Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE, Cartoon Networks worldwide consumer products division) struck a long-term global partnership with the worlds leading toy company, Mattel Inc. for a multi-year, multi-property deal. The master toy license agreement covers original Cartoon Network properties for the 6-11 age group and also carries a first-look option on all newly created original series and programming.
Universal Studios and Mattel today (April 11, 2006) announced an unprecedented, multi-picture, multi-year alliance for worldwide marketing and distribution of feature-length DVDs. This will commence with a new fall release for Mattels hugely successful Barbie Ent. franchise and a first-ever, feature-length movie for the successful Polly Pocket! brand.
Mattel Inc. has announced that Cheech Marin, the voice of Ramone in Pixars CARS, will unveil the films toy lineup at Toy Fair 2006.
Due in theaters June 9, 2006, CARS is the story of a young hotshot rookie racecar, Lightning McQueen, who is on the fast track to success, fame and everything he's hoped for until he takes an unexpected detour on dusty Route 66 and meets Ramone and his friends.
VIZ Media announced that it has named Mattel as master toy licensee for ZATCH BELL! by Makoto Raiku. The announcement is the most recent development for ZATCH BELL! since VIZ Media was granted the North and South American broadcast and licensing rights in June 2004. Additionally, the company has entered into partnerships with Cartoon Network (where ZATCH BELL! premiered in March 2005 on the Toonami block) and Bandai for videogames and collectible card games in the past year.
Cookie Jar Ent. Inc. has awarded Mattel Inc. the worldwide master toy licensee for THE DOODLEBOPS. THE DOODLEBOPS, Cookie Jar's high energy, music-based, kids series, airs twice daily on Disney Channel's Playhouse Disney preschool block of programming in the U.S., and on CBC weekdays in Canada. The master license grants Mattel manufacturing and marketing rights for toys, dolls, feature plush, figures, playsets, games and puzzles that incorporate the rock 'n' roll fantasy from the TV series. Mattel plans to launch THE DOODLEBOPS toy line in fall 2006.
Mattel Inc. signed a multi-year licensing agreement to serve as master toy licensee for ONE PIECE, a popular animated series airing on 4Kids TV, 4Kids Entertainment's Saturday morning children's programming block on FOX, as well as on Cartoon Network's Tonami block on Saturday evenings.
The master toy license grants Mattel the exclusive rights for a full range of products including action figures, play sets, role-play items, games and puzzles. ONE PIECE toys are anticipated to be available at retail in the U.S. and Canada by December 2005.
Canadian CG animation production company Mainframe Ent. and Mattel Inc. are completing production on a new animated feature-length DVD based on Mattels toy line Barbie Fairytopia. Lions Gate Family Home Ent. will distribute the feature, BARBIE FAIRYTOPIA, which will be available in stores March 8, 2005.
Mattel and Miramax Home Ent. have announced an exclusive partnership that calls for Mattel to produce its first direct-to-video full-length animated movie featuring the MY SCENE girls. Miramax Home Ent. will distribute the movie. The My Scene movie is in production and will be released in fall 2005, and follows on the heels of the first MY SCENE entertainment experience, "Jammin' in Jamaica," an in-package DVD released earlier this year that also aired on Nickelodeon June 6, 2004.
Mattel Inc. has signed a deal with ShoPro Ent. for the master toy license to MEGAMAN NT WARRIOR. The franchise originated as a Capcom videogame series then became a long-running manga series. The TV series is garnering high ratings for the Kids' WB! Mattel has not yet announced any information regarding when the initial release of the new toy line will begin.
Mattel is consolidating its girls and boys/entertainment business units into one divison renamed Mattel Brands. The new global group includes the Barbie and Hot Wheels mega brands. Chairman/CEO of Mattel Robert Eckert said the move to reduce redundancies was consistent with "our 'one Mattel' approach to doing business," he said. Former boys/entertainment division president Matt Bousquette is promoted to president of Mattel Brands, with the elimination of approximately 5% of the executive level positions, with Adrienne Fontanella exiting as president of the girls division.
