By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Mattel is introducing a new licensed Ken doll to its Barbie brand that features the likeness of basketball player, activist and philanthropist LeBron James.
Developed in partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF), the licensed collectible marks the first Ken doll to feature the likeness of a professional athlete.
“Ken is Barbie’s longtime best friend and supporter,” said Mattel SVP, Krista Berger. “We are excited to bring fans a new presentation of Ken that celebrates LeBron as a role model, his icon status, lasting impact on culture, and dedication to setting a positive example for the next generation to reach their limitless potential.”
James worked with the Barbie brand’s design team to add numerous personal details to the doll’s outfit.
These personal accents include a custom varsity jacket, Nike Terminator High sneakers, Beats headphones, sunglasses, a fanny pack, a watch, an I Promise band and a t-shirt adorned with the LJFF’s We Are Family slogan.
The patches featured on the custom varsity jacket reference significant milestones from his life, including a LJFF We Are Family patch, a 23 patch for his basketball jersey number and an Ohio patch to honor his hometown of Akron.
In addition, the LeBron James Kenbassador doll stands a full inch taller than the standard Ken doll and is offered in custom, larger sized packaging.
“As a young kid, I was fortunate to have role models who not only inspired me but also showed me what’s possible through hard work and dedication,” said LeBron James. “Now, as an adult, I understand how vital it is for young people to have positive figures to look up to. That’s why partnering with Barbie to release the LeBron James Kenbassadors doll is such an honor. It’s an opportunity to recognize the powerful impact of role models who instill confidence, inspire dreams, and show kids that they, too, can achieve greatness.”
As part of the partnership, the Barbie brand will be making a donation to the LJFF to support its charitable and educational programs.
The LeBron James Family Foundation is a non-profit organization that invests its time and resources into creating generational change for kids and families. It accomplishes this through a variety of initiatives across education, health-care support, affordable housing and co-curricular educational programs.
With its foundational ‘I Promise’ Program, LJFF serves more than 1,600 students and their families by providing them with the fundamental resources, supports and family programming they need for success in school and life.
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Since the launch of its first ‘I Promise’ School in 2018, the Foundation has layered in more resources through additional ‘I Promise’ initiatives and locations.
These initiatives span higher education, family supports, transitional housing, job training, financial health programming, long-term affordable housing and primary healthcare services.
“For the LeBron James Family Foundation and the families we serve, this is so much more than a doll,” said LeBron James Family Foundation executive director, Michele Campbell. “It represents the reality that a kid from anywhere can make a difference. We are incredibly honored to partner with Barbie to continue inspiring the next generation and to celebrate LeBron’s unwavering commitment to his community by giving back through the LeBron James Kenbassadors doll.”
In addition to its LJFF donation, Mattel has also pledged to give a copy of the I Am More Than book by Lebron James to Save The Children for the first 5000 Kenbassador dolls sold through Target stores from April 14 to 19.
The Barbie Signature LeBron James Kenbassadors doll will be available at select Target stores and online at Target.com, Amazon, Walmart and Mattel Creations starting April 14.