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
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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
Barbie Named Top Global Toy Brand For 2020
Mattel, Inc. enjoyed a wildly successful year in 2020, producing many of the top selling toy brands globally, and riding a large increase in toy spending during the pandemic to one of their best revenue years of all time. As well, the definitive retail industry research company The NPD Group has now named Mattel's Barbie brand as the 2020 top global toy property of the year, … [Read more...] about Barbie Named Top Global Toy Brand For 2020
UNO Celebrates A Half Century of Fun and Games
UNO Launches Yearlong Lineup of Products, Partnerships and Celebratory Events to Commemorate 50th Anniversary Mattel is launching a full year of new products, partnerships and events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Uno. Uno was originally developed in 1971 by Merle Robbins of Reading, Ohio, who played it with family and friends. As it became more popular in the … [Read more...] about UNO Celebrates A Half Century of Fun and Games
Mattel Licenses Itsy Bitsy Knight for Fisher Price Line
Mattel has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with PGS Entertainment a line of Fisher-Price toys based on the upcoming animated pre-school series, Gus – The Itsy Bitsy Knight. Mattel and its Fisher-Price brand will develop new figurines, plush toys, toy vehicles, and play sets, with the toy line slated for wide release in 2022. Gus – The Itsy Bitsy Knight is a … [Read more...] about Mattel Licenses Itsy Bitsy Knight for Fisher Price Line
Barbie and Tim Hortons ‘Double Double’ Down on Hockey For Girls
By Gary Symons, TLL Editor in Chief Few people in the licensing biz know this about me, but among other things I was a minor hockey coach for many years, as my elder daughter was a bit of a pioneer among female players. She started out playing full contact hockey against boys, because there was no girl's team in our city, and later joined a girl's hockey team. Every weekend at … [Read more...] about Barbie and Tim Hortons ‘Double Double’ Down on Hockey For Girls
Mattel Names Catherine Frymark EVP Corporate Communications
Toy giant Mattel is getting a new voice, naming communications guru Catherine Frymark as their Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications. In this role, Frymark will oversee external and internal corporate communications globally as well as the Company’s philanthropic efforts, including the Mattel Children’s Foundation. Frymark will join Mattel next month, reporting … [Read more...] about Mattel Names Catherine Frymark EVP Corporate Communications