Tag Archives: mattel

Children’s entertainment licenses praised by Toy Retailers Association among its Toy of the Year Award winners

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Children’s entertainment licenses PAW Patrol, Super Mario, Harry Potter, and Star Wars have been among those praised by the Toy Retailers Association for the role they have played in helping the toy industry through a troubled 2020.

In this year’s Toy of the Year awards, reflective of the change of pace for the retail scene in general over the course of last year, a strong line-up of licensed product has been championed alongside some of the best performing companies to have fuelled the industry’s five per cent year on year sales increase.

In a change of approach to the usual Toy of the Year selection process, this year’s listing reflects the impact that the pandemic has had on the sector. Yet, while online sales have accounted for just under half of all toy sales of 2020, suppliers and retailers have still played a major role in keeping the nation’s children smiling.

Amid the uncertainty, there have been four outstanding categories which have played their part in delivering the industry’s growth, all of which have outperformed the overall market.

The TRA recognises that multiple suppliers have played an integral part in each of the categories, but the selection panel has decided to highlight a ‘winner’ in each of these categories to represent the largest overall contribution to the category in a unique year for the industry.

“This year, in keeping with the year we have just experienced, we decided to be total different in our approach,” Alan Simpson, chairman of the Toy Retailers Association, told ToyNews.

“When people look back at award winners in years to come, they will notice that 2020 was totally different. I believe that this was the correct approach to reflect the challenges we have all had to overcome.”

GAMES & PUZZLES

This was a key performer in the overall market. As well as helping educate and entertain children, this category topped the growth (year on year) performance with various suppliers driving this increase.

It was the like of Ravensburger, Orchard, Gibsons Games, Asmodee, Hasbro and Tomy (Drumond Park) that all performed superbly well throughout the year.

The panel has chosen RAVENSBURGER as its standout performer in this category.

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION 

This is an area dominated by one supplier, although Hornby with its Airfix range added a different dimension to this category with notable ranges from K’Nex and Geomag.

The winner in this category is LEGO. Delivering remarkable growth consistently over the last 10 years, LEGO has yet again outperformed the market and is to be commended for keeping the nation’s children (and kidults) entertained and amused throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and various lockdowns.

OUTDOOR & SPORTS

In a category that benefitted from people having to stay at home, it was inevitable that growth would be achieved in this area. Many products helped with our children’s mental and physical health – bicycles, trampolines, skateboards, as well as outdoor ranges from the likes of Little Tikes.

The standout performer in this category was MOOKIE TOYS for its swingball range.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Again, a variety of suppliers contributed to making this category such a success. These were Galt, Crayola, John Adams, and Spin Master with its Kinetic Sand, to name but a few.

The winner in this category is HASBRO for its domination in the arts and crafts sector through its Play Doh brand.

Many other suppliers contributed to the success of 2020 and the panel recognised the most notable listed below, with the reasons noted alongside. These will all receive a “Highly Commended” certificate this year.

BANDAI for its launch of the Cocomelon range.

CHARACTER OPTIONS for continued success with its Peppa Pig, Goo Jit Zu and Pokemon ranges

FUNRISE for its Fart Ninja line

GOLDEN BEAR for its Hey Duggee and Bing ranges

MGA ENTERTAINMENT for its L.O.L. Surprise! range

MATTEL for its success with its Barbie, Hot Wheels and Star Wars’ The Child ranges

SPIN MASTER for Paw Patrol

VTECH for its varied pre-school learning range

ZURU for the successful launch of its 5 Surprise Mini Brands range

Meanwhile, LICENSES continued to play a big part in 2020. In addition to licenses already mentioned, Frozen, Super Mario and Harry Potter continued to deliver throughout the year.

The TRA sincerely hopes that ‘normal service’ resumes in 2021 when we can revert to our customary criteria and identify the actual toy winners and allocating awards accordingly. In the meantime, we wish you all a successful and healthy 2021.

Pokémon celebrates 25 years with toy collabs, new content, and a music programme led by Katy Perry

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The Pokémon Company International is celebrating its milestone 25th anniversary with a wide-ranging raft of new partnerships, product roll-outs, and activations that includes special anniversary merchandise from licensees such as Jazwares, Mattel, Funko, and The Wand Company.

New product from its portfolio of global partners will coincide with landmark partnerships and the franchise’s first venture into the music business that sees the firm team up with Universal Music Group to work with some of the biggest artists in the space to launch its project P25 Music.

