The public relations department for Ty Inc., maker of Beanie Babies, have their hands full with the company's newest launch, Obama daughters dolls. Of course, the spokesperson for Ty Inc. denies that the dolls are what they are, replicas of the Obama daughers, she has no choice. The altnernative is to admit the company is shamelessly exploiting minors for their own gain. “It would not be fair to say they are exact replications of these girls,” Ms. Lundeen told The A.P. (nytimes.com) That is the best Ms. Lundeen could come up with, and it's weak. Ty Inc. messed up and I wish I could just sit in one meeting while they talk about this and what to do. I run the risk of making an understatement when I say that it's going to take a very, very effective campaign to counter this. Ty Inc. needs to address the issue; I haven't found anything yet though. I'll be watching, and waiting, for any response from the company. This has created a stir and if it gains any momentum it could get ugly for Ty Inc. If you want to read the article, here is the link
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/us/politics/25dolls.html?scp=1&sq=obama%20daughters&st=cse
You only need to read a few comments left by readers to get an idea of how the public is reacting to this.
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As an avid collector of Beanie Babies and a defend-to-the-death supporter of Obama's girls (President Obama seems alright, so I guess I support him, too), this announcement will go down as one of the most exciting in my life! Before, I was just left with my own creative imagination to come up with dolls in the image of those two cute little girls. Do you know what kind of creepy looks I get when people come into my house and see several dozen hand-made dolls with poorly drawn faces lying all over my house? No matter how hard I've tried to get their faces right, I've surrendered to the conclusion that it will take a professional to get those cute Obama faces right. Then it will become my mission to buy up as many as I can and store them safely in my home, away from beanie-thieves and others who don't understand our human-to-doll friendship. Bravo, Ty! Bravo! Always your humble summer coworker, Tyson
ReplyDeleteI think you are right. I love that quote of the spokeswoman. Wow, could she have thought of something else. She didn't deny nor confirm the allegations against the company. Of course they are not exact replicas of human girls, but you tried and failed. Too bad you got in the act and now have to cover your butt. What people will do for a buck or two. I wonder if people will think of it as a "racial" move?! Perhaps they should start another line of exclusive dolls of Sarah Palin and Tina Fey. Perhaps H. Clinton would boost sales. But let us not forget the greatest of them all, Mrs. Obama.
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