The Toy Book Podcasts by Adventure Media & Events

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks Kate Clark, founder of Yottoy.

For the past 25 years, Yottoy has been creating high-quality plush toys based on top licenses, including Paddington, Eloise, Madeline, The Velveteen Rabbit, Babar, Corduroy, and more.

On the show, Clark explains how plush design has changed and evolved and how the plush medium can be used to best represent the iconic look of classic characters. She also discusses the crossroads of play and literacy and how the right toy can send kids back to a great book again and again. Additionally, Clark discusses Yottoy's new line of toys inspired by The Busy World of Richard Scarry.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with toy industry veteran, Gene Murtha of the Score Association.

Murtha's lengthy career in has included executive roles at Fisher-Price, Tyco, Mattel, Main Street Toys, Coleco, General Mills, and GUND. He now serves as vice president and director at the Score Association, working on a mission to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education.

On the show, Murtha discusses how he developed new talents early in his career by balancing his passion for research with marketing skills; his work at Coleco developing Starcom and Trivial Pursuit; the contrast in business models that sell nostalgia vs. current trends; and finally, his work with Score.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Trina McFarland, owner and managing director of TinkerTini.

McFarland has reviewed thousands of toy and game concepts during the course of her career. She previously served as senior manager, inventor relations at Mattel, prior to which she managed inventor relationships for Jakks Pacific and The Walt Disney Co. At TinkerTini, she helps to train and connect inventors with great manufacturers and licensors.

On the show, Albritton and McFarland discuss how different companies work differently with toy and game inventors, and the most important details that inventors need to know about the internal decision-making process.  Additionally, the duo takes a look at the importance of concept organization on both the inventor and manufacturer sides of the business.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Tom Hudson, managing director of Marvin's Magic.

Marvin’s Magic launched in 1987 as a pioneer in the retail entertainment and product demonstration space. For more than three decades, Marvin's Magic products have entertained budding magicians, pop stars, sports heroes, and royalty.

On the show, Hudson explains how his background as a professional actor helped launch him into the toy industry, and how he seeks out talented demonstrators to work with. Finally, Albritton and Hudson discuss recent innovations in magic products such as the addition of digital components.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Maia Baram, public relations manager at smarTrike.

Over a decade ago, smarTrike had the idea to create an all-in-one tricycle that grows with kids. This product revolutionized the ride-on market, and their bikes, scooters, and activity centers are now available in 80 countries. On the show, Baram explains how her search for a better stroller led her to a career move to smarTrike.

Albritton and Baram also discuss the meticulous effort behind each of smarTrike's “grow-with-me” product lines and explore what parents are looking for. Additionally, Baram offers insight into smarTrike's development process.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Robert Cook, sales manager at Verisk Financial G2.

Cook and his team help manufacturers protect themselves from the ever-present risk of knockoffs, counterfeit, and copycat products. They also provide guidance to assist companies in their efforts to avoid copycat situations in the first place.

During the show, Cook and Albritton discuss the staggering extent to which copycats run rampant in the toy industry and the dangers that counterfeit products pose to kids. Additionally, the duo discusses the conversations that should be had between inventors and manufacturers, and how the industry as a whole should be educating consumers about knockoff products.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Josh Loerzel, vice president of sales and marketing at Hog Wild Toys.

Loerzel, who recently took part in the Toy Book's Talkin' Toys series, delves into his backstory which includes stints at Monkey Business, Zing, and Yulu before landing at Hog Wild.

Albritton and Loerzel discuss the importance of performance in the outdoor toy category, the development and creation of Hog Wild's Scream-O's, and the power of following social media trends. Additionally, the duo delves into Hog Wild's position as a distributor for other toy brands, the success of the company's Popper brand, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Hog Wild Toys and how the company is maintaining safety and productivity.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Thuan Tran, national sales director of Pai Technology.

On the show, Tran discusses living at the crossroads of technology and toys, including Botzees — Pai Technology's award-winning STEM robots that kids can program to move, dance, make sounds, and light up using the free companion app.

Part of Pai Technology’s mission statement is to create "new lifestyles" for its customers and Thuan unpacks that while discussing the development differences between traditional toys vs. tech toys. Additionally, Albritton and Tran delve into the importance of creating "tech that connects” rather than tech for tech’s sake. Finally, Tran offers up tips for creating complex products that young kids can enjoy alongside details on how Botzees is integrated into classrooms around the country to give students their first experience with coding.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Mike Bowling, creator of the Pound Puppies and Splashlings.

On the show, Bowling shares the incredible origin story of Pound Puppies and what he learned along the way. He tells the stories of his serendipitous meetings and rejections before finally licensing his idea, and why now is the right time for Basic Fun! to relaunch the iconic brand. Additionally, Bowling explains how a walk on the beach inspired the creation of the Splashlings collectibles range.

Finally, Bowling discusses his presentation, "The Greatest Ideas on Earth Will Never Be Invented," and how he encourages inventors to overcome their fears and pursue their dreams.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Dr. Mary Mason, founder of Little Medical School.

Little Medical School is dedicated to the mission of inspiring and shaping tomorrow’s health care professionals through after-school programs, summer camps, birthday parties, and an award-winning line of educational toys. Forbes has called Little Medical School the ultimate STEM business.

On the show, Dr. Mason shares the "origin story" of Little Medical School and the importance of this program for kids with chronic illnesses and how early exposure to health care role-play opens doors for kids.