James Zahn | Press and Media Appearances

Over the years, James Zahn aka The Rock Father™, and/or his work has frequently appeared in the mainstream press and media. This continues as part of his role as Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, and as Senior Editor of The Pop Insider and The Toy Insider.

James is available for interviews, television appearances, and public speaking engagements with a focus on entertainment, business, family, parenting, fatherhood, music, toys, and culture along with retail, licensing, and consumer product trends. Need a toy expert or pop culture expert for your TV segment? Contact James today: james@therockfather.com

See a select assortment of Zahn’s credits at IMDb.

Select Hits:

2024:

1. 12/24/2024: FOX Baltimore – Having fun without an age limit this holiday season
2. 12/24/2024: Quartz: The top toy this Christmas? These contenders are leading the pack
3. 12/24/2024: FOX Baltimore – Toy Insider: Giving the gift of health and wellness
4. 12/23/2024: Forbes: Toy Company’s ‘No Gift Cards’ Campaign With The Rizzler Goes Viral
5. 12/23/2024: CNBC: LEGO is reinventing its iconic brick sets and keeping the toy industry afloat
6. 12/20/2024: The Year’s Hottest Holiday Toys on NewsNation
7. 12/20/2024: CGTN America – Global Business: 2024 Toy Trends
8. 12/20/2024: The Best Holiday Stocking Stuffers on Live in the D
9. 12/20/2024: Last-Minute Holiday Gift Ideas on Live in the D
10. 12/15/2024: NBC Chicago – The Top STEM Toys for the Holidays
11. 12/15/2024: Yahoo! Finance – Mattel appeals to value-seeking consumers with Mini Barbies: Expert
12. 12/18/2024: FOX Chicago: Great Gifts for Last-Minute Holiday Shoppers on Good Day Chicago
13. 12/15/2024: The Top STEM Toys for the Holidays on NBC 5 Chicago
14. 12/13/2024: Scripps News – The Holiday Home Stretch
15. 12/13/2024: Hot Toys for Shoppers on a Budget on NBC Phoenix
16. 12/13/2024: The Washington Post – Hot Wheels sales are on fire, powered by adult collectors and nostalgia
17. 12/13/2024: Motley Fool Money Podcast — The Year of Concentration, Crypto, China
18. 12/13/2024: Trump’s tariffs could be ‘catastrophic’ for the toy industry
19. 12/12/2024: NBC Chicago – Top Educational Toys
20. 12/10/2024: The Holiday’s Hottest Toy Trends on NBC Cleveland’s Mom Squad
21. 12/02/2024: Hot Toys to Grab Now on Studio 40 Sacramento
22. 11/29/2024: The Best Black Friday Toy Deals on “Live in the D”
23. 11/28/2024: Holiday Hits and the Best Budget Toys on Telemundo Miami
24. 11/27/2024: The Best Budget Toys and Holiday Hits on NBC Miami
25. 11/25/2024: Macomb Daily: Newstalgia: Toys kids love never go away but return as new versions and collectibles
26. 11/25/2024: Eco-Friendly Toys on ABC 15 Arizona
27. 11/25/2024: Macomb Daily: Once Upon a Time There Was a Crawligator
28. 11/15/2024: Gift Ideas to Be a Holiday Hero on Chicago’s CBS 2
29. 11/15/2024: The Year’s Hottest Holiday Toys on Chicago’s CBS 2
30. 11/14/2024: Budget-Friendly Holiday Toys on Detroit’s Live in the D
31. 11/11/2024: CNBC: Mattel pulls thousands of ‘Wicked’ dolls off shelves after printing adult web address on packaging
32. 11/11/2024: BusinessWire: People of Play Announce Winners of the 2024 Toy & Game International Excellence Awards (TAGIEs)
33. 11/08/2024: Budget Toys and Black Friday Deals on NBC Houston
34. 11/07/2024: Hot Toys for the Holidays on FOX 32 Chicago
35. 10/30/2024: Retail Brew —  Retailers work with toy makers to expand affordable options for holidays
36. 10/26/2024: Celebrating the Opening of a New Toys “R” Us on WGN Chicago
37. 10/24/2024: Forbes: Hasbro Sales Down 15%, Profits Up As Turnaround Challenge Continues
38. 10/24/2024: Forbes: Last Year’s Barbie Bump Now A Barbie Slump For Mattel
39. 10/23/2024: Reuters: Mattel beats profit estimates on cost controls but trims annual sales forecast
40. 10/15/2024: The Washington Post – US retail trade group expects holiday season sales to grow more slowly
41. 10/10/2024: KATU Budget Toys That Won’t Break the Bank on Afternoon Live
42. 10/03/2024: FOX Business Cavuto Coast to Coast – The Toy Industry Braces for Port Strike
