Playmobil..where to go from here

A long time ago ....


Playmobil has introduced several new themes for 2008 but one of the most amazing is the EGYPTIAN theme, playmoblog has an incredible post but I wanted to expand more on the what goes into making it as a theme for playmobil.

Playmobil rarely uses a licensed property, I only know of 4-BMW, DHL, AIR LUFTHANSA(sp?)and a German store that had the Victorian truck 5640 re-issued.

How to choose from which period in History? Which in fantasy? Is the issue more marketability or originality?

These questions plague me more than I care to realize. I have compared the line to FISHER PRICE ADVENTURE PEOPLE-the first 3 3/4 action figure line that came out around 1975, great variety, small vehicles and figure packs that were essential to pick up and go anywhere. That company has long since changed to larger more round-edged figures called Rescue Heroes but the similarities to playmobil are in that there were no licensed vehicles or figures, they were all generic. That saves companies alot of money not paying for a license, but then thier products must stand alone and hope to garner a mother or child's attention thru packaging and marketing.

Playmobil has a presence here in the US, but unfortunately it isnt as popular as I would have hoped. I have seen my children create entire dialogues and story themes with their generic playmobil and it thrills me to no end. Im sure they would love to see Disney Princesses in playmobil form but I doubt that will happen. Playmobil has long been an advocate of a no license product, but one has to wonder, is it hurting them or helping them? I dont doubt the underlying foundation for such a philosophy but when your marketing is not up to snuff and only a few big brick and mortar stores carry only some of your toy line, one does wonder? I cannot understand the tradionalists that are ardent and hard lining against taking ANY license, times change, philosophies change. Playmobil is higher priced than some cheaper lines, but then there is a solid quality to the toy that one expects whenever you touch a playmobil toy. The toys are meant for the 4 y/o and up crowd and there is a toy line for the under 4 age group called Playmobil 1-2-3. Yes there are small pieces, but should a parent be truly concerned they can always pack up the possibly ER visit items until thier offspring are a bit matured. If you have any thoughts on the subject please post.