Marissa Dibartolo | Source: The Toy Book

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design welcomes Adventure Media and Events’ own Marissa DiBartolo, editor-in-chief of both the Toy Insider and the Pop Insider and senior editor of the Toy Book. DiBartolo manages print and digital content for the Toy Insider and the Pop Insider, including daily product news, reviews, and features, the legendary Toy Insider Holiday Gift Guide.

On the show, Albritton and DiBartolo discuss the importance of building connections between toymakers and families and how doing press for toys has changed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. DiBartolo shares insight from her years of experience demonstrating toys on national TV, including appearances on the TODAY Show, the Steve Harvey Show, ABC World News Now, Fox and Friends, and more.

Additionally, DiBartolo — a newly minted Genius of Play Ambassador — gives a sneak preview of the Toy Insider’s forthcoming early look at some of the biggest toy trends of 2021.

Related: U.S. Toy Industry Grows 16% as Pandemic Fuels Play

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.

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 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.

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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