Podcast appearances and mentions of mary couzin

Curious about what happens when major toy industry players team up?In this episode of Making It In The Toy Industry, host Azhelle Wade cracks open the toy box on the epic merger between The Toy Association and People of Play. You'll hear straight from the toy legends — Mary Couzin and Greg Ahearn—as they give us backstage passes on their big plans for events like POP Week and ChiTAG, and how this merger is shaking things up for the toy industry. The guests shared what sparked this merger and the opportunities that await toy creators, inventors, and enthusiasts in the long run.You'll also get to hear solid tips on how to make the most of toy fairs and events like pitching, networking, and thriving in an industry that's always leveling up. Whether you're a toy biz vet or just starting to dip your toes in the toy industry, LISTEN to this episode because it is packed with everything you need to level up your toy game!Listen For These Important Moments01:36 The Major Merger: The Toy Association and People of Play08:27 Maintaining the Spirit of POP13:11 Immediate Changes and Future Plans20:00 Nostalgic Toys and Their Comebacks21:35 ChiTAG and POP Week: Coming this November 2024!24:15 Young Inventor Challenge and Industry Opportunities25:57 Networking Tips for New Inventors29:52 How to Make the Most of ChiTAG and POP Week32:55 Encouraging New Toy InventorsSend The Toy Coach Fan Mail!Support the showPopular Masterclass! How To Make & Sell Your Toy IdeasYour Low-Stress, Start-To-Finish Playful Product Launch In 5 Steps >> https://learn.thetoycoach.com/masterclass

In this episode, we are joined by Mary Couzin from the Chicago Toy & Game Group known as People of Play P.O.P. as we delve into the captivating world of toy inventors. Discover the recognition that toy inventors truly deserve and gain valuable insights into what it takes to succeed in this creative industry.  Leslie Scott - Inventor of Jenga, Anagram - The ingenious game of juggling words and more. https://www.peopleofplay.com/people/leslie-scott Reuben Klamer - The Game of Life, 1-2-3 Roller Skates and more. https://www.peopleofplay.com/people/reuben-klamer Eddy Goldfarb - Chattering Teeth, Stompers, KerPlunk and more https://www.peopleofplay.com/people/eddy-goldfarb Jeffrey Breslow - Fashion Polly Pocket, Ants in the Pants and more. https://www.peopleofplay.com/people/jeffrey-breslow  Gary Gatchell - Pick TwoCheong Choon Ng - Rainbow LoomCoster Family - inventors of about 200 games and toys including Guess -Who?, Magimizer, Zingo!, and GoPop! https://www.peopleofplay.com/people/ora-coster https://www.peopleofplay.com/people/theo-coster Tim Walsh - Tribond, Blurt, Mega Mouth and more, https://www.peopleofplay.com/people/tim-walsh Peggy Brown - Q Bitz, Count Your Chickens and more, https://www.peopleofplay.com/people/peggy-brown Kim Vandenbroucke - Pigs on a Trampoline, Scattergories Categories and more, https://www.peopleofplay.com/people/kim-vandenbroucke Hear their stories, understand their creative processes, and be inspired by their achievements. Whether you're an aspiring toy inventor or simply curious about the magic behind your favorite childhood toys, this interview promises to inspire and enlighten.------------------------------------About Got Invention Show:Listen to inventors' interviews sharing their invention story to the world!Are you patent pending?Do you have a prototype to show and demonstrate?Are you looking to earn royalties from your invention?Are you looking for a manufacturer?Do you want to raise money or find an investor?Do you want to sell your invention?Learn from other inventors or let's see and hear about your big invention idea!Show & tell us about your invention, have your very own video interview to be proud of!Your video can be used to:Post to your social mediaAdd on your websiteSend to bloggers & editorsPitch to licensees or investorsListen to inventor interviews or sign up: https://gotinventionshow.comYour Host of Got Invention Show, Brian Fried. Brian is the host of Got Invention Radio, with interviews of high profile guests including the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, Lori Greiner from ABC's Shark Tank, & over 150 individual interviews.Brian connects and guides inventors to earn royalties from their inventions to licensees and brand properties looking for new ideas and intellectual property to expand existing or add to new product lines.Inventor Smart: https://inventorsmart.comHost Inventor Expert and Invention Consultant Brian Fried: https://brianfried.comCheck out the launch of a very exciting app, finally a community for inventors!! Our very own social media, networking, events and resources to help each other with our big ideas!The Inventor Smart Community app now available on Google Play or Apple App Store https://inventorsmart.app

