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{{For|the town in Kebbi, Nigeria|Zuru}}

{{Short description|Hong Kong toy company}}
{{Short description|Hong Kong toy company}}
{{cite check|date=January 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Zuru
| name = Zuru
| logo = Zuru logo.jpg
| logo = Zuru logo.png
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2023
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| type = [[Privately held company|Private]]
| industry = [[Toy|Toys]]
| industry = {{Unbulleted list|Toys|Consumer Goods}}
| founded = 2003
| founded = 2003
| founder = [[Nick Mowbray]]
| founder = [[Nick Mowbray]] & Mat Mowbray
|hq_location = [[Hong Kong]], [[China]]
| hq_location = [[Hong Kong]]
| brands = {{Hlist|[[Bunch O Balloons]]| [[X-Shot]] |[[Rainbocorns]]| [[Mini Brands]]| [[Robo Alive Smashers]]| |[[5 Surprise]]| [[Pets Alive]]}}
| brands = {{Hlist|Bunch O Balloons| X-Shot|Rainbocorns| Max: Build More | [[Mini Brands]]| Robo Alive Smashers| |5 Surprise| Pets Alive}}
| website = https://zuru.com/
| website = https://zuru.com/
}}
}}


'''Zuru''' is a Chinese toy company that manufactures multiple brands of toys. They currently (as of 2024) operate four main divisions: ZURU Toys, ZURU Edge, ZURU Tech, and Rhodes Pet Science.<ref name="Nick Mowbray Believes Entrepreneurs Can't Lose" />
'''Zuru''' (stylized as '''ZURU''') is a [[Hong Kong]]–based toy, [[Disruptive innovation|disruptive]], and a FMCG company that manufactures multiple brands of toys and consumer goods products. {{as of|2024}}, the company operates four main divisions: ZURU Toys, ZURU Edge, ZURU Tech, and Rhodes Pet Science.<ref name="Nick Mowbray Believes Entrepreneurs Can't Lose" />


==History==
==History==
[[File:Zuru logo.jpg|thumb|The old logo used from 2003 to 2023]]
When Mowbray was twelve in 1997, he designed and created a hot air balloon model kit that won first place in a national science fair in [[New Zealand]]. Mowbray's kit soon became more popular, and had started his first mini business of delivering hot balloon kits door to door with his brother, Mat. They had sold their kits throughout high school, and eventually decided to take university. They returned to delivering kits after one year of university.<ref name="Nick Mowbray Believes Entrepreneurs Can't Lose">{{cite news |last=Mega |first=Laurie |date= 16 December 2022 |work=Foundr |title= Nick Mowbray Believes Entrepreneurs Can't Lose. |url=https://foundr.com/articles/building-a-business/nick-mowbray-zuru |access-date=22 January 2024}}</ref>
When Nick Mowbray was twelve in 1997, he designed and created a hot air balloon model kit, won by a national science fair in New Zealand. He started selling the kits with his brother, Mat, as a first mini business of also delivering. They sold their kits throughout high school, and eventually decided to attend university. They returned to delivering kits after one year of university.<ref name="Nick Mowbray Believes Entrepreneurs Can't Lose">{{cite news |last=Mega |first=Laurie |date= 16 December 2022 |work=Foundr |title= Nick Mowbray Believes Entrepreneurs Can't Lose. |url=https://foundr.com/articles/building-a-business/nick-mowbray-zuru |access-date=22 January 2024}}</ref>


