Mattel has sounded out several direct marketing agencies to develop and promote the scheme, which will be launched in the New Year.
Earlier this year, Mattel relaunched Barbie's boyfriend Ken as it sought to spark sales. Mattel's sales for the third quarter of 2006 were up 7% year on year from 拢880m to 拢940m.
More than 700m of the dolls have been sold since its launch in 1959. Over recent years, the range has expanded steadily and a range of spin-offs added, including laptops and skiwear.
Last Christmas Mattel introduced a line of Barbie-branded Girls Aloud dolls and last month it tied up with Estee Lauder-owned make-up company MAC to launch a range of Barbie cosmetics (Marketing, 8 November).
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