Ronnen Harary

Early life

Ronnen Harary was born to a Jewish family in South Africa and emigrated to Canada with his parents while he was still young. His mother, Odette Levy, was noted to have been born in Israel. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Western Ontario.

Career

Ronnen Harary and his childhood friend, Anton Rabie, armed with only $10,000, released Spin Master’s first toy in 1994. It was called the “Earth Buddy” and it resembled a Chia Pet. This initial success served as the springboard for Spin Master’s entry into the toy industry. It includes brands such as Bakugan, Erector set by Meccano, Air Hogs, PAW Patrol, Hatchimals, and Zoomer. Spin Master employs over 1,600 people globally in offices across Canada, the United States, Mexico, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, and Australia.

In 1998, Spin Master launched the Air Hogs brand, the first products designed to be easily flown by children while requiring only 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 across the globe and earning them a slot on daytime TV with Regis and Kathie Lee, as well as other international press. From 2006-2007, Spin Master would expand its international footprint, establishing sales and distribution offices across western Europe. The company also opened its Los Angeles marketing design hub, allowing the company to access deep local toy design, as well as marketing and engineering talent. During this period of growth, Spin Master made its first acquisition, acquiring X-Concepts Inc., maker of the Tech Deck. This growth allowed for the expansion of the company’s licensing capabilities and relationships with major entertainment companies.



In 2008, Spin Master launched the Bakugan Battle Brawlers franchise: a card game developed in partnership with Sega Toys that featured plastic balls that burst open to reveal anime-style characters.

Harary went on to launch Spin Master Entertainment and Bakugan Battle Brawlers, the animated action-adventure TV series under the direction of Mitsuo Hashimoto. To Date, Spin Master Entertainment has developed six TV series with over 400 cumulative episodes. In August 2013, Spin Master acquired the Erector Set by Meccano construction set line. 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 United States. A month after announcing it was buying Cardinal, Spin Master made its initial public offering on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

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. However, the price at which they bought it is undisclosed. 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 would diversify itself and enter into the water and outdoor sports category via its acquisition of Swimways corporation. In March 2018, Spin Master Acquired the 120-year-old stuffed toy brand GUND.



Abby Hatcher, Spin Master’s newest animated preschool series debuted on Nickelodeon 2018-2019 season in the United States.

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


As of March 2018, Forbes estimated Harary’s net worth at US$1.3 billion.

Net Worth

1.3 Billion