Colleen Almeida Smith: Easy-Bake Oven goes gender-neutral in win for young cooks everywhere
BY COLLEEN ALMEIDA SMITH World Associate Editor
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
12/19/12 at 3:07 AM
A black, silver and blue Easy-Bake Oven is on its way.
That's the news from Hasbro.
According to The Associated Press, Hasbro says it will soon reveal a gender-neutral Easy-Bake Oven after meeting with a New Jersey girl who started a campaign calling on the toy maker to make one that appeals to all kids.
McKenna Pope, 13, of Garfield, N.J., garnered more than 40,000 signatures on her online petition at Change.org for a gender-neutral version of the oven after her younger brother Gavyn asked for one for Christmas.
McKenna and Gavyn also asked Hasbro to include boys in the ads.
Several male chefs jumped on board her effort and made a video last week supporting her and her brother.
At Hasbro's invitation, McKenna and her family drove to the company's Pawtucket, R.I., headquarters Monday to meet with its Easy-Bake team, according to AP. During the meeting, Hasbro executives showed off a prototype of their newest Easy-Bake Oven: one that's black, silver and blue.
Hasbro has been working on the new color scheme and design for about 18 months and decided to invite McKenna to see it and offer her thoughts, John Frascotti, Hasbro's chief marketing officer, told AP.
Hasbro has announced plans to introduce the new color scheme at the industry's Toy Fair in New York in February. Frascotti said people are likely to see it on store shelves next summer.
Congratulations, Mc Kenna and Gavyn, and thank you. Your efforts in fighting gender stereotypes make the toy aisle a friendlier place for everyone.
Original Print Headline: Gender-neutral Hasbro Easy-Bake Oven on way
Associated Images:
McKenna Pope (right), 13, and her brother Gavyn Boscio, 4, of Garfield, N.J., were delighted to learn that Hasbro has a gender-neutral Easy Bake Oven in the works. JULIO CORTEZ / AP
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