Pop icon, Katy Perry, has been revealed as a premier collaborator on the new year-long music campaign that aims to celebrate the multi-media appeal that Pokémon has wielded since its launch in 1996.

The star-studded program will accompany fan-focused activations celebrating 25 years of Pokémon across the franchise’s portfolio of video games, mobile apps, animation, merchandise and more.

“Pokémon has been a constant in my life from playing the original video games on my Game Boy, to trading Pokémon Trading Card Game cards at lunch, to the adventures of catching Pokémon on the street with Pokémon GO,” said Katy Perry. “It is an honour to be chosen to help celebrate a franchise that has given me so much joy in the last 25 years, and to be able to watch it evolve in the ways it has provided that kind of electric joy for the kids in my life and around the world.”

Further details about Katy Perry’s participation, additional artist surprises, and more about the P25 Music programme will be announced throughout the year.

Meanwhile, and tapping into the concept of exploration of new worlds that has been at the heart of the Pokémon video game franchise since its launch in 1996, The Pokémon Company International is inviting fans to relive journey’s through the regions of the Pokémon world via a new website launch that will serve as the hub for all fan celebration activities as they are announced.

Building on its programme of collaborations for the year ahead, however, and The Pokémon Company International is partnering with the likes of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Levi’s, McDonald’s and more, while fans can expect special anniversary merchandise from partners including Jazwares, Scholastic, Mattel, Funko, Power A, and The Wand Company.

Additional partners and the means in which they will celebrate the milestone anniversary this year will be detailed throughout the year.

Of course, the celebrations wouldn’t be complete without fanfare for the cornerstone of the Pokémon brand, so The Pokémon Trading Card Game will be launching a special 25th anniversary-themed collection of Pokémon Trading Card Game cards later on in the year.

In the meantime, fans will be able to collect over-sized cards featuring Pikachu and first partner Pokémon from the various regions featured in the franchise.

According to The Pokémon Company International, the details revealed today ‘are a glimpse into what the world can expect from Pokémon in 2021.’ With 25th anniversary activations planned for Pokémon animation, video games, mobile games, and more, “fans have a year full of new journeys ahead.”

Egmont Magazines rounds-off Thomas and Friends 75th anniversary year with special collector’s edition

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Egmont Magazines is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Thomas & Friends brand with the release of a limited edition gift pack of its popular, officially licensed magazine.

In issue number 791 of Thomas & Friends, the titular hero takes a special trip to the capital, while the issue itself will come accompanied by a seven-piece play-set that includes Thomas, Percy and a carriage. Readers can explore London alongside Thomas with the London Eye, bus, phone box and Fat Controller figurines also included in the play-set.

Meanwhile. there are over 40 stickers, a reward chart, posters, puzzles and more, all designed to help develop early years skills.

Egmont has released three special editions of Thomas & Friends magazine this year. Thomas fans delighted in receiving an official mini train and story book in issue #781, and this year’s summer special was a treat for young Thomas fans and collectors alike, with a special anniversary train set accompanying the magazine.

An impressive 32 years after launch, Thomas & Friends magazine remains a top 20 title in the children’s market and is the oldest single character magazine in the UK.

Kiran Vara, publisher of Thomas & Friends magazine, said: “We’ve loved celebrating with Thomas and Mattel through all three anniversary issues of this evergreen magazine but Thomas’ trip to London is really something special.

“We know that Thomas fans will love exploring the city with Thomas and enjoy all the exciting activities inside the magazine.”

Fisher-Price partners with PGS Entertainment to launch Gus – The Itsy Bitsy Knight toy line

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Mattel has entered into a multi-year global licensing agreement with PGS Entertainment to launch a full line of Fisher-Price toys based on the upcoming animated pre-school series, Gus – The Itsy Bitsy Knight.

Under the agreement, Mattel and its Fisher-Price brand will develop new figures, play-sets, plush, vehicles and more. The officially licensed toy range is tipped to launch in 2022.

Gus – The Itsy Bitsy Knight is a comedy adventure series based on a story created by Dankerleroux and Françoise de Guibert for Editions Gulf Stream. Presented in CGI animation, the show, which will initially consist of 52 11-minute episodes, will follow a small grasshopper-sized boy named Gus who wishes to become the greatest knight in all the kingdom of Karamel, a medieval setting with a modern twist.

