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Chris Byrne

Toy Historian & Industry Expert Known as "The Toy Guy"; President of Byrne Communications

Chris Byrne
Travels From Travels From:
New York, NY, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
Live Event: $5,000 - $10,000
Virtual Event: Please Contact
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Categories Categories:
Categories Categories:
Authors, Creativity, Culture, Early Childhood Education, Education, Family & Parenting, Host & Emcee, Human Resources, Innovation, Marketing, Podcast Hosts, Teamwork & Teambuilding, TED, Youth
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Chris Byrne Biography

As an independent toy analyst, researcher and consultant with more than 35 years of toy industry expertise, Chris Byrne blends his passion for play with a deep understanding of product development, child development, marketing, popular culture and research. He shares insights on toys and play through books, TV appearances and The Playground Podcast, a show he created to talk about toys and culture with leading figures in the industry.

Byrne began his career in marketing and operations for major toy brands, contributing to the success of products under Gabriel, Child Guidance, Creative Playthings, and Ideal. He led the team that made Pictionary one of the most popular games of its era. In 1988, he formed Byrne Communications with broad-based consulting in the toy, children’s entertainment, financial and consumer products industries. He co-founded and served as creative director for the TTPM website, which combines expert reviews with live price comparison, one-click purchasing, and product availability at major retailers. Today, Byrne Communications helps companies and entrepreneurs develop and launch products, while Byrne also advises analysts and investors on the global toy industry.

Byrne is also the creator, producer and co-host with another industry veteran, Richard Gottlieb, of The Playground Podcast, an industry-facing, weekly program that covers a broad range of issues facing the contemporary toy industry.

Byrne has been widely published on the topic of toys and family life and his work has appeared in a variety of trade magazines, journals and websites. He can be seen in the Netflix documentary "The Toys That Made Us" as a toy historian, and will be featured in an upcoming series on toys from National Geographic.

His book on the most popular toys from the 1950s to the 1980s, "Toy Time" gives the background on some of the all-time classic toys. He is also the author of "An Introduction to the U.S. Toy Industry: Serious Fun," which is used as an introductory textbook for students studying the toy business. His book "Funny Business: Harnessing the Power of Play to Give Your Business a Competitive Advantage" is widely used by management consultancies. Byrne also wrote two books for the Toy Association: "Toys" and "They Came to Play: A History of the Toy Industry Association."

Byrne is extensively quoted in the media and appears regularly on local and national television commenting on toys and demonstrating new products. He appears regularly on “Live! With Kelly & Ryan,” and has been seen on “Oprah, “Today,” “Good Morning America,” “CBS Evening News,” “ABC Nightly News,” “Fox & Friends,” “CBS This Morning,” CNBC, CNNfn, MSNBC, ABC, “The Motley Fool,” National Public Radio, Bloomberg Television and Radio, and on countless other national and local market business and consumer programs and publications in the U.S. and internationally.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/18/2024.

Chris Byrne Speaking Topics

  • Play as a Business Strategy

    How the principles of play can open the door to greater innovation, productive brainstorming, effective strategy—and more fun at work.

  • The Play-Full Life

    Using what you learned (I hope.) on the playground to be more effective in your life and work. Why playing by the rules and learning to “walk it off” are pathways to productivity, partnership…and peace.

  • Team Building as Your Secret Weapon

    A business goes up and down in the elevator every day. At least it used to pre-Covid, but the principle still applies. Building a powerful team is an essential skill for leaders. We look at the potential—and the pitfalls. And how the playground is the model for success.

Chris Byrne Videos

  • Chris Byrne | TED
    Chris Byrne | TED
    How Your Childhood Toys Tell Your Life Story
  • Chris Byrne - Live with Kelly & Mark
    Chris Byrne - "Live with Kelly & Mark"
    "The Toy Guy" Chris Byrne returns with the hottest toys this holiday season.
  • Chris Byrne - KATU/A.M. Northwest
    Chris Byrne - KATU/"A.M. Northwest"
    Chris Byrne, The Toy Guy, shares great toys for back-to-school.
See All Videos »

Chris Byrne Books

  • A Profile of the United States Toy Industry: Serious Fun
    A Profile of the United States Toy Industry: Serious Fun
  • Funny Business: Harnessing the Power of Play to Give Your Company a Competitive Advantage
    Funny Business: Harnessing the Power of Play to Give Your Company a Competitive Advantage
  • Toy Time!: From Hula Hoops to He-Man to Hungry Hungry Hippos: A Look Back at the Most- Beloved Toys of Decades Past
    Toy Time!: From Hula Hoops to He-Man to Hungry Hungry Hippos: A Look Back at the Most- Beloved Toys of Decades Past

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  • What topics does Chris Byrne speak about?

    Chris Byrne is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Authors, Creativity, Culture, Early Childhood Education, Education, Family & Parenting, Host & Emcee, Human Resources, Innovation, Marketing, Podcast Hosts, Teamwork & Teambuilding, TED, Youth.

  • Where does Chris Byrne travel from?

    Chris Byrne generally travels from New York, NY, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Chris Byrne for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Chris Byrne for your next private or corporate function.

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Chris Byrne is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Play as a Business Strategy, The Play-Full Life and Team Building as Your Secret Weapon. The estimated speaking fee range to book Chris Byrne for your event is $5,000 - $10,000. Chris Byrne generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Erin Gruwell, Jon Bergmann, Mitch Resnick, Kanya Balakrishna and Ellen Galinsky. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Chris Byrne for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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