Tag Archives: interview

After the success of its Discovery Store concept last year, Build-A-Bear Workshop’s senior MD Roger Parry is planning to triple its UK office’s size to help facilitate growth. Here, he reveals to Jade Burke the details of the firm’s new strategy, why licensing is a major push, and what’s the key to the company’s continued success.

This year marks the Independent Toy & Gift Show’s fourth event, and exhibitor-wise, it’s set to boast ‘the strongest line-up ever’. Jade Burke catches up with Miles Penhallow, head of toys and children’s gifts at plaY-room, to see what visitors heading to Cranmore Park can expect from next week' show.

Pitched as ‘the friendly home assistant you’ve been waiting for,’ Aido can help with chores, handle schedules and play with your kids. InGen Dynamics founder and CEO Arshad Hisham explains the science fiction inspiration behind his creation and why the home robot will make a great companion for children.

Having just celebrated its fourth birthday, Captain Neil Waite from Captain Neil’s Toy Chest tells Jade Burke how Shopkins has been a success for his business and why he chose a pirate theme for his store.

Back to matters on the small screen, over 12.5 million viewers have tuned into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series since its debut in 2012. As both the series and toy line are intrinsically linked, ToyNews looks at how this year will see them embrace new villains, mutants, and the land of Dimension X.

British game designer Alex Fleetwood describes his latest toys-to-life creation as a tasty blend of tabletop dexterity and digital strategy. The concept has already made headlines across the globe and now, thanks to a Kickstarter campaign, it could be on its way to toy shops very soon. Robert Hutchins finds out more.

The CBBC is launching its very own drone contest show dubbed Airmageddon, which will see kids battle it out against one another. With the possibility of toys on the way, Jade Burke catches up with its creator Steve Carsey to find out his plans for the new series.

September 2015 saw The Toy Store make its UK debut, opening its first store on London’s Oxford Street. Robert Hutchins catches up with Geoff Sheffield, director of purchasing and licensing at The Toy Store, to find out how the first four months of trading have been and what 2016 expansion plans are in place.

Last month marked ten years since Rena Nathanson launched Bananagrams at London Toy Fair. Billy Langsworthy talks to Nathanson about the firm’s new games for this year, the roaring success that was last year’s Bananagrams Challenge and how the business has changed since its pouches first arrived in 2006.

2015 has seen John Adams enjoy another year of steady growth. ToyNews talks to managing director Simon Pilkington about this year’s hit family game Rummikub and the firm’s advancements in the pre-school sector with its Pip Ahoy line.