The Toy Book Podcasts by Adventure Media & Events (The Toy Book by Adventure Media & Events)

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes back toy industry veteran Nancy Zwiers.

Zwiers' last appearance topped the charts as the most-streamed episode of the "Power Kid Podcast" for 2020, and for the sequel, she's sharing her thoughts on how “Play is natures' way of helping us learn how to survive”

On the show, Albritton and Zwiers dive deep into the inherent biological importance of play and how the most successful brands focus on kids' desires and dreams and trust their play instincts. Finally, Zwiers unpacks her "Funosophy Play Theory" which is an organized chart of play patterns and age ranges rooted in child psychology.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with David Snow, founder of The Fantastic Factory.

Snow began his career at Hasbro where he ultimately spent a decade focusing on the toymaker's presence in grocery stores. Following a successful run at an Australian game company, Snow used his marketing and product development skills to launch his own sales agency prior to launching The Fantastic Factory, makers of What’s In the Box? and Dumb Criminals.

On the show, Snow discusses how "being bold and friendly" helped him in his early career and the unique aspects of selling impulse products to grocery retailers. Additionally, the conversation explores the key elements of creating a Fantastic Factory game and the strategies he uses to pitch his games, which he's doing now remotely.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Karen Kilpatrick of Kaypin Media and Genius Cat Books to the show. Kilpatrick helps brands and creatives navigate the publishing industry with a focus on creating kids' books.

On the show, Kilpatrick explains how telling nighttime stories to her kids sparked the idea for her business. From there, she and Albritton discuss the traditional barriers to publishing and how she helps clients overcome them. Additionally, Kilpatrick outlines a step-by-step path to success.

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Anand Dhirmalani to the show. Dhirmalani is an expert in the As Seen On TV space and is collaborating with Albritton on the launch of a new brand: Lil Wish Lanterns.

On the show, Dhirmalani shares his journey from Fushigi to Pillow Pets and his recent success with KickerBall. Additionally, he delves into the differences between As Seen on TV and the traditional toy space and how influencers can help to boost sales.

Finally, Albritton and Dhirmalani unwrap their plans for Lil Wish Lanterns as they take a deep dive into the background, concept, and development of the new property. Check out the new episode below and be sure to back Lil Wish Lanterns on Kickstarter for a chance at early bird exclusives.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Nick Metzler, incubation and new business specialist at Spin Master. Metzler has designed and marketed dozens of award-winning games, including Squashed, Marvel's Wakanda Forever and Hail Hydra, Harry Potter Hedbanz, Battle of the Sexes, and many more.

Metzler was the winner of the TAGIE Award for Young Innovator of the Year in 2013 and Rising Star Innovator in 2018. He was also the back-to-back winner of the Young Inventor Challenge (WIC) in 2010 and 2011 and has supported YIC ever since.

On the show, Metzler and Albritton discuss how creating complex games requires an understanding of human psychology and how to deliver game rules in the most understandable way. Finally, the discussion delves into the value and future of gamification.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Melissa & Doug's Chief Commercial Officer, David Henderson to the show.

Henderson, who previously held roles at Hasbro, Coca-Cola, and Newell Baby brands, joined Melissa & Doug last year as the company entered a new chapter of growth.

On the show, Henderson shares his early toy stories, including selling into the famed Sears Wish Book and how he learned to manage brands while aligning manufacturer, retailer, and consumer expectations. Additionally, Albritton asks Henderson to elaborate on the development of Melissa & Doug's growing distribution footprint and how its entry into licensing via a partnership with ViacomCBS Consumer Products for PAW Patrol and Blue's Clues and You! will drive the company forward.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Monsterfoot Productions' Ahmet Zappa to the show.

Zappa is a multihyphenate whose work spans publishing, TV and film, music, and more. He produced Disney's The Odd Life of Timothy Green and created the Star Darlings property, and now he's gearing up to develop projects based on the Weird-Ohs monster hot rod model kits of the 1960s. 

On the show, Albritton and Zappa discuss their mutual love of vintage toys and cartoons before delving into the backstory of the Hawk Model Co.'s Weird-Ohs and the unique art of William "Bill" Campbell. From there, Zappa shares details on his past work in Hollywood and animation and how it relates to his vision for the Weird-Ohs relaunch.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Spin Master Creative Director Stephanie Guo to the show. Guo oversees creative vision for key brands, including PAW Patrol, GUND, Mighty Express, Kinetic Sand, Orbeez, and Etch-A-Sketch.

On the show, Albritton and Guo discuss the unique differences between the traditional advertising industry and the toy industry. The duo delves into 2020's "PAW Patrol Years" marketing campaign with Dax Shepard and the core elements that have turned the PAW Patrol brand into an evergreen hit. Additionally, the conversation moves toward the rising trend of comfort toys and how Spin Master's GUND brand plays into that. Finally, the episode closes with some insight on the evolution and current stage of influencer collaborations and creativity within the industry.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with "The Toy Coach" Azhelle Wade. For more than a decade, Wade has held roles at companies including Horizon Group and Blumenthal Lansing Co., and served as a global product development and design manager at Toys "R" Us and Babies "R" Us. She currently serves as vice president of brand and product at Creative Kids.

In today's show, Albritton and Wade discuss her early focus on serving and learning from kids, and how a cancer scare propelled her into several new ventures. Other topics include the ways that a  manufacturer can bring continuous value to its buyers and the unique aspects of working in the doll and craft categories. Finally, Wade shares the origin story of her 'Making it in the Toy Industry' podcast.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Dr. Mary Mason, founder of Little Medical School.

Little Medical School is dedicated to the mission of inspiring and shaping tomorrow’s health care professionals through after-school programs, summer camps, birthday parties, and an award-winning line of educational toys. Forbes has called Little Medical School the ultimate STEM business.

On the show, Dr. Mason shares the "origin story" of Little Medical School and the importance of this program for kids with chronic illnesses and how early exposure to health care role-play opens doors for kids.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Chris Cote, founder and president of Scentco to the show.

On the show, Cote unpacks the exact moment the idea of scented pencils struck him and what he did next. He shares the complexities involved in finding the perfect scent for every product, and how he overcame some early speed bumps in the business.  From there, Cote tells Albritton about how a group of entrepreneurial school kids opened up an entirely new sales channel for Scentco. Finally, the conversation moves from the psychology of scent in marketing to the launch of Scentco's new Bedtime Defenderz brand.

It's Genius of Play Week on the "Power Kid Podcast" presented by the Toy Book. This week, host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes four committee members representing The Toy Association's Genius of Play initiative and its ongoing mission to provide families with the information and inspiration they need to make play an important part of their kid’s day. This month represents a milestone for the organization as the Genius of Play pulls back the curtain on its newly minted Play Ambassadors — a group of exceptional individuals who are toy experts and champions of the power of play.

In this episode, Albritton is joined by Genius of Play Committee Chair Ashley Mady, head of brand development at Basic Fun! Mady is integral to promoting and developing brands such as Care Bears, K’nex, Pound Puppies, Lite-Brite, Tonka, and Cutetitos. She also serves on the board of trustees at The Toy Foundation and also an advisory board member for Women in Toys.

