Mattel lines up TV deal for Barbie

The tie-up between Mattel’s top-selling dolls Barbie and her boyfriend Ken and popular US TV series Baywatch is just one of the hundreds of licensing deals which have been revealed at this year’s British International Toy & Hobby Fair at Olympia.

Baywatch Barbie comes with red swimsuit, rescue outfit, whistle, binoculars and float: other accessories include surfboards and a lifeguard’s hut, all with the Baywatch logo.

Mattel has also extended the range with the first soft-bodied Barbie, Slumber Party Barbie, and a new addition to the Barbie family, Baby Sister Kelly, aimed at toddlers. Other additions include Shaving Fun Ken, complete with designer stubble which can be “shaved off” (hot water causes the stubble to disappear temporarily), a variety of collectable national, historical and film costumes and a new budget range of costumes mounted on greeting cards.

Mattel also has the licensing rights to the new Disney movie, Pocahontas, and is relaunching its Winnie the Pooh toy range.

Mattel has appointed Mike Bucher, managing director of UK games company J W Spear & Son, which it bought last year, as managing director of Corgi Worldwide.