Have you been waiting for a glimpse of Cartoon Network's brand-new HE-MAN series? Well, get yourself to Comic-Con this weekend and visit the Mattel booth #2942-2945 for a sneak-peek preview of the new Cartoon Network series, HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE from Mike Young Productions. Representatives from Cartoon Network, Mattel and Mike Young will be discussing the latest news about the property on Friday, August 2, 2002 from 1:00-2:00 pm in Room 6BCDEF. The series premieres with a 90-minute movie on Cartoon Network on Friday, August 16, 2002.
Mattel Inc. and 4Kids Entertainment Inc. have signed a multi-year, worldwide licensing agreement, with the exception of Asia, naming Mattel the master toy licensee for 4Kids' YU-GI-OH! Mattel will be manufacturing and marketing, among other items, action figures, games, puzzles, role-playing products and youth electronics based on the animated property. The first YU-GI-OH! product line will be available in 2002.
Mattel has enlisted Mainframe Entertainment to create the first direct-to-video feature starring Barbie. The story will be based on THE NUTCRACKER with Barbie playing Clara. Mattel is investing US$15 million into the 84-minute CGI flick, which should hit store shelves in October. Currently, Mattel is looking for a buyer for an hour-long TV version of the film. New York City ballet-master Peter Martins will choreograph the dance sequences with the London Symphony Orchestra supplying the music. Motion-capture will be used to animate five separate dancers for the flick.
Disney has decided to divide its toy merchandising between rivals Hasbro and Mattel. Disney has had a long licensing relationship with Mattel, which now will only handle their preschool and plush toys, dolls, games and puzzles. Hasbro will handle the more lucrative toys, action figures and games portion of Walt Disney products.
Mattel Interactive has signed a licensing agreement with Harmony Gold to create games based on the popular anime series, ROBOTECH. Mattel Interactive plans to have ROBOTECH games ready for next-generation console systems and PCs beginning in fourth quarter 2001. Specific details regarding platforms and developers have yet to be announced. The ROBOTECH series helped ignite the anime phenomenon in America, with an 85-episode animated series that aired in early 1985. The series was re-aired in 1994 on Sci-Fi Channel and once again on Cartoon Network in 1999.
Mattel, Inc. has signed a new multiyear worldwide licensing pact with Nickelodeon to renew and expand its current toy license agreement. The deal will include toy categories such as action figures, dolls, plush toys, games, handheld games, puzzles, and infant and preschool products. Mattel now controls all properties from Nickelodeon's children's television programming services, as well as Nickelodeon's motion pictures division, Nickelodeon Movies. As part of the deal, Mattel will be the international toy licensee for Nickelodeon's RUGRATS and BLUE'S CLUES in more than 30 countries.
BERNARD STOLAR was named president of MATTEL INTERACTIVE, the division that
includes The Learning Company and other software and high-tech products.
Stolar joins Mattel from Sega where he helped engineer the launch of the
Sega Dreamcast video game console in the United States. At Mattel, he will
try to mend the ailing Learning Company division, whose unexpected $105
million loss in the third quarter shocked investors and diminished Mattel's
MICHAEL PERIK, the Learning Company's chairman, and its president, KEVINO'LEARY, have moved on from MATTEL, INC. A search has begun for a newperson to helm Mattel Interactive, the division which includes all units ofthe Learning Company, Mattel Media and the company's Intel Play venture. Inrelated news, Mattel has said that FRANCESCA LUZURIAGA will be the newchief operating officer of Mattel Interactive, responsible for finance,information technology and new business development. In addition, the
Mattel and Nickelodeon have partnered to create toys for the Nicktoon series, CATDOG. The two-headed toys hit storesin March '99. The line includes Pull and Pose CatDog ($19.99), a plushstretchable and posable toy; Toon Team Packs ($14.99), six-inch mini-plushdolls with accessories; CatDog Ride-On Bicycle ($10.99), a bicycle for thewacky duo; and Stretchy CatDog ($7.99).