“We are always looking for new properties that offer strong, toyetic qualities. From the moment we first saw the world of Gus – The Itsy Bitsy Knight, we were drawn to its compelling story,” said Nick Karamanos, SVP of Entertainment Partnerships, Mattel.

“We look forward to partnering with the PGS team to develop a range of preschool toys that will bring this new property to life and engage kids through play.”

Philippe Soutter, Co-Founder, PGS Entertainment, added: “We’re extremely pleased with the developments on Gus – The Itsy Bitsy Knight, and with having Mattel on board.

“With leading broadcasters already set up across the world, we’re certain that Gus will bring massive success to both broadcasters and licensees. Having a partner like Mattel to expand the Gus universe is a big milestone for the brand’s growth.”

Mattel and Sanrio to launch new doll range across Amazon and Smyths Toys in the UK

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Global toy maker Mattel and the lifestyle brand Sanrio are kicking off their new partnership with the launch of a new toy and accessory collection featuring Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Badtz Maru across Amazon and Smyths Toys in the UK from January 2021.

The never-before-seen collection will tap into the current nostalgia trend and will include a new doll line featuring fun characters of fashion, all accompanied by Hello Kitty and Friends. Fans can expect to find play-sets, surprise elements, collectables, and stationery.

Highlights from the collection will include:

Sanrio Double Dippers: Sanrio Double Dippers collectible sets are filled with sweet surprises. Each set includes one Hello Kitty figure, one removable hat accessory, and one doughnut or cake accessory

Hello Kitty and Friends Éclair Doll: Éclair doll comes dressed in trendy clothes and accessories like glittery high-top sneakers, a vinyl skirt, and bow headpiece to match her bestie, Hello Kitty.

Hello Kitty and Friends Stylie Doll: Stylie doll comes dressed in trendy clothes and accessories like glittery high-top sneakers, a vinyl skirt, and bow headpiece to match her bestie, My Melody.

Hello Kitty and Friends Jazzlyn Doll: For fashion play, Jazzlyn doll comes dressed in trendy clothes and accessories like glittery high-top sneakers, a vinyl skirt, and headpiece to match her bestie, Badtz-Maru.

Hello Kitty and Friends Minis Hamburger Diner Playset: Savor the fun with this Hello Kitty Hamburger compact loaded with fun surprises.

Hello Kitty and Friends Minis Tea Party Playset: Pinkies up for this Hello Kitty Tea Party compact filled with surprises.

Hello Kitty and Friends Minis Beach Pencil Playset: Make a splash with this Hello Kitty Watermelon beach-themed pencil box set that features a playset, storage, and stationery supplies.

Hello Kitty and Friends Minis Carnival Pencil Playset: This Hello Kitty Candy Carnival pencil box set features a playset, storage, and stationery supplies.

Hello Kitty Plush: Made with soft fabrics and at 8-inches tall, she’s the perfect size for take-along play.

Sanrio Surprise Stamper: These Sanrio Surprise Minis collectibles are triple the fun, with eight to collect. Each figure is a self-stamper, pencil-topper, and keychain.

“This collection offers Sanrio fans a whole new way to experience the brand in a fun and entertaining way,” said Jill Koch, SVP of sales and business development at Sanrio, Inc. “Over the past 60 years, Sanrio has cemented a legacy built on the foundation of Small Gift, Big Smile and this collection with Mattel encompasses that so well.”

Silvia Figini, chief operating officer Sanrio – EMEA, India and Oceania, Mr Men – Worldwide, added: “The toy range will be an amazing combination of both cuteness and freshness and we are sure consumers will be excited: both young girls and their mothers will love spending time together playing with the tiny accessories and the surprise collectibles.”

Mattel’s Hot Wheels races onto Roblox with the launch of Hot Wheels Open World

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Mattel’s popular Hot Wheels brand is racing onto Roblox thanks to the launch of Hot Wheels Open World, a racing experience that allows players to race, collect, and earn over 80 different cars at launch.

The game is the result of a partnership between Mattel and Roblox and has been developed by Gamefan. It encourages players to take part in quests and stunt challenges, as part of a mission to bring Hot Wheels to a new audience of gamers.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring Hot Wheels to life for millions of fans around the world on Roblox. The Roblox platform unlocks digital experimentation and play, which are core to the Hot Wheels brand,” said Andrew Chan, head of digital gaming at Mattel.

“Hot Wheels Open World provides a creative sandbox for Hot Wheels gamers of all ages to play and compete online together.”

