The Playground Podcast

In this episode Chris talks to Nelo Lucich, one of the co-founders of Skyrocket Toys about the company and notably their introduction of Poe: The AI Storytelling Bear. Nelo and Chris talk about the process, the underlying structure and a little bit about the future of AI in the toy business. The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy News, Th Toy Guy and Beacon Media Group.

Designing effective and engaging learning toys for children is always a challenge. It's one that Dr. Ben Miller has embraced. He's a learning scientist and senior learning designer for LeapFrog. He talks with Chris about the concept of purposeful play, designing for learning, the opportunities and challenges for AI in learning toys, and best practices for those developing learning toys. It's a wid...

In this episode, Jay Foreman, CEO Basic Fun makes his fifth visit to The Playground Podcast. This is one of our most important and timely episodes to date as Jay and Chris discuss the current state of China, the reality of doing business, and the implications for our business if threatened economic developments occur. Jay is his usual frank self with insight, thoughtful commentary, and humor. Let...

In this episode, Chris talks to Barry and Jason of the eponymous Barry and Jason games about their careers, their work, the process of pitching games, and more. Listen in as two of the most entertaining and thoughtful guys in the business talk about what they're doing, and what's next. We promise you a good time.

Chris talks to drag racing star Alex Taylor who has been a star in her field since she was 16. She is the co-host of Hot Rod Garage and has a popular YouTube channel as well. This is a story that goes beyond cars and talks about passion around which to build a life and career. Even more, it's a great tale for folks in the industry looking to build meaningful marketing relationships to build br...

In this episode Chris talks to industry veteran and technology whiz kid Josh Garrett about his career, his vision, and how leveraging technology in a kid-centric way contributes to positive, enriching, and immersive play experiences for kids. Josh is the chief creative officer for Readyland and vice president of design for Creativity, Inc. This is a "must-listen" episode for anyone looki...

In this episode, Chris talks to Matt Nuccio, president of Design Edge. This full-service design, production, and marketing agency over its long history has been involved in groundbreaking innovation. From Tickle Me Elmo to POGS, to, yes, a very successful stick; the team has guided inventors and companies to exceptional successes. Matt talks about design, innovation, AI, what's needed to make...

In this episode, we talk to Greg Ahearn, the new president and CEO of The Toy Association. Greg takes the reins in a dynamic time for the 108-year-old organization, and talks about its vital role in the industry today and where it's going in the future. Listen in and get a new appreciation for all the association does, and much more.

With Pickleball a huge trend in the U.S. in 2024, leave it to savvy industry veterans Jeffrey Breslow and Frank Adler to adapt that into a clever, fun, and opportunistic game. Listen in as Chris talks to them about how they did it, how a popular sport became a card game, and how they Jeffrey and Frank are riding the trend to create a new game company.

Chris talks to Denis Crushell , chief commercial officer of London-Based Precise TV about his company, the power of contextual advertising for the current toy industry, and how to set your digital strategy to reach kids successfully.

Chris talks to veteran inventor Dan Klitsner about his new toy Sling-It. Dan was the genius behind Bop-It, but with this new venture, he's decided to manufacture and market under his own company. It's a wild toy, with an even wilder story. (We love wild stories.) Listen in, as he talks about development, manufacturing, and strategy for launch in the dynamic toy industry of 2024.

There is a lot happening at the Toy Foundation! Near and dear to our heart is the new entrepreneurship program honoring Richard Gottlieb, but that's just part of it. Listen in as Chris talks to Pam Mastroka, executive director of the foundation about all the excitement...and your opportunities to get involved.

Build-A-Bear CEO Sharon John has driven the evolution of Build-A-Bear from a vertical retailer to a global toy company with legions of followers. And as she says, it was built, "One heart ceremony at a time." But it's the savvy combination of data and heart that have make this company the iconic success it is today. In our conversation, Sharon talks about the company's growth and...

For 22 years, Cloud B has been an innovator in bedtime products--adding fun, health and peace of mind to the nursery and the bedroom for both kids and parents. In this episode, we talk to Thomas Deumier, CEO of PJ Distribution, parent company of Cloud B about innovation, building on what works, and staying the leader in a niche market.

There are big changes ahead for the Toy Association. After months of work and listening, there's news about LA in the Fall (and Spring), New York, ongoing advocacy and much more. Andy Keimach, interim president and CEO of the Toy Association gives us the scoop on what's happening...and it's good news.

In this episode, Chris talks to author and historian Rob Goldberg about his fascinating book Radical Play . It's a look at the social movements of the 1960s and 1970s and how those challenged and changed the toy industry–and the ways in which the industry responded. We cover the major issues of the era–war toys and guns, race and gender–and look at the ways the world and by extension plaything...

In this episode, Chris talks with Sophia Chong on site at the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair about the 50th Edition of the show, the value of toy fairs, and a vision for the show as an essential gateway to the Asian markets. This episode brings back The Endcap, and Chris talks about the impact of the Barbie movie, why it could only happen now, and why another movie out now misses the point comple...

In our fifth annual year-end conversation, Chris is joined by James Zahn of The Toy Book , The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider and John Baulch managing director and publisher of Toy World UK . Zahn and Baulch are two of the leading industry observers, analysts, and thinkers about the business of play. Their insights are entertaining, thoughtful, and clear-eyed. Listen in as we talk about innovatio...

In this conversation, Chris talks with Joost Poulus, chief product officer for Moose toys. They talk about Joost's 20-plus year career with Moose, building a culture that supports innovation and the company's BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) for the future. In a time when "innovation" can merely be a buzzword, Moose is one of the first companies to build, and publish, a series of...

Listen in on this great conversation as Chris talks to Matt Abrahams, author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter . Abrahams discusses the book and how people can be more effective communicators, whether as managers, colleagues...or pitching a product. Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. He teaches at Stanford Univ...

Richard Gottlieb's death on October 26 from ALS was a blow for the people who knew and loved him, the toy industry, and, of course, this podcast. In this short segment, Chris remembers and honors Richard and all his contributions, his amazing spirit and kindness, and much more. We also talk a bit about continuing this show both to serve the industry and to honor Richard's memory.

Chris talks to John Tong, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Toys Advisory committee. (Just one element of his diverse career.) They talk about Toy Fairs, opportunities in Hong Kong and how Hong Kong is coming back as a business center and gateway to Asia coming out of the pandemic. The conversation was recorded at New York Toy Fair, and Richard and Chris divided and conquered to...

Richard and Chris talk with Michele Litzky and Josslynne Welch about the history of Litzky Public Relations, the evolution of PR over the past quarter century, and the transition as Josslynne takes over the reins of the company. It's a great conversation about toy industry history, succession planning, and much more. Listen in as we talk to two major players in the toy industry. (Apologies for...

Chris and Richard talk to Mary Couzin about her career, the creation of People of Play , the upcoming 21st edition of the Chicago Toys & Games Fair , and the Young Inventors Challenge . It's an energetic conversation, and you'll see why from her passion for play and the business to all she does why she's joining the Toy Industry Hall of Fame this year. Listen in...and get as excite...

Chris talked with Eric Poses of All Things Equal Games about the 25th Anniversary of Leading Questions and his repeat of the cross-country car trip he did to launch the game in 1997. We caught up with him just as he was leaving. for 22 cities, with a stop at New York Toy Fair.