43. 09/30/2024: The Year’s Hottest Holiday Toys on ABC News
44. 09/17/2024: Forbes: Spin Master’s Game Plan At 30 Is To Play Like A Startup
45. 09/12/2024: Guest Speaker – X Tracks The Future of Licensing Summit at United Talent Agency (UTA), Beverly Hills
46. 09/05/2024: The Best Back-to-School Toys on KATU’s Afternoon Live
47. 08/23/2024: The Smartest Educational Toys on WGN’s Daytime Chicago
48. 07/30/2024: Retail Brew – Hasbro streamlines supply chain amid slumping physical toy sales
49. 07/25/2024: How ‘kidults’ helped Hasbro’s earnings this quarter
50. 07/25/2024: Forbes: Digital Gaming, Kidults Drive Profits For Hasbro In Second Quarter
51. 07/25/2024: Reuters: Toymaker Hasbro’s turnaround efforts buoy quarterly results, shares rise
52. 07/24/2024: Forbes – Mattel’s Turnaround Toy Story Is Working, But Will Investors Buy It?
53. 07/20/2024: CGTN America – Toys: A New Side-Hustle
54. 07/12/2024: Toys to Beat the Heat on ABC 7 Los Angeles
55. 07/11/2024: Awesome Outdoor Toys on KATU’s Afternoon Live
56. 07/05/2024: USA TODAY For some toy sellers, packing shelves with nostalgia pays off
57. 06/18/2024: RetailWire – Will Adults Keep Buying Toys?
58. 06/15/2024: The Daily Caller – Millennials, Gen-Xers Now Bigger Toy Consumers Than Preschoolers In New Trend
59. 06/14/2024: New York Post – Grown-ups surpass preschoolers as the biggest toy consumers: ‘Most important age group’
60. 06/14/2024: Not the Bee – Adults — grown adults — have surpassed preschoolers as the largest toy consumers
61. 06/13/2024: SheKnows: We Found the Best Boredom-Busting Toys for 7-Year-Olds — You Can Thank Us Later
62. 06/10/2024: CNN – This vintage action figure set a record at auction. But your childhood toys may not be worth as much as you think
63. 06/07/2024: CNN Business – Adults are flocking to the toy aisle even more than preschoolers
64. 06/03/2024: KING-5 NBC Seattle Top Travel Toys
65. 05/23/2024: Top Travel Toys on FOX 5 Las Vegas
66. 05/23/2024: Awesome Outdoor Toys on FOX 5 Las Vegas
67. 05/22/2024: Associated Press – For some digital detox, look to the latest in craft kits
68. 05/22/2024: The Hottest Toys of Summer on FOX 5 Las Vegas
69. 05/21/2024: NBC 3 Las Vegas: Top Summertime Toys
70. 04/30/2024: FOX News: Toys to Promote Mental and Emotional Health
71. 04/25/2024: Yahoo! Finance Wealth! Toy industry is currently stuck in ‘a weird spot’: Expert
72. 04/24/2024: Forbes: Investors Reward Hasbro And Mattel For Cost Cuts And Inventory Reductions
73. 04/24/2024: Reuters: Toymaker Hasbro’s turnaround efforts help first-quarter profit beat
74. 04/23/2024: Reuters: Mattel’s quarterly loss smaller than expected as cost cuts pay off
75. 04/23/2024: FOX 5 Washington, D.C.: Top Toys for Rainy Day Play on Good Day D.C.
76. 04/23/2024: Eco-Friendly Toys for Earth Day on Fox 5 D.C.
77. 04/22/2024: Ranger Reader: How might Playmates Toys succeed with Power Rangers? ‘It needs focus.’
78. 04/20/2024: Eco-Friendly Toys for Earth Day on ABC Phoenix
79. 04/15/2024: Toys to Keep Kids Moving on Seattle’s KING TV
80. 04/06/2024: FOX 2 San Francisco: Hot Spring Toys & Rainy Day Activities
81. 04/02/2024: Top Toys for Spring on CBS Baltimore
82. 03/12/2024: Spring Break Boredom Busters on CBS 2 Chicago
83. 03/08/2024: Unplugged Toys for Unbelievably Fun Play on FOX Chicago
84. 03/07/2024: Must-Have Games for Family Game Night on KATU’s Portland’s Afternoon Live
85. 02/29/2024: WGN: Daytime Chicago: Unplugged Family Fun
86. 02/16/2024: Scripps News: A Look Inside the “Plush Toy Wars”
87. 02/13/2024: Forbes: Hasbro Sales Down 23% In Fourth Quarter; CEO Says Turnarounds Take Time
88. 02/08/2024: Sweet Toys for Valentine’s Day on KATU Portland’s Afternoon Live
89. 02/13/2024: Reuters: Hasbro forecasts weaker first-half toy demand after dour holiday quarter
90. 02/08/2024: Reuters — Mattel bets on cost savings to drive 2024 profit as toy demand dulls
91. 02/07/2024: Forbes: Mattel’s $150 Million ‘Barbie Bump’ Doesn’t Make Up For A Tough Year
92. 02/07/2024: FOX News Edge: Toys that Celebrate Diversity and Inclusion
93. 01/13/2024: CNBC: The Rubik’s Cube turns 50: How a 3-by-3 grid captured hearts and market share