The Roblox is recognised for allowing players to create and programme their own games, and early speculation suggests that this will be an element brought into the new title. Hot Wheels is known for its creative and customisable track building, as well as its collectability.

The game also utilizes an open world, letting players drive around a vast map in search of stunts, racetracks, and hidden items, whether they’re inside volcanoes or on the beach.

Hot Wheels Open World is out now for Xbox One, PC, and Mac, and will be out later for iOS and Android.

Mattel Television is developing a game show around its popular family game UNO

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Mattel’s world popular card game UNO has landed a new television deal, as the global toy maker detailed this week its plans to develop a new game show around the family gaming brand.

Described as a ‘larger than life televised competition,’ the UNO Game Show will feature four teams who will face off to become the ‘ultimate UNO champion.’ According to Mattel’s announcement via The Wrap, the show will incorporate audience participation, over the top physical challenges, and trivia.

Mattel Television is producing the series in partnership with Propogate, with “Let’s Make a Deal” showrunner John Quinn attached to executive produce. Adam Bonnett of Mattel and Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens and Greg Lipstone of Propagate also serve as executive producers.

UNO was first developed in 1971 and was acquired by Mattel in 1992 where it has become one of the most recognisable family games in the world. It is currently sold in more than 80 countries and boasts a wide portfolio of themed versions.

This isn’t the first time Mattel has played with the idea of an UNO television series. A previous game show adaptation was put into development in 2013 at The Gurin Company but did not move forward to series.

“UNO is the most popular game in the world and is a fixture in pop culture, making it the ideal franchise to build a reality game show around,” said Mattel’s Bonnett in a statement.

“Ben, Howard, Greg and John have deep expertise in unscripted content and are the perfect partners to help us transform UNO into a television series for the whole family.”

In a joint statement, Owens and Silverman said: “UNO is a beloved game that has been entertaining people worldwide for generations. We are excited to team with Mattel and John Quinn to translate the game for television, and think ‘The UNO Game Show’ will be perfect for family viewing.”

Surge Licensing among team behind Kickstarter campaign to bring Boglins back

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Surge Licensing – the licensing representative for IP such as Feisty Pets and Ninja Town – is among a new collaboration of toy licensing and development specialists on a mission to bring the ’80s toy phenomenon Boglins back and into the aisles of the 21st century.

In partnership with TriAction Toys, 7 Towns, and Boglins co-creator Tim Clarke, the troupe has already struck success for the project with the launch of a Kickstarter campaign with the aim of resurrecting the range of creepy, monster-like puppets.

Originally developed by Mattel, Boglins became a hit line from 1987 to 1989 in the US, before making its way – caged in their wooden crate boxes with prison bars for added measure – across Europe, Canada, Japan and Australia. Over the course of seven years, Boglins evolved from the rubber puppets into a range of collectable Mini Boglins. They then disappeared.

That is, until now.

The campaign is now underway to relaunch the Boglins range in their original sizes and cages, but this time featuring newly evolved styles.

The campaign – created by toy industry professional, Christopher Cofoni – has received such a surge in attention since its launch that production methods behind the toy line, one which according to the team started off as little more than a passion project – have been altered to accommodate current demand.

‘This team is bringing back Boglins due to overwhelming demand. What started as a passion project has quickly got out of control, much like the Boglins,’ reads a statement from the team behind the project on Kickstarter.

‘The demand is just too high for us to keep up with in our current production methods. If we can reach our goals, not only will you get to take Boglins home with you, but you will help us smooth out production, give us the chance to get Boglins into the hands of kids and collectors all over the world, and grant us the opportunity to create even more new fun styles of Boglins!

‘We believe this toy could inspire the next Jim Henson, film maker, or artist.’

For the first time, the complete story of the Seven Bogs and the Seven Kings will be told. Fans of the original Boglins will be able to learn more about these lovable uglies, while anyone new to the Boglins world will get to enjoy the fleshed out origins of these retro-collectibles.

Donors will receive a Boglin from the first batch ever made in 2021.

The coming months will witness the release of Boglins content across Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and additional digital platforms, alongside the launch of a series of comedic short films that will feature the Boglins.

Mattel and Sanrio fashion partnership for Barbie and Hello Kitty

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Mattel has partnered with Sanrio to fashion a new partnership between the iconic dolls brand Barbie and the globally revered Hello Kitty, marking the first time the two have come together in the consumer products space.

