Firm will follow a strong 2014 with an action packed 2015 as the brand celebrates turning 70 with a raft of new product launches.
Mattel's Thomas & Friends brand has enjoyed significant growth this year, ahead of a 2015 brimming with activity celebrating its 70th anniversary.
Already a leader in the pre-school sector, Mattel is pleased with the further growth of Thomas going into what it describes as a “milestone year.”
“As the number one in pre-school, Thomas & Friends has had a great year and is in significant growth, plus 13 per cent year to date, which is remarkable for a brand that is nearly 70 years young,” Wendy Hill, brand activation director, Mattel UK, told ToyNews.
“With such a milestone year ahead of us and an action packed marketing calendar we are confident that this will continue into 2015.”
2015 will see a global marketing campaign focusing on Thomas’ core brand value, friendship, as well as a raft of new product launches.
“The Fisher-Price portfolio will be celebrating this milestone with some exciting new product developments including the expansion of the My First Thomas range in spring, offering that first Thomas experience for pre-schoolers, while the popular Take-n-Play and TrackMaster ranges also grow with the launch of new engines and innovative play-sets,” added Hill.
“We have some new developments which bring innovation and excitement to the line – it’s sure to be at the top of children’s wish lists for Christmas.”
The My First Thomas collection will be welcoming the new Pop & Go Thomas, while the Double Delivery play-set is also new for spring/summer 2015.
Thomas will be debuting in the plush sector with a new cuddly toy, while Take-n-Play and TrackMaster ranges continue to grow with the Rattling Railsss portable play-set and the new Breakaway Bridge.
The Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway line will also welcome a series of new characters and the Celebrations on Sodor play-set.
Hill continued: “All Fisher-Price products support the core essence of the brand and continue to bring to life the iconic Thomas & Friends themes and locations that fans know and love from the TV series and DVD.
“We have some exciting new launches in the Take-n-Play and TrackMaster ranges that will support the highly anticipated DVD movie release in autumn.”
