Claim OwnershipThe Toy Book Podcasts by Adventure Media & Events
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From the editors behind the Toy Book, the Pop Insider, and the Toy Insider comes a new series of podcasts focusing on toys, games, pop culture, and entertainment. Series' include The Toy Report — inspired by our weekly news roundup from the Toy Book, the leading trade magazine covering the toy industry; and the Power Kid Podcast, hosted by Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design, which features in-depth interviews and conversations with some of the brightest stars in the toy, game, and family entertainment industries.
163 Episodes
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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.
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In the latest episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Kyle Cosgrove, Territory Manager at Goliath Games to the show. A sales vet with experience at Crazy Aaron's and Monkey Fish Toys, Cosgrove is focused on expanding Goliath's footprint across independent toy and game stores.
On the show, he and Albritton discuss the skills learned in working toy retail and how those skills still apply today. Cosgrove shares his experiences in selling to kids in-store and how they think differently about product. Additionally, he shares some advice for young people starting out in the toy industry, the current state of games at specialty, and how independent retailers can set themselves up for sales success.
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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.
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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.
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In the latest episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Leah Ringelstein, Director of Impact at Zigazoo to the show.
Ringelstein is on the front lines of the world's biggest social media network for kids and leverages her background in classroom education and curriculum building in her work. Zigazoo has been designed to be a safe, positive, empowering online community where kids can create videos, enter challenges and win prizes.
On the show, Ringelstein discusses the early stages of creating Zigazoo and shares how positivity and safety are built into the core of everything the company does. Then, she and Albritton discuss the challenges and triumphs of moving away from an “engagement at all costs” social media model and how brands can best get involved and benefit from what Zigazoo is doing.
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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).
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In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Alan and Christine Blumberg from RGB Sales and Lea Culliton (ex-HABA, ABC Kids Expo) to the show to discuss the launch of The North East Toy Show (NETS).
"The Northeast connection to specialty" opens its doors in February 2024 for its inaugural show, and in this episode, the organizers delve into the genesis of the event and what it takes to plan a toy-focused trade show. From there, Albritton asks them to discuss their backgrounds in toys, current trends, the importance of independent toy stores, and where they are seeing growth.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Lee Allentuck to the show.
Over the course of his career, Allentuck has done it all, from leading Global Gaming at Hasbro to serving as Licensing Market Lead for LEGO to founding Raising Nerd. He currently serves as an Innovation Scout for Blue Marble and Melissa and Doug (where he also works on Inventor Relations) and serves as Head of Content at The Last Gameboard. Allentuck also leads RN Branding & Licensing, a full-service brand strategy, licensing, and business development consultancy.
On the show, Allentuck tells Albritton about his early work in the cell phone business and how innovation can cross-pollinate multiple industries. From there, the conversation moves to Hasbro Gaming, The LEGO Group, and The Last Gameboard. Finally, the duo discusses best practices and advice for inventors looking to pitch their next toy or game idea.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Chrissy Fagerholt of EAP Toys & Games to the show. EAP produces a range of games — including You Who?, Friend or Faux, and The Lunch Room Game — that pair a hint of strategy and humor into a play pattern that requires a little luck.
On the show, Fagerholt and Albritton discuss the nuances of developing games with friends and finding a definitive reason to make games. Additionally, Fagerholt delves into her backstory and reveals how she tackled early challenges and her collaboration with Albritton to create the sculpt and packaging for The Lunch Room Game, which is now available at Barnes and Noble.
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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.
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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.
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amazing and very inspiring👏