The Licensing Letter

Mattel

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

Licensing Veteran Nowicki Chosen for Key Role at Mattel

Mattel has new leadership in the critical role of global consumer products and franchise marketing, bringing on accomplished veteran Rosalind 'Roz' Nowicki. Nowicki has more than three decades prior experience working with kids' products and entertainment brands, and is known for her deep experience in the world of brand licensing. She comes to Mattel from her most recent gig … [Read more...] about Licensing Veteran Nowicki Chosen for Key Role at Mattel

Mattel Reportedly Plans Game Show Based on ‘Uno’ Card Game

By Gary Symons, TLL Editor in Chief If you're going to launch a game show, what better way than to base it on an already popular game? That appears to be the thinking behind reports that toy and game giant Mattel is working Ben Silverman and Howard T. Owens of Propagate to release a new show called The Uno Game Show. According to a story in The Hollywood Reporter, the show … [Read more...] about Mattel Reportedly Plans Game Show Based on ‘Uno’ Card Game

Hello Kitty Scores Partnership With Bandai UK’s Tamagotchi

It's been a busy and successful week for Sanrio's Hello Kitty property, as the company followed up on its partnership with Mattel's Barbie, announcing a collaboration with the popular Tamagotchi 'virtual pet' game. Tamagotchi was introduced to the world as a virtual pet, housed in a tiny digital device, first released in Japan in 1996 and internationally in 1997. The little … [Read more...] about Hello Kitty Scores Partnership With Bandai UK’s Tamagotchi

Cuteness Overload: Barbie Partners with Hello Kitty

US toy giant Mattel has partnered with Sanrio to create a branding dynamo, combining the iconic Barbie line with the globally popular Hello Kitty brand for the first time. The two companies say they will collaborate on 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 … [Read more...] about Cuteness Overload: Barbie Partners with Hello Kitty

Dolls Help Drive Mattel Quarterly Revenue up 10% over Last Year

US toy giant Mattel reported a sterling quarter with revenues increasing by 10 per cent over the same period last year, despite challenges posed by COVID-19, and driven by a strong IP licensing portfolio. Mattel says the company’s net sales in North America increased 13 per cent over the prior year’s quarter, primarily driven by growth in dolls, action figures building sets, … [Read more...] about Dolls Help Drive Mattel Quarterly Revenue up 10% over Last Year

Who’s News: August 2020

Are you hiring—or being promoted, changing jobs, retiring, launching a new company, or otherwise changing your employment? Contact the Editor at karina@plainlanguagemedia.com to announce the news in our next issue of Who's News. Direct contact information is made available through TLL's Licensing Sourcebook Online (subscription required). Update: Aug. 18, 2020 Foot Locker … [Read more...] about Who’s News: August 2020