2023:

1. 12/21/2023: USA TODAY: Remember those Hot Wheels you had as a kid? They’re still popular and worth a fortune now.
2. 12/21/2023: FOX News: Cabbage Patch Kids, Tickle Me Elmo, Furbies, and more: Christmas toy gifts that made parents scramble (updated story from 2021 with additional information and more toys)
3. 12/21/2023: Newsday — Furby, Cabbage Patch Kids and more: 16 toy crazes through the years
4. 12/21/2023: Stocking Stuffers & Last-Minute Gift Ideas – KATU’s Afternoon Live
5. 12/21/2023: Toys for Greener Gifting on Fox 45 Baltimore
6. 12/21/2023: Last-Minute Holiday Gifts on ABC 7 San Francisco
7. 12/20/2023: Top Trendy Toys on Portland’s KOIN 6
8. 12/18/2023: The Year’s Hottest New Toys on Portland’s KOIN 6
9. 12/17/2023: Top Toys for $20 or Less on Seattle’s KING-TV
10. 12/15/2023: Corus Entertainment’s A Little More Conversation with Ben O’Hara Byrne — A History of Christmas Toy Crazes
11. 12/15/2023: KNX News Los Angeles — Puffer Jacket Snoopy, Kidults, and Christmas Flippers
12. 12/15/2023: The Trendiest Toys of the Holidays on Live in the D
13. 12/12/2023: The Trendiest Toys of the Holidays on Studio 40 Sacramento
14. 12/11/2023: Toys for Kids of All Ages on CBS 2 Chicago
15. 12/10/2023: Toys for Kids of All Ages on FOX 32 Chicago
16. 12/08/2023: Toys for Kids of All Ages on Live in the D
17. 12/07/2023: Budget-Friendly Holiday Toys on Fox 59 Indianapolis
18. 12/5/2023: Toys to Tech the Halls on Fox 59 Indianapolis
19. 12/5/2023: Hot Holiday Toys & Games on Local DMV
20. 12/5/2023: Hot Toys & Games for Every Budget on Local DMV
21. 12/2/2023: Super STEAM Toys on Seattle’s KING-TV
22. 12/01/2023: Forbes: Care Bears And Other Classic Toys Are Back In Vogue, Sparking ‘Fist Fights’ Over Licensing Rights
23. 12/01/2023: FOX News: Meet the American who launched Cabbage Patch Kids, Xavier Roberts, dolls ignited Christmas shopping craze
24. 12/01/2023: What’s Trending in Toyland on Fox 59 Indianapolis
25. 11/28/2023: Hot Toys for Kids of All Ages on CBS Baltimore
26. 11/27/2023: CGTN Global Business — Exploring the Kidult Market
27. 11/24/2023: Motley Fool Money
28. 11/24/2023: Hot Toys for Every Budget on ABC 8 Dallas
29. 11/24/2023: The Year’s Hot New Toys on Fox 45 Baltimore
30. 11/23/2023: Must-Have Toys for Thanksgiving on NewsNation’s Morning in America
31. 11/23/2023: Hot Holiday Toys on ABC 8 Dallas
32. 11/23/2023: Hot Holiday Toys on Telemundo 51 Miami
33. 11/23/2023: The Best Budget Toys on Fox 45 Baltimore
34. 11/23/2023: WFAA – ABC Dallas: A Look at the Hot Toys of 2023
35. 11/21/2023: FOX Business: Toy companies targeting more adults with fun products versus kids
36. 11/20/2023: Hot Toys to Grab Now on NewsNation’s Morning in America
37. 11/20/2023: CNBC Meet the vintage toy collectors that have turned their hobby into an investment opportunity
38. 11/20/2023: Macomb Daily: ‘Barbie’ and other hit movies inspire a spike in toy sales
39. 11/17/2023: Toys for Social & Emotional Learning on KATU’s Afternoon Live
40. 11/16/2023: Wondery: Best of Business Wars Daily | Toying Around
41. 11/15/2023: The Wharton School’s Marketing Matters on SiriusXM Business
42. 11/15/2023: Guest Speaker – University of Maryland’s Careers in Toys
43. 11/15/2023: The Holidays’ Best Budget Toys on Good Day Alabama
44. 11/14/2023: The Year’s Hot Holiday Toys on FOX 31 Denver
45. 11/14/2023: Hot Holiday Toys on Colorado’s Own CW 2
46. 11/12/2023: Top Tech Toys to Keep Kids Engaged on NBC Chicago
47. 11/10/2023: The Weather Channel — Top Toys for Holiday Travel
48. 11/09/2023: Wondery+: Best of Business Wars Daily | Toying Around
49. 11/09/2023: New York Magazine’s The Strategist — The 12 Holiday Toys to Buy Before They Sell Out
50. 11/08/2023: Good Day Alabama (FOX 6) — The Smartest STEAM Toys on Good Day Alabama
51. 11/07/2023: Retail Dive: The right stuff: How Build-A-Bear is creating a cuddly (and lucrative) empire
52. Republican-American: Toy-makers market products that help kids with mental, emotional and societal issues
53. 11/03/2023: ABC7 San Francisco: Toys for Every Budget on ABC 7 San Francisco
54. 11/01/2023: Good Day Alabama (FOX 6) — Hot Toys for All Ages on Good Day Alabama
