Mattel Inc

Mattel Inc. reported a 20% increase in third-quarter profit Thursday, an indication of the $8-billion toy industry's continued health. The El Segundo-based toy maker earned $70.1 million, or 71 cents a share, in the quarter ended Sept. 30. The company also reported a net sales increase of 14% over the 1991 period, with revenue of $606 million, up from $532 million.

Mattel Inc. has signed a deal with Universal Studios to market and distribute DVDs based on two of the toy maker's doll lines, Barbie and Polly Pocket, the companies said. Financial terms were not disclosed. The multiyear deal gives Universal worldwide distribution rights for the movies. The company's previous distribution deal with Mattel was limited to Barbie DVD releases outside the U.S. Film studio Lionsgate handled domestic releases.

Los Angeles magazine publisher EMAP Petersen Inc. Wednesday signed a licensing deal with Mattel Inc., under which the toy maker will manufacture product lines based on Hot Rod, Motor Trend, Teen and other Petersen titles. Terms were not disclosed. Toys planned for this year include an electronic hand-held game to be called Teen Ms. Quiz. Mattel is based in El Segundo.

Mattel Inc. asked consumers to stop using 196,000 kitchen toys made in Mexico because small pieces may pose a choking hazard to children. The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn 2-in-1 Learning Kitchen toys were sold worldwide from May to October for about $70 each, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said. There have been 48 reports of parts separating from the toys, with children gagging or choking on them.

El Segundo-based Mattel Inc. selected Bruce L. Stein, president of Mattel World, to fill the vacant post of chief operating officer. Stein will hold both posts and manage Mattel's product lines and the firm's international activities. Stein also will oversee Mattel's Fisher-Price subsidiary. The position of chief operating officer became vacant when Jill E. Barad became Mattel's chief executive early this year. Mattel's shares closed unchanged at $34.50 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Police were called to Mattel Inc.'s corporate headquarters in El Segundo on Tuesday after a plastic bottle exploded. A security guard at the toy company's design studio at 2031 East Mariposa Ave. reported hearing what sounded like multiple explosions around 7 a.m., according to El Segundo police. When authorities arrived, they found that a plastic bottle had exploded. Employees inside were evacuated while sheriff's arson and explosives investigators inspected the facility, but nothing else was found.