Tag Archives: mattel

Mattel celebrates Tokyo 2020 with the launch of the first Olympic Games toy line

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Mattel is celebrating Tokyo 2020 with the launch of the first Olympic Games toy collection, featuring a variety of products from across its Barbie, Hot Wheels, and UNO brands.

In an exclusive licensing agreement with the International Olympic Committee, Mattel will launch a range of products and toys each reflecting the inclusivity and innovation, as well as a host of new sports, that the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will represent.

New sports to be represented at this year’s Olympics include baseball/softball, sport climbing, karate, skateboarding and surfing – all to inspire a new generation of athletes and fans around the world.

The Mattel toy and product launch is part of the International Olympic Committee’s ongoing global licensing strategy.

“In line with our Global Licensing Strategy, this new international licensing collaboration with Mattel is a great way to engage with an important audience, our younger fans and their families, and through these high-quality products to connect them with the Olympic brand and values,” said Timo Lumme, managing director of IOC Television and Marketing Services.

“Tokyo 2020 is a monumental event that brings the world together through sport and inspires fans of all ages,” said Janet Hsu, chief franchise officer of Mattel. “The Mattel Tokyo 2020 Collection honours these sports and inspires a new generation through the Olympic spirit and outstanding athletic tradition.”

Products will include Barbie Dolls Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, as the doll embraces five new sports added to the Olympic programme, and the Hot Wheels Mini Collection for The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 representing iconic sports of Tokyo 2020, from historic sports dating back to the first Games in Athens, to new sports that make their debut this year in Tokyo.

Sports celebrated in Hot Wheels die-cast form include track and field, gymnastics, swimming, basketball and beach volleyball, and the newly added sports: baseball/softball, sport climbing, karate, skateboarding and surfing.

Two cars within the collection are Hot Wheels versions of Worldwide Olympic Partner Toyota’s vehicles ’10 Toyota Tundra and Toyota 2000 GT.

UNO will also be part of the celebrations, with the UNO Celebrating Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 line, featuring the mascot of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Miraitowa.

The Tokyo 2020 Collection by Mattel will be available in retailers around the globe, as well as on the Mattel Shop.

Building on the Olympic Agenda 2020, the International Olympic Committee Global Licensing Strategy aims to create a tangible connection to the Olympic Games and Olympism through merchandising programmes that are aligned with the Olympic image and enhance brand value and goodwill.

The objective is to strengthen and promote the Olympic brand, not only during the Olympic Games, but between Games as well.

The IOC Global Licensing Strategy is divided into three core licensing programmes aimed at specific target groups: The Olympic Heritage Collection, The Olympic Collection and The Olympic Games Programme.

Mark Hamill, Lena Headey lead voice cast for Mattel’s Masters of the Universe: Revelation

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Mattel Television and Netflix have revealed the cast of the upcoming Netflix anime series, Masters of the Universe: Revelation, a new series based in the iconic He-Man, Skeletor, Teela, and cast of classic characters.

The series is being produced by Mattel Television with Adam Bonnett (Descendants), Christopher Keenan (Justice League, Batman Beyond) and Rob David (He-Man and the Masters of the Universe) as executive producers.

Kevin Smith (Clerks, Chasing Amy) will serve as show-runner and executive producer. In addition, Susan Corbin (Voltron) will produce the series.

But it’s the all-star acting cast that is sure to fire up much of the interest, with a line up that includes Mark Hamill as Skeletor, Game of Thrones’ Lena Headey as Evil-Lyn, Supergirl’s Chris Wood as Prince Adam/He-Man, and Sarah Michelle Gellar as Teela.

These will be joined by another Game of Thrones alumni as Liam Cunningham takes on the role of Man-At-Arms, Henry Rollins as Tri-Klops, Alicia Silverstone as Queen Marlena, Justin Long as Roboto, Jason Mewes as Stinkor, and Harley Quinn-Smith as Ileena among others.

Masters of the Universe: Revelation – animated by Powerhouse Animation, the team behind Castlevania – will focus on the unresolved storylines of the iconic characters, picking up where they left off decades ago.

“Masters of the Universe: Revelation is for the fans. Kevin Smith, as well as the rest of the all-star cast, share our love and passion for the iconic franchise and the deeper meaning of the property,” said Rob David, executive producer on the show.

“At its core, Masters of the Universe is all about wanting the power to be the best version of yourself, and the series will bring this message to life in an entirely new way.”

Kevin Smith added: “I cannot believe the lineup of talent I get to play with. The incredible, star-studded cast that Mattel’s Rob David and Netflix’s Ted Biaselli assembled for our Masters of the Universe series will let any lifelong He-Man fan know we’re treating this cartoon seriously and honouring the legendary world of Eternia with A-list talent.

“Chris, Sarah, Mark, Lena and the other amazing actors and actresses have given performances so powerful and real in a show that features a talking giant green tiger. With these fantastic performers behind our characters, it’ll be crazy easy to immerse yourself in the swords and sorcery of our epic sci-fi soap opera.”

