Episode #185: Dolls That Celebrate Asian Diversity with Samantha Ong
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In this episode of the Making It In The Toy Industry, Samantha Ong shares her journey in launching Joeydolls and highlights the importance of representation in the toy industry. Samantha's passion for creating culturally diverse dolls stems from her desire to combat the lack of representation and stereotypes faced by Asian children. By spreading joy and empowering children to feel proud of their heritage, Samantha aims to make a meaningful impact. Listeners will gain valuable insights into Samantha's strategies for building a following on Instagram, her decision to do a pre-order campaign instead of using Kickstarter, and the challenges she faced during the production process.
This episode serves as a reminder of the significance toys have in shaping children's perceptions of themselves and the world around them. Parents and toy industry professionals alike will be inspired to take action towards creating more diverse and culturally representative toys.
Samantha's mission to create culturally diverse dolls highlights the significance of representation in the toy industry. By sharing her authentic journey of building a loyal following on Instagram and launching a successful pre-order campaign, Samantha provides valuable insights for parents and toy industry professionals. Listeners will discover the importance of involving the community in the product development process, providing value to subscribers through educational materials and discounts, and overcoming challenges in the production process. Samantha's story is an inspiration that resonates with anyone passionate about inclusivity and celebrating the beauty of different cultures. Tune in to gain insights into the power of toys in shaping children's perceptions and learn how to make a meaningful impact in the toy industry.
EPISODE CLIFF NOTES
Learn about licensing in the Toy Industry [00:07:54]
Discover what goes into creating games for specific IP [00:09:47]
Find out what happened when Funko acquired Forest-Pruzan Creative [00:13:40]
Understand the struggle of coming out from under the shadow [00:16:52]
Discover the size of the games division [00:18:27]
Learn the path to growth and diversification [00:19:52]
See what it’s like creating immersive gameplay experiences [00:21:21]
Learn the process on designing for preschoolers [00:26:11]
Discover Funko's unique approach to game development [00:32:34]
Find out if there are any job opportunities at Funko [00:33:53]
Gain deep and insightful advice for success in the toy industry [00:36:37]
Learn about Deirdre's childhood game [00:37:39]
Discover all the ways to connect with Funko games [00:38:45]