BIG NEWS! The Power Kid Podcast is now a part of the Adventure Media and Events Podcast Network Family! For 2 years it has been my great pleasure to interview my friends in the industry and to meet many amazing new friends along the way - and it just keeps getting better! Tune in for James Zahn's Toy Report the Pop Insider Podcast and much more coming soon. Subscribe to the new feed now! https://lnkd.in/eaJzxta I have a favor to ask - If you left a good review for the Power Kid Podcast would you do the same over at the Adventure Media &amp; Events network page? Thank you for helping us grow and keeping you up to date with toy news, reviews and interviews!

BIG NEWS! The Power Kid Podcast is now a part of the Adventure Media and Events Podcast Network Family! For 2 years it has been my great pleasure to interview my friends in the industry and to meet many amazing new friends along the way - and it just keeps getting better! Tune in for James Zahn's Toy Report the Pop Insider Podcast and much more coming soon. Subscribe to the new feed now! <a href="https://lnkd.in/eaJzxta" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" target="_blank">https://lnkd.in/eaJzxta</a> I have a favor to ask - If you left a good review for the Power Kid Podcast would you do the same over at the Adventure Media &amp; Events network page? Thank you for helping us grow and keeping you up to date with toy news, reviews and interviews!

Power Kid Podcast + Adventure Media & Events - BIG NEWS!

Daniel Delapa

It is my honor this week to interview Daniel Delapa the CMO at Creative Kids. Creative Kids was founded in 1997 and quickly took the arts and craft category by storm. Since then their line has expanded into 12 categories with distribution in 70 countries!   Daniel and I discuss his experience growing up in the industry. He shares with us what sets Creative Kids apart by being a "brand incubator”. We discuss how they stay closely connect to their customers by listening and acting based on their feedback. I ask him what retailers expect from him to ensure a mutually beneficial and growing relationship.   www.creativekids.com   As always thank you for listening

It is my honor this week to interview Daniel Delapa the CMO at Creative Kids. Creative Kids was founded in 1997 and quickly took the arts and craft category by storm. Since then their line has expanded into 12 categories with distribution in 70 countries!   Daniel and I discuss his experience growing up in the industry. He shares with us what sets Creative Kids apart by being a "brand incubator”. We discuss how they stay closely connect to their customers by listening and acting based on their feedback. I ask him what retailers expect from him to ensure a mutually beneficial and growing relationship.   <a href="http://www.creativekids.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.creativekids.com</a>   As always thank you for listening

Creative Kids with Daniel Delapa

Mike Gagnon

My guest today Mike Gagnon is a best selling author and graphic novelist who works as a freelance writer, illustrator and colorist for publishers like Marvel, Dark Horse Comics, Jack Lake Productions and many more. He began working professionally in comics at the age of 17. He has taught art, design and writing at several animation schools and develops his own comics and media. Currently he is a writer on the creative development and promotion team for the Marvel Create Your Own Comics app!   Join our conversation today as we discuss his origin in the comics business (it involves Silly Putty!). I ask his how he keeps his stories fresh when writing for characters that have decades of backstory. We discuss his experience writing for the Marvel Handbook which tells the story of individual Marvel characters. We end with a conversation about the shift of putting the content into the hands of the consumer and Mike shares his experience of working on Marvels Create Your Own Comic app.

Comic writing with Mike Gagnon

Kenn Morton

My guest this week Kenn Morton has won the Industrial Design Excellence Gold Award, Business Week Product of the Year Award, and participated in many others during his 31 years with Fisher-Price. He has a tremendous passion for children and parents in need and has worked with a collaboration between Save the Children, Mattel and the Ministry of Education in Indonesia to create teaching play kits.   In this episode we dive into the unique design challenges that the children’s market presents - from yo-yos to car seats! I ask him how design practices have changed throughout his years in the industry. We discuss how to balance education and fun in a learning toy which leads into a very powerful discussion about Kenn’s work with children in Indonesia.     Enjoy this insightful episode and thank you for listening!

From Yo-yos to Carseats with Kenn Morton

Stefanie Eskander

It is such a joy to have Stefanie Eskander on the show today! She has been drawing, illustrating and designing toys for over 35 years! Her resume includes Hasbro, Mattel, Fisher-Price, Spin Master and she was the Design Manager at Toys R Us. She has a passion for girls and preschool product and has been instrumental in developing brands like Cabbage Patch, Sky Dancers, Polly Pocket and Jem and the Holograms. She is here today to share her experience and talk about her new book Toy Stories: The Secret Life of a Toy Designer.   Her book is a fantastic overview of her career and the history of the wonderful brands she has been a part of!   Buy it here: https://stefanieeskanderdesign.com/toy-stories

