Folks like @itsrossthompson.bsky.social & @miniktty.bsky.social work tirelessly to bring visibility & access to the jobs market in tabletop. A task more valuable than ever right now. Thanks to Ross for joining the pod to share about this work & provide some great tips for navigating the job hunt.

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · 10mo ago

A job in the tabletop games industry is a dream come true 🎉 💡We're joined by @itsrossthompson.bsky.social, Director of Marketing at @atomicmassgames.bsky.social to shed light on the job search journey and best practices in tabletop. 🎧 Listen here - www.podbean.com/ew/pb-fdksv-...

I wanna make coffee mugs, and water bottles, and tshirts, and stickers, and tote bags, and crew neck sweatshirts (it’s sweata weatha), and laptop cases, and magnets…… Maybe we should listen to what Andrew, from @manyworldstavern.bsky.social has to say about sidelines first.

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Sidelines can be an awesome addition to your catalog 🤩 or take away from your core focus 😮‍💨 They're tough to get right, so we connected with Andrew Loremen, CEO of @manyworldstavern.bsky.social, whose merch consistently catches our eyes 🙌 Listen here! www.podbean.com/ew/pb-vpdh6-...

Holy Smokes we’re in season 3 and kicking things off with a banger interview. @downtowntbrown.bsky.social, designer of Votes for Women, is an exceptionally thoughtful human. This conversation really hit @dannibelow.bsky.social & myself hard. Couldn’t think of a better way to start the new season 🎙️

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · 12mo ago

Gaming can be an escape for players. Does that mean certain themes are off limits? 🤔 Tory Brown (@downtowntbrown.bsky.social) of Votes for Women (@fortcircle.bsky.social) doesn't think so. She balances harsh realities with inspiring messages 💪 Listen here! www.podbean.com/ew/pb-tfxsv-...

Not that you needed another reason to buy, share, and play Flip 7 every chance you get…but here’s one more! Big thanks to David Blanchard for joining Unboxed to share how The Op team is building mega fandom for their hot little card game 🔥

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · last yr.

Maybe you've heard of Flip 7. Or maybe you've seen it on your table because your friends keep asking to play it! 🃏 David Blanchard of @theop.games joins us to share the story and strategy behind our new favorite card game. Check out this episode! www.podbean.com/ew/pb-e3cm9-...

OMG I love the IG account that does this for record covers. The next evolution of legos I didn’t know I needed 🤩

BoardGameGeek@boardgamegeek.com · last yr.

Bricked: Former Spiel des Jahres jury member Martin Klein has been re-creating iconic game covers with LEGO bricks. Only a handful of examples so far, but they're equally iconic: boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/359... —WEM

@unboxedpod.bsky.social firsts: @dannibelow.bsky.social and I just wrapped up recording an upcoming interview that left us both in tears. I cannot believe how lucky we are to get to have and share these conversations.

It seems kind of daunting right now to think about spending money and time planning a marketing event. Who even has the budget for that? Big thanks to Ben Green for joining @unboxedpod.bsky.social to share how planning an event like this might still create wins for you this year!

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · last yr.

Time for a 💿 Bonus Round 💿 Planning an event to promote an upcoming release or fan favorite title? 🎪 Hear from Ben Green, who's no stranger to event planning and maximizing the effort involved, whether that's with local game stores or a worldwide jamboree 🎉 www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ejrz4-...

I really like this philosophical framing America is run like a bad failing business, Singapore run like an effective business But it’s sure worth pursuing the indigenous values of “society as a household” … to scale

@mpco.bsky.social sets the bar high bringing beautiful art and great gameplay together and making it accessible to audiences with excellent graphic design. Learn more about how he does it on the latest episode of Unboxed 🎙️ Thanks for joining the conversation Matt!

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · last yr.

