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Join Richard and Chris for an in-depth conversation with David Kleeman of Dubit Limited, a premiere, global market research and development company. Kleeman's broad experience in education and entertainment and his role as SVP Global Trends for Dubit make him uniquely qualified to discuss the state of play during Covid and beyond. The conversation covers the role of connected play, the emotional experience of play, social platforms (such as Roblox) and much more, all with a view to what can inform toy development and marketing in our dynamic world. Kleeman speaks and writes extensively on these topics, and this is your chance to hear his insights firsthand. In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about the societal and play implications of removing the Mr. and Mrs. from the Potato Head brand. It may seem at first blush like a PR stunt, but it has much broader implications for kids and culture.  The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Richard and Chris chat with Zack Pentecost, senior e-commerce manager at Zuru about the company's successful track record of building global brands and their impressive growth. Zack also heads up inventor relations for Zuru and talks about the company's approach to the inventor community and what they're looking for as the company continues to expand. In The Endcap, Chris and Richard discuss the phenomenon of "social commerce," what it means and implications for retail going forward. The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Richard and Chris talk to Joel Silverman, co-founder of the research company KidsKnowBest about his unlikely path to running one of the leading global companies tacking kids in real time. They chat about the process, insights and how the company helps IP owners and toy companies get an edge in our highly competitive market. In The Endcap, Chris and Richard toss around ideas about the potentially under-served convenience store retail channel? Are there untapped retail opportunities in the nearly 160,00 convenience stores in the U.S.? The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. In this episode, we welcome Zuru as a sponsor as well.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Richard and Chris talk with Gregg Stein the CEO of Skoog Media about the company's first kid-facing, creative play platform and the co-development with Sesame Workshop. They talk about the growth of audio in children's media, how the product was developed and strategies for launch in a competitive market. In the Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about Toys "R" Us withdrawal from the market and the opportunities for dedicated toy retail on a larger scale in the U.S., as well as the challenges of making it work. The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Richard and Chris talk with executive producer Brian Volk-Weiss (The Toys that Made Us) about his new series, A Toy Store Near You, which takes viewers inside some of the cool collector stores around the world. From an innovative production methodology created by Covid, to the challenges of creating streaming content, Volk-Weiss lifts the curtain on this challenging, but rewarding, process. In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about doing business with Amazon, based on a recent survey conducted by Richard and Global Toy News, and conversations within the industry.  The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Richard and Chris chat with Peter Jenkinson of Toyology. In a conversation recorded last December, they talk about the British toy market, Jenkinson's innovative marketing programs and what he sees as the trends shaping 2021 for toys and play. In the Endcap, recorded January 25, Chris and Richard discuss the NPD report that the toy industry grew 16 percent in 2020, what that means and how this performance may shape the year ahead.  The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Join Richard and Chris as they speak with Michele Roethling, vice president of Dimian about the 60-year old doll and plush company, the European market and current conditions. Michele is "toy industry royalty," born into the business his parents founded. Listen in to a conversation that covers design, production and the challenges of the current marketplace. In The Endcap, Chris and Richard discuss the impact of returns on the marketplace and retail overall in 2020.  The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Richard and Chris talk with Just Play co-presidents Charlie Emby and Geoffrey Greenberg about the 10-year history of the company, the changing world of licensing and product strategy as well as how they've managed through the pandemic and what's ahead for the company 2021. In The Endcap, Chris and Richard discuss LEGO's move into China with new, brick-and-mortar, experiential stores, as well as changes in U.S. retailing.  The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

In the first episode of Season 3, Richard and Chris sit down with Cheyn Crangle of Margle Media, to talk about the white-hot topic of digital marketing in the current toy industry. From the evolution of his company to how he has crafted success and powerful ROI, Cheyn discusses the opportunities, strategies and investments that can make a significant difference in the effectiveness of campaigns. One of the most dynamic, young marketing executives today, Cheyn provides insights and guidance that can help any marketer be more successful in their digital initiatives. In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about the lifelong value of toy brands, citing a WWD article featuring recent guest Richard Dickson, president and COO of Mattel on Mattel Creations and the evolution of brands.  The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Richard and Chris continue the conversation  with James Zahn of The Toy Book and John Baulch of Toy World UK as they look ahead at implications for the post-Covid world. From product categories to cultural changes to the seismic shifts in the entertainment and licensing businesses, they provide insights on topics that will affect the toy industry as it moves ahead into whatever the "new normal" may be.  The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Richard and Chris talk with James Zahn of The Toy Book and John Baulch of Toy World UK about the year just passed, implications for the toy business, product, entertainment and more. Listen in as they discuss the changes that have happened this year, what it means for the toy business and what changes may become permanent. Then, stay tuned for Part 2, in which the conversation turns to what's ahead in 2021. The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Richard and Chris talk to Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles about the supply chain, port operations and how the toy industry can approach shipping and distribution more effectively. From background on the port to operations, the conversation covers the current climate, what to look forward to and a bit of historic perspective. It's important information for anyone involved in the toy industry as we seek to understand all elements of this complex process.  The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

