The toy & Video game business was never the same!
The first person account of the toy business and it's evolution
The Man Who Saved Barbie
From Boardrooms to Console Wars
From the high-stakes boardrooms of global giants to the creative front lines of the "Console Wars," Tom Kalinske has spent over half a century reshaping how the world plays and learns. In this definitive memoir, the man who stood toe-to-toe with Nintendo and revitalized an American icon tells the inside stories of a career defined by bold risks, legendary business decisions, and an uncanny ability to hear the next big thing before anyone else.
Journey through the shifting landscapes of American industry as Tom reveals the high-pressure moments that defined generations of culture. He recounts the blunt conversation with Ruth Handler that led to the marketing revolution saving Barbie from the brink of extinction, and the "wanna bet" attitude that transformed He-Man into a global media powerhouse. For the first time, he shares the full narrative behind the Sega Genesis blitz—a David vs. Goliath struggle that saw a "Mario Killer" blue blur snatch market share from a near-monopoly.
Beyond the toys and games, Kalinske details his partnership with visionaries like Mike Milken and Larry Ellison to pioneer a "cradle to grave" technological approach to education. From launching the best-selling LeapPad to navigating the complex sale of PowerBar to Nestle, An Ear for Innovation is a masterclass in market segmentation and the "hardware/software" model. This is more than a business biography; it is the story of a man who didn't just play the game—he changed it forever.
Thomas Kalinske
Decisions: Leadership Happens Beyond Consensus
- Tom Kalinske is a Venture Partner at Alsop Louie Partners, a venture capital firm with specialized experience in new media, gaming, security and mobile.
- He is currently on the board of Teach the World foundation, Storyworld, and Stiched Insights.
- He has held CEO positions at Mattel, Universal Matchbox Group, Sega of America, Knowledge Universe, Global Education Learning, and LeapFrog, where he worked to build some of the best known brands for kids and teens (Barbie, Hot Wheels, See N' Say, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Sega Genesis, Sonic the Hedgehog, LeapFrog, etc.)
Decisions: Leadership Happens Beyond Consensus
- For his work at these companies, he was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 1997 and served as TIA Board Chairman in 1988.
- Tom has a BS from University of Wisconsin, an MBA from University of Arizona, and attended Harvard Graduate Business School's strategic management program.
- In 2022, Tom was inducted into the International Video Game Hall of Fame.
- Served as a Tank Commander in the Army.
Barbie
* Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, where he sang with the Tucson Boys Chorus, touring across the US, Canada, and Australia
* Education:
- Bachelor of Science from University of Wisconsin
- MBA from University of Arizona
- Harvard strategic management
* Early Career:
- Started at JWT in NYC, developing new products including Chunk King Frozen Egg Rolls and Flintstones Vitamins for Miles Labs
Barbie History
* Mattel Career (1973-1987):
- Began as Product Manager for Preschool Toys -
Led the Barbie division, growing it from $42M to $350M -
Became VP in 1975, overseeing all toys by 1976
Spearheaded the development of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe franchise -
Rose to President of Toy Division, building it to $1.5B - Appointed Co-CEO of Mattel in 1985
From Toys to Videogames and Learning Machines
- ◦ Matchbox (1987-1990):
- ▪ Partnered with David Yeh acquire Matchbox toys from receivership
- ▪ Successfully turned the company around to profitability
- Went public NYSE 1988
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- ◦ Served as CEO of Sega of America (1990-1996)
- ▪ Grew the company to $1.5B in US and $900M in Europe
- ▪ Oversaw the development and success of Sonic the Hedgehog
- ▪ Sega grew to 56% market share passing Nintendo
- ▪ Pioneered the industry's first game rating system
- ▪ Helped establish E3 and the video game industry association
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From Toys to Videogames and Learning Machines
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- ◦ Knowledge Universe (1996-2005):
- ▪ Joined with Larry Ellison and Mike Milken as CEO
- ▪ Started or acquired over 30 education technology companies
- ▪ Served as CEO of Leapfrog, taking it public in 2002
- ▪ Grew Leapfrog from $19M to $650M in revenue
- ▪ Significant contributions to educational technology advancement
Boards I've Served and am Serving on
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- Mattel NYSE 1983-87
- Universal Matchbox Group NYSE 1987-90
- SEGA of AmericaTokyo Exchange 1990-96
- Knowledge UniversePrivate 1996-2005
- LeapFrogTook Puplic NYSE 1996-2006
- CRT/Spring on London Exchange 1996-2016
- Prod Point, 1996-2016
Boards I've Served and am Serving on
- GEL Private 2010-2020
- Teach the World Foundation (TTWF)Private 2015-Now
- Story WorldPrivate 2016-Now
- Stitched Insights Private 2016-Now
- University Of Arizona Business School Foundation 2014-2018
- University of Wisconsin School of BusinessFoundation 2018-2024
- University of Wisconsin Center for Ed Foundation 2018-Now
- Mixed Dimensions (MXD)Private 2018-2021
- The Strong Museum Private 2012-Now
Writing my Book!
* Personal Life:
- Met his wife Karen at Mattel
- Father of six children
- Passionate about using technology to improve education
* Notable Achievements:
- Transformed multiple major brands and companies
- Pioneered developments in both the toy and video game industries
- Instrumental in expanding video gaming to adult audiences
- Significant contributions to educational technology advancement