# Spin Master/PAW Patrol: Ronnen Harary

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2021-12-20
- Length: 1h 06m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-12-20-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary

## Summary

Ronnen Harary, co-founder of Spin Master, recounts building a $4 billion toy empire starting with the Earth Buddy and Air Hogs, relying on intuition rather than market research. He details the strategic pivot to media with Bakugan and the massive success of PAW Patrol, while discussing the company's near-collapse during the 2008 recession and the subsequent restructuring. Harary explains how identifying timeless 'play patterns' and partnering with Japanese creators allowed Spin Master to create enduring franchises like PAW Patrol and Bakugan.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-12-20-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary#t=0) Introduction: Ronnen Harary and Spin Master
- [5:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-12-20-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary#t=301) The Earth Buddy and Early Manufacturing
- [25:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-12-20-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary#t=1526) Scaling with Air Hogs and Intuition
- [44:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-12-20-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary#t=2692) The Bakugan Breakthrough and Media Strategy
- [52:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-12-20-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary#t=3123) Recession, Layoffs, and Crisis Management
- [55:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-12-20-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary#t=3354) The Genesis of PAW Patrol
- [1:01:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-12-20-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary#t=3676) Diversification and Legacy

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, companies scaling up, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Spin Master (company)
- Earth Buddy (product)
- Air Hogs (product)
- Bakugan (product)
- PAW Patrol (product)
- Sega Toys (company)
- Mattel (company)
- Hasbro (company)
- Toys R Us (company)
- Kmart (company)
- Walmart (company)
- K Development (company)
- Kinsing (company)
- UniWorld (company)
- Samco Sales (company)
- Bob the Builder (product)
- Etch A Sketch (product)
- Cardinal (company)
- Swimways (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Founder Fundraising Journey: Craig Dubitsky, Happy Products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-04-18-founder-fundraising-journey-craig-dubitsky-happy-products) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Rooting for the Home Team with Paul Freedman and Bryan Carmel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2026-05-27-rooting-for-the-home-team-with-paul-freedman-and-bryan-carmel) (Oxide and Friends)
- [Against All Odds: Overcoming Huge Setbacks to Sell 5 Million Worldwide](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/its-only-a-prototype/2025-05-15-against-all-odds-overcoming-huge-setbacks-to-sell-5-million-worldwide) (It's Only a Prototype)
- [115: How to Successfully Design & Launch a Toy Invention](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-02-23-115-how-to-successfully-design-launch-a-toy-invention) (Product Startup)
- [125: Pitching Your Invention to Big Product Businesses](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-05-11-125-pitching-your-invention-to-big-product-businesses) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

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