Join us as we chat with Cathy Tenaglia, a graduate of Toy Creators Academy, who shares her journey and insights into navigating the toy industry. From debunking myths to discussing the importance of pitching, Catherine offers invaluable advice and experiences gained through her 12-weeks in TCA.

Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of consumer product marketing with Robert Yusim. Discover the keys to turning ideas into successful products, even if they're not patentable. Explore Robert's journey in the toy industry, his role in launching iconic products, and his recent ventures guiding inventors, reducing manufacturing costs, optimizing Amazon sales, and finding strategic partners. Get insights from a seasoned pro on creating thriving consumer product campaigns.

Do you remember the original tiny world of Polly Pocket? In this week’s episode, we dive deep into the history, secrets, and surprises behind this iconic toy with Maude Campbell, author of the upcoming book The Legacy of Polly Pocket: Mattel's Micro Moneymaker. Join us as we explore how a simple button inspired inventor Chris Wiggs to fashion an iconic toy out of a makeup compact. Learn about the transition from Bluebird to Mattel, the ups and downs of Polly's size changes, and the enduring love fans have for this miniature wonder.It all began with a simple idea – the concept of a miniature world that could fit in the palm of your hand.

Ever wondered how a beloved character from a children's book can leap off the pages and become a real toy? This episode of "Making It in the Toy Industry" reveals the transformative journey of a TCA Alumni who turned a character from their storybook into a cherished 12-inch plush toy.

Explore the impact of California's gender-neutral toy law with The Toy Coach. Learn about the key changes in Assembly Bill 1084 and the strategies for toy creators in this shifting landscape. Join The Toy Coach as she revisits a pivotal episode from October 2021, discussing the implications of Assembly Bill 1084. Discover the key changes in the bill and explore insights into consumer sentiments and strategies for toy creators navigating this new landscape.

Embark on a detailed, month-by-month journey to launch your toy idea in 2024 with The Toy Coach. From setting SMART goals to networking, prototyping, and pitching, this episode is a perfect starting point for early stage toy and game creators.

To celebrate Episode 200 of Making It in The Toy Industry, something special is underway. Joining The Toy Coach, also known as Azhelle Wade, is Virginia Lette, an accomplished Australian radio and television presenter. She is renowned for co-hosting Eclipse Music TV for three years and serving as a Weekend News and Sport Presenter for WIN News Tasmania. Virginia has also hosted over 500 episodes of the Morning Kids Podcast. Beyond her professional achievements, she is a dedicated mother, entrepreneur, and an aspiring toy creator.

Azhelle Wade is thrilled to have her on the show, picking up where the 100th episode left off. They discuss Azhelle's background with Sesame Street and in the toy industry and delve into her motivations for starting the podcast. Azhelle shares her enthusiasm for assisting creators in transforming their ideas into finished products. Virginia poses several unexpected questions, ranging from Azhelle's thoughts on imposter syndrome to addressing sustainability challenges in the industry. This behind-the-scenes glimpse into The Toy Coach's journey offers valuable insights and inspiration.

How is AI reshaping the toy industry? In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the world of AI and its transformative impact on toy design and creation. Discover how tools like Adobe Firefly, Canva, and Amazon are integrating AI to enhance their services and change the game for how consumers experience products and how professional toy creators promote them.

In episode 199, The Toy Coach explores the practical applications of AI in the toy industry, from speeding up the toy invention process to navigating legal considerations. Learn about Adobe Firefly's approach to copyright issues and get tips on effectively using AI tools for generating compelling content and designs.

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.