55. 10/31/2023: Scripps News — Rad Retro Toys on Scripps News
56. 10/27/2023: Channel News Asia: US toymakers play up more educational and sustainable products to price-savvy parents
57. 10/24/2023: Channel News Asia: Best Toys for Shoppers on a Budget
58. 10/18/2023: Barron’s — How Hasbro Stock Stands to Win From ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’
59. 10/14/2023: Associated Press — Amid a mental health crisis, toy industry takes on a new role: building resilience
60. 10/13/2023: TLC — Parenting Win of the Week: Win at Holiday Shopping
61. 09/27/2023: Forbes — Toy Makers Are Counting On The Holiday Season To Save A Down Year
62. 09/21/2023: The Hottest Tech Toys of the Holidays on KATU’s Afternoon Live
63. 09/06/2023: NBC – TODAY Show: Diversity in the Toy Department
64. 09/06/2023: MSNBC – Alex Wagner Tonight: Diversity in the Toy Department
65. 09/06/2023: MSNBC – The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle: Diversity in the Toy Department
66. 08/22/2023: News 12 New York: Toys for Back-to-School Fun
67. 08/22/2023: Los Angeles Times: ‘Disney Lorcana’ aims to shake up the trading card game
68. 08/17/2023: The Best Back-to-School Toys on KATU Portland
69. 08/12/2023: USA TODAY: Those Taylor Swift figurines for sale online aren’t from Funko, but fans will pay $250 anyway
70. 07/29/2023: The Weather Channel — America’s Weekend Headquarters: Top Toys for Rainy Day Play
71. 07/29/2023: Rainy Day Gadgets and Games on The Weather Channel’s Weekend Recharge
72. 07/22/2023: CNN: Not every version of Barbie and her friends was a hit. Check out these flops
73. 07/22/2023: Toys for a Blast at the Beach on KATU Portland
74. 07/19/2023: Barbie’s Big Screen Debut Lures Toy Scammers
75. 07/07/2023: Barbie Through the Years on BBC News’ The Context
76. 07/05/2023: Entrepreneur — ‘It’s an Addiction’: Rise of the Squishmallows, an Irresistible Plush Toy With an Adult Fanbase
77. 07/04/2023: NewsNation’s Morning in America — Toys for an At-Home Summer Camp
78. 06/25/2023: Forbes — The Latest Play In Toys – Targeting The Senior Market
79. 06/24/2023: The Washington Post — Adults are driving sales of the hottest toy on the market: Squishmallows
80. 06/18/2023: NBC Baltimore — Toys for a Fun Father’s Day
81. 06/15/2023: FOX Las Vegas — Barbie the Movie and Hot Summer Toys
82. 06/13/2023: FOX Las Vegas — The Hottest Toys from Kids’ Favorite Brands and a Monster Jam Reveal
83. 06/11/2023: FOX Columbus — Fun Summer Toys for Every Budget on Good Day Columbus
84. 05/30/2023: The List — Celebrating 75 Years of Wham-O
85. 05/28/2023: Forbes: How Alan Dorfman Sold Millions Of Toys By Thinking Small – Very Small
86. 5/27/2023: KATU ABC Portland – Top Travel Toys
87. 05/08/2023: Boredom-Busting Toys on Your Life Arizona
88. 04/27/2023: Top Toys for Travel on Your Life Arizona
89. 04/26/2023: Reuters: Barbie maker Mattel swings to loss as retailers cut orders, costs rise
90. 04/16/2023: NBC Chicago: Top Tech Toys for Spring
91. 04/13/2023: KATU Portland: Toys to Keep Kids Active this Spring
92. 04/10/2023: FOX 32 Chicago: Toys for Springtime Fun
93. 04/05/2023: FOX 45 Baltimore: Toys for Rainy Day Play
94. 03/28/2023: FOX 45 Baltimore — Toys for a Super Spring Break
95. 03/28/2023: The List — Celebrating Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros. 
96. 03/16/2023: Paragon FX Group: Batman and Wizard Of Oz Prop Replicas Make Collector’s Dream Come True
97. 03/09/2023: KATU Portland: Go Unplugged with Great Screen-Free Toys on KATU Portland
98. 02/09/2023: KATU ABC Portland: Toys to Help Kids Beat the Boredom Blues on Afternoon Live
99. 02/09/2023: Forbes: Mattel Makes A Play For Collectors With Super Bowl Little People
100. 02/09/2023: Yahoo! Finance: How Mattel and Hasbro are reacting to tough times in the toy industry
101. 02/08/2023: CGTN Global Business: Toy Industry Earnings Season and 2023 Outlook
102. 01/30/2023: Marketplace Radio/NPR: Layoffs at Hasbro may be a sign that the high-flying toy industry’s coming back down to Earth
103. 01/12/2023: Toys to Beat Cabin Fever on KATU Portland
104. 01/09/2023: Small Business Currents: Are You a Kidult?

