We do understand that perhaps you haven’t seen as many articles or activity here on Global Toy News since the passing of its founder, Richard Gottlieb, in late October. We needed some time to mourn the loss of this incredible man and to collectively gather our thoughts and plans for Global Toy News moving forward. We thank you all tremendously for your patience during this time.
Richard and the Global Toy News team have worked together for more than 16 years to provide you with valuable insight, news, events and more involving the amazing world of play. This was a project that Richard absolutely adored, and his insight into this world helped so many in the toy industry. Did you know that Global Toy News has had over 2,068,821 visits since it began? This was a feat that Richard and the Global Toy News team was incredibly proud of.
We are proud to announce that the Global Toy News team will continue to provide you with the news and insight that all of you have come to love. Richard would have wanted us to continue his Global Toy News project and we are eager to keep his legacy going as we officially relaunch in January 2024.
The Team:
We are so thrilled that Richard’s very close friend and colleague Chris Byrne (AKA The Toy Guy®) with whom Richard did The Playground Podcast, will be serving as the Editor-in-Chief of Global Toy News. Chris will also provide his own insight and commentary into the wonderful world of toys. Wendy Levey (Richard’s wife and Educational Consultant) will serve as Managing Editor, and Miguel Ortuno will serve as Creative Director. We will continue to provide articles from many of the past writers from The Strong, Pink Poodle Productions, Jay Foreman and many more industry friends.
Bios:
Chris Byrne: As an independent toy analyst, researcher and consultant, Chris brings more than 30 years of industry experience in the toy industry to his role. He is an acknowledged expert on toys and play in the culture and brings his extensive knowledge of toys, education and child development to his work.
Chris began his career working on major toy brands in a variety of marketing and operations positions. He was instrumental in the development and merchandising of many successful products including those marketed under the Gabriel, Child Guidance, Creative Playthings, and Ideal brands, among others. He led the team that established the game Pictionary as one of the most popular games of its era. In 1988, he formed Byrne Communications, with broad-based consulting in the toy, children’s entertainment, financial and consumer products industries. He was one of the founders and creative director for the web site TTPM. Today, Byrne Communications works with companies of all sizes and entrepreneurs, helping them to develop and launch products. He consults regular to the analyst and investment community about the international business of toys.
Email: chris@thetoyguy.com
Wendy Levey: Wendy Levey founded and directed Epiphany Community Nursery School, ECNS ETC and STEAM-E Summer Days camp. The school was founded in New York City, along with the activity center ECNS ETC ,originally called Rhythm and Glues and STEAM-E Summer Days, a camp program.
Educated at Wheelock College, Bank St. Graduate School and Teacher’s College, Wendy decided to start her own school. As the school grew from 5 children at inception to as many as 150 children, she began developing an educational foundation based on 3 blocks: 2s need to learn how to share and separate, 3s need to learn how to be independent and 4s need to be active learners. Each one of the steps builds on the former step. The school was highly multi-cultural celebrating many holidays through food, dance and music.
She now runs a robust educational consulting business with clients from all over the world and assists families in the strategy for applying to schools in NYC for 2-18 year olds, does interview skill work for children and parents, recommends classes, books, articles and toys and helps parents understand “all things education”.
Email: wflevey@gmail.com
Miguel Ortuno: Miguel has worked in various creative fields for more than 17 years and is thrilled to contribute his talents and experience to the Global Toy Experts team. Having worked as Creative Director for a Chicagoland PR Agency for years, Miguel joins Global Toy Experts to help expand the brand in a bold, bright, fun and professional way. Although having a degree in design, Miguel continues to explore additional education and design opportunities to keep up with this ever-changing industry.
Email: miguel@bluebotadvertising.com
Advertisers:
To our current advertisers on Global Toy News – We will be contacting you all within the next week to work with you on this transition. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email miguel@bluebotadvertising.com
Guest Writers:
If you would like to be a contributor with articles pertaining to the Toy Industry, please click here and our editor will contact you to discuss further. We are looking for voices from all fields of the world of play. (I will link form here) If you have any questions about writing for Global Toy News, please email chris@thetoyguy.com
