Mattel Q&A with Action Figure Attack

Please keep in mind, this is not mine, I have nothing to do with it.. However I wanted to share for those who have yet to see it and people can start a discussion about it here. Enjoy


Q&A with Bill Miekina, Mattel Senior Designer for WWE

Las Vegas Super Toy Con took place this weekend and Mattel’s Senior Designer for WWE, Bill Miekina, was on hand showing off some amazing new action figures. Bill took the time to talk with me about this great line!

Action Figure Attack: There were some great reveals here this weekend like the Elite Hall of Fame Tito Santana and the 4 Horsemen box set. Is there anything that’s been shown that you’re particularly excited about?

Bill Miekina: Of course the Sting figure. It’s the first ever Mattel Sting. The amount of people that I’ve gotten to work on now with the brand is just unbelievable; Hogan, Savage, Warrior, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, and now Sting. There are very few people in terms of all time Legends that I grew up watching that I haven’t worked on which is just mind blowing. So yeah, the Sting figure and also I really like the Hall of Fame 4 Horsemen four pack. I always loved the Horsemen as a kid. We finally get a Barry Windham in the line and I know a lot of people have wanted one. We finally found a place to get him in so I’m pretty happy about that.

Action Figure Attack: The Target Exclusive Hall of Fame Series has had spotty distribution. Are the recent port issues possibly a cause? Will we be seeing these in more plentiful supply?

Bill Miekina: You know it might actually. I’m not sure but that could be a reason why. We shipped them to arrive January for the planograms (reset). They might be in the port. I was actually over in China at the beginning of January for a factory visit and one of the lines the were producing was the Hall of Fame series so I know that if they are not in the stores now, there’s a lot more coming. I saw them all in the factory so patience will be rewarded if you’re having a hard time looking for them.

Action Figure Attack: The Elite Mankind figure that was offered on Amazon last year was originally intended to be a part of the annual Toys R Us mail away program. Will the mail away program return?

Bill Miekina: We’ve readjusted some programs that don’t work as well as others and that was one of those that changed. We probably won’t be doing another mail away like that. At least I don’t think we’ll be doing one. We’re always trying to change our strategies, get the best stuff out and make sure we get stuff that people want out in a timely manner.

Action Figure Attack: What’s the status of the Build-A-Figure Paul Bearer and Kane waves hitting the US?

Bill Miekina: I actually did something with the Paul Bearer figure this week to help ensure it comes out at some point. It is planned to ship again. At a certain point it is out of my hands but I do my part to make sure that eventually people get that waves.

Action Figure Attack: Is the Target Hall of Fame series doing well in your view? Is it going to go beyond what you’re showing here this weekend?

Bill Miekina: Hopefully! The first series seems to be selling extremely well. I think we have a strong talent selection in the second wave. I have stuff penciled in for 2016. If we continue to go forward, I’m excited to start working on it. Let’s hope the sales don’t fall off a cliff anytime soon because some cool stuff could be coming.

Action Figure Attack: Can we still expect two Hall of Fame waves a year or could that possibly be bumped up?

Bill Miekina: Right now it’s planned at two waves a year. If the demand is there, you never know but right now it is planned for the two waves.

Action Figure Attack: What were the thoughts behind the decision to finally move forward with an Elite multipack (Hall of Fame 4 Horsemen)? Are more planned?

Bill Miekina: Yeah, with Mattel if something sells we’ll probably do it again. We’ll do it until it doesn’t sell and then we’ll change it obviously. The plan is to do a four pack of Elite figures with minimal accessories and guys that don’t have as much deco. We can do a value play. The 4 Horsemen all in one set for a very reasonable price is something that we feel will appeal to a lot of people that collect the line. I have another one sort of penciled in and worked on. If the Horsemen set does well, that one will launch and I know people will get pretty excited about the next one too! Hopefully everyone buys this one.

Action Figure Attack: What’s the retail price for the Elite four pack?

Bill Miekina: It’s planned to be around $50. We don’t actually set the retail price. Target actually sets the retail price but it’s designed to be at a $50 price point.


Action Figure Attack: Now that we have Elite multipacks in the pipeline, is a Mega Powers two pack or three pack with Elizabeth a possibility?

Bill Miekina: Yeah, there’s a lot more possibility for things like that. I can’t get too much into particulars without giving away anything, but yeah, the Mega Powers are pretty important so we’ll probably be doing something along those lines eventually.

Action Figure Attack: Without going into specifics on talent, are there any new Legends that have become available to Mattel for inclusion in the line?

Bill Miekina: I just found out the other day about one. I put in a lineup for approval and I didn’t know if I had the rights to him or not and it was approved which means I did! So it means I can’t wait to work on this one.

Huge thanks to Bill for taking the time to answer some questions!! I can’t wait to pick up all the amazing figures that were revealed this weekend.