Managing Director of Innovation DuPage Dan Facchini joins Jon Hansen on Your Money Matters to talk about how they are helping small businesses and entrepreneurs accomplish their goals. Dan talks about their member meet-ups where they provide resources and networking opportunities for their members. Joining them is Mary Couzin from People of Play who recently was inducted into the […]

Chris and Richard talk to Mary Couzin about her career, the creation of People of Play, the upcoming 21st edition of the Chicago Toys & Games Fair, and the Young Inventors Challenge. It's an energetic conversation, and you'll see why from her passion for play and the business to all she does why she's joining the Toy Industry Hall of Fame this year. Listen in...and get as excited as we are about Mary and her work. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/the-playground-podcast/support

The Toy Coach Team ventured out to the windy city to set up a live podcast recording booth at Chicago Toy and Game Week, also known as CHITAG by Mary Couzin and People of Play. This annual, public toy and game fair is where toy and game brands connect with the consumers who love their products, debut new lines, and marketing activations.During this 2 day fair, I interviewed 10 toy and game creators during this fair to learn about their toy journeys and ask them to share any toy biz wisdom they'd gathered along the way. This is Part 3 of a 3 part interview release series featuring my interviews with the founder of Tragos Carolina Acosta, who created the games company that works to remove the stigma of not being Latino enough" through cards that almost any Latin@ can identify with regardless of how much Spanish they speak or where they were born. After that, we'll go right into an interview with Fungisaurs a true augmented reality collectible toy and IP. And finally, we'll wrap up today's episode with Mary Kay Morrison, the author of the grandparent guidebook, Legacy of Laughter.Watch the video of these 10 interviews on my YouTube channel, visit youtube.com/thetoycoach and hit the subscribe button so you don't miss those.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/157

The Toy Coach Team ventured out to the windy city to set up a live podcast recording booth at Chicago Toy and Game Week, also known as CHITAG by Mary Couzin and People of Play. This annual, public toy and game fair is where toy and game brands connect with the consumers who love their products, debut new lines, and marketing activations.During this 2 day fair, I interviewed 10 toy and game creators during this fair to learn about their toy journeys and ask them to share any toy biz wisdom they'd gathered along the way. This is Part 2 of a 3 part interview release series featuring my interviews with Kate Hunt, a current student in toy creators academy and the creator of the Ultimate Treehouse game. After that, we'll go right into an interview with Joe Barron Gray Matters games,  the games company with a devotion to supporting brain health. In short, they believe that exercising the gray matter in your head…matters! And finally, we'll wrap up today's episode with Rebecca Jatton of Goliath Toys and Games. Watch the video of these 10 interviews on my YouTube channel, visit youtube.com/thetoycoach and hit the subscribe button so you don't miss those.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/156

In December of 2022, The Toy Coach Team ventured out to the windy city to set up a live podcast recording booth at Chicago Toy and Game Week, also known as CHITAG by Mary Couzin and People of Play. This annual, public toy and game fair is where toy and game brands connect with the consumers who love their products, debut new lines, and marketing activations.During this 2 day fair, I interviewed 10 toy and game creators during this fair to learn about their toy journeys and ask them to share any toy biz wisdom they'd gathered along the way. This is Part 1 of a 3 part interview release series featuring my interviews with Dolphin Hat Games, Eblox, Pockimals, and Project Genius. The video of these 10 interviews will be released on my YouTube channel before the end of 2022! If you don't want to miss the video release, head over to youtube.com/thetoycoach and hit the subscribe button to be notified when they are available.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:For the links and resources mentioned in this episode, head over to the episode page at www.thetoycoach.com/155