It is such a joy to have Stefanie Eskander on the show today! She has been drawing, illustrating and designing toys for over 35 years! Her resume includes Hasbro, Mattel, Fisher-Price, Spin Master and she was the Design Manager at Toys R Us. She has a passion for girls and preschool product and has been instrumental in developing brands like Cabbage Patch, Sky Dancers, Polly Pocket and Jem and the Holograms. She is here today to share her experience and talk about her new book Toy Stories: The Secret Life of a Toy Designer.   Her book is a fantastic overview of her career and the history of the wonderful brands she has been a part of!   Buy it here: <a href="https://stefanieeskanderdesign.com/toy-stories" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://stefanieeskanderdesign.com/toy-stories</a>

Toy Stories with Stefanie Eskander

Tanya Visano

What does it take to connect with kids today? Listen in as Tanya Visano and I discuss this question and more! Tanya is the VP of International Strategy and Partnership Development and the Head of Canada and Mexico Consumer Products for Viacom. She has been been at the forefront of many new kids properties including Paw Patrol, Dora, JoJo Siwa and Ryan’s Mystery Playdate.   We discuss the shift we are seeing from content creation to a content discovery model. She shares 3 key insights in developing great kids content. I ask her specifically about the Canadian and Mexican market and how kids respond to content uniquely in those countries. Along the way we touch on the fresh changes to both Dora and Blue’s Clues!   Thank you for tuning in and enjoy!

Create great kids content with Tanya Visano

Billy Langsworthy

So great this week to catch back up with my friend Billy Langsworthy and have a chat. Billy is a vigorous supporter of the toy design and invention community. He co-founded Mojo Nation to accelerate talent, opportunity and ideas for all levels of inventors.   Tune in today--- to learn all about what Mojo Nation offers including Play Innovation Summit, Licensed Design Challenges, Mojo Nations Summer Party, Play Creators Festival, Mojo Student Conference, and Brands Untapped. Billy unpacks each fantastic opportunity for us.   “The best idea is to have lots of ideas.”     Find out more here: mojo-nation.com   Thank you for the recent 5-star reviews!

So great this week to catch back up with my friend Billy Langsworthy and have a chat. Billy is a vigorous supporter of the toy design and invention community. He co-founded Mojo Nation to accelerate talent, opportunity and ideas for all levels of inventors.   Tune in today--- to learn all about what Mojo Nation offers including Play Innovation Summit, Licensed Design Challenges, Mojo Nations Summer Party, Play Creators Festival, Mojo Student Conference, and Brands Untapped. Billy unpacks each fantastic opportunity for us.   “The best idea is to have lots of ideas.”     Find out more here: <a href="http://mojo-nation.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">mojo-nation.com</a>   Thank you for the recent 5-star reviews!

Mojo Nation with Billy Langsworthy

Scott Traylor

Thank you for the great feedback on part one of my conversation with founder and CEO of 360KID Scott Traylor! In part two of our discussion Scott shares his development process called the 7 D’s. I ask him about the particulars regarding the development of children’s app and how this has changed in their short history. We discuss the rise and fall of virtual worlds like NeoPets, Webkins, and Club Penguin. Finally I ask him to peer into the future and tell us what he sees in the future for toys and tech.   Follow along and download a copy of Scott’s excellent breakdown of the 2019 Toy Fair tech toys that caught his eye:   http://www.360kid.com/blog/2019/03/tech-toys-2019/   Thank you always for subscribing and listening!

Thank you for the great feedback on part one of my conversation with founder and CEO of 360KID Scott Traylor! In part two of our discussion Scott shares his development process called the 7 D’s. I ask him about the particulars regarding the development of children’s app and how this has changed in their short history. We discuss the rise and fall of virtual worlds like NeoPets, Webkins, and Club Penguin. Finally I ask him to peer into the future and tell us what he sees in the future for toys and tech. Follow along and download a copy of Scott’s excellent breakdown of the 2019 Toy Fair tech toys that caught his eye:   <a href="http://www.360kid.com/blog/2019/03/tech-toys-2019/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.360kid.com/blog/2019/03/tech-toys-2019/</a>   Thank you always for subscribing and listening!

Interactive Toys and Games with Scott Traylor - Part 2

My guest today is Scott Traylor the founder and CEO of 360KID. His company combines detailed child research with the latest technology trends to create successful interactive products for kids. In his career he has earned almost 60 awards and he and his team were nominated for 3 Emmy’s ands winning a collective Emmy with Sesame Workshop.   In part one of this two part episode we dive deep into tech in toys and discuss early and classic "battery and button" toys. He shares with us his experience with Sesame Workshop and how their child research continues to keep them relevant. I ask him about the challenges of creating educational content based around a mega-brand like Pokemon. He also tells us about his Emmy nominations and win and what made those projects stand out.   http://360kid.com/   Join us next week for a future-looking discussion about tech and toys!   Thank you for tuning in!

