James Zahn

About

Over the past 30 years, I've been fortunate to have enjoyed a varied career that's led me to my current place as Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book — the leading trade publication serving the toy industry. I am many things — a media personality, writer, pop culture & toy expert, brand ambassador, content creator, consultant, and commentator. I love marketing and PR and am always seeking new opportunities and challenges. For over a decade, many have come to know me as "The Rock Father ," a nickname given to me upon the birth of our first daughter and one that came to be the title of the publication for which I became most known: THE ROCK FATHER Magazine. For Adventure Media and Events, I also serve as a Senior Editor for our consumer-focused publications, The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider. If I look familiar, it's possible that you may have seen me on screen. As an actor, I've appeared in commercials for clients such as Wendy's in addition to some small tv/film roles. I've appeared on CNN and FOX Business, have been interviewed by Anderson Cooper and Larry King, and have popped up in segments or articles that have appeared in/on the Chicago Tribune, NBC, ABC, CBS, BBC News, Forbes, CGTN, and more. I am frequently called upon to provide expert commentary on the toy industry. While Illinois is my home base and where my wife and I have chosen to raise our kids, I do a lot of work in L.A. & NYC. Clients have included Disney, Netflix, Fox, PopSugar, Fandango, PBS Kids, Sprout (Universal Kids), Chicago Parent, Life of Dad, Hasbro, Mattel, The J.M. Smucker Company, Pennzoil, Step2, and dozens of other companies across a wide array of distinct verticals. My experience also includes past roles at Walmart, Kmart, and Musicland Group. Creatively, I've penned screenplays and comic books, performed in bands, and stayed connected to the music world as an artist manager for Product of Hate, whose debut album was released in 2016 via Napalm Records, distributed in the U.S. by ADA/Warner Music with Int'l distro by Universal. Their latest album was released on Feb. 5, 2021, on POH Metalworks and charted in its first weeks of release. I've also directed and edited music videos for a number of artists in the rock and metal worlds. Above all, my work in publishing and the toy industry has been exceptionally rewarding. I've provided consulting services for several toy companies and have built a robust portfolio of writing in both print and digital formats, spanning newspapers, magazines, and comic books dating back to the early '90s. There is no road map for this.