Shares in the company have climbed after it logged its first revenue gain in two years.

Mattel has released Q2 results which show that revenue has climbed 2.3% from a year ago to $860.1m.

Gross Sales in the International segment increased 3%, primarily driven by growth in Action Figures, Building Sets and Games (including Toy Story 4, partially offset by Jurassic World), Dolls (including Barbie and Polly Pocket, partially offset by Enchantimals), and Vehicles (including increased sales for Hot Wheels, partially offset by lower sales for Cars and Jurassic World vehicles). This growth was partially offset by a decline in Infant, Toddler and Preschool (including Fisher-Price Core and Thomas & Friends).

The company still hasn’t returned to profitability, reporting an adjusted loss per share of 25 cents, but the results are much better than the 40-cent loss Wall Street had been forecasting. Mattel remains “on track to restore profitability and regain top-line growth in the short to midterm,” its CEO Ynon Kreiz said. “We’re making real, tangible progress,” he said in an interview.

After a little more than a year on the job, Ynon is making the case that he’s stabilised the toymaker following five straight years of revenue declines.  Ynon, who spent his career in Hollywood before joining Mattel, has been trying to transform Mattel into an IP-driven company, an approach that competitor Hasbro has successfully deployed.

Mattel will face challenges ahead. Barbie – which saw a double-digit spike that helped drive Mattel’s North American sales up 2.5% – has more competition in store, with Hasbro’s new Frozen dolls expected to launch during the holiday season, and a number of new doll ranges from MGA also set to launch. Mattel’s Hot Wheels brand also declined in its home market, a rare occurrence for a usually strong property.

Ynon also said on Thursday that Mattel has already exceeded his $650m cost-cutting initiative for 2019 and now boasts a run-rate savings of $754m. It expects to shave off another $100m by year-end.

Joseph Euteneuer, CFO, Mattel, added: “We continue to move towards our goal to restore profitability and regain topline growth in the short-to-mid term, and to capture the full value of our IP in the mid-to-long term. The benefits of the team’s hard work are clearly materialising across the P&L. We remain focused on sustained progress, methodical execution and the creation of long-term shareholder value.”

Mattel’s shares rose 5% as of 4:08 p.m. in New York. They had already climbed 25% through Thursday’s close.

StikBots have been on TV every month throughout 2019, with investment to continue throughout the rest of the year.

As well as advertising across all major kids TV sales-houses during Q4, StikBot will be sponsoring CITV Breakfast every weekday morning throughout the whole of November and December.

Aimed at driving awareness and sales pre-Christmas, the sponsorship will include 16 sponsorship idents per day on the popular children’s channel, totalling 640 idents which will appear before, during and after programmes.

Debra Tiffany, marketing manager at Brainstorm, said: “StikBot continues to be a best-seller and it’s important that we show our commitment to the brand with support throughout the year and particularly during the crucial fourth quarter.”

The company will be launching 93 new products for autumn/winter 2019.

Situated in Halls 6, 7 & 8 on Stand 6C91, The Source Wholesale is preparing to showcase a raft of new products at this year’s Autumn Fair.

The Professor Pengelly Brand will be launching its latest compound, Flow Motion. Available in four colours and packaged in a ‘try-me’ tub, kids can simply shake it to wake it before watching in amazement as the compound moves all by itself. When the tub is opened and the Flow Motion compound is poured out, the aesthetic effects go into hyperdrive as it cascades and moves in a unique way. Priced at £1.66 with an RRP of £4, The Source is tipping Flow Motion to be the craze that overtakes slime and putty sales in 2019.

For the gadget geeks, six new radio control items have been developed in the Red5 range, including an Amphibious Car. Red Gaming will be launched onto the market, providing a full one-stop shop for all online gaming needs, with headphones, computer mice, mouse mats and headphones available in several different specifications and at a range of price points.

The Source is well-known for retro gaming too; in addition to its own-brand lines, the company is adding the Atari Flashback 9 Boom and a 16 Bit Street Fighter officially licenced product to its ranges.

Lee Shawyer, managing director, commented: “There’s more to come; we will soon be announcing another important distribution deal that will see The Source add lots of exciting retro gaming licences to its portfolio.”

Free refreshments will be offered all day, every day at the stand, and appointments can be made by emailing sales@thesourcewholesale.co.uk or calling Blaize Burgess 01306 646327.

Everything you need to know about the September issue of Toy World and how you can be a part of it.

This issue will include comprehensive category features on pre-Christmas TV advertising and playground crazes & collectibles, and will be published alongside our dedicated standalone supplement on Games & Puzzles.

Regular features such as Talking Shop, Viewpoint and Allegedly will also be included.

The deadline for editorial in Toy World will be 1st August, and the deadline for adverts will be the 12th August.

For further information regarding editorial opportunities contact Rachael Simpson, editor, rachael@toyworldmag.co.uk, or Lisa Currie, assistant editor, lisa@toyworldmag.co.uk.

To find out more about advertising opportunities, contact John Baulch, publisher, john@toyworldmag.co.uk.

The new fan-designed set features over 180 elements made from plant based polyethylene.

Lego fans can now immerse themselves in the intricately detailed Lego Ideas Treehouse. A challenging build, the exclusive set, made up of more than 3000 elements, is one of the largest Lego Ideas sets to date. Since the Lego Group launched its first bricks made of plant-based polyethylene last year, the sustainable bricks have increasingly been included in new Lego sets. The Treehouse contains the highest number of sustainable bricks ever in a Lego set and is another important step to fulfil the Lego Group’s sustainability ambitions.

