In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Wes Hardin to the show. Hardin is the owner and CEO of Diverse Marketing.

Since 1959, Diverse Marketing has served the retail industry with a curated catalog of toys and games, gift items, and sporting goods. The company maintains dedicated showrooms in multiple cities and has a staff of nearly 200 representatives that work together with retailers to keep shelves stocked with products that consumers will love.

On the show, Hardin and Albritton discuss the origin of Diverse Marketing and how the company has created opportunities from disruption. Additionally, the duo delves into the four distinct product segments that Diverse Marketing services and how the sales rep experience evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, Hardin shares insight on some big trends that retailers should keep an eye on.

Related: ‘Power Kid Podcast’ Top 10 Episodes of 2021

The “Power Kid Podcast” is presented by The Toy Book Podcasts by Adventure Media and Events. The long-running series presents in-depth interviews and conversations with some of the biggest names and rising stars in the toy, game, and family entertainment industries. The Toy Book Podcasts are available through all of your favorite streaming services, including AnchorSpotifyApple PodcastsGoogle Podcasts, and more. They’re also now available on Amazon Podcasts!

Adventure Media and Events (AM&E) is the publisher of the Toy Bookthe Toy Insider, and the Pop Insider. Composed of an editorial team with more than 100 years of combined experience in the toy and entertainment industries, AM&E publications provide consumers, press, and trade audiences with the latest news and updates on all things play and pop culture.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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