Universal Pictures and Mattel Extend Successful Global DVD Marketing and Distribution Alliance Through 2013
30 September 2009 - 10:30PM
PR Newswire (US)
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Extending a partnership that
has resulted in the release of a series of highly successful,
feature-length DVDs featuring Barbie®, the world's most popular
doll, Universal Pictures and Mattel today announce a new
10-picture, four-year worldwide marketing and distribution
agreement. Universal also acquires the rights to distribute all
previous Barbie titles beginning January 1, 2010, making Universal
the primary distributor of the entire Barbie catalog. The deal,
which covers the U.S. and all international territories, runs
through 2013. The announcement was jointly made today by Craig
Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Eddie
Cunningham, President, Universal Pictures International
Entertainment, and Richard Dickson, General Manager, Barbie, and
Senior Vice President, Mattel. "We look forward to extending this
extremely rewarding relationship with Mattel for years to come,"
said Mr. Kornblau. "The phenomenal success of the Barbie titles
we've released over the past three years not only confirms the
exceptional global appeal of Mattel's movies, but it also
underscores the strength in pairing Mattel's celebrated and beloved
Barbie brand with Universal's formidable worldwide marketing and
distribution infrastructure." "With 75 million movies sold
worldwide and our titles consistently ranking No. 1 on the charts,
Barbie has demonstrated unparalleled success as a powerful girls'
entertainment franchise since 2001. We're thrilled to further
extend our partnership with Universal and continue to build the
Barbie entertainment franchise with Universal's marketing and
distribution muscle," said Mr. Dickson. Since 2006, Universal and
Mattel have teamed on the releases of eight feature-length animated
installments of the popular Barbie® Entertainment franchise,
including the recent September 15th release of BARBIE(TM) AND THE
THREE MUSKETEERS. The Universal-released titles have sold a
combined total of over 75 million units worldwide (36,700,000
domestic/38,300,000 international). In 2008, BARBIE(TM) MARIPOSA,
BARBIE(TM) AND THE DIAMOND CASTLE AND BARBIE(TM) IN A CHRISTMAS
CAROL ranked in the top six animated, non-theatrical DVDs in the
U.S. alone. Eddie Cunningham added, "Barbie is an inspiring icon
with vast global appeal and UPIE has been privileged to be part of
the phenomenal DVD success story. We are delighted to further
consolidate our trusted partnership with Mattel towards even
greater success into the future." Barbie® Barbie® doll - Barbie
Millicent Roberts - was "born" on March 9, 1959, in (fictional)
Willows, Wisconsin. First introduced as the original Teenage
Fashion Model, Barbie® doll has since had more than 120 careers,
represented 50 different nationalities and collaborated with more
than 70 different fashion designers. With one Barbie® doll sold
every 3 seconds somewhere in the world, Barbie® remains the world's
most popular doll and a powerhouse brand among girls of all ages.
Through the decades, the Barbie® brand has evolved with girls,
extending into entertainment, online and more than 45 different
consumer products categories. Today, Barbie® is everywhere girls
are - from Facebook, where Barbie® has more than 130,000 friends -
to Twitter, where Barbie® has over 5,000 followers. About Mattel
Mattel, Inc., (NASDAQ:MAT) (http://www.mattel.com/) is the
worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys
and family products. The Mattel family is comprised of such
best-selling brands as Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever
introduced, Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, Radica® and
TycoR/C®, as well as Fisher-Price® brands, including Little
People®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired
toy lines. In 2009, Mattel is recognized among the "100 Best
Corporate Citizens," as one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies"
and as one of FORTUNE Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For."
With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs
approximately 30,000 people in 43 countries and territories and
sells products in more than 150 nations. Mattel's vision is to be
the world's premier toy brands--today and tomorrow. About Universal
Studios Home Entertainment Universal Studios Home Entertainment is
a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios
(http://www.universalstudios.com/). Universal Studios is a part of
NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment
companies in the development, production, and marketing of
entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed
in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal
Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio
of news and Entertainment networks, a premier motion picture
company, significant television production operations, a leading
television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC
Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by
Vivendi. CONTACTS: Universal Studios Home Entertainment Lea
Porteneuve (818) 777-1391 Mattel Public Relations Lauren Dougherty
(310) 252-4612 DATASOURCE: Universal Pictures CONTACT: Lea
Porteneuve of Universal Studios Home Entertainment,
+1-818-777-1391, or Lauren Dougherty of Mattel Public Relations,
+1-310-252-4612 Web Site: http://www.mattel.com/
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