Hasbro and Mattel may be looking to shake up to toy world in a massive way! According to a report on Bloomberg Business, sources have said that the top two toy makers have held talks regarding a potential merger! According to the report, Hasbro approached Mattel in late 2015 with the idea of merging their two companies together. Snippets from Bloomberg:
Hasbro Inc. and Mattel Inc. have held talks about merging two of the world’s biggest toymakers, according to people familiar with the matter, in a deal that would bring together the owner of the My Little Pony and Furby brands with Barbie and Hot Wheels.
…
This is not the first time a combination has been talked about. Two decades ago — almost to the day — Mattel withdrew a $5.2 billion offer for Hasbro, citing an “intolerable climate” created by its competitor’s use of the media and politicians to fight the proposed takeover. Back then, Hasbro resisted the deal in what Mattel described as a “scorched earth” campaign to stop it.
…
A merger might not face that many antitrust hurdles because the U.S. toy industry is very fragmented, according to Jaime Katz, an analyst at Morningstar Inc. If combined, the companies would have probably about one quarter of the market in the U.S., she said.
Since then, according to the report, the two companies have held multiple meetings. The sources claim that these talks may ultimately lead nowhere, but nothing has been confirmed one way or the other. Details are extremely scarce at this time. You can read the full article Here.
Mattel and Hasbro May Be Talking Merger
I hate monopolies.
I hope they don't merge, but at the same time, part of me can't help but wonder if a merger between the two might improve how Mattel handles their action figure lines. Assuming they would keep the DC licensing that is.
Wow. Huge news if it comes to pass (for the toy industry at least).
Wonder if there's gonna be a BIG announcement at Toy Fair?
My only hope-beyond-hope would be that the companies be intelligent enough to capitalize on each others' strengths and not get into the kinds of pissing matches that apparently occurred in the old Hasbro/Kenner merger (for instance, classic ARAH G.I. Joe was at least in part scuttled by former Kenner folks who had a grudge against the line).
Mattel keeps the dolls and cars (except Transformers). Hasbro handles the action figures (ZOMG Marvel and DC both being handled by the same people....). Mattel gets to do the distribution (because while I may not be buying a ton of their product, at least I can find it).
However, I do find myself curious as to how the merger might work in regards to licensed properties. I know they'd normally keep any contracts that were in place until their pre-determined expiration, but I could see Warner Brothers and Disney being nervous about one (merged) company handling both of their properties (DC and Marvel), and could see it being a big headache for "HasMat" as their licensors squabble and try to mess over each other's toy lines through them.
I drool at the thought of Marvel Legends quality DC universe figures.
Wonder if there's gonna be a BIG announcement at Toy Fair?
My only hope-beyond-hope would be that the companies be intelligent enough to capitalize on each others' strengths and not get into the kinds of pissing matches that apparently occurred in the old Hasbro/Kenner merger (for instance, classic ARAH G.I. Joe was at least in part scuttled by former Kenner folks who had a grudge against the line).
Mattel keeps the dolls and cars (except Transformers). Hasbro handles the action figures (ZOMG Marvel and DC both being handled by the same people....). Mattel gets to do the distribution (because while I may not be buying a ton of their product, at least I can find it).
However, I do find myself curious as to how the merger might work in regards to licensed properties. I know they'd normally keep any contracts that were in place until their pre-determined expiration, but I could see Warner Brothers and Disney being nervous about one (merged) company handling both of their properties (DC and Marvel), and could see it being a big headache for "HasMat" as their licensors squabble and try to mess over each other's toy lines through them.
Hoping Digital River isn't part of this conversation...
This is bad, very bad....They are going to create a monster, an abomination! Hasbro and Mattel the biggest toy companies emerging together, no longer need to compete with each other. Lack of competition means only one thing; they can allow themselves making cheap and ugly toys, yet still make a profits with less effort. Retroblasting prophecy of the end of the playline market is nearer then we thought. Soon, children will only play with their stupid phones.
^this is also true...
Nope nope nope nope nope!
This would be disastrous on a number of levels.
So the 5 poa garbage would be retail and anything worth a shit would be a sub service? Maybe...just maybe if this happened motuc stuff would go mainstream? Yah i dont think so either but that is the only ONLY possible positive i could imagine.
I just created an account to say this is really bad for everyone except for Hasbro and Mattel, if they merge their production is going to double, they'll hold the most important toy licenses and will probably restrict sales from other companies, including import companies, like Disney did with Bandai with their Star Wars model kits, which will lead to drop in quality and control of prices. Companies that make figures over the 1/12 scale, 7" beyond, will probably be fine but still with the kinda of power they might have it's a scary thought what they might do with their resources (money and lawyers) if they ever were to merge.
yay Marvel legend styled DC characters , ah wait a minute.... maybe ?
Lol legends and DC will all be turned into 5poa titan series figures.
If this gives us another decent 3 3/4 inch DC line, I'm all for Brotel.
It's actually interesting reading this on the TF side, some are positive and negative. And they did mention that it wouldn't be that bad cause of the other toy lines out there such as bandai and what not...
P.S. It's about 2 A.M. in Israel and I can't sleep, this unbelievably depperssing . I love playline toys as much as I like adult collector toys and the thought of it all come to an end, it's horrible. This is one of my worst nightmares, I truly hope it won't come true.
Well, if it does turn out to be true then I guess we can't get toys any worse than the MCU 2 packs they've been releasing. ...Right?
I'm currently indifferent on it.
It'd mean interesting prospects for Kre-O and Megabloks. Potentially interesting news for movie lines if Hasbro takes dominance on the action figures and mattel keeps the hotwheels facilities.
On the regulations side though, not so enthused. Hasbro has a pretty strong track record of staying on top of safety conditions and product testing, Mattel doesn't. So that's a little worrisome.
The merged rights holdings are interesting though. Disney has hands in both anyway. It'd be interesting to see Amalgam comics figures.
I think I prefer them separate for now though. I'd be a little concerned as to which lines would feel the merger most. Would we lose Kreons? Would we lose MOTU mega bloks? Who would handle action figure production?
This is one of those things where I like the potential, but at the same time, what we may lose could equally hurt. Depends what stays, and what fat gets trimmed in the process.
I personally don't expect it to happen, especially now that the word is out. It would make for a hell of an interesting few weeks if it ever somehow came to be.
The thing that worries me the most about this is the big 2 would not have to compete with each other any more. I worry about stagnation and poorer quality control.
Keep reading: Possible Hasbro and Mattel Merger - Page 2
Not a member yet? Join The Toyark Now!