Two big press releases came down off the wire today:
World Wrestling Entertainment® (“WWE”), the greatest force in sports entertainment, and Mattel, Inc., the undisputed champion of the toy industry and the world’s leading toy manufacturer, today announced that they have entered into a comprehensive, multi-year licensing agreement, effective as of January 2010, naming Mattel as WWE’s master toy licensee covering all global territories upon the expiration of WWE’s current toy license.
Under the terms of the agreement, Mattel will develop and market products in a wide variety of toy categories such as action figures, accessories and playsets, games and puzzles, activity toys, plush products, vehicles (including R/C), and role play products. The first line of products will be available in 2010.
“The unbeatable combination of Mattel’s product innovation, retail relationships and global distribution along with WWE’s world renowned brand and superstars, global television penetration and live events will result in many years of profitable business for both parties,” said Donna Goldsmith, WWE’s Executive Vice President of Consumer Products.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with WWE to jointly develop a long-term global brand that brings their superstar talent to kids of all ages in new and innovative formats,” said Tim Kilpin, General Manager/Senior Vice President of Boys/Entertainment, Mattel Brands.
The world leader in wrestling toys, JAKKS Pacific Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK), today announced that it signed an exclusive five year worldwide Master Toy License with TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Entertainment LLC for TNA Wrestling, with a planned launch expected to commence in 2010.
JAKKS’ new TNA Master Toy License includes all styles of action figures, playsets, accessories and role play toys as well as collectible items based on TNA Wrestling’s top talent which includes wrestling megastars Kurt Angle, Booker T, Christian Cage, Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles, Kevin Nash, Team 3D and other wrestlers who have chosen to align with the world’s fastest growing wrestling league, TNA Wrestling.
TNA has been increasing in popularity since its inception in 2002. “TNA iMPACT” airs every Thursday night from 9:00 – 11:00 PM, ET/PT on Spike TV (available in 96.1 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks). Through a combination of televised programming, pay-per view and live events, TNA is also available in over 110 countries around the globe. For instance, the United Kingdom, historically JAKKS’ strongest international territory for wrestling toys, is also TNA’s strongest international territory, with programming having just moved from Bravo II to the main Bravo channel.
“TNA’s stellar and growing arsenal of top world famous wrestlers, impressive ratings increases, aggressive live touring event schedule, and mounting exposure worldwide, coupled with JAKKS’ expertise as the world’s leading wrestling toy maker, bodes well for this new wrestling toy line to create a perfect storm,” said JAKKS’ Chairman and CEO Jack Friedman. “By the time 2010 arrives, TNA should be able to increase its market share even more significantly, and fans should be even more receptive to a new and exciting wrestling toy line.”
“TNA fans have come to expect the very best in professional wrestling in everything we do, and JAKKS represents the top of the line in pro wrestling action figures,” said Dixie Carter, President of TNA Wrestling. “We could not be more thrilled to have the world’s leading wrestling toymaker join the fastest growing professional wrestling brand in the world. We believe that JAKKS’ strength in the wrestling action figure genre will help continue TNA’s reinvention of pro wrestling.”
There you have it. WWE will be made by Mattel & TNA will be made by Jakks. Keep in mind, this does not happen until 2010.
