2 years ago Barbie split up with Ken for an Australian surfer doll. With Barbie sales dropping a bit, like a couple on a soap opera during sweeps month....Ken comes back to win back Barbie
See "Keeping Ken" news for all the news and facts about Ken that you can possibly stand. (and the other male dolls in the Barbie universe like Allan who has his own fan club). Interesting to look at to see all the various fashion looks that were seen fit to interpret into a doll wardrobe from the early 60s on.
http://www.manbehindthedoll.com
Or read the press release with a picture of 70s dude Ken
http://articles.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20051020204209990006&ncid=NWS00010000000001
New look could help Ken win back Barbie
By The Associated Press
Saturday, October 22, 2005
NEW YORK -- Apparently, Ken still isn't over Barbie.
Almost two years after the closely watched celebrity couple split after a 43-year romance, Ken is considering a makeover in an effort to win his doll baby back.
Mattel made the announcement Thursday. Russell Arons, vice president of marketing, would say only that fans might see big changes in the spring.
"A makeover may be just what Ken needs to step back into the spotlight," she said.
A makeover makes sense as a business strategy, said Chris Byrne, a New York-based toy consultant.
"Barbie and Ken are such an integral part of our culture and so aligned with each other, people want to see them together," he said.
In early 2004, Mattel tried to update Barbie's image by having her split with Ken and head to a California beach, where she caught the eye of Blaine, an Australian boogie boarder.
It was merely a brief flirtation, however.
"Barbie and Blaine was a great PR stunt, but at the end of the day, people want to see Barbie and Ken get back together," Byrne said.
Byrne noted that global sales of Barbie were down in the third quarter.
A Hollywood makeover won't hurt sales of the princesslike Barbies that 4- to 6-year-olds play with, and it might help court the 8- to 11-year-olds who have turned to the more fashion-forward Bratz dolls from MGA Entertainment, Byrne said.
This wouldn't be the first time Ken reinvented himself.
In the 1970s and '80s, he took up inline skating and boogied to disco tunes; in the '90s, he focused on his careers as a businessman, baseball player, explorer and rock star.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
See "Keeping Ken" news for all the news and facts about Ken that you can possibly stand. (and the other male dolls in the Barbie universe like Allan who has his own fan club). Interesting to look at to see all the various fashion looks that were seen fit to interpret into a doll wardrobe from the early 60s on.
http://www.manbehindthedoll.com
Or read the press release with a picture of 70s dude Ken
http://articles.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20051020204209990006&ncid=NWS00010000000001
New look could help Ken win back Barbie
By The Associated Press
Saturday, October 22, 2005
NEW YORK -- Apparently, Ken still isn't over Barbie.
Almost two years after the closely watched celebrity couple split after a 43-year romance, Ken is considering a makeover in an effort to win his doll baby back.
Mattel made the announcement Thursday. Russell Arons, vice president of marketing, would say only that fans might see big changes in the spring.
"A makeover may be just what Ken needs to step back into the spotlight," she said.
A makeover makes sense as a business strategy, said Chris Byrne, a New York-based toy consultant.
"Barbie and Ken are such an integral part of our culture and so aligned with each other, people want to see them together," he said.
In early 2004, Mattel tried to update Barbie's image by having her split with Ken and head to a California beach, where she caught the eye of Blaine, an Australian boogie boarder.
It was merely a brief flirtation, however.
"Barbie and Blaine was a great PR stunt, but at the end of the day, people want to see Barbie and Ken get back together," Byrne said.
Byrne noted that global sales of Barbie were down in the third quarter.
A Hollywood makeover won't hurt sales of the princesslike Barbies that 4- to 6-year-olds play with, and it might help court the 8- to 11-year-olds who have turned to the more fashion-forward Bratz dolls from MGA Entertainment, Byrne said.
This wouldn't be the first time Ken reinvented himself.
In the 1970s and '80s, he took up inline skating and boogied to disco tunes; in the '90s, he focused on his careers as a businessman, baseball player, explorer and rock star.
Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
