What is the
Playground

Podcast?

The Playground is a diverse, engaging and entertaining platform to promote play and playfulness among people of all ages.

Combining information about the toy industry with insights on play, products and conversations with some of the most significant people in the toy business, it’s designed as an engaging omnibus program. It also covers the history of toys, how toys are made, and some of the amazing stories of the toys from the people who created—and lived them.

As the creators say, “if it concerns toys, play and kids, we’ll be kicking it around in The Playground.”

Targeted to parents, caregivers and adults interested in play and playfulness, the podcast covers many topics about kids, culture and the challenges—and wonderful delights—of childhood in the current environment. Many of the segments will be designed for parents and kids to listen to together, and the episodes are sorted by various categories in order to make accessing appropriate content easy.

The Playground is hosted by Christopher Byrne, aka The Toy Guy® and Richard Gottlieb, president of Global Toy Experts. Both are noted authors and experts covering the toy industry for decades. Byrne is widely experienced in the toy business, child development and parenting, and is an established media personality. Gottlieb has consulted internationally and is deeply knowledgeable about the business and history. Together, the two have an easy rapport, and the episodes will be as fun as they are informative.

The Playground is now live and available on the Anchor platform. Please visit that site and you'll see a list of other podcast apps that our podcast will be available on.

The
Hosts

CHRIS BYRNE

The Toy Guy

As an independent toy analyst, researcher and consultant, Chris brings more than 30 years of industry experience in the toy industry to his role. He is an acknowledged expert on toys and play in the culture and brings his extensive knowledge of toys, education and child development to his work.

Chris began his career working on major toy brands in a variety of marketing and operations positions. He was instrumental in the development and merchandising of many successful products including those marketed under the Gabriel, Child Guidance, Creative Playthings, and Ideal brands, among others. He led the team that established the game Pictionary as one of the most popular games of its era. In 1988, he formed Byrne Communications, with broad-based consulting in the toy, children’s entertainment, financial and consumer products industries. He was one of the founders and creative director for the web site TTPM. Today, Byrne Communications works with companies of all sizes and entrepreneurs, helping them to develop and launch products. He consults regular to the analyst and investment community about the international business of toys.

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Email Chris: chris@theplaygroundpodcast.com

RICHARD GOTTLIEB

Global Toy Expert

Richard Gottlieb is the highly regarded toy Founder and CEO of Global Toy Experts, the globally recognized consultant to toy industry leaders. In addition, he is the Publisher of Global Toy News, the toy industry’s independent voice.  

Richard is frequently interviewed by media worldwide, and has been called on by ABC News, CNN, MSNBC, the New York Times, Newsweek and many other media outlets. Considered an expert on the toy industry, Richard is frequently asked to speak at toy industry conferences and serve on various executive panels.

Email Richard: richard@theplaygroundpodcast.com