Mattel expands into Singapore market with new ‘Steve Lin’ Barbie Doll
SINGAPORE – Popular toy manufacturer, Mattel, has announced that it is expanding into the hard-to-crack Singapore market with a new version of their flagship doll, Barbie. The new product – A barbie doll that looks like Steve Lin – has already caused buying frenzies and toy stalls from Jurong Point to Tampines Mall. The doll is affectionately called Stevbie doll by its fans.
‘Stevbie is proving a real gifting hit with auntie and uncles everywhere,’ said Mattel CEO, Robert Eckert. ‘We’re particularly proud of the pull-string martyrdom feature. One tug, and Stevbie goes moving wildly in its yellow g-string. It even makes a tranny squeak ‘Thank you for saying I am Sesy!’ or ‘I loves my fans’. There’s no doubt it’s the new toy every child wants, and any kid lucky enough to get their hands on one will definitely be the most popular kid in school.
With regards to accessories, Eckert says Mattel realized early on that an Stevbie simply wouldn’t be complete – or allowed to be seen in public – without a new set of exchangeable undies. The add-on pack includes a, never seen before, Barbie bra, g-strings and lacy lingerie that can be fitted onto Stevbie.
‘The addition of exchangable undies would make Stevbie an irresistible toy for any kid.” quipped Eckert, “Kids will never get bored if they can constantly change the outfit for Stevbie.” Eckert mentioned that he got his inspiration when he saw drag queens parading at Changi Village.
Aaron Tan, one of the lucky few kids who managed to get the doll says that he enjoys playing with his doll. “I have always liked to parade and dance around with nothing but my underwear. Steve Lin has always been my role model and I won’t want to be anything except for him.”, Aaron says.
Aaron’s mother approves of his son’s obsession with Steve Lin. She thinks that Steve Lin is a guy with a good character and all kids should model after him. “He may be loud, but he is a very confident man that can dance well. I hope that one day, my son can be famous like him “. In order to encourage Aaron to be more like Steven, Aaron’s mum has bought him a collectors edition Stevbie with stick on sushi bits. A doll like this can be worth up to $15,000 on the open market, since there is only 10 in existence in the whole world.
Despite the doll’s success, Eckert has admitted that the product’s development and production hasn’t been entirely without its complications. ‘The whole venture has been something of a departure from the norm. Usually a big corporation like us would use ‘safer’ concept as such never seen before products can be quite risky.’ However, Eckert was glad he took the risk due to the success of the Stevbie doll. Mattel would be exporting the dolls around the world in order to meet the demand from across the globe starting March 2012.
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