Good graphic design can make or break a game experience. Whether it's complementing the theme to driving UX, graphic design is an unsung hero 🎲 @mpco.bsky.social joins Unboxed to share his design philosophies and experiences 🃏 unboxedboardgamepodcast.podbean.com/e/s2e7-great...

Let’s talk about something fun! Like meeting your superhero at a convention. Cosplay and talent have high emotional impacts for fans and can be a great addition to your in person and online activations. Thanks to @geeksagogo.bsky.social for sharing how to make the most of these partnerships!

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · last yr.

Time for a 💿 Bonus Round 💿 How can cosplayers make a difference in your #tabletop marketing? @geeksagogo.bsky.social shares how to get the most out of hiring talent for your in-person and online activations 💪 unboxedboardgamepodcast.podbean.com/e/bonus-roun...

Trump just opened up a procedural avenue for Dems to force votes on the tariffs he announced yesterday. A quick explainer-

Those trying to understand the tariffs as economic policy are dangerously naive. No, the tariffs are a tool to collapse our democracy. A means to compel loyalty from every business that will need to petition Trump for relief. 1/ A 🧵 to explain his plan and how we fight back.

Tariffs are a poor persons tax. The average American cannot afford to have most of the products they purchase and consume manufactured locally. Why? Because our cost of living is exponentially higher than countries we import goods from.

Literally The Stackhouse Filibuster West Wing episode happening IRL

KAMALA NATION@kamalanation.bsky.social · last yr.

There's nothing more to say except: THANK YOU, CORY BOOKER. #Filibuster #MarathonSpeech

Content collaboration has netted some of the most fun and engaging ideas we’ve put out. @danistandring.bsky.social is a boss at owning the collaborative process and it shows in her engagement and community building. So lucky to have her on Unboxed 🎙️ to share that knowledge!

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · last yr.

Partnering with content creators is a core part of tabletop marketing. How do we get the most out of these strategies? 🤔 @danistandring.bsky.social joins us to talk about a vital part of these relationships - collaboration 🤝 Check out S2E6! unboxedboardgamepodcast.podbean.com/e/s2e6-conte...

Yes, it’s still important to talk about the impact of COVID on the next generation’s minds. While our country’s education is pushed around as a political chess piece, don’t forget there are incredible people like this still fighting for our future. www.the74million.org/article/kipp...

KIPP’s Night Kindergarten in Newark: A Rare ‘Bright Spot’ in COVID’s Dark Days

The program is a unique example of a school that moved quickly to keep children from missing out on their first year of school.

the74million.org

We are certified silly gooses 100% of the time 🪿 Also, in full seriousness, this was a fantastic Bonus Round with super insightful observations from Ross. Give it a listen! 🎧

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · last yr.

Ross would appreciate us capturing some recording in the moment while we worked on the outro to his episode! So here's us being our usual silly selves. You can hear what @moregamesplease.bsky.social has to say about product photography here: unboxedboardgamepodcast.podbean.com/e/bonus-roun...

Never a dull moment at the Unboxed Studio! ICYMI: here’s the latest bonus round episode with @moregamesplease.bsky.social 🎧 + we’ve got another awesome guest visiting the studio this week!

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · last yr.

Ross would appreciate us capturing some recording in the moment while we worked on the outro to his episode! So here's us being our usual silly selves. You can hear what @moregamesplease.bsky.social has to say about product photography here: unboxedboardgamepodcast.podbean.com/e/bonus-roun...

Not only does @moregamesplease.bsky.social take excellent photos, he speaks beautifully about his philosophy on the role of the photograph in marketing too. Thanks for joining the discussion Ross!

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · last yr.

Time for a 💿 Bonus Round 💿 How is a photo more than a static image in time? @moregamesplease.bsky.social dives into #boardgame photography philosophy, sharing how he expresses important details and feelings to viewers. unboxedboardgamepodcast.podbean.com/e/bonus-roun...

When you re-cap it like that we had a pretty great week at GAMA! Our presentation decks are also linked here for those wanting to see that info again :)

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · last yr.

