Mattel Announces Multi-Year Global Licensing Agreement With Universal Brand Development for DreamWorks Animation’s Spirit R...
February 20 2020 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
- Multi-category collection to arrive at retailers worldwide
ahead of the anticipated May 2021 global theatrical release of the
Spirit feature film
- New agreement builds on Mattel and Universal Brand
Development’s existing licensing partnerships for Jurassic World,
Illumination’s Minions and Fast & Furious
Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) today announced that it has entered
into a multi-year global licensing agreement with Universal Brand
Development for DreamWorks Animation’s Spirit Riding Free, the hit
Netflix TV series and upcoming feature film. Mattel’s licensing
rights include dolls, role play, games and arts and crafts. The
Mattel line will debut at retailers worldwide ahead of the global
theatrical release of the feature film based on the property,
expected to hit theaters in May 2021. This new agreement builds on
Mattel and Universal Brand Development’s existing multi-year
licensing partnerships for Illumination’s Minions, Universal
Pictures’ Jurassic World and Fast & Furious.
“DreamWorks Animation’s Spirit Riding Free has captured the
imaginations of children and families around the world,” said Janet
Hsu, Chief Franchise Officer, Mattel. “We have a strong partnership
with the Universal team and track record of designing products that
offer a deep connection to their characters and stories. We look
forward to taking this to the next level with Spirit by bringing
new innovation to the property through a full range of toys across
multiple categories.”
“DreamWorks Animation’s Spirit Riding Free represents today’s
generation of independent, adventurous girls and celebrates their
love of horses and amazing friendships,” said Joe Lawandus, Senior
Vice President and General Manager, Global Toys and Hardlines,
Universal Brand Development. “At the heart of the series is the
connection between the girls and their horses, and Spirit uniquely
and authentically owns that undeniable bond. Mattel’s innovative
approach to product design and storytelling is like no other, and
we’re excited to further expand upon our successful partnership
with them to design toys that tap into this natural play pattern
and inspire girls to live out the series in real-life.”
About Spirit Riding Free
An epic adventure about the unbreakable bond between a girl and
a wild stallion, Spirit Riding Free is the next film in the popular
motion picture and animated television series franchise from
DreamWorks Animation. When headstrong Lucky Prescott is forced to
move from her big city home to a small frontier town, she becomes a
complete fish-out-of-water. But her life is changed forever when
she makes new friends and forms an inseparable bond with a wild
mustang named Spirit. When Spirit’s herd is captured by rustlers,
the girls and their horses must undertake the adventure of a
lifetime to save them. The new theatrical film is directed by
Elaine Bogan (director, Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia, 3Below:
Tales of Arcadia, Dragons: Race to the Edge) and is produced by
Karen Foster (co-producer, How to Train Your Dragon). Ennio
Torresan (head of story, Abominable and The Boss Baby) serves as
co-director.
DreamWorks Animation Television’s Netflix original series, on
which the film is based, was itself inspired by the 2002
Oscar®-nominated film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, narrated by
Oscar®-winner Matt Damon. The Emmy-winning series launched in May
2017. Currently 52 episodes are available on the platform with more
episodes and content scheduled in 2020.
About Mattel
Mattel is a leading global children’s entertainment company that
specializes in design and production of quality toys and consumer
products. We create innovative products and experiences that
inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage
consumers through our portfolio of iconic franchises, including
Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, American Girl®, Fisher-Price®, Thomas &
Friends® and MEGA®, as well as other popular brands that we own or
license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our
offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and
live events. We operate in 40 locations and sell products in more
than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail
and technology companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is
proud to be a trusted partner in exploring the wonder of childhood
and empowering kids to reach their full potential. Visit us online
at www.mattel.com.
About DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation (DWA), a division of the Universal Filmed
Entertainment Group, within NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast
Corporation, is a global family entertainment company with feature
film and television brands. The company's deep portfolio of
intellectual property is supported by a robust, worldwide consumer
products practice, which includes licensing, and location-based
entertainment venues around the world. DWA's film heritage includes
many of the world's most beloved characters and franchises,
including Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your
Dragon, Trolls and The Boss Baby, and have amassed more than $15
billion in global box office receipts. DreamWorks Animation's
television business has quickly become one of the world's leading
producers of high-quality, animated family programming, reaching
consumers in more than 190 countries. Creating a diverse array of
original content in a variety of formats and delivering deep, fully
immersive worlds served up with compelling characters, the studio
has garnered 25 Emmy® Awards since inception in 2013.
About Universal Brand Development
Universal Brand Development globally drives expansion of the
company's intellectual properties, franchises, characters and
stories through innovative physical and digital products, content,
and consumer experiences. Along with franchise brand management,
Universal Brand Development's core businesses include Consumer
Products, Games and Digital Platforms, and Live Entertainment based
on the company's extensive portfolio of intellectual properties
created by Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment,
DreamWorks Animation, and NBCUniversal cable and television.
Universal Brand Development is a business segment of NBCUniversal,
a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit
universalbranddevelopment.com for more information.
MAT-CORP
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200220005511/en/
News Media Danit Marquardt, Mattel
Danit.marquardt@mattel.com
Molly Quiring, Universal Brand Development
molly.quiring@nbcuni.com
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