Richard and Chris talk with Jim and Donna Pressman about their new book, A Century of American Toys & Games: The Story of Pressman. They talk about the  company's colorful history over the past century. It was a labor of love, and it's an important book for anyone who loves toys...the process all started with an elephant. 

After you listen, you'll want to buy the book. It makes a great holiday gift for anyone who loves toys. Find it at Amazon! 

The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Beacon Media Group.

Richard and Chris talk to Ron Solomon, creator and CEO of MAPPTrap, an online software service that allows manufacturers to monitor compliance with minimum advertised pricing policies across all distribution channels (even ones they may not know about.) They discuss how it works, why it's important, and why the "race to the bottom" on pricing hurts manufacturers and retailers. 

It's an important conversation that can help everyone in the merchandising area and an intriguing look at how Solomon and his team have effectively countered price cutting...and where everyone wins.

Richard and Chris talk to Isaac Larian, founder and CEO of MGA. From his earliest days to having unprecedented success in the industry, Isaac talks about his vision, how he's built the company, worked with his team, and what the toy industry means to him. In this exclusive conversation, Isaac shares what it takes to make it in the toy industry, how it's a non-stop challenge, and why it's actually good to be paranoid. (It's a business strategy that drives non-stop innovation.)

Richard and Chris talk to Sue Warfield, president of ASTRA and board members Tom Rushton and Cassidy Smith about ASTRA's Toy Boat next February. Find out why this actually is a great opportunity to cost-effectively reach the specialty trade. Also, they talk about the state of specialty, particularly coming out of COVID, what specialty means today and the terrific opportunities for both retailers and manufacturers.

Richard and Chris talk to Bill Nichols and Peter Cmiel co-presidents of Blip Toys about their careers, their strategies, the benefits and challenges of just being a "Blip" on the radar of the toy industry (despite major successes) and how they manage to keep the company lean, creative, and successful. Plus, they chat about Chris's favorite active play toy of 2022. 

Richard and Chris have a lively chat with Kim Carcone, EVP of the Toy Association about the current state of Toy Fair, the upcoming Dallas show, what's ahead for 2023, and new initiatives to make the show more useful and relevant than ever. 

Amanda Gummer and Frances Cain from The Good Play Guide talk with Richard and Chris about their scientifically based accreditation program for evaluating toys for their potential to support STEM and STEAM learning. Beyond marketing buzzwords, this insightful conversation talks about the value of play, its role in learning...and why fun is an essential element of any toy that they validate. 

With sound methodology and a dedication to children, they talk about what this can mean to parents, children, and manufacturers, including a new storefront on Amazon.com that will help consumers find toys that are appropriate for their kids. 

Chris and Richard talk to Didier Pietri about how he built a toy business from a business-to-business operation, their entry into the market, how they’ve developed unique products, and marketing. From creating their own animation studio, to managing current supply chain issues, to the decision to sell exclusively direct-to-consumer; Pietri talks about navigating the market…and answers the question he always gets: “You want to start a toy company. Are you insane?”

After a successful 10-store pilot, the Canadian trend retailer Showcase is coming to the U.S., and that is big news for the toy industry. Richard and Chris talk to the retailer's CEO Samir Kulkarni about the store, their growth, their U.S. strategy and the unique and powerful combination of high tech systems and a deep understanding of trends to create a retail destination in malls across the U.S. Twenty-seven stores are planned for 2022 alone, with more to come.

It's a dynamic conversation that you won't want to miss.

Richard and Chris talk with Toy Industry Hall of Fame designer Jeffrey Breslow about his career, his time with Marvin Glass and associates, the inspirations and tragedies that shaped his career. "Brez," as he's known, entered the toy industry when he was hired by Glass on the spot and spent the next 41 years developing games, and ultimately leading the company. 

The conversation covers all that and more, as well as advice for young toy designers looking to enter the business. Breslow's book telling the full story A Gamemaker's Life will be out in August, and The Playground Podcast has an exclusive first look. Listen in!

The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Beacon Media Group.