It’s Genius of Play Week on the “Power Kid Podcast” presented by the Toy Book. This week, host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes four committee members representing The Toy Association’s Genius of Play initiative and its ongoing mission to provide families with the information and inspiration they need to make play an important part of their kid’s day. This month represents a milestone for the organization as the Genius of Play pulls back the curtain on its newly minted Play Ambassadors — a group of exceptional individuals who are toy experts and champions of the power of play.
In this episode, Albritton is joined by Genius of Play Committee Chair Ashley Mady, head of brand development at Basic Fun! Mady is integral to promoting and developing brands such as Care Bears, K’nex, Pound Puppies, Lite-Brite, Tonka, and Cutetitos. She also serves on the board of trustees at The Toy Foundation and is an advisory board member for Women in Toys.
On the show, Mady explains how playing as a kid helped inform her skill as a toy and game designer and brand creator. She also shares her recent experiences in developing Tonka’s Let’s Go Play! initiative with Shaquille O’Neal and discuss how story and character development affects how kids play. Finally, Albritton and Mady close out Genius of Play Week with a discussion on why play is so important right now.
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 Anchor, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
Adventure Media and Events (AM&E) is the publisher of the Toy Book, the Toy Insider, and the Pop Insider. Composed of an editorial team with more than 75 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.
