ADDRESSING THE DISAPPEARANCE OF BARBIE AND ITS IMPACT ON CORPORATE EARNINGS

 

"When you design a toy, you're designing an experience, a memory that will last a lifetime." These are the words of Mattel Co-Founder and Barbie inventor Ruth Handler. Over the past few decades Mattel has watched their market share dwindle being forced to compete with the other titans of the toy industry including LegoⓇ and Hasbro. As margins shrink and shareholders become antsy, Mattel has decided to attempt to revamp one of its most popular and historic brands, Barbie.

In this crisis committee, delegates will serve as Mattel’s Board of Directors, tasked with leading Barbie’s reinvention. From approving new product lines and marketing campaigns to striking Hollywood deals, choosing creative talent, and deciding how much control to give up over Barbie’s story, the Board must balance profit with the whimsy that made Barbie a household name. Delegates will also face public backlash, executive rivalries, and pressure from investors. At a time when one bold idea could turn a fading doll into a cultural phenomenon, or a box-office flop, will you preserve Barbie’s legacy, reinvent her for a new era, or ensure that history remembers you as the board that left her gathering dust?