By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief Mattel continues to make big moves as a leader in corporate sustainability, this week announcing the launch of Mattel PlayBack, a toy takeback program that will enable families to extend the life of their Mattel toys once they are finished playing with them. The new program is designed to recover and reuse materials from old Mattel toys for … [Read more...] about Mattel Goes Green With Toy Recycling Program
Mattel
Hollie Holmes Takes The Wheel At PlayMonster
PlayMonster LLC has made a big move in its licensing department, announcing Mattel's Senior Director of Strategic Development, Hollie Holmes, is joining the company as its Global Head of Licensing. This is a new position at PlayMonster, a Wisconsin-based toy company that has grown to offer products globally. The company says Holmes will oversee the company’s global licensing … [Read more...] about Hollie Holmes Takes The Wheel At PlayMonster
Mattel Signs a ‘Ludacris’ Deal
Toy giant Mattel is joining forces with star musician and songwriter Chris 'Ludacris' Bridges on a new animated series called Karma's World, to air on Netflix later this year. The agreement creates a joint venture between Mattel, 9 Story Media Group Inc., and Karma's World Entertainment for a multi-year global licensing deal tied to Karma’s World, the series created by … [Read more...] about Mattel Signs a ‘Ludacris’ Deal
Rock’em Sock’em Robots Get Silver Screen Treatment
Mattel Inc. is working with Universal Pictures and action star Vin Diesel's One Race Films to bring a Rock'em Sock'em Robot movie to the big screen. The classic table top game lets players take control of two robotic pugilists, who trade plastic blows until one of their heads pops up, signaling a knockout punch. Now, in the tradition of films like the Hugh Jackman vehicle Real … [Read more...] about Rock’em Sock’em Robots Get Silver Screen Treatment
Zara Offers Human-Sized Barbie Fashion in Mattel Partnership
The international fashion company Zara has launched a clothing line based on Mattel's Barbie in a campaign that includes digital marketing and product cross-collaboration. Under the agreement, Zara is now selling a line of Barbie-inspired clothing and accessories, and also has some Zara-themed dolls for sale, as in the sample photo below. "Barbie's newest collaboration with … [Read more...] about Zara Offers Human-Sized Barbie Fashion in Mattel Partnership
Mattel Releases First ‘Zero Emissions’ Matchbox Car With Tesla
Mattel Inc. this week announced its Drive Toward a Better Future program, unveiling the Matchbox Tesla Roadster, its first die-cast vehicle made from 99% recycled materials and certified CarbonNeutral. The Matchbox Tesla Roadster will be available starting in 2022. The release is Mattel's first step on a product roadmap intended to make all Matchbox die-cast cars, playsets … [Read more...] about Mattel Releases First ‘Zero Emissions’ Matchbox Car With Tesla
Mattel TV Announces Two New Barbie Specials
Mattel has said it will be greatly increasing its film and television production efforts in 2021, and the company this week announced the launch of two new animated Barbie specials for streamers and broadcasters this spring. The first of the two specials is “Barbie & Chelsea The Lost Birthday,” the first dedicated television movie featuring Barbie’s younger sister Chelsea … [Read more...] about Mattel TV Announces Two New Barbie Specials
A Tale of Two Toymakers Influences Their Content Goals
Hasbro Restructuring Eone, Mattel Creating More Content By Gary Symons TLL Editor in Chief The toy industry enjoyed a surprisingly strong year in 2020, despite and partly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but that doesn't mean toymakers haven't faced serious challenges in their operations. Despite the strong year for toy sales overall, Hasbro has seen a drop in their share … [Read more...] about A Tale of Two Toymakers Influences Their Content Goals
Mattel Takes a Swing at a Whac-A-Mole Game Show
Toy giant Mattel is working with America's Got Talent producer Fremantle to develop a frantic new game show based on the Whac-A-Mole game it acquired in 2009. Mattel and Fremantle say the Whac-A-Mole game show will be a wild, physically challenging elimination competition in which opposing teams will use their skill, strength and endurance to become the Whac-A-Mole champion. … [Read more...] about Mattel Takes a Swing at a Whac-A-Mole Game Show
Hot Wheels Partnership With NASA is Out of This World
Hot Wheels has been partnered with NASA for more than 30 years, and this week came out with its first new, space-themed mini collection over two decades. The mini carmaker is helping NASA kick off another historic year of space exploration firsts with the release of the new Mars Perseverance Rover die-cast vehicle. The product is a detailed 1:64 scale replica model inspired by … [Read more...] about Hot Wheels Partnership With NASA is Out of This World