2022:

• 12/27/2022 – Hot Holiday Toys on CGTN’s Global Business
• 12/24/2022 – The Washington Post: We’re in a golden age of board games. It might be here to stay.
• 12/22/2022 – Last-Minute Toys and Stocking Stuffers on FOX 32 Chicago
• 12/22/2022 – The Information: The Season’s Hottest Toy? Hint: It’s a YouTuber
• 12/21/2022 – Holiday Toys for “Kidults” on ABC Harrisburg
• 12/20/2022 – Newsy’s The Why: The Importance of Toys
• 12/20/2022 – KNX News 97.1 FM Los Angeles: Kidults Rising
• 12/20/2022 – NTD Business: Toy Industry Covets Toy-Buying Adults
• 12/20/2022 – ABC News live: The Holiday’s Hottest Toys on ABC News Live
• 12/19/2022 – Budget-Friendly Holiday Toys on Newsy’s Evening Debrief
• 12/19/2022 – The Coolest Tech Toys of the Holidays on Fox 40 Sacramento
• 12/19/2022 – Budget-Friendly Fun on NewsNation’s Morning in America
• 12/19/2022 – The State of the Toy Industry and the Year’s Hottest Toys on CGTN’s The World Today
• 12/19/2022 – CNBC: Adults are buying toys for themselves, and it’s the biggest source of growth for the industry
• 12/17/2022 – Hot Toys for Last-Minute Shoppers on Fox 13 Seattle
• 12/16/2022 – NPR: Why Hot Wheels are one of the most inflation-proof toys in American history
• 12/14/2022 – Super Stocking Stuffers on Detroit’s Live in the D
• 12/13/2022 – Super Stocking Stuffers on The List
• 12/12/2022 – Retail Dive: Retail looks beyond its old love — the movies
• 12/09/2022 – Retro Rewind Toys for “Kidults” on NBC Orlando
• 12/08/2022 – Super Stocking Stuffers on Fox 59 Indianapolis
• 12/07/2022 – WTBQ The Creativity & Technology Show
• 12/07/2022 – Rad Retro Toys on Fox 59 Indianapolis
• 12/06/2022 – Hot Holiday Toys on CBS 2 Chicago
• 12/05/2022 – The Classic Toys That Built America on The List
• 12/01/2022 – WOWK – Hot Holiday Toys on ABC Charleston, West Virginia
• 11/28/2022 – The Year’s Hottest Toys on Fox 59 Indianapolis
• 11/25/2022 – ABC News Live: The Hottest Toys for Any Budget
• 11/25/2022 – Houston Chronicle: The most popular toys of 2022 incorporate tech, TV, and working from home
• 11/21/2022 – Forbes: Hot Toy Or Not? Now Is When The Toy Game Gets Serious
• 11/18/2022 – Family-Friendly Fun on Good Morning Arizona
• 11/17/2022 – Hot Stocking Stuffer Toys on Good Morning Arizona
• 11/16/2022 – Randi Zuckerberg Means Business — Holiday Shopping 2022
• 11/16/2022 – WDIV: Hot Toys for Under $30 on Detroit’s Live in the D
• 11/16/2022 – Budget Friendly Toys on Good Morning Arizona
• 11/16/2022 – New York Magazine’s The Strategist: The Best Gifts for 12-Year-Olds, According to Experts
• 11/15/2022 – Go Wild with Awesome Animal Toys on The List
• 11/15/2022 – Trending Tech Toys on Good Morning Arizona
• 11/14/2022 – The Year’s Hottest Toys on Good Morning Arizona
• 11/14/2022 – ABC7 News San Francisco: Retro Rewind Toys
• 11/13/2022 – NY1: Popular Toys to Get Children this Holiday Season
• 11/11/2022  – New York Magazine’s The Strategist: The Best Dolls for Kids, According to Experts
• 11/07/2022 – New York Magazine’s The Strategist: The Best Dollhouses, According to Experts
• 10/29/2022 – Yahoo! US retailers battle high costs clearing Christmas stockpiles
• 10/26/2022 – WDIV: Hot Holiday Toys on Detroit’s Live in the D
• 10/25/2022 – FOX 32 Chicago WFLD: Retro Rewind Toys on Good Day Chicago
• 10/17/2022 – Forbes: Macy’s Partnership Signals A Brand New Future For Toys “R” Us
• 10/11/2022 – Rad Retro Toys on Good Morning Arizona
• 10/10/2022 – Hot Toys for Kids of All Ages on ABC Dallas
• 10/10/2022 – Budget-Friendly Holiday Toys on ABC Dallas
• 10/10/2022 – The Year’s Hottest New Toys on ABC Dallas
• 10/01/2022 – Hasbro Pulse Con 2022 Guest Appearance: Fan Engagement
• 09/28/2022 – Bloomberg: ‘Bluey’ Is So Popular, Disney+ Is Releasing a Lost Episode
• 09/26/2022 – Newsday: High-end Lightsabers
• 09/12/2022 – New York Magazine’s The Strategist: The Best Gifts for 12-Year-Olds, According to Experts
• 09/08/2022 – Tech Toys that Teach on FOX 61 Connecticut
• 09/06/2022 – Celebrating 40 years of Knight Rider on The List
• 09/01/2022 – Super STEM Toys on FOX 61 Connecticut
• 08/19/2022 – Woman’s Day: The 25 Best Toys and Gifts for 4-Year-Olds This Holiday Season
• 08/05/2022 – A Little More Conversation with Ben O’Hara-Byrne: Mattel’s Turnaround Breathes New Life into Barbie and Hot Wheels | Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music
• 08/04/2022 – The Sacramento Bee: Toys R Us is back — here’s where you can find it in Sacramento, Modesto, and Fresno
• 07/30/2022 – Toronto Star: Suddenly, Barbie is everywhere. And her Dreamhouse is in … Mississauga?
• 07/28/2022 – Muck Rack: This month in bad PR pitches: July 2022
• 07/28/2022 – Michael Smart PR: Good Lessons from Bad PR Pitches (July 2022 Edition)
• 07/27/2022 – The List: 40 Years of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero
• 07/21/2022 – Plastics News: Kickstart: The serious business of toys
• 07/19/2022 – Plastics News: LEGO part of reshoring, foreign direct investment growth in US
• 07/10/2022 – NBC Baltimore: Hot Toys for Summer
• 07/07/2022 – KATU ABC Portland’s Afternoon Live! Hot Summer Toys
• 06/23/2022: Yahoo! Finance: LEGO going green means ‘reinventing the entire product’ ahead of $1 billion Virginia investment
• 06/16/2022 – Retail Dive: LEGO to open first US factory
• 05/27/2022 – WDIV: Live in the D: Hot Summer Toys
• 05/26/2022 – Las Vegas NOW: Must-Have Summer Toys
• 05/24/2022 – The Summertime’s Hottest New Toys and a Licensing Expo Kickoff on Fox 5 Las Vegas
• 05/12/2022 – Toys to Get Kids Active on KATU ABC Portland’s Afternoon Live!
• 05/02/2022 – The List: The Toys of Summer
• 04/28/2022 – Marketwatch: Mattel Had a ‘Blowout’ Quarter but the Stock Doesn’t Reflect it, analysts say
• 04/22/2022 – CNBC Worldwide Exchange: Toy Companies Going Green, State of the Industry
• 04/22/2022 – FOX 61 Hartford, CT: Celebrating Earth Day with Sustainable Toys
• 04/22/2022 – The Spruce: The Best Storytelling Games of 2022 for the Whole Family
• 04/21/2022 – The Spruce: The 9 Best Tailgate Games for Outdoor Parties
• 04/20/2022 – Marketwatch: Christmas in July: Hasbro moves up inventory purchases to make sure there are enough toys for the holidays
• 04/15/2022 – FOX 61 Hartford, CT: Sugar-Free Easter Baskets
• 04/08/2022 – FOX 59 Indianapolis: New Spring Toys for Easter and Beyond on Fox Indianapolis
• 04/08/2022 – FOX 61 Hartford, CT: Travel-Friendly Toys for Spring
• 04/07/2022 – FOX 59 Indianapolis: Best Budget Toys and Sugar-Free Easter Baskets
• 03/28/2022 – Retail Dive: Brick by brick: How LEGO continues to build a toy empire
• 03/18/2022 – Fun Family Game Night on Fox Chicago
• 03/16/2022 – Forbes: What The Metaverse Means For The Future Of Retail
• 03/13/2022 – Forbes: How Collectibles Brand Funko Became A $1 Billion Pop Culture Powerhouse
• 03/11/2022 – The Spring’s Hottest Tech Toys on NBC Chicago
• 02/22/2022 – Cheddar News’ Opening Bell: What’s Next for Mattel and Hasbro?
• 02/13/2022 – Screenrant: Star Wars Fans Can’t Unsee Pac-Man Looking Cloud in Obi-Wan Poster
• 02/11/2022 – ComicBook.com: Star Wars Fans Keep Seeing Pac-Man in Obi-Wan Kenobi Poster
• 02/09/2022 – BBC World News’ Asia Business Report: Discussing Mattel’s Q4 Earnings on BBC World News
• 02/07/2022 – CNBC: Hasbro swings past estimates as Spider-Man movie fuels toy demand
• 02/02/2022 – FOX 61 Connecticut: Snow Day Fun
• 01/27/2022 – Forbes: Disney Princesses Gear Up For A Makeover, Like The One Barbie Got
• 01/26/2022 – Forbes: Mattel Convinces Disney It Will Love The Princesses Better Than Hasbro
• 01/11/2022 – The List: The Stories Behind Iconic Movie Sound Effects

