Ronnen Harary
Ronnen Harary | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 1, 1971 South Africa |
| Occupation(s) | Business leader, television and film producer, philanthropist |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Known for | Co-founder of Spin Master, co-originator of PAW Patrol |
Ronnen Harary (born March 1, 1971) is a Canadian business leader, producer in television and film, philanthropist, and billionaire. He is the co-founder of the Canadian children’s entertainment firm Spin Master and co-originator of the preschool animated series Paw Patrol, which airs in over 160 countries. Together with his childhood companion Anton Rabie, Harary established Spin Master soon after completing their studies at the University of Western Ontario. Both held the position of co-CEOs from 1994 until 2021. Presently, Harary serves as chairman of Spin Master’s board, guiding the company’s long-term strategic direction, business growth initiatives, and merger and acquisition activities.
Early life
Harary was born into a Jewish family in South Africa and relocated to Canada at the age of five, growing up in Toronto. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Western Ontario. Harary has dysgraphia, a learning disorder that impacts the processing of written language.
Spin Master Toys
Harary and Rabie initially collaborated during their university years by creating Campus Faces, a venture that generated revenue through poster advertising. In 1994, shortly after graduation, they partnered with Ben Varadi to launch Spin Master, each contributing $10,000 in startup capital. Their debut product, Earth Buddy—a sawdust-filled nylon stocking head seeded with grass that grew like hair—achieved $1.5 million in sales within its first six months, firmly establishing Spin Master within the toy market.
Building on Earth Buddy’s success, Spin Master rolled out hit toys including Devil Sticks (1995) and Air Hogs (1998). The Air Hogs Sky Shark became one of the best-selling toys globally. Between 2002 and 2007, the company expanded internationally by opening sales and distribution offices throughout Western Europe and establishing a marketing and design center in Los Angeles to tap into regional creative resources. During this timeframe, Spin Master executed its first significant acquisition by purchasing X-Concepts, Inc., creators of Tech Deck, which enhanced its licensing portfolio and strengthened partnerships with leading entertainment firms.
In 2007, Spin Master introduced Bakugan, a toy franchise that transformed into a worldwide sensation accompanied by an animated TV show and video game. Collaborations with companies such as Sega, TMS Entertainment, Corus Television, and Nelvana Entertainment enabled a revenue-sharing framework that became central to Spin Master’s business model.
Through targeted acquisitions, Spin Master has incorporated legacy brands including Meccano’s Erector Set (2013) and Cardinal Industries—making it the second-largest game company in the U.S. (2015)—and went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange that same year. Later acquisitions broadened its product range further with Etch A Sketch and Swimways Corporation (2016), GUND plush toys (2018), and Rubik’s Brand Ltd., owner of Rubik’s Cube (2022).
Spin Master Digital Games
In 2016, Spin Master strengthened its digital footprint by acquiring Swedish mobile app developers Toca Boca and Sago Mini from the Bonnier Group, expanding its Digital Games creative division.
Spin Master Ventures
Founders Ronnen Harary and Anton Rabie established Spin Master Ventures (SMV) to drive innovation across the company’s three creative sectors: Toys, Entertainment, and Digital Games. SMV is designed to position Spin Master as a preferred collaborator for entrepreneurs seeking investment while enhancing its product development pipeline.
Spin Master Entertainment
Ronnen Harary played a pivotal role in developing internationally recognized children's franchises such as PAW Patrol, Bakugan, Rusty Rivets, and Mighty Express. These series have been broadcast in more than 170 countries, gaining global popularity due to their relatable characters and narratives that resonate across diverse cultures.
In August 2021, Spin Master debuted its inaugural feature-length film, PAW Patrol: The Movie, which achieved over $100 million in worldwide box office revenue. The follow-up film, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, is slated for release in theaters on October 13, 2023. Harary took on the role of Executive Producer for both productions.
Additionally, he has overseen executive production for more than ten television series, including PAW Patrol, Rusty Rivets, Super Dinosaur, and Bakugan Battle Brawlers.
Covid-19 Response
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, Ronnen Harary directed efforts to produce protective face shields for medical personnel. Spin Master staff repurposed Hedbanz headbands by affixing PET plastic inserts to create these shields. The company generously donated upwards of 400,000 face shields to over 120 hospitals, shelters, and long-term care centers.
Awards
In 1999, Spin Master co-founders Anton Rabie, Ronnen Harary, and Ben Varadi earned the Ernst & Young Young Entrepreneurs of the Year award for the World-Canada Ontario Region and were distinguished as the youngest recipients of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40.
