Next stop: Grayskull! Mattel, the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, and Classic Media, a global media company with a portfolio of some of the world’s leading family entertainment brands, today announced they will be celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Masters of the Universe with the launch of a consumer products program for the iconic franchise that will include 30th Anniversary apparel from Changes, costumes from Disguise, and a special 30th Anniversary edition DVD box set from Mill Creek Entertainment.
Press Release from Mattel
New York, NY (June 10, 2011)—Next stop: Grayskull! Mattel, the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, and Classic Media, a global media company with a portfolio of some of the world’s leading family entertainment brands, today announced they will be celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Masters of the Universe with the launch of a consumer products program for the iconic franchise that will include 30th Anniversary apparel from Changes, costumes from Disguise, and a special 30th Anniversary edition DVD box set from Mill Creek Entertainment. Publishing partners will be announced shortly.
The award winning Masters of the Universe Classics toy line, featuring updated sculpts of vintage Mattel toys will also continue throughout 2012 only on Mattycollector.com. The 2012 annual subscription will go on sale the week of San Diego Comic-Con starting July 22, 2011. Additionally, the 30th Anniversary program will include interaction with the collector community through “FAN-atic” activities at Comic-Con International: San Diego and New York Comic Con.
“Masters of the Universe is an iconic franchise with a legacy that’s deeply rooted in fantastical storytelling which translates naturally to play experiences and products kids of all ages love,” said Michael Riley, VP, Franchise Development, Mattel. “In 2012 the property celebrates its milestone 30th Anniversary allowing us to create a robust synergistic program that offers something for all fans.”
Changes will develop t-shirts, sweatshirts, thermals, track jackets and fashion tops for Men, Women and Juniors. The Company will also launch an accessory line based on the Masters of the Universe brand including wristbands, belts and belt buckles, key chains, costume jewelry and more. In addition, Disguise is launching a line of Halloween Costumes and Accessories, including Skeletor, He-Man, and She-Ra adult costumes that will first be available Fall 2011 through a leading online etailer.
As part of the celebration, Classic Media will introduce a brand-new comprehensive Masters of the Universe style guide featuring retro artwork, all-new modern artist renderings, as well as a special 30th Anniversary logo, all of which will be available summer 2011. Classic Media and Mill Creek Entertainment together will also release the complete series of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe in a special 30th Anniversary Edition DVD set. The collection will street in Fall 2012 and will include special bonus material along with other memorable content developed especially with collectors in mind.
“We’re very excited to be working with the team at Mattel to celebrate this iconic franchise’s 30th Anniversary,” said Nicole Blake, EVP, Global Marketing & Consumer Products, Classic Media. “This is the perfect opportunity to re-engage fans with the original series and to introduce Masters of the Universe to the next generation.”
Since the debut of Mattel’s toy line in 1982, Masters of the Universe® has become a hugely successful franchise that continues to have a strong cult following to this day. In 1983, Filmation debuted the original television series, introducing fans nationwide to “By the power of Grayskull...I have the power!,” and in 1987 Warner Bros. released the first film based on the series, Master of the Universe, starring Dolph Lundgren, worldwide. In 1990 animated television series, The New Adventures of He-Man launched, and in 2002, Cartoon Network premiered the most recent series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.
About Masters of the UniverseMasters of the Universe is one of the largest and most popular brands in the history of the male action category. First launched as a toy line by Mattel in 1982, the Masters of the Universe® television series debuted one year later in 1983, and introduced the iconic phrase, “By the power of Grayskull...I have the power!” to fans nationwide. The story is set on the planet Eternia where throughout time war has raged. Heroes like King Grayskull, Vikor and the legendary He-Man® have heeded the call to rise and fight. These heroes strive to protect the Power of the Universe from the forces of Evil; for he who can harness this awesome power, shall master the universe!
About MattelMattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT - News) (www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, American Gir, Radica and Tyco R/C, as well as Fisher-Price brands, including Little People, Power Wheels and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. In 2011, Mattel was named as one of FORTUNE Magazine's “100 Best Companies to Work For” for the fourth year in a row, and also is ranked among Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "100 Best Corporate Citizens." With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs approximately 30,000 people in 43 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. At Mattel, we are "Creating the Future of Play."
About Classic MediaClassic Media, one of the world’s largest independent entertainment companies, is a leader in reinventing the classics of yesterday and creating the entertainment classics of tomorrow. The Company owns and manages a globally-recognized portfolio of well-known family and pop-culture entertainment brands, including Casper the Friendly Ghost, Where’s Waldo?, The Lone Ranger, Lassie, Postman Pat, and new global brands Tinga Tinga Tales and Guess with Jess. Big Idea, a member of the Classic Media family, is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s programming, including the best-selling animated series, VeggieTales. More than 3,600 hours of Classic Media programming is distributed in more than 170 territories worldwide and showcased in multiple formats, including TV, film, home video, consumer products, publishing, digital, and music. Visit us at http://www.classicmedia.tv.
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