There was a really interesting video published recently by CNN reporter Jake Tapper that I thought to share with you. Jake summarizes LEGO’s past struggles, highlights its current successes, and even hint on some future possibilities. Check it out and let me know what you think! 🙂
The CNN video was published just the day after The LEGO Simpsons episode came out, and pointed out that LEGO seems to be everywhere these days. Besides The Simpsons’ 550th episode where all of Springfield and its resident get LEGO-ised, there is also the The LEGO Movie with its incredible success. Even Lady Gaga got on the LEGO-craze in her latest music video where she fuses herself with a LEGO sculpture by LEGO artist Nathan Sawaya. And don’t forget about the new LEGO documentary, which just premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, titled Beyond the Brick: A LEGO Brickumnetary by Daniel Junge and Kief Davidson (you can read more about the documentary here).
The CNN report the goes on to recount some of the challenges from LEGO’s past that almost resulted in bankruptcy, quoting David Robertson, the author of the fascinating book on LEGO’s history titled Brick by Brick: How LEGO Rewrote the Rules of Innovation and Conquered the Global Toy Industry (see full review here: LEGO Book: Brick by Brick Review).
Then the report turns to the present, highlighting LEGO’s current successes with new product lines, video games and of course The LEGO Movie. David Robertson prediction about where he sees LEGO heading is really interesting… competing with Disney? 🙄
Overall I thought this was a really well put together and interesting report. Or maybe I’m just partial as a LEGO fan? What do you think? How did you like the video? And where do you see LEGO going in the future? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below. 😉
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First Comment! I liked the simpsons episode. I thought it was funny how it included plot elements from the LEGO movie, and hw they even mentioned it 🙂
My favorite part was the Hunger Games parody. That needed to happen!
Yeah, I really liked that too. 😛
It was funny, but I couldn’t believe LEGO is cpompeting with disney (maybe) 🙂
I bet it was Ninjago and the LEGO Movie that made LEGO so great. That plus the LOTR.
Bionicle saved them from bankruptcy 🙂
Isn’t this a little to late to be talking about their bankruptcy? Didn’t Knudstorp get them out of bankruptcy over SEVEN years ago?
LEGO was close to banruptcy. It never actually happened. It is a huge thing though that they turned it around, and something that is an important reminder both to LEGO and LEGO fans, and even other businesses, what could happen when a company looses their vision and guiding principles. That lesson is never too old and never should be forgotten. It is important to remember the past – not wallow in it, but remember the lessons learned – so we don’t make the same mistakes in the future. It is interesting to note that bankruptcies stay on your credit report for seven years. There is a reason for that. 😉
when was it close to bankruptcy? 😯
they said a decade ago.
2003 to be more specific. Nothing new that year. 😕
whoa, I never knew they almost went into bankruptcy.
Everything is awesome for LEGO. 😉 megablocks and kre-o don’t stand a chance! 😀
Yeah!….
Go LEGO! Boo Other -Brands -That -Shall-Not -Be-Named! 🙂
LEGO competing with Disney? Did I read that correctly? Disney makes movies, and LEGO makes toys. I don’t really see the threat of competition here…
If you watch the video it will be more clear of what that refers to. 😉
Why would LEGO compete with Disney if Disney has some of their major toy brands including Star Wars, Disney Princess and Pirates of the Carribean?
I had that question as well…
I thought that was weird, but I guess it means who makes the most money
Interesting! As I really didn’t know anything about Lego until 2011, I never knew it was close to bankruptcy 😮 ! But it makes sense b/c it was the same-old HP and SW stuff, those aren’t the most popular…. 😕
Although, the video makes it sound like Lego is a group of greedy toy makers. Sure, the world runs on money, but it almost sounds like Lego is out to make money, not toys. 😕 😐
BTW, last night I found that the Ultra Agents sets are coming out on May 25 in the US and Canada 🙂 , but strangely they’re not on the UK site. 😕
may 25th YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 25 for Agents? Yay! I missed the old ones because I spent my money on other stuff.
the old ones (agents) got discontinued when me and my sister started really getting into LEGO. 🙂