User:Jsbecker57

James R. Becker, b. January 27, 1921 (Chicago, IL), d. August 11, 2011; Married Frances T. Becker, Brooklyn, NY (b. Feb 27, 1928, d. Oct 30, 2012).

For over 55 years, Jim Becker developed and licensed products in the Toy Industry, helping to create global licensing as we know it today. By developing and licensing merchandise from a TV Show, Jim helped spawn the $250 billion Licensing Industry (2017 estimate). Many of the products licensed by Jim became well-known household names, including some still sold today.

Anjar Co, the international licensing company Becker founded in 1969 by Becker, is well-known for having been involved in successfully marketing and licensing Othello branded products in the U.S. and around the world outside of Japan in the past. The name "Anjar" is an acronym of the names of Becker's four sons: Arto, Neil, Jonathan and Roger. In 1977, Jim organized the first annual World Othello Championship. Today, Othello Associations exist in over 30 different countries. Othello has been recognized as one of the 'Classic Toys and Games of the 20th Century' still in production, and is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Parents' Choice Classic Toy Award and Games Magazine's Hall of Fame. In 2005, in recognition of Jim's lifetime achievements, Jim was the recipient of the International Designers & Inventors of Toys Award. In 2011, Jim was the recipient of a TAGIE Award In Memoriam at ChiTAG.

Jim represented manufacturers and inventors to develop and represent their ideas for licensing around the world. Jim began his career as a salesman, driving his showroom (a converted trailer) throughout the Northeast. Prior to founding Anjar in 1969, Jim was at Lakeside Toys, where he developed an innovative product that became a well-known brand, still marketed today. Based on the popular Gumby cartoon, and working with its creator Art Clokey, Jim developed Gumby and Pokey Bendy toys which were an instant success. The Bendy toys were extended to include a multitude of popular licenses and sizes, including the Green Hornet, Popeye and The Lone Ranger. Jim's other product licensing credits include Battle Dome (winner of the Duracell Game of the Year), Fireball Island, the Disappearing Magic Milk Bottle, Nerf Ping Pong, Barbie 'Really Works' Activity Toys, Flipsiders, Breaking Point, Grabbin Dragons, and more than 500 other toys and games.

Jim used his experience, charisma, sense of humor and the strength of his personal relationships to create Anjar, one of the most successful product development and licensing companies in the world. The toys and games he developed and licensed touched the lives of many people.