Richard and Chris talk with Geoff Walker, CEO of KidKraft about the evolution of the company on his watch, the power of, and need for, innovation in the current market and the process of building a dynamic team of creative toymakers. Find out what drives Geoff, how a youthful passion for comic books and a next door neighbor in the toy biz set him on his path. 

In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about rising production costs in China, what's causing them, what they mean, and what's ahead for Chinese-American trade in the new administration. 

The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm.

Join Richard and Chris as they talk with Nick Richardson, founder of Kids Insights as they talk about trends, the current kids' landscape, and Richardson's comprehensive approach to research. From global perspective to predictive modeling, Richardson and his team provide valuable information about consumption patterns, products, licensing and much more, all gathered from about a dozen major markets worldwide. 

From how they collect data to management, this is a must-listen for anyone serious about finding out what is motivating kids and how the markets are being shaped in the pandemic.

In The Endcap, Chris and Richard have a semi-lighthearted conversation about extending the holidays to accommodate supply chain issue.

The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm.

In this brief conversation, Richard and Chris discuss the implications of a survey suggesting that as many as, 1,800 independent toy stores in the U.S. may struggle or fold as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. What does this mean for retail and toys? Listen in. 

This conversation first appeared as The Endcap after the interview with Gerrick Johnson. 

The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm.

Gerrick Johnson, Toy & Leisure Analyst for BMO Capital Markets, is one of the most insightful, accurate and knowledgeable analysts covering the toy industry today. He's also a lot of fun. A lover of the toy industry and the people in it, Gerrick talks with Richard and Chris about his role as an analyst, what he sees as the trends for 2020 and into 2021 and how he thinks this very unusual year will finish out. Listen in and get some inside scoop on a process that is a blend of art & science.

In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about a recent survey that indicates that many independent toy stores may struggle or even close as they deal with the fallout of the pandemic...and what that means for the toy industry as a whole. 

The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. 

In an episode recorded back when we could still travel, Chris visited the Magic Workshop at JMP Creative in Irvine, California and spoke with president and CEO Jim McCafferty. The conversation ranged from invention to patents to creating dynamic partnerships with toy companies. Chris also found out why JMP has a spaceship in the offices.

In the Endcap, Chris is joined again by Richard and they talk about toy awards and hot toy lists, what they mean and how they support the toy industry. 

Listen in for a fun and fast-paced episode.

The Playbround Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy and Chizcomm. 

Listen in as David Norman, president of Goliath Games, talks with Richard and Chris about his career, Goliath Games and its history, and some very topical insights about 2020 and looking forward to 2021. From development of product to dealing with dynamic supply chain issues, David talks about it all. Currently in more than 75 countries, Goliath is the third largest game manufacturer in the U.S., and a powerhouse for making kids laugh.

In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about international changes from the implications of the new lockdowns in the UK and Europe to what the growth of the Shenzhen region may mean for the future, international toy business.

This week, we welcome new supporter Chizcomm, as well as ongoing support from Global Toy Experts and The Toy Guy. 

Join us for an insightful conversation as Richard and Chris talk about entrepreneurship and the growth of Crazy Aaron's Puttyworld. From an idle fiddling to a product, from the basement to a global enterprise, Aaron Muderick talks about how he's built  his business, the challenges of tariffs and Covid and how he supports his community. It's a lighthearted talk about building an empire on putty, but it's anything but silly.

In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about Barbie and her evolution, and the forces of the market and innovation that drove the brand to a 29% increase in Q3 over last year.

The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts and The Toy Guy. 

You'll want to listen to this lively discussion as Richard and Chris talk with Kim Culmone, SVP, Global Head of Design Barbie & Fashion Dolls at Mattel. In this wide-ranging conversation, they talk about Barbie as a style icon, the importance of doll play, fashion and history. if you love Barbie, or if you're curious how a brand has survived for 62 years through all kinds of ups and downs (but up 29% in Q3 2020), this is the episode for you.

In the Endcap, Chris andRichard discuss the various retailer toy lists issued every year, what they mean, and are they really predictive?

The Playground Podcast is sponsored by Global Toy Experts and The Toy Guy. 

In the wake of the postponement of the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair, Chris and Richard discuss in this short conversation the implications for buying and the toy year, as well as what impact the rise of Shenzhen as an international trade show destination may have on the toy business. 

This segment first aired as the Endcap in our interview with Chris Bensch about the Toy Industry Hall of Fame. 

The Playgrond Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts and The Toy Guy. 

Join us for a lighthearted and informative conversation as Richard and Chris welcome back a favorite guest Chris Bensch of the Strong Museum in Rochester to talk about the Toy Hall of Fame. Get some backstage stories of the push to include toys, what toys make and what don't and the celebration of play that's at the center of everything the Strong Museum does.

In the Endcap, Chris & Richard talk about the postponement of the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair in 2021 and the larger issue of the emergence of Shenzhen as a toy destination and what that may mean for the industry in the future.

The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts and The Toy Guy.