SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: January 23, 1998
MATTEL, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 001-05647 95-1567322
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File No.) Identification No.)
333 Continental Boulevard, El Segundo, California 90245-5012
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (310) 252-2000
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N/A
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Item 5. Other Events
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Mattel, Inc. hereby incorporates by reference herein its
press releases dated January 8, 1998, regarding the Company's
acquisition of PrintPaks, and January 22, 1998 regarding the
Company's licensing agreements with the NBA, WNBA and USA
Basketball, copies of which are included as Exhibits 99.0 and
Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
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(a) Financial statements of businesses acquired: None
(b) Pro forma financial information: None
(c) Exhibits:
99.0 Press release dated January 8, 1998.
99.1 Press release dated January 22, 1998.
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SIGNATURES
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
MATTEL, INC.
Registrant
By: /s/ Leland P. Smith
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Leland P. Smith
Assistant General Counsel
Date: January 23, 1998 and Secretary
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EXHIBIT 99.0
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Glenn Bozarth
January 8, 1998 (310) 252-3521
MATTEL ACQUIRES PRINTPAKS
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LOS ANGELES, January 8--Mattel, Inc. and PrintPaks, Inc. today announced
that Mattel has completed the acquisition of PrintPaks, a Portland, Oregon-
based publisher of multimedia craft products.
Founded in 1995, PrintPaks pioneered the rapidly growing multimedia craft
category. PrintPaks kits utilize the power of home computers and printers
to enable consumers to design, personalize, and assemble a wide variety of
creative crafts, including jewelry, pop-up greeting cards, refrigerator
magnets, tee shirts, and holiday decorations.
"With Barbie Fashion Designer in 1996 and Barbie Magic Hairstyler in 1997,
Mattel has had the top new children's CD-ROM titles for two years in a
row," David Haddad, general manager of Mattel Media, said. "We've
established a leadership position with an emphasis on software for girls.
PrintPaks will provide us the opportunity to expand into new software
categories, and to further pursue new technology applications."
"Nearly three quarters of people with personal computers at home have color
inkjet printers, and they're eager for fun things to do with them," said
Judy MacDonald, co-founder of PrintPaks. "PrintPaks product diversity,
materials expertise and design know-how combined with the global brands
that Mattel possesses provides an incredible combination with excellent
sales potential."
Mattel, Inc. is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and
marketing of children's toys. With headquarters in El Segundo, California,
Mattel has offices and facilities in 36 countries and sells its products in
more than 150 nations throughout the world.
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EXHIBIT 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 22, 1998
MATTEL BECOMES GLOBAL TOY PARTNER OF
NBA, WNBA & USA BASKETBALL
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FIRST PRODUCTS TO BE UNVEILED AT AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL TOY FAIR IN
FEBRUARY
EL SEGUNDO, CALIF., JAN. 22, 1998 -- Mattel, Inc. [NYSE:MAT], the
NBA, WNBA and USA Basketball today announced that the toy company has been
granted licenses for the exclusive global rights to produce basketball-
themed toys bearing the marks of the three organizations. Under the
multiyear agreement, Mattel, the worldwide leader in the design and
marketing of children's toys, will manufacture boys' and girls' toys in
categories including dolls, action figures, figurines, vehicles and pre-
school. Mattel also will have the right to manufacture plush toys,
activity kits, collectibles, puzzles and games and arts and crafts.
The agreement includes fashion and collector dolls, including Barbie;
large dolls, including Cabbage Patch Kids; action figures, collectibles,
vehicles and playsets; miniature die cast vehicles and playsets, including
Matchbox and Hot Wheels; and radio and remote control vehicles. Several of
these products will be unveiled at the American International Toy Fair in
New York on February 9, and will be available at retail for Holiday `98.
Mattel will support the relationships with significant marketing
investments in advertising and special events.
"The NBA has a unique appeal to young people across a wide range of
ages in the United States as well as internationally," said Bruce Stein,
President, Mattel Worldwide, and Chief Operating Officer. "The incredible
success of the WNBA and the popularity of USA Basketball teams in
international competition further demonstrate the tremendous interest in
basketball. With the `evergreen' quality that the NBA, WNBA and USA
Basketball licenses possess, and the promotional partnerships we can
jointly create, we are looking forward to the opportunity to develop a full
range of toy products that will be distributed around the world."
"The NBA has a powerful connection to youth around the world," said
David Stern, NBA Commissioner. "That, combined with Mattel's product and
marketing strength, creates a partnership that will bring exciting new
products to young fans everywhere."
"Our arenas last season were filled with young fans who love
basketball," said Val Ackerman, WNBA President. "It is exciting to team up
with a category leader like Mattel, whose brands also resonate with youth."
"USA Basketball is delighted that Mattel has chosen to join our team,"
said Warren Brown, USA Basketball Executive Director. "Mattel's established
reputation as the worldwide leader in children's toys, and USA Basketball's
recognition as the leader in international basketball, will notably enhance
the international reception of both parties."
Sales for the existing NBA toy category are strong, with annual
product sales projected to increase by more than 65% this year. According
to the National Sporting Goods Association, basketball is the top
participation sport among U.S. kids (aged 7-11); 6.4 million kids (34% of
all kids) play basketball, and participation among girls is up 10% over
last year. Basketball also is the top participation sport among U.S. teens
(aged 12-17); 9.2 million teens play basketball, an increase of 5% over
last year. A recent SPORTS ILLUSTRATED FOR KIDS Omnibus survey found that
41% of boys and girls aged 9-13 rank the NBA as their favorite sports
league.
Basketball is also the favorite sport of teens globally, according to
a recent marketing study by DMB&B conducted with 25,000 adolescents in 41
countries. The study also showed the NBA logo was recognized by 76% of the
teens.
The WNBA attracted more than one million fans in-arena and was viewed
on television by more than 65 million fans in the U.S. and by fans in 165
countries during its inaugural season last summer. The 1998 season begins
in June.
USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding
of men's and women's USA teams that compete in international basketball
competitions, including the Olympics and the World Championships of
Basketball.
Mattel, Inc., with $4.5 billion in annual revenues, is the worldwide
leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of children's toys
including such popular brands as Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels, Matchbox,
Fisher-Price, Tyco, Disney and Cabbage Patch Kids. Headquartered in El
Segundo, California, Mattel has offices and facilities in 36 countries and
markets its products in 159 nations throughout the world.
The NBA has approximately 150 licensees in categories including
apparel, sporting goods, basketball cards and collectibles, home
furnishings, school supplies, home electronics, interactive games, home
video, publishing, gifts and novelties, and toys and games.
# # #
CONTACT: Lisa McKendall, Mattel, 310/252-4592
Hilary Cassidy, 212/407-8715
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