TG-
I completely understand the marketing aspect of things since I am in the marketing dept of a corporation. I think making marketing decisions a bit more 'transparent' would help those that don't understand marketing.
Here is my list of things so far:
1. Use the Org as your test/focus group.
Yes, you are "preaching to the choir" so I understand not revealing things hear. However, sometimes even the preacher needs to reach out to his congregation lol.
I am not sure what the percentage of toys are sold are sold to Org members but I bet it is a SUBSTANTIAL amount and at the very least it would make a GREAT population sampling of the target market. I would KILL to have this sort of population sample for our product research. It seems that our enthusiasm/or lack of enthusiasm for certain characters on this site can sweep across to many other site across the net therefor drumming up support for even the most minor of figures.
So, Why not MINE that golden info from time to time. Make a poll, make it unnofficial.
2. Use the podcast to give Mattel a human/fan side.
Why not combine your Q&A(which you do already) and the podcast into one and send your Q&As into the podcast. it could be a semi-monthly segment just like the Q&As are. HEARING the answers coming from a living human being would REALLY help deflect criticism AND give Mattel a more 'fan' edge as you would then be placed into the same category as fan since people would hear your voice along with all the other hosts which are fans.
3. Honesty
Honesty IS the best policy even if things hurt. People HATE to feel stupid, lied to or worse yet get the feeling they are being made fools of and even more so on the internet when they can vent their anger anonymously.
If there is a mistake, no matter how small, own up to it.
Yes, this DOES include DR but I will not talk about that here.
However, things like mistakes in bios, character rights(which you have been honest about) etc need improvement. Also, what happened to things such as "we get extra heads so no mini comics" since now it seems no extra heads if they are 200X heads. If we get less extra heads we should then get mini comics back. I think it is because the higher ups have decided to trim even more off the figures cause they know they can. If this IS the case then this is something that NEEDS to be honestly told to fans. It hurts but it'd help. Heck, if we were vocal about things maybe fans could change TPTBs stance on 200X, or some other cause, altogether
4. Preach to the choir!!!Let them sing it loud and sing it proud
I know, I know, you said giving reveals or special treatment to the site(or any other) is counter productive. But WHY would some preach to the choir?????
Because the choir can SING what the preacher wants said even LOUDER and FARTHER than the preacher could ever dream of being heard.
I think sending out preview samples are GREAT. heck I think people here or at any other site would love what you did at the art show. Show some mystery items with no explanation.
Here is how it could work the week before SDCC
day 1(Friday):
org gets a VERY macro shot(picture/link hosted at matty) of some figure/weapon and fans need to go to matty to guess what it is
day 2(Saturday):
thefwoosh gets another macro shot again hosted by matty with link. Fans are directed to matty to guess what it is.
day 3(Sunday):
4H get a macro shot on their site with a linkto matty. Fans again can guess at matty.
day 4(Monday):
popculturnetwork get a shot as well that is hosted by matty which fans are directed to where they can guess
day 5(Tuesday):
matty collector reveals another pic on their facebook and website.
day 6(Wednesday/preview night)
the entire figure/weapon is then revealed on preview night. If they were pics of different items then the fan who guessed everything right gets something free.
You would gain A LOT of momentum leading up to SDCC and since you would probably reveal something small anyway on preview night it is a win win.
5. Promise something and follow through:
even if it is something small as making galleries and other content on the matty site make sure it happens. When things do not happen that were talked bout, fans will remember, fans LIVE to remember things like that lol
6. Why yes i am available for hire. 
