed to help children learn creatively and independently.
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