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 with toy industry veteran Heidi Shrack, author of Lets Bake a Cake: A Buggie-Muggies Book.

For more than 20 years, Shrack has worked on visual merchandising, packaging, logo design, and photography for companies including Toys "R" Us, International Playthings, Crocs, and Radica, in addition to brands such as Calico Critters, Kinetic Sand, Stuff'n Mallows, Mad Matter, and more.

During the Podcast, Albritton and Shrack discuss the creation of cutting-edge tech product at Radica along with her role as a "candy conceptualizer" and how she helped the green M&Ms become popular. The duo also discusses the former Toys "R" Us Concept Lab where Shrack worked to develop innovative visual merchandising for Geoffrey and Co. in the early 2000s, including projects for the company's Times Square flagship. Finally, the conversation moves to the launch of the Buggie-Muggies.

In this episode of The Toy Report, Toy Book Senior Editor James Zahn ("The Rock Father") serves-up a second preview of Toy Fair New York with more early news that's broken ahead of the annual trade show taking place Feb. 22-25 at the Javtis Center. Zahn discusses the launch of Huge! Play; Modarri's monster trucks; Cepia's Cats Vs. Pickles;  Headstart; Far Out Toys; Smart Toys & Games; Make it Real; Blue Orange Games; Play Visions; Steiff; and previews the Toy Fair issues of The Toy Book and The Pop Insider. 

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In this episode of The Toy Report, Toy Book Senior Editor James Zahn ("The Rock Father") serves-up a preview of Toy Fair New York with some early news that's broken ahead of the annual trade show taking place Feb. 22-25 at the Javtis Center. Zahn discusses the latest on the coronavirus, Schleich's 85th anniversary; Hornby Hobbies' 100th anniversary; the 16th Annual Wonder Women Awards presented by Women in Toys, Entertainment and Licensing; Le Toy Van; Kellytoy's Squishmallows; Blue Marble; and previews the Toy Fair issues of The Toy Book and The Pop Insider. Stay tuned for Part II of our Toy Fair preview!

Be sure to subscribe to the Adventure Media and Events Podcast Network on your favorite service for more great shows and episodes!

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Bob Wilke, president of HobbyTown.

Founded in 1980 with the purchase of the original HobbyTown store that had been operating since 1946 in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska, HobbyTown began franchising in 1986 and has grown to a chain with more than 100 stores across 39 states. Wilke started his career as a franchise owner, eventually rising through the ranks to become president of the company.

During the conversation, Albritton and Wilke discuss the evolution of brick and mortar retail and the shift to an omnichannel system. Wilke shares insight into how HobbyTown — with its expanded mix of products including RC vehicles, trains, rockets, models, toys, and games — helps to support its franchisees in their efforts to build and maintain relationships with customers through the heart of the business: the community-building activities that HobbyTown promotes.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Eric Poses, owner and president of All Things Equal.

Headquartered in Miami Beach, All Things Equal has sold over 2 million copies of its popular games including Loaded Questions, Loaded Answers, Awkward Family Photos, The My Weird School Game, and two new officially licensed titles based on the cult classic film The Big Lebowski. At All Things Equal, the focus is on creative, humor-based games.

Albritton delves into Poses' game industry origin story, the creation of Loaded Questions, and the importance of great licensing partners. Additionally, the duo discusses how All Things Equal keeps Loaded Questions fresh as it nears its 25th anniversary, and how game marketing has changed and how to adapt in a new retail landscape.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Tara Badie, director of marketing at Bandai America.

More than 82 million Tamagotchi virtual pets have been sold since the line first launched to massive success in 1996. Now, Tamagotchi is back on the scene with a retro line that taps into the '90s nostalgia wave and the all-new Tamagotchi On — an evolved new experience with a full-color screen and new ways to interact. On the show, Badie and Albritton discuss her work at both Bandai America and MGA Entertainment (MGAE), along with the relaunch of this iconic brand and why now is the right time for a refresh. Additionally, the duo takes a look into the future of Tamagotchi and how Bandai plans to keep it on the cutting edge of technological innovation.

The "Power Kid Podcast" goes upside down this week as a recent guest flips the script to put host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design in the hot seat.

Jeff Pinsker, president of Amigo Games North America is in the interviewer's chair to explore Albritton's origin story.

In the episode, Albritton discusses some of his earliest work in the toy industry, including the Original Funnoodle, the Bounce ‘Round — the first consumer accessible continuous air bounce house — and Bruce Lund’s sports ball line, The Luminator. The duo discusses the various challenges of inventing vs. developing, and the importance of packaging as a protector, teacher, and brand advocate. Albritton also shares tips for making the most out of your store visits and what to look for as you research the aisle. Finally, the duo explores trendspotting and discusses some of the biggest changes that Albritton has witnessed in the industry.

Happy 2020 Power Kids! It is an honor to start off this year with a conversation with Jeff Pinsker, the president of Amigo Games North America . Throughout his career Jeff has founded, managed and sold several businesses ranging from children’s television to educational products to toys and games. He was President of University Games, CEO of JP Kids, CEO of Infinitoy, President of Klutz, President of Pressman and General Manager at Cardinal. This year's first show is packed with great insight!

We discuss his early foray into business which includes practical jokes for pay and 7,000 trivia questions! Additionally, we discuss his work at the crossroads of children’s entertainment and toys and I ask him about his involvement in the relaunch of the amazing Zoob product line. He dives deep into the Amigo Credo and why it is so important (you will want to take notes!). Thank you for joining us! — Phil Albritton

https://www.amigo.games/

In this year's final episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Andy Wiseman, founder and CEO of Redwood Ventures.

Wiseman was recruited into the toy industry following a successful run at Pure Fishing, home to some of the most well-known brands in fishing tackle. At MGA Entertainment, Wiseman played a part in the expansion of the Bratz line, after which he joined Cepia to pioneer the U.S. launch of ZhuZhu Pets. In 2010, Wiseman founded Redwood Ventures, which has grown into a powerhouse known for speed and innovation with distribution of its toys across 65 countries.

In the episode, Albritton and Wiseman discuss how relocating to Bentonville, Arkansas — home to Walmart — opened many doors. Additionally, they discuss the challenges of creating and marketing the IDO3D 3D writing system, and Wiseman details his personal product philosophy: MBOS (Meaningful, Believable  Ownable, Sustainable).

Redwood Ventures' Foodie Surprise collection is a 2019 winner in the Toy Insider's Holiday Gift Guide in one of this year's top toy trend areas: Layers of Fun.

The next season of the 'Power Kid Podcast' begins in January 2020!

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Richard North, founder and CEO of Wow! Stuff.

Over the past few years, North has grown Wow! Stuff into an award-winning pop-culture toy and gift manufacturer. The company's Harry Potter Invisibility Cloak is a 2019 Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide Winner and is nominated for a Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award for Innovative Toy of the Year.

During their conversation, Albritton and North discuss Wow! Stuff's positioning statement of "Great Brands Brought to Life," and the importance of marketing unique products through the use of video displays and live demonstration artists. North also shares stories on how the company uses technology to create "magic," and how a strong relationship with Warner Bros. was forged to allow the company to become a trusted partner of the Harry Potter and Wizarding World brands.