Ty, the company behind Beanie Babies, has introduced their answer to the very popular Bratz dolls.
The dolls are obviously marketed to young girls, apparent in the immediate interest my preschool daughters demonstrated. The girls are plush dolls dressed in clothing that can only be labelled as “hooker-wear”. Tank tops, cleavage, mini skirts and skin tight pants are the styles. Their hair is rainbow colored with various streaks in them. Their faces are covered in makeup and they wear gaudy earrings. And of course, they sport the much loved red heart shaped Ty tag on them.
It appears that Ty is trying to blend the “badness” of the Bratz Girls with the popularity of the WebKinz.
The dolls, obviously, are a blatant ripoff of the shockingly popular “Bratz Girls”, even down to the spelling with a “Z”. The plush retirable dolls are also, of course, reminiscent of Ty Beanie Babies, however, these have the “secret code” tags made famous by WebKinz with their popular line of stuffed animals. Similar to WebKinz, TyGirlz are tied into their website. With the purchase of each plush doll, you get one secret code for that particular doll. When you register her, you get use of that doll, and one room for her to use.
Regarding the website:
After loading, the beat to the Hillary Duff song “Wake Up” begins.
(Whispered) Wake up, Wake up
There’s people talking
They talk about me
They know my name they think they know everything
But they don’t know anything about me.
Give me a dance floor
Give me a DJ
Play me a record
Forget what they say
‘Cause I need to go
Need to getaway, tonight
While this song plays with its thumping beat, the scene opens to “TyGirlz Street” – a city where 7 scantily clad prostitute looking TyGirlz stand on different street corners with their hands on their hips looking pouty and petulant, as any good prostitute should.
After this unbelievable promo – targeted at girls 12 and under – airs, then a girl begins to talk about all of the wonders of the website:
- Games
- Dazzlin’ Dextiny’s Wardrobe – after dressing D.D. in a sordid array of tank tops, micro mini skirts and putting on a big colored wig, she goes out to stand provocatively on a street corner, where a big car is approaching.
- Stargazerz – you are a star being stalked by paparazzi and must throw things at them to escape.
- Punky Penny’s Perfect Date – “I’ve got a big date tonight and I want to look great. Can you help me do my hair and makeup?”
- Create your own page – “All About Me”
- My House – Each TyGirlz doll comes with one room, which you use Ty dollars to decorate with furniture and decorations. Of course, each room comes with a large closet for you to organize your huge assortment of clothing. To get more rooms, you just need to buy more TyGirlz.
- Cell Phone – able to text all of your friends, after choosing your cell phone style, cover and ring tone.
- Chat Around the World – able to chat with make believe people in exotic places such as Hawaii, Paris, London, Hollywood and Hong Kong.
Have a look for yourself.
Also, be aware that the Ty Girlz site also has a chat feature that parents should be familiar with before allowing their daughters to access the site.
Concerned?
Let Ty know how you feel.
Let retailers know how you feel- here
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