Hasbro gives his venerable Mr. Potato Head toy a more gender-inclusive identity by the “Mr.” to drop its brand name and packaging.
“Hasbro makes everyone feel welcome in the Potato Head world by officially dropping Mr. Potato Head’s brand and logo to promote gender equality and inclusion,” the company said in a statement on Thursday.
After announcing the change, the company an explanatory statement issued on Twitter and said that the characters of mr. and Mrs. potato head will retain their individual courtesy titles.
Hold on to that Tot – your head speed, sir. POTATO HEAD is not going anywhere! ”, The company said. ‘While it was announced today that the POTATO HEAD brand and logo is dropping the’ MR ‘. I am proud to confirm that MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD is going nowhere and will remain MR. & MRS. POTATO HEAD. ”
In the fall, the company will launch its new “Potato Family Pack” that will encourage kids to “create your potato family.” The package contains two large potato bodies, one small potato body and 42 accessories.
The change of brand is accompanied by a ‘whimsical color palette and more inclusive messages’, the company said.
Rich Ferraro, the most important communications provider for Glaad, an LGBT advocacy organization, welcomed the change, saying it was part of a larger movement towards greater diversity and inclusion of toys and media aimed at children. ‘
Hasbro is the latest toy manufacturer to update or rediscover some of its classic brands to make it more inclusive and diverse.
Last year, Mattel rolled out several new Barbie dolls that he describes as his ‘most diverse line’, one that contains ‘more skin tones, hair types and body shapes than ever before’.
One doll is bald, another has a prosthetic limb and another has brushed her dark hair off her face to show she has vitiligo.
In 2019, Mattel unveiled a new series of adaptable gender-neutral dolls called Creatable World with which ‘children can create their characters’. The box contains several wardrobe options, accessories and wigs so kids can 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 a distinctive toy for Hasbro since its launch in 1952. The company said it was the first toy to be advertised on television.
The toy, which allows children to exchange different parts such as eyes, mustaches, glasses and hats, has long been associated with Rhode Island, where Hasbro is located. Over the years, the toy has been featured in parades, campaigns and even on state number plates.