2021:

• 12/22/2021 – Yahoo! Finance: State of the Toy Industry 2021 + Hot Toys
• 12/21/2021 – Plastics News: Toy Industry 2021 Update
• 12/20/2021 – FOX 32 Chicago: Last Minute Stocking Stuffers
• 12/20/2021 – WBZ CBS Boston: A Look At New England’s Long History Of Games And Toys on CBS Boston
• 12/19/2021 – NBC5 Chicago: Toys to “Tech the Halls” 
• 12/17/2021 – AXIOS: Toys Are Getting Smarter
• 12/17/2021 – Emotional Wellness and DIY Craft Toys on News 12 New Jersey
• 12/16/2021 – Family Game Night Fun on News 12 New Jersey
• 12/15/2021 – Super STEM Toys on News 12 New Jersey
• 12/14/2021 – Hot Toys for $20 or Less on News 12 New Jersey
• 12/13/2021 – WBZ CBS Boston: ‘It Was An Unmistakable Experience,’ Remembering Local Toy Store Giant Child World
• 12/13/2021 – News 12 New Jersey: Last-Minute Gift Ideas on News 12 New Jersey
• 12/10/2021 – Stellar Stocking Stuffers on WDIV NBC Detroit’s Live in the D
• 12/10/2021 – Pop Culture Stocking Stuffers on The List
• 12/10/2021 – Hot Toys and How to Find Them on CNBC Worldwide Exchange
• 12/08/2021 – The Guardian (UK): One toy’s journey through the supply chain crisis: from Chinese factory to UK child’s stocking
• 12/05/2021 – The HISTORY Channel’s Modern Marvels: Toys & Games – “Top Toys & Games”
• 12/03/2021 – Geeky Gifts on Good Day Sacramento
• 12/03/2021 – NBC 12 Phoenix: Holiday Toy Shopping Amidst the Supply Chain Crisis on Today in Arizona
• 12/02/2021 – The Geekiest Gifts of the Holidays on FOX 59 Indianapolis
• 12/01/2021 – The List: Awesome Animal Kingdom Toys
• 12/01/2021 – Rad Retro Gifts on FOX 59 Indianapolis
• 11/28/2021 – The HISTORY Channel’s Modern Marvels: Toys & Games – “Classic Toys”
• 11/26/2021 – The Houston Chronicle: The hottest toys for 2021 include Squishmallows and the elusive PlayStation 5
• 11/20/2021 – CGTN America’s Global Business: James Zahn on What the Supply Chain Crunch Will Mean for Holiday Spending
• 11/20/2021 – Toronto Sun: ‘Tis the season for finding your favorite toys with our annual report
• 11/18/2021 – FOX News: From G.I. Joe to Tickle Me Elmo, the Christmas toy gifts that made America
• 11/15/2021 – The Washington Post: Fairy finders to fidget toys to slime: Here are the hottest holiday toys of 2021
• 11/14/2021 – Hot Toys to Grab This Black Friday on Good Day Chicago Sunday
• 11/11/2021 – More Hot Toys to Grab This Black Friday on FOX Indianapolis
• 11/10/2021 – Hot Toys to Grab This Black Friday on FOX Indianapolis
• 11/08/2021 – Toys for Every Price Range on Detroit’s Live in the D
• 11/01/2021 – Toys for Budding Builders with Parents Magazine
• 11/01/2021 – Toys That Turn Up the Jams with Parents Magazine
• 11/01/2021 – Toy Cars to Rev Up Fun with Parents Magazine
• 11/01/2021 – WATE ABC Knoxville: Want to get everything on your Christmas list? Experts say start shopping now
• 10/25/2021 – Supply Chain Issues Affecting Holiday Toy Shoppers on ABC Des Moines
• 10/24/2021 – Forbes: How A Cardboard Slide Is Steering This Toy Company In A New Direction
• 10/24/2021 – The Financial Times: Global supply chain crisis damps outlook for ad spending
• 10/14/2021 – The Financial Times: The supply chain crisis and US ports: ‘Disruption on top of disruption’
• 10/18/2021 – New York Magazine’s The Strategist: Gifts for 5-Year-Olds
• 10/14/2021 – Los Angeles Times: How one toy store found a way to avoid a supply chain nightmare before Christmas
• 10/11/2021 – Cheddar News Wrap: Breaking Down California’s New Gender-Neutral Retail Law
• 10/10/2021 – Spectrum One Los Angeles: Supply Chain Issues + Hot Holiday Toys
• 10/07/2021 – KATU ABC Portland’s Afternoon Live: Hot Holiday Toys
• 10/04/2021 – Modern Retail: The Holiday Toy Wars are Starting Early
• 10/04/2021 – Investor Place: 7 Best Retail Stocks to Buy Now to Profit From the Coming Toy Shortages
• 09/29/2021 – New York Magazine’s The Strategist: Gifts for 6-Year-Olds
• 09/17/2021 – The Los Angeles Times: The Supply Chain is Messed Up
• 09/16/2021 – CNBC’s Worldwide Exchange: James Zahn of the Toy Insider on the strained supply chain for toys right now
• 09/07/2021 – Marketplace: Retailers work around supply snags to fill shelves ahead of holidays
• 09/07/2021 – Retail Dive: What do Macy’s and the Toys R Us brand have to offer each other?
• 09/06/2021 – Houston Chronicle – Insight: Holiday Shopping Will Be Even Harder This Year
• 09/03/2021 – The List: Celebrating 55 Years of Star Trek
• 09/02/2021 – Hot New Toys and Supply Chain Issues on Cheddar News’ Opening Bell
• 08/29/2021 – CNN Business: Top toymakers say their products will be harder to find and more expensive this holiday season
• 08/27/2021 – Morning Brew’s Retail Brew: Brands turn to shop-in-shops to get in front of new customers
• 08/25/2021 – Modern Retail: Retailers hope to capture toy sales this holiday season with shop-in-shops
• 08/20/2021 – MarketPlace | Back in name only: Toys R Us brand to reappear in more than 400 Macy’s stores
• 08/09/2021 – MarketScale: This Week in B2B: What’s Driving Renewed Growth among Toymaking Giants?
• 08/03/2021 – Forbes: Shipping Container Crisis Could Derail Holiday Toy Sales
• 07/27/2021 – Rad Retro Toys on FOX 5 New York
• 07/23/2021 – Hot New Masters of the Universe: Revelation Toys on The List
• 06/27/2021 – Forbes: The Call Of The Small: How A Toymaker Shrunk The Supermarket, And Won Big
• 06/15/2021 – Hot Summertime Toys on Fox 32 Chicago
• 06/14/2021 – The List: Great Father’s Day Gifts for Geeky Dads
• 06/01/2021 – Toys for a Summertime Staycation on Live in the D (WDIV Detroit)
• 05/04/2021 – Followers of the Force Podcast: May the Fourth Be With You
• 04/20/2021 – Forbes: How the Pandemic Has Changed the Toy Business and the Latest Trends
• 04/09/2021 – The Latest G.I. Joe Toys from Hasbro Pulse Fan Fest
• 04/09/2021 – Celebrating 25 Years of Pokémon on The List
• 04/02/2021 – GoBankingRates: The Top Gaming Trends of 2021 (so far)
• 04/02/2021 – Sugar-Free Easter Basket Stuffers on CBS Las Vegas
• 03/25/2021 – Hottest New Spring Toys on CBS Las Vegas
• 03/23/2021 – Toys for a Perfect Easter Basket on NBC 3 Las Vegas
• 03/21/2021 – This Spring’s Top Tech Toys on NBC Chicago
• 03/16/2021 – Yahoo! Finance: Why Toys “R” Us is Rising from the Ashes
• 03/10/2021 – Family Fun Toys on NBC Detroit’s Live in the D
• 03/05/2021 – Marker: Fisher-Price Has Turned Our Remote Work Hell Into a Toy
• 02/12/2021 – Marketwatch: American Girl Sales Rise for the First Time in Four Years
• 02/10/2021 – Yahoo! Finance: How a sneaky rise in oil prices could affect toy prices
• 02/09/2021 – Toy Giant Earnings Exceed Expectations on Yahoo Finance
• 01/26/2021 – COVID-19 drove 16% growth in toy sales last year
• 01/18/2021 – Blabbermouth.net: PRODUCT OF HATE Releases Epic Cinematic Video For ‘Redemption’

