Tod Machin

Tod Machin — A Kid at Heart

Sea-Monkeys® debuted in 1960, and Tod Robert Machin followed one year later. Growing up, he had his nose buried in comic books from the 1960s and ’70s—not for the stories, but for the ads. One ad in particular captured his imagination: Instant Life Sea-Monkeys®—“a bowlful of happiness” for just $1.00. These vintage ads would later shape his perspective on toys, advertising, and marketing, ultimately leading to his career.

Tod ordered his first powdered pets in 1968 and continued buying them over the decades.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, while the Sea-Monkeys® brand was licensed to ExploraToy, Tod worked on various projects for the company. He reconnected with the business side of Sea-Monkeys® again in 2000, helping president and CEO Yolanda Signorelli rebrand the product—focusing on positivity, inclusivity, joy, and environmental consciousness.

With his deep knowledge of the brand’s 60+ year history, extensive collection, and artistic expertise, Tod was the perfect choice to help propel Sea-Monkeys® into the future.

After all these years, The Amazing Live Sea-Monkeys® are still going strong!