The model was submitted through the Lego Ideas platform by fan designer Kevin Feeser from Nancy, France. Kevin’s motivation for creating a treehouse stems from his passion for the great outdoors. The Treehouse is packed with play-inspiring features and comes with a landscape base and removable treetop to reveal three detailed cabins. A special feature of the set is that all 185 plants and leaves are made from sustainable materials sourced from sugarcane. This includes the treetop canopy, which has interchangeable sets of green summer leaves and yellow and brown autumn leaves.

Tim Brooks, vice president, environmental responsibility, at the Lego Group, said: “When I first saw the model, I was blown away. Not only because it looks amazing, but also because it connects strongly to the very reason we are investing so much time and effort in identifying new and sustainable materials, which is to preserve natural resources and fulfil our planet promise. It really is an important step in our ambitious target of making all Lego elements from sustainable materials by 2030.”

During 2018, the Lego Group began making botanical elements, including trees, leaves and bushes, from plant-based polyethylene using sustainably sourced sugarcane. Children and parents will not notice any difference in the quality, durability or appearance of the new elements, because plant-based polyethylene has the same properties as conventional polyethylene.

The Lego Ideas Treehouse model is available directly from Lego retail stores and through the website exclusively for Lego VIP members, with general public availability beginning from 1st August.

Hape, parent of Marbel, is a global company specialising in quality toys with subsidiaries and offices in most major countries.

Hape International has appointed David Allan as managing director of its wholly owned subsidiary Marbel, effective from 1st August. David is well known in the toy trade; as well as working with key brands in the business for over 30 years, he has spent the last 12 years as director of the leading distributor DKL Marketing.

“I shall be very sad to leave DKL Marketing as it’s been a great 12 years,” David commented. “However, this is a fantastic opportunity to take my next step as MD of an international company which is ready to invest and grow in the UK market. As well as distributing its own brand, Hape will give Marbel the resources to make it a major UK distributor, and I look forward to working with our UK retailers and new suppliers.”

Purity Deng, head of the European Business Unit at Hape International, added: “We are delighted to have secured David Allan, who brings with him many years of experience in the UK toy market, and of managing a distributor. Marbel (soon to be rebranded) is key to Hape’s growth plans both as a brand and as a distributor of quality brands. With David on board, we are now ready for that growth.”

Encouraging children to express their artistic flair this summer is the world of Nebulous Stars.

The wide selection of Nebulous Stars crafting kits is sure to go down well with kids and parents alike as the summer holidays approach. Each set features mystical graphics and illustrations, and is perfect for gifting.

Coralia’s Porcelain Painting Set includes a bowl, plate and tea cup, each with an intricate pattern kids can bring to life with a splash of colour thanks to the eight brightly coloured paints provided. This personalised crockery can then either be used or put on display.

With Petulia’s Dreamcatcher Kit, kids can create their own owl themed glow-in-the-dark dreamcatchers. Each kit comes complete with cotton thread, jewellery glue, beads, rhinestones and feathers to bring the little owl to life.

Coralia’s Bay Reef Fashion Set includes a ready to decorate tiara. Packed with  treasures found on a reef, this kit comes complete with 36 shells, 71 beads, buttons and 55 rhinestone stickers, so kids can create their own personalised marine fashion accessory.

With Nebulia’s Cosmic Jewellery Kit, children can create five different fashion accessories such as necklaces, rings and bracelets. A variety of glitter powder and rub on transfers included in this kit will add a little sparkle to the look, which can then be completed with the beads and rhinestones supplied in each kit.

The company reported quarterly sales of $984.5m, which beat the analyst consensus estimate by 2.9%, largely driven by Magic: The Gathering. 

Hasbro has released its latest set of financial results, revealing a stronger than estimated financial position following the turbulent effect of the Toys R Us bankruptcy.

Net revenue for Q2 is up +9% from $904m to $985, while YTD revenues are up +6% from £1,621m to $1,717. The revenue growth has largely been led by Magic: The Gathering tabletop and digital platforms, plus growth in the franchise brands Monopoly and Play-Doh and the launch of Power Rangers. Hasbro acquired the Power Rangers master toy licence in May 2018.

The continued success and popularity of partner brand Marvel’s superhero movies has also played a part in Hasbro’s positive results, with Avengers: Endgame  and Spider-Man: Far From Home products highlighted by the company.

Net income fell to $13.4m, or 11 cents per share, in the quarter ended 30th June from $60.3m, or 48 cents per share, a year earlier, as the company took a pre-tax charge of $110.8m to settle US pension plan liability. The company also spent more to move more inventory into the United States than usual as it faces “dynamic trade and inventory environment”, chief financial officer Deborah Thomas said in a statement.

“Our investments are differentiating Hasbro’s portfolio and delivering profitable revenue streams, including continued Magic: The Gathering revenue growth in tabletop and digital,” said CEO Brian Goldner. “We grew revenues in the U.S. and Europe, and we believe we are well-positioned to deliver against our target of profitable growth for the full-year 2019.”

Hasbro shares were trading up 0.54% at $109 during Tuesday’s pre-market session. The stock has a 52-week high of $111.76 and a 52-week low of $76.84 cents.