Mary Couzin, CEO and founder of People of Play and the Chicago Toy & Game Fair In the 14th episode of Board Game Times, Clark talks to Mary Couzin, the CEO and founder of People of Play (POP) which hosts the annual Chicago Toy & Game Fair on Chicago's Navy Pier. This year's event is virtual and Mary fills Clark in about all the planned events -- including scheduled times to pitch your invention to gaming executives! -- and how you can participate. Mary is a champion for the toy and gaming industries and People of Play exists to recognize innovators in the industry and to find and promote new talent. It's both for consumers and those working in the industry. In our interview, you'll hear how a trip to Essen SPIEL inspired Mary to start the Chicago Toy & Game Fair in 2003, why she's a champion for the toy and gaming industry, and how she hopes to raise the profile of the people and businesses in gaming to the level of other entertainment industries. Mary also talks about the need to increase the diversity of those working in the industry overall, the importance of play for kids (even at your show booth!), why we need to have more gaming at schools, and you'll hear about a game she owns that she will never open! Episode Links The People of Play website: https://peopleofplay.com/ Register for POP Week 2021 events, including the chance to pitch to industry executives! (Monday 11/15 - Friday 11/19): https://www.chitag.com/2021-innovation-conference The 2021 Chicago Toy & Game Fair(Saturday 11/20 and Sunday 11/21): https://www.chitag.com/2021-fair Learn about and RSVP for the Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIE) Awards: https://www.chitag.com/2021-tagies-toy-and-game-awards Visit POP's education focused site: https://www.playineducation.com/ You can contact Mary with questions at: Mary@chitag.com Send your feedback, questions and suggestions to Clark at: clark@boardgametimes.com Visit the Board Game Times site at https://www.boardgametimes.com and like our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/boardgametimes

After inventing, self-producing and licensing her own toys and games, Mary turned her passion for invention to help other inventors through DiscoverToysandGames.com, the world's largest co-op of toy and game inventors.  In 2003, Mary launched the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (CHITAG) with a plan to create the largest American celebration of play. In 2006 she introduced the Toy & Game Inventor's Conference to help new inventors connect with industry experts, and in 2008 the Toy & Game Innovator of the Year Awards (TAGIEs) to honor and celebrate toy and game innovators.  Tracks for professional inventors, design students, social media and play in education have been added to the Conferences through the years. Thinking to celebrate play in an edgier way, she launched PlayCHIC, a toy and game inspired fashion event in 2011. 2006 saw the debut of the Young Inventor Challenge which has over 250 kids competing from around North America and overseas. It's all about encouraging inventiveness and creativity in kids! Mary's latest initiative is POP! It is a bit of linkedin+imdb+wikipedia+match+fivvr all rolled into one powerful platform for anyone interested in toys and games! Conference page www.chitag.com/2021-innovation-conference  TAGIEs page www.chitag.com/2021-tagies-toy-and-game-awards  Young Inventor Challenge www.chitag.com/yic People of Play POP platform www.peopleofplay.com  FOLLOW US ON:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/boardgamebinge Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boardgamebingepodcast/  Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/boardgamebinge WHERE TO FIND OUR PODCAST: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5RJbdkguebb3MSLAatZr7r iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-board-game-binge-72500104/ Tune In: https://tunein.com/embed/player/p1344218/ Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5jYXB0aXZhdGUuZm0vYm9hcmRnYW1lYmluZ2U= Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/board-game-binge/id1522623033 Visit Our Website:  Board Game Binge: https://boardgamebinge.com/ Tin Robot Games: https://tinrobotgames.com Elixir Board Games: https://www.elixirboardgames.com/our-games