The collaboration will see the development of a colourful and contemporary product line aimed at kids and adults that will span accessories, apparel, health and beauty, and footwear. The range will roll out across EMEA from early next year with a focus on softlines initially, but will expand with more products added at intervals throughout 2021.

A vibrant new Barbie x Hello Kitty creative has been designed for the partnership, uniting the logos and creative of both brands to create a distinctive and standout look. This will be brought to life across the product range in a new co-branded style guide developed in El Segundo by Mattel’s creative group in collaboration with Sanrio.

The announcement of the partnership comes on the back of projected growth next year within EMEA for Mattel’s consumer products, with Barbie, in particular, expected to grow double digits in consumer sales across its core consumer products range. This growth would have been helped along by the high-profile 60th Anniversary brand campaign for the market-leading doll brand and ongoing success of its role models campaign across EMEA.

Lisa Weger, Mattel’s regional head of consumer products for EMEA, said: “We’re excited to bring the world of Hello Kitty to life through this consumer products partnership with Barbie. The collection will enable fans of all ages to experience Hello Kitty and Barbie through a range of products that positively capture both these iconic brands’ essence.

“This partnership is another great example of our commitment to collaborate with globally-recognized franchises and developing exciting products.”

In recent months, Sanrio has successfully continued on its corporate mission, based on the philosophy of fostering social communication and focusing on friendship as a key asset for every human being to succeed. Dedicated marketing and digital campaigns are being developed globally and will see the interaction of Hello Kitty with the other Sanrio characters, in a newly launched program named Hello Kitty and Friends.

Silvia Figini, chief operating officer, Sanrio – EMEA, India and Oceania, Mr Men – Worldwide, commented: “We are extremely happy to collaborate with a global icon like Barbie. Brand partnerships are part of our DNA and they are consistent with Hello Kitty’s motto: ‘You can never have too many friends’.

“We share some key values such as friendship, kindness and inclusivity, and we have a common fanbase of girls and young women who grew up loving both characters and are willing to pass this love to their own daughters. The range of products will be an amazing combination of both brands and we are sure consumers will be excited.”

Mattel and Sanrio fashion partnership for Barbie and Hello Kitty

Posted on by

Mattel has partnered with Sanrio to fashion a new partnership between the iconic dolls brand Barbie and the globally revered Hello Kitty, marking the first time the two have come together in the consumer products space.

The collaboration will see the development of a colourful and contemporary product line aimed at kids and adults that will span accessories, apparel, health and beauty, and footwear. The range will roll out across EMEA from early next year with a focus on softlines initially, but will expand with more products added at intervals throughout 2021.

A vibrant new Barbie x Hello Kitty creative has been designed for the partnership, uniting the logos and creative of both brands to create a distinctive and standout look. This will be brought to life across the product range in a new co-branded style guide developed in El Segundo by Mattel’s creative group in collaboration with Sanrio.

The announcement of the partnership comes on the back of projected growth next year within EMEA for Mattel’s consumer products, with Barbie, in particular, expected to grow double digits in consumer sales across its core consumer products range. This growth would have been helped along by the high-profile 60th Anniversary brand campaign for the market-leading doll brand and ongoing success of its role models campaign across EMEA.

Lisa Weger, Mattel’s regional head of consumer products for EMEA, said: “We’re excited to bring the world of Hello Kitty to life through this consumer products partnership with Barbie. The collection will enable fans of all ages to experience Hello Kitty and Barbie through a range of products that positively capture both these iconic brands’ essence.

“This partnership is another great example of our commitment to collaborate with globally-recognized franchises and developing exciting products.”

In recent months, Sanrio has successfully continued on its corporate mission, based on the philosophy of fostering social communication and focusing on friendship as a key asset for every human being to succeed. Dedicated marketing and digital campaigns are being developed globally and will see the interaction of Hello Kitty with the other Sanrio characters, in a newly launched program named Hello Kitty and Friends.

Silvia Figini, chief operating officer, Sanrio – EMEA, India and Oceania, Mr Men – Worldwide, commented: “We are extremely happy to collaborate with a global icon like Barbie. Brand partnerships are part of our DNA and they are consistent with Hello Kitty’s motto: ‘You can never have too many friends’.

“We share some key values such as friendship, kindness and inclusivity, and we have a common fanbase of girls and young women who grew up loving both characters and are willing to pass this love to their own daughters. The range of products will be an amazing combination of both brands and we are sure consumers will be excited.”