Tom Kalinske - Mattel, Sega, Leap Frog

Few events in video game history are more legendary than the Console War between Sega and Nintendo.  Our guest today was one of the generals of that war, the head of Sega of America, Tom Kalinske.  
Tom's story is not just a story of Sega though, he started out in advertising, helping create the still iconic Flintstone's vitamins, he redefined Barbie's image, helped save Mattel from bankruptcy after the video game crash and lead one of the most important educational tech companies of our time, Leap Frog.
Tom's insight into the world of toys, games and education over a career spanning 6 decades is a wild and fascinating ride.

Recorded: July 2025

Video version: https://www.patreon.com/posts/tom-kalinske-141140563

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Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flintstones_Chewable_Vitamins
Flintstones commercials: https://youtu.be/IMayKCViiRc?si=yOo7bIX3rhEaboJV
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mattel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/He-Man_and_the_Masters_of_the_Universe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matchbox_(brand)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Montana_Football
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madden_NFL
Michael Katz Part 2 - Atari - Sega - https://www.patreon.com/posts/63732329
https://retrogamingaus.com/1799/video-game-ad-of-the-day-game-gear
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Technical_Institute
Roger Hector - Atari, Disney, Sega, Namco, Sente - https://www.patreon.com/posts/72058794
https://www.vendingtimes.com/news/videogame-pioneer-tom-petit-dies-at-62/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_CD
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32X
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Saturn
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Channel
https://youtu.be/xx-8QBX8qgc?si=1PtKhQvHf9qA5C1Y
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Pico
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LeapFrog_Enterprises
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Console_Wars_(book)

Copyright Karl Kuras 2025