Hasbro’s iconic “Mr. Potato Head” is being rebranded as simply “Potato Head.”
According to a company spokesperson, this allows children as young as its target audience of two- and three-year-olds to create whatever gender potatoes and families they wish. A “family-pack” will include two large potatoes and one small one with over forty pieces for children to use to create the families of their choice.
While some welcome the change in the name of inclusiveness, others are raising an eyebrow to this level of “political correctness” in a toy targeted towards small children.
Video Spotlight:
- Hasbro rebrands Mr. Potato toy to be more gender-neutral (Feb 26, 2021, GMA)
This post is based on the Fast Company article, The iconic Mr. Potato Head gets a 21st century rebrand, by Dr. Elizabeth Segran, February 25, 2021, and the YouTube video in the Spotlight. Image source: D. Hurst/Alamy
Discussion Questions:
1. What is the product life cycle and where are Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, soon to be known simply as “Potato Head,” in that cycle?
Guidance: The product life cycle depicts the various stages in the life of a product, beginning with the introductory phase, Continue reading