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 Drew Vernon, marketing director at Tonies USA.

For the last new episode of the podcast for 2020, Albritton shines the spotlight on one of the year's biggest hits with families: Tonies, a system that promotes independent play, imagination, and storytelling via a screen-free digital audio system, collectible figures, and a vast and diverse offering of audio content.

Vernon, whose background includes roles at The LEGO Group, Procter & Gamble, and as the founder of a drop-in child care business, discusses the importance of speaking to both kids and caregivers in marketing material. Vernon also shares details about his experience developing the LEGO "Prescription for Play" marketing efforts for U.S. pediatricians offices. Finally, the duo delves into the open-ended play power of the Toniebox.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Julien Sharp, director of business development for Spin Master.

Sharp works constantly to find new ways to increase sales across Spin Master's games global business unit while collaborating with inventor relations, licensing, production, global brand marketing, and retailers to make it happen.

On the show, Sharp shares her origin story and path into the toy and game industry from cruise ships to work with companies including Funnybone Toys and What Do You Meme?

Albritton and Sharp discuss how creating something different in the game aisle led to early successes with games such as Disruptus. Additionally, Sharp shares the strategies used to open up specialty mid-tier channels for What Do You Meme? along with some of the things she's looking for while researching new trends at Spin Master.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with YWow Games and Ypernovea CEO Michele Rudelli.

YWow Games burst onto the scene this year with a new collection of games and licensed puzzles (featured in the Toy Book's annual summer Games & Puzzles Showcase) that have been gaining an audience around the world through colorful branding inspired by Kellogg's cereals, Mentos, and Pringles.

On the show, Rudelli delves into his backstory and path into the toy industry from the forests of Switzerland through Starbucks. Additionally, Albritton and Rudelli discuss YWow's passion for eco-friendly products and how the new product line, Go Master YouTubers and Gamers brings online trends to the tabletop.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with prolific toy and game designer Elliot Rudell.

Rudell Design has been in business since 1975 and has been responsible for the development and licensing of products that have generated millions for the toy industry.  The success of Rudell's toys and games, including Splash Out, Upwards, Wet Head, GeoTrax, GlowDome, and Weebles led to his induction into Hasbro's Toy Inventor Hall of Fame in 2001.

On the show, Rudell discusses how his “whimsical graphic flare” landed him his first job and early success at Mattel and the development of Upwards. Additionally, Rudell offers advice for young inventors and explains the importance of a passionate pitch. Finally, Albritton and Rudell discuss the recent partnership between Rudell Design and Far Out Toys to create products inspired by pocket.watch's massively successful Ryan's World brand.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Vance Withers and Wendy Munt, developers of The Negotiation Game, a method of training salespeople to communicate better value and demystify the buying process, specifically for those in the toy and game industries

Withers' company, 496 Partnership focuses on sales and negations and helps to ensure that his clients' goals and resources are aligned. Munt previously served as a senior buyer for Argos and Mothercare. Her company, Be Inspired Consulting helps to create, launch, and reposition brands for retail.

On the show, Albritton, Withers, and Munt discuss the recent changes in dynamic between buying and selling products and how The Negotiation Game differs from other sales training tools.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Chris Cofoni, founder of TriAction Toys, and one of the driving forces behind the epic relaunch of the famed Boglins line. Last month, TriAction's Boglins World Domination campaign entered its formal Kickstarter run with backers having already pledged $60,000 against a $25,000 goal following a two-day soft launch window that was exclusively revealed by the Toy Book.

As of this week, the campaign has raised nearly $135,000 with more than a month left to go!

On the show, Cofoni discusses his background in music and how his unique career path led him to a meeting with Boglins and Sectaurs co-creator Tim Clarke. Albritton and Cofoni then discuss why now is the perfect time for King Dwork, King Vlobb, and King Drool to reclaim their thrones in the Seven Bogs and what the future may hold for the brand that made more than $50 million for Mattel in the late 1980s

In the second of two special episodes of the "Power Kid Podcast" this week, host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Mary Couzin, founder of People of Play (POP), formerly known as the Chicago Toy & Game Group. Next week, POP will launch its annual weeklong toy industry event starting with the 2020 Toy and Game International Innovation Summit and culminating with a virtual edition of the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG).

On the show, Couzin discusses her backstory in the toy and game industries and explains how she's grown POP into the organization that it is today.

In the first of two special episodes of the "Power Kid Podcast" this week, host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with IAMEARHERO founder Jazmine Darden, newly minted program director for People of Play's (POP) 15th annual Young Inventor Challenge. POP, formerly known as the Chicago Toy & Game Group, will launch its annual Toy and Game International Innovation Summit and a virtual edition of the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG) next week.

On the show, 3D printing innovator and educator Darden discusses her backstory in the toy industry and her plans for evolving the Young Inventor Challenge.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Chalk of the Town's Chief Chalking Officer Sondra Mansfield.

In recent years, Chalk of the Town has taken social media by storm with a line of products that kids and families use to design and style their own t-shirts, totes, and patches with water-based chalk markers.

On the show, Mansfield shares how she found inspiration in the T-shirt market while on vacation and how she's been able to communicate her products to families while finding a unique niche. Mansfield also discusses her personal experience with a hurdle that many entrepreneurs face: fulfilling large orders following a successful marketing campaign or TV appearance.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Shannon Gale, director and brand manager of JumpStart Games (formerly JumpStart Academy) for a discussion about remote learning for kids in elementary school in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gale has been on the front lines of the changing educational system as JumpStart creates products for use ay home and in school covering reading, science, and math,

On the show, Gale explains how her decision to become a kindergarten teacher opened the door to become a part of JumpStart and the key elements needed to produce a truly educational game. Additionally, Albritton and Gale discuss the sliding scale of educational apps and the development nuances required to target a particular educational outcome. Finally, the duo discusses the crossover of digital and physical learning and what JumpStart is doing to reduce the burden on parents and teachers.