A PYMNTS Company

US: Hasbro makes bid for rival toymaker Mattel

By  |  November 12, 2017

Hasbro has made a bid to take over toy aisle rival Mattel in a deal that would bring together the leading makers of entertainment-themed consumer products, from Disney princesses to DC superheroes. The Wall Street Journal reported the talks, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The Rhode Island-based Hasbro has bet heavily on Hollywood’s cachet, striking licensing deals with Disney for popular princesses and Frozen merchandise. It struck a lucrative partnership with Paramount Pictures to produce films inspired by popular toy lines.

The Transformers franchise has earned some US$3.8 billion worldwide, while the G.I. Joe franchise brought in some US$675 million.

Hasbro’s strategy of using entertainment assets to fuel toy sales has paid off richly — the company’s market cap is US$11.4 billion, more than twice that of the industry’s number two company, California-based Mattel.

Full Content: Wall Street Journal

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.