Mattel expands Barbie, American Girl content

The entertainment company has sold two new specials to global broadcasters and is developing a web series celebrating diverse voices.
February 19, 2021

Mattel is working on a new American Girl online series to spotlight female changemakers and has locked in several deals for two fresh Barbie specials.

Conversations for Change will launch on the American Girl website and seeks to amplify diverse voices. Available now, the first episode is called “4 Generations of Black Voices” and features Marley Dias (pictured, youth activist and author), Paris Williams (Paris Cares Foundation) and her mom Alicia Marshall, and Denise Lewis Patrick (American Girl author).

The series will continue throughout 2021, highlighting more young leaders. Future episodes will cover topics like climate change (April), reaching for your goals (summer, featuring several Team USA athletes) and breaking barriers (fall). American Girl is partnering with mobile news brand NowThis to create the videos.

Barbie is also gearing up to release more content. Two new specials—Barbie & Chelsea The Lost Birthday and an as-yet-unnamed musical—will launch globally this year.

The Lost Birthday is set to roll out on Netflix (US), Cartoonito (Italy), Pop (UK), 9Go! (Australia), Neox Kids (Spain), Super RTL (Germany), Carousel (Russia) and iQIYI (China) in the spring. Additional broadcast and streaming partners will be announced at a later date. The 60-minute special is directed by Cassi Simmonds, and tags along with Barbie’s younger sister as she sets sail on an adventure cruise. Executive producers include Adam Bonnett, Fred Soulie and Christopher Keenan, with Ann Austen as a co-executive producer. Mainframe Studios is providing animation services.

The other special is on the slate for a fall release, and will be set in the world of Barbie Princess Adventure. It’s a musical about Barbie and her friends in New York City, but no other details were available at press time.

About The Author
Alexandra Whyte is Kidscreen's News & Social Media Editor. Contact her at awhyte@brunico.com

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