Mattel is preparing for a big style celebration of the 75th anniversary of Thomas & Friends. The company is adding lots of new partnerships to join the festivities.
The events are going to happen next year. Reverend. W. Awdry created Thomas & Friends in 1945. Over the years the idea grew to a global franchise with over 100 titles and 2 million books sold…each year.
Egmont will continue to tell stories with a ‘special edition compilation of the original Railway Series’ to commemorate the anniversary. That’s just a small taste of what’s to come next year.
In April 2020 the brand will start a new partnership with Harrods and will over in store activities and limited edition, exclusive merchandise. Later in 2020 Bachmann will make actual electric model trains of Thomas & Friends. They will reflect the style and look of the trains and will recreate the Island of Sodor.
Smiffys will have a dress-up range for babies and toddlers. Danilo will make lots of merchandise products for Thomas & Friends, too. Pyramid International will have a range of Wall Art, stickers, keychains, mugs and a lot more.
“We are thrilled to announce these new licensing deals for Thomas & Friends spanning publishing, apparel and retail that will delight and excite Thomas fans. Our goal this coming special 75th anniversary year is to introduce new highly accessible and memorable consumer products through our increased partnership activity. A number of specialised product and retail executions will be launched to help give added meaning to the experience Thomas & Friends delivers to the consumer in its celebratory year”, Helen Genia, head of UK licensing and hardlines EMEA, Mattel, says.
So, fans of Thomas & Friends prepare well. Next year is going to be quite big and busy for you. There will be lots of stuff going on and it will be quite the fun time.
