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, entrepr...
Dec 20, 2023•49 min•Ep 200•Transcript available on Metacast 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 t...
Dec 13, 2023•27 min•Ep 199•Transcript available on Metacast 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, a...
Dec 06, 2023•31 min•Ep 198•Transcript available on Metacast 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. Discover the secrets of creating a standout pitch that captures ...
Nov 29, 2023•24 min•Ep 197•Transcript available on Metacast 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. In this episode, we feature a dynamic duo, Michael and Melissa Giles, founders of Chiki Chaka, who reveal the secrets behind creating a game that's as simple as it is engaging, proving that the essence of pl...
Nov 22, 2023•38 min•Ep 196•Transcript available on Metacast 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 an...
Nov 16, 2023•33 min•Ep 195•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Nov 08, 2023•52 min•Ep 194•Transcript available on Metacast 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. To kick off this episode you’ll get an overview of a 2022 holiday sales report provided by Adobe Analytics and compare and contrast that report ...
Nov 01, 2023•36 min•Ep 193•Transcript available on Metacast Are you drowning in emails, struggling to keep up with crucial communications for your toy business? In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, 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. Get an in depth introduction to the must-have email plugin designed to...
Oct 25, 2023•30 min•Ep 192•Transcript available on Metacast 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. Pop in your earbuds and listen as Azhelle e...
Oct 18, 2023•25 min•Ep 191•Transcript available on Metacast 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, and provides tips and insights to make your next show experience better. Also, if you haven’t already read it on The Toy Coach Blog, you’ll hear in this episode that New York Toy Fair is relocating to New Orleans! Dive deep into the whirlwind experience of Toy Fair, its changes and evolution. If you’re planning to laun...
Oct 11, 2023•46 min•Ep 190•Transcript available on Metacast 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 nominated, Game Night In A Can. In between jokes and chuckles you’ll get invaluable tid-bit...
Sep 20, 2023•49 min•Ep 189•Transcript available on Metacast 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 T...
Sep 06, 2023•25 min•Ep 188•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Zabina Bhasin began her journey of understanding the powerful role toys play in shaping a child's identity. As a child psychiatrist, she used her expertise to observe that children were naturally drawn towards toys, books, and crafts. Yet, as a mother, she noticed a distinct gap in the market - there were no multicultural or ethnic studies toys. This realization sparked an idea, a vision to create a space where children could learn about various cultures and traditions, and feel a sense...
Aug 30, 2023•33 min•Ep 187•Transcript available on Metacast 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,...
Aug 23, 2023•20 min•Ep 186•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Aug 16, 2023•52 min•Ep 185•Transcript available on Metacast 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 intro...
Aug 09, 2023•40 min•Ep 184•Transcript available on Metacast Are you ready to dive into the business of toys? Since 2010, I've been in the thick of the toy industry, and now I'm sharing my wisdom and connections with you, right here on the Making It In The Toy Industry podcast. Every week you'll get a mini masterclass on the world of toys by learning about gameplay, connecting with publishers, building a community, and so much more. So, if you've got an idea that you want to bring to life or need a helping hand to find the right manufa...
Aug 07, 2023•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Aug 02, 2023•1 hr•Ep 183•Transcript available on Metacast 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 controve...
Jul 26, 2023•20 min•Ep 182•Transcript available on Metacast Are you dreaming about Barbie yet? This week we do a deep dive into the marketing that has continually been going viral since April of this year. We explore how the iconic doll brand also became a digital marketing icon by creating trends and making marketing moves that will go down in toy history. Get ready to dive into the world of Barbie and her groundbreaking marketing team for the highly anticipated live-action film, releasing on July 21st, 2023. Over the past five years, marketing strategi...
Jul 19, 2023•36 min•Ep 181•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Jul 05, 2023•36 min•Ep 180•Transcript available on Metacast Are you ready for an exciting 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 as they engage in brief yet powerful interviews, about their journeys, motivation, and the overwhelming response they've received. As you listen, you&apos...
Jun 28, 2023•41 min•Ep 179•Transcript available on Metacast Ever since my childhood fascination with Polly Pockets, I've been enamored with toys and video games that allowed me 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 ...
Jun 14, 2023•32 min•Ep 178•Transcript available on Metacast If someone tells you to close your eyes and picture a red wagon...what's the first thing that pops into your mind? I bet it's probably the classic and iconic 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...
Jun 07, 2023•38 min•Ep 177•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
May 24, 2023•30 min•Ep 176•Transcript available on Metacast 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. Marjorie, founder of Little Rebels, share...
May 17, 2023•39 min•Ep 175•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Azhelle Wade aka The Toy Coach interviews Dr. Amanda Gummer, psychologist and founder of Good Play Guide, a service that provides independent evaluations and accreditations for children's toys and games. Dr. Gummer talks about the importance of evaluating toys for children's development and shares details about Good Play Guide's accreditation program. She also discusses recent winners of the Good Play Guide and how they help the industry create better products for...
May 03, 2023•42 min•Ep 174•Transcript available on Metacast Are you curious about the potential of AI in the toy industry and how it can revolutionize the way we create and develop products? This eye-opening part 2 podcast episode delves into the power of AI, particularly the new AI called Auto GPT, and its capabilities to generate business plans, toy ideas, and game ideas. Discover how AI can lead the brainstorming, research, and business planning process, and learn how Gen Z is shaping the future of AI use in the workforce. In this episode, The Toy Coa...
Apr 26, 2023•27 min•Ep 173•Transcript available on Metacast 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 uni...
Apr 19, 2023•37 min•Ep 172•Transcript available on Metacast 