My guest today is Scott Traylor the founder and CEO of 360KID. His company combines detailed child research with the latest technology trends to create successful interactive products for kids. In his career he has earned almost 60 awards and he and his team were nominated for 3 Emmy’s ands winning a collective Emmy with Sesame Workshop.   In part one of this two part episode we dive deep into tech in toys and discuss early and classic "battery and button" toys. He shares with us his experience with Sesame Workshop and how their child research continues to keep them relevant. I ask him about the challenges of creating educational content based around a mega-brand like Pokemon. He also tells us about his Emmy nominations and win and what made those projects stand out.   <a href="http://360kid.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://360kid.com/</a>   Join us next week for a future-looking discussion about tech and toys!   Thank you for tuning in!

Interactive Toys and Games with Scott Traylor - Part 1

Bill Paxton

Bill Paxton has spent his life in toy invention. From Bates to Lund and Co. to Big Monster he has been a staple in the toy inventor community. Bill has just completed a biography about the enigmatic and secretive King of Toys Marvin Glass! His Book, “A World Without Reality: Inside Marvin Glass’s Toy Vault”, is truly fantastic! When this 600 page book arrived on my desk it blew my mind! It took Bill almost 10 years to research and write this amazing book and I am so glad to have him on the show to talk about it today! We discuss Bill’s origin and history in the toy biz. We discuss why Marvin Glass was worthy of a biography and his indelible mark on the industry. Bill lays out the historical factors that went into creating the first toy invention studio. Marvin Glass was notoriously secretive and we discuss the challenges Bill had to overcome to unearth the stories and fact for the book. Finally Bill discusses how Marvin leveraged early television to market home run products.   If you are a fan of toy history and great biographies you will not want to miss this book! Pre-Order now at: https://marvinglassbook.com/   Thank you for subscribing and sharing the show!

Bill Paxton has spent his life in toy invention. From Bates to Lund and Co. to Big Monster he has been a staple in the toy inventor community. Bill has just completed a biography about the enigmatic and secretive King of Toys Marvin Glass! His Book, “A World Without Reality: Inside Marvin Glass’s Toy Vault”, is truly fantastic! When this 600 page book arrived on my desk it blew my mind! It took Bill almost 10 years to research and write this amazing book and I am so glad to have him on the show to talk about it today! We discuss Bill’s origin and history in the toy biz. We discuss why Marvin Glass was worthy of a biography and his indelible mark on the industry. Bill lays out the historical factors that went into creating the first toy invention studio. Marvin Glass was notoriously secretive and we discuss the challenges Bill had to overcome to unearth the stories and fact for the book. Finally Bill discusses how Marvin leveraged early television to market home run products.   If you are a fan of toy history and great biographies you will not want to miss this book! Pre-Order now at: <a href="https://marvinglassbook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://marvinglassbook.com/</a>   Thank you for subscribing and sharing the show!

Inside Marvin Glass's Toy Vault with Bill Paxton

Toy industry veteran Phil Albritton interviews amazing people making amazing things for kids. Toys, games, books, media - we cover it all here in the only podcast dedicated to the modern children's entertainment industry.

Fascinating news about the children&#39;s toy and game industry.

Insightful ...

Happy to find this.  Looking forward to lots of great podcasts from Power Kid/Phil.

Finally!

Power Kid Podcast

Jackie Breyer

I had so much fun recording this podcast with Jackie Breyer! Between her work with The Pop Insider, The Toy Insider and The ToyBook she is immersed in the toy industry daily. She oversees all print and web content for these great publications and loves to be on the front lines of toy industry news and trends. Today she shares with us the history of The Toy Book and we get the inside scoop on how she tracks trends. She walks us through each of her publications and shares what makes each one unique. We also discuss our love of nostalgic toys and brands! Don’t miss this episode and check out all of these valuable publications! https://thepopinsider.com/ https://toybook.com/ https://www.thetoyinsider.com/

I had so much fun recording this podcast with Jackie Breyer! Between her work with The Pop Insider, The Toy Insider and The ToyBook she is immersed in the toy industry daily. She oversees all print and web content for these great publications and loves to be on the front lines of toy industry news and trends. Today she shares with us the history of The Toy Book and we get the inside scoop on how she tracks trends. She walks us through each of her publications and shares what makes each one unique. We also discuss our love of nostalgic toys and brands! Don’t miss this episode and check out all of these valuable publications! <a href="https://thepopinsider.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://thepopinsider.com/</a> <a href="https://toybook.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://toybook.com/</a> <a href="https://www.thetoyinsider.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.thetoyinsider.com/</a>

Inside Toy Industry Publications with Jackie Breyer

Anita Castellar

Calling all fans! Anita Castellar of FanGirl Consulting &amp; Brand Management joins us today to discuss fan focused toys. She has covered all areas of product creation for some of the biggest names in the business - Hasbro, Disney, and Lucasfilm. Anita has been instrumental in bringing you some of the most popular Star Wars brand experiences including the Build Your Own Lightsaber station at Disney! Today we discuss the importance of story when building a brand, some of the key criteria when developing collectibles and the challenges of connecting brands with innovative products. Don’t miss it! Once again thank you for listening, subscribing, sharing and commenting!

