Children’s entertainment giant Mattel has entered into an exclusive, multi-year global music licensing agreement with Warner Music Group (WMG).
The deal will see WMG’s Arts Music division act as the sole distributor of Mattel’s current catalog of more than 1,000 songs from brands including Barbie, Thomas & Friends, Hot Wheels, American Girl, and Fisher-Price.
Arts Music will partner with WMG’s ADA Worldwide for global distribution.
The new deal follows WMG’s announcement last month that Arts Music, which launched in 2017 under Kevin Gore, entered into a worldwide partnership with Fred Rogers Productions for its hit animated children’s television series, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.
In addition, as part of the deal announced today, Arts Music and Mattel will make hundreds of unreleased songs from its catalog available for the first time.
They will also collaborate on the creation and distribution of new music including the upcoming Thomas & Friends’ birthday album, which will launch on digital streaming services starting next Friday (May 8).
“WMG’s Arts Music division will unlock our substantial library of music to help us broaden our reach across digital and streaming platforms.”
Fred Soulie, Mattel
Fred Soulie, Senior Vice President, Content Distribution and Business Development, Mattel, said: “Music is an important part of Mattel’s DNA, and has been integral to our brands’ ability to connect with children of all ages to help them learn and grow.
“WMG’s Arts Music division will unlock our substantial library of music to help us broaden our reach across digital and streaming platforms.
“Additionally, their significant expertise in nurturing music creation across genres will enable us to significantly expand our catalog with new music for generations of children to come.”
“Mattel’s iconic brands have been bringing joy to children around the world since its founding 75 years ago, and we are honored that they’ve trusted our team as the exclusive stewards of their musical enterprises.”
Kevin Gore, Arts Music
Kevin Gore, President, Arts Music at WMG, added: “Arts Music has been steadily building a powerful repertoire of family-friendly material over the last few years and adding Mattel to our offering absolutely takes it to a new level.
“Mattel’s iconic brands have been bringing joy to children around the world since its founding 75 years ago, and we are honored that they’ve trusted our team as the exclusive stewards of their musical enterprises.
“We very much look forward to releasing new music full of positive messages, fun adventures and educational themes to delight kids and families for generations to come.”
Music Business Worldwide