In 2003, Mowbray moved to [[Hong Kong]] from New Zealand and at age 18, with his brother, they started their first toy factory in [[Guangzhou]], China. They were financed with a $20,000 loan from their parents, which they used to buy an [[injection molding machine]]. Soon after they ran into difficulties due to lack of managerial and administrivia experience, communication skills and knowledge of [[intellectual property]] legislation.<ref name="university dropout">{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Virginia |title=How a university dropout built a toy empire |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50469922 |access-date=2 January 2024 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=16 December 2019}}</ref>
In 2003, Mowbray moved to [[Hong Kong]] from New Zealand and at age 18, with his brother, started a factory in [[Guangzhou]], China. They were financed with a $20,000 loan from their parents, which they used to buy an [[injection molding machine]]. Soon after they ran into difficulties due to a lack of managerial and administrive experience, communication skills and knowledge of [[intellectual property]] legislation.<ref name="university dropout">{{cite news |last1=Harrison |first1=Virginia |title=How a university dropout built a toy empire |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/business-50469922 |access-date=2 January 2024 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=16 December 2019}}</ref> In 2005, their sister [[Anna Mowbray|Anna]] joined the business. The company was named Zuru after they discovered their original name had been trademarked by a different company.<ref name="university dropout" />


⚫
Walmart later expressed interest in Zuru's products and began selling them in their stores.<ref name="university dropout" />
After two years, their sister [[Anna Mowbray|Anna]] helped them in their business and named it, Zuru. Their original company's [[trade name]] was Guru, but changed to Zuru as Guru had been trademarked by a different company.<ref name="university dropout" />


On November 7, 2022, Zuru used the US courts to get the names and details of former employees who left negative comments on review site Glassdoor. Zuru filed in a California court to subpoena Glassdoor for information about posters who wrote scathing reviews of the workplace environment and management at Zuru. Zuru were successful in the courtroom, defeating the defendant, Glassdoor. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300520880/kiwi-toy-giant-zuru-wants-to-identify-and-sue-former-workers|title=Kiwi toy giant Zuru wants to identify and sue former workers| date=February 18, 2022| first=George| last=Block| access-date=4 January 2025}}</ref>
⚫
Walmart soon later expressed interest in Zuru's products and began selling them in their stores.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}


In November 2024, [[KFMB-TV|CBS News 8]] reported on a Zuru product that was featuring explicit language. Phrases containing "manic," "motorized rage fire," "berzerko," "mad mega barrel," and "insanity" were on boxes marketed towards children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/childrens-toy-gun-violent-messaging/509-c7f12401-d3d1-465a-9eb1-6271ccc5f580|title=Children's toy gun raises concerns over violent messaging| date=November 1, 2024| first=Jenny| last=Day| access-date=3 November 2024}}</ref>
⚫
==Brands==
⚫
Zuru created a variety of brands over the years for children of any age, education, fun, and interest, including X-Shot, Bunch O Balloons, 5 Surprise, Mini Brands, X-Shot Water, Rainbocorn, and Snackles. They also partnered with [[The Walt Disney Company]]<ref> [https://www.licenseglobal.com/entertainment/zuru-collaborates-disney-go-mini "Zuru Collaborates with Disney on Mini Brands"] ''License Global'', Retrieved 21 December 2023,</ref>, [[Nickelodeon]], [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]], and [[DreamWorks Animation|DreamWorks]].<ref name="ZURU Bunch o Balloon Infringement"> "[https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zuru-bunch-o-balloons-infringement-proceedings-end-in-settlement-300857366.html ZURU Bunch O Balloons Infringement"] ''[[PR Newswire]]'', Retrieved 2 February 2024 </ref>


⚫
==Trademark Infringement==
[[File:ZURU Rainbocorn Eggzania.jpg|thumb|The ZURU Rainbocorn Eggzania toy.]]
⚫
In May 2019, Zuru had settled all pending infringement proceedings with [[Telebrands]] and Bulbhead.com LLC for making ZURU Bunch o Balloons product similar to their Balloon Bonanza, Battle Balloons and Easy Einstein products. Their settlement issued a full payment of $31 million final judgment, including additional substantial payment for Telebrands' product infringement and agreement that they will not sell any of their accused products.<ref name= "ZURU Bunch o Balloon Infringement" /> {{Better source needed|date=February 2024}}