Calling all fans! Anita Castellar of FanGirl Consulting &amp; Brand Management joins us today to discuss fan focused toys. She has covered all areas of product creation for some of the biggest names in the business - Hasbro, Disney, and Lucasfilm. Anita has been instrumental in bringing you some of the most popular Star Wars brand experiences including the Build Your Own Lightsaber station at Disney! Today we discuss the importance of story when building a brand, some of the key criteria when developing collectibles and the challenges of connecting brands with innovative products. Don’t miss it! Once again thank you for listening, subscribing, sharing and commenting!

Fandom and Pop Culture with Anita Castellar

Jeremy Padawer

Welcome to this week's Wicked and Cool podcast! It is my honor to have Jeremy Padawer as my guest. As Co-President and Partner of Wicked Cool Toys Jeremy and his team have brought some amazing products to market including Pokemon, Cabbage Patch Kids, Teddy Ruxpin and many more. If you enjoy Jeremy's LinkedIn posts you will love this episode!   www.wickedcooltoys.com   In this show learn his toy industry origin story. We do a deep dive into the collectibles market and what drives collectibility. I ask him about his involvement with the 200X re-launch of Masters of the Universe. Wicked Cool holds the master toy license for Pokemon and we discuss how they are developing toys to capture the excitement surrounding the new movie. Finally we discuss the recent news of the Toys R Us return and what it could mean for the industry!   Subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you haven’t already leave us a 5-star review in iTunes so we can attract more great listeners!

Welcome to this week's Wicked and Cool podcast! It is my honor to have Jeremy Padawer as my guest. As Co-President and Partner of Wicked Cool Toys Jeremy and his team have brought some amazing products to market including Pokemon, Cabbage Patch Kids, Teddy Ruxpin and many more. If you enjoy Jeremy's LinkedIn posts you will love this episode!   <a href="http://www.wickedcooltoys.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.wickedcooltoys.com</a>   In this show learn his toy industry origin story. We do a deep dive into the collectibles market and what drives collectibility. I ask him about his involvement with the 200X re-launch of Masters of the Universe. Wicked Cool holds the master toy license for Pokemon and we discuss how they are developing toys to capture the excitement surrounding the new movie. Finally we discuss the recent news of the Toys R Us return and what it could mean for the industry!   Subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you haven’t already leave us a 5-star review in iTunes so we can attract more great listeners!

Wicked Cool Toys with Jeremy Padawer

Leila Nosrati

“If there is no Toys “R” Us, I don’t think there is a toy business.”   Isaac Larian 14 year veteran Toys “R" Us buyer Leila Nosrati shares with us her inside experience working with Toys “R" Us and sheds light on the current state of the business. What does a re-launched &amp;  re-configured Toys R US look like? Her message - we are family! 1. Tune in to this very important conversation. Click either link below. 2. Educate yourself on what Isaac Larian is doing to help: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-14/toymaker-trying-to-rally-industry-to-bid-on-toys-r-us-canada 3. Stand with Toys R Us and never give up. Toys"R"Us Toys"R"Us Canada  #Savetoysrus  #WeWILLsavetoysrus

“If there is no Toys “R” Us, I don’t think there is a toy business.”   Isaac Larian 14 year veteran Toys “R" Us buyer Leila Nosrati shares with us her inside experience working with Toys “R" Us and sheds light on the current state of the business. What does a re-launched &amp;  re-configured Toys R US look like? Her message - we are family! 1. Tune in to this very important conversation. Click either link below. 2. Educate yourself on what Isaac Larian is doing to help: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-14/toymaker-trying-to-rally-industry-to-bid-on-toys-r-us-canada" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-03-14/toymaker-trying-to-rally-industry-to-bid-on-toys-r-us-canada</a> 3. Stand with Toys R Us and never give up. <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/4990/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Toys"R"Us</a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/3058692/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Toys"R"Us Canada</a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/content/?keywords=%23Savetoysrus&amp;origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> #Savetoysrus</a> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/content/?keywords=%23WeWILLsavetoysrus&amp;origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> #WeWILLsavetoysrus</a>

Toys R Us insight with Leila Nosrati

Kirsten Ytterbo

The Chinese toy market is on the rise! With an average annual growth rate of almost 20% and the implementation of the two-child policy many in the industry are looking to develop hit toys for the over 236 million children under age 14 on the mainland.   Today I interview China market expert Kirsten Ytterbo to discuss the opportunities and challenges of selling to China. Previously she spent almost 5 years in Shanghai and Hong Kong as a Merchandising Manager for Toys R Us and she is the former Senior VP of King Bee Toys. She has immersed herself in the culture and has some great advice to share!   Listen in as we discuss what brands resonate with the Chinese market and what cultural faux pas to avoid. In contrast to the US adult collector market why is the China market comprised almost entirely of purchases for children? Learn why top brands in China are splitting into 2 pricing tiers. We also discuss the impact of Tmall.com and online shopping in China.   Listen, learn and enjoy the show!

