Barbie turns 64: How Mattel has kept the doll brand alive for so long
1 year, 9 months ago

Barbie turns 64: How Mattel has kept the doll brand alive for so long

Firstpost  

Rejected by the toy industry at first, Barbie is now one of America’s most trusted brands. By creating an iconic brand with special meaning for fans of all ages, toy company Mattel has successfully extended the lifecycle of the Barbie brand for well over half a century. But while most toys remain popular for only two or three years, Barbie’s long-term success reflects Mattel’s responsiveness and adaptability to the changing cultural and political discourse in society and around this doll. The storylines and individual characteristics of the additional characters connect to Barbie’s persona resonate with fans’ emotions, sustaining interest in the brand. Mattel successfully extended Barbie’s brand to capture new audiences, drive growth and expand into new types of products beyond dolls.

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History of this topic

Dressing Barbie was always the best part. Just ask costume designer Jacqueline Durran
10 months ago

Dressing Barbie was always the best part. Just ask costume designer Jacqueline Durran

LA Times  

“Weird Barbie could have been in rags or in a crazy costume that was just pieces of things put together,” says costume designer Jacqueline Durran. After “Barbie” came out, Mattel sent costume designer Jacqueline Durran a box filled with its new collection of dolls, each wearing clothes based on her designs for the movie. “I didn’t really question wanting to …

‘Barbie’s’ influence hasn’t slowed down. Pink Crocs and gender equality, anyone?
1 year ago

‘Barbie’s’ influence hasn’t slowed down. Pink Crocs and gender equality, anyone?

LA Times  

One of the earlier images released of Margot Robbie as Barbie before the film premiered in July and went on to create a lifestyle sensation. The trailer promised that “if you love Barbie,” and “if you hate Barbie,” then “this movie is for you.” For those put off by Stereotypical Barbie’s straight blond hair, white skin and impossible figure, the …

Mattel launches Weird Barbie doll based on Barbie The Movie
1 year, 4 months ago

Mattel launches Weird Barbie doll based on Barbie The Movie

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for insider tips and product reviews from our shopping experts Sign up for our free IndyBest email Sign up for our free IndyBest email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But the good news is it’s now possible to relive some of your …

A love letter to Weird Barbie
1 year, 4 months ago

A love letter to Weird Barbie

LA Times  

Dear Weird Barbie, I’ve seen videos of what the others look like. As someone who never really felt like they knew how to play with dolls “correctly,” Barbie seemed untouchable to me. You, Weird Barbie, gave Barbie — gave me — permission to be all of the things she isn’t: off-putting, awkward, a hodgepodge of colors and feelings that some …

Plastic-free Barbie was a hoax, but pollution from the iconic doll is real
1 year, 4 months ago

Plastic-free Barbie was a hoax, but pollution from the iconic doll is real

LA Times  

Environmental activists have seized on the hit movie “Barbie” as a way to spark a broader conversation about plastic pollution. On the heels of Mattel Films’ blockbuster “Barbie” movie, the company has been taking heavy criticism over the toy’s environmental footprint. They also touted a new line of “Ecowarrior” Barbie dolls that were modeled after prominent environmental advocates including Thunberg …

Barbie has made $1b at the global box office. Experts are crediting its 'masterclass' marketing campaign
1 year, 4 months ago

Barbie has made $1b at the global box office. Experts are crediting its 'masterclass' marketing campaign

ABC  

Barbie has surpassed $1 billion at the global box office just three weeks after its release – and it's on track to become the biggest movie of the year. Barbie was already an iconic piece of intellectual property, but experts say those behind the film did not rest on their laurels, and they credit its "masterclass" marketing campaign for its …

Column: What ‘Barbie’ teaches us about the beauty of growing old
1 year, 4 months ago

Column: What ‘Barbie’ teaches us about the beauty of growing old

LA Times  

I was 5 ½ when Barbie was born. But speaking of “Barbie’s” message, I was inspired by my visit with actress Mimi Rogers and hearing her thoughts on aging naturally and with grace. And I began researching love among older adults after interviewing a woman who emailed me to say that, at 71, she’s enjoying a robust affair with an …

After ‘Barbie’ success, Mattel set to make it big in Hollywood with 14 films
1 year, 4 months ago

After ‘Barbie’ success, Mattel set to make it big in Hollywood with 14 films

The Hindu  

It appears as if Mattel has officially arrived in Hollywood after the humungous success of Barbie. Greta Gerwig’s film, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, has scripted box office records since its release on July 21, paving the way for Mattel to be involved in many projects with A-list partners. Currently, 14 Mattel properties are in active development, including Barney, …

The age of Barbie
1 year, 4 months ago

The age of Barbie

The Hindu  

It was inevitable, going by the general rules of the universe, that Barbie would see a resurgence. Barbie fever is so high that not only are people around the world wearing pink to go watch the movie, but everything from food to political memes and messages are awash with it. Guatemala to Pakistan On the predictable business side, the makers …

Oppie's everything, she's just Barbie: Breaking down the lows and lows of Greta Gerwig's blockbuster disappointment
1 year, 4 months ago

Oppie's everything, she's just Barbie: Breaking down the lows and lows of Greta Gerwig's blockbuster disappointment

Hindustan Times  

It feels odd to be on the other side of it. But also, whatever happens in Barbieland - like Ken’s patriarchy takeover - seems to somehow affect sales of actual Barbie dolls in the real world. This inconsistent tone and writing that hinge on convenience is on full display in one of the film’s laziest scenes, in which Barbie first …