⚫
In 2020, Zuru was blocked by [[Lego]] from making its version of minifigures, as the court found ZURU infringed upon Lego's trademark.<ref>[https://www.finnegan.com/en/insights/blogs/incontestable/lego-blocks-out-zuru-in-copyright-dispute-over-minifigures.html "LEGO Blocks Out ZURU in Copyright Dispute Over Minifigures | Incontestable Blog"] ''Finnegan | Leading Intellectual Property Law Firm, '' Retrieved 29 January 2024 </ref>
==Sustainability==

Zuru has been moving their toy products to be more recyclable and reusable. As of 2019, Bunch O Balloons itself and the stem's rubber material had changed to recyclable natural rubber latex and its packaging is recyclable too. The company also partnered with [[TerraCycle]]<ref>[https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zuru-to-remove-nearly-800-tons-of-single-use-plastic-from-its-bunch-o-balloons-brand-301044848.html "How Zuru plans to save the future"] ''[[PR Newswire]]'', Retrieved 5 January 2024</ref>
⚫
Zuru was also sued by Lego for its ZURU Max Build More building sets, for saying that it was compatible with Lego.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://insideretail.com.au/business/toy-company-zuru-loses-trademark-case-against-lego-202307|title=NZ toy company ZURU loses trademark case against Lego| date=19 July 2023| first=Sean| last=Cao| access-date=1 February 2024}}</ref>


==Recognition==
==Recognition==
In 2022, Crazy Bunch O Balloons by Zuru won the Outdoor Toy of the Year award.<ref>[https://toybook.com/2022-toy-of-the-year-toty-award-winners/ "2022 Toy of the Year Award Winners"] ''[[Toy Association]]'', Retrieved 31 December 2023 </ref>
In 2022, Crazy Bunch O Balloons by Zuru won the Outdoor Toy of the Year award.<ref>[https://toybook.com/2022-toy-of-the-year-toty-award-winners/ "2022 Toy of the Year Award Winners"] ''[[Toy Association]]'', Retrieved 31 December 2023 </ref>


In December 2024, the Mowbrays were named 'visionary leaders of the year' at the 2024 [[Deloitte |Deloitte]] Top 200 Awards.<ref>{{cite news |last=Skellern |first=Graham |date=5 December 2024|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/deloitte-top-200-visionary-leader-mat-anna-and-nick-mowbray/URCDGRSRTFHS7A3BZS5SNUUODU/|title=Zuru Group's Mowbrays named visionary leaders of the year at Deloitte Top 200 Awards|newspaper=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |access-date=11 December 2024 |location=New Zealand |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
⚫
==Trademark infringement==
⚫
In May 2019, Zuru had settled all pending infringement proceedings with [[Telebrands]] and Bulbhead.com LLC for making Zuru Bunch o Balloons product similar to their Balloon Bonanza, Battle Balloons and Easy Einstein products. Their settlement issued a full payment of $31 million final judgment, including additional substantial payment for Telebrands' product infringement and agreement that they will not sell any of their accused products.<ref name= "ZURU Bunch o Balloon Infringement" />


