Multi-brand assortment: Difference between revisions
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A '''multi-brand assortment''' is an assortment of [[toy]]s typically released in multiple [[wave]]s, with the individual toys from different waves being branded as part of different toy lines or [[franchises]]. In other cases, toys within the ''same'' wave are branded as part of different toy lines or franchises. | A '''multi-brand assortment''' is an assortment of [[toy]]s typically released in multiple [[wave]]s, with the individual toys from different waves being branded as part of different toy lines or [[franchises]]. In other cases, toys within the ''same'' wave are branded as part of different toy lines or franchises. | ||
Typically, whenever [[Hasbro]] launches a new toy line, all the various [[size class]]es are reset and relaunched with new assortment numbers for the new line, regardless of whether they are sold | Typically, whenever [[Hasbro]] launches a new toy line, all the various [[size class]]es are reset and relaunched with new assortment numbers for the new line, regardless of whether they are sold under the same price point or not. This makes sense from a marketing standpoint, as it signalizes to retailers "Hey, this is ''new product'', completely different from the old product!" | ||
However, in some instances, an assortment ''is'' continued under a new line's banner with new product. This mostly applies to store [[exclusive]] assortments and side lines that only have one wave per franchise; because the figures in a subsequent wave are sold at the same price point, Hasbro decides to simply continue the assortment rather than reset it. | However, in some instances, an assortment ''is'' continued under a new line's banner with new product. This mostly applies to store [[exclusive]] assortments and side lines that only have one wave per franchise; because the figures in a subsequent wave are sold at the same price point, Hasbro decides to simply continue the assortment rather than reset it. | ||
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*The 2000 ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' Deluxe (assortment number 80465) and Ultra (assortment number 80475) assortments mixed ''[[Dinobot (BM)#Toys|Dinobots]]''-branded figures with ''Beast Machines''-branded ones within the same [[wave]]s. Both shared the same general packaging design template, but the ''Dinobots'' figures lacked the ''Beast Machines'' branding. | *The 2000 ''[[Beast Machines: Transformers (toyline)|Beast Machines]]'' Deluxe (assortment number 80465) and Ultra (assortment number 80475) assortments mixed ''[[Dinobot (BM)#Toys|Dinobots]]''-branded figures with ''Beast Machines''-branded ones within the same [[wave]]s. Both shared the same general packaging design template, but the ''Dinobots'' figures lacked the ''Beast Machines'' branding. | ||
*The ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Tiny Tins]] releases of the [[Spy Changer]]s were sold under the same same assortment number (47668) as the Tiny Tins versions of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Mini-Con]]s, at least the [[Race Mini-Con Team]] members [[Mirage (Armada)#Universe|Mirage]], [[Dirt Boss (Armada)#Universe|Dirt Boss]] and [[Downshift (Armada)#Universe|Downshift]]. In the United States, those were sold in ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' packaging, while in Europe, those were instead sold in ''Armada'' packaging. | *The ''[[Transformers: Robots in Disguise (2001 toyline)|Robots in Disguise]]'' [[Tiny Tins]] releases of the [[Spy Changer]]s were sold under the same same assortment number (47668) as the Tiny Tins versions of the ''[[Transformers: Armada (toyline)|Armada]]'' [[Mini-Con]]s, at least the [[Race Mini-Con Team]] members [[Mirage (Armada)#Universe|Mirage]], [[Dirt Boss (Armada)#Universe|Dirt Boss]] and [[Downshift (Armada)#Universe|Downshift]]. In the United States, those were sold in ''[[Transformers: Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' packaging, while in Europe, those were instead sold in ''Armada'' packaging. | ||
*In a particularly bizarre instance, the 2003 [[Walmart]] exclusive ''[[Transformers: Dinobots|Dinobots]]'' mini-line shipped as part of the ''Armada'' line's general retail "Super-Con" assortment (number 80702). | |||
*The [[KB Toys]] exclusive Deluxe assortment that contained ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]''-branded [[redeco]]s of ''Armada'' [[Demolishor (Armada)#Energon|Demolishor]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)#Energon|Cyclonus]] was given a second wave the following year branded as part of the ''Universe'' line (though with the packaging sporting various design elements taken from the concurrently released ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' line) that contained redecos of ''Energon'' [[Downshift (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Downshift]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)#Universe|Snow Cat]], sold under the same assortment number (27271). | *The [[KB Toys]] exclusive Deluxe assortment that contained ''[[Transformers: Energon (toyline)|Energon]]''-branded [[redeco]]s of ''Armada'' [[Demolishor (Armada)#Energon|Demolishor]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)#Energon|Cyclonus]] was given a second wave the following year branded as part of the ''Universe'' line (though with the packaging sporting various design elements taken from the concurrently released ''[[Transformers: Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' line) that contained redecos of ''Energon'' [[Downshift (Energon)#Universe (2003)|Downshift]] and [[Cyclonus (Armada)#Universe|Snow Cat]], sold under the same assortment number (27271). | ||
