Raving Toy Maniac

Hallmark Signs New Licensing Agreement with Mattel

Barbie® ornaments and plush products will be available from Hallmark in 2015.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - January 07, 2015 - Hallmark and Mattel today announced a new licensing agreement that will bring the Barbie® brand license back to Hallmark in 2015.

With this contract, Hallmark secures the rights to create holiday ornaments and plush products in the U.S. and Canada. The products will have broad distribution through multiple retail channels, with exclusive items in the nationwide network of Hallmark Gold Crown® stores.

"It's beyond exciting to have Barbie back at Hallmark," said Cindy Mahoney, Vice President – Hallmark Licensing. "The iconic Barbie brand is so beloved by families and collectors alike, particularly Holiday Barbie. And get ready, because we have some creative, quality products planned to celebrate Barbie's return."

The first new Barbie™ products from Hallmark will appear in Hallmark Gold Crown stores for Keepsake Ornament Premiere in July 2015.

You Can't Be What You Can't See: Meet Entrepreneur Barbie®

June 18, 2014 -- With 150+ careers, Barbie® has always encouraged girls that if you can dream it, you can be it. With the launch of the Entrepreneur Barbie® doll, available now, she is blazing trails along with other female leaders who are proud to be the boss. This year alone, female entrepreneurs have graced the cover of TIME's Most Influential People issue and lead 1-in-5 start-ups. Alongside Barbie®, female entrepreneurs are changing the world, surpassing their goals and showing girls they can be both capable and captivating.

To celebrate her newest career, Barbie® has partnered with a diverse group of female entrepreneurs. These women include the founders of Girls Who Code, Rent the Runway, One Kings Lane, Plum Alley, Genuine Insights, Sugarfina and The TomKat Studio, who all have inspiring stories for girls today and are truly #unapologetic about living their dream.

Sony Pictures Entertainment And Mattel Announce Plan To Bring The Iconic Character Of Barbie To Life On Screen

Live-Action Comedy Set to Begin Production End of Year

Sony Pictures Entertainment's Next Global Franchise to be Produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald and written by Jenny Bicks

CULVER CITY, Calif., April 23, 2014 -- Sony Pictures Entertainment, Mattel and Parkes+MacDonald/Image Nation today announced a partnership on a live-action comedy featuring the beloved and dynamic icon Barbie. The studio sees this as its next big, global franchise and plans to go into production by the end of the year. Written by Jenny Bicks and produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, the film will be executive produced by Parkes+MacDonald's president Marc Resteghini alongside Julia Pistor, who will executive produce for Mattel's Playground Productions.

Barbie® to Remain a California Girl

Pop Culture Icon Re-models her Dreamhouse® and Continues Life in Malibu

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- August 26, 2013 -- The original California girl, Barbie®, today announced that home is truly where the heart is and she will officially be staying in Malibu. Over the past year, Barbie travelled the world to find the perfect place to call home. She toured the trendy streets of New York, experienced the cultural charm of Paris and even enjoyed the rugged Australian outback. Despite her amazing international adventures, Barbie decided this beachside city will remain her hometown and she is excited to stay close to her family and friends (and Ken of course!).

"After much thought and consideration, Barbie has made her decision to stay in Malibu," said Lori Pantel, Vice President, Global Marketing for Barbie. "Barbie feels incredibly connected to the beach and decided to renovate her Dreamhouse instead of move. She drew renovation inspiration from her many world travels and experiences."

Barbie® and Girl Scouts Partner to Create First-Ever Barbie® Patch

The New "Be Anything, Do Everything" Patch Encourages the Next Generation of Girls to Explore Career Options and Leadership Opportunities

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- August 22, 2013 -- Today, Barbie® and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) announced a unique partnership to create the first-ever Barbie® "Be Anything, Do Everything" patch. The participation patch is designed to inspire the next generation of female leaders by encouraging girls to explore career possibilities through exciting new program activities.

Diamond to Distribute Pedigree Books for First Time in North America

(BALTIMORE,MD) - (June 17, 2013)- UK based publisher Pedigree Books has signed with Diamond Comic Distributors (DCD) allowing their publications to be distributed to bookstore and comic book specialty stores in North America. Diamonds and Pedigree's joint efforts mark the first time Pedigree's publications will be offered in the US.

Pedigree is a highly respected publisher in the United Kingdom, holding market leading status in character Annuals, Yearbooks and related activity formats. These 80 paged Annuals cover all aspects of pop culture such as trending music, TV, movies, video games, toys and much more continuing with traditional household brand name properties such as Barbie, Star Wars, Angry Birds, Family Guy and Pokémon. The market leading titles appeal to readers of all ages and feature creative activities such as comics, puzzles and character profiles.

Warner Bros. Consumer Products Unveils Wonderful Product Lineup for the 75th Anniversary of "The Wizard Of Oz"

Robust Roster of Toy and Collectible Licensees Led by Master Toy Partner Jazwares

Burbank, Calif., February 13, 2013 – Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) announced during New York Toy Fair an impressive roster of licensees set to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of "The Wizard of Oz" in 2014, with creative product lines that will excite fans of the classic film on both sides of the rainbow. Master toy partner Jazwares, as well as USAopoly and Mattel are among the partners helping to honor one of the most beloved properties in all of film history, which will inspire a range of product across multiple categories including toys, collectibles, games and more.

Mega Bloks Hot Wheels™ Construction Sets Unveiled At New York Toy Fair

MEGA Brands and Mattel continue to expand construction lines

MONTREAL/NEW YORK, Feb. 10, 2013 - MEGA Brands launches its brand-new Mega Bloks Hot Wheels™ collection today at the 2013 American International Toy Fair. Toy insiders will get a full preview of the highly-anticipated construction line hitting stores this summer.

Following their successful launch of the Mega Bloks Barbie line in Holiday 2012, MEGA Brands and Mattel continue to expand the construction category with a full range of building sets based on the iconic and best-selling Hot Wheels® brand. Mega Bloks Hot Wheels brings together the speed, action and performance of this world famous boys brand with easy building fun, cool action features and the world's first collectible Hot Wheels micro-action-figures.

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.

Royal Caribbean International And Barbie® Set Sail Together To Offer First-Ever Barbie™ Experience At Sea

Girls Can Enjoy Exclusive Themed Staterooms, Tea Parties, Fashion Shows and More Aboard the Industry's Newest Fleet

MIAMI and EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 10, 2012 -- Royal Caribbean International, in partnership with Mattel, is bringing the signature pink style of Barbie, the world's most popular doll, to the world's most innovative cruise line. The pop culture icon will come to the high seas for the very first time to invite girls to see what happens when Barbie becomes a part of their cruise vacation. The all-new Barbie™ Premium Experience, available exclusively on Royal Caribbean ships, is making its stylish splash aboard the cruise line's entire global fleet of 22 ships starting in January 2013 on select ships and rolling out to the remainder of the fleet by March 2013.