On the show, Mady explains how playing as a kid helped inform her skill as a toy and game designer and brand creator. She also shares her recent experiences in developing Tonka’s Let’s Go Play! initiative with Shaquille O’Neal and discuss how story and character development affects how kids play. Finally, Albritton and Mady close out Genius of Play Week with a discussion on why play is so important right now.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Drew Vernon, marketing director at Tonies USA.

For the last new episode of the podcast for 2020, Albritton shines the spotlight on one of the year's biggest hits with families: Tonies, a system that promotes independent play, imagination, and storytelling via a screen-free digital audio system, collectible figures, and a vast and diverse offering of audio content.

Vernon, whose background includes roles at The LEGO Group, Procter & Gamble, and as the founder of a drop-in child care business, discusses the importance of speaking to both kids and caregivers in marketing material. Vernon also shares details about his experience developing the LEGO "Prescription for Play" marketing efforts for U.S. pediatricians offices. Finally, the duo delves into the open-ended play power of the Toniebox.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Maia Baram, public relations manager at smarTrike.

Over a decade ago, smarTrike had the idea to create an all-in-one tricycle that grows with kids. This product revolutionized the ride-on market, and their bikes, scooters, and activity centers are now available in 80 countries. On the show, Baram explains how her search for a better stroller led her to a career move to smarTrike.

Albritton and Baram also discuss the meticulous effort behind each of smarTrike's “grow-with-me” product lines and explore what parents are looking for. Additionally, Baram offers insight into smarTrike's development process.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with screenwriter Jordan Gershowitz, author of the new book, Ignore the Trolls.

Gershowitz has written, developed, and/or produced content for nearly every major network. He's written episodes of The Tom and Jerry Show and Danger Mouse, and has written for Sesame Street Live! Recent TV credits include Nickelodeon's Welcome to the Wayne, Warner Bros. Bunnicula, RBUK (aka Rainbow Butterfly Unicorn Kitty), and Gigantosaurus, which airs daily on Disney Channel.

Jordan, the son of toy industry veteran Ed Gershowitz, discusses with Albritton the impact of growing up with close ties to the toy world, and also delves into the rumor that his dad served as the model for the rare Toys "R" Us exclusive G.I. Joe action figure known as Captain Claymore.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks Brian McDonald, vice president of sales and marketing at The Simplay3 Co.

An expert in building profitable strategies for young and transitioning companies, McDonald previously served as vice president at Hedstrom, prior to which he spent 20 years at The Step2 Co., most recently as vice president, business development.

On the show, McDonald and Albritton discuss why it is so important to have designers and engineers that are deeply rooted in the rotational molding process that Simplay3 is known for. Additionally, the duo explores the switch in consumer habits and how e-commerce has changed the way in which Simplay3 designs and launches new products. Finally, the episode concludes with thoughts on the importance of American manufacturing and the cultivation of jobs in the U.S.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Robert Cook, sales manager at Verisk Financial G2.

Cook and his team help manufacturers protect themselves from the ever-present risk of knockoffs, counterfeit, and copycat products. They also provide guidance to assist companies in their efforts to avoid copycat situations in the first place.

During the show, Cook and Albritton discuss the staggering extent to which copycats run rampant in the toy industry and the dangers that counterfeit products pose to kids. Additionally, the duo discusses the conversations that should be had between inventors and manufacturers, and how the industry as a whole should be educating consumers about knockoff products.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Patti and Jonathan Becker, the duo behind Anjar Co. and Becker Associates.

Anjar and Becker Associates have licensed more than 1,000 products, generating more than $2 billion in sales in more than 85 countries, and in recent months they've been all about Wham-O. On the show, Albritton and the Beckers discuss the history of properties, including Gumby, Barrel of Monkeys, and Fireball Island along with how the licensing industry has changed over the years. Additionally, Patti and Jonathan discuss their recent work building a new licensing program for Wham-O before sharing information on upcoming opportunities and an exclusive announcement.

In the latest episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Kevin Daniels, President and Co-Founder of Fun In Motion Toys to the show. Fun In Motion is the four-time Toy of the Year (TOTY) finalist behind mesmerizing toys including Shashibo, Spin Ball, and Wandini.

On the show, Daniels explains how an activity invented by the indigenous people of New Zealand became the inspiration for Fun In Motion Toys' first product. He and Albritton go on to discuss the success of Fun In Motion with independent retailers and the methods used to grab customers' attention. Following the backstory on Shashibo, Daniels shares insight into how the company is leveraging its existing items to break into new product categories.

The Power Kid Podcast joins the Adventure Media and Events Podcast Network! Join host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design for in-depth interviews and conversations with some of the brightest stars in the toy, game, and family entertainment industries. 

Phil says: "Todays episode is the perfect conversation to keep the ball rolling. Join me as I spend some time with my friend, the Senior Brand Marketing Manager of Educational Insights, Lee Parkhurst. One of the most passionate toy industry people I know, we dive into all the things that make Educational Insights a great company and cover their wonderful product lines — including Artie 3000 and Playfoam. We discuss what it’s like pitching a product under the QVC lights. How do you measure the success of your digital marketing campaigns? Lee is daily in the trenches of influencer marketing and we take a moment to discuss the huge shift that came when the FCC placed regulations on YouTube videos targeted to ages 13 and under. A BIG thank you to all the listeners (many of you have been with me for 2 years!). You motivate and inspire me daily and I am so thankful that you let me be a part of your week."

Related Links:

• http://www.toybook.com
• https://www.powerkiddesign.com/
• http://www.educationalinsights.com

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Josh Loerzel, vice president of sales and marketing at Hog Wild Toys.

Loerzel, who recently took part in the Toy Book's Talkin' Toys series, delves into his backstory which includes stints at Monkey Business, Zing, and Yulu before landing at Hog Wild.

Albritton and Loerzel discuss the importance of performance in the outdoor toy category, the development and creation of Hog Wild's Scream-O's, and the power of following social media trends. Additionally, the duo delves into Hog Wild's position as a distributor for other toy brands, the success of the company's Popper brand, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Hog Wild Toys and how the company is maintaining safety and productivity.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Chris and Jennifer Armstrong of Solid Roots. The family-focused company produces games, including Mind the Gap, Hipsterology, and Trapped, alongside the Hangup + Hangout Device Detox Box.

On the show, the Armstrongs explain how they turned the classic white elephant gift game into a marketable product, and how Jen’s live event production skills and Chris’s background in graphic design come together for game creation. Additionally, Albritton and the Armstrongs discuss the marketing challenges of the pandemic era and the step-by-step process of how Solid Roots went from concept to reality.

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes University Games founder Bob Moog to the show for a discussion on the state of the games industry.

Since its founding in 1985, University Games has been a staple game company with hits like Murder Mystery Party and 20 Questions. Additionally, Moog leverages popular licenses like Dogman, Pete and Cat, and The World Eric Carle to create great new games while segmenting his business under distinct brand labels, including Megableu, BePuzzled, and Briarpatch.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with prolific toy and game designer Elliot Rudell.

Rudell Design has been in business since 1975 and has been responsible for the development and licensing of products that have generated millions for the toy industry.  The success of Rudell's toys and games, including Splash Out, Upwards, Wet Head, GeoTrax, GlowDome, and Weebles led to his induction into Hasbro's Toy Inventor Hall of Fame in 2001.

