The Playground Podcast

26/10/2022

Check out our exclusive interview with industry legend Isaac Larian!
https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/YjY6q63Arub

22/09/2021

Trends in the Baby Business: An Interview with Rob Gardner of Joovy - Click here to listen to this episode of The Playground Podcast: https://bit.ly/39qqaWU

21/09/2021

Jim Pressman Talks About a Lifetime of Play & Being Named to the Toy Industry Hall of Fame - Click here to listen to this episode of The Playground Podcast: https://bit.ly/3Ayx5ZZ

30/08/2021

Industry Update: Steve Pasierb of the Toy Association by The Playground Podcast - Listen to this new episode of the Playground Podcast!

30/08/2021

Be sure to check back on our site for new episodes of The Playground Podcast but don't forget to look through our past episodes for one that you may have missed! There are so many amazing interviews available for you to explore with Toy Industry Favorites! Click here https://hi.switchy.io/playgroundpodcast

24/08/2021

Industry Update: Steve Pasierb of the Toy Association by The Playground Podcast - Listen to this new episode of the Playground Podcast!

Listen in to a frank conversation about the current status of the industry with Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of the Toy Association. Richard and Chris discuss the status of Toy Fairs in Dallas and New York (2022), as well as the growing importance of Los Angeles as a permanent and temporary loca...

18/08/2021

The Power of PANKs: Melanie Notkin of Savvy Auntie
Click here to listen to this episode of the Playground Podcast! https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/The-Power-of-PANKs-Melanie-Notkin-of-Savvy-Auntie-e10k0u7

18/08/2021

If you're into collectibles, you'll never think of them in the same way after you hear how Jeremy Padawer approaches properties as asset classes. That's a lot of evolution for Pikachu...and an incredible opportunity for those with boldness and vision. https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/The-Power-of-Collecting--Jeremy-Padawer-Part-2-e15orsv

16/08/2021

New Generation, New Markets: The Evolution of Madame Alexander
Click here to listen to this episode of the Playground Podcast! https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/New-Generation--New-Markets-The-Evolution-of-Madame-Alexander-e12obtr
The Toy Guy Richard Gottlieb

15/08/2021

The Essential Element of Emotional Intelligence: Renée Adams on This Emerging Trend
Click here to listen to this episode of the Playground Podcast! https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/The-Essential-Element-of-Emotional-Intelligence-Rene-Adams-on-This-Emerging-Trend-e139tqd The Toy Guy Richard Gottlieb

Richard and Chris talk with certified Emotional Intelligence (EI) trainer Renée Adams about the importance of EI, how it contributes to child development, and what toy makers should know about building this learning into their toys. Adams talks about her newly launched line Hoppy & Poppie Pinkcheek...

14/08/2021

Industry Veteran Andy Weiner on The Toy Foundation's Latest Initiatives and More.

Click here to listen to this episode of the Playground Podcast! https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Industry-Veteran-Andy-Weiner-on-the-Toy-Industry-Foundations-Latest-Initiatives-and-More-e14hs9u The Toy Foundation

13/08/2021

Jazwares and The Emergence of Toy Powerhouse: Jeremy Padawer, Part 1
Click here to listen to this episode of the Playground Podcast! https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Industry-Veteran-Andy-Weiner-on-the-Toy-Industry-Foundations-Latest-Initiatives-and-More-e14hs9u Jazwares Christopher Byrne Richard Gottlieb

13/08/2021

New Episode Alert!
The Power of Collecting: An Interview with Jeremy Padawer, Part 2
Click here to listen to this episode of the Playground Podcast!
https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/The-Power-of-Collecting--Jeremy-Padawer-Part-2-e15orsv
Jazwares Jeremy Padawer

07/07/2021

Listen in as we talk about the amazing new kids' social media platform Zigazoo and visionary founder Zak Ringelstein.
https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Social-Media-for-Kids-Zigazoo-is-The-Next-Big-Thing-e141ade

23/06/2021

Check out our great conversation with Renee Adams, talking about Emotional Intelligence (EI) and her new line Hoppy & Poppie Pinkcheeks. https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/The-Essential-Element-of-Emotional-Intelligence-Rene-Adams-on-This-Emerging-Trend-e139tqd

04/06/2021

Get ready for an inspiring story of entrepreneurship and how the desire to balance business and parenting gave birth to a hugely creative company!

Plus, commentary on toys developed for Pride Month.

https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Mia-Galison-of-eeBoo-The-Art-of-Creating-Positive-Play-e123u3s

18/04/2021

Hard to believe that we've been at this for two years! What a great journey!
https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Looking-Back--Looking-Ahead--Celebrating-Two-Years-of-The-Playground-Podcast-ev1prq

02/04/2021

Richard Gottlieb and I were inspired talking with Billy Langsworthy about Mojo Nation and his mission to support designers in the toy business!

https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Getting-Your-Mojo-On-A-Conversation-with-Billy-Langsworthy--founder-Mojo-Nation-eu1vgf

01/03/2021

Great insights about kids, play, connected devices and so much more from the always-engaging, incredibly thoughtful David Kleeman. Listen in!
https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Trends-in-Play--Pandemic--Beyond-David-Kleeman-er98p1

25/02/2021

Listen in on how ZURU Toys continues to grow and innovate with global brands and insane creativity. Zack Pentecost sits down to talk about the magic behind this exciting toy company.
https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Insights-for-Inventors-and-E-Commerce-Marketers-Zack-Pentecost-of-Zuru-eqqbvi

17/02/2021

Tracking kids' on a global scale, Joel Silverman of KidsKnowBest shares his strategies and insights.
https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Listening--Understanding-Kids-Helps-Build-Brands-Joel-Silverman-eqg5gm

26/01/2021

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.
https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Chatting-with-The-Toyologist--Peter-Jenkinson-epf86o

18/01/2021

We sat down with Michele Roethling of Dimian to talk about the European toy market, international business and what's ahead as his company expands. https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Dimian-A-Family-Company-in-the-European-Market-ep4hrb

13/01/2021

Sign up for our Free Newsletter and find out when we publish our newest episodes of The Playground Podcast! - https://mailchi.mp/aeda8a603742/podcastsignup

13/01/2021

13/01/2021

What do you do when your golf game isn't great? Start a toy company, of course. Listen in as we talk to the co-presidents of Just Play on trends, toys and 10 years of success. https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Just-Play-Co-Presidents-Charlie-Emby-and-Geoffrey-Greenberg-Talk-Trends--10-Years-in-Business-eor8dv

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 R...

21/12/2020

You don't have to be wonky to be fascinated by the Port of Los Angeles and its role in the toy supply chain. The port's executive director Gene Seroka gives great insight in how to make the supply chain work better for all businesses. https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Supply-Chain-Deep-Dive-Gene-Seroka-of-the-Port-of-Los-Angeles-eo2ut6

15/12/2020

One of the coolest guys in the toy biz talks about his company, innovation, his career and how he got from comic book nerd to CEO. Listen in as Geoff Walker talks with Richard Gottlieb and me. https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Geoff-Walker-The-CEO-of-KidCraft-on-Innovation--Passion-for-Toy-Making-enpjo9

25/11/2020

Listen in as we talk to toy industry analyst Gerrick Johnson. He shares his history, insights, and his outlook for 2020 and beyond. You won't want to miss this lively conversation! https://anchor.fm/the-playground-podcast/episodes/Gerrick-Johnson-Inside-The-Analysts-Process-emsecp