2020:

• 12/24/2020 – Last-Minute Holiday Toys on CW–Las Vegas
• 12/23/2020 – Plastics News: 2020 Was a Crazy Year for the Toy Industry, Too
• 12/22/2020 – Last-Minute Holiday Toys on News 12 — New York
• 12/20/2020 – Top Tech Toys on Chicago’s NBC 5
• 12/18/2020 – The Comeback of the Toy Industry on NTD
• 12/16/2020 – Marketing Matters: Wharton School of Business Radio (SiriusXM)
• 12/09/2020 – Stealthy STEM Toys on Good Day Philadelphia
• 12/08/2020 – Super Stocking Stuffers on News 12 – New York
• 12/04/2020 – Top Gifts for Teens on News12 New York
• 12/04/2020 – UPDATED New York Magazine: The Holiday Toys to Buy Before They Sell Out, According to Toy Experts
• 11/26/2020 – The Year’s Hottest Toys on FOX32 Chicago
• 11/25/2020 – Yahoo! Finance Live: Black Friday and the Hottest Toys of 2020
• 11/19/2020 – The Washington Post: Hot holiday toys: Baby Yoda, L.O.L. Remix and nostalgic favorites
• 11/19/2020 – The List: Pop Culture Advent Calendars
• 11/15/2020 – Forbes: Rubik’s Cube and Spin Master – a $50 Million Deal
• 10/23/2020 – Yahoo! Finance The First Trade: Mattel’s Surprising Q3 Earnings and Hot Holiday Toys on Yahoo Finance
• 10/16/2020 – CNBC – TikTok is driving massive toy sales as play dates become less frequent during pandemic
• 10/13/2020 – New York Magazine: The Holiday Toys to Buy Before They Sell Out, According to Toy Experts
• 10/12/2020 – Loss Prevention Magazine: The New Black Friday: Retailers Kicking Off Holiday Sales
• 10/12/2020 – Seeking Alpha: Countering Prime Day Transforms Into New Black Friday
• 10/09/2020 – Yahoo! Finance: Target x FAO Schwarz and Hot Holiday Toys
• 10/09/2020 – The Washington Post: The new Black Friday: Amazon, Target, Best Buy and others kicking off holiday sales
• 10/09/2020 – Holiday Shopping Starts Early Due to Coronavirus Pandemic to Avoid Seasonal Rush
• 10/07/2020 – CNN: 3 reasons why holiday toy sales will be huge this year
• 10/02/2020 – MONEY Magazine: Baby Yoda Toys Will Be Insanely Hot Holiday Gifts in 2020. May the Force Be With You Finding Them in Stock
• 09/30/2020 – MarketWatch: Barbie could be queen of the holiday season with analysts upbeat about Mattel and Hasbro
• 09/24/2020 – Yahoo! Finance: The Hottest Holiday Toys + Global Spin Master Present Pets Debut
• 09/20/2020 – Mighty Marvel Geeks: Marvelous Toys with James Zahn
• 09/17/2020 – MediaPost: If You Don’t Have the Virus, You Can Buy it For Halloween
• 09/16/2020 – NRF: National Retail Federation: COVID Takes its toll on movie-based toys
• 09/01/2020 – Yahoo! Finance: Toy Industry Earnings Update + Global Debut of Squishmallows Star Wars Plush
• 08/19/2020 – Forbes: Toys R Us, Amazon Are Linked Online Again, After E-Commerce Deal With Target Ends
• 07/29/2020 – Geek Watch One: Pop Inside Comic-Con
• 07/27/2020 – Hasbro profit misses as production delays weigh on board game sales
• 07/27/2020 – CO – By the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: How Mattel and Walmart Drove Toy Sales by Responding to COVID-Altered Shopping Behaviors
• 07/23/2020 – Yahoo! Finance: Here’s why the toy industry will shake off the global pandemic + Global JAKKS Pacific Elf Debut
• 07/21/2020 – The HUSTLE: Hollywood is in crisis. That spells trouble for movie-themed toys
• 07/20/2020 – National Geographic: Out of Ideas for New Things to Do? Go Old-School Instead!
• 06/24/2020 – Good Day LA/FOX 11 Los Angeles: Toys That Promote Diversity and Inclusion
• 06/24/2020 – MarketWatch/SectorWatch (Wall St. Journal Network): How Delayed Movie Releases Hurt Toys and Licensing
• 06/20/2020 – The List: New Merch for Classic Movie Anniversaries
• 06/18/2020 – Cheddar Explains: How Little Tikes’ Cozy Couple Became the Best Selling Car of All-Time
• 06/12/2020 – Unveiling the Sony PlayStation 5 on Yahoo! Finance
• 06/16/2020 – Celebrating Fisher-Price’s 90th Anniversary and Talking Classic Toys
• 05/26/2020 – NBC News: Toy Sales are Spiking During COVID-19
• 05/12/2020 – ABC News: Movie-related products still hit stores despite film delays
• 05/05/2020 – Yahoo! Finance: Licensing for Toys and Movies are “Out of Sync” says Expert
• 05/05/2020 – Forbes: As Toy Sales Soar During The Pandemic, Mattel Falls Short
• 05/04/2020 – CT Post: Post-Virus Pandemic: What’s in and What’s Out?
• 04/28/2020 – FOX 31 Denver – CoComelon Gets Ready to Jump from YouTube to Your Toy Box
• 04/10/2020 – Marketplace: Puzzle Sales are Peaking During COVID-19 Quarantine
• 04/02/2020 – Chicago Tribune: Yes, hand sanitizer and toilet paper are COVID-19 quarantine essentials. So, apparently, are jigsaw puzzles, bread machines and paint.
• 04/01/2020 – Forbes: Sales Of Board Games, Crafts, Puzzles Soar As America Stays Home
• 04/01/2020 – Asbury Park Press/USA TODAY: Coronavirus means business for Matawan game maker, but closed stores makes it tough
• 02/26/2020 – Electric Playground EP Live: Talking Toy Fair
• 02/26/2020 – Forbes: Green is the Hottest Color in the Toy Box
• 02/24/2020 – Yahoo Finance: Coronavirus and the Toy Industry
• 02/06/2020 – Retail Dive: The Toy Industry Still Hasn’t Recovered Since the Death of Toys “R” Us
• 01/28/2020 – Staten Island Advance: Report: With Toys “R” Us Shuttered, Toy Sales Decline 4%
• 01/27/2020 – CO— by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: A New Toy Story: Inside the CAMP Game Plan

