In Support of Breast Cancer, Mattel Launches Pink Ribbon™ Barbie® Doll

Susan G. Komen Foundation and Barbie® Join Together to Facilitate Family Discussion about Breast Cancer

October 2, 2006 -- EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Joining the crusade against breast cancer, Mattel has partnered with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to create the Pink Ribbon™ Barbie® doll. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation will receive a minimum of $100,000 from Mattel to support the fight against breast cancer. The Pink Ribbon™ Barbie® doll celebrates the incredible strength, beauty and resilience of women. The doll's beautiful pink gown with attached pink ribbon proudly underscores Barbie® doll's support for the cause.

Designed in support of breast cancer and the many women either who have been or are currently diagnosed with the disease, Pink Ribbon™ Barbie® doll can serve as a communication vehicle to open a dialogue about breast cancer with children. For many women, it is important to communicate with children about the disease by approaching the issue in a place the child deems safe or by using special pink ribbon products designed specifically to allow for a dialogue kids can relate to.

"Developing breast cancer is undoubtedly difficult for those diagnosed, but many times can be just as daunting for the people who love them," said Liz Grampp, Director of Marketing, Mattel. "Barbie® doll has traditionally provided a great way for mothers - and even grandmothers - to connect with their daughters. Pink Ribbon™ Barbie® doll affords an opportunity to begin a dialogue about breast cancer among the thousands of families faced with this emotionally-challenging situation."

Tips on Discussing Breast Cancer with a Child

For the thousands of mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, teachers and neighbors diagnosed with breast cancer, and for all of the family, friends, and network of people who care about them, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Barbie® have joined together to offer thoughtful advice on how to open a dialogue about breast cancer with children and family members. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation offers the following tips:

• Be Honest: When speaking with children about your diagnosis, try to be as honest, truthful and open as possible - no matter how difficult it may seem. You decide how much you want to say. Remember that children, just like adults, will fill in their own interpretations wherever you leave big gaps. And, because children may not know as much as adults, it is more likely that what they fill in will be wrong.
• Encourage Discussion and Questions: Anything that changes your child's daily routine needs to be explained and discussed. If you are going to be gone for a few days, are getting sick from treatment, losing hair or a breast, let your child know why this is happening.
• Inform Other Important Caregivers: It is a good idea to let your children's teachers, coaches and caregivers know about what is going on so that they are aware and may help children cope if they are in their presence for most of the day.
• Accept Support: Your children depend on you for support and love but remember that they can be a source of support for you too. Most likely they will want to spend more time with you listening, playing and just talking.
• Get Inspired: The Komen Foundation is comprised of more than 100 Affiliates nationwide with more than 75,000 volunteers dedicated to fighting breast cancer. Use these volunteer opportunities to involve your family members in the fight against breast cancer.

Created by designer Robert Best, Pink Ribbon™ Barbie® doll stylishly joins the fight against breast cancer, wearing a frothy pink organza gown featuring a shirred design and tiers of ruffles. An attached pink ribbon proudly states Barbie® doll's support. A sparkly, tulle stole and long pink gloves complete the ensemble. The doll is available at Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R Us and on www.BarbieCollector.com. The approximate retail price is $24.95.

About Mattel

Mattel, Inc., (NYSE:MAT; www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl® and Tyco® R/C, as well as Fisher-Price brands (www.fisher-price.com), including Little People®, Rescue Heroes®, Power Wheels® and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 26,000 people in 42 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. The Mattel vision is to be the world's premier toy brands - today and tomorrow.

MATTEL, BARBIE and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by Mattel, Inc. © 2006 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

About Susan G. Komen

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. Today, the Foundation is an international organization with a network of more than 75,000 volunteers working through local Affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure® to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. Through fiscal year 2005, together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and generous donors, the Komen Foundation has invested $630 million in breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs. For questions about breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1.800 I'M AWARE® (1.800.462.9273).