In this brief conversation, Richard and Chris talk about rising costs in China, how they'll affect the toy business, and what a new administration may mean for Chinese/American trade relations. What's causing the increases, and will manufacturers have to absorb them, or are we about to see toy prices go up? This conversation first appeared as The Endcap on our episode with Geoff Walker. The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Richard and Chris talk with Geoff Walker, CEO of KidKraft about the evolution of the company on his watch, the power of, and need for, innovation in the current market and the process of building a dynamic team of creative toymakers. Find out what drives Geoff, how a youthful passion for comic books and a next door neighbor in the toy biz set him on his path.  In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about rising production costs in China, what's causing them, what they mean, and what's ahead for Chinese-American trade in the new administration.  The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Join Richard and Chris as they talk with Nick Richardson, founder of Kids Insights as they talk about trends, the current kids' landscape, and Richardson's comprehensive approach to research. From global perspective to predictive modeling, Richardson and his team provide valuable information about consumption patterns, products, licensing and much more, all gathered from about a dozen major markets worldwide.  From how they collect data to management, this is a must-listen for anyone serious about finding out what is motivating kids and how the markets are being shaped in the pandemic. In The Endcap, Chris and Richard have a semi-lighthearted conversation about extending the holidays to accommodate supply chain issue. The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Gerrick Johnson, Toy & Leisure Analyst for BMO Capital Markets, is one of the most insightful, accurate and knowledgeable analysts covering the toy industry today. He's also a lot of fun. A lover of the toy industry and the people in it, Gerrick talks with Richard and Chris about his role as an analyst, what he sees as the trends for 2020 and into 2021 and how he thinks this very unusual year will finish out. Listen in and get some inside scoop on a process that is a blend of art & science. In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about a recent survey that indicates that many independent toy stores may struggle or even close as they deal with the fallout of the pandemic...and what that means for the toy industry as a whole.  The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

In this brief conversation, Richard and Chris discuss the implications of a survey suggesting that as many as, 1,800 independent toy stores in the U.S. may struggle or fold as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. What does this mean for retail and toys? Listen in.  This conversation first appeared as The Endcap after the interview with Gerrick Johnson.  The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy, and Chizcomm. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

In an episode recorded back when we could still travel, Chris visited the Magic Workshop at JMP Creative in Irvine, California and spoke with president and CEO Jim McCafferty. The conversation ranged from invention to patents to creating dynamic partnerships with toy companies. Chris also found out why JMP has a spaceship in the offices. In the Endcap, Chris is joined again by Richard and they talk about toy awards and hot toy lists, what they mean and how they support the toy industry.  Listen in for a fun and fast-paced episode. The Playbround Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts, The Toy Guy and Chizcomm.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Listen in as David Norman, president of Goliath Games, talks with Richard and Chris about his career, Goliath Games and its history, and some very topical insights about 2020 and looking forward to 2021. From development of product to dealing with dynamic supply chain issues, David talks about it all. Currently in more than 75 countries, Goliath is the third largest game manufacturer in the U.S., and a powerhouse for making kids laugh. In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about international changes from the implications of the new lockdowns in the UK and Europe to what the growth of the Shenzhen region may mean for the future, international toy business. This week, we welcome new supporter Chizcomm, as well as ongoing support from Global Toy Experts and The Toy Guy.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support

Join us for an insightful conversation as Richard and Chris talk about entrepreneurship and the growth of Crazy Aaron's Puttyworld. From an idle fiddling to a product, from the basement to a global enterprise, Aaron Muderick talks about how he's built  his business, the challenges of tariffs and Covid and how he supports his community. It's a lighthearted talk about building an empire on putty, but it's anything but silly. In The Endcap, Chris and Richard talk about Barbie and her evolution, and the forces of the market and innovation that drove the brand to a 29% increase in Q3 over last year. The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy Experts and The Toy Guy.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/support