All tag results for 'mattel'

Even after losing her battle to cancer in 2009, actress Farrah Fawcett is still helping the cause.

Her cancer research foundation, the Farrah Fawcett Foundation, has teamed with Mattel to create a Barbie doll based on the Charlie's Angels star's most iconic 1976 poster, in which she poses in a sexy red swimsuit.

Fawcett's best friend, Alana Stewart, acts as president of the late actress' foundation and signed the deal with the toy company to make the collectible. She believes Farrah would "love" the doll, explaining:

"(It has) a sexy, all-American beauty; there is an innocence to it. When we were in Germany (for treatments), Farrah told me she was glad she got cancer because now she could make a difference."

We have no doubt that this doll WILL make a difference! With so many Farrah Fawcett fans around the world today, we're sure they will flock to the toy stores to share their favorite actress with an entirely new generation of children.

Tags: actress, barbie, doll, foundation, fundraiser, mattel, toy

Sad.

95-year-old co-founder of Mattel toy company Elliot Handler passed away last night from heart failure.

Handler's wife Ruth created Barbie back in the 1950s, and the doll was named after the couples' daughter Barbara.

Our thoughts go out to Elliot's family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.

Tags: barbie, barbie doll, elliot handler, heart failure, mattel, ruth handler

Nice try, Mattel, but you can't keep a good Brat down!

Following a long, drawn out legal battle between Mattel and MGA entertainment over the rights to Bratz dolls, MGA won in court back in April, and NOW Bratz are back!

MGA is currently in the process of relaunching Bratz dolls, and it looks like they're gearing for a major comeback!

Here's what MGA Entertainment CEO Isaac Larian had to say about the return of Bratz:

Tags: bratz, bratz dolls, collection, controversial, court, dolls, edgy, isaac larian, mattel, mga entertainment, parents, racy, sexualized

Just think…in the near future, somebody will get paid thousands upon thousands of dollars to write shows based on an iPhone app. Don't we live in wonderful times?

According to Mikael Hed, the CEO of the company that created the Angry Birds iPhone app (Rovio Mobile), an animated series of the popular game is in the works.

Here's what he had to say about it:

"We have been looking at that for quite a while, and that is definitely one of my personal big focus areas right now — to work on broadcast content for 'Angry Birds."

Given the fact that the iPhone app has already been spun off into another game, an upcoming board game by Mattel, plush toys, and iPhone covers, we're thinking that an animated Angry Birds series is very likely to happen.

Personally, we've been seeing enough birds on TV lately, with all the bizarre reports of recent bird deaths.

…We're thinking we'll skip this one.

Would U watch an Angry Birds show? Or will U stick to the iPhone game?

Tags: angry birds, animated series, app, bizarre reports, board game, game, iphone, mattel, mikael hed, plush toys, rovio mobile

Over the past several years, there's been all types of dramz surrounding MGA Entertainment Inc's controversial Bratz dolls.

Mattel has argued in court that original Bratz sketches were created by a former employee of theirs while he was STILL working for them.

Based on this argument, Mattel was awarded $100 million in 2008, and they were awarded the "Bratz trademark portfolio."

…But then the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals threw the result out, so now the two companies are ready to butt heads once again over ownership of the doll franchise.

Here's what MGA CEO Isaac Larian wrote in an e-mail about their ongoing trials with Mattel:

"The damage Mattel has caused to the Bratz brand is in hundreds of millions of dollars and devastating."

And here's what Mattel spokeswoman Jules Andrew has said about it:

"This is a matter of principle, but it is also a matter of sound business sense. We look forward to winning the second trial, as we did the first."

SO MUCH drama over Bratz dolls! We're wondering how well these lawyers are able to sleep at night….

Team Mattel? Team MGA? Team Neither?

Tags: 9th circuit court of appeals, bratz, doll franchise, dramz, isaac larian, jules andrew, lawyers, mattel, mga entertainment inc, trial

New year, new drama for Mattel.

Patricia Day of the punk rock group HorrorPops is suing the doll maker and Hard Rock Cafe claiming they used her likeness for their Rockabilly Barbie without her permission.

Even though Mattel is based out of California and Hard Rock's in Florida, the lawsuit was filed in Indiana, which "has the most favorable 'right of publicity' statute in the United States".

It's also inneresting to note that Patricia is represented by One LLP, who is also representing LA Triumph in the lawsuit against Madonna and the use of Material Girl.

Patricia is asking for all the profits made from the doll, to recall and destroy the doll, punitive damages, and attorney fees.

Think she'll get it???

[Images courtesy of Mattel / HorrorPops.]

Tags: horrorpops, lawsuit, likeness, mattel, patricia day, rockabilly barbie

Oh, shiz! Everything's coming up KEN!

Had enough of those pesky Barbie dolls getting all of the attention?

Well, apparently Mattel, the company that produces the doll, has too, because they're reportedly going to switch the spotlight to her male counterpart - the Ken doll - with an on-line reality series, Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend!

LOLs!

The eight-episode Hulu series, which will be hosted by Whitney Port, will feature eight men who feel they encapsulate all of the qualities of the Ken doll while they compete in various elimination challenges!

This, on top of a re-design of the doll, will all lead up to the 50th anniversary of his character in 2011!

Stephanie Cota, senior VP of Mattel Girls brands, explains:

"He's getting a makeover to make sure he's still as culturally and visually relevant as Barbie is. He's getting a little work done to get ready for his 50th anniversary. With a 50-year history, you have people who have been embracing (Barbie and Ken) from day one. The series is a great way for us is to have grownup girls and boys stay connected to the brand."

This is absolutely HIGHlarious!

We're very curious to see how all of these reality contestants attempt to prove that they share the same qualities as a plastic doll!

What do U think?? Are U excited for the Year of the Ken??

Tags: anniversary, barbie, company, doll, focus, genuine ken: the search for the great american boyfriend, host, ken, mattel, reality series, senior vice president, stephanie cota