The enduring popularity of the 80-year-old toys has made them the darlings of major media companies. CNNMoney's parent company Time Warner (TWX) applauded "The Lego Movie," which was released in February, for boosting revenue at its Warner Brothers' film unit, resulting in better-than-expected earnings for the latest quarter. The movie made $69 million in its opening weekend, grossing $252 million so far, according to Box Office Mojo. News Corp. (NWS) is also getting in on the act, with a Lego-themed episode of "The Simpsons" to air on May 4 called "Brick Like Me." The toys will serve as the focus for the entire 550th episode of the legendary cartoon, not just for the couch gag in the opening credits. This won't come as a surprise to Lego aficionados. The privately-held Lego Group already offers a Simpsons house for $200, featuring domestic necessities like a pink car, Bart with his skateboard ramp, and religious neighbor Ned with his barbecue grill. Lego fans are torn over the release of Simpsons Lego toys.
Some believe they aren't appropriate for children, given the adult humor of the show. The amorphous versatility of Legos seems to lend itself to incorporating lots of other companies into its act. "The Lego Movie" features Lego versions of trademarked characters like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman from D.C. Comics, as well as the Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles from Viacom (VIA). (Not to mention non-corporate figures like the Statue of Liberty and Abraham Lincoln.) Lego aficionados can buy a whole host of superheroes from Marvel Comics who have also been featured in movies, including Spider-Man, Captain America and the Hulk. Walt Disney (DIS) has a Lego version of characters from "The Lone Ranger." There's also a line of Legos featuring characters from "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," books that were made into Time Warner movies. Last but not least, Lego offers an extensive line of characters and spaceships from the Lucasfilm series of "Star Wars" movies, including a Death Star retailing for $400.
The number of employees exceeds 18,000 and represents more than 70 nationalities. In August, the LEGO Group holds the first PLAY DAY where all of the company's employees at all LEGO locations leave their desks and play for four hours. Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen and Thomas Kirk Kristiansen inform about the gradual generational change which is now taking place in the owner family. Thomas takes over the position of chairman of the LEGO Foundation and deputy chairman of LEGO A/S. The LEGO factory in Jiaxing, China is officially opened. In December, it is announced that Jørgen Vig Knudstorp will hand over the position as CEO to Chief Operations Officer, Bali Padda. In future, Jørgen Vig Knudstorp will support the active family ownership as the working chairman of the board in LEGO A/S (from May 2017), among other things. The LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation entered a three-year partnership with UNICEF to protect children's rights and change the way in which children learn.
The offshore wind farm, Borkum Riffgrund 1, of which 32 percent is owned by the LEGO Group was opened in October. LEGO® products are now sold in more than 140 countries. The first parts were moulded in the new LEGO Group factory in Jiaxing, China. The first packing lines were put into operation in September 2015. The first box packed in Jiaxing was the LEGO City Police Station. Selected product news 2015 In the beginning of February, The LEGO Movie premieres in a number of countries. The movie is written by Phil Lord and Chris Miller and produced by Warner Brothers. It is the first time the LEGO universe has been pictured in a movie. As part of the strategy to expand the company’s global presence, the LEGO Group announces that in addition to the headquarters in Billund (Denmark), main offices will be established in London (England), Enfield (USA), Singapore and Shanghai (China). The strong growth continues and the LEGO Group presents very satisfactory annual results for 2013.
10 years, the company has quadrupled its revenue. The LEGO name celebrates its 80th birthday. In 1934 the founder of the company – Ole Kirk Kristiansen – launched a competition to find a suitable name forHe won the competition himself by combining the first two letters of the words LEg and GOdt into the name “LEGO”. The LEGO Group continues its growth and presents strong annual results for 2012, nearly tripling the sales of 2007. LEGO MINDSTORMS celebrates its 15th birthday and launches its 3rd generation: LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 - powered by the new EV3 Intelligent Brick. The LEGO Group opens a sales office in Beijing, China and a new main office in Singapore. LEGO Brand Retail Store number 100 opens in White Plains, USA. Selected product news 2013 LEGO The Lone Ranger (in collaboration with Disney) “Step Up”: Organisational change in order to prepare the LEGO Group for future growth and to make it more adaptable and competitive.
Corporate Management changes from 6 to 22 persons. LEGO Universe closes as well as DesignbyME, because the two product lines are not sustainable. LEGO Education becomes a separate subsidiary under LEGO A/S. Selected Product news 2012A new line targeted at girls aged 5-8The world’s largest LEGOLAND Park. The LEGO Group launches its first appcessory “Life of George". The LEGO Group is now the world’s third largest toy manufacturer in terms of sales. Selected Product news 2011 Online game LEGO Universe launches. The World’s largest LEGO Mosaic is assembled in London. It measures 15,3 x 6,4 meters and consists of 384.000 LEGO Bricks and 1500 building plates and the motif is several Star Wars figures. Selected Product news 2010The day before his birthday Snuggles asked how I was going to decorate... I told him that since I wasn't feeling well there might not be very many decorations this year, but that we have cake, ice cream, pizza and presents after golf camp!
I did ask if he had anything specific in mind and he said, "You could just cover up all those with the LONE RANGER!" That I could do, and you should have seen his smile when he discovered them in the morning. On the counter next to , he also found some Lone Ranger themed accessories when he woke up in the morning! I found the , , and online. As for the White Cowboy Hat, I searched the night before his birthday, while out purchasing a few supplies for the cake, without any luck. In the end I went with a light pink foam hat from Michaels and a can of white spray paint. The Classic Lone Ranger & Tonto Board Game! (Note: It doesn't seem to be available for a reasonable price from Amazon any longer but Ebay might be an option.) I had filled a basket with candy bars that I thought tied in nicely to our theme to use as prizes including , , , , and bars! ~ The Lone Ranger (Little Golden Book) I had also picked up some to bag up as party favors for each of the children.