Though many of us grew up playing with them, Barbies don’t have the best reputation. From their unrealistic body types to the gendered stereotypes the dolls often seem to promote, they’re not really what we think of when we think of empowering young girls. But the latest ad from Mattel just might show that Barbies are so much more than the pin-skinny, overly made up dolls we associate them as.
As Global SVP and General Manager Evelyn Mazzocco told Adweek, “We want to remind the world what Barbie stands for. Founded by a female entrepreneur and mother in 1959, the Barbie brand has always represented the fact that women have choices. This ongoing initiative is designed to remind today’s parents that through the power of imagination, Barbie allows girls to explore their limitless potential.”
And that’s exactly what the 2-minute video, below, does. Though we can still point out ways in which we believe Barbies can be changed to become better role models to the girls who so love them, we do admire the message Mattel is sending with their latest campaign.