Calling all game people! In this week’s episode, we delve into the captivating world of game development with Christian Castro, Director of Product Development at Relatable. Christian's conversation highlights the story behind "Search Party Chaos at the Park," a first-of-its-kind 3D board game that's been nominated for the prestigious Toy of the Year Award. 

The game, a family-friendly cooperative experience, introduces a unique blend of storytelling, search-and-find gameplay, and stunning three-dimensional pop-up structures. As we explore the development process from ideation to TOTY nomination, Christian unveils the challenges faced, the creative collaborations undertaken, and the milestones achieved. The undertaking of this complex project was well worth it in Christian’s eyes, as the result was a game-changing (hopefully award winning) board game experience that bridges the gap between flat board games and immersive three-dimensional play.

If you plan to submit your own game for a TOTY nomination, this is an episode you should dive right into. We kick off with an overview about the award itself, and share where you can find more information on how to apply. Our guest provides insights on what it takes to actually BE nominated, encouraging you to push the envelope on your next toy or game creation to snag a future TOTY nomination for yourself!

If you're feeling frustrated and discouraged because your games aren't resonating with fans and delivering the powerful and rewarding experiences you envisioned, then you are not alone! You may be investing countless hours in game development, pouring your creativity into every detail, but still not capturing the essence of the fandom. Instead of the desired result, you might be facing lukewarm reactions from players who fail to connect deeply with your games.

We are delighted to introduce Deirdre Cross, an esteemed veteran in the toy and game industry since 2007. Her impressive career began at Forrest-Pruzan Creative, where she swiftly moved up the ranks from production manager to an influential partner. Deirdre has actively participated in the creative development of over 500 products across varied game publishers, solidifying her presence in the industry. Now, she serves as the general manager of emerging brands for Funko, heading both Funko Games and Mondo. Her recent masterpiece, Disney Villainous The Game, won Game of the Year at the 2019 TOTY Awards.

In a world where game development meets fandom, Funko Games has mastered the art of creating immersive gameplay experiences. Join Deirdre Cross as she reveals their secret sauce: understanding the essence of a brand and collaborating with a passionate team.

If you're feeling frustrated and discouraged because your games aren't resonating with fans and delivering the powerful and rewarding experiences you envisioned, then you are not alone! You may be investing countless hours in game development, pouring your creativity into every detail, but still not capturing the essence of the fandom. Instead of the desired result, you might be facing lukewarm reactions from players who fail to connect deeply with your games.

We are delighted to introduce Deirdre Cross, an esteemed veteran in the toy and game industry since 2007. Her impressive career began at Forrest-Pruzan Creative, where she swiftly moved up the ranks from production manager to an influential partner. Deirdre has actively participated in the creative development of over 500 products across varied game publishers, solidifying her presence in the industry. Now, she serves as the general manager of emerging brands for Funko, heading both Funko Games and Mondo. Her recent masterpiece, Disney Villainous The Game, won Game of the Year at the 2019 TOTY Awards.

In a world where game development meets fandom, Funko Games has mastered the art of creating immersive gameplay experiences. Join Deirdre Cross as she reveals their secret sauce: understanding the essence of a brand and collaborating with a passionate team.

Long form episode description goes here.9 to 5 Warriors, and it's a nineties inspired toy line that aims to recapture the magic of the Saturday morning cartoon era. The founder o 9 to 5 Warriors, Brandon Braswell, is sharing his experience pitching a show idea and toy line at the TCA Virtual Pitch Event, we'll discuss what he's done with the brand so far, he'll share his pitch video, and share tips for making your best IP pitch yet. Have you ever dreamed of seeing your show idea turned into a hit animated series or action figure line by the iconic toy company, Hasbro? Well that’s a dream you share with the guest of today’s podcast episode, Brandon Braswell! Lucky for you, Brandon sat down with The Toy Coach to share his experience of building his toy brand and TV show, and ultimately pitching it to Hasbro at the TCA Virtual Pitch Event. 

Follow along Brandon's toy journey, including his early ideas, the mistakes he made along the way, and why he wishes he’d found Toy Creators Academy sooner! During this episode, The Toy Coach asks Brandon questions that YOU want to hear the answers to, including how he found funding to develop his first production run, how his show pitch was received, and how he built his following online. But that’s not all! You’ll also get to hear the exact tv show pitch that Brandon presented to Hasbro, featuring his brand 9 To 5 Warriors. If you’re a visual person, head over to youtube.com/thetoycoach to watch the entire pitch.

