Hasbro Intends to Market The Pussycat Dolls to Young Children
I didn’t find the announcement that there would be dolls of the Pussycat Dolls terribly shocking, since the Pussycat Dolls really will make perfect dolls. What I did find terribly shocking is that Hasbro intends to market these dolls not to older girls or to collectors but to children—children a mere 6 to 9 years old, as reported by The New York Times.
Do The People At Hasbro Realize The Pussycat Dolls are A Sexy, Burlesque-Influenced Group?
Perhaps Hasbro is unclear on the concept that the Pussycat Dolls musical group is a burlesque-influenced group, and a rather risqué one at that. In the New York Times this week, Sharon John, the Hasbro general manager for marketing said that when comparing the Bratz dolls to the Pussycat Dolls “I don’t think we’re trying to push the envelope any further but we’re trying to add an aspect of realism. These are people that have real careers.” Well, yes they do--as sexualized performers in an edgy music group. Definitely not the career that I’m trying to promote for my 10 year old (oh,..wait...according to Hasbro, she’s already too old for the Pussycat Dolls doll demographic).
Will Pussycat Dolls Be The New Bratz?
To be truthful, the dolls don’t look all that different from Bratz dolls (except that their skirts are shorter). They may even wear less makeup. That isn’t the point. What mom in her right mind is going to give little Suzy a Pussycat Doll on Christmas morning, knowing that a very adult group with very adult performing ways inspired the doll? What happens when Suzy wants to go see the Pussycat Dolls in concert?
The Pussycat Dolls: A Fun, Great Concept For Adult Doll Collectors
That said, there is a place for Pussycat Dolls—for older girls and doll collectors. In fact, I think that better-made Pussycat Dolls (the planned dolls have a toy-like $15 price point) with their edgy urban and sexy outfits would appeal to some doll collectors. Collectors have definitely asked me if Pussycat Dolls would be made. Well, now we have an answer. The dolls will be made by Hasbro. I don’t think at all that is a bad thing, and I think collectors and fans of the music group will have fun with them. I DO, how4ever, think it is a bad thing to market the Pussycat Dolls to girls in Kindergarten, and I hope that Hasbro rethinks their marketing position on these dolls before they are released.
