Have you ever wondered how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the toy industry? From speeding up the toy invention process to comparing traditional and AI-assisted methods, AI is transforming how we create and innovate. Dive into this engaging exploration of AI’s role in the toy industry.

In this episode, join The Toy Coach as she shares insights from her talk at the People of Play Innovation Conference. Discover how AI can enhance market research, ideation, product visualization, and even prepare you for your next big pitch. Get ready to be amazed by practical AI applications that are reshaping the toy development landscape.

This episode is brought to you by Publisher Services, Inc. (https

://www.pubserviceinc.com)

In Q4 some toy entrepreneurs are feeling FOMO, wishing that they made a bigger push to get into retail for this season. But don’t worry, your next big opportunity for sales is just around the corner. This week's episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone struggling to get their toy or game products noticed by retailers. If you've been tirelessly pitching with little to no response, this episode is a turning point.

Listen in as The Toy Coach conducts several mini interviews for a deep dive into the heart of toy innovation at CHITAG, part of the People of Play Week and Innovation Conference. Episode 196 offers a unique blend of playful interviews and insightful discussions with industry innovators.

Are you passionate about toy design and eager to learn from the best in the toy industry? This episode of Making It In The Toy Industry takes you inside the Chicago Toy and Game Fair (ChiTag), a hub of innovation and creativity in the toy and game industry. Learn tips from show attendees who specialize in toy marketing, toy sales, and game innovation. Whether you're an aspiring toy inventor, a game design enthusiast, or simply fascinated by the world of toys, this episode includes 3 mini and action packed interviews.Catch the full visual experience on our YouTube channel.

In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, you'll hear an insightful conversation with our guest Alexandra C. Watkins, the creative genius behind naming consultancy Eat My Words and the innovator of iconic names like Wendy's Baconator.

Watkins shares her expertise on creating memorable and appealing names for toys and toy companies. She's learned firsthand how the power of a catchy name can drive your sales, save you money, and even turn your customers into ambassadors for your products and discusses the importance of familiarity and imagery in making a name memorable, as well as the concept of "legs" for expanding a toy's theme.

We also dive into the emotional connection that a well-crafted name can create with customers and emphasize the significance of avoiding easily misspelled names, not to mention, sharing our own experiences with memorable business names that we feel just got it right!

If you're a toy industry professional looking to create names that resonate with your target audience, this episode is a must-listen. Let's dive into the world of toy naming!

It's that time of year again, and Black Friday is just around the corner. If you're still finalizing your Black Friday promotions, or you haven’t even started thinking about them yet, stress less! This podcast episode has got you covered with 3 easy to implement, last-minute ideas to boost your holiday sales at this important time of the year. Make sure that you have important elements like abandoned cart campaigns and SMS texting setup to reach customers in unique ways. Press play, listen, learn and then take action on these last-minute promo ideas to make this holiday season a successful one for your toy brand.

Are you drowning in emails, struggling to keep up with crucial communications for your toy business? In this episode of "The Toy Coach Podcast," we're about to unveil the secret to conquering your email overload and saving sales and opportunities that are sitting unread in your inbox right now! In this episode, The Toy Coach dives deep into a game-changing tool that will revolutionize the way you handle your inbox. In this episode you’ll learn how to schedule emails for optimal timing, set intelligent email reminders, and improve your email response rate with the help of AI. And that's just the beginning – hit play on this episode to learn more.

Are you "toying" around with an idea for a toy or game that you want to license? Don’t miss the chance to pitch and playtest that idea in 2023 at POP Week. In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, Azhelle Wade aka The Toy Coach, highlights a beloved toy industry event that is designed to create opportunities for toy inventors and entrepreneurs like you. Act fast because registration for this once a year in-person event is STILL OPEN.

Want a play by play of what worked at Toy Fair New York, and what didn’t? In this new podcast episode, The Toy Coach breaks down every day of the trade show, including setup days, provides insight on what you can expect when you attend your next Toy Fair and provides tips and insights to make your next show experience better. 

Maya Angelou once said, “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”

So tell me this, at your last pitch meeting, how did you make your guest feel?

In today’s podcast episode I sat down for a hilarious and informative chat with Barry and Jason. During this call, Barry and Jason share their journey inventing and ultimately licensing the TOTY nominate, Game Night In A Can. In between jokes and chuckles you’ll get invaluable tid-bits on pitching with pizzazz, reading body language of those you’re pitching to, and where this duo finds their inspiration.

A strong takeaway in this episode is the lesson to focus on the experience of the end user before you focus on the marketability of a product. Wondering why you should you do that? Well, you’ll have to dive into today’s episode to find out.

The biggest game company in the world is walking the talk with their first ever Women Innovators of Play Event, and YOU are invited. In this episode of Making It in The Toy Industry, The Toy Coach sit's down to chat with Tanya Thompson, the Senior Director of Inventor Relations and External Innovation for Hasbro Gaming. With over 16 years of experience in the toy and game industry, Tanya is a true luminary, having received the prestigious 2023 IDIOT (International Designer and Inventor of Toys) award and numerous other major awards and nominations.This episode focuses on an upcoming Hasbro event designed to educate, celebrate and support Women Innovators in the toy industry. Tanya's dedication to supporting inventors shines through as she talks about her involvement in the Hasbro Women's Innovators of Play Event—an initiative aimed at bringing more women innovators into the industry. Hit play on this podcast and you'll quickly discover why this live event is more than just a webinar; it's a virtual experience offering a deep dive into the toy industry's inner workings. We'lll go over the run of show, the impressive lineup of speakers, and offer advice on how to prepare.Whether you're an aspiring toy inventor or a seasoned industry professional, this episode is a must-listen, and the Hasbro Women Innovators of Play Event is a MUST attend.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Zabina Bhasin, a child psychiatrist and founder of In KidZ, who has brought diversity and inclusivity to the forefront of the toy industry. Dr. Zee shares her journey from mental health specialist to toy industry insider, discussing her experiences as an entrepreneur and her strategies for staying true to her mission. She provides insight into her efforts to educate children about different cultures and create a sense of belonging for all. With two toy industry award nominations, Dr. Zee's work is not only recognized but celebrated. This episode also touches on Dr. Zee's childhood and the game that sparked her love for toys. Her advice for budding entrepreneurs is insightful, rooted in her own humble beginnings.

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.