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Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2569
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 11:18 am: | 
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In the midst of a makeover and prepping for the ultimate birthday, the nation's oldest predominantly-black Greek-lettered sorority has turned the head of none other than Barbie.
Mattel Inc. will make a collectable Barbie based on Chicago-headquartered Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Mattel sought licensing for the doll -- the first in the company's flagship brand based on any sorority and any predominately black organization -- upon learning that Alpha Kappa Alpha is marking its 100th anniversary this year, said Elizabeth Grampp, director of Barbie collector marketing.
"When you pair that milestone with an organization representing an amazing cross section of women who are empowered leaders in any field, it's a real opportunity to introduce the hobby of collecting to a new group of collectors," Grampp said. "It's such a landmark event."
The doll will be dressed in an evening gown. Prominent in the ensemble will be pink and green, official colors of the sorority, which kicks off its centennial celebration in Washington, D.C., Saturday...
Full story:
http://www.suntimes.com/business/736305,CST-FIN-Barbie11web.article
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 9828
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 02:12 pm: |
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Will the dolls hair be naturally styled?
Or will they also be straighten, permed or have Korean hair extensions? |
Robynmarie
Veteran Poster
Username: Robynmarie
Post Number: 638
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 03:48 pm: |
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WOW! Great to see the sororities extending their brand and seizing marketing opportunities. Now if they could just get rid of that hazing... |
Libralind2
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 1007
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 07:15 pm: |
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I'll be buying one.. |
Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2572
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 09:43 am: |
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Good, LiLi--You'll have to report back. BTW, I didn't post the whole thing. (Didn't want to run afoul of Troy's posting rules!) But I did want to make sure folks caught that this is part of a wider (and wonderful, IMO) economic effort by the sorority. From the article linked to in the first post:
The Mattel partnership -- one of several corporate deals -- comes as the organization is in the midst a makeover that puts emphasis of its programs on micro and macro economics, a venture led by president Barbara A. McKinzie, finance director at Chicago's Neighborhood Housing Services.
"Economics is the central focus of everything we do," said McKinzie, whose tenure began in 2006. "My vision was to make economics as much of a core competency as service has been to Alpha Kappa Alpha for the 100 years."
Last year the group's biennial leadership conference was moved to New Orleans from from a planned cruise to infuse about $5 million into that economy. College chapters are charged with providing computer training to community members.
And the approximately 1,000 chapters around the globe are conducting investment and financial literacy workshops for youth, seniors and chapter members.
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Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2573
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 09:44 am: |
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P.S.: In the interest of full disclosure, I am not an AKA... |
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