#SDCC Panel Alert - Living in a Post Toys 'R' Us World: Navigating the Future of Toy Retail

Monday, July 16 2018 23:02

#SDCC Panel Alert - Living in a Post Toys 'R' Us World: Navigating the Future of Toy Retail

Written by James Zahn

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#SDCC Panel Alert - Living in a Post Toys 'R' Us World: Navigating the Future of Toy Retail

The biggest event in pop culture happens this week, and for the first time ever, I will be making the trip to Comic-Con International in San Diego. After "covering from home" for the better part of a decade across several sites, I'll be appearing as a program participant for a special panel on Saturday, July 21, 2018. I'm a late addition to the lineup for Living in a Post-Toys 'R' Us World: Navigating the Future of Toy Retail. Having written at length about the collapse of Toys 'R' Us, this will be an exciting chance to take part in a discussion about what the future might hold! Details below...

PANEL DETAILS: Room 8, 7:30pm-8:30pm - The bankruptcy and liquidation of "the world's biggest toy store," Toys 'R' Us, earlier this year has sent shockwaves through the toy industry. Many toys and smaller toy companies are left without a brick-and-mortar store presence. Is there a retailer that could rise to take the place of the fallen retail giant? Do you truly need a retail presence to launch a toy line? Panelists will take the temperature of the toy and collectibles industry and find the light in the darkness. They include Steven Anne (category manager, toys/licensing at Walgreens), Richard Gottlieb (principal and founder, Global Toy Group), Jason Labowitz (co-founder, Entertainment Earth and BifBangPow!) and James Zahn (The Rock Father™, The Toy Insider, The Pop Insider). Moderated by Daniel Pickett (founder, Action Figure Insider).

RSVP for the panel here. As I was a late addition to the lineup, I may not be listed on the site or app, but I will be there and I hope that many of you will be too!

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James Zahn

James Zahn is best-known as The Rock Father™, a media personality, commentator, adventurer and raconteur. He is the Owner, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of THE ROCK FATHER™ Magazine. In January, 2019, after nearly a decade of publishing The Rock Father™ Magazine, he joined Adventure Media and Events as Senior Editor of The Toy Book—the leading trade publication for the toy industry since 1984, as well as The Pop Insider — a destination for all things pop culture, and The Toy Insider — the leading consumer guide for toys and games. He is also editor of The Toy Report, a weekly newsletter published by The Toy Book each Thursday. Zahn has over 27 years of experience in the entertainment, retail and publishing industries.

He regularly serves as a Brand Ambassador and spokesperson for several Globally-recognized pop culture and lifestyle brands in addition to consulting for a number of toy manufacturers.

Creatively, James has directed/edited music videos, lyric videos, and album trailers for bands such as FEAR FACTORY, has appeared as an actor in feature films and commercials, written comic books, and performed in bands. He currently serves as an artist manager and video director for PRODUCT OF HATE, whose debut album was released by Napalm Records in 2016, distributed by ADA/Warner Music in the U.S. with Universal Music handling global. A new album has been completed and is set for release this year.

Zahn and/or his work have been featured in/on CNN, NBC, ABC, WGN, CBS, GCTN, G4, The Chicago Tribune, Forbes, MarketWatch, Reuters, BusinessWire, Fangoria, Starlog and more. He's appeared as a music expert on CNN's AC360 alongside Anderson Cooper, and has been interviewed by Larry King. In the past he served as a writer for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family and PBS KIDS, penned articles for Sprout and PopSugar, and was a contributor to Chicago Parent.

Learn more here.

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