Who's Brave Enough To Run Mattel? The LA Timre has published an insightful article on management at Mattel. The article discusses the fact that although leading Mattel should be one of the most sought-after jobs in American industry, " the job is still open because leading the nation's biggest toy company is anything but fun and games." Basically, the next CEO for Mattel must rebuild a company that has lost nearly 70% of its market value--in large part because of the acquisition of Learning Co., and because of the general problem that children are growing out of basic toys like Hot Wheels and Barbie and into electronic toys at earlier and earlier ages. However, there ARE problems in the Barbie line, and What SHOULD worry Barbie collectors is the following question that is posed in the article; "Do Barbie, toy cars and Fisher-Price have much room for growth?" Last year, US sales were flat, and sales outside the United States fell 6%. Slowness in Barbie, Cabbage Patch Kids and Sesame Street products translated into a 3% sales decrease for Mattel's infant-preschool and girls divisions.

The article also discusses slowness in international sales for Barbie and the fact that collectors support for Barbie wavered in the 1990s. Older girls also left the dolls to smaller sisters. The article discusses in depth the need for Barbie to get more electronic (do we really WANT a Barbie that is more electronic--and do children also want that?)

Hello Kitty Barbie Surfaces as a Japanese Exclusive!: Last year, there were rumours that a Generation Girl would have hello kitty accessories. Well, it never happened, but there IS a Hello Kitty Barbie for the Japanese market!! No word on if the US Hello Kitty stores will have this item available.

TRU Reports Healthy First Quarter Results: Toys R Us had a very good first quarter--they reported first-quarter earnings of $24 million, or 10 cents a share, compared with $17 million, or 7 cents a share, in the year-ago period. The report also beat the consensus estimate on Wall Street of 6 cents a share. Sales hit $2.3 billion compared with $2.2 billion in the same period last year. The company cited higher sales in worldwide toy and child businesses. This is good news for many of us who depend on TRU for many of our modern and play line dolls.

Barbie Wonder Woman and Raggedy Ann and Andy Kelly and Tommy in Stores: All of these dolls have been appearing in stores--Barbie as Wonder Woman has been seen at TRU, Kelly and Tommy as Raggedy Ann and Andy at Wal-Mart and all the dolls at specialty retailers such as www.dollattic.com.

#2 Harley Ken and #4 Harley Barbie STILL Hot!: These dolls are still VERY hard to get--continue to WATCH carefully on the Toys R Us online site, which is still offering this doll on and off at retail--Barbie was available on 5/15, but they sell out QUICKLY when the doll appears. www.toysrus.com.

NADDA Show in San Francisco This Weekend: The National Antique Doll Dealers Association is having its first Antique Doll Show in Northern California, at the Embassy Suites at the San Francisco Airport on Saturday May 20th and Sunday May 21st The show is a bit unusual in that the dealers will be selling from their suites and there is NO main show room. For more information call 650-342-4600.

News On Antique Dolls Wanted!: Its EASY to find news on dolls currently in production and new doll releases, but not as easy to find news on antique dolls. Do you have some news? Have you been to a show or an auction you would like to report on? Do you have an antique doll event you want to promote? If so, please e-mail me at collectdolls.guide@about.com I am also ALWAYS looking for news on ALL the modern dolls as well! All contributors to Dolls This Week will be acknowledged and credited.

Upcoming Doll Events

• International Convention 2000 of the Doll Artisan Guild: June 28 to July 1 at the Hilton in Walt Disney World. Held every 2 years; I'll be attending so come say hello!
• National UFDC Convention: Fin Du Millenaire: Chicago, July 16-21 2000. The National Convention; over 2000 doll collectors, sale room, modern and antique doll competition rooms, classes, seminars (your Guide will be teaching a seminar) , meal events and much more! Go to www.ufdc.org for more information.
• NATIONAL DOLL FESTIVAL: Chicago, July 15-19, Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers. For information http://members.aol.com/natldoll/pub/
• National Gene Convention 2000 will be held Oct. 20-23 at the Arlington Heights Hilton in Arlington Heights, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). Registration is $325 and limited to 700. For more information, contact genecon99@aol.com
• Fashion Doll Convention 2000 San Diego, California August 12 to 14 2000 at the DoubleTree Hotel. Convention dolls are Daisy and Willow. For more information, http://members.aol.com/fashiondollsd or e-mal fashiondollsd@aol.com

Want to keep up to date on all the latest in the world of Dolls? Sign up for the weekly About Dolls Newsletter! It's free, and is delivered to your email address every week, full of links to new articles, new clip art, additions to the Doll Price Guide and Galleries, Forum Discussions and more! . Don't miss a single issue--- scroll to the end of this page to sign up now!

2000 Past Editions of Dolls This Week:

January
Madame Alexander 16" Fashion Doll; Mattel Execs Leave *
Doll Costumer Guild Announces New Publication; *
Barbie PC; Barbie Auction *
February
Jill Barad Resigns From Mattel *
All The Toy Fair News! *
Toy Fair Recap; Toy Fair Toys are Technological *
March
New Theriault's Auctions; Dorothy Coleman Dies *
TRU Big Event, Virginia Graves Carlson Dies *
April
New Doll Books; New Barbie Releases in Stores *
Jill-Neimrow Nelson Resigns; Americana 2000 Projects; Fashion Doll Convention *
Barbie for President, Sign Language Barbie; Betty Spagetty and eBay Antique Dealers *
Special Online Doll Auctions; Pleasant Co. Toys For Boys, Cool Collecting Barbie*
May
Pleasant Company Founder Retires/Doll Discounts/Harley Ken HOT! *

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