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In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Talia Filippelli, founder of Starr Therapy, to the show. Filippelli is a Genius of Play Ambassador, an award-winning “Top Doc,” and has served as an advisor for Sesame Workshop. Most recently, she developed The Genius of Play’s Emotional Wellness Playbook, a free resource that provides parents and caregivers with play-based, screen-free activities that help kids develop emotional intelligence and learn to express their feelings in a healthy way. On the show, Filippelli and Albritton discuss how classic games can be a great way to build emotional intelligence skills and why play works when helping children access their emotions. Additionally, Filippelli offers examples of how she has seen play change lives. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Lauren Derse, CEO of Learning Express Toys & Gifts to the show. Derse leads the largest franchised toy store chain in the U.S. and has vast experience with store ownership and oversight. Learning Express is known for its expert staff, localized selection, and incredible customer service — including gift wrapping, personalization, and the famed birthday boxes. In this episode, Derse delves into the origin of Learning Express and her mother’s vision of an educational and fun place for kids and families. She then shares with Albritton what her years of experience as Director of Marketing taught her about the Learning Express customers. From there, the conversation moves toward the importance of a neighborhood toy store, what Learning Express looks for in a new franchisee, and what trends to look for in the future of brick-and-mortar retail this year. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Chris Cote, founder and president of Scentco to the show. On the show, Cote unpacks the exact moment the idea of scented pencils struck him and what he did next. He shares the complexities involved in finding the perfect scent for every product, and how he overcame some early speed bumps in the business.  From there, Cote tells Albritton about how a group of entrepreneurial school kids opened up an entirely new sales channel for Scentco. Finally, the conversation moves from the psychology of scent in marketing to the launch of Scentco's new Bedtime Defenderz brand. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Evan Katz and Josh Roberts of Very Special Games to the show. On the show, Katz and Roberts deliver intel on the guerrilla warfare tactics required to self-produce games. They launched their first successful game, Charity Party, on Kickstarter in 2019 and have since built a catalog of games including Ransom Notes, Abducktion, and Puns of Anarchy. Katz and Roberts unpack their first foray into the gaming world and what they learned early on. From there, Albritton asks them about the importance of involving Kickstarter backers in the process as a consumer sounding board, and how having great factory connections can streamline the manufacturing process. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Lee Allentuck to the show. Over the course of his career, Allentuck has done it all, from leading Global Gaming at Hasbro to serving as Licensing Market Lead for LEGO to founding Raising Nerd. He currently serves as an Innovation Scout for Blue Marble and Melissa and Doug (where he also works on Inventor Relations) and serves as Head of Content at The Last Gameboard. Allentuck also leads RN Branding & Licensing, a full-service brand strategy, licensing, and business development consultancy. On the show, Allentuck tells Albritton about his early work in the cell phone business and how innovation can cross-pollinate multiple industries. From there, the conversation moves to Hasbro Gaming, The LEGO Group, and The Last Gameboard. Finally, the duo discusses best practices and advice for inventors looking to pitch their next toy or game idea. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Jeanie Crone to the show. Crone has a wealth of experience spanning toys, fashion, and education. She previously served as the senior manager of specialty at Schleich, sales manager at Ojo, and Chairman of the Board at the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA). She currently manages sales for Bimi Boo, a developer and manufacturer of learning toys, games, puzzles, and more. On the show, Crone discusses the similarities between toys and fashion, pulling from her work at Tommy Hilfiger and Phillips-Van Heusen (PVH Corp.). While working at the Educational Development Corp., Crone was an early champion of selling books in specialty toy stores, and on the show, she explains to Albritton how she opened up that market. Finally, the conversation delves into the expansion of Bimi Boo and how the tech company broke into the toy business. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Project Genius CEO Brandi Pinsker to the show. Project Genius is a Texas-based crew of "thinkers, tinkers, and inventors" that creates brainteasers and games. Pinsker previously served as a buyer at Go! Retail Group's Calendar Club and is an expert in games, puzzles, and gifts. On the show, Albritton and Pinsker discuss the unique aspects of doing business in a mall and what drives sales in that environment. From there, the conversation delves into the benefits of brainteasers for kids and adults, and how Project Genius is supporting the Autism community. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Steve Wampold to the show. In 2002, Wampold founded Big Mouth Inc. and grew the company to become a leader in the swim and inflatables space where it still enjoys much success today. A few years ago, after selling Big Mouth to a private equity firm, Wampold founded Good Banana, a brand that creates new toys and novelties in a variety of categories. On the show, Wampold and Albritton discuss the differences between on-trend novelties and toys and how a "12-year-old sense of humor" helps inform the development of hit products. Additionally, Wampold shares insight on one of his other projects, Bouncyband — a company that makes products designed to help kids focus and concentrate. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Anand Dhirmalani to the show. Dhirmalani is an expert in the As Seen On TV space and is collaborating with Albritton on the launch of a new brand: Lil Wish Lanterns. On the show, Dhirmalani shares his journey from Fushigi to Pillow Pets and his recent success with KickerBall. Additionally, he delves into the differences between As Seen on TV and the traditional toy space and how influencers can help to boost sales. Finally, Albritton and Dhirmalani unwrap their plans for Lil Wish Lanterns as they take a deep dive into the background, concept, and development of the new property. Check out the new episode below and be sure to back Lil Wish Lanterns on Kickstarter for a chance at early bird exclusives. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Karen Kilpatrick of Kaypin Media and Genius Cat Books to the show. Kilpatrick helps brands and creatives navigate the publishing industry with a focus on creating kids' books. On the show, Kilpatrick explains how telling nighttime stories to her kids sparked the idea for her business. From there, she and Albritton discuss the traditional barriers to publishing and how she helps clients overcome them. Additionally, Kilpatrick outlines a step-by-step path to success. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Chrissy Fagerholt of EAP Toys & Games to the show. EAP produces a range of games — including You Who?, Friend or Faux, and The Lunch Room Game — that pair a hint of strategy and humor into a play pattern that requires a little luck. On the show, Fagerholt and Albritton discuss the nuances of developing games with friends and finding a definitive reason to make games. Additionally, Fagerholt delves into her backstory and reveals how she tackled early challenges and her collaboration with Albritton to create the sculpt and packaging for The Lunch Room Game, which is now available at Barnes and Noble. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Bill Nichols and Peter Cmiel of Blip Toys to the show. On the show, the Blip Toys duo explains how some decisions they made early in their careers guided them to where they are today. The conversation veers toward the success of the Squinkies collectible line and the Zoom-O Disc Launcher. Nichols also unpacks the deal that found several Toys "R" Us private label toy brands a new home at Target. Finally, Nicols and Cmiel serve up a look ahead with this summer's launch of Zip Linx and GigaBots, to new toy brands that will be shown at the Toy Insider's Sweet Suite event. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Nick Christensen of Threepipe Reply to the show. Christensen is a managing partner and head of Amazon at the company, helping clients like TOMY, VTech, and Mookie Toys maximize their Amazon selling strategy. On the show, Albritton and Christensen discuss the effect of Amazon on the traditional “try me” motivator for toy sales and delve into some of Amazon’s best tools for building brands within the site, When asked if there are specific toy categories that sell better than others, Christensen provides insight that may surprise you and shares the key points of data that toy and game manufacturers should be paying attention to in order to increase sales. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Cassidy Smith, president of the Uniche Collective to the show. For 18 years Smith served as vice president of sales and marketing at Hape International. Now, as president of its new specialty division, the Uniche Collective, Smith and his team scour the globe to find and develop products exclusively for savvy specialty customers. On the show, Albritton and Smith discuss the origins of the ever-president doctor's office staple: the beaded maze. From there, the duo discusses the nuances of developing product for the specialty market and how Uniche Collective brands, including Trido, Korko, Kruselings, Senger, Fair & Green, and Jaq Jaq Bird fit into the equation. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Choon Ng and Jake Minor of Rainbow Loom to the show. Following a quick recap on the backstory of the TOTY and TAGIE-winning Rainbow Loom, Albritton, Ng, and Minor delve into the empowering nature of Rainbow Loom play and the social capital that kids build with it. Rainbow Loom is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and Ng and Minor discuss how they've worked to keep the brand fresh and reveal several new additions to its product line. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Steve Markey, vice president of sales and marketing at Hog Wild Toys to the show. For more than two decades, Markey has traversed the toy industry with roles at Wham-O, PlanToys, Green Toys, Crazy Aaron's, and more. On the show, Albritton and Markey discuss how brands can connect people across languages and cultures. Following  a conversation about the early days of the sustainable toy movement and the challenges faced by Green Toys, the focus turns to the hilarious toys and novelty products offered by Hog Wild Toys, including Birdie Golf, Nibblerz, and more. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

The Toy Book presents a special episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” in which host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes The Toy Foundation’s Executive Director Pam Mastrota and Chairman of the Board Andy Weiner to the show. The Toy Foundation operates underneath the umbrella of The Toy Association to provide philanthropic support and vital play experiences to kids and families under stress and in dire situations around the world. Currently, the major focus is on providing toy industry support to the families suffering amid the Russia-Ukraine War. On the show, Albritton engages Mastrota and Weiner in a conversation that delves into the overall work of the Foundation, the importance of play, and the developmental benefits of play for kids. Then, the conversation highlights the state of current events and what the kids of Ukraine need right now. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Jamie Emmick to the show. Emmick serves as director of special markets for the Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co. (BHTB) and leads the CustomPlush.com side of the business. She is a Genius of Play Ambassador and was a recent finalist in the Rising Star/Licensor category of Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment's Wonder Women Awards.  On the show, Albritton and Emmick discuss how parenting can shape the way those in the toy industry view the industry, and why BHTB is a special place to work. The conversation delves into the growth of CustomPlush.com and what advice Emmick might have for anyone seeking mentorship. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Kids Industries CEO and Co-Founder Gary Pope to the show. Pope leads a team of researchers, strategists, creatives, and developers that work to help toy, entertainment, and consumer products companies better connect with families around the world. Kids Industries has served a variety of companies and brands over the past 20 years, including Mattel, Playmobil, WWE, Disney, Save the Children, PepsiCo, Amazon, and more. On the show, Albritton and Pope discuss Kids Industries' "Super 6" — six key components that work together to create a successful marketing campaign. Additionally, the duo discusses hot topics, including mental health and sustainability. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message

In this week’s episode of the "Power Kid Podcast," host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Spin Master Creative Director Stephanie Guo to the show. Guo oversees creative vision for key brands, including PAW Patrol, GUND, Mighty Express, Kinetic Sand, Orbeez, and Etch-A-Sketch. On the show, Albritton and Guo discuss the unique differences between the traditional advertising industry and the toy industry. The duo delves into 2020's "PAW Patrol Years" marketing campaign with Dax Shepard and the core elements that have turned the PAW Patrol brand into an evergreen hit. Additionally, the conversation moves toward the rising trend of comfort toys and how Spin Master's GUND brand plays into that. Finally, the episode closes with some insight on the evolution and current stage of influencer collaborations and creativity within the industry. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/adventuremedia/message