Mattel has a new advertisement, and it's fantastic.
The video, called "Imagine the Possibilities" adorably showcases how children use their imagination when playing with dolls, and asks, "What happens when girls are free to imagine they can be anything?"
The little ladies appear as miniature professionals - an academic, a veterinarian, a business traveler, a paleontologist museum tour guide and a men's soccer coach - who are giving "expert" instructions to adults in real life. "Hidden cameras capture the real reactions to girls imagining everything they might one day become," the video's description states. Spoiler alert, it's ridiculously adorable.
[caption id="attachment_2267" align="aligncenter" width="500"]📷 Business traveler who just bought the company she wanted[/caption]
The ad suggests the vision we have for ourselves as adults, goes back to the imaginary play we engage with as children. Making it clear that young girls should feel empowered and encouraged to imagine their futures without any limitations.
[caption id="attachment_2268" align="aligncenter" width="500"]📷 "Knees up like a unicorn"[/caption]
The iconic doll has some haters, mostly those who feel Barbie is anti-feminist and perpetuates a ridiculous image of women. But Mattel has been hard at work trying to change the negative image. This ad is a total opposite from the Teen Talk Barbie that said, "Math class is tough," and a book that described how a computer engineer Barbie screwed up a bunch of stuff and needed her male friends for help coding.
While many are still upset over Barbie's unrealistic body proportions, this ad shows that Mattel has listened to people's criticisms and is starting to make some drastic changes.
Enjoy!