On the show, Rudell discusses how his “whimsical graphic flare” landed him his first job and early success at Mattel and the development of Upwards. Additionally, Rudell offers advice for young inventors and explains the importance of a passionate pitch. Finally, Albritton and Rudell discuss the recent partnership between Rudell Design and Far Out Toys to create products inspired by pocket.watch's massively successful Ryan's World brand.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes David Capon, president of FoxMind Games, the company behind the viral hits Go Pop! and Pop-It!

On the show, Capon discusses the invention of Go Pop! and the massive trend of poppable fidget toys that FoxMind Games is currently in the midst of. Additionally, Albritton and Capon discuss the critical components of creating games that stimulate the mind and why they work so well in the market.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Evan Katz and Josh Roberts of Very Special Games to the show.

On the show, Katz and Roberts deliver intel on the guerrilla warfare tactics required to self-produce games. They launched their first successful game, Charity Party, on Kickstarter in 2019 and have since built a catalog of games including Ransom Notes, Abducktion, and Puns of Anarchy.

Katz and Roberts unpack their first foray into the gaming world and what they learned early on. From there, Albritton asks them about the importance of involving Kickstarter backers in the process as a consumer sounding board, and how having great factory connections can streamline the manufacturing process.

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Nick Christensen of Threepipe Reply to the show. Christensen is a managing partner and head of Amazon at the company, helping clients like TOMY, VTech, and Mookie Toys maximize their Amazon selling strategy.

On the show, Albritton and Christensen discuss the effect of Amazon on the traditional “try me” motivator for toy sales and delve into some of Amazon’s best tools for building brands within the site, When asked if there are specific toy categories that sell better than others, Christensen provides insight that may surprise you and shares the key points of data that toy and game manufacturers should be paying attention to in order to increase sales.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Paula Monteiro, head of marketing for Wikitude.

Wikitude is the worlds leading augmented reality (AR) software development kit with over 1 billion installs. On the show, Monteiro discusses how her background with the United Nations and education gives her a unique perspective on the kids' space, and how AR has grown rapidly over the past few years. Additionally, she and Albritton discuss the unlimited creative possibilities for AR and delve into Wikitude's work, including the creation of the Black Panther experience at Walmart.

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Talia Filippelli, founder of Starr Therapy, to the show.

Filippelli is a Genius of Play Ambassador, an award-winning “Top Doc,” and has served as an advisor for Sesame Workshop. Most recently, she developed The Genius of Play’s Emotional Wellness Playbook, a free resource that provides parents and caregivers with play-based, screen-free activities that help kids develop emotional intelligence and learn to express their feelings in a healthy way.

On the show, Filippelli and Albritton discuss how classic games can be a great way to build emotional intelligence skills and why play works when helping children access their emotions. Additionally, Filippelli offers examples of how she has seen play change lives.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks Tim Kilpin and Catherine Winder about PlayMonster's new brand, Snap Ships.

Kilpin recently took the helm as president at PlayMonster following a run as president and CEO at Activision Blizzard Consumer Products. Prior to that, he worked to craft brand strategies and creative direction at Mattel and The Walt Disney Co. Wind Sun Sky CEO/executive producer Catherine Winder (The Angry Birds Movie, Super Dinosaur) is a former Lucasfilm exec who worked with George Lucas to assemble the team behind Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

On the show, Albritton delves into their backstories as they discuss their lengthy careers and the challenges and opportunities that present themselves when developing original intellectual property (IP) like Snap Ships.

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design goes LIVE from the show floor at ASTRA Marketplace & Academy in Columbus, Ohio.

Check out mini interviews featuring Adam Hocherman (Fat Brain Toy Co.), Karen Hermann (Hand Craft), Julien Amundsen (Fantasma Toys), Chrissy Fagerholt (EAP Toys and Games), Jan Marie Zawitz (Tangle Creations), Dan Hakim (It Coins), and Eric Child (Tubelox).

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with toy industry veteran Heidi Shrack, author of Lets Bake a Cake: A Buggie-Muggies Book.

For more than 20 years, Shrack has worked on visual merchandising, packaging, logo design, and photography for companies including Toys "R" Us, International Playthings, Crocs, and Radica, in addition to brands such as Calico Critters, Kinetic Sand, Stuff'n Mallows, Mad Matter, and more.

During the Podcast, Albritton and Shrack discuss the creation of cutting-edge tech product at Radica along with her role as a "candy conceptualizer" and how she helped the green M&Ms become popular. The duo also discusses the former Toys "R" Us Concept Lab where Shrack worked to develop innovative visual merchandising for Geoffrey and Co. in the early 2000s, including projects for the company's Times Square flagship. Finally, the conversation moves to the launch of the Buggie-Muggies.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Michael Goodman, founder, and head of licensing at the MLGPC Licensing Agency.

Goodman is an expert in prospecting new intellectual properties (IP) with undeniable mass-market appeal. Through MLGPC, he has identified, sold, and IP to industry leaders such as Spin Master, Nelvana, Super7, Saban Brands, Funko, Goliath Games, Scholastic, and many more.

Albritton discusses with Goodman his early days in the industry and the process of bringing back the classic Monchhichi property. Additionally, the duo discusses how vintage brands continue to fuel the retro trend that connects across multiple generations while Goodman offers behind-the-scenes insight on several new viral brands that he has been involved with.

The Power Kid Podcast joins the Adventure Media and Events Podcast Network! Join host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design for in-depth interviews and conversations with some of the brightest stars in the toy, game, and family entertainment industries.

Phil says: The CEO of Play Visions, Inc., Mark Chernick started the company in 1990 when he teamed up with two high school classmates. Their goal was to develop novelty and trend items that provided 'a little something extra.' Their line of products was an instant hit and Play Visions expanded quickly. Today Mark has a large stake in the popular compound and tactile category.

Join us today as Mark tells us his origin story - “Let’s make stickers”. He tells us about his product development philosophy and how a great material can lead to multiple successful items. He unpacks the culture of the compound creating chemists he works in Taiwan and China and walks us through the compound creation process.

Related Links:

http://www.toybook.com https://www.powerkiddesign.com/ https://www.playvisions.com

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Diverse Marketing CEO and owner Wes Hardin to the show.

Since 1959, Diverse Marketing has served the retail industry with a curated catalog of toys and games, gift items, and sporting goods. The company maintains dedicated showrooms in multiple cities and had a staff of nearly 200 representatives that work to help retailers stock their shelves with products that consumers will love.

On the show, Hardin and Albritton discuss the origin of Diverse Marketing and how the company has created opportunities from disruption. Additionally, the duo delves into the four distinct product segments that Diverse Marketing services and how the sales rep experience evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, Hardin shares insight on some big trends that retailers should keep an eye on.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Brian Volk-Weiss, CEO of The Nacelle Co. and Comedy Dynamics.

Volk-Weiss is the creator and producer of Netflix's The Toys That Made Us and The Movies That Made Us, and has produced Grammy-nominated and Grammy-winning comedy albums for the likes of Weird Al Yankovic, Dave Chappelle, and Jerry Seinfeld, and has produced and directed dozens of comedy specials for talent including Tiffany Hadish, Kevin Hart, Jim Gaffigan, Ali Wong, and many more.

