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Artwork for The Playground Podcast

The Playground Podcast

Chris Byrne
Tariffs
Toys
Toy Industry
Play
Artificial Intelligence
Social Shopping
Tiktok
Toy Fair
Popdarts
The Young Inventor's Challenge
Toy Safety
Curio
Community Engagement
Creativity
Grimes
Child Development
Connetix
Magnetic Tiles
Chicago Toy and Game Fair
Silicon Valley

Join Chris Byrne, The Toy Guy® as he presents a series of interviews with industry experts will tackle the topics of the toys, culture, toy history and talk with some of the leading people in the business of toys and children’s entertainment. Designed for anyone interested in toys, play and great stories, each weekly episode will feature engaging, entertaining conversation, useful information, ins... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes210Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Kids & Family

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Artwork for The Playground Podcast

Latest Episodes

Revitalizing and relaunch a brand almost 30 years after itsintroduction is never an easy task. However, when the brand was as popular and influential as the iconic Backyard Sports franchise of the late 1990s and early 2000s, thechallenge can be espec... more

In the dynamic world of marketing in today’s toy industry, staying on top of best practices isn’t always easy. This is especially true when it comes to influencers. Fortunately, we have some insights that may prove enlightening and useful.

Mark Bass... more

This is a special edition of The Playground Podcast.

In the wake of the Supreme Court Ruling on February 20 that President Trump’s imposition of tariffs exceeded his authority to do so, there has been a lot of confusion in the toy industry.

I can’... more

In our second conversation about the emerging medium of social shopping, we sat down with Lee Parkhurst of Parkhurst marketing.

I’ve known and admired Lee for years for his strategic thinking, insights, and the pure joy he brings to his work and th... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Jay Foreman
Industry expert and commentator on toy tariffs
Not explicitly mentioned
Episode: Now What? Jay Foreman on the Current Tariff Issues
Lee Parkhurst
Marketing strategist with extensive experience in social media and the toy industry
Parkhurst Marketing
Episode: Social Shopping 2: Lee Parkhurst
Nic Jones
Business development and brand development expert in the toy industry.
Situaction UK
Episode: Social Shopping Part 1: Nic Jones of Situaction UK
Chris Byrne
Host of The Playground Podcast
The Playground Podcast
Episode: Social Shopping Part 1: Nic Jones of Situaction UK
Azhelle Wade
The Toy Coach; expert in toy design and product development
The Toy Coach
Episode: Azhelle Wade: The Toy Coach
Eric Ostendorff
Former mechanical engineer at Mattel and partner at Inventoy
Inventoy
Episode: Under the Hood with Hot Wheels: Eric Ostendorff of Inventoy
Audrey Birner
US Insights Director at Beano Brain and youth culture expert
Beano Brain
Episode: Kids & Brands: Audrey Birner & Beano Brain
Jamie Zhang
Senior Director and CFO of Robosen Robotic Innovation in the US
Robosen
Episode: Robots and Play: Jamie Zhang of Robosen
Matt Brown
A dedicated toy industry professional with a background in law and a passion for play and children's education.
Episode: Matt Brown: Making Great Play

Host

Chris Byrne
Host of the conversations that explore toy industry insights and culture, known as 'The Toy Guy®'.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 20 ratings
  • A Window Into the Toy Business

    I absolutely love this podcast! Richard, Chris and their guests consistently offer information about recent trends in the toy business while reaching back through history to inform and entertain listeners about the impact that vintage toys and toy pioneers have had over the years.

    I especially like learning about different demographics (like the influence of Aunts and Grandparents), as well as recent and upcoming toys, game consoles and entertainment properties.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AndrewDarlow
    United States4 years ago
  • Love Chris Bryne and so glad to learn about his podcast!

    Making my way through all of Richard’s and Chris’ podcasts! Learning so much from their guests and getting huge chuckles from their sense of humor!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    3 team
    United States6 years ago
  • Fun and informative

    Just listened to the Eggmazing story and found it both entertaining and enlightening (just like the best toys!).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Engineer+teacher+gardener
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The content is often described as both entertaining and enlightening, providing valuable insights into trends and nostalgia in toys.
Listeners appreciate the blend of humor and informative discussions that cover diverse topics in the toy industry.
Reviewers value the wealth of knowledge shared by guests and find the discussions help them understand the toy market better.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#135
India/Kids & Family

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Social Shopping 2: Lee Parkhurst
Q: If you were setting up a marketing department now for a toy company, what would you be looking to do?
I would prioritize social selling on my marketing team to effectively reach audiences where they are engaging online.
Social Shopping 2: Lee Parkhurst
Q: Are older people on TikTok as well? Are you finding that it's becoming more pervasive?
Yes, TikTok's audience is becoming more diverse as older demographics increasingly engage with the platform, particularly due to connections with QVC-like content.
Social Shopping 2: Lee Parkhurst
Q: Tell me a little bit about the process of selling on TikTok for people.
Selling on TikTok involves setting up on the business side, including certifications and working with affiliates to maximize outreach and sales.
The Future of AI in Toys: Misha Sallee of Curio
Q: What safety mechanisms do you have in place for AI interactions?
Sallee discusses implementing layers of safety to prevent the toys from leading children to negative content.
The Future of AI in Toys: Misha Sallee of Curio
Q: How do children interact with these AI toys?
Kids engage in imaginative and educational play through asking questions and exploring information.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Playground Podcast

What is The Playground Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features engaging discussions focused on the toy industry, featuring interviews with stakeholders such as designers, marketers, and educators. Topics often revolve around the latest trends in toys, the cultural significance of children's play, and insights into product development, marketing strategies, and the evolution of consumer preferences, particularly among younger generations. With a humorous yet informative approach, the episodes explore various challenges and opportunities in the toy market, including social shopping, influencer marketing, and the intersection of technology and play.

Listeners can expect entertaining stories from industry veterans, detailed insights into the business of toys, and discussions about th... more

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How many listeners does The Playground Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Playground Podcast?

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1. Criminal
2. Betrayal Season 5

How many episodes of The Playground Podcast are there?

The Playground Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 210 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Playground Podcast?

Recent guests on The Playground Podcast include:

1. Jay Foreman
2. Lee Parkhurst
3. Nic Jones
4. Chris Byrne
5. Azhelle Wade
6. Eric Ostendorff
7. Audrey Birner
8. Jamie Zhang

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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