Richard and Chris talk with Deirdre Cross, VP Funko Games, about the growth of the company, game development, licensing, and much more. In this spirited conversation, Deirdre talks about the hits, the misses and life in a game studio, now a part of Funko. 

In The Endcap, Chris and Richard remember industry icon Reuben Klamer, all he contributed to the toy industry over the better part of a century, and a great story about his involvement with Star Trek from the earliest days. 

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

Richard and Chris talk to Jim Pressman about his career spanning multiple decades--and the family company begun by his father in 1922. This is essential oral history about the toy industry, about Jim and both his parents who were dedicated toy people as well as how the company evolved through its sale to Goliath. You won't want to miss Jim's great storytelling and the tales behind a 20th Century success story.

In The Endcap, Chris and Richard keep the history going talking about the U.S. toy industry in the 1920s and how it grew and expanded. 

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

Richard and Chris talk with Rob Gardner, founder and CEO of Joovy about the growth of his business, trends in the infant category and the changing marketplace as Gen-Z parents emerge as an economic force. 

In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about Just In Time inventory management and how implementation since the 1970s may have played a role in the current supply chain disruptions...and what might be ahead. 

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

Listen in to a frank conversation about the current status of the industry with Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the Toy Association. Richard and Chris discuss the status of Toy Fairs in Dallas and New York (2022), as well as the growing importance of Los Angeles as a permanent and temporary location for the industry. Pasierb addresses the current shipping crisis, as well as current legal and political issues that are having, or could have, implications for the industry as a whole. Pasierb discusses the extent of the Association's efforts, as well as its effectiveness with issues that may "fly under the radar" for many in the toy business.

In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about the Q4 holiday selling season and the challenges manufacturers of all sizes are facing as we confront another holiday season seriously impacted by the global pandemic. 

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

In the second part of our interview with Jeremey Padawer of Jazwares, Richard and Chris talk about his role and passion as a collector. Understanding collecting as an investment and an asset class, Padawer has become one of the leading collectors of Pokémon in the world. He talks about his analysis of what to collect, how to project long-term value, and how companies can effectively develop collectible segments as a means of generating value and long-term engagement with a brand.

In The Endcap, Chris and Richard discuss the changes in the sales function within companies and what it means that sales forces are aging and that fewer people are looking to sales as a career.

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

Jeremy Padawer, a partner in Jazwares, talks with Richard and Chris about his stellar career that began in a kids' store when he was 16, progressed through Mattel and Jakks Pacific and later in Wicked Cool Toys, which was acquired by Jazwares. 

Padawer brings his unique sensibility and great personality to an insightful conversation that covers his career, the current market situation, and the Jazwares strategy for growth as the company aims to be a billion dollar toy powerhouse. From leveraging properties to strategic thinking, you'll want to hear this. 

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the conversation where Padawer will talk about the collectible business and his position as the world's largest Pokémon collector. 

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

Richard and Chris talk with Andy Weiner, of Toyn Around. Weiner is a 46-year veteran of the toy industry currently chairing the Toy Industry Foundation. They discuss the latest initiatives of the foundation, including diversity and outreach and talk about Andy's incredible career spanning four decades, the changes he's seen...and what he sees ahead.

In the Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about big changes at the Dollar Stores, what they mean for inflation, branding, and merchandising. 

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

Listen in as Richard and Chris talk with Zak Ringlestein of Zigazoo about this breakthrough platform that delivers a great social media experience for young kids. Too young for traditional social media? No worries. Zigazoo has kids covered in a safe, interactive environment where kids respond to challenges with videos of their own. Ringlestein has leveraged his experience as a teacher and tech entrepreneur to create a dynamic, engaging and age-appropriate experience where kids "feel big," and participate as creators. You'll want to know about this platform and what it means for tech-savvy kids. 

In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about Chinese retailer Shein (pronounce she-in) as they stake a competitive claim in the U.S. market. 

The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, Precise.tv and ChizComm.

Richard and Chris talk with certified Emotional Intelligence (EI) trainer Renée Adams about the importance of EI, how it contributes to child development, and what toy makers should know about building this learning into their toys. Adams talks about her newly launched line Hoppy & Poppie Pinkcheeks and how it helps children develop EI from the youngest ages. It's an important topic, particularly as we come out of the pandemic, and one which Adams says has many benefits for kids both socially and intellectually.

In The Endcap, Chris and Richard continue the conversation about supply chain issues, particularly the recent boom in container and shipping costs. What does it mean for 2021 and 2022, and are there longer term implications?

The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, Precise.tv and ChizComm.

Listen in as Richard and Chris talk to David Morgenstern, VP of Sales for Madame Alexander. Over his 25-year tenure with the company, Morgenstern has overseen the transformation of the company from a collectible business to a broad-based play doll company, which is what Madame herself intended when she started the company in 1923. Morgenstern recounts history of the company and how the new lines, designs and distribution channels reflects the needs of the Millennial mom.

In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about a new Axios study that ranks companies based on their reputations among consumers. Is this a meaningful data point, and what could it indicated about strategies for companies in a dynamic marketplace?

The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, Precise.tv and ChizComm.