*The ''[[Titanium Series]]'' 3" Robot Masters figures arguably count; for the first seven waves, the assortment was released as part of its own line, sporting the ''Transformers'' title in the font used by a plethora of lines from 2001 through early 2007; but for the final three waves, it added characters from the [[live-action film series]], with the packaging being accordingly redesigned to match the standardized look of the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|2007 ''Transformers'' movie toy line]] (an instance of [[co-branding]]), while retaining the same assortment number (33901). | *The ''[[Titanium Series]]'' 3" Robot Masters figures arguably count; for the first seven waves, the assortment was released as part of its own line, sporting the ''Transformers'' title in the font used by a plethora of lines from 2001 through early 2007; but for the final three waves, it added characters from the [[live-action film series]], with the packaging being accordingly redesigned to match the standardized look of the [[Transformers (2007 toyline)|2007 ''Transformers'' movie toy line]] (an instance of [[co-branding]]), while retaining the same assortment number (33901). | ||
Revision as of 11:45, 10 January 2022
A multi-brand assortment is an assortment of toys typically released in multiple waves, with the individual toys from different waves being branded as part of different toy lines or franchises. In other cases, toys within the same wave are branded as part of different toy lines or franchises.
Typically, whenever Hasbro launches a new toy line, all the various size classes are reset and relaunched with new assortment numbers for the new line, regardless of whether they are sold under the same price point or not. This makes sense from a marketing standpoint, as it signalizes to retailers "Hey, this is new product, completely different from the old product!"
However, in some instances, an assortment is continued under a new line's banner with new product. This mostly applies to store exclusive assortments and side lines that only have one wave per franchise; because the figures in a subsequent wave are sold at the same price point, Hasbro decides to simply continue the assortment rather than reset it.
This is similar, but not identical to rebranding: Instead of rebranding the figures (or rather their packaging) themselves, the assortment is rebranded, but the actual products sold under different brands are not the same. It's also not the same thing as a subline imprint, which is still marketed as part of the same main line or franchise.
Examples
- The 2000 Beast Machines Deluxe (assortment number 80465) and Ultra (assortment number 80475) assortments mixed Dinobots-branded figures with Beast Machines-branded ones within the same waves. Both shared the same general packaging design template, but the Dinobots figures lacked the Beast Machines branding.
- The Robots in Disguise Tiny Tins releases of the Spy Changers were sold under the same same assortment number (47668) as the Tiny Tins versions of the Armada Mini-Cons, at least the Race Mini-Con Team members Mirage, Dirt Boss and Downshift. In the United States, those were sold in Universe packaging, while in Europe, those were instead sold in Armada packaging.
- In a particularly bizarre instance, the 2003 Walmart exclusive Dinobots mini-line shipped as part of the Armada line's general retail "Super-Con" assortment (number 80702).
- The KB Toys exclusive Deluxe assortment that contained Energon-branded redecos of Armada Demolishor and Cyclonus was given a second wave the following year branded as part of the Universe line (though with the packaging sporting various design elements taken from the concurrently released Cybertron line) that contained redecos of Energon Downshift and Snow Cat, sold under the same assortment number (27271).
- The Titanium Series 3" Robot Masters figures arguably count; for the first seven waves, the assortment was released as part of its own line, sporting the Transformers title in the font used by a plethora of lines from 2001 through early 2007; but for the final three waves, it added characters from the live-action film series, with the packaging being accordingly redesigned to match the standardized look of the 2007 Transformers movie toy line (an instance of co-branding), while retaining the same assortment number (33901).
- Arguably, the Transformers: Prime line's Cyberverse Legion Class assortment (number 37980) also counts: The assortment's second wave contained Soundwave, Mirage and Evac, three characters from the live-action film series universe, alongside the Transformers: Prime character Breakdown. In the United States, the three movie-based figures came on blister cards designed in the same style as the other figures in the assortment (including CG renders of the Prime cartoon's main cast), but were simply branded "Transformers", without the "Prime" moniker… hoooowever, their European versions did feature the "Prime" branding on their packaging.
- The 6" PVC Titan Guardians assortment released under the Beast Hunters brand, consisting of Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron and Shockwave, was given a second wave (now named "Titan Warriors") under the 2014 Transformers line, this time with Generation 1 versions of Optimus Prime, Megatron, Starscream and Soundwave, all of them sporting the same assortment number (A6107).