Thursday, September 23, 2021 Episode 101 Welcome to The Board Game Workshop Join the Discord channel here https://discord.gg/TUE3Ggf As Phil Amylon rides his bike across the United States from June to September, he is stopping at game design communities and interviewing what he calls “design allies.” These are people who are vital to bringing gamers together and facilitating connections between people in the gaming industry. His second stop is with Mary Couzin, head of the Chicago Toy and Game Fair and of People of Play. Mary does a lot to bring people together, not the least of which is to hold regular networking events for people in the toy and game industry. She seeks to elevate game and toy inventors in much the same way we might speak of authors and filmmakers. She has held events for toy and game designers all over the world. Mary Couzin www.chitag.com www.peopleofplay.com Phil https://twitter.com/boardgamebike https://www.boardgamebike.com Chris Anderson twitter.com/BlueCubeBGs https://discord.gg/TUE3Ggf Patreon Supporters Inventors Chris Turner Brad Bachelor Rosco Schock Vas Kottas Llaima Games Tinkerers Benjamin Begeal Grävling Rob Greanias Jeff Johnston Jeff Black Mark Drejza Music "Bit Shift" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Contact the Show chris@theboardgameworkshop.com theboardgameworkshop.com https://discord.gg/TUE3Ggf https://twitter.com/TheBGWorkshop https://www.facebook.com/TheBoardGameWorkshop/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/674541729600828/ https://www.patreon.com/TheBoardGameWorkshop

Thursday, September 23, 2021 Episode 101 Welcome to The Board Game Workshop Join the Discord channel here https://discord.gg/TUE3Ggf As Phil Amylon rides his bike across the United States from June to September, he is stopping at game design communities and interviewing what he calls “design allies.” These are people who are vital to bringing gamers together and facilitating connections between people in the gaming industry. His second stop is with Mary Couzin, head of the Chicago Toy and Game Fair and of People of Play. Mary does a lot to bring people together, not the least of which is to hold regular networking events for people in the toy and game industry. She seeks to elevate game and toy inventors in much the same way we might speak of authors and filmmakers. She has held events for toy and game designers all over the world. Mary Couzin www.chitag.com www.peopleofplay.com Phil https://twitter.com/boardgamebike https://www.boardgamebike.com Chris Anderson twitter.com/BlueCubeBGs https://discord.gg/TUE3Ggf Patreon Supporters Inventors Chris Turner Brad Bachelor Rosco Schock Vas Kottas Llaima Games Tinkerers Benjamin Begeal Grävling Rob Greanias Jeff Johnston Jeff Black Mark Drejza Music "Bit Shift" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Contact the Show chris@theboardgameworkshop.com theboardgameworkshop.com https://discord.gg/TUE3Ggf https://twitter.com/TheBGWorkshop https://www.facebook.com/TheBoardGameWorkshop/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/674541729600828/ https://www.patreon.com/TheBoardGameWorkshop

In this episode, we talk to Mary Couzin, president and founder of ChiTAG, recently rebranded as People of Play. Her stewardship of the Toy and Game fair has shaped the industry for two decades, helping inventors to connect to publishers and retailers. Learn the origins of ChiTAG, how she grew it into a vibrant trade show, and her advice for anyone entering the industry of play. You can find out more about People of Play at: https://www.peopleofplay.com/

In the second of two special episodes of the "Power Kid Podcast" this week, host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with Mary Couzin, founder of People of Play (POP), formerly known as the Chicago Toy & Game Group. Next week, POP will launch its annual weeklong toy industry event starting with the 2020 Toy and Game International Innovation Summit and culminating with a virtual edition of the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG). On the show, Couzin discusses her backstory in the toy and game industries and explains how she's grown POP into the organization that it is today. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/adventuremedia/message

On today’s episode of Board Gaming with Education, Dustin interviews Mary Couzin, the CEO and founder of Chicago Toy and Game Week. Mary talks about her history starting the company and developing the conference which strives to be the Toy & Game Industry leader in promoting innovation, creativity, and connectivity throughout the world. She gives an overview of ChiTAG Week and explains select events, like PIE Con, a convention for focusing on play in education, and The Young Inventors Challenge, a contest held every year where young inventors compete and learn from industry leaders. Board Gaming with Education Updates- newsletter- 2:27 Who is MaryCouzin? - 4:10 Starting Chicago Toy and Game Week (CHITAG) - 6:48 All Things CHITAG - 12:18 The Young Inventor Challenge - 14:54 Play in Education (PIE) Con - 20:22 Last Words of Advice: Allowing Kids to Grow through Failure - 24:58 Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down Rapid Fire Round - 29:05 Website: https://www.chitag.com/ Young Inventor Challenge: https://www.chitag.com/yic Email: mcouzin@chitag.com   How can you support us? There are many free and paid ways to support the show. Be sure to check out our support page!  Support our podcast! Thank you to Purple Planet Music for the wonderful contribution of their song "Retro Gamer" for our Interview Segment. This song can be found in full on this music archive. Also, thank you to Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) for his creative commons 4.0 contribution of "Getting it Done" for our Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down Rapid Fire Round. Always be sure to check out our show notes (website blog post) to read a recap of the episode topics and games mentioned in the episode. https://www.boardgamingwitheducation.com/mary-couzin

