Dollgate
EmailABC News’ Yunji de Nies Reports: The first daughters may be the most popular people in the White House right now. The day after the inauguration, J.Crew’s website crashed with people logging on to purchase their inaugural coats. Most controversially, toymaker Ty, the company that created the Beanie Baby, has launched "Marvelous Malia" and "Sweet Sasha." The dolls appear to have reached puberty, though Malia and Sasha are just 10 and 7. The first lady is not a fan of the dolls. In a paper statement, her spokeswoman Katie McCormick Lelyveld, said "We believe it is inappropriate to use young private citizens for marketing purposes." Initially, the company said they hoped the girls would like the dolls. Now, they say they dolls are not modeled after the Obama girls, but that the company simply likes the names Sasha and Malia. Ty refused our request for an on camera interview. Tune into "Nightline" tonight and "Good Morning America" tomorrow to see more on this.
– Yunji de Nies
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Given that the Obama organization’s seen fit to market Inaugural events to its own profit, it’s hard to see how they can object to the merchandising of mere dolls.
Posted by: Belle Starr | January 23, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
Hmmmm!
Posted by: anonymous | January 23, 2009, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
What’s next ? Could it be Barry and Michelle dolls and White House dream houses from Mattel? Could they exceed the popularity of Barbie and Ken?
Posted by: kathy | January 23, 2009, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm
“it’s hard to see how they can object to the merchandising of mere dolls.”
Because this is about their young daughters.
Posted by: Ryan C | January 23, 2009, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm
Listen up ty
Leave the kids out of this!
Posted by: smith | January 23, 2009, 3:20 pm 3:20 pm
This was a dumb idea by Ty and their responses to objections have been even dumber.
Posted by: Ryan C | January 23, 2009, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm
Anyone watching Blago wonder if he was awake in law school?
He just cited a cowboy on a ranch to explain con law
Posted by: smith | January 23, 2009, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm
I voted for Obama but I have always feared that there will be some sort of cult of personality — or family. …
Posted by: teddymaniac | January 23, 2009, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm
I will only pirchase a doll is it has Sasha’s beautiful big smile. What a wonder smile she has. Melia is very pretty and elegant knid of like her mom but Sasha and that smile always melt my heart.
Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | January 23, 2009, 3:24 pm 3:24 pm
These children were put in the spotlight for a reason. As often as needed, they will be trotted out for photo-ops. They’ve been made into something for people to adore.
So…in the great American custom, they’ve been merchandized. Why the surprise?
Next will be little dolls in Kid’s Meals…
Posted by: LaughingCynic | January 23, 2009, 9:48 pm 9:48 pm
The children are off limits!!!!!!
Posted by: BERNIE | January 23, 2009, 10:02 pm 10:02 pm
I think that the Ty corporation should give the girls a percentage of the doll income and have the girls choose the charity to donate the money to. It would have Ty come out smelling like a rose teaching children to donate and how to choose where their portion should go instead of smelling like a corporation trying to make money off of the Obama girls. They are too young to have this negative press and Ty needs to clean up their act or America is done buying their toys.
Posted by: Judy DeHaan | January 24, 2009, 12:14 am 12:14 am
The exploitation of the kids should not be done. America get over it and your racial viewpoints. What is the motto if you do not like them exploit them and make money. Pleeassse! When did America ever make a doll for any other kids in the White House?? Let them have as much privacy as they can.
Posted by: Symore | January 24, 2009, 12:16 am 12:16 am
The kids are off limits. As children they should be with their parents and the job calls for mom and dad to be in front of cameras. Children can go to work with their parents and we don’t call that marketing or exploitation. The dolls are ugly and it is just not tasteful to make dolls that parents haven’t given permission. Michelle’s law degree isn’t that dusty. As you very well know they are both lawyers!!
The twins are probably more interesting and cuddly.
Posted by: Marg | January 24, 2009, 12:21 am 12:21 am
I would be horrified if someone did this to my children. Yes,
President and First Lady Obama are public figures and yes, they will be seen with their children; however, please keep in mind that these young ladies are Minor Children which means this completely crosses the line of decency. We have a President who has an enormous amount on his plate. Let President Obama focus on the long road he has ahead of him, not distract him by making him worry about his daughters. Quite frankly I will not be purchasing anything Ty puts out as long as they continue to take advantage of the first families Young daughters.
Posted by: Laura Sanchez Van Veen | January 24, 2009, 12:27 am 12:27 am
It was low for Ty to make dolls and name them after the presidents daughters. How would they like if some some somehow got a picutre of their young child and made a doll of their child.
Posted by: Holly | January 24, 2009, 1:04 am 1:04 am
Just say No…Please do not buy this Greed!!
