Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion

Ever wonder what it would be like to market your board game like a blockbuster movie? Us too! So we read a book about it. Welcome to bookclub.

Danni and Jen think through what a Blockbuster Strategy for a tabletop release could look like using the tools shared in Harvard professor Anita Elberse's book Blockbusters. The truth is, the strategy may be within reach already.

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas. Graphic design by Seth Nickerson.

How do you reach your audience amidst an onslaught of distractions, from life, from brands, from your own actions? Deirdre Cross shares her experience in leadership roles at mass market-focused companies: what works and what doesn't for breaking through the noise, and where we go from here.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas. Graphic design by Seth Nickerson.

Kathleen Mercury is arguably the greatest champion of continued learning in the tabletop game industry. A lifelong learner, teacher, and advocate for creating spaces to pass on knowledge, she shares her inspirations for all of the above from a unique designer-forward perspective, with parallel benefits across several roles.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas. Graphic design by Seth Nickerson.

Creating the best play experiences has never been as important as it is today. We are joined by Rachele Harmuth, Chief Product Officer at Crunchlabs and Founder of MESH, to discuss how harnessing the power of play impacts the emotional and mental health of all generations.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas. Graphic design by Seth Nickerson.

Getting a job in the tabletop games industry is a dream come true! Knowing where to start your search though, can be a very daunting task. In this episode we're joined by Ross Thompson, industry veteran and steward of Tabletop Game Jobs Facebook Group, who sheds light on the job search journey in tabletop. He also shares trends and best practices for both applicants and employers looking to hire as well. Let's dive in.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas. Graphic design by Seth Nickerson.

Sidelines can be an awesome addition to your brand's catalog or a money sink that takes away from your core product focus. They're tough to get right, so we connected with Andrew Loremen, CEO of Many Worlds Tavern, a brand whose merch consistently catches our eyes, to help build a roadmap for sideline success.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas. Graphic design by Seth Nickerson.

Today we’re joined by Bridgett Jeffries, who shares expert advice for hosting intentional and safe spaces for our tabletop community to join and celebrate their favorite hobby.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas. Graphic design by Seth Nickerson.

Gaming, like most hobbies, can be an escape for the player. So in today's society, does that mean certain themes are off limits? Tory Brown, designer of Votes for Women, doesn't think so. She tackles discourse head on, balancing the harsh realities of history and making a product with a message.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas. Graphic design by Seth Nickerson.

There's been a game taking the industry by storm! Maybe you've seen advertising for Flip 7 on BoardGameGeek, a viral video popping off, or noticed it as Game of the Month at Walmart. Or maybe you've seen it on your table because your friends keep asking to play it!

We had to hear the details about this dynamite release, so we went straight to the source. David Blanchard, Director of Party and Family Games at The Op Games, joins us to share the story and strategy behind our new favorite card game.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas.

Planning an activation to promote an upcoming release or fan favorite title? Hear from Ben Green, who's no stranger to event planning and maximizing the effort involved - whether that's with local game stores or a worldwide jamboree.

Special thanks to our episode contributors:

Episode written and produced by Danni Loe & Jennifer Graham-Macht.

Beats by Lukas Michas.