# Spin Master/PAW Patrol: Ronnen Harary (2021)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2024-06-24
- Length: 1h 06m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-06-24-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary-2021

## Summary

Ronnen Harary, co-founder of Spin Master, explains how the company grew from a novelty gift startup into a $4 billion entertainment giant by relying on intuition and 'play patterns' rather than market research. He details the development of early hits like Earth Buddy and Air Hogs, the strategic pivot to media with Bakugan, and the creation of the PAW Patrol franchise, which saved the company from a severe financial downturn. Harary discusses the operational challenges of scaling production, managing co-founder dynamics, and the decision to go public to ensure the company's longevity beyond the founding team.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-06-24-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary-2021#t=0) Introduction: Ronnen Harary and Spin Master's Journey
- [5:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-06-24-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary-2021#t=302) Early Days: Earth Buddy and Devil Sticks
- [18:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-06-24-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary-2021#t=1117) Air Hogs: Engineering and Self-Financed Growth
- [36:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-06-24-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary-2021#t=2174) Intuition vs. Research: The Toy Development Process
- [44:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-06-24-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary-2021#t=2699) Bakugan: The Japan Partnership and Media Strategy
- [50:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-06-24-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary-2021#t=3006) The Downturn: Bakugan Decline and Restructuring
- [56:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-06-24-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary-2021#t=3366) PAW Patrol: Genesis and 360-Degree Branding
- [1:01:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-06-24-spin-master-paw-patrol-ronnen-harary-2021#t=3687) Going Public and Diversifying the Portfolio

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Spin Master (company)
- PAW Patrol (product)
- Earth Buddy (product)
- Air Hogs (product)
- Bakugan (product)
- Sega Toys (company)
- Mattel (company)
- Hasbro (company)
- Melissa and Doug (company)
- Swimways (company)
- Cardinal (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [178 - A company started by Packaging Engineers! Dwayne Rainey from Advanced Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-01-10-178-a-company-started-by-packaging-engineers-dwayne-rainey-from-advanced-packagi) (People of Packaging)
- [25: Q&A](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2017-03-30-25-q-a) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 1 - Rich Brilliant Willing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-08-19-afterschool-podcast-episode-1-rich-brilliant-willing) (Core77 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)
- [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)

## Citing this page

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