Posted by: rene | January 24, 2009, 1:06 am 1:06 am
Sorry Ty, no deal!
Posted by: Donna | January 24, 2009, 3:26 am 3:26 am
Hey its just dolls where were all of you when Sara Palins kids were being raked over the coals.Maybe Obama can get some of the money and Share the wealth.Oh thats right that was just getting elected talk.
Posted by: Bob Norris | January 24, 2009, 6:12 am 6:12 am
“Given that the Obama organization’s seen fit to market Inaugural events to its own profit, it’s hard to see how they can object to the merchandising of mere dolls.”
Gee Belle Starr, there’s a slight difference between marketing one’s own inauguration, and having some company marketing your children without consent.
Posted by: Mike C | January 24, 2009, 7:06 am 7:06 am
I think they’re adorable and the Obamas are being over protective here. Little girls need cute little dolls.
Posted by: Common Sense | January 24, 2009, 8:23 am 8:23 am
This isn’t the first time a doll has been made in the likeness of a famous child (e.g. Miley Cyrus). The difference is consent and who is making the profit! Let’s face it, the Obama daughters are famous now, not because of the dolls, but because of their father being President.
Why don’t the Obama’s make a deal with Ty such that Ty will donate ALL profits from the sale of the dolls to a charity of their choice (e.g. Make a Wish Foundation).
Posted by: mary | January 24, 2009, 10:56 am 10:56 am
Whats the big deal? This family has such an ego as long as it keeps them
in the spotlight. Never for a minute
think they really care. Having a
doll like that in our day was a big
“joke”. Wouldn’t take one if they
were giving them away.
Posted by: Mildred | January 24, 2009, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm
YO, if the dolls sell send all the money to a homeless shelter………..
Posted by: C.C.C.Jr. | January 24, 2009, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm
…where were all of you when Sara Palins kids were being raked over the coals.”
Posted by: Bob Norris | Jan 24, 2009 6:12:25 AM
*****
Exactly. And, just for amusement, I went back over the entries in September on this very blog. Remember what the prOBama crowd was saying about Palin? “She put her kids in the spotlight, so they’re fair game.” And THEY weren’t talking about idolizing by selling/buying dolls and coats.
No, they were questioning a baby’s parentage. To start with.
One charming poster by nom of DP stated, “Get her kids, too!” when going off on Palin.
“Family as fair game” is not a new rule, and it is NOT practiced by just one party. Just be happy all the attention is commercial feeding the adoration…for now.
Posted by: LaughingCynic | January 24, 2009, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm
While it has not been well adhered to, it is commonly held that the children of the president are “off limits” in order to shield them and give them whatever symbolance of a normal life possible. Turning a 10 and 7 year old into ‘Rock Stars’ is not in their best interest at this stage of their development. Whether a person likes or dislikes the president, or whatever one’s philosophical beliefs are have no bearing on what is best for the children, and if there is an error it must be on the side of caution – not the P & L statement. They can merchandise something else or they can rename the dolls. I know that in America they don’t have to do anything, but I hope they will do what is best for the children.
Posted by: Dale | January 25, 2009, 2:53 am 2:53 am
That’s pretty tacky. Saying they ‘just like the names’ is a pretty thin fig leaf. It’s pretty clear that Ty is 100% trying to make money by exploiting their images and names. I’d send them a warning letter to cease and desist or be sued for infringement or get an injunction on the sale.
Posted by: Bud | January 25, 2009, 7:46 am 7:46 am
What ever happened to free enterprize? People will buy the dolls and that could help boost the economy. We all are told to make sacrifices. I see nothing wrong with the dolls. The first family does not own the rights to their daughters names.
Posted by: kbmb | January 25, 2009, 11:59 am 11:59 am
Welcome to America – Made in China.
Posted by: disgusted in Ohio | January 25, 2009, 9:00 pm 9:00 pm
Remembering Kenneth and Mamie Clark famous doll study on the effects of African American children and racism,the popularity of Ty’s dolls would do alot to reverse the negative psychology that’s associated with the social belief that dark skin negatively impacts a child’s self worth in the American culture. Although I don’t support using the children’s image w/o the parents permission, I do believe the positives out weigh the negatives in helping all minority children feel good about the skin they’re in.
Posted by: Phyllis Morrell | January 27, 2009, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
personally I think the dolls look asian, and I am buying a pair for my chinese grandaughter………..
Posted by: gramma | February 3, 2009, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm
The dolls are cute.nothing wrong!!!!!!
Posted by: Juan | February 5, 2009, 10:37 pm 10:37 pm
Maybe Ty could make a Michelle doll wearing a flag dress and it could say: this is the first time I have been proud of my country.
Talk about someone being egocentric !
Posted by: a n'er be narcissist | March 22, 2010, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm