Extending a partnership that has resulted in the release of a series of highly successful, feature-length DVDs featuring Barbie®, the world’s most popular doll, Universal Pictures and Mattel today announce a new 10-picture, four-year worldwide marketing and distribution agreement. Universal also acquires the rights to distribute all previous Barbie titles beginning January 1, 2010, making Universal the primary distributor of the entire Barbie catalog. The deal, which covers the U.S. and all international territories, runs through 2013. The announcement was jointly made today by Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Eddie Cunningham, President, Universal Pictures International Entertainment, and Richard Dickson, General Manager, Barbie, and Senior Vice President, Mattel.
“We look forward to extending this extremely rewarding relationship with Mattel for years to come,” said Mr. Kornblau. “The phenomenal success of the Barbie titles we’ve released over the past three years not only confirms the exceptional global appeal of Mattel’s movies, but it also underscores the strength in pairing Mattel’s celebrated and beloved Barbie brand with Universal’s formidable worldwide marketing and distribution infrastructure.”
“With 75 million movies sold worldwide and our titles consistently ranking No. 1 on the charts, Barbie has demonstrated unparalleled success as a powerful girls’ entertainment franchise since 2001. We’re thrilled to further extend our partnership with Universal and continue to build the Barbie entertainment franchise with Universal’s marketing and distribution muscle,” said Mr. Dickson.
Since 2006, Universal and Mattel have teamed on the releases of eight feature-length animated installments of the popular Barbie® Entertainment franchise, including the recent September 15th release of BARBIE(TM) AND THE THREE MUSKETEERS. The Universal-released titles have sold a combined total of over 75 million units worldwide (36,700,000 domestic/38,300,000 international). In 2008, BARBIE(TM) MARIPOSA, BARBIE(TM) AND THE DIAMOND CASTLE AND BARBIE(TM) IN A CHRISTMAS CAROL ranked in the top six animated, non-theatrical DVDs in the U.S. alone.
Eddie Cunningham added, “Barbie is an inspiring icon with vast global appeal and UPIE has been privileged to be part of the phenomenal DVD success story. We are delighted to further consolidate our trusted partnership with Mattel towards even greater success into the future.”
