Global Toy Experts is a world-renowned consultancy and resource for toy industry insight and information led by well-known industry leader, Richard Gottlieb. Experts provide cutting-edge analysis and strategies to domestic toy manufacturers as well as those international providers who are looking to raise their profile in the United States. The consultancy also provides unique observations and commentary at speaking engagements and conferences globally, furnishing the toy industry with exceptional blueprints for success. Additionally, Global Toy Experts publishes Global Toy News, a Web-based magazine that covers toy industry news and provides resource links.
With an M.B.A. in Global Management, Richard Gottlieb has years of toy industry experience in helping small, medium and large toy manufacturers increase their market share. He frequently speaks at toy industry conferences, and was named Ambassador to the United States for the Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany. In recognition of his prominence in the toy industry, Richard is member of the National Toy Hall of Fame voting committee. Richard has also authored the book, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Wal-Mart.
CEO - Global Toy Experts • Publisher - Global Toy News
Richard Gottlieb is a well-known toy industry commentator and CEO of Global Toy Experts, a world-renowned consultancy and resource for toy industry analysis and strategies. In addition, Richard is Publisher of Global Toy News , the industry resource for toy news, toy trends and analysis of the business of play. Richard combines an MBA in Global Management with years of toy industry experience to help small, medium and large toy manufacturers increase their market share.
Richard is frequently interviewed by media worldwide, and has been called on by ABC News, CNN, MSNBC, the New York Times, Newsweek and other media outlets. He is a Contributing Editor to Playthings magazine in the U.S., Toys n Playthings in the U.K., Juguetes in Spain and other European toy magazines.
Considered an expert on the toy industry, Richard is frequently asked to speak at toy industry conferences and serve on various executive panels. Richards Building Our Future conferences, focusing on the impact that toys and media have on the future personal and professional choices individuals make in adulthood, take place annually in New York, Nuremberg and Los Angeles.
Richard has written a book, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Wal-Mart and his blog, Out of the Toy Box is a popular destination for those who want to know what is happening and is predicted to happen in the toy industry. In addition, Richard produces a monthly bulletin called Whats Next which focuses on coming trends.
Richard is the Ambassador to the United States for the Spielwarenmesse International Toy Fair in Nuremberg, Germany. In recognition of his prominence in the toy industry, Richard is member of the National Toy Hall of Fame voting committee.
Boards and Committees
Toy Industry Association Strategic Planning Committee
Toy Industry Association ToyCon Committee
National Toy Hall of Fame Selection Committee
Chicago Toy and Game Fair Advisory Board
Gehrson Lehrman Group Retail Council
DeMatteo Monness Consultant Network
Society of Industry Leaders
Vice President, Marketing & Business Development - Global Toy Experts
Providing extensive expertise in toys, entertainment and consumer products, Victoria has over 20 years of experience in marketing, product management and business development. Currently, she is Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Richard Gottlieb & Associates/Global Toy Experts , a world-renowned consultancy and resource that provides cutting-edge analysis and strategies to worldwide toy manufacturers who are looking to raise their profile in the United States, In addition, Victoria assists in generating mass exposure for Richard's Global Toy News , the industry resource for toy news, toy trends and analysis of the business of play, as well as helps facilitate Richards Building Our Future conferences taking place annually in New York, Nuremberg and Los Angeles.
Victoria is also Vice President, Marketing and Business Development for Dynamic Designworks, Inc. (DDW) , a premier creative design firm, and McHale Design, Inc. , a full service graphic design, online and multimedia agency, and is involved in all areas of branding, as well as identifies new revenue streams to increase DDW and McHale Designs productivity and profitability in the industry.
Victoria comes to Richard Gottlieb & Associates, DDW and McHale Design with seasoned experience working for consumer product companies and their successful business divisions including: Mattel, Disney, Activision, Marvel, Sprint and Daily Variety. At these corporations, she executed innovative marketing, sales and digital media initiatives for leading toy and entertainment product lines.
Victoria earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Economics and Psychology from the University of California Irvine. She also studied abroad at Cambridge University in England and successfully completed the International Business Management Program at Mattel.
Victoria is also highly involved with various academic, professional and charitable organizations. She mentors for the MBA program at Pepperdine University, is an active member of Women In Film, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, a Founder of the Music Center Los Angeles and on the Executive Board of Women In Toys.