His latest project is the new series, A Toy Store Near You, which delves into the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on independent toy stores and collectibles retailers around the world. On the podcast, Albritton and Volk-Weiss discuss the similarities between the toy industry and the comedy world, the genesis of the new series, and why A Toy Store Near You is so important in shedding light on small businesses.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Jamie Emmick to the show. Emmick serves as director of special markets for the Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co. (BHTB) and leads the CustomPlush.com side of the business. She is a Genius of Play Ambassador and was a recent finalist in the Rising Star/Licensor category of Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment's Wonder Women Awards. 

On the show, Albritton and Emmick discuss how parenting can shape the way those in the toy industry view the industry, and why BHTB is a special place to work. The conversation delves into the growth of CustomPlush.com and what advice Emmick might have for anyone seeking mentorship.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Joel Morris and Mike Horn, co-founders of Cubles — sturdy, paperboard characters that are made in the U.S.

On the show, Albritton asks the duo about engineering the unique articulation of their Cubles figures and the challenges of creating an environmentally friendly business model. Additionally, the conversation delves into the wide array of marketing opportunities that exist with Cubles, as the brand has already delved into licensing with KISS, Dog Man, and more.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Jason Mars, owner of Red Planet Group.

Red Planet Group is a premier distributor and marketer of toys throughout Canada. The company supports global toymakers by bringing toys such as Treasure X, Scruff-A-Lives, Little Live Pets, Wubble, and more to Canadian kids and families.

On the show, Albritton delves into Mars' origin story which includes working alongside his father with partners such as Toy Biz and Tiger Electronics. The duo then delves into the nuances of marketing to Canadian families and how they purchase toys. Finally, Mars shares details on the unique logistics and operational issues encountered in the Canadian market and shares some of the new toys that Red Planet Group is working to promote.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Chalk of the Town's Chief Chalking Officer Sondra Mansfield.

In recent years, Chalk of the Town has taken social media by storm with a line of products that kids and families use to design and style their own t-shirts, totes, and patches with water-based chalk markers.

On the show, Mansfield shares how she found inspiration in the T-shirt market while on vacation and how she's been able to communicate her products to families while finding a unique niche. Mansfield also discusses her personal experience with a hurdle that many entrepreneurs face: fulfilling large orders following a successful marketing campaign or TV appearance.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Helen Thomas, chief marketing officer at DMAI, the company behind the Animal Island Learning Adventure (AILA) Sit & Play — an intelligent monitor and edutainment system geared toward families with toddlers

On the show, Albritton and Thomas discuss the importance of clearly communicating the benefits of a new technology product as it hits the market. Thomas, the founding CEO of LeapFrog China, explains the various aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) and the technology is integrated into AILA. Finally, Thomas explains how DMAI worked to address parental concerns that have been raised by the use of cloud-connected devices by kids and families.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Jeanie Crone to the show.

Crone has a wealth of experience spanning toys, fashion, and education. She previously served as the senior manager of specialty at Schleich, sales manager at Ojo, and Chairman of the Board at the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA). She currently manages sales for Bimi Boo, a developer and manufacturer of learning toys, games, puzzles, and more.

On the show, Crone discusses the similarities between toys and fashion, pulling from her work at Tommy Hilfiger and Phillips-Van Heusen (PVH Corp.). While working at the Educational Development Corp., Crone was an early champion of selling books in specialty toy stores, and on the show, she explains to Albritton how she opened up that market. Finally, the conversation delves into the expansion of Bimi Boo and how the tech company broke into the toy business.

The Power Kid Podcast joins the Adventure Media and Events Podcast Network! Join host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design for in-depth interviews and conversations with some of the brightest stars in the toy, game, and family entertainment industries.

Originally aired July 9, 2018

Phil says: "Calling all fans! Anita Castellar of FanGirl Consulting & 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 World!

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!"

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Bob Wilke, president of HobbyTown.

Founded in 1980 with the purchase of the original HobbyTown store that had been operating since 1946 in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska, HobbyTown began franchising in 1986 and has grown to a chain with more than 100 stores across 39 states. Wilke started his career as a franchise owner, eventually rising through the ranks to become president of the company.

During the conversation, Albritton and Wilke discuss the evolution of brick and mortar retail and the shift to an omnichannel system. Wilke shares insight into how HobbyTown — with its expanded mix of products including RC vehicles, trains, rockets, models, toys, and games — helps to support its franchisees in their efforts to build and maintain relationships with customers through the heart of the business: the community-building activities that HobbyTown promotes.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Bill Nichols and Peter Cmiel of Blip Toys to the show.

On the show, the Blip Toys duo explains how some decisions they made early in their careers guided them to where they are today. The conversation veers toward the success of the Squinkies collectible line and the Zoom-O Disc Launcher. Nichols also unpacks the deal that found several Toys "R" Us private label toy brands a new home at Target. Finally, Nicols and Cmiel serve up a look ahead with this summer's launch of Zip Linx and GigaBots, to new toy brands that will be shown at the Toy Insider's Sweet Suite event.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Joe and Jim Seymour of E-Blox.

On the show, the Seymours discuss the origin story of their Illinois-based family business that offers products that balance deep learning with big fun. Kids can use E-Blox sets to engineer fully functional creations, to add lights and sounds to existing block sets, and to tell stories with Story Blox sets. Between the Seymour brothers and their father, Art, the family holds more than 50 patents.

Albritton and the Seymours delve into the importance of getting kids involved and interested in STEAM skills early and what makes E-Blox unique in the competitive world of construction and learning.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Harrison Brooks, the 17-year-old creator and CEO (Chief Elevator Officer) of ElevatorUp and database and content manager at People of Play.

On the show, Albritton and Brooks discuss the success of ElevatorUp, a card game that balances strategy and chance. Additionally, Brooks shares his perspective on classic and current games while discussing the challenges that he encountered in developing ElevatorUp and bringing it to market last year.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes back Wind Sun Sky CEO/executive producer Catherine Winder (The Angry Birds Movie, Super Dinosaur). Winder is a former Lucasfilm exec who worked with George Lucas to assemble the team behind Star Wars: The Clone Wars and now also leads Skybound North Entertainment, the company behind the Amazon hit, Invincible, and more.

On the show, Winder discusses My Singing Monsters: Fandemonium, Wind Sun Sky's latest collaboration with Big Blue Bubble, the developers of the My Singing Monsters app. Fandemonium is a cutting-edge live animated interactive variety show and Albritton and Winder discuss the technologies used to create it and the crossover potential with toys and games.

Go Ninja! Go Ninja! Go!

In the latest episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Pat Linden, Vice President of Marketing at Playmates Toys to the show.

Ahead of this week's release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Linden shares insight on his experience working with every iteration of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) since 1998.

On the show, Linden discusses his early years in the toy industry in which he worked on the classic farm toy brand, Ertl prior to joining Playmates Toys. He then shares details on the different versions of the TMNT brand over the years and explains how the team works on developing reimagined toys for the brand. Finally, Linden delves into this year's line and why he's excited for Mutant Mayhem.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design gears up for Toy Fair New York with The Toy Association's Marian Bossard.

For over 20 years, Bossard has served as executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association. On the show, Bossard discusses the customer service mentality that goes into every aspect of Toy Fair. Additionally, she and Albritton discuss how Toy Fair New York has changed over the years and what new and notable events attendees should be on the lookout for at this year's show.

In this episode of The Toy Report, Toy Book Senior Editor James Zahn ("The Rock Father") shares full details on Lucasfilm's plans for Triple Force Friday 2019, beginning with a special Star Wars livestream and global reveal event. Triple Force Friday (Oct. 4) is the day that products inspired by Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, and the forthcoming video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order will hit stores. Read more Star Wars news and reviews at The Toy Book, The Pop Insider, and The Toy Insider #WeKnowPlay #FuelYourFandom 

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Trina McFarland, owner and managing director of TinkerTini.

McFarland has reviewed thousands of toy and game concepts during the course of her career. She previously served as senior manager, inventor relations at Mattel, prior to which she managed inventor relationships for Jakks Pacific and The Walt Disney Co. At TinkerTini, she helps to train and connect inventors with great manufacturers and licensors.

On the show, Albritton and McFarland discuss how different companies work differently with toy and game inventors, and the most important details that inventors need to know about the internal decision-making process.  Additionally, the duo takes a look at the importance of concept organization on both the inventor and manufacturer sides of the business.

In this episode of The Toy Report, Toy Book Senior Editor James Zahn ("The Rock Father") serves an update on the latest happenings in toys, games, and family entertainment. This week's industry news includes updates on Hasbro's My Little Pony franchise, ZURU's 5 Surprise, the 2020 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards voting, NSI International's latest Wubble bubble balls, Distroller USA's latest Neonate Babies, a team-up between Netflix and Nickelodeon,  a big win for Activision's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and more.

Be sure to subscribe to the Adventure Media and Events Podcast Network on your favorite service for more great shows and episodes!

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes David Gardiner, founder of Well Played Toys.

Gardiner began his career at Hasbro and has since held executive roles at Basic Fun!, MEGA Brands, and more. As founder and president of Well Played Toys, Gardiner is developing products for kids and collectors alike with top licenses, including Lost In Space, Borderlands, SpongeBob Squarepants, JoJo Siwa, Peeps, and more.

On the show, Albritton and Gardiner discuss the nuances of seeking a toyetic license and how streaming content is fueling an increasingly brisk pace for licensing. Additionally, the duo discusses the intersection of toys, video games, and licensing in creating new products for all ages.

In this week's episode of the Power Kid Podcast, host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Little Rebels creator Marjorie Spitalnik.

Spitalnik has been inspired to produce a line of plush that paves the way for little girls to learn about real-life female heroes. Albritton and Spitalnik discuss the initial idea that brought her into the toy industry and how she used her resources to build a grassroots toy company and lift up the women around her. She tells us about her experience with the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative and how it boosted her efforts in creating  Little Rebels — a line that contains plush versions of Malala Yousafzai, Amelia Earhart and Marie Curie.

Subscribe, leave a review and enjoy the show!

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Hape CEO Peter Handstein to the show.

Since its founding in 1986, Hape has become known as a premier designer and manufacturer of high-quality wooden baby and kid's toys. Hape's products are sold in more than 100 countries and are crafted from sustainable materials.

On the show, Handstein delves into his backstory in selling outdoor play equipment for use in kindergartens and the similarities between that business and selling toys to consumers. From there, Albritton and Handstein discuss the importance of sustainability, the advances in sustainable manufacturing, and the way that many of the great toy designs are often rooted in need. Finally, the duo discusses of Hape balances capturing trends while delivering classic play patterns simultaneously.

In this week's episode of the Power Kid Podcast, host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with The Last Gameboard co-founder Shail Mehta.

With the successful funding of Gameboard-1 on Kickstarter, The Last Gameboard looks to disrupt the gaming industry by merging tech and play into what's being called "the world's first arcade and board game console." Mehta tells her origin story and explains the development process that led to the company's patented Sense Screen technology. Additionally, we learn what partnerships are in place as Gameboard-1 integrates future titles into a platform that allows players to create their own games.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes award-winning graphic novelist Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez, creator of the superhero La Borinqueña.

Miranda-Rodriguez, whose portfolio includes work created for Marvel Comics, Atlantic Records, Sony, and others, created La Borinqueña in 2016 as a direct response to the economic crisis affecting the island of Puerto Rico. 

On the show, Miranda-Rodriguez shares how his experience curating art for the Caribbean Cultural Center launched him into the comics industry. Additionally, Albritton and Miranda-Rodriguez discuss the challenges of writing a character who confronts real-world issues; the history and controversy of La Borinqueña’s costume; and the vision for the future of the La Borinqueña character and brand. 

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Mike Bowling, creator of the Pound Puppies and Splashlings.

On the show, Bowling shares the incredible origin story of Pound Puppies and what he learned along the way. He tells the stories of his serendipitous meetings and rejections before finally licensing his idea, and why now is the right time for Basic Fun! to relaunch the iconic brand. Additionally, Bowling explains how a walk on the beach inspired the creation of the Splashlings collectibles range.

Finally, Bowling discusses his presentation, "The Greatest Ideas on Earth Will Never Be Invented," and how he encourages inventors to overcome their fears and pursue their dreams.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Anna Yudina, senior director of marketing initiatives at The Toy Association.

On the show, Yudina discusses the backstory of The Toy Association and her work leading the consumer-facing Genius of Play program. Additionally, Albritton and Yudina discuss the ways that the Association has pivoted to reach families throughout the pandemic. Finally, the duo delves into the STEAM Strategic Initiative and the process behind choosing winners for the upcoming Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Ryan Hamilton, head of product development at Plus-Plus A/S and head of operations at Plus-Plus USA, makers of open-ended construction toys loved by kids and grownups alike.

On the show, Albritton delves into Hamilton's backstory from his early experiences at Dan Buckey & Associates to his time as a toy and game buyer at Barnes & Noble. Then the conversation delves into Plus-Plus and the challenges of creating the acclaimed Plus-Plus GO! collection, from which the Street Racing Super Set landed a coveted slot in the Toy Insider's 15th Annual Holiday Gift Guide.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Goliath Games' Director of Marketing Mary Higbe.

As families spend more time together amid the COVID-19 pandemic, games are experiencing a huge boost in sales. Texas-based Goliath Games offers a wide range of titles for the entire family, with products available in more than 75 countries worldwide.

On the show, Albritton and Higbe discuss the family environment that makes Goliath unique as she shares her top picks for games for players of ages. The conversation delves into what's happening at Goliath right now and how the company is working to ensure that it can still get its games into the hands of families everywhere. Additionally, Higbe shares insight into the marketing of Virus, "the contagiously fun card game" that's growing in popularity as families avoid the coronavirus.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Learning Resources' Senior Product Manager Michael Blaustein to the show.

Blaustein's career in electronic toys includes experience at Tiger Electronics and VTech prior to joining Learning Resources and helping to launch award-winning products, including Botley the Coding Robot (2019 TOTY winner: Innovative Toy of the Year) and Coding Critters (2020 TOTY winner: Best Preschool Toy).