In a special episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design shares interviews recorded live at the 2019 Chicago Toy & Game Fair (ChiTAG). Phil says: "ChiTAG 2019 was a huge success and I am happy to bring you this episode recorded live at the show! You will hear many toy industry voices including select winners of the 12th annual Toy and Game Innovation (TAGIE) Awards and winners of The Young Inventors Challenge. Additionally, you will hear conversations with Robert Victor of Kite & Rocket; James Zahn, Senior Editor of the Toy Book, the Toy Insider, and the Pop Insider; and Lifetime Achievement Honoree Award winner Ivan Moscovich." "A huge thank you to Mary Couzin, Sheena Stephens and the whole team for creating this excellent event and celebrating innovation! Enjoy the show!" https://www.chitag.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/adventuremedia/message

"It is in games that many men discover their paradise." - Robert Wilson Lynd Here it is...our last episode of the season.  I take the summer off so I can play a bit more, which is AWESOME because we're hitting a bit of that in this episode. In this episode, I had the great pleasure to talk with Mary Couzin.  Mary is a super cool person and has it going on.  She invented (yes, invented) the Chicago Toy and Game Fair and is a game developer herself.  We talk about her journey in the world of toys, games, and play as well as why it's such a passion for her. I know you'll dig this episode as much as I did!  CHEERS! More on the Toy and Game Fair... Chicago Toy & Game GroupWe promote play and innovation through events listed below (over 2 Billion media impressions in Nov); monthly e-newsletters reaching over 250,000 people - industry, consumers, educators, inventor, bloggers, Scouts, traditional and social media. www.chitag.com.Join our Toy, Game & Play Innovators Network here on LinkedIn! ChiTAG Events:Chicago Toy & Game Fair Largest public toy/game fair in North America. Meet your consumers! The biggest and most cost effective focus group anywhere. The traditional/social media and bloggers love this event - they attend to report what's hot for the holidays. Early open to media/trade. Emphasis on interactive/hands-on and meeting inventors at Navy Pier the weekend before Black Friday. www.chitag.comInventor & Innovation Conferences with top industry executives. Learn, network, pitch your ideas to dozens of companies. www.chitag.com/conferencesToy & Game Innovation Awards Dinner, the TAGIEs, celebrating inventors www.chitag.com/tagiesPlayCHIC pairs haute couture fashion designers with toy and game brands to create media worthy playful runway looks. www.chitag.com/playchicEducator Conference for teachers to incorporate play in the classroom. www.g4ed.comStar Wars Character BreakfastYoung Inventor Challenge www.chitag.com/yicChiTAG year round activities include:Hosting Pub Events/Get-Togethers around the world.Play in Education, PIE, website, newsletter and conference www.playineducation.comSpecialties: Connecting people, helping toy and game inventors, promoting inventors and play to the public anywhere and everywhere we can, bringing play and games into the classroom and libraries, quality fundraising (www.gamesforfundraising.com)

What do Operation, Radio Flyer, Cards Against Humanity, Beanie Babies and Pinball have in common? They were all invented in Chicago. Mayor Emanuel chats with Mary Couzin, founder of the Chicago Toy and Game Group, about why Chicago is the toy and game capital of the world.

For our twenty-sixth episode, I talk with Mary Couzin, founder of ChiTAG and the TAGgies.   We talk about families and gaming, the Chicago Toy and Game Fair, and more!

Get ready for the holiday season and a whole new year of play by hearing from several powerhouses in the business of play about what is hot in toys and games for kids. My guests on this week’s very fun episode are: Mary Couzin, CEO and founder of the Chicago Toy and Game Group, which includes the Chicago Toy & … Read more about this episode...