The Chinese toy market is on the rise! With an average annual growth rate of almost 20% and the implementation of the two-child policy many in the industry are looking to develop hit toys for the over 236 million children under age 14 on the mainland.   Today I interview China market expert Kirsten Ytterbo to discuss the opportunities and challenges of selling to China. Previously she spent almost 5 years in Shanghai and Hong Kong as a Merchandising Manager for Toys R Us and she is the former Senior VP of King Bee Toys. She has immersed herself in the culture and has some great advice to share!   Listen in as we discuss what brands resonate with the Chinese market and what cultural faux pas to avoid. In contrast to the US adult collector market why is the China market comprised almost entirely of purchases for children? Learn why top brands in China are splitting into 2 pricing tiers. We also discuss the impact of <a href="http://Tmall.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tmall.com</a> and online shopping in China.   Listen, learn and enjoy the show!

Exploring the Chinese Toy Market with Kirsten Ytterbo

Dan Klitsner

Can a pizza shaped TV remote become a smash toy sensation? We answer that question and more in this week's episode with Dan Klitsner! Dan is the founder and creative director of the toy inventing and licensing firm KID Group. He and his team have invented some of today’s most successful electronic games and interactive toys!   In our discussion we cover his early career and the formation of KID Group. I ask him to take us back to the early days of his invention Bop It™ and walk us through that experience. We discuss his focus on creating items that get the player up and moving and why that is important. I ask him to unpack his invention philosophy “R.I.T.E" ( Relationship, Idea, Timing, Execution) which helps him know when his concepts are ready for prime time!   Dan thank you for the thoughtful discussion and providing immense value to all the Power Kids!   Everyone enjoy the show and as always thank you for the good reviews!

Dan Klitsner on Inventing, Licensing and Bop It™

Ryan Magnon

After successful ventures in digital gaming and real estate Ryan Magnon has a new vision for the action figure aisle! Today he and his team are at ASTRA launching their new creation - Alter Nation! Join us today as we discuss the origin of this new brand. Listen in as he discusses the rigorous focus testing he did on the line and the interesting directions the kids sent him. What classic brands inspire him? What are the important touchstones when creating a new boys brand? How do we create compelling characters and stories? Check out the figures here: pandamony.toys/brands-2/ If you are at ASTRA reach out to Ryan and see the line in person! Thank you all for listening, commenting and subscribing! Remember good reviews on iTune help us tremendously! Thanks!

After successful ventures in digital gaming and real estate Ryan Magnon has a new vision for the action figure aisle! Today he and his team are at ASTRA launching their new creation - Alter Nation! Join us today as we discuss the origin of this new brand. Listen in as he discusses the rigorous focus testing he did on the line and the interesting directions the kids sent him. What classic brands inspire him? What are the important touchstones when creating a new boys brand? How do we create compelling characters and stories? Check out the figures here: pandamony.toys/brands-2/ If you are at ASTRA reach out to Ryan and see the line in person! Thank you all for listening, commenting and subscribing! Remember good reviews on iTune help us tremendously! Thanks!

Introducing Alter Nation action figures with Ryan Magnon

Happy New Year! We start the year right with a conversation with one of the most experienced sales representatives I know, Les Friedland. He has worked in the toy industry for over 45 years and understands what will and won’t work at retail. He founded Les Friedland Associates in 1982 and has repped countless products to retail success. He and his award winning team are expert at sales, in-store positioning and analysis. In our conversation Les shares his sales wisdom and we discuss the strategy differences between selling an item versus a category. What should the retailer expect from a manufacture and vice versa? How should you prepare to meet your buyer with a new concept? How can you work with your buyer to ensure sell through (or help them move inventory if it does not).   This episode is packed with valuable and thought provoking information that you will not want to miss!   Check them out here: https://www.lesfriedland.com     May your 2019 be blessed with much sales success!

Happy New Year! We start the year right with a conversation with one of the most experienced sales representatives I know, Les Friedland. He has worked in the toy industry for over 45 years and understands what will and won’t work at retail. He founded Les Friedland Associates in 1982 and has repped countless products to retail success. He and his award winning team are expert at sales, in-store positioning and analysis. In our conversation Les shares his sales wisdom and we discuss the strategy differences between selling an item versus a category. What should the retailer expect from a manufacture and vice versa? How should you prepare to meet your buyer with a new concept? How can you work with your buyer to ensure sell through (or help them move inventory if it does not).   This episode is packed with valuable and thought provoking information that you will not want to miss!   Check them out here: <a href="https://www.lesfriedland.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.lesfriedland.com</a>   May your 2019 be blessed with much sales success!

