More Barbie Ahead

Mattel and its longtime Barbie licensee Random House are pairing up for two new book series. The first, launching in September, is called Starring Barbie and features Barbie as an actress, with stories involving assorted roles and sets. A sweepstakes tied to the Barbie Cares Foundation, a Mattel organization supporting the arts, will promote the launch, according to Mary Rafferty, director of licensing for Mattel Brands Consumer Products, with the winner receiving a free art or music lesson. Planned for fall 2004 is an as-yet-unnamed "Barbie through the ages" concept; each title will place Barbie at a key event in history and convey what was happening during that time period.