Some cool news coming out this week as financial reports roll in. According to the Canadian Press, Mattel did well during the Christmas season, and inventory has increased compared with a year ago. However, they're spending "at a pretty high rate" because of the current litigation over the Bratz doll property.

Also, costs for resin, packaging, labour and shipping are rising, "as well as the strengthening Chinese currency, plans to raise prices in the second quarter by mid- to high-single-digit percentages." It's not specified if this will affect the Monster High property specifically, but it's reasonable to assume it applies to all Mattel products.

Additionally, CEO Bob Eckert said the company would "at least think about" a Monster High movie in 2012. (We first heard about this possibility in the original Monster High press release.

Next, Mattel has signed "a multi-year licensing agreement" with online fashion paper doll site Stardoll for a physical product line this fall. No word on what it might be, but it's likely to be related to fashion, paper dolls, or both. (via).

For electronics fans, the Skullette door sensor will be released on Dec 1, 2011 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon.

And the really big news...

Not only will there be a second wave of Dawn of the Dance during or after March 2011... (source)

According to this voice actress's Twitter, her new character will be revealed two days from now. (At the Toy Fair, perhaps? Or in a corresponding webisode?) This voice actress is also currently recording for a new character.

I know I'm crossing my fingers for Abbey and Spectra, how about you?

(Incidentally, Erin Fitzgerald revealed some other new MH voice actors in her Facebook post: Wendee Lee and Cindy Robinson.)