POUND PUPPY

I’ve known and worked with Mike since 1995 when he brought his creation Pound Puppies to Galoob Toys in a new and innovative way. This toy was a breakout collectable sensation in the early 80’s for the Tonka toy company and resides in the pantheon of toy classics such as Care Bears and Cabbage Patch Kids. Relaunched at Galoob the line once again became a huge hit and a true brand. As the creator of Pound Puppies - one of the largest selling plush toys of all time - he has proven himself as an iconic visionary in the toy industry. We have continued to work together through two other new Toy Companies I’ve started, Play Along and now Basic Fun. Mike Bowling is one of those people who has added true, genuine joy to the toy industry. He looks at toys through a child’s eye and works even harder to make his toys “special” because as he says “it’s all about the kids”. His creations come from his heart and it shows with children when they play with them. I‘m always looking to work on new toy projects with Mike and wish him luck with all his new ventures.

I have known Mike Bowling for over 35 years. Where else but America can you take a young Ford Motor Company assembly line worker and develop one of the great toy concepts of its generation “POUND PUPPIES” on a global basis but this is what Mike Bowling accomplished. This achievement was by no means luck, as Mike has great creative skills, smarts, determination and passion for everything he does. He was not deterred when fourteen companies passed on the opportunity to license Pound Puppies. Mike and I have stayed friends for a long time and have worked together on many projects over the years. Aside from the attributes I have already cited Mike is humble, compassionate and a pleasure to work with and be around. He has been for a long time one of the bright stars of the Toy Industry, and as he expands his business into new opportunities beyond the toy category I have every confidence he will be successful.

Mike is truly one of the legends of the toy industry, beginning when he conceived and licensed the property POUND PUPPIES to Irwin Toys and eventually Tonka during the “glory days” of toy inventions in the early 1980s. The property achieved worldwide success and recognition and would ultimately morph into a wide range of licensed products and entertainment properties, including television series and a motion picture. Mike was the driving force behind that property, and without him, the toy company licensees would have never achieved anywhere near the degree of success they realized. He has remained a force in the toy industry ever since that experience, both as an inventor, speaker, and, more importantly, as a mentor for younger inventors. Mike is always available to take the time to work with and support the following generations of toy inventors. He has given back far more to the industry than he has received. For the past two decades, I have had the distinct pleasure and honor of representing Mike on intellectual property matters and consider him far more of a friend than a client. While he has undoubtedly enjoyed great success in the industry and received many honors and accolades, they are all well deserved. He’s truly a legend of the industry.

I am truly grateful to have worked with Mike over the years who has immense creativity and talent. Mike’s ability to captivate the hearts and minds of children (and kid’s at heart) worldwide is remarkable. As a colleague, Mike inspires and motivate us with his innovative ideas and unwavering dedication to his craft. His multifaceted talents in books, music, and toys have brought endless joy to countless individuals, making him a true luminary in the industry, and more importantly a friend.