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

In this conversation, Chris talks with Joost Poulus, chief product officer for Moose toys. They talk about Joost's 20-plus year career with Moose, building a culture that supports innovation and the company's BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) for the future. In a time when "innovation" can merely be a buzzword, Moose is one of the first companies to build, and publish, a series of metrics to determine how innovation as they define it is succeeding. Not surprisingly, it encompasses people, product and play. The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and the Hong Kong ..read more

Listen in on this great conversation as Chris talks to Matt Abrahams, author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter. Abrahams discusses the book and how people can be more effective communicators, whether as managers, colleagues...or pitching a product. Matt Abrahams is a leading expert in communication with decades of experience as an educator, author, podcast host, and coach. He teaches at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, and he has his own podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart: The Podcast. Enjoy this lively conversation. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/t ..read more

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

Chris talks to John Tong, chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council Toys Advisory committee. (Just one element of his diverse career.) They talk about Toy Fairs, opportunities in Hong Kong and how Hong Kong is coming back as a business center and gateway to Asia coming out of the pandemic. The conversation was recorded at New York Toy Fair, and Richard and Chris divided and conquered to see as much of the show as possible...and find new guests for the rest of the season. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support ..read more

Richard and Chris talk with Michele Litzky and Josslynne Welch about the history of Litzky Public Relations, the evolution of PR over the past quarter century, and the transition as Josslynne takes over the reins of the company. It's a great conversation about toy industry history, succession planning, and much more. Listen in as we talk to two major players in the toy industry. (Apologies for the cellphone going off. We didn't want to edit that out. Just pretend you're at a Broadway theater and annoyed. That's what Chris would do.) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod ..read more