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 game inventor Peggy Brown.

Brown has written books, taught classes, and worked with the world’s best toy, game, and entertainment companies creating products that have been sold around the world. She was named Game Innovator of the Year at the 2009 TAGIE Awards, and this year she's nominated again for her work on three recent titles:  My First Rush Hour (ThinkFun); and Bye, Felicia and Who’s the G.O.A.T. (Big G Creative).

On the show, Brown serves up advice on growing a thick skin, shutting out noise and naysayers, and getting to work. Then she delves into the importance of doing the homework on the manufacturers, and how to really listen to kids and learn from what they tell us.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Anna Yudina, senior director of marketing initiatives at The Toy Association.

On the show, Yudina discusses the backstory of The Toy Association and her work leading the consumer-facing Genius of Play program. Additionally, Albritton and Yudina discuss the ways that the Association has pivoted to reach families throughout the pandemic. Finally, the duo delves into the STEAM Strategic Initiative and the process behind choosing winners for the upcoming Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Ryan Hamilton, head of product development at Plus-Plus A/S and head of operations at Plus-Plus USA, makers of open-ended construction toys loved by kids and grownups alike.

On the show, Albritton delves into Hamilton's backstory from his early experiences at Dan Buckey & Associates to his time as a toy and game buyer at Barnes & Noble. Then the conversation delves into Plus-Plus and the challenges of creating the acclaimed Plus-Plus GO! collection, from which the Street Racing Super Set landed a coveted slot in the Toy Insider's 15th Annual Holiday Gift Guide.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with David Snow, founder of The Fantastic Factory.

Snow began his career at Hasbro where he ultimately spent a decade focusing on the toymaker's presence in grocery stores. Following a successful run at an Australian game company, Snow used his marketing and product development skills to launch his own sales agency prior to launching The Fantastic Factory, makers of What’s In the Box? and Dumb Criminals.

On the show, Snow discusses how "being bold and friendly" helped him in his early career and the unique aspects of selling impulse products to grocery retailers. Additionally, the conversation explores the key elements of creating a Fantastic Factory game and the strategies he uses to pitch his games, which he's doing now remotely.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Steven Ekstract, brand director of Informa Markets' Global Licensing Group.

On the show, Albritton and Ekstract discuss the evolution of the licensing business over the past 25 years and where the business might be headed in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Scott Houdashell and Curtis McGill, the duo behind the popular EggMazing.

Intended to be "a better way to decorate eggs," what started off as a hot glue stick, a cordless drill, and a spoon became a Shark Tank hit that landed a deal with Lori Greiner and put the invention in front of a national audience.

On the show, Houdashell and McGill outline their creative path as inventors and how The Eggmazing Egg Decorator is evolving as a brand with new offerings including the DinoMazing Egg Decorator.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Bruce Canner, president of sales — North America at Nikko Toys.

Canner's long career path includes stops at Remco, Tyco, Fisher-Price, Shelcore, Hit Toy, and Toy State before joining the relaunched Nikko last year.

On the show, Canner and Albritton finally put to rest the debate on how to pronounce “Nikko” — the name behind some of the fastest RC cars on the market for the past six decades. Additionally, the episode includes a nostalgic discussion about classic toy commercials, stories from Azrak-Hamway and Mego, the unique challenges and innovations inside the RC market, and how toy inventors can help push the category forward.

Nancy Zwiers gained wide experience managing brands at Procter & Gamble before becoming the SVP of Worldwide Marketing at Mattel for Barbie. She then founded and ran the brand-building firm Funosophy before becoming the EVP and CMO at Spin Master. Now retired, Zwiers spends her time as an executive coach and mentor.

In this week's show, host Phil Albritton chats with Zwiers about everything from Barbie to Hatchimals to PAW Patrol. The duo discusses the differences in toy marketing vs. marketing for wider consumer packaged goods products. Zwiers explains how she discovers the essence of a brand and how that informs her decision on how to market the product.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks Tim Kilpin and Catherine Winder about PlayMonster's new brand, Snap Ships.

Kilpin recently took the helm as president at PlayMonster following a run as president and CEO at Activision Blizzard Consumer Products. Prior to that, he worked to craft brand strategies and creative direction at Mattel and The Walt Disney Co. Wind Sun Sky CEO/executive producer Catherine Winder (The Angry Birds Movie, Super Dinosaur) is a former Lucasfilm exec who worked with George Lucas to assemble the team behind Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

On the show, Albritton delves into their backstories as they discuss their lengthy careers and the challenges and opportunities that present themselves when developing original intellectual property (IP) like Snap Ships.

In this week's episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks Brian McDonald, vice president of sales and marketing at The Simplay3 Co.

An expert in building profitable strategies for young and transitioning companies, McDonald previously served as vice president at Hedstrom, prior to which he spent 20 years at The Step2 Co., most recently as vice president, business development.

On the show, McDonald and Albritton discuss why it is so important to have designers and engineers that are deeply rooted in the rotational molding process that Simplay3 is known for. Additionally, the duo explores the switch in consumer habits and how e-commerce has changed the way in which Simplay3 designs and launches new products. Finally, the episode concludes with thoughts on the importance of American manufacturing and the cultivation of jobs in the U.S.