Sports Source Announces Participation and Introduction of the New Barbie? Golf Gear at the 2008 PGA Merchandise Show
El Segundo, Calif. (January 17, 2007) – Barbie® has teamed up with Cougar Golf, a division of Sports Source, Inc., a leading manufacturer and distributor of quality golf equipment, to provide girls ages 4-9 with innovative Barbie™ golf gear designed especially for them. The stylish yet high performance Barbie™ Golf sets, available in two different sizes, incorporate shorter shafts and girl-favorite features and detailing in their design. With girls’ interest in golf at an all-time high, the Barbie™ Golf line will make girls’ time on the greens more fun and functional than ever before.
The Barbie™ golf line will be introduced to the golf community by Sports Source at the international golf industry’s premier marketplace, the 2008 PGA Merchandise Show, January 17-19, 2008, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida – booth number 1213.
“We know golf continues to grow in popularity among girls and it is a great way for girls to get active while participating in an activity with their families and friends,” said Juan Gutierrez, senior director of Mattel Brands Consumer Products. “The Barbie Golf sets are not only great for girls that are already playing golf to have their very own equipment designed just for them, but we also hope that the Barbie Golf line inspires a new set of girls to hit the greens and take an interest in this wonderful sport.”
The golf industry is also paying attention to the growing number of young girls who are interested in the sport. According to the National Golf Foundation, there are approximately 4.8 million junior golfers in the U.S. ages 6 to 17 and, of those, nearly two million are young females1. One national program, the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf, provides an opportunity for girls ages 7 to 17 to learn to play golf in local communities, offering professional golf instruction by joining the network of girl golfers throughout the country2.
There are two different sized sets of Barbie™ Golf equipment for girls – a set including 36″- 46″ clubs for girls ages 4-6 and a set including 46″-56″ clubs for girls ages 6-9.
The Barbie™ Golf sets include a driver, iron, putter, carrying bag (with an illustration of Barbie®), U.S.G.A.-approved golf ball, a visor, six wooden tees and three ball markers. The collection features girl-favorite colors (pink, purple, blue and yellow) and accents including flowers, hearts and butterfly graphics. The sets are available now at Target and Wal-Mart stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $39.99. Complete Barbie™ Golf sets with a free-standing golf bag will also be available in February 2008 for a suggested retail price of $49.99 each.
Additional items in the Barbie™ Golf line will include a six-piece golf ball pack, featuring two designs available February 2008 exclusively at Target for a suggested retail price of $6.99.
Exciting and innovative features for late fall 2008 Barbie™ Golf sets will include “fun” interactive features, such as buttons that activate a cool light-up feature or a sound feature with the voice of Barbie saying encouraging phrases such as “Good shot!”
About Mattel
Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced, Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, Radica:® and Tyco® R/C, as well as Fisher-Price® brands, including Little People®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. Mattel is recognized as one of the 100 Most Trustworthy U.S. Companies by Forbes Magazine and is ranked among the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by CRO Magazine. Committed to ethical manufacturing practices, Mattel marks a 10-year milestone in 2007 for its ever-evolving Global Manufacturing Principles and focus on sustainable business practices. With global headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 30,000 people in 43 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. Mattel’s vision is to be the world’s premier toy brands — today and tomorrow.
BARBIE and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by Mattel, Inc. © 2008 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Contact:
Lauren Dougherty
Michelle Llorin
Mattel Public Relations
310-252-4612/3520
Katie Trotsky
Ketchum PR (for Mattel)
310-584-8379