Tips for Toy Sales with Les Friedland

Chandler Levine

Chris Oosthuisen

Chandler Levine and Chris Oosthuisen have a vision for the next generation of toys. Inspired by the future of learning and fueled by their technology background in Silicon Valley they are working on LINK, a tech toy that can teach language and encourage children to explore the world around them. Listen in as we discuss the future of play and address the concerns that come along with cutting edge tech toys. Thank you guys for sharing your story! https://www.toyupgrade.com/

Chandler Levine and Chris Oosthuisen have a vision for the next generation of toys. Inspired by the future of learning and fueled by their technology background in Silicon Valley they are working on LINK, a tech toy that can teach language and encourage children to explore the world around them. Listen in as we discuss the future of play and address the concerns that come along with cutting edge tech toys. Thank you guys for sharing your story! <a href="https://www.toyupgrade.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.toyupgrade.com/</a>

Toyup - Interview with Chandler Levine and Chris Oosthuisen

Lisa Orman

Super mom and two-time Women in Toys awards winner Lisa Orman joins us today! Previously she was a writer for the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Newsweek. Today she runs KidStuff PR to promote toys and games worldwide. kidstuffpr.com In this episode we discuss an article she recently wrote about specialty retail vs. Amazon. I ask the questions:  What are some of the most coveted awards in our industry? How important are Mommy Bloggers and what should we expect from the bloggers and media outlets who review our products? Join us! Speaking of reviews, if you are enjoying the show please reach out and leave a good review on iTunes! Thank you to all the listeners! 

Super mom and two-time Women in Toys awards winner Lisa Orman joins us today! Previously she was a writer for the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Newsweek. Today she runs KidStuff PR to promote toys and games worldwide. <a href="http://kidstuffpr.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">kidstuffpr.com</a> In this episode we discuss an article she recently wrote about specialty retail vs. Amazon. I ask the questions:  What are some of the most coveted awards in our industry? How important are Mommy Bloggers and what should we expect from the bloggers and media outlets who review our products? Join us! Speaking of reviews, if you are enjoying the show please reach out and leave a good review on iTunes! Thank you to all the listeners!

Promoting your toy product - Interview with Lisa Orman

Pat Giles

Creating characters, drawing, animating - it’s all Pat Giles ever wanted to do. His laser focus on animation and character design has led him to create content for some of the best known brands and characters on the market.  www.dangerpigeonstudios.com Join Pat and I as we discuss his career - building and animating characters for children be it for toys, games or food. We discuss the impact and future of YouTube animation and Netflix. We also dive into the history of the Trix Rabbit, Thundercats and Power Lords! We have a ton of fun in this episode! Who else has experienced Sonny the Cuckoo Bird fight Lion-O? Thank you for listening! Thank you for subscribing! Thank you for reviewing!

Creating characters, drawing, animating - it’s all Pat Giles ever wanted to do. His laser focus on animation and character design has led him to create content for some of the best known brands and characters on the market.  <a href="http://www.dangerpigeonstudios.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.dangerpigeonstudios.com</a> Join Pat and I as we discuss his career - building and animating characters for children be it for toys, games or food. We discuss the impact and future of YouTube animation and Netflix. We also dive into the history of the Trix Rabbit, Thundercats and Power Lords! We have a ton of fun in this episode! Who else has experienced Sonny the Cuckoo Bird fight Lion-O? Thank you for listening! Thank you for subscribing! Thank you for reviewing!

Animating for Kid's Brands - Interview with Pat Giles

Stephen Sumner

Quiz time - What one toy can teach social skills, empathy, responsibly, imagination and compassion? Dolls are simply one of the most powerful play tools we can offer a child.  My guest today has been designing dolls for over 20 years. Stephen Sumner has worked on the most recognizable doll brands including Barbie and My Little Pony Equestria Girls. He has also developed dolls under licenses like Marvel, Lord of the Rings, and Dreamworks.   In todays show we discuss the importance of dolls in all cultures. We discuss how to make your doll line unique (but not so unique it is unreliable to your customers). We discuss the biggest mistakes that companies make when releasing a new doll line. Finally he gives us some insight into his work with Hasbro's Equestria Girls and explains what makes them great

Quiz time - What one toy can teach social skills, empathy, responsibly, imagination and compassion? Dolls are simply one of the most powerful play tools we can offer a child.  My guest today has been designing dolls for over 20 years. Stephen Sumner has worked on the most recognizable doll brands including Barbie and My Little Pony Equestria Girls. He has also developed dolls under licenses like Marvel, Lord of the Rings, and Dreamworks.   In todays show we discuss the importance of dolls in all cultures. We discuss how to make your doll line unique (but not so unique it is unreliable to your customers). We discuss the biggest mistakes that companies make when releasing a new doll line. Finally he gives us some insight into his work with Hasbro's Equestria Girls and explains what makes them great

The Art of Doll Design with Stephen Sumner

Richard Derr

“Kids are so much more educated today…they already know from their friends and YouTube what they are looking for…" Richard Derr has spent 22 years on the front lines of the toy industry. As the owner of the Learning Express in Lake Zurich, Illinois he is interacting with and learning from our customers everyday. His previous 20 years as an executive at AC Neilson gives Richard a unique perspective on what it takes to capture and hold his customers attention. Today he unpacks his philosophy for running a successful toys store -  TPW: "Team, Product, Wow”. Richard’s explanation of this between time codes 9:55 and 14:16 is tremendously valuable to anyone in the toy industry. What is it like to own a Learning Express franchise? How do you get in and out of a retail trend successfully? What does the next 5 years look like for Learning Express? So much value here, thank you Richard! facebook.com/learningexpresslakezurich/ https://learningexpress.com/ Check it out and thank you for listening! https://lnkd.in/dzKJtsf - iTunes https://lnkd.in/d7aB-Kr - Stitcher

“Kids are so much more educated today…they already know from their friends and YouTube what they are looking for…" Richard Derr has spent 22 years on the front lines of the toy industry. As the owner of the Learning Express in Lake Zurich, Illinois he is interacting with and learning from our customers everyday. His previous 20 years as an executive at AC Neilson gives Richard a unique perspective on what it takes to capture and hold his customers attention. Today he unpacks his philosophy for running a successful toys store -  TPW: "Team, Product, Wow”. Richard’s explanation of this between time codes 9:55 and 14:16 is tremendously valuable to anyone in the toy industry. What is it like to own a Learning Express franchise? How do you get in and out of a retail trend successfully? What does the next 5 years look like for Learning Express? So much value here, thank you Richard! <a href="http://facebook.com/learningexpresslakezurich/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/learningexpresslakezurich/</a> <a href="https://learningexpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://learningexpress.com/</a> Check it out and thank you for listening! <a href="https://lnkd.in/dzKJtsf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://lnkd.in/dzKJtsf</a> - iTunes <a href="https://lnkd.in/d7aB-Kr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://lnkd.in/d7aB-Kr</a> - Stitcher

Inside Learning Express with Richard Derr

Matthew Hudak

A big thank you to Mathew Hudak who breaks it down for us today in this fun rapid-fire episode! Matthew is the Senior Industry Analyst at Euromonitor International. He is laser focused on the toy and game industry and gives his customers cutting edge market data. In fact his sole responsibility is to develop the toy and game system for Euromonitor. The toy industry is always on the move (quicker than ever) and it is his job to keep us informed of global toy sales data and trends. In the episode we discuss the continuing impact of video games on traditional play and I ask him about the present and future of AR and VR in the industry. We also discuss the impact of several very popular licenses that have perpetuated toy sales for many years.

A big thank you to Mathew Hudak who breaks it down for us today in this fun rapid-fire episode! Matthew is the Senior Industry Analyst at Euromonitor International. He is laser focused on the toy and game industry and gives his customers cutting edge market data. In fact his sole responsibility is to develop the toy and game system for Euromonitor. The toy industry is always on the move (quicker than ever) and it is his job to keep us informed of global toy sales data and trends. In the episode we discuss the continuing impact of video games on traditional play and I ask him about the present and future of AR and VR in the industry. We also discuss the impact of several very popular licenses that have perpetuated toy sales for many years.

Global Toy Industry analysis with Matthew Hudak

Christopher Bensch

It is so good to connect with many friends and colleges in NY again this year! I look forward to sharing some great conversations from this years Toy Fair! Given everyone's intense schedules and focus on the future I wanted to offer up a fun show that lets us look back through time at the roots of our great industry. The Strong Museum in Rochester New York is an interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. It is one of the largest history museums in the US and one of the leading museums serving families. It is my privilege this week to speak to Christopher Bensch a 29 year veteran of the museum who serves as the VP of collections.   www.museumofplay.org/    We dive into all the museum has to offer and we discuss one of their most prized possessions the original Monopoly board!  http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2011/02/27/original-monopoly-game-sold-for-150k/   Enjoy the episode - recoup, refresh and I'll see you soon!    https://lnkd.in/dzKJtsf - iTunes   https://lnkd.in/d7aB-Kr - Stitcher

