Additional Mattel (BARBIE and Fisher-Price) News
Q. How are the Barbie ornaments in the “Celebration Barbie catch-up set” different from the ones American Greetings sold?
A. Although the Celebration Barbie catch-up set ornaments are based on the 2013 and 2014 Mattel Holiday Barbie dolls, the same dolls that were the inspiration for the ornaments that American Greetings offered, they are newly designed and sculpted by Hallmark Keepsake Artist Patricia Andrews.
Q. What other Barbie products will Hallmark offer?
A. In addition to the two-packs, there will be four other Keepsake Ornaments (including a Fashion Barbie™ ornament and a Western Barbie™ ornament) available exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown stores. There also will be a Barbie doll as an itty bittys pint-sized plush. Also during the 2015 holiday season, there will be other Hallmark-branded ornaments featuring Barbie offered in department stores, book stores and mass channel retailers.
Q. Will there be KOC exclusive Barbie Keepsake Ornaments available for KOC members in 2015?
A. No, there will not be any KOC exclusive ornaments available in 2015. However, Hallmark is currently reviewing the Keepsake ornament opportunities for KOC members for 2016.
Q. Will there be any event-exclusive Barbie ornaments?
A. Collectors can expect to see an event-exclusive Keepsake Ornament and an exclusive itty bittys plush at the 2015 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention, planned July 29-Aug 1, 2015 in Arlington, VA.
Q. Did Hallmark get rights to any of the other Mattel licensed properties?
A. Unfortunately, the Fisher Price property is not included in the new agreement.
Barbie is Back!
Hallmark Signs New Licensing Agreement with Mattel
Hallmark and Mattel today announced a new licensing agreement that will bring the Barbie® brand license back to Hallmark in 2015.
With this contract, Hallmark secures the rights to create holiday ornaments and plush products in the U.S. and Canada. The products will have broad distribution through multiple retail channels, with exclusive items in the nationwide network of Hallmark Gold Crown® stores.
“It’s beyond exciting to have Barbie back at Hallmark,” said Cindy Mahoney, Vice President – Hallmark Licensing. “The iconic Barbie brand is so beloved by families and collectors alike, particularly Holiday Barbie. And get ready, because we have some creative, quality products planned to celebrate Barbie’s return.”
The first new Barbie™ products from Hallmark will appear in Hallmark Gold Crown stores for Keepsake Ornament Premiere in July 2015.
Product details are still in development, but the planned products for 2015 will include:
Eight Barbie Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, starting with a Celebration Barbie Bonus Pack featuring the 2013 and 2014 Holiday® Barbie™ Dolls, available exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown stores.
Celebration Barbie™ Ornament Set
Inspired by the 2013 and 2014 Holiday Barbie™ Dolls
Completes the Celebration Barbie™ Ornament series.
By Robert Hurlburt and Patricia Andrews. 4″ h.
$40.00 USA QXI2787 (left) QXI2789 (right)
Hallmark Gold Crown Exclusive
Barbie® doll as an itty bittys® pint-sized plush, available exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown stores.
Other Hallmark-branded ornaments available during the holiday season at participating department stores, book stores and mass-channel retailers.
In addition, the new licensing agreement includes rights for Hallmark to create products with three other Mattel properties: Monster High®, Ever After High® and Hot Wheels®.
Ornament Insights – “Mr. October”
Revisit the thrilling moment when baseball legend Reggie Jackson became “Mr. October” with Charles Young, Keepsake product development manager.
“With the sports ornaments, we always look for a signature pose or something historically significant. This captures that 3rd home run he hit in the final game of the 1977 World Series.
We wanted to take fans back to that moment in time where you’re wondering ‘Can he do it?’ And sure enough, he did.” — Charles Young, Keepsake Product Development Manager.
“Mr. October”
Reggie Jackson
Artist Insights – Orville Wilson
Take a walk on the dark side with Orville Wilson as he recalls how he “captured” a famous villain.
The Rise of Lord Vader
Star Wars™: Revenge of the Sith™
“When I was creating this (The Rise of Darth Vader), I just kept hearing ‘Lord Vader, rise.’ I watched over and over as the table tilts up and you see the steam and the fog, and you know you’re seeing the transition from the good into the dark. It’s a big moment for ‘Star Wars,’ and it was a big moment for me as I made the ornament.”
Keepsakes Revealed! – Tony The Tiger
Keepsake Artist Anita Marra Rogers reveals her inspiration behind Tony The Tiger™.
Tony the Tiger™
Reveal Keepsake Ornament #3
What inspired you in creating this ornament?
“Tony is a character I grew up with. Everybody likes Frosted Flakes as a kid. I definitely did. Plus, my son who’s 20 years old…this was his favorite cereal growing up, so this was doubly fun with two generations getting a kick out of it.”
Did you face any challenges as you sculpted?
“I had to look up pictures of Tony because I didn’t have a whole lot to go on, since he’s changed throughout the years. We wanted him in this pose with this styling. It took numerous attempts to get the head shape just right, because Tony had the rounder face when he came out, and then he changed to the football head.”
The same thing happened when I worked on painting Tony the Tiger and I didn’t have the painting of Tony from the back. So I painted the stripes all wrong back there at first, and I had to reimagine what he looked like from behind.”
Anything else you’d like to share?
“What can I say, ultimately I just hope everyone thinks this ornament is g’rrrreat!”
2015 STAR TREK Ornaments Revealed
For the seventh year in a row, Hallmark is offering glimpses into the future (to Comic-Con International attendees) in the form of Sneak Peeks of Keepsake Ornaments set for release in 2015. This year amongst the ornaments being revealed are three STAR TREK ornaments.
Lieutenant Nyota Uhura™
6th and final in the STAR TREK™ Legends series
U.S.S. Enterprise™ NCC-1701-C™
STAR TREK: The Next Generation™
The Needs of the Many
STAR TREK: The Wrath of Khan™
Possible 2015 Sneak Peek
Here is a picture of Keepsake Artist Kristina Gaughran working on a Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back™ Keepsake ornament featuring Luke Skywalker’s training session with Yoda on Dagobah. Could it possibly be one of the Star Wars Keepsake Ornament offerings for 2015? Post your thoughts in the comment section of this post.
There Is No Try
STAR WARS™: The Empire Strikes Back™
by Kristina Gaughran
Canadian Icon Ornament Announced
In addition to the previously announced Canadian exclusive repaint of Patriotic Pals, 12th and Final in the Happiness is PEANUTS® All Year Long monthly series, Hallmark will be issuing the 3rd and Final in the Ann of Green Gables series.
Ann of Green Gables
3rd and final in the series
Keepsakes Head to Comic-Con in 2014
This year Hallmark will return to Comic-Con International in San Diego (July 24-27, 2014) and New York Comic Con (October 9-12, 2014) with sneak peek previews of 2015 Keepsake Ornaments as well as three limited-edition ornaments available only at those events:
- Wampa™ (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back™)
- Arkham’s Avenger (Batman: Arkham City)
- War Machine™ (Iron Man™)
Reveal: 2014 All-Stars
Two All-Stars, one baseball and one Hockey, join Hallmark’s 2014 Line-up!
“Mr October”
Reggie Jackson
Claude Giroux
Philadelphia Flyers®