Fisher Price Joins the Mattel Family

1n 1993 Fisher Price joins the Mattel Family. Fisher Price is the number one brand in infant and pre-school toys. Smart Cycle is a stationary bike, gamming, and learning system all rolled in to one. This is just one of the many toys Mattel develops through Fisher Price to bring ultimate learning to children at any age.

Transformers

Transformers' movie was realeased in 2007 and has continued the toy lines extreme popularity. Transformers featred by toy vehicles that could transform in to robots. This toy was most popular throughout the eighties with the help of the cartoon television show. Today, we can continue to find joy in these toys as they are a more "up to date" version. Mattel still continues the most popular Transformer, Optimus Prime.

Mattel Recently Named on Fortune 2008 Top 100 List

On January 23, 2008 it was announced that Mattel (the worlds largest company) was named one in the Fortune 2008 Top Companies To Work For list. Ranking 70th, Mattel was the only toy company to make the list this year. Some reasons Mattel has made this prestegious list are as following:

• They maintain very high levels of employee morale and pride
• They maintain this pride even in the midst of recalls
• They possess impecable leadership, integrity, and openness
  

Congratulations Mattel!

Magic 8 Ball

There are few toys, from generations past, that stand out from the rest. The Magic 8 Ball is one of them. Invented in 1946 by Abe Bookman, the Magic 8 Ball is still one of the most popular toys out there. The simple concept of your future being told just by asking a simple yes-or-no question intrigued people and soon enough Mattel took interest and started manufacturing it. The 20 sided icosahedral die floating in a dark liquid inside the black ball, contains answers such as ‘Ask again later’, ‘Most likely’, ‘Outlook is good’, ‘My reply is no’ and many more. Many variations have surfaced but the massive black ball with the giant white 8 is still the most popular.

http://www.thechurning.com/images/8ball.jpg

http://www.wikipedia.com/

Mattel Financial Information

Mattel is always looking to keep the commitment to their customers and investors up to date and ongoing financially. This information is accessable on their website http://www.mattel.com/ and is the current financial stock information for 2008.

MAT-NYSE

PRICE CHANGE Day's Range Volume/Exchange


$20.93 $ 0.33 $21.15-$20.58 1,496,300

This image references the one year stock price history of Mattel Inc. (MAT-NYSE).
For more financial information on Mattel, check out their website at http://www.mattel.com/

Toy Donations

Each year Mattel donates toys to needy children (ages 0-12) throughout the world. Mattel works along side Gifts In Kind International to administer this program.

Eligible Organizations:

• Serve children in the U.S. (International Organizations must contact their local Mattel Office)
• Public charities, tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code
• Be registered with Gifts In Kind International either through a local Gifts In Kind® program or directly.
• Must directly serve children in need.

Ineligible Organizations:

• Schools and Universities (including preschools)
• Daycares/Childcare centers
• Fraternal and Social Clubs
• Political and Business Associations
• Religious Organizations
• Third-party and fundraising organizations (such as United Ways and Volunteer Centers)
• Organizations holding toy drives (such as Toys for Tots or similar programs)
• Requests for gift bag items
• Requests from individuals or families

Mattel helped in relief efforts during South East Asia's tsunami in 2004 as well as during Hurricane Katrina and Rita in 2005 sending approximately 2 million toys.

For more information check out : http://www.mattel.com/about_us/philanthropy/ci_mcf_philanthropy_toyDonations.asp#

Hot Wheels is a brand of die cast toy car, introduced by American toymaker Mattel in 1968. It was the primary competitor of Johnny Lightning and Matchbox until 1996, when Mattel acquired rights to the Matchbox brand from Tyco.
The original, and now famous, Hot Wheels logo was designed by California artist Rick Irons, who at that time worked for Mattel.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=O5775HI0vn4

Fisher Price

When talking about Mattel and the products that they produce one group that is over looked fairly often is Fisher Price. Fisher Price bring products to families who are expecting and to age 5. There are many products under the Fisher Price line such as the following:

• Ocean Wonders Aquarium with remote control (birth to 5 months)
• Laugh & Learn Baby Grand Piano (9 to 36 months)
• Little People Lil' Kingdom Palace (2-5 years)

There are products for all ages as well as on the Fisher Price homepage they offer parenting tips and ideas.


http://www.fisher-price.com/us/

History of Barbie

Barbie was developed by Ruth Handler after watching her daughter Barbara playing with paper dolls. During this era, dolls were portrayed as infants "baby dolls" rather than grown ups.

Barbie had her first debut March 9, 1959 in New York at American International Toy Fair. The first Barbie doll wore a black and white zebra striped swimsuit and signature topknot ponytail, and was available as either a blonde or brunette.

Throughout the years other "Barbie" dolls were developed, including Barbie's "boyfriend" Ken in 1961. Later many (many!) other various characters and personalities.