What’s in this article:
- Mattel and Smyths Toys just partnered to create the Barbie #YouCanBeAnythingExperience workshop
- The collab inspires parents and children to use their voice positively – concentrating on the mental health and wellbeing of children by allowing them to explore, dream, and create
In collaboration with Mattel, Smyths Toys just hosted a fun 3-day workshop with its exclusive Barbie You Can Be Anything virtual experience. On the Smyths Toys YouTube channel, parents and kids were welcomed to participate in this important and exciting event that inspires the next generation – especially young women.
“Barbie will entertain, inspire and educate children with themes celebrating individuality and diversity. Inspiring the limitless potential for children and their futures by championing the ‘You can Be Anything’ spirit,” Eirian Jones, head of customer marketing at Mattel.
The workshop took place between March 26th and March 28th and was filled with baking, dancing, crafting, and more. In Chelsea’s Animal Adventure, for instance, children were encouraged to explore animals from around the world and learn more about their natural habitat.
By taking children on a fun virtual adventure, they were challenged to discover, explore, and use their imagination to foster social and cognitive development. Though the workshop was held for a good cause, a range of Barbie products were available for purchase throughout the virtual experience. Cause, of course. (And it’s fine. Brands are not non-profits. It’s all good)
“Dance, bake a cake, create a flower crown and relax with a yoga session with Barbie. We hope to reach and engage both new and existing audiences with this creative and fun experience from Barbie and Smyths Toys where you can shop the latest and greatest range of Barbie products,” said Sinead Byrne, joint head of marketing at Smyths Toys.
Takeaway: More and more research and surveys tell us two things right now:
1) The younger the consumer, the more aware the customer is of the brands’ values and efforts to be helpful and give back. This awareness plays an increasingly important role in their decision on who to buy from.
2) A lot of children have suffered mentally in the past year. Some estimations reach 35%. This is yet another (huge) reason why mental health is becoming such a top-of-mind issue.
This activity by Smyths Toys with Mattel is checking both these incredibly important boxes. We have no doubt that brands who take care of their customers’ wellbeing now will see more loyal customers overall in the future.