On the show, Blaustein discusses how his early work answering video game customer hint lines led to work as a video game developer. Additionally, he explains how the Code & Go Robot Mouse opened the door for more innovative learning products and the importance of creating tech toys that don’t utilize a screen. Finally, Albritton and Blaustein discuss Learning Resources' new MagicCoders.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Steve Wampold to the show.

In 2002, Wampold founded Big Mouth Inc. and grew the company to become a leader in the swim and inflatables space where it still enjoys much success today. A few years ago, after selling Big Mouth to a private equity firm, Wampold founded Good Banana, a brand that creates new toys and novelties in a variety of categories.

On the show, Wampold and Albritton discuss the differences between on-trend novelties and toys and how a "12-year-old sense of humor" helps inform the development of hit products. Additionally, Wampold shares insight on one of his other projects, Bouncyband — a company that makes products designed to help kids focus and concentrate.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with YWow Games and Ypernovea CEO Michele Rudelli.

YWow Games burst onto the scene this year with a new collection of games and licensed puzzles (featured in the Toy Book's annual summer Games & Puzzles Showcase) that have been gaining an audience around the world through colorful branding inspired by Kellogg's cereals, Mentos, and Pringles.

On the show, Rudelli delves into his backstory and path into the toy industry from the forests of Switzerland through Starbucks. Additionally, Albritton and Rudelli discuss YWow's passion for eco-friendly products and how the new product line, Go Master YouTubers and Gamers brings online trends to the tabletop.

In the first-ever Pop Insider Podcast recorded LIVE from Booth No. 270 at New York Comic Con (NYCC), the Pop Insider Co-Editor-In-Chief Marissa Dibartolo and Senior Editor James Zahn discuss some of the happenings on the floor at the Javtis Center in New York City. In this episode, they talk about actor Alan Tudyk (who isn't on the show), Star Wars' Triple Force Friday; NEW Playmobil licenses including Back to the Future and Scooby-Doo; Chrome Hello Kitty by kidrobot; and the phenomenon of standing in lines to be in a line.

#FuelYourFandom at http://www.thepopinsider.com and check back soon for more unfiltered conversation from #NYCC!

In this episode of The Toy Report, Toy Book Senior Editor James Zahn ("The Rock Father") serves-up a preview of Toy Fair New York with some early news that's broken ahead of the annual trade show taking place Feb. 22-25 at the Javtis Center. Zahn discusses the latest on the coronavirus, Schleich's 85th anniversary; Hornby Hobbies' 100th anniversary; the 16th Annual Wonder Women Awards presented by Women in Toys, Entertainment and Licensing; Le Toy Van; Kellytoy's Squishmallows; Blue Marble; and previews the Toy Fair issues of The Toy Book and The Pop Insider. Stay tuned for Part II of our Toy Fair preview!

Be sure to subscribe to the Adventure Media and Events Podcast Network on your favorite service for more great shows and episodes!

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Kids Industries CEO and Co-Founder Gary Pope to the show. Pope leads a team of researchers, strategists, creatives, and developers that work to help toy, entertainment, and consumer products companies better connect with families around the world.

Kids Industries has served a variety of companies and brands over the past 20 years, including Mattel, Playmobil, WWE, Disney, Save the Children, PepsiCo, Amazon, and more.

On the show, Albritton and Pope discuss Kids Industries' "Super 6" — six key components that work together to create a successful marketing campaign. Additionally, the duo discusses hot topics, including mental health and sustainability.

In this week's episode of the Power Kid Podcast, host Phil Albritton meets with screenwriter Jeremy Adams, who has worked on animated series such as Justice League Action, DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash, DC Super Hero Girls, Hot Wheels City, and the forthcoming LEGO Jurassic World: The Legend of Isla Nubar, in addition to penning the recent animated features, Scooby-Doo: Return to Zombie Island, Teen Titans Go! Vs. Teen Titans, and LEGO DC: Batman — Family Matters.

His love of pop culture and drive to create great stories has cemented him as one of the go-to animation writers in the industry. He also once held the title of Marvel Specialist!

Today we discuss the crossroads of toys and animation. He shares the challenges of working with established brands while at the same time giving the characters a unique twist. He tells the story of one of his favorite projects - the Supernatural episode “Scoobynatural”.

The Power Kid Podcast joins the Adventure Media and Events Podcast Network! Join host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design for in-depth interviews and conversations with some of the brightest stars in the toy, game, and family entertainment industries.

Related Links:

http://www.toybook.com https://www.powerkiddesign.com/ 

It's Genius of Play Week on the "Power Kid Podcast" presented by the Toy Book. This week, host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes four committee members representing The Toy Association's Genius of Play initiative and its ongoing mission to provide families with the information and inspiration they need to make play an important part of their kid’s day. This month represents a milestone for the organization as the Genius of Play pulls back the curtain on its newly minted Play Ambassadors — a group of exceptional individuals who are toy experts and champions of the power of play.

In this episode, Albritton is joined by Melissa Hunter, YouTube creator, occasional Toy Book contributor, and founder of the Family Video Network. Hunter delves into her interest in play as she unpacks the ways that YouTube has changed the way that kids engage with toys. Additionally, Hunter explores the importance of doll play for kids and adults and what parents can learn from playing alongside their kids.

Happy 2020 Power Kids! It is an honor to start off this year with a conversation with Jeff Pinsker, the president of Amigo Games North America . Throughout his career Jeff has founded, managed and sold several businesses ranging from children’s television to educational products to toys and games. He was President of University Games, CEO of JP Kids, CEO of Infinitoy, President of Klutz, President of Pressman and General Manager at Cardinal. This year's first show is packed with great insight!

We discuss his early foray into business which includes practical jokes for pay and 7,000 trivia questions! Additionally, we discuss his work at the crossroads of children’s entertainment and toys and I ask him about his involvement in the relaunch of the amazing Zoob product line. He dives deep into the Amigo Credo and why it is so important (you will want to take notes!). Thank you for joining us! — Phil Albritton

https://www.amigo.games/

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Lev Nelson, co-founder of Sky Castle Toys.

Over the past decade, Nelson held positions at OzWest and Zing prior to founding Levelhed Creative and co-founding Sather & Fun Toys. Now, Nelson has teamed up with Josh Loerzel for Sky Castle Toys, a new company with a goal to "disrupt complacent toy categories."

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes toy and entertainment attorney Scott Landsbaum to the show.

Over the past 25 years, Landsbaum has represented intellectual property (IP) clients, including toy companies, entrepreneurs, inventors, designers, and artists across multiple industries.

On the show, Landsbaum shares details on what his background in hedge fund taxes has in common with toys. Then, he unpacks the complexities of executing a merger in the toy industry. From there, Albritton and Landsbaum discuss the current speed of the industry, the need for patents, and how legal, marketing, creative, and finance converge to create one licensed item.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Radio Flyer's Chief Wagon Officer, Robert Pasin.

Pasin is the grandson of Antonio Pasin, who in 1917 created The Liberty Coaster, a wooden wagon crafted in a one room workshop. Now, Robert leads the charge at Radio Flyer as the company continues to produce timeless toys for kids, including tricycles, scooters, go-karts, and more, including the iconic little red wagon.

On the show, Albritton and Pasin dig deep into the company's history and its vision for the future, including its seven-time honor as one of Fortune Magazine's Best Places to Work.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Lizzy Newsome, owner and curator of Kappa Toys in Las Vegas.

