Hasbro and Mattel rumored to be in merger talks

[LadyMoondancer]

First, this is just a rumor.  But it's a rumor from the Wall Street Journal, so there might be some truth behind it.

The rumor is that Hasbro is in merger (or take-over) talks with Mattel.  Currently Hasbro has a worth of 11 billion and Mattel has a worth of 5 billion.

[glitterball]

If this is true...
and it were to happen...
what would be the consequences? How would it affect us as consumers?

Greater distribution of all their product lines?
Change in quality control? For good or bad?
Change in price of their toys?


Hmm I need time to digest this new information!

[Crystal-Sushi]

Hopefully all of the creative minds involved with both companies will work together and we'll get some really amazing toys out of it 

[Faeriefalls]

I hope it's a good thing. I absolutely did not like the new line of Monster High dolls that Mattel released in response to them apparently looking 'too goth' or not sweet enough, which I found silly considering theyre literally monster dolls meant to engage that niche, so I'm already sceptical as a consumer of Mattel's choices. I don't buy G4 anyway but I'd like to watch this space all the same, since I am technically a previous mlp consumer.   

[Safflower]

Hmm... I'm kinda hoping this is true, though it might not affect MLP, since Hasbro is the larger company and might just want the money from Barbie, MH, and Mattel's other brands and won't want Mattel to mess with Hasbro's pre-existing brands. Who knows though, Mattel could have a part in designing more of the G4 line or bring in their sculptors to create a new line of ponies which would be G5 (which would be what I'm hoping!) I don't think they would manufacture MLP though, as Hasbro is already doing that. Since it is a merge though, maybe Hasbro will have better quality because they might switch to Mattel's standards? Though I'm thinking this is more of a takeover since Hasbro is bigger than Mattel, so Mattel might switch over to Hasbro's standards and have less quality. I don't know if prices would change, though. Hasbro might make Mattel's prices higher like Hasbro's are because it's more of a takeover, with Hasbro's staying the same. I'm probably speculating too much though, these are just rumors! There is so much that could happen if they merged, we just don't have enough info on what will happen if they do merge

[nessa16]

First, this is just a rumor.  But it's a rumor from the Wall Street Journal, so there might be some truth behind it.

The rumor is that Hasbro is in merger (or take-over) talks with Mattel.  Currently Hasbro has a worth of 11 billion and Mattel has a worth of 5 billion.

So, your link is to Katz Ponys ecrater store...

[tailrustedtealeaf]

Does this mean...well-made EQG dolls in the future?!?! 
...kidding, but it's interesting to hear about.

[LadyMoondancer]

Oops, sorry about the wrong link!  I was trying to link here:

http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/11/10/hasbro-merger-talks-mattel-353350

Unfortunately the actual Wall Street Journal article is behind a pay-wall so I haven't been able to read it.

I don't think much would change for G4 ponies if the merger happened because it's already one of Hasbro's top brands (why mess with success) and Hasbro is the bigger company over Mattel.  But it might mean changes for Equestria Girls . . . ?  Mattel has always dominated the fashion doll market, while that area has always been weak for Hasbro.

[Safflower]

Oops, sorry about the wrong link!  I was trying to link here:

http://news.tfw2005.com/2017/11/10/hasbro-merger-talks-mattel-353350

Unfortunately the actual Wall Street Journal article is behind a pay-wall so I haven't been able to read it.

I don't think much would change for G4 ponies if the merger happened because it's already one of Hasbro's top brands (why mess with success) and Hasbro is the bigger company over Mattel.  But it might mean changes for Equestria Girls . . . ?  Mattel has always dominated the fashion doll market, while that area has always been weak for Hasbro.

Exactly what I was thinking with EQG. Hasbro might use Mattel as a tool to improve the line so they can sell them again and make more money. They might not though because if they own Mattel they wouldn't have to compete with their doll lines. I definitely wouldn't complain if they did bring them back... *dreams of fully articulated dolls that can move their wrists and the demise of the flat faced, huge eyed older dolls*

[Taxel]

Oh gosh this is so incredibly worrying... Hasbro can't seem to make even a half-decent doll. I imagine ponies would be fine, of course, but I'd worry a lot about all of the Mattel dolls I collect/enjoy.

[bright rabbit 1]

Oh no! Disney Descendants and the princess dolls, will be ruined.

*goes like Alpha from Power Rangers*

But better equestrian girls dolls.

[Leave a Whisper]

Hmm. I don't see how this could mean any good for Matel. Granted, I'm not a fan, but Matel's dolls , playsets and accessories are leaps and bounds above Hasbro's in terms of quality and variety. Hasbro'd just ruin it with their ever increasing sameness, cheapness and suckitude. Matel should stay Matel, which is an icon in the toy industry and Hasbro should stay Hasbro, which does better in other areas

[lalalei2001]

I like both companies a lot, but I hope Mattel stays Mattel--their rivalry is kinda like DC and Marvel to me and it would be weird for one to absorb the other.

[Taffeta]

Hmm. I don't see how this could mean any good for Matel. Granted, I'm not a fan, but Matel's dolls , playsets and accessories are leaps and bounds above Hasbro's in terms of quality and variety. Hasbro'd just ruin it with their ever increasing sameness, cheapness and suckitude. Matel should stay Matel, which is an icon in the toy industry and Hasbro should stay Hasbro, which does better in other areas

Just from a MH perspective, QC on MH dolls has been slowly degrading for a while now. Even in the old style MH, though, there were big issues with things like glue seepage in the hair (a problem Hasbro dolls don't have as far as I know). True, the newer dolls don't seem to have the issue, but they do have clunkier joints or other issues.

I think the big problem with some of these is an attempt to compete so I think if they did merge, it might be good for all concerned as those creative powers would be working together, rather than against each other. Hasbro have already pumped the Jem concept into EQG. I wonder what the dying MH and EAH type brands might do for EQG if that were to be a factor. Hard to say at this point.

I think it would have a bigger impact for doll lines than from MLP itself. That's always been Hasbro's baby, and I don't think it will change.

[sd_dreamcrystal]

I can imagine Barbie looking like those Disney dolls or EQG dolls... nope nope nope and nope lol
Seriously though, do we really want Hasbro to be the only one in the toy aisle. With issues on both quality and distribution (while I know Mattel may have many of those issue as well I see them get many of their items out faster in some areas than Hasbro)