It is so good to connect with many friends and colleges in NY again this year! I look forward to sharing some great conversations from this years Toy Fair! Given everyone's intense schedules and focus on the future I wanted to offer up a fun show that lets us look back through time at the roots of our great industry. The Strong Museum in Rochester New York is an interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. It is one of the largest history museums in the US and one of the leading museums serving families. It is my privilege this week to speak to Christopher Bensch a 29 year veteran of the museum who serves as the VP of collections.   <a href="http://www.museumofplay.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.museumofplay.org/</a>   We dive into all the museum has to offer and we discuss one of their most prized possessions the original Monopoly board!  <a href="http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2011/02/27/original-monopoly-game-sold-for-150k/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2011/02/27/original-monopoly-game-sold-for-150k/</a>   Enjoy the episode - recoup, refresh and I'll see you soon!   <a href="https://lnkd.in/dzKJtsf" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://lnkd.in/dzKJtsf</a> - iTunes   <a href="https://lnkd.in/d7aB-Kr" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://lnkd.in/d7aB-Kr</a> - Stitcher

Strong Museum of Play with Christopher Bensch

I am honored to speak with JP Stoops today on the Power Kid Podcast! JP has spent 16 years in consumer products with a focus on toys. He managed licensed retail business development for Discovery Communications. He directed all aspects of DiscoveryKids.com including site management, e-commerce, marketing, operations, social media, branding, and creative. Today he is focused on building his company Pixl Toys which focuses on creating tech toys that utilize smart phones and encourage active and creative play.   I like JP’s way of describing his skills -  think like a consumer, act like a retailer and deliver valuable products - and I ask him to break this down for us. We discuss in depth how he sees online retail changing the way we find and buy products. How did his years as a buyer affect his decision to create and market Pixl Play?   Check it out here: https://pixltoys.com/    Thank you for joining us!

I am honored to speak with JP Stoops today on the Power Kid Podcast! JP has spent 16 years in consumer products with a focus on toys. He managed licensed retail business development for Discovery Communications. He directed all aspects of <a href="http://DiscoveryKids.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DiscoveryKids.com</a> including site management, e-commerce, marketing, operations, social media, branding, and creative. Today he is focused on building his company Pixl Toys which focuses on creating tech toys that utilize smart phones and encourage active and creative play.   I like JP’s way of describing his skills -  think like a consumer, act like a retailer and deliver valuable products - and I ask him to break this down for us. We discuss in depth how he sees online retail changing the way we find and buy products. How did his years as a buyer affect his decision to create and market Pixl Play?   Check it out here: <a href="https://pixltoys.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://pixltoys.com/</a>   Thank you for joining us!

Pixl Play and Amazon with JP Stoop

Laresa Tapia

Carolyn Izzo

I come from a family full of wonderful teachers and education professionals and I find that they are some of the most creative and passionate people on the planet. My guests this week are no exception.  Laresa Tapia and Carolyn Izzo are on a mission to bring inclusiveness and fun together with a simple and elegant new product - PolyBlox. Patented, researched, certified and available worldwide, Polyblox are "ABC blocks, reimagined. Join us as we discuss the origin of the idea, the challenges of marketing and manufacture and why it is important to find a balance of talents when working on a team. We also dive into their experience of getting picked up by TRU and uncover some of the misconceptions surrounding mass distribution. You will enjoy hearing their story and the heart behind this product! www.thepolyblox.com

I come from a family full of wonderful teachers and education professionals and I find that they are some of the most creative and passionate people on the planet. My guests this week are no exception.  Laresa Tapia and Carolyn Izzo are on a mission to bring inclusiveness and fun together with a simple and elegant new product - PolyBlox. Patented, researched, certified and available worldwide, Polyblox are "ABC blocks, reimagined. Join us as we discuss the origin of the idea, the challenges of marketing and manufacture and why it is important to find a balance of talents when working on a team. We also dive into their experience of getting picked up by TRU and uncover some of the misconceptions surrounding mass distribution. You will enjoy hearing their story and the heart behind this product! <a href="http://www.thepolyblox.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.thepolyblox.com</a>

Polyblox with Laresa Tapia & Carolyn Izzo

Micheal Keaton spent 16 years with LEGO in various capacities and locations around the globe including Denmark, Australia and Connecticut where he oversaw 460 people in 8 countries as the VP of Shopper Marketing Agency. For the next 3 years he served as the president of Schleich North America. Currently he is the CEO of Toysmith.   We discuss his calling into the toy industry and how he and the LEGO team overcame several challenges together. I ask him about his worldwide experiences and the cultural differences in the global industry. We discuss the steps Schleich took to expand their product offerings and how important it is to listen to your customer.   On a personal note Micheal shares with us his concept of "A-Game" which can help us connect with our families through play, even in the midst of our demanding jobs. Finally as he steps into his role at Toysmith I ask him about his goals and vision for the future.

Michael Keaton CEO of Toysmith

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