Jill Barad Resigns From Mattel: Under fire for low profits, CEO Jill Barad resigned from Mattel this week, bringing to a finish a remarkable era for Barbie-maker Mattel. Barad helped build Mattel, Inc. into a $5.5 billion dollar business. Barad joined Mattel in 1981, right after the disastrous (for Mattel AND Barbie!) 1970s. Barad was one of only three women to head a Fortune 500 company. The board at Mattel has taken charge of the company, and the entire doll and toy industry goes into Toy Fair in NY this week not knowing who will be at the helm of Mattel.

• Read about the resignation and the business reasons behind it in Excite News.
• Read about Jill Barad's style and history at Mattel in Barad Combined Barbie's Glamour and Marketing Genius, from Excite.

Toy Fair Starts Thursday! The 97th American International Toy Fair starts Thursday Feb 10 with pre-show activity. the show officially runs starting Sunday, Feb 13, through Thursday, February 17th. CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE CURRENT TOY FAIR NEWS

• What is Toy Fair? Toy Fair is the yearly trade show where over 1,500 manufacturers and distributors of toys showcase their toys. Looking at these toys are more than 20,000 buyers from over 100 countries and more than 1,000 international media outlets. Toy Fair is the largest toy trade show in the Western hemisphere, and in some ways the main yearly event which shapes the $28 billion (yes, 28 billion dollar!) toy industry
• Why is Toy Fair Important For Doll Collectors? Toy fair matters because its at Toy Fair that all the major, modern players in the wold of dolls announce their product lines for the year. By the end of the fair, you'll find out about all the new Barbies, Madame Alexanders, Genes, Tonners, American Girls, baby dolls, new dolls, and more that will be produced this year! You will also likely find out all the new dolls and toys that children will be clamoring for this Christmas. Don't miss ALL the new dolls announced at Toy Fair right here in About Dolls--check back often!

Auctions This Week: Some interesting auctions this week--this week's auctioneer: eBay:

• All-Original, Mint 14" Toni: Gorgeous doll with amazing face coloring.
• A Cissy Doll Customized To Look Like Rose from Titanic, with TRUNKS full of clothes etc. Wow, talk about a customized doll! Check this auction out, the outfits, trunk and accessories are wonderful!
• Midnight Color Magic Barbie in Rare Box: Mint very hard to find vintage Barbie dolls

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2000 Past Editions of Dolls This Week:

January
Madame Alexander 16" Fashion Doll; Mattel Execs Leave
Doll Costumer Guild Announces New Publication; Cabbage Patch Dolls Stamp; Little Prince Tour

February

For all 1999 editions of "Dolls This Week" please go to the 1999 Dolls This Week Archives.