Tom Kalinske - Mattel, Sega, Leap Frog

Tom Kalinske - Mattel, Sega, Leap Frog

Author: Karl Kuras October 15, 2025 Duration: 2:22:28
Video Game Newsroom Time Machine
LeisureGamesHistoryVideo Games

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


Ever wonder what gamers were actually talking about decades ago, before online forums and endless hot takes? Each month, Video Game Newsroom Time Machine hosted by Karl Kuras does exactly that, dusting off the headlines and magazine pages from the past. This isn't just a nostalgia trip; it's a grounded look at the industry's turning points as they happened. You'll hear about the surprising announcements, the forgotten controversies, and the hardware launches that had everyone buzzing-from arcade trends in Japan to home computer wars in Europe and North America. The podcast specifically revisits news from exactly 30, 40, and 50 years prior, creating a unique layered perspective on how video game culture evolved. It’s like sitting in a newsroom from a different era, piecing together the stories that shaped the games we remember today. Tune in for a monthly dose of context, where the past conversations about pixels and processors feel surprisingly fresh and directly connected to the present.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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