Bernard Loomis

Bernard Loomis
Born(1923-07-04)July 4, 1923
New York City, U.S.
DiedJune 2, 2006(2006-06-02) (aged 82)
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, U.S.
Alma materNew York University
Occupations
  • Toy developer
  • marketer

Bernard Loomis (July 4, 1923 – June 2, 2006) was an American toy developer and marketer who introduced some of the world's most notable brands including Chatty Cathy, Barbie, Hot Wheels, Baby Alive, and Strawberry Shortcake, but perhaps his biggest marketing success was bringing a then-unknown film property called Star Wars to the toy shelves.

Every toy company he worked for (Mattel, General Mills' Kenner division, and Hasbro) became "the world's largest toy company" during his tenures in each company.[1]

He also coined the word "toyetic" in a conversation with Steven Spielberg about translating his Close Encounters of the Third Kind into figures.

  1. ^ Martin, Douglas (June 6, 2006). "Bernard Loomis, 82, Dies; Made Toys TV Stars". The New York Times. p. C13. Retrieved June 15, 2006.