Have you ever wondered about the captivating history of Barbie, the world's most iconic doll? Get ready to traverse the captivating timeline of Barbie, the world's most iconic doll. Discover the story behind this revolutionary toy, from the innovative mind of Ruth Handler to its evolution, significance, and controversies. Listen as The Toy Coach discusses Ruth's battle to persuade an all-male design team to develop Barbie, the struggles and triumphs of representation, the controversies around the doll's body shape, and the rebirth of the brand in recent years.

Beyond the historical aspects, we discuss the Barbiemania of today as well as the Barbie movie, driving the doll's resurgence and captivating fans worldwide. Tune into this episode for a deep dive into the fascinating world and history of Barbie, a timeless doll that has left an undeniable mark on generations of toy people.

In this episode, uncover the details behind Barbie's viral marketing success and learn valuable insights for toy businesses. Hosted by toy industry expert Azhelle Wade, this episode explores how Barbie's team created captivating marketing moves and set new industry standards. Learn how to break down these big budget marketing tactics into smaller budget approaches you can DIY for your toy brand. By the end of this episode you’ll be equipped to engage your audience with Instagrammable moments and elevate your toy business with creative strategies.

What happens when you’ve got a great idea for a toy, you have inventory, and you want to break into a major toy show or media event but you just simply don’t have the funds left to make it happen? Well, in the past there wasn’t an option, but now for NEW creators there is The Toy Coach Showcase. Listen to this Part 2 Episode where we explain what The Toy Coach Showcase is and how you can get involved. This showcase has become an industry game-changer as it provides a more affordable entry point for aspiring creators. In this episode, hear brief yet powerful interviews from showcase participants who are the creators of social emotional MESH toys, construction sets, dolls, and more, as they open up about their toy journeys.

Are you ready for a thrilling episode filled with innovation, inspiration, and the untold stories of toy and game creators? Join us as we delve into The Toy Coach Showcase, an extraordinary platform creating a revolutionary entry point for newbies in the industry. Get ready to be inspired as you hear firsthand from the creators themselves. Engage in brief yet powerful interviews, where they open up about their journeys, the motivation behind their creations, and the overwhelming response they've received. As you listen, you'll be amazed by their resilience, as they share stories of overcoming brain tumors, combating colorism during pregnancy, and finding solace through trauma toys. These creators have not only turned their struggles into triumphs but have also built vibrant communities around their brand missions.

Ever since my childhood fascination with Polly Pockets, I've been enamored with toys that allow you to build worlds of my own. When I came across an announcement of a Polly Pocket book on Instagram, I knew immediately I had to dig deeper and get to know the people behind the book. My first outreach was to Amy Greenbank, an accomplished artist and illustrator with a distinct style that calls back to the colorful pop art of the eighties and nineties. During this episode, we explore her artistic journey, from oil painting to digital illustration, revealing how being a consumer of products produced by the toy industry has significantly influenced the vibe of her work.

Amy Greenbank did not formally study illustration, but after building a passionate following of her artwork online, Amy got the attention of Maude Campbell, the author of the book “The Legacy of Polly Pocket, Mattel's Micro Moneymaker”. During this episode Amy takes us through the journey of finding her artistic style, experimenting with various media, finding her art people online, and how she creates artwork that gives you the feeling of your favorite toys from childhood.

This episode is a must-listen for all toy enthusiasts, artists, and those who simply love the nostalgia of their childhood treasures. Tune in and let Amy’s colorful journey inspire you!

If someone tells you to close your eyes and picture a red wagon, the first thing that pops into your mind is probably the classic Radio Flyer red wagon. In this week’s episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Robert Pasin, the Chief Wagon Officer of Radio Flyer.

We dove into the origin story and transformation of the iconic toy company. From nostalgic red wagons to innovative new products, Robert shares the challenges, lessons, and successes that have shaped Radio Flyer into the beloved brand it is today. Radio Flyer has humble beginnings as a family business. In our chat, Robert recounts the story of his grandfather, Antonio Pasin, who immigrated to America and started the company in 1917. Robert even reveals the true inspiration behind the name “Radio Flyer” and what the brand might have been called if it was born in another time. We discuss a pivotal period when Radio Flyer faced an existential crisis. Robert shares the challenges they encountered and how they navigated through a changing market.

If you are working on a brand that is in need of a customer-focused refresh, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. So grab your earbuds and listen in!

If you want to get your toy or game product into toy stores, have you considered starting with specialty stores first? In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, learn how you can start selling your toys in specialty retailers. If you don’t know what a specialty toy retailer is, don’t worry! This episode has got you covered. You’ll learn what specialty toy retailers are, how to connect with owners of specialty toy stores, and why you might want to start your journey as a toy entrepreneur in the specialty market.

