HISTORY
The Big Idea
Hearts For Hearts Girls was created to make a difference—for
girls who play with dolls, for girls who care about others, and for girls
around the world who face difficult challenges in their lives.
To accomplish this, we produced beautiful, culturally
diverse dolls that were reasonably priced. Their clothing was inspired by
traditional fashions and patterns, but modified to appeal to a contemporary
audience. We took great care in the
details, creating multiple sculpts for their heads and designing unique jewelry
for each doll.
Because our brand mission was an emotionally-driven one—to
"change the world, one heart at a time—we also recognized the importance
of content. Our dolls needed to be characters,
and they needed stories to help girls understand where they came from and what
their lives were like. Only by adding this dimension would our young consumers
find a way to connect and be engaged beyond the usual doll play.
So we created diaries for each doll, derived from multiple stories
of real girls living in the same regions. We packaged a mini-book version in
each doll box. And we included an inspirational bracelet for the girl to wear.
Finally, we needed a charitable partner—because we wanted to
"make a difference" by donating a portion of each doll's purchase
price to charity. We chose World Vision, a well-respected and global
humanitarian organization that could use those donations to help children in
need everywhere.
Launch
In late 2010, the doll line was launched in retail and
online channels. The response was gratifying.
·
The brand made Dr. Toy's 2010 100 Best Products
list, along with being recognized by Dr. Toy (aka, Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D.,
who has reviewed children's products for 25 years) as one of the 10 Best Socially
Responsible Products for 2010.
·
We also won an 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold
Award
·
Our dolls won a DOTY (Doll of the Year Award) for
both 2010 and 2011, an award sponsored by Doll Reader magazine and created to
celebrate dolls with exceptional design and manufacture.
·
We were asked to participate in the 2010 UN International Year of Youth celebration
at the United National headquarters in New York City.
·
Our
website won a coveted W3 award, given to outstanding
Websites, Web Marketing, Web Video, and Mobile Apps created by some of the best
interactive agencies, designers, and creators worldwide.
Best of all, we
captured the enthusiasm and support of moms and girls everywhere. Moms who were
looking for a brand that went beyond the so-called "pink aisle," that metaphorical
(and literal) place in retail stores that caters to girl products focused on
fashion, glamour, pets, and playing mommy.
These moms
recognized and applauded our focus on real-world girls and their challenges and
on the altruistic aspect that allowed their daughters to help girls in other
cultures.
Today
We believe that
Hearts For Hearts Girls was ahead of its time—and that its mission is more
relevant than ever today. Never has there been a greater need for girls to come
together in friendship and respect, to learn about and understand cultural and
ethnic diversity, and to have an alternate perspective offered to them—one that
goes beyond pessimism, conflict, and suspicion to the heart of real girls in
this world.
We're thrilled to have
MPA Sales expand this brand into new markets and introduce it to new girls. They
are enthusiastic partners who believe wholly in Hearts For Hearts Girls and are
committed to its success.
It All Adds Up
We are continuing
our relationship with World Vision. For every doll sold, we will donate $1 to
their programs.
Some people have
wondered if $1 can really do any good, but it all adds up. Hearts For Hearts
Girls has donated $350,000 to World Vision so far. With this fresh launch of
the brand, we hope to help even more.
Because that's our
mission, to try and "change the world, one heart at a time."