2019:

• 12/24/2019 – Toys R Us This Weekend Drew Lots Of Shoppers And A Visit From 50 Cent. Guess Which Generated More Revenue?
• 12/18/2019 – SiriusXM Business Ch. 132 – Marketing Matters presented by the Wharton School
• 12/14/2019 – NBC 5 Chicago Tech Trends
• 12/09/2019 – WXYZ ABC Detroit – Super Stocking Stuffers
• 12/06/2019 – WCIU The CW 26 Chicago: Holiday Giving and Hot Toys on The Jam
• 11/27/2019 – CBS News: No Breakout Hits, But a Handful of “Wow” Gifts
• 11/27/2019 – MarketWatch: Toys “R” Us, digitally powered by Target, opens its doors once again in New Jersey
• 11/20/2019 – Washington Post: Hot Toys 2019: Star Wars, Hatchimals, Owleez and Frozen offerings top holiday wish lists
• 11/20/2019 – Scranton Times-Herald/Citizens Voice: Toymaker Broadens Scope of Little Green Army Women
• 11/18/2019 – Fox 32 Good Day Chicago: Ultra-popular Toys That Are Flying Off the Shelves This Holiday Season
• 11/18/2019 – Retailers Look to “Wow” Toys to Revive Fortunes During the Holidays
• 10/22/2019 – CGTN America’s Global Business: James Zahn on the Toy Industry and How It’s Had to Adapt
• 09/20/2019 – Jezebel: Toys “R” Us is Back as an Instagram Pop-Up Adventure
• 09/19/2019 – Forbes: The Next Chapter in the Toys “R” Us Story? Interactive Play Spaces
• 08/20/2019 – Forbes: Hasbro Says it’s Game Over for Plastic Packaging
• 07/27/2019 – MotorTrend: 2019 Hot Wheels Legends Tour Chicago
• 07/25/2019 – Reuters: Toy Story 4, Barbie Star in Mattel’s Surprise Revenue Rise
• 07/25/2019 – Marketwatch: Hasbro’s Nerf and Play-Doh Were Big Sellers on Amazon Prime Day
• 07/22/2019 – Marketwatch: Toys “R” Us is Making a Comeback in the U.S., but Maybe it Shouldn’t (also at Wall St. Journal)
• 07/21/2019 – SDCC Panelist — Behind the Plastic: Licensees, Licensors, and Buyers: How Your Favorite Action Figures and Collectibles Are Made
• 07/18/2019 – CBS8 San Diego: Morning Extra: The Best SDCC Exclusives and Happenings
• 05/07/2019 – Parenting.com: Top Pokemon: Detective Pikachu Toys
• 04/25/2019 – CNBC: Mattel Signals End to Toys “R” Us Woes as Barbie Boosts Sales
• 04/23/2019 – Reuters: Bumblebee Movie Boost Transforms Hasbro First Quarter; Shares Surge
• 04/13/2019 – WGN Morning News: Star Wars Celebration — A Look at Star Wars Toys
• 03/14/2019 – Fatherly: The Most Valuable Nerf Blasters
• 02/23/2019 – Global China Television Network (GCTN) America: James Zahn on LEGO Expansion into China

2018:

• 10/04/2018 – New York Post: Toys “R” Us Could Make a Small Comeback with Store-Within-a-Store
• 10/04/2018 – PR Daily: Toys “R” Us to comeback with brand aimed at wholesale vendors
• 10/03/2018 – USA Today: Toys “R” Us Comeback (Updated)
• 10/03/2018 – NorthJersey.com/USA Today Network: Toys R Us comeback? New name, same Geoffrey emerges from Wayne headquarters
• 10/03/2018 – Toy World Magazine (UK): Could Toys “R” Us Be Brought Back from the Dead?
• 09/25/2018 – CoStar: Retailers Bet Big on Toy Sales Ahead of First Holiday Season Without Toys R Us
• 09/06/2018 – NorthJersey.com/USA Today Network: A new player enters the toy business: Toy City opens in Rockaway, two other stores planned
• 08/30/2018 – ComicBook.com: Party City’s New Toy Stores Are Starting to Open
• 08/13/2018 – The Toy Book: Recap of SDCC Panel
• 07/21/2018 – San Diego Comic-Con International: Panelist – Living in a Post-Toys “R” Us World: Navigating the Future of Toy Retail
• 06/06/2018 – New York Post: Former Toys ‘R’ Us boss has plan to salvage chain
• 05/11/2018 – Toy World Magazine (UK): Further Plans Unveiled for KB Toys Resurrection
• 03/23/2018 – Toy World Magazine (UK): The “f” Word
• 02/28/2018 – The Toy Book: Feature on Using Brand Ambassadors (published in New York Toy Fair edition)

Earlier:

• 11/2017 – Fox Business: Zicam Profile on Innovations with Ed Begley Jr.
• 05/23/2016 – Blabbermouth.net: Product of Hate – “Kill. You. Now.” Video Released
• 2015: Shot a pilot with and was interviewed by the late Larry King.
• 06/25/2015 – Real Clever: Agency Profile on James Zahn, The Rock Father
• 02/24/2015 – BusinessWire: The secrets behind press conferences, product reveals and trade show marketing
• Fall 2013: James and his girls (“The Rock Daughters”) appeared on ABC News discussing toy safety for the holidays, and appeared on WGN News in a segment regarding the Kohl Children’s Museum.
• Featured as one of three At-Home Dads in the 2013 Father’s Day issue of Lake County Magazine
• Has previously appeared as a guest on AC360 with Anderson Cooper on CNN.

Interested in booking James? Send him an email.