Mattel’s reboot of the classic Masters of the Universe franchise also includes a comic book series by DC Comics (available now), reimagined versions of the ’80s toys (hitting retail shelves this autumn), a CG-animated series with Netflix (He-Man and the Masters of the Universe)and a feature film.

Disney reveals toys and consumer products line up for both Mulan and Onward

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In a double whammy for the studio, Disney has revealed the consumer products portfolio for not one but two of its upcoming blockbuster movies, detailing the toy lines and licensed products line-up for both Mulan and its new animated feature film, Onward.

Hasbro, Mattel, and Funko join the ranks of a heaving portfolio of product partners across the two movies, both slated for a cinematic release this March. The live action remake of Mulan will land on March 27th this year, while Onward will debut on March 6th.

Disney has pulled out all of the stops to deliver a consumer product programme that ticks all of the boxes this year, with ranges spanning some of the biggest names in toys and collectables, from Hasbro, Mattel, and Funko, to Rubie’s, Half Moon Bay, and more.

The Mulan programme kicks off with fashion dolls from Hasbro, Pop! Vinyl figures from Funko, and Disney Store exclusives including an enamel pin set and a Mulan dress up set. Centum Books has been tapped for a movie novelisation, while Rubie’s is delivering on the Deluxe Mulan Costume.

Pandora is releasing a line of licensed charms, while Half Moon Bay has mugs, travel mugs, and dishes covered. Bonnier is releasing storybooks, while there is still plenty more in the line-up to be discovered.

Meanwhile, Mattel well and truly has the Onward license on lock down with an expansive line up that includes role-play items such as the Onward Wizard Staff, as well as blind bag collectables, a core figure assortment, a mini vehicle assortment, feature plush, and a line up of soft toys of each of the film’s main characters.

The Disney Store has its obligatory line-up of gifts and accessory exclusives, including enamel pins, diaries, figurines, mugs and more, while Bonnier is delivering on the activity books, Phidal has a busy book and a jigsaw puzzle, and Panini completes the initial line-up with an Onward Sticker Collection.

Check out the trailers for both Mulan and Onward below:

Read the Toy Fair special issue of ToyNews today for plenty of licensing updates…

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The Toy Fair special issue of ToyNews is ready to read online, on your smart device or iPad – giving you look at the year ahead and the trends that will be hitting the toy industry the most.

It’s the first ToyNews of 2020, and of the decade, making this not only – with London Toy Fair right around the corner – our Toy Fair issue, but also our chance to cast our predictions for what’s going to be setting the agenda for the coming year.

And it’s packed with news of all the latest developments within toys and licensing, too; whether that’s talk of Mattel’s Masters of the Universe, the latest good news story from the licensing powerhouse that is Games Workshop and the Warhammer franchise, or what plans Formula One now has for toys and the wider licensing space.

Of course, we’ll be diving into Spring Fair once again, and stop by with pop culture licensing specialists, Fanattik and Pyramid International to get their takes on the scene.

As ever, we kick off proceedings with the usual ToyNews wealth of ever-engaging and always exclusive content thanks to our Big Interview with Mattel’s VP and country manager, Michael Hick as we explore why 2020 is going to be a major year for the global toy powerhouse – and it’s not only with thanks to the return of He-Man…

Setting the tone for how we foresee bigger movements from the retail space, and the industry as a whole, towards inclusivity and accessibility for all of its audiences, we explore topics of autism and the toy industry, as well as games and puzzles and mental health, and all those wonderful people pushing this industry and the important messages ever-forward.

Our cover star of this month’s feature-packed issue, Generation Media, talks us through its evolution over the past decade, and, as we embark on a whole new one, sets out just what might be in store for the children’s media space.

As Asmodee UK announces its partnership with Mojo Nation to check out the art and design talent with the UK university student’s scene, we explore the topic of the evolving artwork of board games and tabletop titles, and how important it is to driving the success of some of the scene’s biggest sellers.

Of course, we at ToyNews like to champion the talent of the industry’s rising stars… and it turns out, you lot do too. This year, we have been inundated with nominations for our annual 30 Under 30 – sponsored by Gameplan Europe – making the task of whittling it down to just 30 a very difficult one indeed. It’s uplifting to see this industry continue to nurture and celebrate the talent of the up and coming generation, as well as to see the parameters of this business extending wider year after year.

Then, as Hornby turns 100 this year, we sit down with the hobby and model specialist to discover just how the team will be celebrating, and find out what plans this heritage and staple of British history and culture has got planned to continue to grow its audiences well into the future.

From one Great British success story to another, ToyNews talks exclusively to Games Workshop, a thriving retail, gaming, and licensing business that continues to go from strength to strength, as well as get the inside, exclusive track on Formula One’s plans to enter the toy space this year. Both making for a fascinating read this season – if we do say so ourselves.

There’s more to come still, as ToyNews dives into this year’s toy fair offerings with show guides covering Spring Fair, Nuremberg’s Spielwarenmesse, and of course, London Toy Fair.

On top of this, no ToyNews would be complete without its run of exclusive regulars, including the agenda setting opinions from industry voices, the latest industry insights, and our expert panel of retail specialists.

Read all of this and more here.