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So, it looks like MLP as a brand has experienced A drop in sales in the third quarter, according to the last investor meeting. http://seekingalpha.com/article/3582346-hasbros-has-ceo-brian-goldner-on-q3-2015-results-earnings-call-transcript

Ponies themselves (FIM) still showed some growth but Equestria girls dragged the franchise down due to negative sales, making the brand itself less profitable. (though they blamed that on them using a Single movie a year format instead of an ongoing series)



What are your thoughts on this? Think it bodes poorly for the series, is just a hiccup, is meaningless, ect?

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Never having liked EqG, I can't help but feel amused.

 

But as another EqG has been confirmed, apparently, I'd say they don't really care...or else are hoping to make the brand more popular with more frequent releases. If that's the case, I hope it doesn't interfere with FiM production.

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I love the EQG movies but the toys bucking suck! We need fewer barbie doll redecos and more movie/show accurate designs. I'd be happy to have a Sunset Shimmer figure on my desk if she didn't look like a creepy doll!

 

I'd hate to see an EQG series. I feel like it'd just end up cheapening the brand as a whole. There'd be more forced conflict and more high school drama. Right now, I like that the movies center more around equestrian magic and less around high school BS.

 

Last I checked, they're also preparing to launch a <3 MLP line of adult collectibles in the "low three-digit price range", and I can't wait to see how that turns out.

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The transcript does not say that at all. >_<

 

This is extremely frustrating to see this fandom try and parse this and do such a poor job of it. I understand that there may not be many Business, Finance, and Marketing grads here ... but the apocalyptic tone I get from these is usually similar in logic value as Y2K and 2012 doomsayers. The bottom line is that the entire girls division is down in North America, but is healthy in general and actually doing well worldwide with the main concern being unfavorable exchange rates. A go forward plan would be better alignment with product and advertising media. Seriously, Pony is not getting pulled, (though it may be ending after Season 6 or 7 due to natural need to re launch the brand but that isn't covered here). Girls segment is down industry wide with Mattel reporting worse softening in franchise product sales in the US and Canada. 

 

TL;DR (not really) - Pony is fine ... FURBY needs to be dropped. FURBY has been dead weight for a while and they have not dropped that have they? Calm ... it will be ok. 

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(edited)

I love the EQG movies but the toys bucking suck! We need fewer barbie doll redecos and more movie/show accurate designs. I'd be happy to have a Sunset Shimmer figure on my desk if she didn't look like a creepy doll!

 

I'd hate to see an EQG series. I feel like it'd just end up cheapening the brand as a whole. There'd be more forced conflict and more high school drama. Right now, I like that the movies center more around equestrian magic and less around high school BS.

 

Last I checked, they're also preparing to launch a <3 MLP line of adult collectibles in the "low three-digit price range", and I can't wait to see how that turns out.

 

You mean like these?

997237__safe_twilight+sparkle_rainbow+da

Its really nice to see them put some effort into the toys for once, as these look SO much better. Hell, they're still articulate too! Things like these are way better than the borderline nightmare fuel ones they've come out with so far (Though those ones seem like they were trying to steal the monster high audience without being their own thing).

 

As for EQG, yeah, I think that one thing that sets EQG apart from FIM is its movie nature, so its kind of hard to figure out a way not to dillute that.

 

I think a good idea would be to really crank up the number of shorts they produce and music videos, like life is a runway or my past is not today. Show us some of the inner workings of each of the characters in that way.

 

 

 

The transcript does not say that at all. >_<

I pointed out that FIM Is actually up. But it DOES say that My little pony, as a brand (which includes EQG as hasbro looks at the two as being closely linked) *IS* down slightly (in this quater: not overall, its up overall for the year, but the QUARTER) due to EQG having dropped some. This isn't doomsaying its asking what people think about it, as it HAS dropped and is a change from how MLP is generally always growing.

Edited by Unlikeable Pony
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I pointed out that FIM Is actually up. But it DOES say that My little pony, as a brand (which includes EQG as hasbro looks at the two as being closely linked) *IS* down slightly due to EQG having dropped some. This isn't doomsaying its asking what people think about it, as it HAS dropped and is a change from how MLP is generally always growing.
 

 

Just one question, can you tell me what the division statements are between POS and DS sales? How about when they are discussing volume revenue versus holdbacks or asset offsets?

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I dont understand what goes on in focus groups and product testing that greenlights all the creepy products. Actual show accurate stuff would be awesome.

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I dont understand what goes on in focus groups and product testing that greenlights all the creepy products. Actual show accurate stuff would be awesome.

Profit ratio. A product that sells a ton but costs more to make than a crappier product that sells worse can be a less lucrative product, yeah?

 

The EQG dolls are pretty cheap, especially the first waves they made. They tend to be made as similar as possible so as to cut down on production costs for molds and the like.

