I happen to run across an article about Barbie recently. She is one controversial gal who has gone through many changes over the years.
For some reason Barbie sales are down 13%! The adult market is unaccounted for. The article refers to parent consumers. Perhaps sales would increase if they made some of the changes adult collectors suggest!
After listening to the song in the first commercial, I can understand why some shoppers would be concerned about the image that is portrayed for little girls... "really me? Petite?" Maybe, just maybe they should market to big girls and big boys a little harder! :-)
Read further about Barbie's future with Sports Illustrated and a lot about her past and let me know what you think? Just what is your opinion on these Barbie topics?
Let's start with her first commercial shown during the Mickey Mouse Club in 1959.
For some reason Barbie sales are down 13%! The adult market is unaccounted for. The article refers to parent consumers. Perhaps sales would increase if they made some of the changes adult collectors suggest!
After listening to the song in the first commercial, I can understand why some shoppers would be concerned about the image that is portrayed for little girls... "really me? Petite?" Maybe, just maybe they should market to big girls and big boys a little harder! :-)
Read further about Barbie's future with Sports Illustrated and a lot about her past and let me know what you think? Just what is your opinion on these Barbie topics?
Let's start with her first commercial shown during the Mickey Mouse Club in 1959.
The words in the commercial which talk
about her purpose was really thought provoking!
Coming soon!
 This is a depiction of how she and Ken might look today if she aged like the rest of us.  Is the one on the right the way Barbie should really look? Would you buy her?  Through all of her controversy she remains "unapologetic" GO BARBIE! |
Posts
"You can tell it's Mattel, it's swell!" Golly gee that was a nice commercial, lol. I can see why little girls ate it up.
ReplyDeleteThose commercials for kids back then were no different from the commercials for women that told them how to have a sparkling household and shiny appliances. It was a different era and though it may not seem like it, Barbie changed as the times changed. Is she an accurate reflection of women today and what girls should strive for? Probably not, but she's not the anti-Christ either.
Hi Muff!
DeleteYes, times have changed thank goodness. Her look is pretty much locked in I believe. Otherwise she would not be Barbie. Even us big girls and boys love her!
Older barbie and ken I love it !!
ReplyDeleteHi Tinisha!
DeleteFunny huh? But she still looks pretty good...except for the wrinkled knees. lol
Hello Grandmommy,
ReplyDeleteThat commercial was a great find. how times have changed! While I think it would be great for Barbie to be more realistic for girls, I don't think they would sell...oh humanity!
Big hug,
Giac
Hi Giac!
DeleteI had a good laugh with the commercial. lol I guess a large part of Barbie is the fantasy.
I too can see why little girls and boys were hooked on the doll. It just funny how time have changed and Barbie has remained classic. As a little girl I wanted my Cara to do everything, she had no limits BUT she worked hard for that pool, camper, townhouse, cruise and ski vacation! She did look great because if I wanted to any other accessories, well I had to knit and sew them! My mother and father "shattered" the dream of being catered too. If you wanted nice things when you got older, then you went to school, college and then got a job, get on a budget and saved for it. What really funny now, is that how I have been living. No she was never about an image for me, I was always beautiful, smart and strong and my parent instilled in me I can do anything. I didn't need a doll for that.
ReplyDeleteBrini hey there,
DeleteYou were so blessed to have focused parents. I know I lived vicariously through a few of my dolls. Even as a mommy to my baby dolls.
The Sales are probably falling because of the kids today are playing less. Today children play on their PC. I actually thought the Barbie with little round shapes, is much more beautiful than the well-known thin. Perhaps the type would talk more to kids today. But are the sales ease back, maybe Mattel will think of new ideas.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Wyrna
Hi Wyrna Christensen!
DeleteI agree with you. My granddaughters told me they didn't play with dolls but whenever they visit my studio they always do!
I grew up with Barbie dolls and have had so much fun playing with the dolls! There are some sixties and seventies dolls in my collection, but I have to admit that when I purchased my first "collectible" Barbie last year, I was surprised of how skinny she had become. Even skinnier than the older Barbies. But it stays a great toy for children I think. Barbie always will be special, thanks for this post (the older couple is a great find :-)).
ReplyDeleteHi Nymphaea!
ReplyDeleteI never realized that they were getting thinner! I guess I never bothered to compare them. I have few clothes for them so don't do a lot of dressing either. Barbie is a lot of fun...I am approaching 100 of them.
I wonder if sales are down because little girls are as fed up with glitter as I am. As to shape and size, I wish Mattel would mix it up and give us some variety.
ReplyDeleteHi Roville!
DeleteI think you hit the nail on the head. Variety! I hear a lot of adult collectors complain about one feature or the other. Some of the are also parents, aunties and uncles etc. who buy for children too. Maybe they should target all types Barbie purchasers and have a little variety.
Hello from Spain: I do not agree with the criticisms of Barbie body. Barbie is a fabulous doll and nothing more. I feel Barbies sales drop. I think the problem is with Mattel. Barbies have to sell better quality without much pink. A girls today do not like pink. They play to be higher. Keep in touch
ReplyDeleteHi Marta,
DeleteI agree that there must be something about Barbie that has kept for so many years. Maybe it is time for a change. Mattel may want to listen to their customers a little more!
Its interesting to think that the doll image has been around for so many hundreds of generations Barbie, while being iconic is also so controversial.
ReplyDeleteI know there are many dolls out there and when I shop for my daughter we look for a brown haired brown eyed doll because we think she would feel a association.
But my generation and hers are wonderfully so far apart that she would much rather have a monster high doll with fins or purple skin because she can relate it to the diversity on all levels and thinks of the strangeness as acceptable and normal and as her world beyond just eye, hair or skin color.
I think our children seek out diversity if its in there world, my daughter has not asked for a Barbie yet ;)
Hi Jane Smith,
DeleteNow that is something I had not thought about. Monster High girls are really way off the Barbie charts. My granddaughter had a Monster High birthday with all kinds of Monster High toys. She never asked for Barbie either! lol However, there are a couple Monster Dolls who appear to be of African decent which now seems very interesting. hmmmm