Raving Toy Maniac

Disney at American International Toy Fair 2013

(RTM note - this is a long one, with lots of nifty gems mentioned, such as the LEGO Lone Ranger license...)

GLENDALE, CA (Feb. 5, 2013) - Innovation, creativity and powerful storytelling are the hallmarks of the 2013 toy line from Disney Consumer Products (DCP).

Some of the most innovative toys are from the new Monsters University toy collection and include features like sound and light detection technology and facial sync technology to allow for more interactive play than ever before, while The Little Mermaid and Disney Junior toy lines incorporate music and character voices to bring the products to life.

Sparking imagination, these toys capture the magic of playtime with evergreen play patterns. Here is a highlight of the top products from DCP at Toy Fair 2013:

DISNEY/PIXAR ANIMATION

Monsters University
Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are an inseparable pair, but this was not always the case. Monsters University tells the story of how these two mismatched monsters overcame their differences and became the best of friends.

Mattel Reports 2012 Financial Results and Declares Quarterly Dividend

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• Worldwide net sales up 5% from the prior year;
• North American(1) gross sales up 5% and International gross sales up 8%;
• Worldwide gross sales for core brands: Barbie® down 4%; Hot Wheels® up 2%; Fisher-Price® up 6% and American Girl® up 13%;
• Gross margin increased 40 basis points of net sales; SG&A increased 710 basis points of net sales; adjusted SG&A increased 100 basis points, excluding a litigation charge of $137.8 million;
• Operating income was $373.5 million; adjusted operating income was $511.3 million, excluding the litigation charge, compared to operating income of $497.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011; and
• Earnings per share of $0.87; adjusted earnings per share of $1.12, excluding the litigation charge, vs. prior year of $1.07.

Full-Year Highlights

• Worldwide net sales up 2% from the prior year;
• North American gross sales up 2% and International gross sales up 4%;

Warner Bros. Consumer Products Zooms into Toy Fair Season with the Debut of its Worldwide Toy Program Supporting this Summer's Highly Anticipated Film Man Of Steel

Vast Portfolio of Theatrical, Television, Animation and Super Hero Fare to be Showcased

Burbank, Calif. – January 30, 2013 – Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) zooms into this year's exciting Toy Fair season with a roster of global licensees ready to support the Studio's portfolio, led by this summer's tentpole film release Man of Steel, which will be supported by DC Comics master toy licensee Mattel, as well as many other toy partners. With an impressive lineup driven by powerhouse properties that stretch from DC Comics Super Heroes and The Hobbit Trilogy to The Big Bang Theory and Looney Tunes, WBCP and its renowned licensees are rolling out new toys and collectibles that will reach fans of all ages.

Mattel Launches New Global Entertainment Franchise Max Steel™

New Multi-Platform Venture Will Feature Animated Superhero TV Series Broadcast in More Than 100 Global Markets, Turbo-Charged Online Content Hub and Robust Toy and Consumer Products Line

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- January 28, 2013 -- Max Steel™, a wholly-owned intellectual property from Mattel, makes its global debut in March with an animated superhero series premiere on Disney XD in the United States and globally on major network operators. The multi-platform action-adventure entertainment franchise will also introduce a dynamic web destination, featuring rich content, including interactive gameplay. Additional property support includes a suite of products, spanning action figures, vehicles, role play items and a diverse line of consumer products available summer 2013.

Mattel and Walmart Canada Revolutionize Window Shopping with Canada's First Virtual Pop-Up Toy Store

Virtual store in Toronto's PATH system creates easy holiday shopping for tech-savvy, time-crunched commuters

TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2012 - To help Torontonians celebrate the holiday season, Mattel and Walmart Canada today launched the first pop-up virtual toy store in Canada, providing a unique QR code-based shopping experience for commuters and gift-givers. Located in the PATH, Toronto's underground walkway, the virtual toy store will run for four weeks and provide the ultimate ease in shopping for the next generation of gift-givers.

"Walmart is a top destination for innovation and for holiday shopping, especially when it comes to toys. We're thrilled to partner with Mattel to bring this exclusive out-of-store experience to our busy customers," said Cheri Anthony, Walmart's director of merchandising for toys. "It's another way we can help Canadian families create holiday magic for less."

