Barbie and Ken continue the front line

On Valentine's Day 2004, Mattel released a press release saying that the Barbie and Ken decided to break up 43 years after dating and Bobby started dating Australian surfer Bryant. Last year, Ken successfully returned in Toy Story 3, a scene of reunion with Barbie being praised by the audience and Barbie fans. Mattel has since embarked on a public relations battle that is set to return, an important part of which is to sign up for an account on Facebook, Twitter, and the geo-targeted social networking site Foursquare.

Ken's social networking page wrote that after he broke up with Barbie, he was willing to be alone for many years in a quiet life. The reunion in Toy Story 3 made him realize he was deeply in love with Barbie. Ken is currently in New York for Fashion Week, but he wants to win back the heart of Barbie on Valentine's Day.

Mattel calls for users to Barbie and Ken "Facebook" page and the official website to vote, decide whether they should compound. By Valentine's Day, Barbie's "Facebook" page will also become a virtual store selling Barbie and Ken products. In a interview with U.S. media, Laurent Brookowsk, Mattel responsible for the Barbie market, said that this is the first time that Mattel has been selling "Facebook" products.

Barbie has annual global sales of about 1 billion U.S. dollars. Barbie has lost about a quarter of its market share since hit by products such as the Betsy Doll since 2002. However, the strategy of social networking implemented by Mattel has achieved initial success. UBS Securities statistics show that Barbie's sales last year rose 6.8% to 1.25 billion U.S. dollars this year may increase 4%.

According to figures released by the U.S. Retail Federation, Americans spend $ 15.7 billion on Valentine's Day in 2011. The main battlefield for the promotion of all businesses this year is the social network, have launched a special site for "Facebook" and other promotional activities.