That being said, they've started to branch out a bit and try more deluxe products, like time to shine sunset shimmer or Midnight sparkle.

 

And for Ponies, their next wave is going to be experimenting with Articulation for the ponies, which is a pretty big change in their paradigm, since they seem to realize fans like the mane six to go on adventures and be poseable, not just be brushable.

explore%2BEquestria%2BAction%2BFigures.j

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You mean like these?

sig-4166268.997237__safe_twilight%20spar

Its really nice to see them put some effort into the toys for once, as these look SO much better. Hell, they're still articulate too! Things like these are way better than the borderline nightmare fuel ones they've come out with so far (Though those ones seem like they were trying to steal the monster high audience without being their own thing).

 

As for EQG, yeah, I think that one thing that sets EQG apart from FIM is its movie nature, so its kind of hard to figure out a way not to dillute that.

 

I think a good idea would be to really crank up the number of shorts they produce and music videos, like life is a runway or my past is not today. Show us some of the inner workings of each of the characters in that way.

 

 

 

I pointed out that FIM Is actually up. But it DOES say that My little pony, as a brand (which includes EQG as hasbro looks at the two as being closely linked) *IS* down slightly (in this quater: not overall, its up overall for the year, but the QUARTER) due to EQG having dropped some. This isn't doomsaying its asking what people think about it, as it HAS dropped and is a change from how MLP is generally always growing.

Yes. Those are HELLA cute and I want them.

 

Regarding the shorts? WHERE IS MY DANCE MAGIC SHORT HASBRO. DANNY I MADE A BEAUTIFUL SONG AND IT DESERVES TO BE ANIMATED :baconmane: :baconmane: :baconmane: :baconmane:

 

EDIT: WHERE IS THE SUNNY TOY I SEE NO SUNNY

Edited by Shimmer Down
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I suggest waiting for the fourth quarter results to get a better gauge on Friendship Games given the timing of the movie as it seemingly was placed in a transition period from quarter three to quarter four for some of the major markets, and that is one of the few takes I got from the comments.

 

The second thing is Hasbro seems to realize they need more actual content to support a brand designed around the story telling philosophy, and that the long hiatus was not good for business.

 

The fact that Hasbro seemingly approved a fourth Equestria Girls model as well suggests they are not all that deterred by this decline. Frankly I got the impression from certain comments during the conference call that Hasbro wanted to do more with Equestria Girls rather than keep it purely a once a year or film special.

 

As mentioned Furby was the biggest cause of the drag in the division, while the pony side of MLP was actually up a little bit.

 

Yes the whole doom and gloom mentality is pretty annoying.

 

I also would not worry about Equestria Girls impacting the production of the main show as it still has yet to do so according to staff comments.

 

The fact is there is still another season and a couple of movies in the works, so what is with all this worry?

Edited by UnknownFry
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AFAIK both FiM and EQG have already been approved for at least another season and another movie, respectively, and there's also the 'real' MLP movie coming in 2017, so sales apparently don't mean too much as of yet. Perhaps if there's suddenly an enormous decline, but I don't see that happening for the time being.

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@@Unlikeable Pony

 

Just letting you know I moved this to Sugarcube Corner as it had less to do with the show and more with the toy sales.

 

Thanks. :)

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Yes. Those are HELLA cute and I want them.

 

Regarding the shorts? WHERE IS MY DANCE MAGIC SHORT HASBRO. DANNY I MADE A BEAUTIFUL SONG AND IT DESERVES TO BE ANIMATED :baconmane: :baconmane: :baconmane: :baconmane:

 

EDIT: WHERE IS THE SUNNY TOY I SEE NO SUNNY

 

I think they're doing the chibis in waves, so they're kind of in retro mode for what toys they make; that line seems to be an EQG 1 line, so they're presumably make a RR line with Sunset in it if that one sells well, and a FG line after that.

 

As for the short, they'll probably just slap together a bunch of clips to make a crappy music video, like what they did with alot of the songs from Rainbow rocks, like awesome as I want to be. :(

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I can't help but think that moving from "theater premiers" to "straight to disc" option on the most recent EQG had some part to play in this.

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The new chibis, however, have a good shot at making up for that.

That's what happens when you get actual artists to design the dolls with quality in mind instead of just having cost analysis people making things. (They got one of the comic artists, amy mebberson to do the designs, which helps out a ton)

large.jpeg

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Even the pony merch themselves...  there's a reason Bronies are loving fan-made merch more...  Because it reflects what we love more.  If Hasbro would make better pony merchandise themselves, rather than the lazier simplified checklist approach, more kids and adults would buy it.  I honestly think kids want their toys to look like the characters they like.  That means short-maned Rainbow Dash,

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Funko's versions are very good too, just hope Hasbro decides it's better to go with more articulate designs, instead of these crappy models. But these chibi versions? I love it.

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