The Playground Podcast

(33 minutes) Chris and Richard talk with Kimberly Mosely, president of ASTRA and board member, owner of Angelina's Toys Shop and education consultant Betty Burns about the state of the specialty toy business, and ASTRA Camp, the virtual show and educational program.  They talk about what makes ASTRA unique in the industry as well as their innovative approach to community building the specialt...

(32 minutes) In this special episode, Chris interviews senior executives at Zuru about how the international hit Rainbocorns evolved from a crazy idea to a sensation in more than 100 countries, with sales that grew nearly 240 percent in just under a year. Chris talks with the executives about how they developed the product, marketed it, and in less than two years on the market (after an August 201...

(32 minutes) Chris talks with the inventors of the  hit product, The Eggmazing Egg Decorator. It's an amazing, funny story of a classic toy biz success: how an idea at a kitchen table turned into a million-dollar idea. The first in our Upstarts and Innovators series, Chris talks with entrepreneurs Curtis McGill and Scott Houdashell about how they came up with the idea, how they went for it, a...

Richard & Chris talk with Bob Wann, chief Play Monster for PlayMonster , and the new company president, Tim Kilpin. In this lively conversation, they discuss PlayMonster's newest product entry, Snap Ships and the decision to create and launch a dynamic, innovative property in the current market.  In addition, the conversation covers marketing in today's market, acquisition strategy, and w...

Chris & Richard have an important conversation with Eric Pliner, CEO of YSC , an international leadership consulting firm. In the conversation, Eric discusses what constitutes effective inclusion, how to integrate diversity in the fabric and values of a company, and the ways in which these programs can significantly enhance a company's performance and profitability.  Eric goes beyond the...

(31 minutes) We sit down with Janice Ross, president of Women in Toys (WIT) and executive director Mary Kay Russell for an insightful conversation about that organization, how it is actively developing and supporting women in the toy industry, and a variety of programs that are having worldwide importance in the age of Coronavirus.  Janice and Mary Kay also talk with Chris and Richard about i...

Richard and Chris have a lively conversation with Bryan Stockton. The former CEO of Mattel has remained engaged with an industry he loves. Stockton shares his insights on current business topics, what's working and where he sees the business is going. The hosts also catch up with Bryan's current life as a professional photographer and musician. You won't want to miss Bryan's insights based on a lo...

(44 minutes) Richard and Chris talk to James Zahn, The Rock Father about issues in the toy industry, including Q4 outlooks, how to look at various statistics and what may be ahead. In the second part of the conversation, James,  Richard and Chris look into the recent confusion about LEGO's actions in suspending promotion for toys reflecting law enforcement heroes to respect the current politi...

(26 minutes) In the second part of their conversation with Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun, Chris and Richard continue the frank conversation about the state of the toy industry, including a lengthy conversation about the viability of toy fairs. Jay is also the Chairman of the Toy Association's Trade Show committee, and he has some valuable information about planning for upcoming events. Then, the c...

(23 minutes) Chris and Richard welcome back Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun for a frank and insightful conversation about the state of the toy industry, including the impact of Coronavirus on all aspects of sales, the supply chain and retail. Plus, a look ahead at some of the issues that will impact Q4. This is the first of a two-part conversation. You'll want to hear what Jay has to say, as one of...

Chris and Richard talk with game inventor Rob Angel about Pictionary, how the phenomenon happened, and the evolution of games. thirty-five years after the launch of the game in a Seattle restaurant, Rob has published a new book, Game Changer that provides the amazing backstory of how this now-iconic game got its start. In a lively conversation, Rob tells many of the stories that should inform and...

(26 minutes) In this episode, Richard and Chris talk to Steve Totzke, Chief Commercial Officer of Mattel. In this lively conversation, the three discuss Mattel's response to the pandemic, changes in sales processes, the future of manufacturing in Asia, how technology is amplifying the sales process, and much more. Totzke, a Mattel and toy industry veteran, draws on his global experience, and his l...