⚫
==Brands==
⚫
In 2020, Zuru was blocked by [[Lego]] from making its version of minifigures, as the court found Zuru infringed upon Lego's trademark.<ref>[https://www.finnegan.com/en/insights/blogs/incontestable/lego-blocks-out-zuru-in-copyright-dispute-over-minifigures.html "LEGO Blocks Out ZURU in Copyright Dispute Over Minifigures | Incontestable Blog"] ''Finnegan | Leading Intellectual Property Law Firm, '' Retrieved 29 January 2024 </ref>
⚫
Zuru created a variety of brands over the years <ref>{{cite news |last=Kirsch |first=Noah |date=20 August 2019 |title="To Infinity And Beyond: The Mowbray Siblings Assembled A Billion-Dollar Fortune From Cheap Toys. Can They Create Something Grander?" |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/noahkirsch/2019/08/20/to-infinity-and-beyond-the-mowbray-siblings-assembled-a-billion-dollar-fortune-from-cheap-toys-can-they-create-something-grander/?sh=386c4b232a94 |work=[[Forbes]] |access-date=12 February 2024}}</ref> including X-Shot, Bunch O Balloons, 5 Surprise, Mini Brands, X-Shot Water, Rainbocorn, Gumi Yum, and Snackles. They also partnered with [[The Walt Disney Company]],<ref> [https://www.licenseglobal.com/entertainment/zuru-collaborates-disney-go-mini "ZURU Collaborates with Disney on Mini Brands"] ''License Global'', Retrieved 21 December 2023,</ref> [[Nickelodeon]], [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]], and [[DreamWorks Animation|DreamWorks]].<ref name="ZURU Bunch o Balloon Infringement"> "[https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zuru-bunch-o-balloons-infringement-proceedings-end-in-settlement-300857366.html ZURU Bunch O Balloons Infringement"] ''[[PR Newswire]]'', Retrieved 2 February 2024 </ref>{{Better source needed|date=February 2024}}

⚫
Zuru was also sued by Lego from its Zuru Max Build More building sets, for saying that it was compatible with Lego.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://insideretail.com.au/business/toy-company-zuru-loses-trademark-case-against-lego-202307|title=NZ toy company Zuru loses trademark case against Lego| date=19 July 2023| first=Sean| last=Cao| access-date=1 February 2024}}</ref>


===Partnership===
In 2024, the company announced a collaboration with [[Ulta Beauty]] in designing a first-ever beauty Mini Brands collection.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Slater |first=Ellen |date=30 September 2024 |title=ZURU, Ulta Beauty Strike Deal for Mini Brands |url=https://toybook.com/zuru-ulta-beauty-mini-brands/ |access-date=5 November 2024}}</ref> They also launched a partnership with [[KFC]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Connell |first=Samantha |date=5 April 2024 |title=ZURU Launches Mini Brands KFC |url=https://toybook.com/zuru-mini-brands-kfc-launch/ |access-date=5 November 2024}}</ref>
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


⚫
[[Category:Toy companies of Hong Kong]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
⚫
[[Category:Toy companies]]

Latest revision as of 22:15, 3 January 2025

Zuru
Company typePrivate
Industry
  • Toys
  • Consumer Goods
Founded2003
FounderNick Mowbray & Mat Mowbray
HeadquartersHong Kong
Brands
  • Bunch O Balloons
  • X-Shot
  • Rainbocorns
  • Max: Build More
  • Mini Brands
  • Robo Alive Smashers
  • 5 Surprise
  • Pets Alive
Websitehttps://zuru.com/

Zuru (stylized as ZURU) is a Hong Kong–based toy, disruptive, and a FMCG company that manufactures multiple brands of toys and consumer goods products. As of 2024, the company operates four main divisions: ZURU Toys, ZURU Edge, ZURU Tech, and Rhodes Pet Science.[1]

History

[edit]
The old logo used from 2003 to 2023

When Nick Mowbray was twelve in 1997, he designed and created a hot air balloon model kit, won by a national science fair in New Zealand. He started selling the kits with his brother, Mat, as a first mini business of also delivering. They sold their kits throughout high school, and eventually decided to attend university. They returned to delivering kits after one year of university.[1]

In 2003, Mowbray moved to Hong Kong from New Zealand and at age 18, with his brother, started a factory in Guangzhou, China. They were financed with a $20,000 loan from their parents, which they used to buy an injection molding machine. Soon after they ran into difficulties due to a lack of managerial and administrive experience, communication skills and knowledge of intellectual property legislation.[2] In 2005, their sister Anna joined the business. The company was named Zuru after they discovered their original name had been trademarked by a different company.[2]