Newsome's design-minded stores carry a wide array of hard-to-find international toys and collectibles combined with a carefully curated selection of nostalgic retro classics for kids and adults alike.

On the show, Newsome discusses her toy retail journey from Austin to Las Vegas and the differences between being a traditional toy buyer and a toy curator. Additionally, Albritton and Newsome discuss the newly launched Kappa Toys location in the experiential Area15 destination in Las Vegas that showcases glow-in-the-dark, neon, and blacklight reactive toys. Finally, the duo discusses the evolution of brick and mortar toy retail in the post-pandemic age.

The "Power Kid Podcast" goes upside down this week as a recent guest flips the script to put host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design in the hot seat.

Jeff Pinsker, president of Amigo Games North America is in the interviewer's chair to explore Albritton's origin story.

In the episode, Albritton discusses some of his earliest work in the toy industry, including the Original Funnoodle, the Bounce ‘Round — the first consumer accessible continuous air bounce house — and Bruce Lund’s sports ball line, The Luminator. The duo discusses the various challenges of inventing vs. developing, and the importance of packaging as a protector, teacher, and brand advocate. Albritton also shares tips for making the most out of your store visits and what to look for as you research the aisle. Finally, the duo explores trendspotting and discusses some of the biggest changes that Albritton has witnessed in the industry.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Paul Weibel, manager of consumer sales at Trend Enterprises.

Over the course of his career, Weibel — a former sea captain — has held positions at a variety of toy and game companies, including MindWare, The Manhattan Toy Co., Asmodee, Hansa Creation, and Magnetic Poetry. At Trend Enterprises, Weibel is leading sales as the company seeks to carve a unique niche in the toy space.

On the show, Albritton and Weibel discuss how fun and play can become a part of the sales process and how Trend is making big plans in the toy department while continuing to produce products for the educational market.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Jamie Beaumont, chief operating officer at SoapBox Labs.

SoapBox Labs is focused on the growing technology of voice recognition and how it can best be used for kids in a variety of sectors. SoapBox Labs licenses its technology for use in K-12 education and by edtech, entertainment, and toy companies.

On the show, Albritton and Beaumont discuss the complexities of creating software that can understand kids and decipher the complex nuances of kids' speech. Additionally, the duo delves into the inventor-friendly nature of SoapBox Labs and some of the opportunities that might be available.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Julien Sharp, director of business development for Spin Master.

Sharp works constantly to find new ways to increase sales across Spin Master's games global business unit while collaborating with inventor relations, licensing, production, global brand marketing, and retailers to make it happen.

On the show, Sharp shares her origin story and path into the toy and game industry from cruise ships to work with companies including Funnybone Toys and What Do You Meme?

Albritton and Sharp discuss how creating something different in the game aisle led to early successes with games such as Disruptus. Additionally, Sharp shares the strategies used to open up specialty mid-tier channels for What Do You Meme? along with some of the things she's looking for while researching new trends at Spin Master.

In the first of two special episodes of the "Power Kid Podcast" this week, host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with IAMEARHERO founder Jazmine Darden, newly minted program director for People of Play's (POP) 15th annual Young Inventor Challenge. POP, formerly known as the Chicago Toy & Game Group, will launch its annual Toy and Game International Innovation Summit and a virtual edition of the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG) next week.

On the show, 3D printing innovator and educator Darden discusses her backstory in the toy industry and her plans for evolving the Young Inventor Challenge.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Christine Osborne, owner of  Wonder Works — an independent toy store with three locations in South Carolina.

Since 1990, Osborne has operated the award-winning store, and over the past three decades, she's seen changes in the market and learned how to adapt through evolving trends and crisis situations.  At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Osborne worked quickly to assemble several programs — including a virtual toy store — to ensure that she was putting toys in the hands of families at a time when play is needed most.

On the show, Osborne discusses how Wonder Works assists customers in finding just the right product, and shares details on what families are searching for right now. Additionally, Albritton and Osborne delve into the virtual toy store experience while serving up a road map for independent retailers across the country to replicate as specialty retail evolves.

It's Genius of Play Week on the "Power Kid Podcast" presented by the Toy Book. This week, host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes four committee members representing The Toy Association's Genius of Play initiative and its ongoing mission to provide families with the information and inspiration they need to make play an important part of their kid’s day. This month represents a milestone of the for the organization as the Genius of Play pulls back the curtain on its newly minted Play Ambassadors — a group of exceptional individuals who are toy experts and champions of the power of play.

In the first of four episodes, Albritton welcomes Michael Rinzler, executive vice president and partner at Jazwares. Prior to becoming co-president and founding partner of Wicked Cool Toys — which was acquired by Jazwares in 2019 — Rinzler held positions at MGA Entertainment, Mattel, Playmates Toys, and Jakks Pacific. On the show, Rinzler shares the important lessons he has learned in play-centered focus groups. Additionally, he and Albritton discuss the dress-up and roleplay category and the importance of that type of imaginative play.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Harold Chizick, CEO of ChizComm and Beacon Media.

On the show, Chizick discusses AtGames, a digital media and tech innovation company that creates a host of gaming products for physical retail, digital distribution, and streaming. Most recently, AtGames has been focused on retro interactive entertainment with the Legends Ultimate Gaming Cabinet. Albritton and Chizick discuss how AtGames grew within the software and gaming industries.

Additionally, Chizick discusses the legacy of the Atari brand and the importance of merging modern and vintage technologies to make retro games accessible to a wide audience.

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Lauren Derse, CEO of Learning Express Toys & Gifts to the show.

Derse leads the largest franchised toy store chain in the U.S. and has vast experience with store ownership and oversight. Learning Express is known for its expert staff, localized selection, and incredible customer service — including gift wrapping, personalization, and the famed birthday boxes.

In this episode, Derse delves into the origin of Learning Express and her mother’s vision of an educational and fun place for kids and families. She then shares with Albritton what her years of experience as Director of Marketing taught her about the Learning Express customers. From there, the conversation moves toward the importance of a neighborhood toy store, what Learning Express looks for in a new franchisee, and what trends to look for in the future of brick-and-mortar retail this year.

In the latest episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Tom Delaney, Executive Vice President of MUKIKIM to the show.

A seasoned toy industry veteran, Delaney has held roles at Mattel, The Walt Disney Co., JAKKS Pacific, and ran his own company, Homegrown Toys. On the show, Delaney shares insight into the world of MUKIKM and its 14 unique product lines, including the Rock and Roll It Piano, Spy X, Drench, and this fall's buzzworthy new offering, the Drench Soda Game.

Nancy Zwiers gained wide experience managing brands at Procter & Gamble before becoming the SVP of Worldwide Marketing at Mattel for Barbie. She then founded and ran the brand-building firm Funosophy before becoming the EVP and CMO at Spin Master. Now retired, Zwiers spends her time as an executive coach and mentor.

