Industry experts speak on the future trends and share strategies in strengthening growth in the China market.
Speakers & topics (2018)
Toy Talks Synopsis

The world is rapidly changing and the business of play is as well. In order to learn more about what is happening now and will happen in the near future we have asked toy industry experts to speak about their views on China and the world of play as it is and will be.
Toy Talk - Experts Speak on the Present and Future of Toys and Play
Date | 9 April 2018 (Monday) |
Time | 2pm-6pm (registration start at 1:30pm) |
Venue | Level 1.5 Conference room, Poly World Trade Center Expo |
Language | Mainly English, Simultaneous translation between English & Mandarin Chinese will be provided during the conference |
Admission | Free-of-charge to the trade fair buyers. Limited seat, first come first serve. |
Programme
Time | Programme |
1:30 – 2:00pm | Registration open |
Opening Session | |
2:00 – 2:10pm | Welcome Remarks |
Individual Presentation (Session I) | |
2:15 – 2:30pm | The Future of China and Toys China is going to be a major player in toy and movie consumption. What will this mean for the rest of the world? Richard Gottlieb, a toy industry futurist, will give his predictions and advice. Richard Gottlieb, Co-Founder of Global Toy Experts |
2:30 – 2:55pm | The future of toys and e-commerce in China China is the largest toy e-commerce market in the world. What are the reasons and what does it mean? What is the future of toys and e-commerce in China? Crystal Zhong, Executive Director of Kidsland |
2:55 – 3:20pm | Designing Toys and Packaging when East Meets West China is set to replace the United States in 2022 as the largest consumer market for toys in the world. This new paradigm will challenge product and packaging developers to create products that appeal to children in the east and the west. Gary Man, Director & Chief Designer of Bumblebee Studio |
3:20 – 3:45pm | Building a Toy Brand in the Domestic Chinese Market China is predicted to be the number 1 consumer market for toys by the year 2022. 2022 is not very far away and smart toy companies like King Bee Toys are making sure that they are part of that future. The presentation will focus on King Bee’s experience and best practices in doing business in China. Kirsten Ytterbo, Senior Vice President of King Bee Toys |
3:45 – 4:00pm | Coffee Break |
Individual Presentation (Session II) | |
4:00 – 4:25pm | Know to Grow: How Understanding Kids and Cultures Creates A Foundation for Growth She will share her experience on how researching and understanding kids & families supports innovation, underpins global expansion and helps avoid costly misunderstandings. She will discuss approaches to understanding families and cultures, give examples of cultural differences and explain why consumer insight can make a difference. Laura Post, Former Vice President of Global Insights, Lego Group |
4:25 – 4:50pm | How Character Licensing Can Keep Breaking Records in the Global Toy Industry Whether it is movies, television or Youtube, licensing characters and brands is getting more competitive. Matt Hudak’s talk will focus on the increasing competition between intellectual property/brands, the growing influence of adults in the space, and local brands of interest. Matt Hudak, Toy & Game Analyst of Euromonitor International |
4:50 – 5:15pm | Growing Up Tech: 5 Trends Affecting the Global Toy Market Technology is becoming an ever more important part of play. Robin Raskin will look at how AI, AR and VR, Internet of Things, Voice Enabled Toys, and Robotics/Coding are being used to create a new generation of toys. The presentation with have demos of the products. Robin Raskin, Founder of "Living in Digital Times" |
5:15 – 5:50pm | Panel Discussion |
5:50 – 6:00pm | Q & A Session |
End of Programme |
Information updated as of 6 Mar 2018
* The above programme is subject to change without prior notice.
Speaker
Panel Chair
Mr Richard Gottlieb
CEO of Global Toy Experts
Speaker' bio and company introduction
Topic: The Future of China and Toys
China is going to be a major player in toy and movie consumption. What will this mean for the rest of the world? Richard Gottlieb, a toy industry futurist, will give his predictions and advice.
Speakers

Ms Crystal Zhong
General Manager of Kidsland
Speaker' bio and company introduction
Topic: The future of toys and e-commerce in China
China is the largest toy e-commerce market in the world. What are the reasons and what does it mean? What is the future of toys and e-commerce in China?
Mr Gary Man
Director & Chief Designer of Bumblebee Studio
Speaker' bio and company introduction
Topic: Designing Toys and Packaging when East Meets West
China is set to replace the United States in 2022 as the largest consumer market for toys in the world. This new paradigm will challenge product and packaging developers to create products that appeal to children in the east and the west.
Ms Kirsten Ytterbo
Senior Vice President of King Bee Toys
Speaker' bio and company introduction
Topic: Building a Toy Brand in the Domestic Chinese Market
China is predicted to be the number 1 consumer market for toys by the year 2022. 2022 is not very far away and smart toy companies like King Bee Toys are making sure that they are part of that future. The presentation will focus on King Bee’s experience and best practices in doing business in China.
Ms Laura Post
Former Vice President of Global Insights, Lego Group
Speaker' bio and company introduction
Topic: Know to Grow – How Understanding Kids and Cultures Creates A Foundation for Growth
She will share her experience on how researching and understanding kids & families supports innovation, underpins global expansion and helps avoid costly misunderstandings. She will discuss approaches to understanding families and cultures, give examples of cultural differences and explain why consumer insight can make a difference.
Mr Matthew Hudak
Senior Analyst – Toys & Games of Euromonitor International
Speaker' bio and company introduction
Topic: How Character Licensing Can Keep Breaking Records in the Global Toy Industry
Whether it is movies, television or Youtube, licensing characters and brands is getting more competitive. Matt Hudak’s talk will focus on the increasing competition between intellectual property/brands, the growing influence of adults in the space, and local brands of interest.

Ms Robin Raskin
Founder of "Living in Digital Times"
Speaker' bio and company introduction
Topic: Growing Up Tech – 5 Trends Affecting the Global Toy Market
Technology is becoming an ever more important part of play. Robin Raskin will look at how AI, AR and VR, Internet of Things, Voice Enabled Toys, and Robotics/Coding are being used to create a new generation of toys. The presentation with have demos of the products.