Shari Spiro is the CEO and founder of AdMagic Games, one of the largest independent printers of tabletop games in the US, including the wildly popular Cards Against Humanity and Exploding Kittens, and other customized playing cards and board games. Shari is also the CEO and founder of Breaking Games, an award-winning game publisher and manufacturer. In less than two years since its 2015 launch, Breaking Games has games on Target store shelves, games that are recognized by Mensa International, and is responsible for the launch of dozens of critically acclaimed tabletop games. Check out our interview with her below.

Shari Spiro, here at Bionic Buzz we are all about people’s passions. Where did your passion for games come from which lead your to finding the Ad Magic and Breaking Games?

I actually founded Ad Magic before I discovered board games. Ad Magic manufactured promotional products for many years. Although I enjoyed printing promotional products, there was a part of me that always wanted to be involved in something that pushed my creative boundaries.

One of the first projects I did was making a deck of playing cards, and I instantly fell in love with the precision of their creation. They were generally the same size and layout, and my excitement led me to build a website concentrating on manufacturing custom playing cards. Having some experience in SEO, I rebuilt the Ad Magic website and it became the top site that appeared when you typed in “custom playing cards.”

As fate would have it, these young guys that were about to launch a Kickstarter project called me after they searched online for companies that manufacture cards. They told me that although my website at the time needed some work (ha!), they were interested in Ad Magic since my company came up as the top answer to their Google query. And that’s how I began printing Cards Against Humanity!

When I went to a popular gaming trade show called PAX East to see Cards Against Humanity speak in a panel, I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere. I was fascinated by all of the fabulous cosplay costumes, the open and sharing nature of board gamers, and the actual fun of playing board games with people whom I had never even met before. I was instantly hooked and I became passionate about learning everything I could about the tabletop industry.

What started with Cards Against Humanity led me to trying more strategic board games, and I began to print for many up & coming card and board game designers who were running their own Kickstarters. I began to see a real need for a more direct path to the marketplace for my clients, and that’s what led me to find my own game publishing company Breaking Games. In just a few short years, my award-winning company has games in Target, Walmart, Barnes and Noble and a whole lot more.

You are helping raise money for those the COVID-19 – frontline responders. What celebrities and influencers have their photo on the puzzles?

We just launched puzzlesforthepandemic.com a couple days ago, and we already have the hugely popular Odd 1s Out as our client. In addition, we are currently negotiating  with a very big name from network TV.  Since we are working with a very connected and talented agent, as soon as I am allowed, I will share the information!

My wife and I have two kids. Daughter who is 7 and son who is 3 and we also quarantine with my Mother-in-law. What games would you recommend for my family?

Can’t Catch Harry – Odd1st out 

The fast paced card game that comes with collector cards from the popular YouTube channel The Odd 1s Out, created by James Rallison in memory of Harry the Moth, as he decided to immortalize Harry’s memories by turning this iconic character into the most fun game you’ll ever play! The deck is made of characters your friends and family will recognize. You’ll spend many game nights trying to catch Harry before he and his friends are pulled into the lull of the Lamp (bug zapper). The game gets more intense with each round as players try to collect certain combinations of cards to give them an edge in the game. Save your moth friends from giving in to the glowing draw of the lamp. Every time you’re unable to match 4 of a kind, your moth risks being zapped! 

Sparkle Kitty – An adorably fun, social, and magical spell card game for all ages, sizes and genders. Once upon a time, a group of powerful princesses were captured and locked away in  towers by the evil queen Sparkle*Kitty! All their words and magic spells vanished and became sugar & spice… almost everything nice. Luckily these are no ordinary princesses and you are no ordinary player! Take matters into your own hands and harness the simple and sweet words into special spell combinations to set yourself free! The first to escape, wins!

POOP  the game – A fun, family party game where the 1st player to run out of cards wins.  Take turns pooping but don’t clog the toilet! Poop  cards are numbered as are  toilet cards. Players cannot play cards that add up to a number higher than shown on the toilet or they collect more cards. Some cards make players perform crazy acts. Created by kids and adults for kids and adults. Kids love it because of the silly designs and opportunity to make poop jokes. Adults love it because POOP makes them act like kids.