TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spin Master Ltd., a global leader and one of the top five U.S. toy manufacturers*, is celebrating 20 years of award winning innovation in children's entertainment, toys and games.
Ronnen Harary, Anton Rabie and Ben Varadi established Spin Master in 1994 armed with only $10,000 and an entrepreneurial spirit that sprouted their first hit, The Earth Buddy™, a small, panty-hose-covered head filled with grass seeds that sprouted hair when watered. A collection of novelty products including Devils Sticks™, Grow Things™ and Chatter Rings™ quickly followed and the introduction of the Sky Shark™ in 1998 put Spin Master on the map. But it was in 2008, when Spin Master officially became a global sensation with the launch of Bakugan™, a break out hit that was a combination of an action figure, board game and trading card game.
"The past twenty years have been exceptionally rewarding," says Anton Rabie Co-CEO and Co-Founder, Spin Master. "We have always prided ourselves on introducing cutting-edge children's toy and entertainment products that push the boundaries of design, technology and play. The combination of our people, partnerships, entrepreneurial spirit, integrity and innovation has driven our success. We are extremely excited about the next twenty years."
Today, Spin Master continues to 'spinnovate' children's entertainment and the toy industry by infusing immersive extensions to many of its toy lines through the creation of entertainment properties, companion applications, games and digital experiences. Paw Patrol™, the internationally acclaimed preschool animated series developed in partnership with Nickelodeon, is just one example of how Spin Master creates great brands for kids while building partnerships with iconic entertainment companies.
The Air Hogs™ brand, currently celebrating its 15th anniversary, continues to engage fans year after year with its amazing and technologically advanced products such as the Zero Gravity Laser Racer™, which enables kids to drive their cars on the ground, up walls and even across the ceiling. Additionally, through significant advancements in robotics, Spin Master is capturing the hearts of kids around the world, with the Zoomer™ brand; from the lovable and playful dalmation and his friends to a wild pet dinosaur, who loves to play as he roars, chomps, spins, chases and so much more. The launch of Chatsters™, this year the new interactive BFF, a talking, dancing, "thinking," animated doll that can wow even the most tech savvy little girls complete with a companion app which allows girls to call and text their Chatster, brings technology and advancement to the world of dolls.
Ben Gadbois, Global President & Chief Operating Officer of Spin Master Ltd added, "Spin Master's 20th anniversary is a tremendous milestone for the company. Over the past twenty years we've always looked for new and exciting ways for kids to play; constantly kept the consumer at the core of everything we do, from concept and creation, to product development and throughout all of our communication. We are a kids entertainment company that disrupts established play patterns. We innovate everything we touch by fusing immersive technology, digital and traditional play together.
In its 20 years, Spin Master has been nominated 34 times, winning 18, of the Toy Industry Association's "Toy Of The Year" awards for its products. Additionally, Spin Master has returned to double digit growth and has matured into a sophisticated and stable business whose focus is on revolutionizing fun every day. With a rich history of visionary innovation and a reputation for tenacity and ingenuity, the company is well-positioned for success and longevity in the future.
*Source: The NPD Group / US Retail Tracking Service / Annual 2013 / Dollar Volume
About Spin Master Ltd.:
A multi-category children's entertainment company, Spin Master has been designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing consumer products for children around the world since 1994 and is recognized as a global growth leader within the toy industry. Spin Master is best known for such popular brands as boy's action phenomena and 2009-2010 Boy's Toy of the Year winner Bakugan Battle Brawlers™, and award-winning brands Air Hogs®, Aquadoodle™, Flutterbye™, Spin Master Games™ including 2014 Game of the Year, Boom Boom Balloon ™ and the popular Hedbanz™, SpyGear™, Tech Deck™, and the 2014 Innovative Toy of the Year Zoomer™. The company has also marked an entry into children's media with the launch of Spin Master Entertainment, a subsidiary focusing on the design, development and production of television and other media properties, including the hit animated preschool series, PAW Patrol™. Spin Master employs over 900 people with offices in Toronto, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Mexico City, Munich, and Milan. For additional information please visit: www.spinmaster.com.
Spin Master Ltd.
450 Front St. West
Toronto, ON, M5V 1B6
Tel: (416) 364-6002
Fax: (416) 364-5025
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=27540
