MAM
Cartoon Network signs licensing deal with Mattel
MUMBAI: Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Cartoon Network have announced that they have awarded toy manufacturer Mattel, the master toy license for the television show Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi.
Mattel is planning to launch a full line of toys at retail worldwide, in all markets outside Japan later this year. Mattel’s initial product launch will consist of fashion dolls in the likeness of the real-life Japanese pop stars Ami and Yumi, spunky small dolls inspired by the animated characters and the Puffy AmiYumi tour bus.
Mattel will also create plush toys based on Ami and Yumi’s favourite felines, along with engaging play sets and a magical transforming tour bus. Additional products will include accessories, role-playing product, musical and electrical toys, games, puzzles and vehicles. The new toy line from Mattel brings this colorful property to the shelf with an excellent array of product and creative packaging.
For the uninitiated Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi is a half-hour comedy consisting of animated elements. The show follows the rompy rock ‘n’ roll adventures of Japanese rock stars Ami and Yumi, along with live-action bookends featuring the band. Being famous rock stars, Ami and Yumi tour the globe in their customized tour bus, a veritable condo on wheels with all the major amenities and an ever-changing interior.
Ami is the peppy, positive and resourceful one. Yumi is the hard-rocking, no-nonsense cynic with an absolutely infallible sense of cool. Whether they’re jamming with aliens, or being chased to the center of the Earth by an obsessed fan, Ami and Yumi always come out on top – dishing out lessons in J-pop justice and the international language of “cool” along the way.
The real life Ami and Yumi came together in 1995 through a nationwide talent search in Japan. Since their rock ‘n’ roll debut in 1996, they have sold millions of albums, played sold-out stadiums and hosted a live-action variety show in Asia. Now the Japanese phenomenon is taking on the cartoon world with Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, an over-the-top comedy, filled with cutting-edge music and starring two cool Japanese pop icons.
Cartoon Network Worldwide executive VP and GM Jim Samples says, “Selecting Mattel as the master toy licensee on Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi adds to the tremendous. Not only are we working with an industry leader to bring one of our hot new shows to retail and consumers, together we will bring a line of creative, fun toys to fans sooner than we have ever been able.”
Warner Bros. Consumer Products executive VP domestic licensing Karen McTier said, “We just know that Mattel will do a great job capturing the creativity and liveliness of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi in their exciting line of toys.” Mattel designs, manufactures and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie.
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33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