This episode provides insight into the upcoming toy trade show, the ASTRA Marketplace, and addresses the costs involved in setting up a booth, as well as pre-show preparations which can range from DIY solutions to professional setups. Discover what is most important to the retailers attending this show, find out what other manufacturers are attending, and learn how this opportunity can be a worthwhile investment for your toy business.

In this thought-provoking episode of Making It in The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade and returning guest Marjorie Spitalnik dive into a sensitive but crucial topic - the impact of toy guns on children and the potential connection to real-life gun violence. Given the alarming statistics of gun violence in the U.S., they explore the responsibility of toy makers and the toy industry as a whole in shaping children's perceptions of violence and gun use. They discuss potential solutions and draw comparisons to a problematic toy from years ago.  The goal of this episode is not to provide definitive answers, but to spark a conversation about an issue that directly affects our children.

In this episode of "Making It in The Toy Industry" podcast, host Azhelle Wade aka The Toy Coach interviews Dr. Amanda Gummer, a research psychologist and founder of Good Play Guide, a service that provides independent product evaluations and accreditations for children's toys and games. Azhelle asks Dr. Gummer, about her work and the importance of evaluating toys for children's development. Dr. Gummer talks about her passion for helping people make good toys for kids and raising standards within the industry. She also shares details about Good Play Guide's accreditation program and how it helps prevent products that could damage a brand's reputation.

The conversation talks about the Toy Associations new STEAM accreditation, established in 2021 and details how it follows the same principles as the Good Play Guide. The Toy Coach and Dr. Gummer discuss the value of having an independent, research-based evaluation program for toys and games that involves children in the testing process. Dr. Gummer shares some of the most recent Good Play Guide award winners, as well as construction toys that are becoming more environmentally friendly.

Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the importance of independent toy evaluations and how they can help the industry create better products for children's educational development.

Are you curious about how AI can revolutionize the toy industry? Do you want to know how AI can help in designing and marketing a toy product? If so, then this podcast episode is for you. Join The Toy Coach in this insightful episode as she explores the potential of AI in toy design and marketing.

In this episode of the Making It In The Toy Industry Podcast, The Toy Coach shares her experience in using an AI language model called Agent GPT to generate ideas for a toy product. From creating a unique toy name to identifying edgy influencers for marketing, Agent GPT proved to be a valuable tool in the toy industry. One interesting thing that was learned is how AI can save time and resources in conducting research and analysis, ultimately leading to faster and more responsive product development. Teased in this episode are insights on using mid-journey, an AI tool for generating high-quality images, and a mind map on the future of AI in the toy industry.

Overall, this episode provides a fascinating look into how AI can help with various aspects of toy design, from generating new ideas to finding social media influencers to work with. Listeners will gain a better understanding of the potential benefits and limitations of AI in the toy industry and how it may shape the future of toy design. Don't miss this episode if you're interested in the intersection of AI and toy design.

Are you curious about how AI can revolutionize the toy industry? Do you want to know how AI can help in designing and marketing a toy product? If so, then this podcast episode is for you. Join The Toy Coach in this insightful episode as she explores the potential of AI in toy design and marketing.

In this episode of the Making It In The Toy Industry Podcast, The Toy Coach shares her experience in using an AI language model called Agent GPT to generate ideas for a toy product. From creating a unique toy name to identifying edgy influencers for marketing, Agent GPT proved to be a valuable tool in the toy industry. One interesting thing that was learned is how AI can save time and resources in conducting research and analysis, ultimately leading to faster and more responsive product development. Teased in this episode are insights on using mid-journey, an AI tool for generating high-quality images, and a mind map on the future of AI in the toy industry.

Overall, this episode provides a fascinating look into how AI can help with various aspects of toy design, from generating new ideas to finding social media influencers to work with. Listeners will gain a better understanding of the potential benefits and limitations of AI in the toy industry and how it may shape the future of toy design. Don't miss this episode if you're interested in the intersection of AI and toy design.

There are many paths you can take in the toy industry, but the 3 most common paths that most new creators fall into are Inventor, Entrepreneur, and Executive! In today's episode, The Toy Coach is back to explain the differences between the two and point out why you might be both. Azhelle walks you through the meaning of each toy path, what you can expect, and how you could benefit from even switching your toy path.

In today’s toy podcast, you will learn what aspects of being a Toy Entrepreneur, Toy Inventor, and Toy Executive are the same, which are very different, and the strengths and weaknesses of each path. Once you’re done listening, Azhelle invites you to take a toy path quiz, to help you figure out what your toy path is and what your best next steps are to be successful on that path.