(18 minutes, 30 seconds) Chris and Richard chat with Josh Shriber, musician and creator of Jammin With You, a music school in Boston and New York. Listen in as they talk about the challenges of taking music instruction online during COVID-19, the value of music education as play and much more.  You can find out all about Josh and his innovative, interactive and totally fun approach to music e...

Richard and Chris talk to Davin Sufer, chief technology officer at WowWee. They talk robotics, designing toys and how even as technologies advance, the complexities and costs of toy manufacturing create new challenges. You'll also hear about the "moon shot" that WowWee created in the robotics category. They didn't hit the moon, but in the process developed technologies that have helped propel hits...

(23 minutes) Richard and Chris chat remotely with Bob Moog co-founder and CEO of University Games. From the 35-year-history of the company to its role at the forefront of consumer engagement, the conversation highlights the enduring power of play and the new ways that consumers, especially Millennials and Z-ennials are shopping and engaging with media.  Moog and his company have been at the f...

Length: 32 minutes Chris and Richard talk with Chris Bensch, head curator,  about the amazing Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, NY. From its history to some of its most famous acquisitions, to the experience of visiting the museum, join us on a a wonderful tale of history and a virtual tour. Plus, find out what highly unusual toy is always the last item on a private tour. After listening, y...

Richard and Chris talk to JB and Debbie Frere of The Learning Journey. Starting as a multi-level marketing company owned by World Book, this husband-and-wife team turned the company into an international player in educational toys. Hear how they did it, where the category is now, and how they're coming through the current challenges with Coronavirus. 

Richard and Chris continue their conversation with Joseph Farco about the tools for protecting your IP through patent, trademarks and copyrights. They discuss the importance of international protection, necessary research, and options for the inventor community seeking to protect its work prior to pitching to toy companies. Together, these two parts provide an essential primer for anyone in the to...

Chris and Richard talk with Joseph Farco, patent and IP attorney with Norris-McLaughlin. Join us for a conversation on the importance of protecting IP and an in-depth understanding of how different patents can protect you, as well as copyrights and trademarks. Joseph recently visited Toy Fair in New York and became concerned that toymakers and IP owners are not sufficiently protecting their works....

Richard and Chris talk with Steve Pasierb about the current impact of the Coronavirus on the toy industry. The conversation includes information on how the Association is supporting its members, news, perspective, and updates and resources for companies in the business as we all try to negotiate the situation. As Pasierb says, "hope is not a strategy," but there are reasons to be hopeful as the bu...

Richard and Chris talk about current topics in the toy industry, including: The impacts of the Coronavirus on the industry, changing retail, sustainability, and the expansion of LEGO in China. What's happening now...and some predictions for what may be down the road. 

Chris and Richard talk with Arnie Rubin. Rubin was a co-founder of Imperial Toy Company, and later went on to found Funrise. He's a 2012 inductee into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame, and one of the most loved and respected industry leaders of the latter part of the 20th Century. In this conversation, he shares some of his stories about coming up in the toy business, and the creative and management...

Richard and Chris sit down with Jeff Gomez, CEO of Starlight Runner, and Danny Simon, founder of the Licensing Group, Ltd. Listen in to an insightful conversation about "transmedia storytelling" (utilizing multiple media platforms to develop characters, properties, and narratives and compellingly engage audiences) and how Gomez and Simon are leveraging their expertise in the relaunch of Ultraman,...

Richard and Chris share stories about past Toy Fairs, trends that will be affecting the business in the year ahead, and a look at the TOTY awards and much more. Start your Toy Fair adventure here!

Richard and Chris talk with Matt Hansen, client engagement manager for the start-up Alloy.ai. This data-driven platform helps toy companies manage inventory, track sales and forecast demand and supply down to the individual store level. Aggregating all data and putting it in a user-friendly dashboard, Alloy's cloud-based solution is a dynamic resource for everyone in the supply chain. Hear how and...