State of the Industry Q&A 2025: Brian Volk-Weiss
Hey, toy and pop culture enthusiasts! On March 23, 2025—right now at 5:37 PM PDT—The Toy Book dropped a powerhouse virtual Q&A, hosted by Editor-in-Chief James Zahn (aka The Rock Father), featuring Brian Volk-Weiss, CEO of The Nacelle Company. This is a can’t-miss clash of industry titans breaking down the toy world’s highs and lows in 2025—let’s dive into the highlights!
The Players
- James Zahn: With over 30 years in entertainment, retail, and publishing, Zahn’s a toy industry legend. He’s Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, Co-President of the International Toy Magazines Association, and a frequent expert voice in outlets like Forbes, Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. You’ve caught him on CNN, FOX Business, and even chatting with Larry King. He’s been steering The Toy Book since rising from Senior Editor, and his Q&As are a staple at events like Comic-Con and ASTRA.
- Brian Volk-Weiss: The Nacelle Company’s founder and CEO, Volk-Weiss is a pop culture dynamo. He’s the genius behind Netflix’s The Toys That Made Us and The Movies That Made Us, plus a toy visionary reviving classics like Robo Force and Sectaurs. Nacelle’s 2025 lineup—including Star Trek action figures hitting Q1—is making waves, and his passion-driven approach is pure fire.
The Q&A: Key Takeaways
This hour-long session, streamed live on The Toy Book’s YouTube at noon PDT, tackled the toy industry’s 2025 pulse—tariffs, trends, and tenacity. Zahn set the stage with the year’s brutal backdrop (check his “Trump, Tariffs, Layoffs, & Price Hikes” piece), and Volk-Weiss brought the heat with Nacelle’s strategy.
- Tariff Turbulence: Zahn zeroed in on the Trump tariffs slamming China during Toy Fair—10%+ surcharges, retailers pressuring vendors, layoffs hitting Mattel (120 jobs cut) and Jazwares. Volk-Weiss stayed cool: Nacelle’s Star Trek figures are locked under $30 (pre-orders opened late February, per TrekCore), sidestepping the chaos with early production deals. “We’re not here to gouge fans,” he said—a win for collectors.
- Nacelle’s Bold Play: Volk-Weiss spilled on their Star Trek line—Wave 1’s eight figures (Captain Garrett, Jellico) are shipping pre-holidays, with Wave 2 (10 figs, including a new Kirk and Picard) teased for late 2025. “I want 100 figures minimum,” he vowed, aiming to blend Playmates’ scale with Diamond Select’s detail (CBR, November 2024). Zahn chuckled: “That’s a collector’s dream—and nightmare!”
- Industry Outlook: Zahn flagged 2025’s grim stats—inflation spiking, confidence tanking, jobs on the line. Volk-Weiss flipped the script: “Toys are passion, not just profit.” Nacelle’s lean setup—boosted by The Expanse figs and A Toy Store Near You—lets them roll out risks like Great Garloo while giants like WB Games close studios. He sees a mobile-first future, mirroring WB’s post-MultiVersus pivot.
- Fan Focus: Zahn asked about NYCC’s Trekkie frenzy. Volk-Weiss beamed: “They’re why we do this—Wave 2’s got surprises they’ll lose it over.” Think rare Datas or Kirks never molded before. X posts are trending wild—fans are all in.
Why It’s a Big Deal
This Q&A’s a raw look at an industry fighting through the storm. Zahn’s insider scoop and Volk-Weiss’ indie hustle show a battered toy world still swinging—tariffs bite, but passion projects like Coyote ($9.97 at Walmart today!) or The Darkest Files (Steam, March 25) keep the spark alive. Collectors, lock in those Star Trek pre-orders; players, watch Nacelle—they’re rewriting the game.
What’s your take? Pumped for Volk-Weiss’ 100-figure mission, or spooked by Zahn’s price-hike warnings? Let’s hear it—catch the full vid on The Toy Book’s YouTube, linked in their bio!