Walmart later expressed interest in Zuru's products and began selling them in their stores.[2]

On November 7, 2022, Zuru used the US courts to get the names and details of former employees who left negative comments on review site Glassdoor. Zuru filed in a California court to subpoena Glassdoor for information about posters who wrote scathing reviews of the workplace environment and management at Zuru. Zuru were successful in the courtroom, defeating the defendant, Glassdoor. [3]

In November 2024, CBS News 8 reported on a Zuru product that was featuring explicit language. Phrases containing "manic," "motorized rage fire," "berzerko," "mad mega barrel," and "insanity" were on boxes marketed towards children.[4]

Trademark Infringement

[edit]

In May 2019, Zuru had settled all pending infringement proceedings with Telebrands and Bulbhead.com LLC for making ZURU Bunch o Balloons product similar to their Balloon Bonanza, Battle Balloons and Easy Einstein products. Their settlement issued a full payment of $31 million final judgment, including additional substantial payment for Telebrands' product infringement and agreement that they will not sell any of their accused products.[5] [better source needed]

In 2020, Zuru was blocked by Lego from making its version of minifigures, as the court found ZURU infringed upon Lego's trademark.[6]

Zuru was also sued by Lego for its ZURU Max Build More building sets, for saying that it was compatible with Lego.[7]

Recognition

[edit]

In 2022, Crazy Bunch O Balloons by Zuru won the Outdoor Toy of the Year award.[8]

In December 2024, the Mowbrays were named 'visionary leaders of the year' at the 2024 Deloitte Top 200 Awards.[9]

Brands

[edit]

Zuru created a variety of brands over the years [10] including X-Shot, Bunch O Balloons, 5 Surprise, Mini Brands, X-Shot Water, Rainbocorn, Gumi Yum, and Snackles. They also partnered with The Walt Disney Company,[11] Nickelodeon, Universal Studios, and DreamWorks.[5][better source needed]

Partnership

[edit]

In 2024, the company announced a collaboration with Ulta Beauty in designing a first-ever beauty Mini Brands collection.[12] They also launched a partnership with KFC.[13]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Mega, Laurie (16 December 2022). "Nick Mowbray Believes Entrepreneurs Can't Lose". Foundr. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Harrison, Virginia (16 December 2019). "How a university dropout built a toy empire". BBC News. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  3. ^ Block, George (18 February 2022). "Kiwi toy giant Zuru wants to identify and sue former workers". Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  4. ^ Day, Jenny (1 November 2024). "Children's toy gun raises concerns over violent messaging". Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  5. ^ a b "ZURU Bunch O Balloons Infringement" PR Newswire, Retrieved 2 February 2024
  6. ^ "LEGO Blocks Out ZURU in Copyright Dispute Over Minifigures | Incontestable Blog" Finnegan | Leading Intellectual Property Law Firm, Retrieved 29 January 2024
  7. ^ Cao, Sean (19 July 2023). "NZ toy company ZURU loses trademark case against Lego". Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  8. ^ "2022 Toy of the Year Award Winners" Toy Association, Retrieved 31 December 2023
  9. ^ Skellern, Graham (5 December 2024). "Zuru Group's Mowbrays named visionary leaders of the year at Deloitte Top 200 Awards". The New Zealand Herald. New Zealand. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  10. ^ Kirsch, Noah (20 August 2019). ""To Infinity And Beyond: The Mowbray Siblings Assembled A Billion-Dollar Fortune From Cheap Toys. Can They Create Something Grander?"". Forbes. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  11. ^ "ZURU Collaborates with Disney on Mini Brands" License Global, Retrieved 21 December 2023,
  12. ^ Slater, Ellen (30 September 2024). "ZURU, Ulta Beauty Strike Deal for Mini Brands". Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  13. ^ Connell, Samantha (5 April 2024). "ZURU Launches Mini Brands KFC". Retrieved 5 November 2024.
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