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Brand announces 60th anniversary celebrations for iconic property with global collaboration with Habitat for Humanity International
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today, Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) kicks off worldwide celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the Barbie Dreamhouse with a year-long collaboration with Habitat for Humanity International. To mark the 60-year legacy of imaginative play the Dreamhouse has inspired, the brand is undertaking 60 projects and activations, including new construction, home preservation, and neighborhood revitalization, for families in need of safe, decent, and affordable housing around the world.
The Barbie collaboration with Habitat for Humanity aims to create more opportunities for children and their families to live in a place they can call home. During the year, Barbie will fund projects in countries including Canada, Poland, and Brazil, and will help a local family by supporting the construction of a new home in South Los Angeles. Additional projects will include critical home repairs, playhouse builds, and contributing to Habitat’s Women Build program. Mattel employees will have the opportunity to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) on builds throughout 2022, including a new home that will be built in Los Angeles near Mattel’s global headquarters.
“The only thing as iconic as Barbie is her Dreamhouse, a spectacular home that allows kids to immerse themselves in Barbie’s world, and gives them the room to dream,” said Lisa McKnight, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel. “Through our collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, we mark 60 years of our Dreamhouse by supporting families around the world, giving their dreams a home.”
In 2021, Barbie teamed up with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles to celebrate the latest Dreamhouse by adding the brand’s signature style to the home of a family in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles in collaboration with designer and DIY duo, Kate Albrecht and Joey Zehr, widely known as “Mr. Kate.” Working with Barbie, Mr. Kate outfitted the bedroom that two young Barbie fans share, girls aged 4 and 8. In addition, the Mattel Children’s Foundation and Barbie donated 100 Dreamhouse playsets to families in Habitat LA’s network.
“At Habitat for Humanity, we know that a safe and decent place to call home makes a difference in the lives of families,” said Julie Laird Davis, Vice President of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Habitat for Humanity International. “Home provides a place for children to play and grow, and a place for families to thrive. We are excited to partner with Mattel to help families around the world make their dream of home a reality.”
Barbie bought her first Dreamhouse in 1962, before women were even allowed to open their own bank accounts. Undergoing remodels and refreshes over the years to reflect the architectural and interior design trends of the times, the Dreamhouse has become one of most popular and recognizable homes in the world. The Dreamhouse is the #1 item in the US dolls category, per NPD*.
To commemorate the imaginative play the iconic toy unlocks, Barbie is also introducing its latest campaign, Barbie Dreamhouse: 60 Years of Giving Dreams a Home, which will celebrate unique anniversary activations to come throughout the year.
* The Barbie Dreamhouse was the #1 item in the US Dolls category in 2021. Sourced by The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service/US/JAN-DEC 2021/Dolls Supercategory/USD
About Mattel
Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, UNO® and MEGA®, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in South Georgia. Since its founding in 1976, the Christian housing organization has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.
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