>>7077389Mattel killed Barbie Years ago, by snuffing out a fanbase that never came back.
15th anniversary of Pink Anger: Barbie fans vs. Mattel
July 15, 2012
The Barbie doll reached the height of its collectibility in 1997 with even new dolls commanding staggering prices on the secondary market. In 1997, Barbie was responsible for 80% of sales in the doll segment of the billion dollar toy market. (1.)
Barbie doll clubs boasted all-time highs in memberships in the mid-to-late 1990s. There were huge doll shows like Joe & Marl's, Kitty's Collectibles, and others largely devoted to Barbie doll that took place in cities across the country. Barbie doll was the undisputed queen of the doll world.
However, in 1997 Mattel Inc. decided they were losing control of their top-selling Barbie doll brand by letting it become a household word. Bands like Aqua were using Barbie in songs, fans had numerous websites about Barbie all over the still-new-and-growing internet, and popular publications were devoted to Barbie doll.
Throwing the Barbie Out with the Bath Water
Mattel's answer was to send intimidating legal letters to people with Barbie fan sites, salespeople who made their living selling vintage Barbie dolls, and publications that featured Barbie dolls. Even Barbie doll collector clubs were told not to use "Barbie" in the name of their fan clubs.
Bands were told to cease and desist with songs using the word "Barbie" in their lyrics. "Barbie Bazaar" magazine had to approve its content through Mattel, and Miller's popular doll publications were sued for copyright and trademark infringement.
Boycotting Barbie
In response, Barbie fans replaced the B with * in their many angry internet postings, referring to the doll as *ar*ie, and many collectors decided to boycott Barbie.