Administrative Assistant - Global Toy Experts
Ingrid Heredia is the Administrative Assistant for Global Toy Experts and the Subscription Manager for Global Toy News. Ingrid speaks Spanish and English fluently and is a B.S. candidate at Montclair State University.
Hal Ross provides Global Toy Experts clients with an in-depth knowledge of the Canadian toy market.
Irwin Toy
Hal Ross joined Irwin Toy over 35 years ago when they were the largest toy company in Canada, distributing Ideal, Kenner and Tyco.
In 1987, he opened his own sales agency. A second company was formed in 2003, handling domestic distributuion of various products. Both companies still co-exist today and specialize in representation to major retailers such as Toys R Us, Walmart and Zellers.
Hal Ross is also an Author. His first novel The Fleur-De-Lys Affair was published by Doubleday in North America in 1981 and by New English Library in Europe the following year. In 2008 he published a novel about the Toy Industry The Doll Brokers. He is currently at work on a third novel.
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Brian Maggio provides Global Toy Experts clients with expertise on the rapidly growing mid-tier toy retail market.
Revenew Sales & Market Development
What we do:
Where the rubber meets the road.
Revenew Sales & Market Development helps small- and mid-sized manufacturers engage US retailers in a meaningful way. From baking retail standards in at the product development phase, to building million dollar line presentations, we can help with every step of the sales and development part of your business.
We focus on Games & Puzzles, and have experience in the Gift, Plush, and Collectible categories. Our services include concept assessment, product development and commercialization, sales strategy, line expansion, presentation building, and Key Account sales. Revenew is available on a contract or consulting basis. We also manage national accounts on a commission basis for select clients.
Who we are:
With over 35 years combined experience in Consumer Products Sales, Marketing, and Product Development, Brian Maggio and Tom Rushton are co-founders of Revenew Sales & Market Development.
Prior to founding, Brian was Head of Sales, Americas at Cranium, Inc. a Seattle based game company that became one of the worlds largest in the early 2000s. Before Cranium, Brian was VP Sales for Front Porch Classics. He cut his teeth with Fortune 500 companies such as Scott Paper, Kimberly Clark, and Ralston Purina.
Tom was most recently Director of Sales for Sababa Group, and held that title with Front Porch Classics prior to their merger with Sababa. Prior to his toy industry experience, Tom was a VP Sale sin the Gift industry, where he grew the Galileo Thermometer business to $10MM in sales. He began his career in the furniture industry with Tyndall Creek Furniture.
Between the two, Brian and Tom bring a wealth of real-world experience to Revenew. They have been through numerous mergers, acquisitions, and Venture Capital-funded businesses. They are intimately familiar with raising capital, conquering the challenges of a start-up, and what it takes to deliver product to a national retailer. On occasion, they have also been known to kick back and have a little fun.
Richard Gill provides Global Toy Experts clients with his in-depth knowledge of the global game market.
NH Contract Management
Richard is a former owner and developer of Pictionary. Born in the United Kingdom, he was responsible for overseeing the phenomenal successes of both Trivial Pursuit and Pictionary internationally for over 15 years before the successful sale of the Pictionary company to Mattel Inc. in 2001.
In addition to several private ventures Richard now provides International Management, Sales and Marketing consultancy services to multiple toy and game clients via his company NH Contract Management.
Andrew Dobbie provides Global Toy Experts clients with access to the worlds toy markets.
Gameplan Europe
Andrew Dobbie founded Gameplan Europe in 1988, providing consultancy services to the global industries of toys, nursery products and character licensing. Services include business strategy development for extending business to new territories, finding business partners such as distributors , sales agents or licensees, executive search, and publishing of business information.
See www.gameplaneurope.com for more information.
Contact andrew_gameplaneurope.com
tel: +44 1442 870100 (in the United Kingdom)
Mike Fisher provides Global Toy Experts clients with a 360 degree knowledge of game manufacturing.
Grand Prix International
Since 1978 Grand Prix International has built a reputation as one of the Toy and Game Industrys leading independent game manufacturers. GPI has production capabilities both domestically and in Asia. Our experienced staff offers complete project management services from product development and graphic design to manufacturing, web design and freight forwarding. While we manufacture for some of the Toy and Game Industries most successful companies we are a great resource for start-up companies as well.
