Ken Dolls Get New Bods, Fashions, Skin Tones—Man Buns Included
Barbie announced the expansion of its Fashionistas line with 15 new and diverse Ken dolls, featuring three body types—slim, broad, and original—and a variety of skin tones, eye colors, hairstyles, and modern fashion looks. The new Ken dolls join an expanded Barbie Fashionistas line, which introduced three new Barbie body types—tall, curvy and petite—along with new skin tones, eye colors, hairstyles and fashions last year.
“By continuing to expand our product line, we are redefining what a Barbie or Ken doll looks like to this generation,” says Lisa McKnight, senior vice-president and general manager, Barbie. “Evolving Ken was a natural evolution for the brand and allows girls to further personalize the role they want him to play in Barbie’s world.”
The line includes 15 new Ken dolls with three body types, seven skin tones, eight hair colors, nine hairstyles, and modernized fashions, ranging from casual business attire to athletic wear. The brand is also introducing 25 additional diverse Barbie dolls. These dolls join the more than 100 diverse looks launched in the Barbie Fashionistas line in the last three years.
Barbie Fashionistas’ sales have seen high double-digit growth globally and was named Doll of the Year at the Toy Industry Association’s Annual T.O.T.Y. Awards. Diversity continues to roll out across brand content, marketing and product, including the Fantasy, Entertainment and Careers segments.
The new Fashionistas launch at retailers nationwide and “The New Crew” can be seen on www.Barbie.com.
Hasbro Launches Subscription Games Service
Hasbro has launched the company’s first subscription service, Hasbro Gaming Crate. The program offers an exclusive collection of games curated by Hasbro Gaming experts, new to the Hasbro Gaming portfolio, delivered straight to the subscriber’s door every three months.
Hasbro Gaming Crate caters to multiple types of gamers with two themed crates, each with three games. The Party Crate contains games with content geared toward college students, young adults, and parents who are looking to enjoy “adults-only” game nights. The Family Crate offers games designed to be played together and enjoyed equally by kids and adults.
In the first Family Crate, one of the three games subscribers will receive is the Mask of the Pharaoh Game, a collaborative, virtual-reality board game. In the first Party Crate, subscribers will receive three games, including the Speak Out: Joe Santagato Edition Game, an adults-only version of the mouthpiece challenge where players try to say phrases while wearing a mouthpiece, featuring NSFW content inspired by internet star and comedian Joe Santagato.
Now available, gaming fans can visit hasbrogamingcrate.com to sign up. Subscribers will receive one crate every three months, priced at $49.99 plus shipping per crate, charged automatically when the crate ships. The first Hasbro Gaming Crates will ship in early fall and subscribers can cancel any time. The Hasbro Gaming Crate service is currently only available in the U.S.
Women in Toys Announces Date for WIT Empowerment Day
Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WIT) will hold its annual WIT Empowerment Day on Monday, October 2, 2017, the day before Fall Toy Preview in Dallas officially begins. Held in collaboration with Walmart, WIT Empowerment Day provides a day of product pitches, mentorship, and face-to-face connections with industry insiders to help participants take their businesses, products, and careers to the next level.
This event is designed for entrepreneurs, manufacturers, inventors, and business owners who want to grow their business or catapult their career in the area of toys, games, licensing, and entertainment.
WIT members will have the opportunity to pitch their products to Walmart buyers, and pitch products and concepts to top toy companies for licensing or feedback, including Hasbro, Spin Master, PlayMonster, and Jazwares. Members can also participate in interactive “Ask an Expert” Info Sessions, where they’ll be mentored by top industry experts on e-commerce, crowdfunding, financing, patents and trademarks, packaging, design, manufacturing and distribution, marketing and PR, and much more. Looking to Launch Bootcamp sessions and a special keynote speaker will round out the afternoon.
Walmart Buyer Panel and keynote are open to all Fall Toy Preview exhibitors and guests with a show badge. Speakers and additional panels will be announced soon. For more information, including how to register, click here.