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Barbie and Ken's Fake Relationship Gets Fake-More-Serious
Photo by CitySkylineSouvenir via Flickr
If you've been paying attention to overhead signs recently, you've no doubt seen (and questioned) the huge billboards in which Ken proclaims his love for Barbie. By way of background information, Ken and Barbie are toys made by Mattel, Inc., so that wasn't real. Nor is the announcement that fictional, plastic Barbie has said "yes" to fictional, plastic Ken's fictional marriage proposal, but that hasn't stopped Mattel from sending out a press release making the announcement, which has worked, since I am now writing about it. According to the Los Angeles Business Journal:
“As the ultimate boyfriend for every occasion, Ken knew just what to do to win Barbie back. The iconic couple is truly made for each other and this is just the beginning of their next chapter together.” Stephanie Cota, senior vice president global marketing, girls brands for Mattel, said in a statement.
Even more curious than all this, though, is the further suggestion that Ken and Barbie have undergone some sort of beauty regimen to prepare for what will ultimately be a re-release:
To celebrate their rekindled romance, Mattel is releasing Barbie and Ken together in a limited edition “Together Again” gift set. The gift set features the “it” couple sporting tans and modern fashions inspired by their original 1959 and 1961 swimsuits.
Tans? Aren't they already pretty tan? I think the real question is, is this the Snookification of Barbie? Discuss.
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