Latest news with #YnonKreiz
Bloomberg
12-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Mattel Taps OpenAI to Help it Design Toys, Other Products
Polly Pocket may one day be your digital assistant. Mattel Inc., the maker of Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels cars, has signed a deal with OpenAI to use its artificial intelligence tools to design and in some cases power toys and other products based on its brands. The collaboration is at an early stage, and its first release won't be announced until later this year, Brad Lightcap, OpenAI's chief operating officer, and Josh Silverman, Mattel's chief franchise officer, said in a joint interview. The technology could ultimately result in the creation of digital assistants based on Mattel characters, or be used to make toys and games like the Magic 8 Ball or Uno even more interactive. 'We plan to announce something towards the tail end of this year, and it's really across the spectrum of physical products and some experiences,' Silverman said, declining to comment further on the first product. 'Leveraging this incredible technology is going to allow us to really reimagine the future of play.' Mattel isn't licensing its intellectual property to OpenAI as part of the deal, Silverman said, and remains in full control of the products being created. Introductory talks between the two companies began late last year, he said. Mattel Chief Executive Officer Ynon Kreiz has been looking to evolve the company from just a toy manufacturer into a producer of films, TV shows and mobile games based on its popular characters. OpenAI, meanwhile, has been courting companies with valuable intellectual property to aid them in developing new products based on iconic brands. 'The idea exploration phase of creative design for companies like Mattel and many others, that's a critical part of the workflow,' Lightcap said. 'As we think about how AI builds tools that extend that capability, I think we're very lucky to have partners like Mattel that we can work with to better understand that problem.' On Tuesday, OpenAI released its newest model — o3-pro — which can analyze files, search online and complete other tasks that made it score especially well with reviewers on 'comprehensiveness, instruction-following and accuracy,' the company said.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ayo Edebiri Built ‘Barney' Pitch During Asia Trip
Ayo Edebiri is taking on a classic children's TV character after a much-needed break. The Golden Globe winner recently revealed that she developed her pitch for the upcoming Daniel Kaluuya-produced Barney film, from A24 and Mattel Films, during a trip suggested by a friend who noticed she was tired. More from Deadline Ayo Edebiri Tapped To Write Live-Action Barney Movie For Mattel, A24, Producer Daniel Kaluuya; Also In Talks To Star Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz On Barney Film: 'It Will Not Be An Odd Movie' Mikey Madison In Talks To Step In For Sydney Sweeney On A24's 'Masque Of The Red Death' 'She was like, 'When can you take a break?' And then I did. I went on a trip to Asia for a month,' she recalled to The Wall Street Journal. 'I felt like that girl who takes a gap year. That's where I ended up coming up with the idea for Barney that I ended up pitching to Daniel.' Edebiri added, 'I was just thinking of, what are the movies that I want to make? What are the things that I want to do? What are the things that make me excited? So I just had this idea, and then we started building it out together. And then it becomes what it's going to be, which I don't want to say too much about.' The Bear star was tapped to write the film in February, and she's also in talks to star in the adaptation of the PBS kids show Barney & Friends, which ran for 14 seasons from 1992 to 2010. The character of the big purple dinosaur was previously originated in the 1988 direct-to-video series Barney & the Backyard Gang. Mattel exec Kevin McKeon has said the live-action Barney film will be adult-oriented and 'surrealistic,' in the vein of films by Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze. 'We're leaning into the millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids,' he said. 'It's really a play for adults. Not that it's R-rated, but it'll focus on some of the trials and tribulations of being thirtysomething, growing up with Barney—just the level of disenchantment within the generation.' Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz has added that the film is 'taking a fresh approach' to the character that will be 'fun, entertaining and culturally oriented,' emphasizing it 'will not be an odd movie.' Editor's note: A previous version of this story inaccurately stated Edebiri developed the pitch with a friend. We regret the error. Best of Deadline 'Stick' Soundtrack: All The Songs You'll Hear In The Apple TV+ Golf Series 'Nine Perfect Strangers' Season 2 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? 'Stick' Release Guide: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mattel is combining film and television units to create Mattel Studios
HighlightsToy maker Mattel is merging its film and television divisions to establish Mattel Studios, aiming to create entertainment centered around its iconic brands, following the success of the 'Barbie' movie. Robbie Brenner has been appointed as president and chief content officer of Mattel Studios, reporting directly to chairman and chief executive officer Ynon Kreiz. Upcoming projects from Mattel Studios include a live-action 'Masters of the Universe' film set for June 2026, a 'Matchbox' theatrical release in fall 2026, and an animated movie featuring 'Bob the Builder' with actor Anthony Ramos. Toy maker Mattel is combining its film and television units to form Mattel Studios , it said on Monday, as the company seeks to produce entertainment driven by its brands and potentially repeat the commercial success of the "Barbie" movie. Mattel Films President Robbie Brenner , who joined the company in 2018, was named president and chief content officer of the combined unit. She will report to the company's chairman and chief executive officer, Ynon Kreiz. "Our vision for Mattel Studios is to collaborate with leading creators to make standout quality content based on Mattel's iconic brands that will resonate in culture and appeal to global audiences," Kreiz said in a statement. Mattel's biggest brand is Barbie and its portfolio also includes Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Matchbox , Masters of the Universe , Polly Pocket and Uno. "Barbie," the 2023 film starring Margo Robbie and Ryan Gosling, grossed more than $1.4 billion in worldwide box office and received nine Oscar nominations. Mattel plans to release "Masters of the Universe," a live-action film inspired by the He-Man action figures, in June 2026, and "Matchbox," based on its miniature cars, is slated for a fall 2026 theatrical release The company has also developed television content like the animated series "Hot Wheels Let's Race" and "Masters of the Universe: Revolution." Jennifer Breslow, who previously was president of television and digital media at Legendary Entertainment, was named head of television at Mattel Studios. Other upcoming projects include "Bob the Builder," the brand's first animated theatrical movie featuring actor and singer Anthony Ramos voicing the lead character. Mattel also has a live-action "Polly Pocket" film in its pipeline, based on the tiny 1980s dolls.
