Barbie Doll Gala Kicks off Year-Long Celebration; An All-Star Salute to the Barbie Doll's 40th Anniversary.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 7, 1999--Laughter, camera flashes, shimmering dresses and sleek tuxedos dotted the pink carpet tonight as the Barbie(R) doll's celebrity friends arrived at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York to celebrate her 40th Anniversary.

Susan Lucci, Rebecca Lobo, Dick Clark, Joan Allen and Melissa Joan Hart were among the hundreds of familiar faces who gathered to pay tribute to the famous fashion doll for her impact on little girls' lives. The evening's festivities included a special tribute to famous women of achievement in honor of the special anniversary, an exciting performance by teen singing sensation Brandy, the unveiling of Annie Liebovitz's Barbie doll artwork and a stunning Barbie doll fashion show including fashions through the years.

During the program, Mattel introduced the "Ambassadors of Dreams," women of achievement, who, like the Barbie doll, teach little girls that they can be anything. The women honored included Ruth Handler, creator of the Barbie doll; Muriel Siebert, first woman to buy a seat on the New York Stock Exchange; Rosie O'Donnell, Emmy-winning talk show host; Ann Moore, president of People Magazine; Dr. Sylvia Earle, renowned marine biologist; Jackie Joyner-Kersee, one of the greatest female athletes in the world; Katrina Garnett, technology entrepreneur; Vera Wang, leading fashion designer; and Geraldine Laybourne, top entertainment executive.

"This was an exciting opportunity to begin the year of celebration of the Barbie doll. The accomplishments and wisdom of these outstanding, trail-blazing women will provide little girls with tools to imagine their futures and to reach their goals," said Anne Parducci, senior vice president, Barbie Marketing. "The gala was one way to acknowledge the positive impact of the Barbie brand and to honor people that share the same visions and goals."

An Evening of Celebration

In a continuing commitment to support girls, Mattel CEO Jill Barad announced the Barbie brand's partnership with Girls Inc., a group dedicated to providing programs that make every girl strong, smart and bold(SM), preparing them for the new century. As a beginning to their ongoing relationship, Mattel president Bruce Stein presented a donation of $1 million to Girls Inc. to benefit and support the work of local Girls Inc. chapters nationwide.

As the master of ceremonies, Dick Clark led guests through a look at where the Barbie doll has been and where she is headed, while several of the Ambassadors of Dreams shared their own Barbie doll memories. Brandy closed the evening with the debut of a song from the new Barbie ad campaign, "Be Anything." She was joined for the finale by a 50-member all-girl choir, reminding the crowd of the power of dreams.

Since her creation in 1959 as a paper-doll-inspired friend, the Barbie doll has achieved the title of the most popular fashion doll ever created. She's held that title by adapting her look, lifestyle and fashions to meet changing times. In 1997, the Barbie doll line posted sales of $1.9 billion and more than one billion Barbie dolls (and family members) have been sold since 1959.

Mattel, Inc. is the worldwide leader in design, manufacture and marketing of children's toys. With headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel has offices and facilities in 36 countries and markets its products in more than 150 nations throughout the world.