With more than 130 careers, Barbie doll has always been both a career trailblazer and a trend -setting style icon. Now, the doll formally threw her pink hat into the presidential campaign ring by unveiling the new "2012 Barbie I Can Be… President" version.
Chris Benz designed Barbie to Turn the White House Pink with a Run for the Oval Office
A true fashionista both on and off the campaign trail, Barbie keeps her political style classic and sophisticated, wearing a pink skirt suit with red, white and blue trim, designed by Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) award-winning designer, Chris Benz.
Barbie will represent girls of all ages on her road to the "Pink House," serving as the "B Party" candidate. Barbie will hit the campaign trail with a full-scale "glam-paign". With a designer pink power suit and a new Tumblr blog, Barbie stands on her own (literally) as this campaign's sole female candidate.
As the unwavering, encouraging voice of the "B Party," Barbie's campaign platform calls for girls of all ages to "B inspired," "B informed" and "B involved." To further deliver her message, Barbie will continue to partner with The White House Project – a national, nonpartisan women's leadership development organization – from the presentation of the "Barbie I Can Be Award" to a young girl at the organization's annual awards gala to a "Take Your Daughters to the Polls" movement in November.
"The Barbie brand's career-focused line of I Can Be… dolls often shine a pink spotlight on professions that are historically underrepresented by women," said Cathy Cline, Vice President of U.S. Marketing, Mattel Girls' Brands. "We hope that Barbie will inspire girls to be leaders – be it in their schools, classrooms, or communities – with the President doll. We know that role play often becomes real play… and when better to plant the seed of leadership in a girl's mind than during play time."
Continuing its longstanding partnership since 2000, Barbie and The White House Project have teamed up again to empower the next generation of girls to learn about leadership roles.
"We are proud to continue our partnership with Barbie and to see America's favorite doll represent girls this election year," said Tiffany Dufu, President, The White House Project.
"Our founder Marie Wilson has often quoted Marian Wright Edelman, who said, 'You can't be what you can't see…' – and only Barbie can deliver a never-ending array of possibilities to the imaginations of young girls. And one of those dreams can – and should be – to be president."
As any modern presidential candidate knows, the power is in the people. To engage directly and powerfully with her supporters, Barbie is amplifying her social media network by launching official Instagram and Tumblr channels. Fans will be able to engage and follow Barbie on her road to the "Pink House" through playful and inspirational news, guest posts, polls and other exclusive "B Party" content on her Tumblr blog at Barbie2012.com. Barbie® will also continue to update her over 4 million fans/followers on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare throughout the "glam-paign."