Reuters
02-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Mattel is combining film and television units to create Mattel Studios
LOS ANGELES, June 2 (Reuters) - Toy maker Mattel (MAT.O), opens new tab is combining its film and television units to form Mattel Studios, it said on Monday, as the company seeks to produce entertainment driven by its brands and potentially repeat the commercial success of the "Barbie" movie. Mattel Films President Robbie Brenner, who joined the company in 2018, was named president and chief content officer of the combined unit. She will report to the company's chairman and chief executive officer, Ynon Kreiz. 'Our vision for Mattel Studios is to collaborate with leading creators to make standout quality content based on Mattel's iconic brands that will resonate in culture and appeal to global audiences," Kreiz said in a statement. Mattel's biggest brand is Barbie and its portfolio also includes Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Matchbox, Masters of the Universe, Polly Pocket and Uno. "Barbie," the 2023 film starring Margo Robbie and Ryan Gosling, grossed more than $1.4 billion in worldwide box office and received nine Oscar nominations. Mattel plans to release "Masters of the Universe," a live-action film inspired by the He-Man action figures, in June 2026, and "Matchbox," based on its miniature cars, is slated for a fall 2026 theatrical release The company has also developed television content like the animated series "Hot Wheels Let's Race" and "Masters of the Universe: Revolution." Jennifer Breslow, who previously was president of television and digital media at Legendary Entertainment, was named head of television at Mattel Studios. Other upcoming projects include "Bob the Builder,' the brand's first animated theatrical movie featuring actor and singer Anthony Ramos voicing the lead character. Mattel also has a live-action 'Polly Pocket" film in its pipeline, based on the tiny 1980s dolls.
Miami Herald
11-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Major retailer gets bombshell threat over tariff strategy
There's been a lot of speculation about tariffs since late 2024, when they were front and center during the presidential election. The reality is that U.S. consumers are fed up with higher prices. They've been battling rampant inflation since 2021 and are desperate for relief. But tariffs could deliver anything but. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter It's too soon to know just how extensively tariffs will impact the U.S. economy, and how drastically they'll drive the cost of consumer goods upward. But the fear is that even giant retailers like Walmart and Costco will only be able to do so much to shield consumers from price increases. Related: Walmart makes drastic decision amid tariff threats A number of major retailers have reassured consumers that they're ready for tariffs and have strategies in place to mitigate them. But at the end of the day, tariffs remain a risk to consumers as well as retailers. If consumers can't keep up with their costs, they're going to have to cut back somewhere. It won't be surprising to see an increase in retail bankruptcies once tariff policies really take hold. Famous toymaker Mattel is a mainstay on big box store shelves. And fans of product lines like Barbie and Hot Wheels have long remained loyal to the brand. But like retailers across the board, Mattel has concerns over the impact of tariffs on its business. And on its most recent earnings call, the company felt compelled to warn investors that tariffs could lead to higher prices. Related: Hey Barbie! Mattel warns that tariffs could push prices higher Mattel went so far as to pause its 2025 forecasts until it had more of a concrete idea of what tariffs would do to its business. And the fact of the matter is that most retailers really don't have a full grasp of what's to come just yet. The best retailers can do at this point is prepare to be adaptable. Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, meanwhile, said the company was "ready for the challenge" in the context of tariffs. To manage the impact of tariffs, Mattel recently shared plans to shift much of its production out of China. Mattel actually began slowly shifting production out of China about seven years ago and has been actively looking to diversify its supply chain. But Kreiz said that the company is specifically not looking to move production over to the U.S. Related: Popular discount retailer sounds tariff warning consumers need to hear "We believe that production in other countries, where we can be efficient and more productive, is the best balance between manufacturing outside of the U.S. and continuing to develop products in terms of design and creativity in America," said Kreiz in a CNBC interview. President Trump was not happy to hear that Mattel planned to move away from China. And he went so far as to threaten a 100% tariff on Mattel specifically. "They said, 'Well, we're going to go counter. We're going to try going someplace else.' That's okay, let him go, and we'll put 100% tariff on his toys, and he won't sell one toy in the United States. And that's their biggest market," Trump said. Toys in particular have been a hotbed issue in the context of tariffs. The toy industry has been lobbying for an exemption, with major players expressing concerns about price hikes and shortages ahead of the holiday season. More Retail: Walmart, Target, Costco make major 2025 announcementFormerly bankrupt retailer makes painful decision to close more storesTop investor takes firm stance on troubled retail brandWalmart and Costco making major change affecting all customers At a time when consumers are already stretched thin, tariffs on toys could batter the industry. "Toys are essential products for childhood development and early education, and our industry works tirelessly to ensure these products remain safe and accessible," said Kathrin Belliveau, chief policy officer at The Toy Association. "Working with toy associations around the world, we are reaffirming our aspiration for toys to remain tariff-free globally." The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
