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Hasbro is giving its venerable Mr. Potato Head toy a more inclusive identity by dropping the “Mr.” of its brand and its packaging.
Hasbro is making sure everyone is made to feel welcome in the world of Potato Head by officially removing Mr. name and logo from Mr. Potato Head brand and logo to promote gender equality and inclusion “the company said in a statement Thursday.
After announcing the change, the company issued a clarifying statement on Twitter saying that the characters of Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head would retain their individual courtesy titles.
“Hold that Tot – your main spud, MR. POTATO HEAD is not going anywhere! The company said. “While it was announced today that the POTATO HEAD brand and logo are abandoning the ‘MR’. I am proud to confirm that MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD is not going anywhere and will remain MR. & MRS. HEAD OF A POTATO. “
In the fall, the company will present their new “Potato Family Pack” which will encourage children to “Create Your Potato Head Family”. The pack will include two large potato bodies, one small potato body and 42 accessories.
The brand name change will come with a “whimsical color scheme and a more inclusive message,” the company said.
Rich Ferraro, head of communications for Glaad, an LGBT rights organization, applauded the change, saying it was part of a “wider movement towards greater diversity and inclusion in toys and media for children ”.
Hasbro is the latest toy maker to update or reinvent some of its classic brands to make them more inclusive and diverse.
Last year Mattel released several new Barbie dolls which he described as his “most diverse line,” one that featured “more skin tones, hair types and body shapes than ever before.”
One doll is bald, another has a prosthetic limb, and another has her dark hair brushed from her face to show that she has Vitiligo.
In 2019, Mattel unveiled a new line of non-sexist customizable dolls called Creatable World, which allows “kids to create their characters.” The box includes several wardrobe options, accessories and wigs for children to style the dolls “with short or long hair, or in a skirt, pants or both.”
In 2016, Mattel announced that it was expanding its Thomas the Tank Engine franchise by adding more female train characters and friends from countries such as India, Brazil and Mexico. And American Girl, the maker of 18-inch dolls, introduced a boy doll in 2017.
Mr. Potato Head has been an iconic Hasbro toy since its introduction in 1952. The company said it was the first toy to be advertised on television.
The toy, which allows children to swap out different parts such as eyes, mustaches, glasses and hats, has long been associated with Rhode Island, where Hasbro is based. Over the years, the toy has been featured in parades, campaigns, and even on state license plates.
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