Between 2000 and 2004, Spin Master was honored as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and was featured in the publication "Building the Best: Lessons from Inside Canada's Best Managed Companies."
Fast Company recognized Spin Master as the Most Innovative Consumer Products Company in 2010. In 2014, Walmart named Spin Master Toy Supplier of the Year.
Interbrand Canada included Spin Master among 150 Iconic Canadian Brands in 2017. The following year, Canadian Business magazine listed it in the Growth 500.
In 2022, Fast Company featured Spin Master on its "Best Workplaces for Innovators" list.
Since 2002, Spin Master has received a total of 124 Toy of The Year (TOTY) nominations with 33 wins, holding a record with 13 nominations specifically for Innovative Toy of the Year.
The Entertainment division secured four Canadian Screen Awards in 2020 for the preschool show PAW Patrol, including accolades for Best Pre-School Program and Best Original Music - Animation.
PAW Patrol: The Movie was awarded the Golden Screen Award in 2022 as Canada's highest-grossing feature film domestically with earnings exceeding $7.5 million and over $152 million worldwide.
That same year, founders Ronnen Harary, Anton Rabie, and Ben Varadi were inducted into the Canadian Toy Hall of Fame in recognition of their significant industry impact.
Spin Master has upheld its status as a Best Managed Company for more than seven consecutive years and holds Platinum Club membership on Deloitte's Best Managed Companies list.
Spin Master Innovation Fund
Since its inception in 2010, Spin Master has collaborated with Futurpreneur Canada to foster entrepreneurship among young innovators through the Spin Master Innovation Fund. Each year, up to ten startups receive $50,000 in seed funding alongside mentorship and an opportunity to attend a two-day Innovation Launch Pad Workshop at Spin Master’s Toronto headquarters with senior company leaders.
The Toy Movement
Co-founded in 2014 by Ronnen Harary, The Toy Movement is a global initiative led by Spin Master that has distributed more than 850,000 toys to children facing displacement and hardship around the world.
Toy Invention Program
Ronnen Harary introduced the Toy Invention Program (T.I.P.) in 2019 to nurture emerging toy inventors. Delivered through university continuing education departments in partnership with Spin Master, T.I.P. provides specialized training in toy invention. Originally launched as a one-year course at Toronto Metropolitan University, it draws inspiration from a comparable collaboration with Israel’s Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art. The program has since grown to include Kingston University in London and Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan.
Other
Spin Master regularly donates toys to various charitable organizations dedicated to supporting children in need. The company actively funds hundreds of educational and charitable initiatives across more than 18 countries, fostering learning through play. In 2021, Spin Master made cash donations totaling $1.95 million USD.
In 2020, Spin Master formed strategic alliances with The Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), The Learning Partnership, and the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, reflecting its commitment to social responsibility.
Personal philanthropy
Since 2013, Ronnen Harary has supported Save a Child's Heart by organizing annual photography exhibitions to raise funds. In 2017, he and Anton Rabie contributed toward upgrading facilities at Camp Northland-B'nai Brith, their childhood summer camp.
Harary is also a patron of the Naggar School of Art and Society in Jerusalem, where a campus is named in his honor.
Ronnen Harary Foundation
Founded in 2020, the Ronnen Harary Foundation aims to improve public spaces in both Jerusalem and Toronto while assisting young individuals with learning disabilities to reach their academic goals. Its primary program, the Full Potential Scholarship, supports Canadian students with learning challenges pursuing higher education in Ontario.
Personal life
Ronnen Harary lives in Toronto, Canada.
Filmography
Ronnen Harary holds the role of Executive Producer on numerous television series and films, mainly through Spin Master Entertainment.
TV Series
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2007 - 2012 | Bakugan Battle Brawlers |
| 2011 - 2013 | Redakai: Conquer the Kairu |
| 2013 - 2014 | Tenkai Knights |
| 2013–present | Paw Patrol |
| 2016 - 2020 | Rusty Rivets |
| 2018 - 2019 | Super Dinosaur |
| 2018 - 2023 | Bakugan: Battle Planet |
| 2019 - 2022 | Abby Hatcher |
| 2019 - 2020 | Dragamonz |
| 2020 | Zo Zo Zombie |
| 2020 - 2022 | Mighty Express |
| 2022–present | Sago Mini Friends |
| 2023–present | Rubble & Crew |
| 2023–present | Bakugan |
| 2023–present | Vida the Vet |
Films
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2021 | Paw Patrol: The Movie |
| 2023 | Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie |