Note 2—Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill is allocated to various reporting units, which are at the operating segment level, for purposes of evaluating whether goodwill is impaired. Mattel’s reporting units are: (i) North America, (ii) International, and (iii) American Girl. Components of the operating segments have been aggregated into a single reporting unit as the components have similar economic characteristics. The similar economic characteristics include the nature of the products, the nature of the production processes, the customers, and the manner in which the products are distributed.

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment for 2014 and 2013 is shown below. Brand-specific goodwill held by foreign subsidiaries is allocated to the North America and American Girl operating segments selling those brands, thereby causing a foreign currency translation impact for these operating segments.


	North America			International			American Girl			Total
	(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	546,898		$	320,169		$	213,731		$	1,080,798
Currency exchange rate impact		697			1,487			257			2,441

Balance at December 31, 2013		547,595			321,656			213,988			1,083,239
Acquisition		176,182			144,148			—			320,330
Currency exchange rate impact		(2,264	)		(6,569	)		(768	)		(9,601	)

Balance at December 31, 2014	$	721,513		$	459,235		$	213,220		$	1,393,968

In the third quarter of 2014, Mattel assessed its goodwill for impairment by evaluating qualitative factors for each of its reporting units and determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of its reporting units were less than the carrying amounts. As a result of this determination, the quantitative two-step goodwill impairment test was deemed unnecessary. Mattel has not recorded any goodwill impairment charges since it initially adopted the provisions of ASC 350-20, Goodwill.

Acquisition of MEGA Brands Inc.

On April 30, 2014, Mattel acquired MEGA Brands Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada (“MEGA Brands”), pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement dated as of February 27, 2014, between MEGA Brands, Mattel Overseas Operations Ltd., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Bermuda, Mattel-MEGA Holdings Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada (the “Purchasing Subsidiary”), and, with respect to certain provisions thereof, Mattel (the “Arrangement Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms set forth in the Arrangement Agreement, Mattel indirectly acquired, through the Purchasing Subsidiary, 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares and warrants of MEGA Brands for total cash consideration of $454.9 million, including payment for cash acquired of $31.6 million. The acquisition of MEGA Brands will build upon Mattel’s portfolio of brands by expanding into the construction building sets and arts and crafts categories.

The total purchase consideration was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. As a result of the acquisition, Mattel recognized $95.0 million of identifiable intangible assets (primarily related to trade names and existing product lines), $39.6 million of net assets acquired (which included $31.6 million of cash, $35.3 million of accounts receivable, $83.3 million of inventory, $32.5 million of property, plant, and equipment, $66.6 million of accounts payable and accrued liabilities, $44.6 million of long-term debt, and $31.9 million of other net liabilities), and $320.3 million of goodwill, which is not deductible for tax purposes. The fair values of the identifiable intangible assets related to trade names were based on the relief from royalty method, using Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy, which included forecasted future cash flows, long-term revenue growth rates, royalty rates, and discount rates. The fair values of the identifiable intangible assets related to existing product lines were estimated based on the multi-period excess earnings method, using Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy, which included forecasted future cash flows, long-term revenue growth rates, and discount rates. Goodwill relates to a number of factors built into the purchase price, including the future earnings and cash flow potential of the business, as well as the complementary strategic fit and the resulting synergies it brings to Mattel’s existing operations. Mattel is in the process of finalizing the valuation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The determination of the final values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed may result in adjustments to the values presented and a corresponding adjustment to goodwill.

During 2014, Mattel recognized approximately $21 million and $7 million of integration costs and transaction costs, respectively. Integration and transaction costs are recorded within other selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The pro forma and actual results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented because they are not material.

Acquisition of HIT Entertainment

On February 1, 2012, Mattel acquired Helium Holdings 1A Ltd, a private limited company existing under the laws of Jersey (“HIT Entertainment”), pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of October 23, 2011, between Mattel’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Mattel Entertainment Holdings Limited, a private limited company existing under the laws of England and Wales (the “Purchasing Sub”), HIT Entertainment’s parent company, HIT Entertainment Scottish Limited Partnership, a limited partnership existing under the laws of Scotland and majority-owned by a consortium of funds led by Apax Partners, LLP and its affiliates (the “Selling Stockholder”) and, with respect to certain provisions thereof, Mattel (the “Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms set forth in the Purchase Agreement, Mattel indirectly acquired, through the Purchasing Sub, 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of HIT Entertainment from the Selling Stockholder for total cash consideration of $713.5 million, including payment for acquired cash, subject to customary adjustments. HIT Entertainment owns and licenses a diverse portfolio of pre-school entertainment brands, including Thomas & Friends.

Mattel recognized approximately $5 million and $18 million of integration costs during 2013 and 2012, respectively. During 2012, Mattel recognized approximately $6 million of transaction costs. No integration costs were incurred during 2014, and no transaction costs were incurred during 2014 or 2013. Integration and transaction costs are recorded within other selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The pro forma and actual results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented because they are not material.

Other Intangibles

Identifiable intangibles include the following:


	December 31,
	2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Nonamortizable identifiable intangibles	$	498,517	$	504,241
Identifiable intangibles (net of amortization of $103.6 million and $68.3 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively)		240,227		176,579

	$	738,744	$	680,820

In connection with the acquisition of MEGA Brands during 2014, Mattel recognized $95.0 million of amortizable identifiable intangible assets, primarily related to trade names and existing product lines.

During the second quarter of 2013, Mattel changed its brand strategy for Polly Pocket^®, which includes a more focused allocation of resources to support the Polly Pocket brand in specific markets, resulting in a reduction of the forecasted future cash flows of the brand. As a result of the change, Mattel tested the Polly Pocket trade name for impairment. The Polly Pocket trade name, which had a carrying value of approximately $113 million, was previously determined to be a nonamortizable intangible asset. Its fair value was determined to be approximately $99 million based on a discounted cash flow analysis using the multi-period excess earnings method. Level 3 inputs, including forecasted future cash flows, an estimated useful life, and a discount rate, were used in the valuation. As the fair value of the asset was below the carrying value, Mattel recorded an impairment charge of approximately $14 million, which was reflected within other selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations for the North America and International operating segments during 2013.

In conjunction with the Polly Pocket trade name impairment test, Mattel reassessed the intangible asset’s nonamortizable classification and determined that the nonamortizable classification could no longer be supported. During the second quarter of 2013, the Polly Pocket trade name was reclassified as an amortizable intangible asset, and the remaining fair value of the asset is being amortized over its estimated remaining useful life.

Mattel tests nonamortizable intangible assets, including trademarks and trade names, for impairment annually in the third quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values may exceed the fair values. During 2014, Mattel performed the annual impairment tests and determined that its nonamortizable intangible assets were not impaired.

Mattel also tests its amortizable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. Mattel determined that its amortizable intangible assets were not impaired during 2014.