Hello Barbie Pleads ‘Buy Me’ as Mattel Doll Fails to Catch Fire
- Retailers have been slashing prices amid poor reviews
- Silver lining is the buzz doll created for struggling brand
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Mattel Inc. Chief Operating Officer Richard Dickson is hoping to shake loose the innovation and creativity the toymaker needs to revive sales. A talking Barbie doll hasn’t been much help.
Introduced in November, Hello Barbie generated the most buzz the toymaker has received in years, if not decades. But for the most part, it’s been a dud. Online reviews highlighted problems like a malfunctioning charging station and a shaky Internet connection. On Amazon.com, 57 percent of reviews gave it one star out of five. And major retailers have slashed its $75 list price, with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. cutting it to $52.49.