In this week's show, host Phil Albritton chats with Zwiers about everything from Barbie to Hatchimals to PAW Patrol. The duo discusses the differences in toy marketing vs. marketing for wider consumer packaged goods products. Zwiers explains how she discovers the essence of a brand and how that informs her decision on how to market the product.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Adventure Media and Events' own Marissa DiBartolo, editor-in-chief of both the Toy Insider and the Pop Insider and senior editor of the Toy Book. DiBartolo manages print and digital content for the Toy Insider and the Pop Insider, including daily product news, reviews, and features, the legendary Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide.

On the show, Albritton and DiBartolo discuss the importance of building connections between toymakers and families and how doing press for toys has changed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. DiBartolo shares insight from her years of experience demonstrating toys on national TV, including appearances on the TODAY Show, the Steve Harvey Show, ABC World News Now, Fox and Friends, and more.

Additionally, DiBartolo — a newly minted Genius of Play Ambassador — gives a sneak preview of the Toy Insider's forthcoming early look at some of the biggest toy trends of 2021.

In this episode of The Toy Report, Toy Book Senior Editor James Zahn ("The Rock Father") serves an update on the latest happenings in toys, games, and family entertainment. This week's industry news includes updates from The Toy Association with a warning about counterfeit toys; American Girl's Holiday plans; the second annual Hot Wheels Legends Tour Winner; a big week on Sesame Street; and more!

Be sure to subscribe to the Adventure Media and Events Podcast Network on your favorite service for more great shows and episodes!

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Chris Cofoni, founder of TriAction Toys, and one of the driving forces behind the epic relaunch of the famed Boglins line. Last month, TriAction's Boglins World Domination campaign entered its formal Kickstarter run with backers having already pledged $60,000 against a $25,000 goal following a two-day soft launch window that was exclusively revealed by the Toy Book.

As of this week, the campaign has raised nearly $135,000 with more than a month left to go!

On the show, Cofoni discusses his background in music and how his unique career path led him to a meeting with Boglins and Sectaurs co-creator Tim Clarke. Albritton and Cofoni then discuss why now is the perfect time for King Dwork, King Vlobb, and King Drool to reclaim their thrones in the Seven Bogs and what the future may hold for the brand that made more than $50 million for Mattel in the late 1980s

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Project Genius CEO Brandi Pinsker to the show.

Project Genius is a Texas-based crew of "thinkers, tinkers, and inventors" that creates brainteasers and games. Pinsker previously served as a buyer at Go! Retail Group's Calendar Club and is an expert in games, puzzles, and gifts.

On the show, Albritton and Pinsker discuss the unique aspects of doing business in a mall and what drives sales in that environment. From there, the conversation delves into the benefits of brainteasers for kids and adults, and how Project Genius is supporting the Autism community.

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes legendary toy designer Eddy Goldfarb and his daughter Lyn to the show.

Eddy Goldfarb is a prolific inventor that holds 300 patents. During the course of his career, nearly 800 of his products — including KerPlunk and Hydro Strike — have been brought to market. He was a 2003 inductee into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame and a 2010 recipient of the TAGIE Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lyn Goldfarb's short documentary, Eddy's World went viral last month after being featured in The New Yorker. The Oscar-eligible short was honored with the Best Short Documentary Award at the Port Townsend Film Festival and a Jury Award for Best Short Documentary at the Raw Science Film Festival.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Patrick Matthews, project manager at Triller and president of Live Oak Games.

On the show, Albritton and Matthews explore the value and challenges of creating complex, story-based games, and the differences between developing digital and physical games. Additionally, the duo has a conversation about the negative aspects of games that are purely engineered for addiction. Matthews also delves into the behind-the-scenes process of how he developed the Thinkfun game Distraction and his experience writing books for young readers

In this week's mega-sized episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Richard Levy, a multi-hyphenate with more than 40 years of experience spanning the entertainment, toy, publishing, and licensing industries.

On the show, Levy —who once worked in marketing for Paramount Pictures — shares stories of his early career in the toy industry, including the sale of the electronic Star Bird to Milton Bradley which kicked off a string of hundreds of toys and games that he created or licensed. Among the biggest hits in his back catalog: Furby. Levy was part of the team at Tiger Electronics/Hasbro that brought the pioneering electronic character to market. The cult-favorite toy is currently back on the pop culture radar thanks to a BIG feature in the new Netflix Original Movie, The Mitchells vs. the Machines.

In this episode of The Toy Report, Toy Book Senior Editor James Zahn ("The Rock Father") serves an update on the latest happenings in toys, games, and family entertainment. Among the big stories this week, Schleich makes a big push at retail in the U.S. this holiday season with FAO Schwarz, Toys "R" Us Adventure, and more; Distroller USA debuts Cheekie Fairies; Barbie wraps the "Be Anything Tour"; L.O.L. Surprise Winter Disco gets a movie; and the Pop Insider looks at the booming collectibles market based on vehicles from TV and film. But that's not all! Get these stories and more right now!

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In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Tom Hudson, managing director of Marvin's Magic.

Marvin’s Magic launched in 1987 as a pioneer in the retail entertainment and product demonstration space. For more than three decades, Marvin's Magic products have entertained budding magicians, pop stars, sports heroes, and royalty.

On the show, Hudson explains how his background as a professional actor helped launch him into the toy industry, and how he seeks out talented demonstrators to work with. Finally, Albritton and Hudson discuss recent innovations in magic products such as the addition of digital components.

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Blinger creator Angie Cella to the show.

In 2014, Cella devised an invention that lets kids easily add sparkle to their hair. Through further development, Kickstarter campaigns, and self-funded experimentation, Cella scored a deal with Wicked Cool Toys at a Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment Empowerment Day. Blinger was given a wide release from Wicked Cool Toys — and later, Jazwares — and now Cella has detailed her journey in a new book, Blinger: An Entrepreneur's Faith-Based Journey which was released this month by RosettaBooks.

On the show, Cella and Albritton discuss the dream that sparked her into action and some of the challenges and successes that she's experienced along the way.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Martin and Alysha Horstman, the creators of Pixicade, an innovative new platform that kids can use to transform their drawings into playable mobile games.

On the show, Albritton chats with the husband and wife duo about how Martin's tech skills and Alysha's background in art came together in developing Pixicade. Additionally, Martin explains how his game engine will revolutionize how video games are made; and the crew discusses the complexities of ensuring that the Pixicade platform and ecosystem remain kid-safe and COPPA-compliant.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks Kate Clark, founder of Yottoy.

For the past 25 years, Yottoy has been creating high-quality plush toys based on top licenses, including Paddington, Eloise, Madeline, The Velveteen Rabbit, Babar, Corduroy, and more.

On the show, Clark explains how plush design has changed and evolved and how the plush medium can be used to best represent the iconic look of classic characters. She also discusses the crossroads of play and literacy and how the right toy can send kids back to a great book again and again. Additionally, Clark discusses Yottoy's new line of toys inspired by The Busy World of Richard Scarry.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with toy industry veteran, Gene Murtha of the Score Association.

Murtha's lengthy career in has included executive roles at Fisher-Price, Tyco, Mattel, Main Street Toys, Coleco, General Mills, and GUND. He now serves as vice president and director at the Score Association, working on a mission to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education.

On the show, Murtha discusses how he developed new talents early in his career by balancing his passion for research with marketing skills; his work at Coleco developing Starcom and Trivial Pursuit; the contrast in business models that sell nostalgia vs. current trends; and finally, his work with Score.