Wow when you write it down like that, we accomplished a ton at GAMA from networking to growing new skills and sharing some established ones with others! Read about it here ⬇️ ko-fi.com/post/Unboxed...

Thanks for an incredible FUN GAMA Expo! I loved sharing ☕️ coffee and 🗣️ conversations and 💡 ideas with folks. And special thanks to my Unboxed partner in crime @dannibelow.bsky.social for making it easy to love the work we do.

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · last yr.

What can we say except THANK YOU? We returned home from #GAMAExpo with our cups overflowing with gratitude for everyone who: 🐑 joined our seminars ☕ chatted during the Women in Toys networking event 💬 shared what new ideas they were inspired to try We are so excited to keep creating for you 💖

I’m always so grateful for Jack’s thoughtful reflections on games. Thanks for returning to where it all began to help share something new :)

The Cardboard Herald@cardboardherald.bsky.social · last yr.

Just posted our review of @keymastergames.bsky.social’s PARKS 2nd edition, prompting a nostalgic return to the site of our original edition review. #boardgames youtu.be/IyhrPk1lAmU

If you ever wanted a laugh track, that’s what 60% of this episode is 😂 Join us in our giggles, share your own hobbies, and start Woobling! (But in all seriousness, hobbies are good for your mental health and work battery!! 🔋)

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · last yr.

This must be scientifically proven by now: Hobbies clearly make us better at our jobs ✨ We share (with lots of laughs) some of our personal experiences with hobbies (mainly Woobles) and reflect on how those joys impact our work 🧶 Catch the Season 2, Episode 5 here: https://buff.ly/41aG81A

Yes! Crocheting makes me better at my job. I’m sure of it! And music, and movies, and books, and F1, and golf…all of it ⛳️

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · last yr.

This must be scientifically proven by now: Hobbies clearly make us better at our jobs ✨ We share (with lots of laughs) some of our personal experiences with hobbies (mainly Woobles) and reflect on how those joys impact our work 🧶 Catch the Season 2, Episode 5 here: https://buff.ly/41aG81A

Gosh I love IV Studio’s games! And no wonder. They have me and their fans in mind from day one when they start building new games. Thanks Zac for peeling back the curtain here on how you put games and fans first in product design!

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · last yr.

Time for a 💿 Bonus Round 💿 When marketing is in your DNA, you can't help but inject it into every creative project 🧬 Zac Dixon from IV Studio shares how thinking about marketing and community building from a product's inception has helped them land hit after hit on crowdfunding and your tables.

Who says there’s only one way to open a box?

We’ve got stickers now!

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · last yr.

We finally made stickers! Yes, that is a Woolening sticker you see there…a joke we’ve kept alive 3 years running now (who can tell us what episode we first mentioned it??) ….really, we can’t remember 👀 If you’re heading to GAMA Expo, come find Danni and Jen and ask us for one of these puppies!

dannibelow.bsky.social and I are heading back to @gamaofficial.bsky.social Expo at the end of February and we've got a couple of great new presentations on deck! Who wants to join whatever cult we make up this time??

Unboxed: A Board Game Industry Discussion@unboxedpod.bsky.social · 2y ago

Remember that time we started a cult? (looking at you S1E11) 👀 We're heading back to GAMA Expo with a couple new presentations up our sleeves 💪 Are you heading to @gamaofficial.bsky.social this year? Consider joining these conversations:

Thinking of diving into the world of licensed gaming? johnnyoneal.bsky.social and his team at brotherwisegames.bsky.social navigate the ins and out of relationships and product building for a beloved IP gracefully. Catch the interview on our latest episode of Unboxed!

Board games on NPR's @the1a.org! Great job @downtowntbrown.bsky.social @slausondesigns.bsky.social

The new American board game craze

Many tabletop gamers are clearing their calendars and pulling up chairs.

the1a.org