Our services include:
•Graphic Design & Product Development
•Prototyping
•Manufacturing (Overseas and Domestic)
•Sourcing
•Products Safety Testing
•Overseas Freight Forwarding & Customs Clearance
•Domestic Warehousing and Order Fulfillment
Check out our website at www.grandprixintl.com or call us at 413-543-8887 for more information!
Lisa Orman provides Global Toy Experts clients with her public relations expertise as well as her in-depth knowledge of the powerful Mommy Blogger medium.
KidStuff Public Relations
President Lisa Orman established KidStuff Public Relations in 1994 out of her home near Madison, Wis., after securing the public relations account for Zany Brainy. Recently a mom herself, she knew the importance of being able to understand children and assembled a team of moms (and a dad) with experience in public relations, and more importantlyparenting. Orman used her past experiences as a writer for the Des Moines Register, Wall Street Journal, Newsweek and USA Today to give her a better understanding of when, why and how to successfully pitch to a reporter.
This knowledge helped her form relationships as a publicist with reporters who found her familiarity and respect for the process a breath of fresh air. Along with her experience as a journalist, Orman also spent time as a retail and media strategic marketing consultant, traveling the world to see and learn about the best retail concepts in the marketplace. Her experiences as a mother, journalist, and consultant come together to offer KidStuff PR clients top-notch support and results.
Currently representing 25 clients, all with their own separate niche, being a client at KidStuff PR means being part of the family. Unlike most public relations agencies, I am the person that clients speak with on a day-to-day basis, Orman explains. At most agencies you speak with the president in the beginning and then get passed to someone fresh out of college. Thats not the case here. KidStuff PR takes a light-hearted approach to writing, but Orman takes seriously the job of providing reporters with stories about the best products and services for children and families. Every month, she receives dozens of calls from prospective clients but only takes clients for whom she has a true passion, since it helps her do a better job, try harder, and makes work more enjoyable.
KidStuff PR clients have been the recipients of NAPPA Gold Awards, Parents Choice Awards, the Family Fun Toy of the Year, and the Good Housekeepings Good Buy Award. KidStuff PR president, Lisa Orman, has been featured in PR Week, honored with two Wonder Women in Toys Awards, and was featured in Wisconsin Woman magazine.
Christina Manzella provides Global Toy Experts clients with her skills as a designer of game and toy packaging.
3 Creative, Inc.
3 Creative specializes in, but is not limited to, Game & Toy Packaging.
We provide all creative services, including branding, product development, marketing, as well as sourcing. We have built a reputation for providing quality, creative services without breaking budgets by helping our clients cut costs, not corners.
3 Creative is known for our "clean" and informative approach to packaging and for our ability to establish a well-defined brand identity. We tie it all together with sell sheets, brochures, displays, trade show graphics, as well as, web design. We will provide the brand and marketing support for all your needs!
Experience the 3 Creative difference in our customer service. Every client receives professional, individualized attention. We ensure that your projects will hit your deadline and stay within your budget. Our 10+ years of toy industry experience will help guide you from making costly mistakes. 3 Creative has already carved a niche within entrepreneur/start-up game & toy companies. We want to be your creative partner to help your business grow. Visionaries think long term, let's see what we can create together!
• Brand / Logo Creation
• Package Design
• Product & Game Development
• Mock-ups
• Product & Packaging Sourcing
• Displays & Trade show Graphics
• Brochures, Catalogs & Sell Sheets
• Presentations / Web Design/ Multimedia
Ben Thrush provides Global Toy Experts clients with his knowledge of toy industry insurance products.
Hub International
Ben Thrush currently serves as Vice President of New Business Development at HUB International Northeast Mr. Thrush has been an employee of HUB International for 8 years and a sales executive in the insurance industry for over 15 years. During his career at HUB International, Mr. Thrush has been instrumental in developing and marketing insurance programs for a variety of affinity groups within several industries and has become recognized as the endorsed insurance broker for a number of national trade associations. Mr. Thrush is a frequent speaker at industry seminars and has authored and been quoted in many articles in business journals, blogs, and insurance trade magazines.
