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. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support ..read 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. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support ..read more

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. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support ..read more

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. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support ..read more

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. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support ..read more

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. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support ..read more

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 playthings changed. It's a lively and informative conversation. Listen in. And you can buy Rob's book here. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support ..read more

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 completely. The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy News, The Toy Guy, and the https://home.hktdc.com/https://home.hktdc.com/. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the ..read more

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 completely. The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy News, The Toy Guy, and the https://home.hktdc.com/https://home.hktdc.com/. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the ..read more

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 innovation, entertainment, inventory, and the year ahead. The Playgorund Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, managers of the Hong Kong Toys & ..read more