Richard Gottlieb's Profile

Scott McCall, Senior Vice President for toys, seasonal merchandise, and celebrations gave a speech at PlayCon that was a unsettling to those with whom I spoke, and I have spoken... Continue reading

Posted 3 days ago at Global Toy News

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Jerry Storch of Toys R US Speaks his Mind at PlayCon

Jerry Storch, CEO and Chairman of the Board for Toys R Us had a message for the PlayCon audience. He stated that he had never seen an industry that was... Continue reading

Posted 4 days ago at Global Toy News

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PlayCon 2013; great content with a little spice

This is part one of a three part series on PlayCon 2013. Based upon my own experience and that of many others I spoke with; this was the best PlayCon... Continue reading

Posted 5 days ago at Global Toy News

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Childhood, Animals and Toys

Why are parents and their young children so fascinated with animals? That is the point of a nice, but possibly overly complex, look at why animals are given so much... Continue reading

Posted May 8, 2013 at Global Toy News

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The End of the Cash Register; Checking Out With Your Smartphone

The cash register is dead; yes, dead. That according to a Columbus Dispatch article by Anne D’Innocenzio titled “Cash register could join endangered-gadget list;” and it's not just the register... Continue reading

Posted May 7, 2013 at Global Toy News

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Is War the Gamification of Politics? Some thoughts on H.G. Wells and “Little Wars”

If you move to the last inside page of the May 5, 2013 New York Times book review, you will find a fascinating tribute by mark Wallace to H.G. Wells... Continue reading

Posted May 5, 2013 at Global Toy News

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The First World Congress of Play

COMING THIS FALL We wanted Global Toy News readers to be among the first to know about The First World Congress of Play which will be taking place in San... Continue reading

Posted May 1, 2013 at Global Toy News

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American Girl Dolls; Has Something Changed?

As a toy industry professional who also has a love of history, I have long been fascinated by American Girls and their use of historic backstories to appeal to girls.... Continue reading

Posted May 1, 2013 at Global Toy News

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Important! What the CPSC Hasn’t Told You About Toy Safety Regulations May Actually Help You

Quin Dodd is a Washington, DC attorney practicing exclusively in the area of product safety law, and formerly served as Chief of Staff of the CPSC from 2006 to 2008.... Continue reading

Posted May 1, 2013 at Global Toy News

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Apps; What Are Consumers Willing to Pay?

As someone who closley follows the play industry, I find tracking apps to be a bit frustrating for three reasons: They challenge the notion of perceived value. In other words,... Continue reading

Posted Apr 30, 2013 at Global Toy News

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Are Fitness Clubs Becoming Adult Playgrounds; Ninth Grade Revisited

Some fitness clubs are starting to sound a little like my gym class in Junior High School; ropes and a gym floor rather than cardio vascular machines. It seems that... Continue reading

Posted Apr 29, 2013 at Global Toy News

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Toys R Us and the Adult Toy Collector

One of the most overlooked opportunities for the toy industry is those adults who collect toys. Visit a toy store or department and it is unlikely that you would know... Continue reading

Posted Apr 25, 2013 at Global Toy News

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More of My Conversation With Isaac Larian, the Man Behind Bratz and Lalaloopsy

This is Part 2 of a two part article based upon my conversation with MGA’s CEO and founder, Isaac Larian. Today we look at what drives him to succeed. (To... Continue reading

Posted Apr 24, 2013 at Global Toy News

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A Conversation with Isaac Larian, CEO of M.G.A.; Part 1

This is Part 1 of a two part article based upon my conversation with MGA’s CEO and founder, Isaac Larian. Part 1 will focus on his work with Bratz, Lalaloopsy... Continue reading

Posted Apr 23, 2013 at Global Toy News

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How the Erector Set Helped Build the 20th Century

My good friend, noted inventor and toy industry thought leader, Bruce Lund, likes to talk about how our great 20th Century engineers and architects were inspired by the toys with... Continue reading

Posted Apr 21, 2013 at Global Toy News

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Think Asia, Think Hong Kong Events in Los Angeles and New York

June 11, 2013 New York Hilton June 14, 2013 JW Marriott Los Angeles LA LIVE I am going to be attending the Think Asia, Think Hong Kong conference, June 11... Continue reading

Posted Apr 18, 2013 at Global Toy News

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Nintendo’s New Patent Could Mean Competition on the Toy Aisle for Hasbro and Mattel

My prediction is that non-traditional toy companies are going to be following the succesful example of Skylanders and entering the toy department. The result will be major competition for our... Continue reading

Posted Apr 17, 2013 at Global Toy News

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Lessons from JC Penney

Ron Johnson was fired from his position as CEO of JC Penney last week after sales under his leadership continued to freefall (for my earlier comments on Johnson’s efforts see:... Continue reading

Posted Apr 16, 2013 at Global Toy News

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Toy Manufacturing; Is the Next Stop Cambodia?

Those who engage in the business of play are always looking for the next low cost labor country. The baton has, over the last 100 years been passed from Germany... Continue reading

Posted Apr 15, 2013 at Global Toy News

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LEGO and Hyper-Realism

Can you pick out the LEGO elements in this photograph? The brilliant LEGO artist, Nathan Sawaya, and the photographer, Dean West, have joined forces to provide us all with some... Continue reading

Posted Apr 12, 2013 at Global Toy News

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Toys R Us; Does it Need a New Business Model?

Everyone in the toy industry, and I mean everyone, is a stakeholder in Toys R Us. They are the biggest pure toy and play retailer in the world and all... Continue reading

Posted Apr 10, 2013 at Global Toy News

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Capitalism, Toys and Play

Those who create and market play have long been considered architects of the softer side of life. They are also, however, the leading edge of the capitalist system. At least... Continue reading

Posted Apr 9, 2013 at Global Toy News

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The Hub Network, Kiss and Hello Kitty

One of the odder combinations to come along in a while is the KISS x Hello Kitty line of products. An even odder combination may just be the recently announced... Continue reading

Posted Apr 8, 2013 at Global Toy News

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Wooden Bricks Inspired by Lego

I love these wooden versions of Lego bricks from Mokurokku. It really says something about the warmth and feel that wood lends to toys and games. It simply adds a... Continue reading

Posted Apr 5, 2013 at Global Toy News

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Traditional Toy Production and the Time Dilemma

I have, since my conversation with Elie Dekel, (Part 1: A Conversation with Elie Dekel, President of Saban Brands) been giving a lot of thought to time. If you will... Continue reading

Posted Apr 3, 2013 at Global Toy News

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