Services:
Commercial Insurance Broker property/casualty and employee benefits
Steve Abdo is a seasoned sales veteral who provides Global Toy Experts clients with his skills as a sales professional to major mass market accounts.
A/C/A Associates, Inc.
Steve is a 25+ year veteran of the toy industry. He began his career with Western Publishing Company (Golden Books) in New York state and New England were he worked in various territory sales, regional sales and sales training positions. He advanced to the corporate office in Wisconsin where he held positions of National Account Executive and Director of National Accounts. In his 15 years with Western Steve gained valuable experience at multiple levels culminating with direct responsibility for, and management over, all of the major national retail chains including Walmart, Target, TRU and Kmart.
Steve also spent four years with ERO Industries/Hedstrom Corporation as VP National Accounts where he managed the Eastern half of the US through several independent reps groups.
In 1999 Steve incorporated A/C/A Associates, Inc., a manufacturers' representative and consulting agency, based in western Michigan. His current area of expertise lies within the upper Midwest. The firms primary businesses are with Sears Holdings Corporation, Meijer, Inc. and other mass market and specialty catalog companies based in the MI, IL and WI area.
Steve is known for his detailed product and program knowledge, strong administrative skills, timely follow-up and follow-through and unparalleled communication. He provides his clients with the energy and support one can expect from a from a full-time, in-house key account sales manager.
Paul Perrotti provides Global Toy Experts clients with his in depth knowledge of the toy testing process.
Toy Testing Lab
ToyTestingLab is the fastest growing 3rd party independent laboratory offering CPSIA, ASTM, EN-71, California Prop 65 and Canadian Compliance Testing. We help companies combine science, safety and manufacturing to comply with regulations and assure that their products remain safe throughout the product lifecycle.
Testing Capabilities
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CPSC-CH-E1003-09
Determining Lead in Paint and Surface Coatings
CPSC-CH-E1002-08
Determining Total Lead in Non-Metal Children's Products
CPSC-CH-E1001-08
Determining Total Lead in Children's Metal Products
CPSC-CH-C1001-09.2
Phthalate Analysis
ASTM F963-08
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety
European Standards EN-71 Compliance Testing
Canadian Hazardous Products (Toys) Regulations, C.R.C, c.931
Canadian Hazardous Products Act, R.S.c. H-3, Schedule I, Part 1
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
Proposed limits for DEHP and Lead
NOW TESTING FOR COMPLIANCE WITH NEW CADMIUM REGULATIONS IN CALIFORNIA, CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS AND MINNESOTA
EU REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 Annex XVII Items 51 & 52 Phthalates
EU REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 Annex XVII Item 23 Cadmium
TPCH - Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (CONEG)
Illinois Lead Poisoning Prevention Act
Paragon Packaging
Paragon Packaging, Inc. is the longest continuous operation independent (meaning, it does not sell or market board games) board game manufacturer in the United States. The company was established in 1922.
Ron Cohn, a third-generation owner and in the business for 35 years, received his education in the game business from some of the main players in the manufacturing, marketing, and PR of Trivial Pursuit, which was introduced in the early 1980s in the U.S. That company, Selchow and Righter, utilized printing and packaging managers such as Paragon Packaging to handle their production, which at that time included Scrabble.
During the next several years Paragon and its manufacturing partners worked with many of the best known companies in the game industry. Mr. Cohn has seen thousands of games, worked with hundreds of companies and individuals, and his company has been responsible for the production of millions of games both in the United States and in China. He was co-founder and co-hosted for two years the Toy and Game Inventors Forum.
Rons goals include helping start-up companies and game inventors get both feet on the ground with the minimum of mistakes. His philosophy is that Paragon Packaging, Inc. can only be successful if his customers are successful, so he strives to provide the greatest possible service. Ron says his interest in this challenging time is in helping people who are trying to re-achieve an economic balance in their lives to bring to the market a high-quality, fairly-priced, competitive product. Paragon Packaging, while utilizing international business connections in Europe and Asia, specializes in U.S. domestic manufacturing for emerging, as well as, established companies.
Paragon Packaging, Inc. has recently introduced a small-volume board game production technology in addition to its large-scale production capabilities. Paragons board game production takes place in the Chicago/Milwaukee corridor while Mr. Cohns office and residence is in Northern California.