‘My collection must be into the thousands’: Meet the adults hooked on buying Barbies
1 year, 5 months ago

‘My collection must be into the thousands’: Meet the adults hooked on buying Barbies

The Independent  

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about …

Too gay, too weird, too pregnant: The most controversial Barbie dolls in history
1 year, 5 months ago

Too gay, too weird, too pregnant: The most controversial Barbie dolls in history

The Independent  

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about …

Barbie review: Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig's visual confection plays a little too much like an advertisement
1 year, 5 months ago

Barbie review: Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig's visual confection plays a little too much like an advertisement

ABC  

Traditional tentpoles just aren't cashing in anymore. Interview: Greta Gerwig on RN's The Screen Show Photo shows The director Greta Gerwig, actors Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in cowgirl/boy outfits all standing and laughing At the centre of it all is Stereotypical Barbie, who wakes each morning to a cheery chorus of greetings from her peers. Barbie's world is crumbling: …

‘Barbenheimer’: Why the ‘Barbie’ vs ‘Oppenhemier’ phenomenon is a movie event for the ages
1 year, 5 months ago

‘Barbenheimer’: Why the ‘Barbie’ vs ‘Oppenhemier’ phenomenon is a movie event for the ages

The Hindu  

The Queen of Dreams meets the Lord of Death this Friday. “Barbie’s aesthetics have gone into the construction of garments, and I believe that when it comes to influence, even the skater skirt can be traced back to Barbie.” Meanwhile, fashion designer Archana Rao says her journey started with styling Barbie dolls. “With Gerwig’s film, it’s about why a film …

Barbie film review: The excellent ‘Barbie’ is a surprisingly cerebral movie
1 year, 5 months ago

Barbie film review: The excellent ‘Barbie’ is a surprisingly cerebral movie

Live Mint  

Barbie film review: Crying occupies more space than you might expect in director Greta Gerwig's highly anticipated Barbie, a movie preoccupied with mortality and the general pain of being a human—specifically a woman—in an imperfect world. At the center of Gerwig's exploration: Margot Robbie's Barbie, a version of the famous Mattel Inc. doll come to life. Rollerblading in Santa Monica, …

Barbie owners could see huge windfall driven by Hollywood movie
1 year, 5 months ago

Barbie owners could see huge windfall driven by Hollywood movie

Daily Mail  

With Barbie-mania about to sweep the nation with the release of the film, owners of the iconic dolls could be in for a windfall. Industry forecasts suggest that the movie starring Margot Robbie will bring in a staggering £850 million – ten times what it cost to make. And thanks to its popularity, sales of Barbie figurines, which hit the …

Subversive, smart and pink all over: What to know about the ‘Barbie’ movie
1 year, 5 months ago

Subversive, smart and pink all over: What to know about the ‘Barbie’ movie

LA Times  

If everything seems a little more pink lately, you can thank — and/or blame — Barbie. The Greta Gerwig-directed “Barbie” movie, starring Margot Robbie as the titular doll and Ryan Gosling as Ken, heads to theaters July 21 following a promo blitz that ranges from insurance commercials to a real-life Malibu Dreamhouse on Airbnb. The “Barbie” movie showcases Gosling in …

Mattel introduces first Barbie with Down syndrome
1 year, 7 months ago

Mattel introduces first Barbie with Down syndrome

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Toy company Mattel revealed its first Barbie doll representing a person with Down syndrome on Tuesday. Mattel collaborated with the National Down Syndrome Society to create the Barbie and “ensure the doll accurately represents a person with Down syndrome,” the company said. Barbie’s new doll representing a person with Down syndrome is part of Mattel’s 2023 Fashionistas line, …

Mattel launches first Barbie with Down syndrome to ‘counter social stigma’
1 year, 7 months ago

Mattel launches first Barbie with Down syndrome to ‘counter social stigma’

LA Times  

This Barbie has Down syndrome: Toymaker Mattel Inc., has teamed with the National Down Syndrome Society to introduce its first Barbie with the genetic condition on Tuesday — the latest doll in its inclusive lineup. The El Segundo, Calif.-based company said that the new fashion doll is “created to allow even more children to see themselves in Barbie, as well …

This Barbie used to be trash. Mattel courts toy-shopping parents with sustainable products
2 years ago

This Barbie used to be trash. Mattel courts toy-shopping parents with sustainable products

LA Times  

Toy giant Mattel is trying to confront the plastic pollution crisis with 33 playthings it says are sustainable, including the Barbie Loves the Ocean doll. These toys, sold by Mattel Inc., are part of a push by the $104-billion global toy industry to make its overwhelmingly plastic products more sustainable amid a plastic pollution crisis. The company has pledged that …

‘The first Barbie I’d buy’: Mattel unveils new celebrity Barbie
2 years, 2 months ago

‘The first Barbie I’d buy’: Mattel unveils new celebrity Barbie

The Independent  

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Barbie and Elon: It’s a thing. Mattel and SpaceX are planning a toy line
2 years, 5 months ago

Barbie and Elon: It’s a thing. Mattel and SpaceX are planning a toy line

LA Times  

Barbie has traveled to space several times over the years, including Astronaut Barbie, first introduced in the 1960s. In 2023, Mattel, the company that brought the world Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels, will begin launching SpaceX-inspired toys under its Matchbox brand, best known to generations of children for its toy cars. Although the venture marks SpaceX’s first launch into the …

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