Mattel Reports Third Quarter 2012 Financial Results and Declares Fourth Quarter Dividend

Third Quarter Highlights

• Worldwide net sales up 4%;
• North American1 gross sales up 6% and International gross sales up 2%;
• Worldwide gross sales by core brands: Barbie® down 4%; Hot Wheels® flat; Fisher-Price® up 6% and American Girl® up 16%;
• Gross margin increased 590 basis points of net sales; SG&A increased 200 basis points of net sales;
• Operating income of $487.4 million compared to operating income of $397.6 million in the third quarter of 2011; and
• Earnings per share of $1.04 vs. prior year earnings per share of $0.86.

Capital Deployment

• Board declared 2012 fourth quarter cash dividend of $0.31 per share, reflecting an annualized dividend of $1.24 per share; and
• The Company repurchased 139,000 shares of its common stock during the third quarter at a cost of approximately $5 million.

Danica Patrick Hits the Track in a Transforming Hot Wheels® Car in Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed™

SEGA and Mattel Team Up to Create an Immersive Sonic the Hedgehog Racing Experience with Limited Edition Diecast "Danicar" and In-Game Vehicle

SAN FRANCISCO -- October 10, 2012 -- SEGA® of America Inc. is thrilled to announce a unique partnership with Mattel, Inc. and the iconic Hot Wheels® brand, offering consumers an exciting cross-platform experience for the upcoming release of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed. Within the video game, players who choose to race as Danica Patrick will be able to drive a custom transforming electric green Hot Wheels® vehicle, designed to navigate the dynamic land, sea and air environments. In addition to its in-game presence, the "Danicar" will also be available as an exclusive diecast vehicle available this holiday season with purchase of Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed at select retailers.

Teen Action-Hero Max Steel Makes Global Series Debut

LONDON 5 OCTOBER, 2012: Mattel, Inc., and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), announced today a premier slate of international television sales including a major US broadcasting deal with Disney XD for Max Steel®. The action-adventure CGI animated series based on the Mattel franchise of the same name, Max Steel, will begin broadcast globally in spring 2013.

With buyers in more than 100 territories securing broadcast rights, Max Steel has procured and set the stage for a global viewing audience. FME, which has international distribution rights outside of the US, has confirmed sales of the series to: Cartoon Network and Boing in Italy and Spain; Lagardere in France; Canal Panda in Portugal; as well as two major multi-territory deals with Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific and Disney XD.

August 2012 - While in the line at the grocery store and eyeing the Batman movie toy display stocked in between two registers, I spotted a pad of paper sitting on the top of the display... I darted over, grabbed the top sheet, and got back in my own line.

The pad was a batch of order forms for a "FREE Batman Duffle Bag! with $15 purchase of Batman product by Mattel." In the fine print, it mentions that if you buy $15 or more of Mattel Batman toys from "this retailer" and send in $5 for shipping, they will send you a free duffle bag.

You can also order online at: http://service.mattel.com/promotion?id=Batman

The online order page specifies that your purchase can be from any retailer EXCEPT Kmart, Walmart, Toys'R'Us, or Target. You'll need your UPC codes from the packaging and your original receipts dated through August 31st.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products Announces Worldwide Licensing Program For The Dark Knight Rises

BURBANK, Calif., July 19, 2012 -- The Bat-Signal soars above the skies as Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) and its global partners launch the worldwide licensing and merchandising program that supports the eagerly awaited epic conclusion to filmmaker Christopher Nolan's phenomenally popular Dark Knight trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises. As the summer blockbuster swoops into theaters, beginning July 20, WBCP unveils the unprecedented lineup of global licensees and products capturing the excitement for the film around the world.

"Batman is one of the most iconic characters in the world and our global merchandising program inspired by The Dark Knight Rises offers fans of all ages an opportunity to extend their experience beyond the theater," said Brad Globe, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "The characters, gadgets and vehicles created by Christopher Nolan have opened up a world of great product opportunities."