Chris Herrington

Founder and President

Chris Herrington, 48, was born in Minneapolis, MN to Canadian parents. Shortly after his birth, the family returned to Canada where Chris grew up and attended McGill University in Montreal. By 1984 he had headed back to the US in search of warmer weather.

He found it in Southern California. Working in sales for firms involved in new building construction and renovations revealed not only an aptitude for sales, but also a keen sense of design. His creativity and drive soon landed him the opportunity to create a range of tee shirts for his employer, The Cheesecake Factory. When he dressed a teddy bear in a miniature version of one of his designs as a gift for a friend, his career as a teddy bear designer took root.

A resurgence of the teddy bear’s popularity in the 1980’s coincided with the drive by consumer products companies to explore new ways of developing strong brand loyalty. What started as a tee shirt merchandising operation for The Cheesecake Factory soon expanded into a line of branded bears and other advertising and promotional products. And other companies followed. Giorgio Beverly-Hills asked Herrington to design a signature branded bear for a gift-with-purchase promotion. By 1986, Herrington incorporated in California as “Herrington and Company, Inc.” and his business designing signature teddy bears was officially founded. That same year he made what would be the first of many trips to Asia to source production of his line of signature branded bears.

The company developed slowly but steadily. By 1989, Herrington was able to devote full time to it, as he added Hard Rock Cafes and Hard Rock Hotels to his growing client list. Another milestone was reached in 1992 when brother Martin joined him as controller and partner.

Chris’ experience in innovating and pioneering the concept of signature branded bears for select clients is unique in the world of advertising and promotion. Individuality and attention to detail are the hallmarks of all his designs - and brand loyal collectors eagerly await new editions of their favorite branded bears.

Not content with designing for others, Chris launched the “Herrington’s Teddy Bear Club” in 1997 with the introduction of his own signature branded bears, Harry & Hannah Herrington. Today, Chris remains the chief teddy bear designer for the company. And with the publication of his first children’s book featuring Harry & Hannah, he can add author to his resume.

He heads a company that employs 20 people at its headquarters in Irvine, California at the Irvine Spectrum and many more at a partner manufacturing operation in China. Herrington Teddy Bears are shipped to hundreds of cities in 51 countries. The HTB brand has grown to include prestige products for Colleges and Universities and gift retailers around the country.