Girls Need Better Magazines

Posted on September 20, 2016 at 8:00 am

Women You Should Know ran an article comparing the covers of Girls’ Life and Boys’ Life Magazines. The girls’ magazine touted articles like “Wake Up Pretty,” “My First Kiss,” and “Your Dream Hair!” The magazine for boys had articles about learning and adventure.

I loved the follow-up article, where graphic designer Katherine Young created a better version of the Girls’ Life Magazine cover, featuring, instead of a model, the real-life Google Science Fair Grand Prize Winner Olivia Hallisey, with article tiles like: “Girls Doing Good,” “Your Dream Career,” and “My First Miss” (about overcoming mistakes and setbacks).

I know magazine revenues come from advertisers, but surely there are some companies out there who want to sell girls technology, books, and sporting equipment, not just makeup and clothes. Our girls deserve better.

#WheresRey in the Star Wars Monopoly Game?

Posted on January 5, 2016 at 11:02 am

Jenna Busch asked Hasbro to explain why the main character of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is not represented in their Star Wars Monopoly game. Even though one of the four figures in the game is Luke Skywalker, who does not appear until the film’s last moment.

Their answer: they didn’t want her inclusion to be a spoiler.

Update on January 5, 2016: Hasbro has agreed to add Rey to the Monopoly game. The Force wins again.

Related Tags:

Gender and Diversity Marketing to Kids

A New Ad Shows What Barbie (Yes, Barbie!) Can Do for Girls

Posted on October 30, 2015 at 7:30 am

This ad for Barbie (yes, Barbie!) is captivating. It’s not about the dream house — it’s about the dreams.

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Advertising Marketing to Kids

Amazon Will No Longer Sell “Boys Toys” and “Girls Toys” — Just “Toys”

Posted on May 11, 2015 at 3:32 pm

There is only one person who should decide which toy is fun — the person who plays with it. Not the manufacturers or the retailers. President Obama wisely pointed this out by refusing to accept the labels on toys at a holiday giveaway.

Now mega-seller Amazon has decided to no longer categorize toys as “girl’s toys” or “boy’s toys.” Everything is just Toys.

I can only say: Well played.

Marvel/Disney — Where are the Natasha Dolls?

Posted on May 1, 2015 at 3:29 pm

Jenna Busch and the wonderful folks of Legion of Leia and Heroic Girls are asking an important question: #wheresnatasha?

Remember last year when the #WheresGamora hashtag called out the lack of Gamora toys in the Guardians of the Galaxy toy line? Well, it’s happening again. Natasha Romanov, the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) is a huge part of the Avengers team and one of the only women in the Marvel films. At the moment, she’s also the only female Avenger. With Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron coming out, you’d think we’d get to throw our money at them and walk home with a Black Widow toy. However, of the 60 products that Marvel and Disney have out for the film, only three feature Black Widow. Not exactly a great percentage. If you’re a Natasha fan, you can head to Target and purchase a tote bag, a men’s t-shirt and a figure that’s part of a LEGO set.

Dudes. Black Widow is awesome. She is every bit as much of a superhero as the other Avengers. Girls want to buy her. And guess what, boys do, too. What were they thinking?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjMdFf8vKqA

Related Tags:

Gender and Diversity Marketing to Kids