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Ronnen Harary

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Ronnen Harary
Born1971 or 1972 (age 52–53)[1]
Ontario, Canada
NationalityCanadian
Alma materUniversity of Western Ontario
Occupation(s)co-CEO, Spin Master
Known forco-founder of Spin Master and co-creator of PAW Patrol

Ronnen Harary (born 1971/1972) is a Canadian billionaire businessman, co-founder and co-CEO (with Anton Rabie) of toy and entertainment company Spin Master and the co-creator of PAW Patrol, the preschool series that airs in 160 countries.[2]

Spin Master is a Canadian global toy and entertainment company that has been designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing consumer products for children around the world since 1994. Its brands include Bakugan, Erector Set by Meccano, Air Hogs, PAW Patrol, Hatchimals and Zoomer.[3]

Spin Master employs over 1600 people globally with offices in offices in Canada, United States, Mexico, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam and Australia.[4]

Early life

Harary was born to a Jewish family in South Africa and emigrated with his parents to Canada at a young age. His mother Odette Levy was born in Israel.[5] He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Western Ontario.[6]

Career

Harary is co-founder and co-ceo of Spin Master, best known for brands such as, Bakugan, Hatchimals, Meccano, Air Hogs and PAW Patrol.[3]

Harary and childhood friend Anton Rabie, armed with $10,000, released Spin Master's first toy in 1994. It was called "Earth Buddy" and resembled a Chia Pet. This initial success served as the springboard for Spin Master's entry into the toy business. In 1998, Spin Master launched its Air Hogs brand, the first products designed to be easily flown by children and required limited assembly. The brand came to the company from two British inventors based on an innovative design involving a miniature engine powered by compressed air. The Sky Shark put Spin Master on the map, becoming one of the most popular toys in the world and earning them a slot on daytime television Regis and Kathie Lee alongside other international press.[7]

From 2002 to 2007, Spin Master expanded its international footprint, establishing sales and distribution offices across western Europe. The company also opened its Los Angeles marketing and design hub, allowing the company to access deep local toy design, marketing and engineering talent. During this time of growth, Spin Master made its first significant acquisition, acquiring X-Concepts, Inc, maker of Tech Deck. This growth allowed expansion of the company's licensing capabilities and relationships with major entertainment companies.[8]

In 2008, Spin Master launched the Bakugan Battle Brawlers franchise, a card game developed in partnership with Sega Toys featuring plastic balls which burst open to reveal anime-style characters. Harary launched Spin Master Entertainment and Bakugan Battle Brawlers the animated action adventure television series under the direction of Mitsuo Hashimoto. To date, Spin Master Entertainment has developed six television series with over 400 cumulative episodes.[9]

In August 2013, Spin Master acquired the Erector Set by Meccano construction set line.[10] In June 2015, Spin Master entered into an agreement to acquire Cardinal Industries, a 60-year-old game, and puzzles company. The purchase made Spin Master the second largest games company in the U.S. A month after announcing it was buying Cardinal, Spin Master made its initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange.[7]

In January 2016 Spin Master purchased the library of board games owned by Editrice Giochi SRL, one of the oldest privately-held toy game companies in Italy. In February 2016, Spin Master bought the Etch A Sketch and Doodle Sketch brands from The Ohio Art Company for an undisclosed price. In April 2016, Spin Master purchased digital toy makers Toca Boca and Sago Mini from the Bonnier Group of Sweden. In August 2016 Spin Master diversified into the water and outdoor sports category through the acquisition of Swimways corporation.[7]

In March 2018, Spin Master acquired the 120 year old stuffed toy brand GUND.[11]

Abby Hatcher, Spin Master's newest animated preschool series debuted on Nickelodeon 2018-2019 season in the U.S.[12]

Since 2002, Spin Master has received 92 TIA Toy of The Year (TOTY) nominations with 28 wins across a variety of product categories, including 13 TOTY nominations for Innovative Toy of the Year, more than any other toy company.[13] Spin Master is now a $1.5 billion (sales) company, which employs over 1,600 people in 16 countries.[14]

As of March 2018, Forbes estimated Harary's net worth at US$1.3 billion.[15]

Philanthropy

Harary co-founded The Toy Movement, a Spin Master-led, global initiative that has given over 250,000 toys with the goal to give an additional 500,000 toys to 500,000 children in 2018.[16] [17]

In 2017, Harary and partner Anton Rabie donated $250,000 to help improve some of the facilities of their childhood camp, Camp Northland-B'nai Brith.[18]

Personal life

Harary lives in Toronto, Canada.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Forbes profile: Ronnen Harary". forbes.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  2. ^ Kopun, Francine (6 April 2018). "For Toronto toymaker Spin Master, innovation is key to success in post-Toys 'R' Us world - The Star". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  3. ^ a b Inc., Toy Industry Association. "Toy of the Year Awards - Overview". www.toyassociation.org. Retrieved 11 April 2018. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ "Spin Master Announces Acquisition of GUND from Enesco". www.newswire.ca. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  5. ^ Lungen, Paul; Reporter, Staff (1 December 2011). "Wildly successful toy company started in a garage".
  6. ^ "Ronnen Harary - CIJA". cija.ca. 2014-12-18. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  7. ^ a b c "The secrets to Spin Master's success? Acquisition and innovation". yahoo.com. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Spin Master - Our Story". www.spinmaster.com. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  9. ^ "Spin Master Announces Appointment of Jennifer Dodge to Executive Vice President, Entertainment". www.newswire.ca. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  10. ^ "Spin Master acquires iconic Meccano in bid to take on Lego". Retrieved 11 April 2018 – via The Globe and Mail.
  11. ^ "Spin Master buys stuffed toy brand Gund in $79.1-million deal". Retrieved 11 April 2018 – via The Globe and Mail.
  12. ^ "Nickelodeon Unveils Content Pipeline of More Than 800 New Episodes, Details Expansion into Location-Based and VR Experiences - Bloomberg". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  13. ^ "2019 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards".
  14. ^ "Spin Master's PAW Patrol wins an award from Tmall, the online marketplace of the Alibaba Group". www.newswire.ca. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  15. ^ Peterson-Withorn, Chase. "Meet The World's 259 Newest Billionaires". forbes.com. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
  16. ^ "Home". Toymovement.org.
  17. ^ "Canadian company behind 'Hatchimals' shipping thousands of toys to kids in need". ctvnews.ca. 22 December 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  18. ^ "Best friends, co-founders of Spin Master toys, give back to the summer camp where they met". Retrieved 9 April 2018 – via The Globe and Mail.
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