It's quite possible that there is nothing in the world that LEGO can't do a version of; the new LEGO 2012 Olympic Minifigures are a perfect example of how the popular building blocks are always one step ahead of the latest craze.
Indiana Jones, Star Wars and Harry Potter all have undergone LEGO makeovers in the past decade. LEGO has come a long way since its debut in the late 1940s, making it one of the longest-standing toys in history.
Crazes come and go, and what's in one month may quickly be out the next, but LEGO adapts to evolving tastes and fads by incorporating them into themes for the plastic blocks. The LEGO 2012 Olympic set will only be available in a variety of minifigures, but architecturally talented kids will easily be able to construct their own stadium to house the LEGO Olympics.
Mini Building Block Athletes
The LEGO Olympic 2012 Minifigures are Ready to Compete
Trend Themes
1. Customizable Miniature Athletes - LEGO's release of the 2012 Olympic Minifigures showcases the trend of customizable miniature athletes.
2. Branding with Popular Culture References - LEGO's success in incorporating popular culture themes, such as Indiana Jones and Star Wars, presents a trend for businesses to incorporate similar branding strategies.
3. Nostalgic Toy Revivals - The continued success of LEGO, a long-standing toy in history, demonstrates the trend of reviving nostalgic toys for modern audiences.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - The success of LEGO and their continued adaptations to changing trends creates an opportunity for innovation in the toy manufacturing industry.
2. Sports Applications - The introduction of the LEGO 2012 Olympic set provides an opportunity for innovation in sports applications and merchandise.
3. Marketing and Advertising - LEGO's branding strategies and success in incorporating popular culture references into their products presents an opportunity for innovation in marketing and advertising.