Web site www.paragonpackaging.com
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paragon-Packaging-Inc/73468967936
Phone (707) 786-4004
Email rcohn_paragonpackaging.com
Nate Schediler is a game play expert who provides Global Toy Experts clients with his knowledge of the mechanics of game play.
Chicago Toy and Game Group
Nate is the Director of Community Marketing for the Chicago Toy and Game Group. From 2008 to 2010, Nate was the organizer of the Chicago Board Games Meetup, one of the largest groups of board game players in the world with over 1300 members and 35 events on the calendar every month at its peak. He organized the Rio Grande Design Contest with 14 participating cities and hundreds of game designers nationwide. He maintains close communications with a network of gaming community leaders across the US, keeping a finger on the pulse of the consumer public.
Global Toy Experts is your entry way to the people and information you need to know to grow your business.
CEO Richard Gottlieb is a globally recognized expert
on the toy industry. Richard and his associates possess
intimate relationships with today's most powerful
decision makers in toys, play and popular media.
Through their experience and extensive knowledge
base , as well as Richard's connections to media and
toy industry contacts, Global Toy Experts is able to
partner with you to create and implement your
company's future now business model.
Through Richard's accomplished public platforms as a magazine publisher, trusted media contact, and highly followed writer, established conference producer, frequent guest speaker and seasoned member of multiple executive boards and committees, he is able to raise your company's profile with decision makers and thought leaders , resulting in mass productivity and profitability for
your business.
Take advantage of Global Toy Experts high
level contacts, proprietary information and
strategic and tactical planning to meet the right
people and get the right information so you can
enhance your companys revenue and brand
equity around the world.
To find out more, contact us through email at richard_globaltoyexperts.com or by phone at 646 368 1028.
Hong Kong Toy Fair
January 4-12, 2012
Hong Kong
Spielwarenmesse Nuremberg Toy Fair
February 1-6, 2012
Nuremberg, Germany
New York Toy Fair
February 12-15, 2012
New York, NY
• Robots dancing way into holiday dreams - Boston Herald, BizSmart, September 2011
• LeapFrog looks to bring back glory days - Mercury News, August 2011
• A tablet for the 4-year-old - Marketplace - American Public Radio, August 2011
• 50 years later, the Slip N' Slide is still simple, speedy fun (for the brave) - The Daily, July 2011
• Mattel's Cars 2' Success Junks Hot Wheels - The Street, July 2011
• Fowl Play - How Angry Birds went from a cute game that saved a company to a bona fide Brand - Adweek, June 2011
• 5 Relics of the '80's That Aren't Coming Back - Main St., June 2011
• Made in China - Kidscreen, March 2011
• Gender and Toys - The Mystery of Girls' Media, February 2011
• Sceptics say few shoppers will pay extra for "green" toys - M&G, February 2011
• Things Toy Stores Won't Say - Yahoo News, January 2011
• How to Pick a Toy Maker's Stock - Forbes.com, December 2010
• Experts See Video Games in Decline, Board Games On Rise - Monstersandcritics.com, Feb 2010
• Are Board Games a Threat to Video Games? - Joystickdivision.com, Feb 2010
• From Underwear to Kids' Toys: Gender Segregation in Shopping - Jezebel.com, Feb 2010
• Holiday 'Pop-up' Stores Are Going Upscale - MSNBC.com, November 2009
• Toy Wonders & Blunders - The Atlantic, September 2009
• Celebrating 10 years of SpongeBob - NPR Speaks with Richard, July 2009
• Waving Bye to Webkinz - Newsweek.com, December 2007
Ambassador to the Kingdom of Wal-Mart
$19.99
importer 2012
$375
Importer 2012 Book + CD-Rom
$445
toybuyers
Toy Buyers 2012 Book + CD-Rom
massmarket.jpg
$265
Mass Market 2012 Book + CD-Rom
$325
Intl' Inventors Book
$260
Intl' Inventors Book + CD
$320
U.S. Sales Reps Book
U.S. Sales Reps Book + CD
Checkout
Ambassador to the Kingdom of Walmart
A new book by expert business commentator Richard Gottlieb that opens your mind to new ways of growing your business in the US consumer products market. Be warned that when you read this book you will be challenged to reconsider the very basis of how we think of our customers, our businesses, and ourselves.
