CNBC Business | The Real Toy Story

The Real Toy Story

Within five years once-rundown Lego has rebuilt itself as a licensing and innovation powerhouse, reports Scott Berman. And, as Lucy Fitzgeorge-Parker and William Boston discover, other traditional European toy manufacturers are thriving too.

THE WORLD’S 10 BIGGEST TOYMAKERS BASED ON RETAIL SALES 2008

1 Mattel (US) Barbie, Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars, Masters of the Universe
2 Bandai Namco (Japan) Videogames PAC-MAN, Ridge Racer, Time Crisis
3 Hasbro (US) Monopoly, Scrabble board games, Transformers
4 Takara Tomy (Japan) Pokémon, Aero remote control toys, Omnibot
5 LEGO Group (Denmark) Toy bricks
6 MGA Entertainment (US) Bratz Dolls, Little Tikes,
7 Crayola Hallmark (US) Crayola crayons, Model Magic
8 JAKKS Pacific (US) EyeClops BioniCam, Hannah Montana lines
9 VTech (US) Thomas and Friends, Winnie the Pooh range
10 Spin Master (Canada) Air Hogs, Bakugan, Yo Gabba Gabba

Pages:

Sectors:

Cover Story

EUROPE’S 25 MOST CREATIVE COMPANIES

Europe’s 23 million entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs will be the driving force behind the region’s economic recovery. But it’s not just the range of companies that’s dizzying – it’s the disruptive force of their ideas. By Colin Brown, Suzanne Frost, Erik Jaques, Lucy Fitzgeorge-Parker, Hanan Sher, Trevor Huggins and Boyd Farrow. Continue Reading »
ALL TO PLAY FOR

With a cumulative audience of more than three times the population of the planet, it won’t just be players that are keen to make an impact at this summer’s World Cup – sportswear companies are also hoping for a tournament bump. Puma CEO Jochen Zeitz tells Trevor Huggins why he is especially optimistic. Continue Reading »
SIX DEGREES OF COLLABORATION

While business was once all about keeping one step ahead of your rivals, in today’s socially networked society, working together can lead to greater success. Colin Brown reports. Continue Reading »
BEARING FRUIT?

It’s a year since UK smoothie maker Innocent sold a 20% share to global soft-drinks giant Coca-Cola, so has the unlikely alliance caused pulp friction or been a sweet deal for the ethical drinks company? Jo Bowman reports.. Continue Reading »